Tag: India

FF: Autumn Years

Hello! Welcome to another edition of Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers a story in 100 words inspired by the photo provided this week by Ted Strutz. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo.

Photo Prompt © Ted Strutz

Autumn Years

Words 100

All those road trips, the singing, the food and best of all, the laughter. Where had it all gone?

Even the leaves had fallen and life looked bleak and barren. Nothing to do but wait for death. Wasn’t it?

Perhaps for you, a branch swayed in the breeze, I am waiting for spring. What has gone will come back. There will be new leaves, sprouts, flowers, fragrance, birds and bees…

But what about me, the old abandoned car wailed.

Well for starters, you can stop crying. And wait for spring too. You can offer solace and be home to many.

***

Thank you for reading. Have a great week. And if you have time (and the inclination) why don’t you drop in here for the now completed short story:- Some Sugar & Spice. Or if you prefer poems, have a peek here

FF: Crossroads

Hello! Happy to be able to participate, even if a late for Rochelle’s weekly party – Friday Fictioneers, a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt kindly provided by Lisa Fox this fox. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt and join the fun, click here.

Photo Prompt © Lisa Fox

Crossroads

Words 100

“Rohan?” Sohini stopped short. He was working as a driver?

“Hi.” His embarrassment was evident.

“Bye.” Turning, she hesitated. “I still hate you. Especially the way you dumped me. I was barely 18, you could have been kinder.” She gave him a faint smile. “That said, I know it was the best thing that could have happened to me. It woke me up and made me stronger. I am in a happy place now.”

“Good for you.”

“You need to come out of your self-absorbed misery and introspect how this could be the best thing that happened to you. Goodbye.”

***

Thanks for visiting, looking forward to reading your stories. Have a great weekend.

For those who are reading, Some Sugar & Spice — Chapter 35 is up.

#tanka 8

A mid-week tanka for your reading pleasure (hopefully!).

a red rose
behind the shrubs
unseen
she belittles her own
existence

haikuKATHA Issue 30 April 2024

Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts. In case you are interested in this genre of poetry, click here

For those who are reading Some Sugar & Spice the next chapter is up.

FF: Of Endings

Hello! I loved the photo shared by Dale for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers and couldnt resist posting another story. Hope you like! Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo.

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

Of Endings

Words 100

“Nani!” Shiuli came running, “You are missing all the excitement.” She dragged her granny to the balcony. A crowd had gathered below.

“Oh! Where’s the pipal?”

“Remember that sound during the storm? It was the pipal toppling over.”

Granny gave a sigh. “I will miss that tree.”

“Look at the damage Nani! Lata Auntie’s balcony is smashed. Three cars crushed and the tree is hanging on the electric cables. The pole too is nearly uprooted. Now, there will be no electricity or internet.” Shiuli moaned.

Granny gave another sigh. “When it’s my time, I hope I can slip away quietly.

***

Thank you for reading my second submission to this prompt. Have a great weekend. And if you have time (and the inclination) why don’t you drop in here for Some Sugar & Spice. For those already reading, the next chapter is up but no promises on stress relief! 😀

FF: Reflections

Hello! Welcome to another edition of Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers a story in 100 words inspired by the lovely photo provided this week by Dale. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo.

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

Reflections

Words 100

“Wh…at?”

“Let’s end this.” Sahas’ voice was flat.

“Why? You were so happy on our 25th anniversary…”

“After Tara’s marriage, I felt it was my last obligation.”

“Did I do something wrong? I will be better. I swear.”

He shook his head. “I want out.”

“Is there someone else?”

“Does it matter?”

“What will everyone say?” Sheeta pleaded.

“Tara’s fine.”

“What about the others!” She screamed.

He shrugged.

Two decades later, Sheeta sent a text to Sahas.

Dinner? My treat.

What’s the occasion? Another promotion?

A thank you for releasing me from a prison I didn’t know I was in.

***

Thank you for reading. Have a great weekend. And if you have time (and the inclination) why don’t you drop in here for Some Sugar & Spice. For those already reading, the next chapter is up. 🙂

FF: Fireworks

Another weekend and time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt, kindly provided this week by Roger Bultot. If you too would like to join the challenge or read the other stories inspired by this photo, click here.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

Fireworks

Words 100

Nita breathed in the sea air. “A long drive to show off your new car!”

