Tag: Short stories

FF: Spinning a Yarn

Hello! Hope you are having a super day. Here’s my attempt to participate in the weekly flash fiction party hosted by Rochelle where everyone is welcome to join. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Spinning a Yarn

Words 100

“I want my order on the 15th,” the customer said.

“But Madam,” Rekha pleaded, “30th was the agreed date. Chikankari* is handmade, it’s time-consuming and back-breaking ….”

“I can pay extra.”

“They’re award winning artisans, one can’t just order…”

“How about 30% extra?”

“I‘ll request them.”

 “So darn hot!” Rekha moaned at her artisan’s makeshift shop, a mat, under the banyan tree.

The wizened woman looked up from her embroidery.

“When will my order be ready?”

“Another 10 days.”

“5 days.”

“Sorry Madamji. My son isn’t well and my…”

“Not my business. For each day’s delay, I will deduct 10%.

***

A/N * Chikankari is the technique of creation of a chikan work, which is a delicate hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics. Traditional chikankari is white floral embroidery on soft pastel shades of light muslin and cotton. You may visit this link for more information

Thanks for visiting. Would love to know your thoughts. Have a great day 🙂

FF: Off His Chest

Hello everyone! It’s Friday Fictioneer’s time and we have yet another party which you are welcome to join. Thank you Rochelle for hosting it and Jennifer Pendergast for the photo prompt. Click here to join and the Rules are here.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
FF: Off His Chest

Words 100

 “Hello David.”

“Mary? How…When…”

“Why so startled? My first time coming home after my wedding, I had to meet you. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”

“Er….”

“Everything’s the same. That pen stand’s the one I gifted you? Aww, David. Still pining for me? Sorry, darling but it’s time you moved on.”

“Um…”

“I love this quaint chest. Remember how I used to hide here whenever the doorbell rang? Ha. Ha!” She opened the chest. “Eeeks!”

“Hi Mary.” Raina popped out.

“Why’re you hiding here?”

“I thought it was his mom. How’s Shailesh?”

“You know my husband?”

“Sort of. My ex-boyfriend.”

***

I tried my personal favorite format – only dialogue. Wondering if it worked or was confusing – do let me know. Thanks for reading. Have a super day 🙂

PS: In view of the confusion, I edited it. Hope it reads better now. Thanks for your support.

FF: Of Choices

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here to play or read other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

FF: Of Choices

Words 100

“Stay here for a bit.” She instructed and vanished.

Devika didn’t even notice that she was alone.

Red!

Blue!

Green!

The rectangular ones?

But the square yellow ones were the most sought after.

What about those on the topmost shelf?

Dare she climb that high?

What if she fell off and hurt herself?

Perhaps the nearest ones would be safest.

Yet, the pink ones tugged at her heart.

She looked around wishing, wanting, dithering until she was dizzy.

“Dear Mother,” she folded her hands, “give me what You think is best for me and let me be content in that.”

***

Thanks for dropping by. Have a super day 🙂

FF: Broken Beauty

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

Broken Beauty

Words 100

“We have some questions Mr Kar.” Rakesh flashed his ID.

“Yes?”

“It’s over a month since your wife disappeared?”

“Yes.”

“Any messages. Calls?”

“No.”

“Any suspicions?”

“None.”

“Great garden.” Rakesh looked around. “I too like gardening.”

“Thanks.”

 “That’s quite a contrast, though,” he pointed, “raw, wild and beautiful.”

“That was my wife’s space.”

 “Ah.”

Rakesh stumbled over a loose stone slab.

“Careful. Let’s go back. There’re all sorts of insects, bugs, even snakes.”

“Interesting.” Rakesh bent down. “Only a couple of slabs have the prolific creeping Jenny around them.”

“Why run?” Rakesh called. “I’ll drive you to the police station.”

***

Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful week ahead!

FF: Divided

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Divided

Words 100

“Must you always win?” The chair overturned as Rohan stormed out.

Dave held Sheila back. “Let him be. He’s had a bad day.”

“That’s no excuse for bad manners.” Sheila fumed.

“Maybe he’s hungry.” Binna said.

“Who isn’t?” Sheila was in no mood to be pacified. “Always bulldozing…”

“When did I ever?” Rohan was back.

