Showing posts with label ShortFiction. Show all posts

[MicroFiction] A Stitch in Time.



OFS 92


For Usha Devi, knitting was more than a recreation. For the past thirty years, each morning, with lips full of prayers, her hands swayed like an artist – that effortless motion guided by her heart's pure intuitions. Knitting was perhaps the purpose of her life.
One of these mornings, with a disdainful look, she denied permission to her son to visit the annual Kullu Dusshera Mela.

"Nine killed as a bus to Kullu Mela plunges into a valley." The news reader screamed.

With lips brimming with prayers that curved into a wry smile, her fingers resumed the ritualistic passion.



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The Unfinished Coffee Mug.


OFS 84


Not all people are meant to last forever in our lives. Not all stories are entitled to have an ending.

Our lives are complete in incompleteness.

It was a similar rainy evening when she gifted me the coffee mug – her first attempt at doodling.

All of us live with our past. All of us allow expectations to shape our future.

But, some of us know how to shrug the past. I think that is who I am.
The phone rang. It was her. I turned the screen off and resumed my reading, intermittently sipping from the unfinished coffee mug.



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[FridayFrame] Invoke the Guru within.





“Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream..”

The shoreline echoed in his ears. Each deep breath filled his lungs with the freshness of pristine surrounding.

The rustic bridge overlooking the crimson skyline laid a perfect setting for their daily séance.

He assumed the lotus position and gently closed his eyes.

With each passing wave, his body resonated at a higher frequency. 
The Guru smiled at his disciple’s allegiance. Now repeat after me.



Several moments later, He submerged into the vast ocean of consciousness.




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[FridayFrame] Violent Innocence.


"Jat agitation creates mayhem in several areas of North India..."
The news anchor monotonously announced the headline of the day setting my heartbeat quiver. 
"Several houses, dhabas (eating place) were savaged..." 
The reporter continued.
My throat parched. Paranoia gripped me.
"This dhaba is all that I have! Oh God! What would happen to my kids? What is the cause of this violence? Why don't humans realise we have been bestowed enough to co-exist peacefully? WHY?"
Stealing a glance at the empty cash counter I whispered a silent prayer.
My sons innocently argued over their game of chess.


OFS76

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#FridayFrame: Castles Made of Sand.


OFS 70

 A smile adorned my face as I watched him build castles made of sand.
We were at the beach! 

Reflection of the sun and sky in the vast sea embraced the father-son duo.
His animated features – laughter, dark hair, petite limbs - induced a plethora of flashbacks across my nimble mind.

"Look daddy! This castle is for you, me and mommy."

The curiosity in those eyes reminded me of hers. Memories fade away like wild waves.

 How to reveal a toddler the abstruseness of motherlessness?

 Kissing my feet, the sea waves slowly washed away the castle of nostalgic dreams!
***
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The Black Swan.




“What kind of dance form is this?!”

“How majestically her body swirls like a swan!"

Several awestruck spectators resonated with thunderous applauds.

The spotlight dimmed, as an ambient tone filled the jam-packed auditorium. A scintillating display of body movements left the audience cheering for more.

She obliged with a smile on her face.

As the music faded out, the black swan descended with her walking cane and black shades. She chose not to be escorted. 

The beaming smile on her face narrated tales of satisfaction as she bit her lips to prevent tears of anguish flow from her veiled eyes.


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Up In Smoke!


"The first was on his eighteenth birthday. He choked, we laughed. Meticulously chasing every butt-end since then, he soon became an expert chain smoker!
Effortlessly exhaling clouds of smoke, he would often pose for the camera. Cigarettes had been his life saver during many stress situations. 
It is ironical how every puff took his breath away!

How I wish, I would never have coaxed him to smoke that first puff."

Teary eyed I descended the aisle and lovingly placed his favourite pack of cigarettes besides his resting place along with a monochromatic picture of him going up in smoke!




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The Timeless Father.




“Are you going to take us home?”
The sun setting in the background radiated tears on my cheeks.
 “Here, hold this, and never lose it.”
“A watch!?”
 Her eyes sparkled with joy as she playfully snatched the time machine from my hands.
“Do you know where father is?”
I shook my head and tried to dodge the quizzical look in his eyes.
“Whose watch is this?”
“My father gave it to me when he went away…”
“Where did he go?”
I smiled.
“A beautiful place, where all fathers go, to take care of their kids. Forever!”





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Learning to Fly!


"How is it possible? He must be bluffing!"

"Nobody repeats the same mistake again!"

The show was about to begin. A year had passed since the fateful day. Cold sweat oozed through every pore of my body, as fear gripped tightly the seat of my 'special' bi-cycle.
A flick on the right handle bar set the wheels in motion, as amazed eyes from the crowd held their breath.

Ecstatically suspended mid-air, I stole a glance at my prosthetic lower limbs. Flashbacks bought back the familiar fear, as euphoric cheers greeted my perfect landing. 

I had learned to fly!


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Frame 45
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The Earth is Round!



It was during one of my trips, I remember.
I was in the middle of the tiring task of returning back to my base from a "clam-baked" place.
I felt my heart rate rising, I was not paranoid. I knew the way-
"Take a left and walk straight till you reach the dead-end."
It would hardly take a minute, I was sure.
I was confident!

Thus, came my legs into action,
I was aware of my heavy feet dragging along-
Reluctant they were, ever complaining to my brain.
Yet, they weren't allowed to stop!
My eyes tripping red, throat dripping dry-
Was I supposed to cry or enjoy my high?

A dog walked by, its brown fur shone in the fluorescence of the street light,
its shadow larger than the light posts behind,
its eyes sparkled, saliva dripping, tongue waged outside.
Our eyes met, I felt strange!

  Strange I thought.

But that is how things work.
The moment of clarity had begun.
The roads were neatly divided, paved accurately.
I kept dragging.
The left turn was in sight now,
the street lights were leading the way.
I gazed into the endless labyrinth.

  And then it started...

I heard voices, and they weren't in my head.
My head was numb... I knew.
I heard them again - clearer this time.
Did the munificence of the herb start its work?

   Maybe!

I started to run -
My lungs heavier with every breath I sucked in,
legs tired with every force I exerted towards motion,
But I didn't stop!
The voices grew louder.
Sweat poured out from every gland of my body,
But I had to get rid of the mystical voice following me.
I did not dare to turn back and face it.
My throat parched with every gulp of dry air I took.
I needed water- A gallon of it!


I saw the end of the horizon,
My destination was within reach now!
"Just a couple of more frantic limb movements and I'll reach"
Re-calculation and reassurance were necessary during such tense moments.

The lights behind me started to fade.
But I felt safe!
The familiar landmark was finally within sight.
The voices were clearer than ever.
I could sense someone was calling out to me,
but in a language foreign to me.

   Strange - I thought!

I paused to stop running.
Out of breath, wet, exhausted!
And there it was-
The "clam-baked" room - from where my journey began- was in front of me!


A dog was guarding its gate.
Its brown fur shone in the fluorescence of the street lights.
Our eyes met -
And I felt Strange!



The Strange Herb.


PS: It is often said,
       "The Earth is Round"
        ...........................
        So is my head.
        ...........................

     
        X_X
Earth fiction psyence
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