“It’s been weeks since we met. Even the car’s a month old. Do you even care?” Rohit huffed.

“Sorry, this month was crazy.”

“Mine’s next month.” He tucked a strand behind her ear. “Should we…do you think…will you marry me?” he was on his knees, holding out a ring. “I know it’s not much of a proposal. I thought of fireworks but they cause pollution…”

“That clinches it!” she held out her hand. “As a child, I was forced to work in a firecracker factory.”

***

Thank you for visiting. Hope you have a great weekend.

For those who are reading Some Sugar & Spice, the next chapter is up.

FF: A World of her Own

Hello everyone! We meet again for another edition of Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words hosted by Rochelle. The photo this week is kindly provided by David Stewart. If you would like to read the other stories inspired by this photo, click here

Photo Prompt © David Stewart

A World of her Own

Words 100

They banged the door, rang the bell but to no avail. She stayed locked in her tower.

How did she manage?

Food and other necessities were just a phone call away. When they came, she would drop the basket down. Once in a while, she would tiptoe out at night to take care of the garbage.

What about money?

She paid for them with her stories and articles. Internet data was affordable enough for her drama fix.

But why?

She didn’t want anything to do with people.

People who threw acid on her or the others who averted their eyes.

***

Thank you for visiting and i will be along in a bit. Have a super weekend.

For those who are reading Some Sugar & Spice, the next chapter is up.

FF: The Party

Hello, hope you are having a grand weekend. It’s time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers and as usual i am running late. But better late than never. So here i am with another story in 100 words, inspired by Rochelle’s photo. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.

Photo prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The Party

Words 100

“The party isn’t until 7 pm.” My husband looked at his watch, “how come you’re ready?”

 “Aunty requested me to come early and help her get dressed.”

My husband gave a snort. “You always rave about the way she wears her sari and make up. Why would she need you?”

I hesitated. “Perhaps she’s feeling her age.”

My husband grunted and thankfully let it go.

I had kept my promise. All Aunty wanted was moral support. She needed someone to hold her hand and soothe her jangling nerves.

Her husband of 60 years had raised his hand at her, again.

***

Thank you for reading, i will be along to read the other stories inspired by this photo in a bit.

For anyone interested, Chapter 17 of Some Sugar & Spice is up. Or if you prefer poems in the haikai genre, click here

FF: The Wedding

Hello! Happy to be on time this time, or at least not late for Rochelle’s weekly party – Friday Fictioneers, a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt kindly provided by Ted Strutz. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt and join the fun, click here.

Photo Prompt © Ted Strutz

The Wedding

Words 100

“Say cheese!” Rupam clicked the newly-wedded couple’s picture. “You both are looking great. You can frame this photo.” He turned to his kids. “Come and touch your mother’s feet and say goodbye.”

“Isn’t Mother going to live us anymore?” Sukhi, their five-year-old asked. “And who is that man next to her?”

Rupam hustled his children. “Let’s go. Your mother has a new husband and she’s going to live with him from now on.”

“But seriously Rupam,” his friend frowned, “how you can get your own wife married off to another beats me.”

“Much better than having them bump me off.”

***

Inspired by a true incident:

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-murder-man-gets-wife-married-bablu-vikas-radhika-katar-jot-scared-after-cement-murder-up-man-gets-wife-married-to-lover-then-a-plot-twist-8061918

Thanks for visiting.

For anyone interested, Chapter 15 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FOTD: Marigold

Here’s my entry to Cee’s Flower of the Day of the challenge

Marigolds from my mom’s garden 🙂 Marigold are believed to symbolize purity, divinity, and the connection between life and death. Marigold is the most commonly offered flower in several religious ceremonies. But did you know that it’s Lord Ganesha’s favorite flower? Well I didnt. Apparently this is an edible plant with medicinal properties. I remember once as a child I had cut myself and it was pouring blood (in my memory at least) and mom just crushed some marigold leaves and instantly it stopped bleeding.

That’s it from me, for now. Wishing everyone a Happy Dhanteras!