“Last Sunday, when we…” Sheila began counting.

“It was my birthday…”

“Today’s mine.” Binna raised a hand.

“Right!” Rohan clicked his fingers. “And you’d naturally prefer chole bhature over tacos.” He smirked.

 “Nope.” Binna countered with a smug smile. “I ordered tteokbokki.”

***

Hello everyone! I sneaked in last week and hope to stick around for a long(er) period this time. Looking forward to catching up with all of you. Happy weekend 🙂

WWP #287: Not So Sweet Revenge

Hello! I am back with a piece for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt – Revenge in exactly 79 words. Hope you like!

Not so Sweet Revenge

Words 79

“Where’s Deva?”

“Daddy!” Chotti ran to him sobbing. “He’s gone off to play football. He has an exam tomorrow as well.”

“That boy.”

““He’s always playing.” Chotti rubbed it in. “Or teasing me.” She pouted.

“Hari Prakash!” Her father shouted. “Go get Deva home immediately.”

Chotti skipped, but stopped short.

“Daddy, let him play today.” She wore her most angelic expression. “Scold him later.”

“Why?” He frowned.

“Because, he promised to get her an ice cream today,” Khushi revealed.

***

Thanks for reading, would love to hear your thoughts. Have a super day ahead

FF: The Monster

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

Photo prompt Sandra Crook

The Monster

Words 101

“Nani,” Chotti pulled at her granny’s hand, “let’s go the other way.”

“But that’s so much longer dear!”

“Chotti is terrified of afraid of that,” Deva snickered nodding his head.

“That’s just a hill.”

“No Nani,” Angel clung to her hand “that’s a monster from space. It’s face was eaten up by the creeper.” Her eyes were wide with terror.

“Deva.” Nani looked at him reprovingly.

“It wasn’t me! “He raised his hand solemnly, but couldn’t quite hide the gleam in his eye.

“Chotti,” Deva capitulated, “the creeper is actually trying to save the poor monster from being completely washed away.”

***

So, what do you think? Go on, say something 😀

Have a super weekend and thanks for dropping by.

FF: Foot in the Mouth

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Starsinclayjars

Foot in the Mouth

Words 101

“Resting? At your age, you should be running.” A middle-aged man chastised Raghu beside him on the park bench. “I do 20 laps and you gave up after just 10,” he snorted.

“I am trying.”

“Yeah right. All you youngsters are lazy lumps. Only good for junk food and video games.” He cast him a scathing look. “No wonder you are overweight. Look at me, so fit. If I were younger,” he broke off staring at the ground, “what’s that? Did you injure your leg? You’re bleeding!”

Raghu looked down. “Ah. Just a bit. I’m still adjusting to my new foot.”

***

Inspired by the Jaipur foot and Sudha Chandran who reclaimed her place on the stage of dance after losing her leg in an accident with the help of the Jaipur foot.

Thanks for visiting!

WWP #285: The Search Continues

Here’s my submission for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt  and the challenge is to is to write a piece is exactly 50 words – the word is “thalassic”.

The Search Continues

Words 50

“The prompt this week is ‘thalassic’.”

“What’s that?

“Something to do with the sea, seagoing, seashore…”

“We haven’t visited the sea in a while, have we?”

“Almost a decade.”

“Everyone, shall we go? Andamans?”

“Too expensive!”

“I’ve no leaves left.”

 “The weather’s not good for traveling.”

“Abyssal is another option…”

***

I learnt a new word this week, actually many – thank you Sammi 🙂 Did you know? Care to join the challenge? Thank you for reading – have a super week ahead.

FF: Faded

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

Photo prompt Dale Rogerson

Faded

Words 100

“Crying?” His gruff voice broke into her reverie.

“I’m not.” She huffed.

A familiar yet unfamiliar touch.

She jerked away as more tears rolled down. “I thought you couldn’t see in the darkness?” She said stiffly.

“After all these years, I don’t have to ‘see’ to know…”

“How many years before you know what I’m thinking?”

“Many lives. You’re mysterious.” He settled down beside her. “Part of your charm,” he coaxed.

“Thinking of my first love.” She confessed. “I miss him.”

“First love? Who’s that? Where’s he?”

“Even I wonder.” Khushi stared at him as the lights came back on.

***