Words 100
“Once upon a time, I was young, happy and carefree.” He said addressing gathered guests on their gala anniversary celebrations. “Until I met her.”
Laughter.
“But,” he raised a hand; “I experienced true happiness only after marriage.”
“Awww.” They nudged her and giggled.
Whenever your demands were met, she smiled at them.
“Thank you for the greatest joy of my life,” he pointed, “my darling Jaya.”
Whom you wanted me to abort, she swallowed.
“I am now the proud husband of a Bank Manager.”
Cheers and claps.
One who is not allowed to manage her own account. Her father beamed.
***
Written (with apologies to Maya Angelou) for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Liz for the intriguing photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Words 200
“Cheers!” They clinked glasses of preferred poisons.
“When did we last meet?” Priya asked.
“Rhea’s wedding.” Molly winked at Priya as she raised her glass in a toast to Rhea. “So Rhea, did our advice help?”
They giggled at her blank look.
“The birds and the bees.” Priya prodded.
“Oh please!” Rhea smacked her forehead. “Couldn’t you girls have given me some better advice?”
“Like what?”
“Like how disastrous it is to have a joint bank account with your spouse.” Rhea shuddered. “If only someone had told me to keep our accounts separate.”
“Money sweeter than honey.” Molly giggled.
Priya poked Molly. “What would you have done differently?”
“I would’ve prayed harder for my children to ignore me.”
They stared.
“When my children left home and promptly forgot about me, I was devastated.” Molly said. “After several tragedies, broken hearts and late night calls I realized the harsh fact of life.” She grinned. “If your loved ones don’t miss you, they are in a happy place.”
“Your turn.” They looked at Priya.
“I would’ve stayed connected.” Priya looked at them. “I would’ve stolen some time for my friends.” She swallowed. “Invested more in myself, my constant and often only companion.”
***
This photo prompt was one of my earliest (second or perhaps the third) attempts at flash fiction. You can read it here if you wish and let me know which one you prefer – if at all!
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Photo from Google Maps
Words 151
“Exams over?”
She gave an ecstatic twirl. “I am free!”
“Free?” I queried. “But what about admissions, career…”
“None of that nonsense for me,” she dismissed with her nose in the air. “I have my future all planned.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First college for some graduation course…”
“Which course?”
“Whatever I qualify for.”
“Okay. Next?”
“Prince Charming will find me and sweep me off my feet. I will lead him to a merry dance, before agreeing to marry him.”
“Wow.”
She smiled dreamily. “A stupendous destination wedding with both Shah Rukh and Salman Khan dancing and then go abroad for our honeymoon.”
“Where abroad?”
“Anywhere! The States to do lots of shopping.” She giggled. “Visit all the famous tourist spots, go trekking, camping, just him and me.” She clasped her hands. “It will be the most romantic time ever.”
“Nice.” I said. “And then what?
“I haven’t thought further than that.”
***
Written for What Pegman Saw – a story in 150 words or less based on locations chosen from Google Maps. This week we are off to Yellowstone National Park in the US and on my bucket list. Thanks to K Rawson for hosting the challenge. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.
Words 100
“Belated happy birthday!” Shipra greeted Deeksha.
“Thanks.”
“How did you celebrate?”
“We didn’t. We are still in mourning.”
“Oh I am sorry.” Shipra offered her condolences. “Last year too you couldn’t celebrate as your father-in-law was unwell.”
“Yes.”
“It must be over six months since he passed away?”
“Yes.”
“Yet your husband attended his cousin’s wedding last week?”
“It wouldn’t have looked nice if he hadn’t gone.”
“So only you’re expected to mourn?”
“That depends.” Deeksha said. “As I am integral part of their family, they made sure I participated actively in the wedding festivities soon after my father’s death.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Bjorn for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
The Daily Post this week invites us to share a visual story. I am busy shifting houses (now that would tell an amazing story but that’s another story for another day 😉 but since I can’t seem to keep away from the blog world, I am re-posting one (from August 2016) which some of you may have seen. But I think it is worth a revisit. Feel free to disagree and move on! 😀
The other day I spotted a pair of geese:
Excited, I moved in for a closer shot:
But no matter how much I tried, the goose just wouldn’t let me click his mate. It honked and glared and pretended to be interested in the distal most piece juicy stem.
Can you beat that?
The typical Indian male I supposed and walked away (or at least pretended to but the goose wasn’t that much of a goose – it wasn’t buying or budging).
Until I really walked away. That’s when I noticed:
She was injured or ill and he was merely trying to keep away an opportunistic predator.
Blessed to witness such a rare and precious sight.
