Tag: Women

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: 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: Stuff of Dreams

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

FF: The Stuff of Dreams

Words 100

A cheer broke out from the crowd as Parul arrived. She had just won the gold in the 5000m after yesterday’s silver in steeplechase.

“Quite a journey from running in sugarcane fields, training with boys, overcoming societal pressures to the top of the victory stand. Congratulations!”

Still out of breath, Parul smiled. “Thank you.”

“What a thrilling finish!  Throughout you were trailing and whoosh – in the last 20 m you overtook the lead. How did that happen?”

 “It’s been my dream to join the police. It popped into my head that a DSP post is  guaranteed for gold medallists.”   

***

Inspired by a true story of Parul Chaudhary, the first Indian woman to win gold at the 5000m race, Asian Games 2023.  Click to watch her thrilling win!

TankaTuesday#6

It’s time for Colleens #TankaTuesday the weekly challenge (October 22 – November 6). The rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.

Here’s my tanka for the challenge:

hazy morning

jogging before

Diwali

deciding to wear

a sari

Although Diwali could be the kigo word but since this year it is on 12th of November I thought perhaps it may be too early to use it. Yet it may be noted, everything is geared around Diwali now, particularly shopping. But anyway I have used ‘hazy morning’ as the kigo word as this time of the year is notorious for pollution haze, particularly in Delhi region due to a variety of factors which apparently are beyond correction. I am presuming that most, if not all, will be familiar with Diwali the festival of lights when Lord Rama returned home after spending 14 years in the wilderness and defeating the evil King Ravan. A sari is the traditional unstitched garment that is 6 yards (5.5 meters) long. I am hoping the advantages of opting for such an apparel would be self-evident 😉

Thanks for visiting. Cheers

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 🙂

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.

***

Enslaved

dales-waterfall
Photo (c) Dale Rogerson

Enslaved

Words 102

“There!” Mohini huffed from the gentle climb on to the dam, “This is where I grew up, beside the mighty Ganga. Beautiful isn’t she?”

Sia blew on the bubble till it popped. “Sure.” She ruminated, busy taking selfies. “The mountains in the distance look better. She’s too dull and bloated, like an over-fed slithering python for my liking.”

“She wasn’t always like this. She was free, fresh and sparkling, singing her song while skipping and dancing her way over boulders and stones.“

“What happened?”

“She was dammed up for the greater good.”

“How much longer Mohini?” Her husband called. “I am hungry.”

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Dale for the photo prompt. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt (or add your link) click here.