Tiny Tales - II

He,"You're my weakness."

She,"But I want to become your strength."

He was quiet. Maybe he knew she was wrong. He still stands strong.

***

"Write a thought for me," she said.

He wrote his life for her and she never read it.

***

"Don't doubt my efforts. They are sincere," she said.

He trusted. He still trusts.

***

"I cannot hurt anyone," she assured.

Yes, she was right. She didn't hurt anyone except him.

***

"Your words are really your asset," she told him.

She left and his assets flourished.

***

"Move on," she said.


She turned around and he wasn't there. He moved on before she could do. She was still standing there with the guilt on her soul.

***

Tiny Tales - I

She said Amen! a numerous times.

Not a single one worked. Her prayers weren't strong.

***

He,"I always keep surprising you. But you never do."

She,"Someday I'll give you a big surprise."

And she did. She left, to never come back.

***

He asked,"In storms or in sunshine, will you be my valentine?"

And the answer was yes.

Then rang the alarm and he realized he was dreaming.

***

He,"Just want to say,
in simple old way,
in no time we became
one from two,
don't mind if I say,
I love you."

She,"I love you too."

She forgot to mention - conditions apply.

***

He,"I guess I don't deserve you."

She,"Don't say that. My soul knows only you deserve me."

She lied to him. Her soul lied to her.

***

She once told him that he was a gem.

Little did he know that he was just a stone for her.
A pebble under her feet.

***

The Philosophy Class

He was new to his philosophy class.

"What do you want to do before you die?", professor asked.

"I want to live."

"That's so obvious."

"That's not obvious professor, that's oblivious. Not many people do this, I guess. They just breathe in and breathe out."

The professor learnt new philosophy of life. His questions ended.

P.S. - For other posts of the 55 Fiction series, please click here.

The Necklace

She wasn't looking happy since morning. The change was sudden. And that surprised me. Maybe because the maid hasn't come yet or maybe she is not feeling well, I was wondering over the reason. But I could not ask her as I was busy packing my bags for reporting back to duty since it was the last day of my short span leave. The life of an army man, after all, is like that.

She helped me packing my stuff but didn't utter a word. And I was still wondering how to gather the courage to ask her. I was almost done when she broke the silence, "I need a necklace", she said, quite dominantly. I was shocked and surprised at her sudden wish. More so because she knows that I can't afford it since we had just shifted to our new home, our own, and that all our savings were invested. Women will be women, I thought.

Reading my confused face, she came close, rolled my arms around her neck, leaned against my chest and whispered, "Your arms are my necklace, don't go please". That was another surprise, not shocking, but was a pleasurable one. I kissed her forehead but couldn't say anything. Tears rolled down her cheeks and I just let them so. I had just understood the reason of her sadness.

Her eyes followed me until I was out of her sight. The life of an army man's wife, perhaps, is like that.

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Second Chance

I came home like any other usual day. She was in the kitchen, preparing supper, like any other usual day. But there was something which wasn't usual. There was a deep edgy silence on her face. She didn't greet me. I understood the reason but pretended as if I didn't know anything.

But suddenly she broke the silence and asked, "How was your day, honey?" "Good, pretty good", I replied sarcastically.

"She left you for me now?" she hit finally.

I was just staring at her and wondering how did she come to know about her, my so called iconic love, who ditched me. Then she came closer, hugged me and broke down. "Never do it again", she whispered.

Surrendering her lithe body in my arms, she cried aloud. And so did I. That very moment I realized, it's absolutely fine for a man to cry for someone who takes you more important than their life.

Another thing I realized was that not everyone deserves a second chance. I thanked my wife for giving a thought that I deserved it one more time.

The supper was delicious more than ever.

For Three Word Wednesday

P.S. - Extra marital affairs maybe a fun, but ultimately they ruin.

The Other Day

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 21; the twenty-first edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

It was evident from his sad face that something wasn't well. I haven't seen him like this before. But since last couple of days he was looking as if he had lost everything.

