Category: Fiction

Hope is a strawberry plucked in the barely light of morning and while no words could do justice to describe the void that was felt, she managed a smile and resumed her daily chores.

“I just wish there was some way I could come and visit you; I mean it’s been nearly two years since the last time we saw each other,” Sanaya spoke with a fervent sigh while washing the dishes during one late afternoon.

“It’s just a matter of few days. Any news on the job front?” Sarah smiled and finally managed to untangle her earphones.

“Not yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed! Did you happen to see the new movie that’s making waves at the box office?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world! Get this, a photon is going through airport security, the TSA agent asks if he has any luggage…”

Sanaya after putting aside the dishes goes deep into contemplation and then suddenly yells, “No, I am traveling light,” which resulted into fits of laughter on both ends.

The days turned into months until July finally poked its head out and became the bearer of good news.

“I still can’t believe it!” Sanaya jumped up and down accidentally spilling some coffee on her dress, the feeling of excitement and relief was palpable which replaced woe and poured freely into her verse. 

Today I leave home.  I leave a place that has been my childhood cocoon. I have unlocked the door to new beginnings.

 

Photo credits: Olesia Buyar, Unsplash

Story birthed from the poem Epistle To My Future Self ~

Posted on Pantry of Prose @ Poets United

We call her the Emma Bruegel Project; she’s been in our care ever since her grandmother left her at the doorstep. She was twelve and yet there was a maturity around her that couldn’t be explained.

“But doctor, surely there is no reason for us to keep her here any longer,” the nurse eyed the auburn-haired girl with pity and remorse.

“Don’t be fooled by her calm and poised demeanor she is host to several fears and a phobia known to us as Agoraphobia.” It is a fear of places or situations that you can’t escape from. 

“But… but … she doesn’t seem the way you describe at all!” The nurse shaking her head in bewilderment looked at Emma as she continued to draw and hum to herself.

Both the doctor and nurse left as twilight stole the colour from day, Emma glanced up from her drawing, a satisfied and smug smile painted on her aristocratic features.

“My friends abhor this condition that I have acquired, or is this a facade that I with time have simply embraced and mastered? Such fools are they for they don’t know I fear what I am capable of and doing.”

Outside the wind rattled the windows as her heart shows her memories of years long gone. Memories of her aunt and uncle visiting for the Summer,

“Emma won’t you join us for brunch dear?” Her aunt an elderly and kind lady who was oblivious to the lecherous stares that her husband would give to the child.

Just then a knock sounded at the door and Emma was brought thundering back to present day reality. Her eyes welled up at the possibility of someone seeing her in this state so she pulled a silken sheet over her head.

The nurse entered the room with necessary dosage of pills unaware that she was hostage in her own mind.

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

Based on the poem Prologue – The Emma Bruegel Project

For Telling Tales With Magaly — Phobias and Fears 🙂

Posted for ‘Pantry of Prose’ @ Poets United

Lust is a chocolate bar made with cocoa powder, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla that melts upon the tongue and deprives one of better sense and judgment.

Sometimes I wonder how morose the lyrics would be if one were to transform this one-sided love story into a song.  You tortured me in the most caring of ways, convinced me of loyalty when in truth everything even remotely related was a lie, a means of duping my fragile heart — in reality you are lipstick smear, a travesty and a stain.

I am done blaming myself, I’d rather live in the present than wallow in waters of the past. You are the chapter I don’t regret writing for it taught me to distinguish and appreciate love for what it truly was.

Between now and then a lot has changed, or should I say matured as I breathe in the mild perfume of March. I am peaceful in my journey toward self-discovery and accomplishment of goals.  It’s close to Spring and yet the weather here is so unbearably cold and raging that the idea of tulip buds blooming is near to impossible.

Years from now I shall look back and laugh, I’d be telling my grandchildren stories of how I met their grandfather. Maturity is accepting the person you once were before running into wisdom somewhere along the way.

 

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

Inspired by the poem “Love poem to cover my bases.”

Posted for Pantry of Prose @ Poets United

She chewed on blood red fingernails oblivious to how bitter was wind; her heart pounding as she placed a bouquet of lilies upon the grave. She knew no one would pass here due to rain and rolling mist. Her pretty face went pale as marble over tombstone as she heard a familiar voice cackling from underneath the ground.

“How dare you stand here after what you did! Haven’t you troubled me enough for a hundred years!”

Olivia gasped as a hand emerged from out of the grave clutching her throat and struggled to break free; the hem of her black dress soiled with filth and splashes of rain. Her lips trembled with fright as a handful of memories flashed before her eyes.

“No you don’t understand I need exactly four kilograms of cabbage, two sacks of potatoes and one bag of carrots,” Olivia sighed in exasperation as the salesman stared at her as though she was from a different planet.

“Miss, how many times do I have to explain! We don’t sell groceries to people like you!” She watched as he walked away from her in disgust and failed to understand why. She recalled how her mother used to shop, her pretty eyes and winsome smile as she charmed salesman after salesman into letting her browse to her heart’s content. She went home and threw herself down on the bed, hiding her face in the pillow. The phone rang thrice before she finally decided to pick up.

“Hi! I have been trying to call you all day! Where were you?” Olivia cringed at the sound of her neighbor’s voice.

She and Josh had been friends since childhood. She remembered how he used to defend her while all the kids made fun of her and called her a freak. At that time it used to bother her what people thought but now she wasn’t sure. It made no sense to fret over something that couldn’t be changed. For instance, her oval face and unruly black hair that stood out at odd ends. She wasn’t exactly a people person and shied away from boisterous crowds. She was different than the rest and there truly wasn’t another person alive on earth who cared enough to appreciate her. Except, Josh.

Olivia snapped out of her reverie as the cruel voice continued and spat out insults. “Enough! I don’t care whether you believe me or not! It wasn’t my fault, Josh!” At that moment the atmosphere grew dim and skies threatened to swallow what was left of the earth.

“Oh really!” He raised his head out of the grave and scowled. She couldn’t believe he could hold a grudge over something so insignificant.

“Alright, fine! I am sorry for ruining your chances with Aaron. But I couldn’t see how you would compete against my blasting charm.” She winked as he frowned and finally laid back inside the grave to rest.

Graveyard scented with ominous
clouds, scare passersby as spirits
and ghouls rise to join the living.

 

Photo credits: WallpaperUP

Posted for ‘Beautiful Freaks Fest’ @ MG’s blog party

She clawed in frustration as the moon shone upon the grave; her fingertips soaked in dirt and blood. A hundred years had passed since the ghosts had spoken to her about Eric, a hundred years had passed since she last ate or drank a bottle of wine. She heard the owls screeching as the wind howled incessantly, causing hair at the back of her neck to stand up in alarm. She screamed as two hands jerked and pushed her off the grave.

“You wretched piece of urban shit how dare you come and touch this grave!”

Camellia spat into the ground in pure disgust as she attempted to smooth out her prussian blue dress; “I don’t need your permission you filthy, lying bitch!”

No sooner had she spoken, a voice hoarse from breathing underground sounded from the grave. Both women stared in horror at the sight that welcomed them in the dead of the night.

“I am so bloody tired of you two bickering each and every night! Now if you will excuse me I need to go back and rest for the next hundred years.” The corpse flashed an evil grin before it disappeared back into the grave.

“My goodness! Did you see that! He didn’t even bother to invite us in!”

Camellia laughed out hard and punched playfully on her arm. She realized that they were both being stupid, fighting over a man who had been dead for the past hundred years. She winked as they joined hands to craft a healing wish:

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

Posted for ‘Witches in Fiction’ @ MG’s blog party