Tag: Short stories

FF: Of Endings

Hello! Hope you are having a lovely weekend. I believe it’s unexpectedly hot these days at several places. In Delhi, though it’s not raining as much but pretty overcast and terribly humid. But i guess that’s to be expected for the next two months or so. Sigh.

Moving on, it’s time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less based on a photo prompt kindly provided this week by J Hardy Carroll. If you wish to join the challenge or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Off we go!

Photo Prompt © J Hardy Carroll

Of Endings

Words 100

After the cremation, the men returned home. The son, with his head shorn wore white unstitched garments. Several rituals still remained. A stream of visitors dropped in to pay their respects.

“I suppose your mother will shift to Delhi now?” A family friend asked.

“We don’t know yet. She is quite independent and attached to this house.”

“But surely she cannot stay alone?”

The son shrugged. “I don’t know. There hasn’t been a chance to discuss any of the practicalities.”

“Yes of course. Of course. But, in case you, decide to sell this house, I would like to purchase it.”

***

Thank you for visiting, have a great week ahead.

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

FF: Hunger Games

Hello hope you all are having a lovely weekend. Happy Rakshabandhan to everybody. In Delhi, it’s been raining almost non-stop for the past 12 hours so. Finally the deluge has let up a bit. Hope it stays that way to allow the brothers and sisters to meet without any stress.

It’s past Friday and time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less based on a photo prompt kindly provided this week by Jen Pendergast. If you wish to join the challenge or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Off we go!

Photo Prompt © Jen Pendergast

Hunger Games

Words 100

“Not well?” Tilak asked.

“A bad headache.” Nita said.

“Take a paracetamol and lie down.”

“But dinner?”

“Relax. I can manage.”

 “Thanks. There’s leftover rice and dal in the fridge. If you could make okra and perhaps eggs…?”

“Sure.”

An hour later, Nita woke up to find her four year old daughter breathing into her face. “What’s the matter, darling? Had your dinner?”

She nodded. “Mamma, are you going to die?”

“No! Why do you ask.”

“I don’t like onions in my omelette.” She started bawling.

“And,” her six-year-old had joined them, “he put potatoes in okra. Who does that?!”

***

Were or are your children fussy about food? Do share your experiences in the comment section. Thank you for visiting, i too shall be blog hopping in a bit. See you soon.

For those who are reading Some Sugar & Spice, 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: 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: Strawberry Moon

Hello and welcome to yet another edition of Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. And once again i am late to the party but better late than ever. So off we go to my submission this week on a photo full of possibilities provided by Dale. To read the other stories inspired by this photo or join the challenge click here.

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

Strawberry Moon

Words 100

Darkness fell on a dark day.

Free from work, she sought distraction in doom scrolling. But instead of feeling better, she felt worse. Everything seemed to taunt her, mock her failings, her inadequacies, of how she just wasn’t enough.

Restless, she wandered to the balcony.

She gasped at the intense blast of heat that hit her. Not a soul, not even a bird or dog stirred.

Yet, there was someone else who was sleepless.

Consistently showing up, apparently unaware of their imperfections. No…flaunting them with elan and grace.

Feeling her spirits lift, she raised a toast to the gleaming moon.

***

Thank you for visiting, do share your thoughts, comments and suggestions.

For anyone interested, Chapter 14 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: The Collapse of a Merger

Hi there! Today I am again attempting to play a 100 words for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers on a photo kindly provided by Roger Bultot. If you want to join in or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Roger.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

The Collapse of a Merger

Words 100

There were smiles and claps all around as they shook hands and embraced.

The envisaged final outcome promised to set an example to the world. The wide arched span, bolstered modern support systems and thoughtful inclusion of futuristic elements, instilled confidence and joy in all.

Money exchanged hands, deadlines were set and tasks assigned. In keeping with the design requirements, work began simultaneously from both ends.

Over time, differences arose, however, yielding to pressure from senior advisors, all activities were completed on time.

Barely into the first monsoon, the foundation collapsed and the entire structure toppled over

Another failed marriage.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 5 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: A Makeover

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Sandra Crook for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Sandra.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

A Makeover

Words 100

In her heydays, there were long queues. They would come in one by one, voice their worries, and on occasion, go off into peals of laughter.

With time, the queues had dwindled until there were none.  Inside too, there was nothing but dusty corners. In a limbo, the days, months, weeks, rolled into one.

A thunderstorm.  With a crash, a glass shattered.

One spring morn, sprouting between the cracks — tiny purple blooms.  The egg that the pigeon had nurtured with such care, hatched.

The squab flapped its wings, flying over hills and vales, carrying the scent of her myriad tales.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 3 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: A Knotty Tale

A big hello to all of you and welcome to my first flash fiction in over a year. I am thrilled to be able to participate in Rochelle’s weekly challenge of a story in 100 words – Friday Fictioneers – based on an atmospheric photo prompt kindly provided by Dale. Thank you Rochelle, thank you Dale. Looking forward to reading all the other stories on this prompt.

If you like, you may click here to read and add your own story. See you there!

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

A Knotty Tale

Words 100

Ms Ghari sat in one corner, her knobbly fingers going knit purl, knit purl.

She was scowling and mumbling. “Halloween!!! Such a ruckus with no consideration for a poor old woman. You think I am mad? I will show you.”

She caressed the red wool cap she had knitted. This was no ordinary wool, it was soaked in poison and dried. Whoever wore it was in for an unpleasant end.

The doorbell rang.

Aha, a child!

Gleefully, she wrenched open the door and slipped the cap over the boy who held out a bunch of flowers, “Only for you Ms…”

– xxxx –

Thank you for reading and dont forget to share your thoughts. Have a great day.

FF: The Visitors

Hello, hope you are having a grand week. I am busy as the Durga Puja celebrations are on. Yet I am pleased that I could manage to post an entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle. I will be along to read your stories in a bit. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt provided by Liz Young. Thanks Liz.

Photo Prompt Liz Young

FF: The Visitors

Words 100

“This is terrible!”

“The innocent are suffering the consequences of hate and greed.”

“We must stop this endless cycle of senseless killing!”

 “What can we do?”

“Let’s go away!”

“But where?”

“I know the perfect place.” Their leader said.

“Are we at the right place?”

“I think so,” whispered one. “What do you think?”

“Let’s go and find out.” Their leader ventured a bit further, only to stop short.

“Abort mission! Withdraw!” The leader ordered.

“What’s happening?” Powering their spaceship they surveyed the scene of carnage and mass destruction.

“Déjà vu.  The Blue Planet is no longer perfect for life.”

***

Happy Durga Puja to all of you and may the Mother shower peace, prosperity and oneness on us.

FF: Over in a Flash

Here’s my entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle, a story in 100 words based on the photo prompt. Click here to read other stories for this challenge and add your own story.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

FF: Over in a Flash

Words 100

“Granny please tell me that story again.”

“That day,” Granny began, “we were all so excited to be meeting up at our beach house. It was a clear day, blue skies with wispy clouds, an inky blue…”

“Who all were coming?”

“Everyone! Your Aunt from India, Uncle from Canada, their children…”

“Why were they coming?”

“There were several reasons. It was my 75th and your 10th birthday, your parents anniversary. Your Uncle’s promotion, your Aunt wanted to introduce her fiancé. Oh, that was such a joyous time with so many things to celebrate!”

“Why did they drop those bombs Granny?”

***

Thanks for visiting. Have a good day.