"What's wrong grandpa?" I used to call him grandpa because he was of that age and more because I haven't seen my grandpa ever. He didn't reply and walked away. I picked up the paper he forgot on the bench. It was acceptance letter from the famous old age home 'Home Like Home'.

I followed him and brought him back. How could I let him leave like this? He started with a low tone, "Yesterday my son gave me a wonderful gift on my 73rd birthday. A new home, 'Home Like Home'. He says his four bedroom home don't have a single corner for me," he continued, "He says both he and his wife go to work so they can't take care of me. They say they don't want me to suffer in their absence so they have arranged a place in an old age home for me".

I was quietly listening to him. "I said I can take care of myself, you don't need to suffer your work for me but I didn't know my son is smart enough to tackle these questions. So he promptly replied that I'm not safe at home alone when they both are out all day. The incidents of attacking aged people and then robbing are rising day by day. My son had a point", he put his heart out.

Silence took place between us for quite some time. "When is Nitin coming?" Nitin is his grandson gone somewhere outside India to complete his studies.

"I don't know. I don't even know his whereabouts. We rarely talk to each other. He don't call me. He talk to his parents.", there was a considerable pause after every full stop and his tone got slower after every sentence.

"Can I ask you something grandpa?", I hesitantly questioned. I myself was surprised because I never felt a need to get his prior permission to ask anything. He was surprised too, I guessed, though he granted it immediately.

"Can I take you to my home?" was my next hesitant question.

He smiled. "My dear son, thank you so much but I can't. He might be making excuses but I, a father, will always be one", he continued, "Life is an echo and he has a son too". In these lines I learnt a lesson for life.

We bid adieu and he promised to meet me right here in this park where we used to meet everyday. I kept my promise and came everyday. He never returned. Maybe he was aware of it from then on.

I'm here again, knowing that he won't come. The other day, when we met last, is the one I never want to remind nor do I want to forget altogether.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Thorns

In that tranquil moment, sitting on the edge of that river, he altered his thoughts yet again. He couldn't decide his path until he saw a small fish, a very little one, swimming like a no novice.

In the next moment he stood up and walked away, not bothering about the thorns on the way. He had found his fond path.

Sometimes, if not always, all it takes is a little courage to make a small but consistent start. Rest, the journey itself takes care of it.

For Three Word Wednesday

P.S. - King Bruce and a spider story may not have taught him what a little fish taught him. And yes, he became the King of his own story.

Clue

After a long spell of love making, we lay down beside each other wrapping my arm around her, still naked but covered with a sheet. She was playing with my chest and I was constantly gazing at the ceiling.

Suddenly the silence broke. "So, would you still love me", she paused for a while and completed, "once we're out of this bed?"

I grinned. "Is that a question? Of course I love you", I replied controlling myself.

"Love is something beyond just naked bodies meeting each other", she seemed serious. Perhaps she got the clue. I didn't respond.

After a few minutes, I was left alone in jumble full of bed. I lit a cigarette and thought, "Better die of nicotine than love".

For Three Word Wednesday

P.S. - I don't smoke, nor do I hate love.

Blessed

Like a usual evening, I was sitting on a bench in the park in front of my home reading a book. The slow breeze seemed like tickling me and singing some mellow song which I was feeling inside. Suddenly a little boy, just about 7-8 years old, came close to me.

"I wish I could read", he said and walked away.

Before I could realize what he had just said, he was out of sight. He left me thinking that blessed are those who get a chance to be educated.

I lost the page of the book I was on. Breeze, for me, stopped right there. And so did the mellow song. And so did its tickling touch.

P.S. - Child labor and illiteracy are just as bad as any horrible disease. Disease kill the humans, they kill the society at large.

Also for Three Word Wednesday

The Break Up

Suhani was very tensed as she couldn't contact her boyfriend since last many days. Suddenly she received an email from him saying that he was breaking up.

"What would you do now?", her friend Kusum asked her who was sitting beside.

