Category: Fiction

Where we would be without family?

Family – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows two large swans and 3 smaller swans all swimming together.

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Life is funny at times.

A tiff with your siblings or parent and you start thinking what a burden family is. And it is absolutely true that those who we love most have the greatest power to wound our hearts. But having said that, these same people do have the power to give us the best moments of our lives. Because joy comes through love!

Jessica was in a sullen and dark mood when she set out for her walk along the park track. She just had words with her mom. She usually went along well with her mother but one thing that always irritated her was when her mom would lecture her as if she was still 5 years old and not almost 17.

During her walk she saw the swan family in the pond. She saw how the parents were protectively floating around the little ones and would often help one or the other to keep them all together. She realized that what her own mother was doing was also the same. She wanted her to be safe and keep out of trouble. She felt sorry that she was rude to her mom.

“I think I’ll buy her some chocolate on the way back!” She thought.

Where would we be without the protective circle of our family?

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Written for WritePhoto # Family, hosted by KL Caley

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Working relationship- Short story

The photograph below is from abi ismail at unsplash.com.

(For the visually challenged writer, the photo is of a man and a woman sitting next to each other at a counter inside a coffee shop. He’s engrossed with something on his smartphone and she is working on her Apple laptop computer.)

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I was having dinner with a few of my closest friends when I suddenly realized that I had asked my colleague, Jane to meet me at the café for a work meeting. How embarrassing for me not to show up after asking to meet her to discuss a few problems we were facing in the office.

Hastily, I told my friends that I had to go and left to join Jane in the café. Luckily it was nearby and she didn’t had to wait long for me. The work meeting went well as we sorted out the issues at the office. But I sensed a coldness in her demeanor. She was distant and wouldn’t even make eye contact with me.

Hesitantly, I asked if anything was amiss. She looked at me and said that she was made to wait half an hour before I showed up and she thought it was very discourteous of me. I explained that it was my fault because I had forgotten that I had arranged to meet her and was having dinner with friends.

“I’m glad we talked this out”, she said as she smiled at me. “ Very often misunderstandings can ruin work relationships and I want a pleasant work-environment at the office”

We agreed on this point and had a coffee to celebrate the amicable resolution of the situation.

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Written for FFFC # 169, hosted by Fandango

Also included; FSS # 46, hosted by Fandango

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A slice of paradise

Open – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows an entranceway in amongst some stone walls to a bright green garden.

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Peeking through that open space I felt a great temptation to cross into that brightly lit space, inviting like a slice of paradise.

The green grass, blooming trees with white blossoms aplenty, and patches of cooling shade, were beckoning me to come hither.

It was private property, and there was a sign saying, ‘ No Trespassing’ boldly displayed on the side of that open doorway.

Yet…….

I couldn’t suppress my desire to experience the beauty and I hesitantly stepped inside.

All hell broke loose as two ferocious Doberman dogs came at me full speed. With a speed I didn’t knew I possessed, I made a quick exit from that garden and vowed never to enter any place which specifically forbade people to do so!

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Written in response to WritePhoto # open, hosted by KL Caley

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An unusual tea-party

Mindy looked up accidentally and kept on staring at the tree.

A teapot and a couple of teacups were hanging from the branches near the tree trunk. She was intrigued. Who could have done that? She kept on thinking for an answer but none presented itself to her.

She decided to take a closer look. Tree climbing was one of her natural talents and in a little while, she reached the hanging crockery. As she reached to touch the teapot, an invisible hand slapped her hand away. Mindy was shocked.

What do you think you’re doing, touching our things? Came a voice from behind her.

Mindy looked but couldn’t see anyone. Who are you and why can’t I see you? She asked.

We are the tree fairies and humans can’t see us. Why are you intruding on our tea party?

Oh, I am sorry, Mindy apologized with the ready acceptance of a child. Can I join your party?

Since you’re a child with a vivid imagination, we’ll allow you to join us just this time. But you have to keep it a secret from grownups.

Mindy scrambled down the tree to get her own teacup.

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Written for CCC # 183, hosted by Crispina Kemp

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A small gesture

The photograph is from aliceabc0 at Pixabay.com.

For the visually challenged writer, the photo is of a man, his back to the camera, holding a small bouquet of flowers behind his back. He’s standing a few feet in front of a young woman who is looking back at him and smiling.

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I have picked flowers for you
Wild flowers, simple and fragrant
A gift of love that I hope you’ll like
But the fear of rejection holds me back
What if you didn’t want them? Me?

In response to FFFC # 168, hosted by Fandango

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Burned

The ashes were blown into the swirling gust of wind like confetti.

She stood back satisfied with her handiwork.

Now no one could tell what she had written in those love letters.

The betrayal had torn her heart apart and it hadn’t healed even after all those years, but today burning those letters written long ago brought her something she had been seeking.

Now she felt cleansed like all that guilt and sorrow had been washed off of her soul.

Now she could start living again!

Written for Six Sentences Story- Confetti, hosted by Girlie on the edge’s blog- Denise

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Coming to terms

Cynthia was an idealist even as a young girl, always wanting things to be perfect and being disappointed when they weren’t.

Her family, especially her parents tried their best to prepare her for the harsh realities of the real world but deep down she never gave up her idealism.

At school, she expected to score the highest in every subject and would be depressed if she was the second-best in any subject.

But, life as they say is a harsh teacher and when she entered practical life, she realized that to survive she had to dial down her expectations.

As she came to terms with reality, she found a surprising truth; life is easier if you don’t hold yourself up to exacting standards.

Life was now not a trial but an adventure.

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Written in response to Six Sentences Story- Term, hosted by Girlie on the edge’s blog- Denise

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Tryst

Lamppost – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a black traditional style lamppost set beside a stone pathway in amongst some hedging.

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He concealed himself so that a casual passerby wouldn’t see his face.

Meeting Maya here was her idea, and so was the desire for secrecy.

They were friends, not in love. They wanted to just have fun together but this was something people around them frowned upon.

There were differences that according to others were too big to be overcome. They belonged to different religions, and cultures and their skin wasn’t the same color either.

Standing here, waiting for her, Juan reached a decision. From now on, they won’t hide their friendship. They will meet openly from now. He could see Maya coming from a distance. He felt there was a change in her demeanor too. Perhaps she had reached the same decision.

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Written in response to WritePhoto # Lamppost, hosted by KL Caley

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A wrinkle in the plans.

The photograph is from JESHOOTS-com at Pixabay.com.

(For the visually challenged writer, the photo is of a smiling woman who seems to be lying on a bed with a TV remote control in her hand and a bowl of popcorn beside her. She’s munching on the popcorn and a handful of popped kernels are scattered on her body).

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I would have happily married Darlene if it weren’t for her sloppy habit of eating in bed, letting the food get on her clothes and on the bedding. Her tendency to overeat was also making her gain weight.

I’m a fastidious person, and it’s important to me that things are done properly, everything should be neat and tidy, and that people should eat at mealtimes while sitting at the dining table.

I was still reconsidering my decision when another of her habits kept on jarring my nerves. She would never share what she was enjoying with me, especially the sweet and salty popcorn that I loved too.

So reluctantly, I broke off with her. Now I can eat all the popcorn, by myself without sharing.

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Written for FFFC # 165, hosted by Fandango

Also included FSS # 42, hosted by Fandango

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Gift

Missy left her new cap
Strung between two branches 
As a gift for the little elves 
Who she imagined roaming the forest 
When it was gone the next day
She was jubilant that her gift was accepted 
And now she looks for an elf 
Wearing her new colorful cap
Perhaps she will meet them one day

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Written for CCC# 179, hosted by Crispina Kemp

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