Threading the Needle

#atozchallenge alphabet N archanaonline.com

They had to get this working. Her family was waiting for the damn certificate. Though she was under their pressure, she knew its for her own good.

sewing license

She took some deep breaths in the exam hall, while her scribe helped with threading the needle successfully.

Few months later, they marveled at her first creative work.

***

55 fiction badge

The credit for the keyword, “Needle” goes to Leo, for his invisible inspiration and his beautiful story. The 55 fiction is a beautiful way to express the theme and story without elaborating much and delving into the details. Its perfect for the ongoing challenge, since most days I churn out the posts on-the-go, and doesn’t go through much revisions. Though I feel happy at the brevity accomplished, I personally like the short stories of medium length, with some amount of descriptions and hence making a mental note of this as a learning in the challenge.

PS: And by the way, did you read the parallel story (with double meaning) in between the lines.. 😉 Does this image clue looks familiar?

M for Mamma

#atozchallenge alphabet M

What would be the word starting with M you could remember hearing everyday? My answer would be mamma.. Though the dialect changes the name from Amma to Mom, the word mother is prominent in daily life.. Be it remembering the older generation or hearing the voices called out by the new generation. I went across many other fellow bloggers in the Facebook group to get inspired for the letter M, and stumbled upon many Ms, ranging from motherly, money, mystery, mind, mosquitoes, memories to maroon mask. But the word mamma stuck onto me like none other.

So today’s post is to remember the “mamma” story I wrote few years ago. It was one of the top visited posts in my blog for quite sometime. I had seen Dasvidaniya (watch the movie here)few weeks prior to writing this, and the song touched my heart like anything. It pulled at my heart to pour out the feelings, especially considering the personal situation I was in, at that time. But I couldn’t. And then I heard many stories of relatives undergoing uterus removal. My mind would have put all these together to churn out some words.

Excerpt for Mamma

The ending words of the film were still ringing in my ears. When had I said the same to my Mom? But how to say? I am not a child or boy anymore. I am a grown up man now. I have a wife now. We have been married for around 5 years now. It was her plan to watch the film in theater. Among the Indian audiences. After all, we had been living abroad for 3 years now. And maybe living again when she is well enough. Mom. no, Mamma. That’s how I call her.

Its already two weeks into the AtoZ challenge and I am already feeling exhausted with my theme, Fiction Fragments. As readers, how did you like the fragments? Or do you think “free write” posts like what I did today, is better?

The Letter

atozchallenge alphabet L

He was watching me from the same spot for past several weeks now. My heartbeat always rose when I cross him everyday.

I was walking through my usual pathway to my office nearby, around the corner.

One day, he came near me. I began to walk fast. But he called out, “Hey I just want to give you this”.
I turned around and saw that envelope.
He gave it to me and walked away.

“Should I open it now here?”

Boom!

He turned back to see her pieces lay strewn on the road.
He walked away fast, wiping his tears…

***
Wordcount: 100
_________________________________________________

drabble

The Killer

atozchallenge alphabet K

He returned home quite late that day. And he was very tired.
She had been waiting from the morning for the prey, hiding behind the curtains.

He took out his drink from the bar slowly and switched on the television. She waited him to be seated in his lounge sofa, before attacking him. She struck him right at the back of his neck.

But he was very swift.
In a swift motion of his hand, he slapped her down to the ground.

She lay in the pool of his blood she sucked few seconds ago, while he enjoyed his drink.

***
drabble

NB: Inspired by a similar micro fiction read in some of the blogs I read occasionally..

Journey of Joy

atozchallenge alphabet J

Nayana turned three years today.

And she had her first fancy kind cake this year. The pink colored Doraemon strawberry cake.

Just like any other parent, on every birthday, I too remember the day she was born. But strangely, over the years, the first year lost its sheen to be replaced by the remarkable growing toddler years. Her smile, her eyes or her first words have been replaced by the real but simple moments of joy she gave me. The hugs and kisses, the innocent thinking of a situation, and the silent understanding by wiping my tears, and of course the greatest, her forgiveness…

Through this journey, she has taught me the lessons of patience, to let go of the ego, and to forgive, though I am yet to practice all those.

I couldn’t come up with fiction today, though I tried hard to pen down the same feelings through either micro fiction or through poems. But her face kept reminding me to be myself and just pour out the real words.

Happy birthday dear…

I, me and myself

atozchallenge alphabet I

“Think of your child dear, how she would feel..”
“Women has the ability to adjust for the happiness of the family…But nowadays…” Amma kept complaining on the new generation.

“The roots have to be strong for the tree to flourish. Weren’t these your words?”
“She will understand later..for now I have to find myself… ”

55 fiction badge