"Nothing", Suhani replied,"I'll update my relationship status on Facebook to single".

P.S. - Just so simple, isn't it? But not for all. The Facebook fever is catching on everyone on the planet. Anyways, happy reading.

Wait

It was like any other day. She was waiting for me in the same old park where we used to meet every weekend. And like always, she came before the scheduled time. She always knew that I would be late but she never changed her routine.

I reached. And every weekend her beauty was increasing. I don't know why and how. But I think she was growing and glowing too. Mature women look prettier I guess.

"Hi, sorry you had to wait", and then took a little pause and said,"again". I was using my sense of humour at the wrong time.

"No, I'm used to it now", she replied,"and I've started kind of liking it. Waiting for you on this alone bench, thinking of you in the meantime and weaving the dreams of our togetherness".

"Hmm... that sounds interesting", I was being naughty.

"You know what? Why I always come before time?", she asked and her voice seemed heavy.

"No, tell me", I pulled her close to me and started feeling her fragrance while I closed my eyes.

"Because... because I never want to make you wait for me", she said and her eyes went wet.

And I was like numb. She finds love in every little thing. I hugged her and promised to be on time from then on.

I Fear

"Hey, look down, it is so scary", one of my friends shouted.

"Harry, come forward. See the cars and the people look like shrunk", Oliver said without looking back at me.

"No, I'm scared of the height", I replied looking at the other side. A beautiful Dove was teaching her baby Dove how to fly. I wished some day I could fly without fear.

P.S. - The story may be fictional but I actually fear of the height and this is one of the things I want to conquer.

For: Thursday Tales

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Statue

"Pay the rent or leave this space", his landlord ordered him, "I'm going to my native place to donate some silver statues for the temple. Make your mind before I return."

"OK", he couldn't speak more. Perhaps statues are more precious than living beings, he thought, or maybe God is nothing more than a statue.

P.S. - Well, I tried to speak from the heart of a poor tenant in this 55 fiction but I personally believe and have immense faith in God. He knows what we deserve and He knows how and when we'll get it. He has His own ways. Have Faith.

Nightmare

Everyone has nightmares. Some are forgotten, some are lifelong. I also have them quite often. Most of them I forget the very next day. But there is one I couldn't forget till now though it happened a long time ago when I was a kid. The very thought of those small yet horrible incidents haunt me even today.

"Hey, come on, lets play inside", he invited me to his home like any other day. I couldn't read his intentions at that time.

"Will you get me chocolates?", I innocently asked and declared,"Only then I'll come to play with you". I thought it was a genuine demand of a 7 years kid.

"Yes I do have. Come on, get in", he played his trick.

We used to play for hours together. At some times he was very caring while at times he behaved rude. I couldn't understand his volatile moods.

"Come here, sit on my lap", he would ask me and I'd do as directed.

I thought he loved me. At that time I couldn't distinguish between loving and love making. I thought I was playing with him. But it was him who was playing with me, my body. Though sometimes it felt something was going wrong but I couldn't offend. I could only wait till he was finished. I couldn't understand anything and used to keep a demure smile. I was more interested in the chocolates.

***

"Well, that's a case of pedophilia", my Psychiatrist told me when I finished describing my nightmare to her.

"Pedophilia?", I asked to clarify the term which was alien to me.

"Its the activity of having sexually involved with the children", she clarified.

I was shocked to know the fact that someone sexually harassed me in my childhood. "But how to overcome this nightmare now?", I asked angrily.

"Cool down, there is nothing to worry about now. It was just a phase of time that has passed a long time ago. All you need to do is that never think about those incidents. The more you'll think about it the more it will haunt you", she showed a genuine care and attention.

I walked back to the home and wished I never loved chocolates. I somehow get to know to overcome my nightmare.

P.S. - It is just a piece of fiction but a bitter reality in our society in which innocent children are sexually harassed by their neighbors, relatives or even their own family members. The child doesn't understand at first but never forgets when he does after some time. The nightmare follows to haunt him for the rest of his life.

For Three Word Wednesday

The Innocence

"Can it change my luck?", she asked curiously pointing to one of the toys I was selling in the robust feast.

"Who told you this princess?", I asked.

"My Mom says, to change your luck you need to have a lucky charm", she replied with all her innocence,"so I'm finding one".

I smiled and gave it to her. She walked away smilingly. I knew it won't change anything, but then there are certain things which are priceless, like her little eyes carrying dreams of having living a life she deserves.

Sometimes the innocence wins everything.

For: Three Word Wednesday and

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Perhaps

***

"You're joking, ain't you?", she asked in serious tone.

"No, I'm certainly not", I was firm.

"I never knew my love had no leverage", she walked away with wet eyes.

Looking at my diagnostic reports, I thought it was the only remedy not to accept her love proposal. Perhaps, some lives just end without love.

***

P.S. - Another 55 Fiction finished coincidently in exactly 55 words. I'm falling in love with 55 Fictions now.

P.P.S. - Though I informed in one of my earlier posts that I'll be absent from blogging for some days but somewhere inside I can't resist myself from writing. I may not be regular but I'll certainly not mark the absent from my space. And next some days are going to be very crucial for me. I need your love and support. Please wish me luck.

For: Three Word Wednesday and

Goodbye

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 13; the thirteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

***

"I want to be a writer, not a doctor. I love the words and can't marry a stethoscope", his son put his intention.

"My decision is final. Better not discuss it again", he was rigid and rude.

When he came back from his thoughts, he realized he was still holding his son's final Goodbye note.

***

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

P.S. - Many a times it happens that the child has to follow not his dream but his parents'. Just want to convey a message through 55 Fiction. Again finished in exactly 55 words.

The Waves

"Why I'm here? Am I a failure? Does anyone really need me?"

I was mentally surrounded by these questions and physically surrounded by sea, sun and sand. Sitting alone at this place away from home was not an occasion to admire the beauty of nature. I was completely lost in my thoughts or rather in my negative thoughts. Nothing in this world was seeming interesting.

"OK, I'm a failure, but it happens with most of the people. I can make a come back." My heart was consoling my mind this way. But it wasn't my heart's day. Mind was overpowering it. Past was already ruined, present was screwed up and future was looking unpredictable as usual.

There was an earthworm trying hard to make it to the soil but each time it's efforts were nullified by the strong waves.

"You are good for nothing." Again a voice from mind broke me down. "You don't deserve this life." I was constantly forced to take the extreme steps.

"Don't worry, you'll win over this situation. It is only a phase and will be over soon." I was again consoled by my heart.

The earthworm again came to the wet soil but the waves were still stronger than it's grip. It was pulled back again.

No hope was coming my way, not even a feeble one. I was trying hard not to cry but I had to drink the salty water that day.

Then suddenly I don't know how it happened but I was feeling more confident, more positive, more enthusiastic. May be because my mind was losing it's confidence against heart or may be because my heart wasn't that weak as it thought it was. Or perhaps the earthworm has won the battle against the waves and was crawling on the wet soil with it's head held high. Suddenly a story of a king and a spider was recalled in my mind. How the king got inspired from a little spider which was trying to climb to the web but failed six times. Then on the seventh attempt, it got there where it was supposed to be.

The waves seemed positive, inner and outer. Then I got up and walked through the wet sand. I had got my inspiration. It was quite obvious that I was leaving my footprints behind. But I didn't look back and kept walking. May be because from now on, I was prepared only to see the future and forget the past. May be, just may be.

Prompted at: Three Word Wednesday and

P.S. - My schedule is keeping me busy now a days. No wonder if I remain absent from blogging for a month or so. I'll try my best to post at least once a week and also read my fellow bloggers. And if I don't, please do understand and keep showing your love. Thank you bloggies.

The Childhood

"Sir", I couldn't listen until my secretary shouted second time and loud enough,"Sir, are you OK? Its too late and staff has already left the office. I think you should go home and take some rest", she showed her genuine care.

"I'm fine", I got back to my senses but could speak only these two words.

I got up from my chair, gathered my belongings and left my chamber. As I walked towards my Car, I wished I didn't own it. I wished I wasn't that rich. I wished I could be as normal as a common man. And I wished I was never grown up. The billionaire for the world was a beggar inside. The man to whom the world salutes wishes a small corner where it could hide himself forever.

Half heartedly I opened the door of my empty home. No one was there to wait for me. No one was there for whom I'd come here. But that night was somehow different from a normal night. More scary, more nostalgic and more insomniac. All at once and at the same very time.

***

"Dad, don't leave my bicycle. I'll fall", I pleaded while I was learning to ride bicycle in his safe guidance.

"Don't worry son, I'll not leave you. Don't worry, just keep pedalling", he encouraged me while running with me when I was trying to keep balance on my bicycle.

"Dad, I'm actually riding it. Can you see Dad? I did it. I learned it", I keep on shouting without knowing that he wasn't holding the bicycle anymore and was just smiling and waving from far behind.

I looked back and when I didn't saw him holding the bicycle, I lost my balance and fell down. I got angry with him. He came close to me and pulled me up and hugged me. I was pushing him away ignorant of his sacred love for me.

"You don't care for me thats why you left me alone", I complained while I was crying.

"Son, look at me. I was just trying to vanish your fear away. Until I was holding the bicycle, you were sure that you wouldn't fall. Also you didn't actually fall until you realized that I wasn't holding anymore. You only fell when you came to know that you were left alone. Son, the fear is in our minds. If we let it take on us, it most probably will. The fear fears from you until you don't let it take on you. Son, please understand that I can't be with you all the time and I may not be with you in the very next moment. One has to move on in life alone. So be prepared to take the challenges of life."

"Dad, I love you. Don't ever talk about leaving me", I had stopped crying by now. I got another lesson from the man of wisdom.

***

I woke up by the noise of children playing outside on their bicycles. I smiled watching them playing. I wished I could get back my childhood where the pockets were not rich but hearts were. Where marbles mattered more than the money. Where love was there, not loneliness.

And where bicycles were more precious than BMWs.

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The Bane Of Child Labour

"Ting-Tong", I was awaken from the nap in a hot afternoon by ringing of the door bell.

I didn't get up at first. I was home alone so I knew I had to. So, tepid though, I got up and went to the door.

"Who's there?", I shouted to confirm, but none replied. I tried to see from the key hole but couldn't. Then I opened the door.

What I saw made me fully awake. There lying was a half naked little boy on the floor. I saw around but no one else was there. The acrid smell from his ragged clothes and torn body made me more conscious about him. I realized he was drastically beaten up. I picked him up and took him in. He was fainted. I threw some water on his face, shook his body to make him come to his senses. Soon he was. But he was still filled with fear, pushing me away from him and constantly shouting to leave him. I offered my loving hand to him and tried to make him comfortable with me and the place where he was.

"Who are you brave boy?", I asked him curiously while I gave him first aid.

"I'm Harry. I work at a nearby tea shop", he replied in his innocence tone.

"You work? And who beat you up?"

"Yes I work. I have to", he answered my first question angrily and the second one again innocently,"My owner beat me up".

"Why?", I asked this but obvious question.

"I was hungry so I took a piece of bread and ... and he saw me and started beating me", his voice was breaking and then he himself broke up. His tears fell on the ground before I could catch them. I consoled him and offered him milk and corn-flakes.

"By the way, who rang the door bell? Did you?", I asked.

"Yes, I did. But couldn't stand for long and fainted there. I was finding a place to hide myself."

While he was peacefully eating, it left me thinking how to remove this bane from the world. No clear path was visible.

The little boy quietly slept on my lap but the thoughts in my mind were not at all in a mood to stop.

Also prompted at Three Word Wednesday