Category: Flash Fiction

The Big Problem

She sat on the couch of the cozy coffee shop, staring at the paper in her hand. It had been years since something so small had bothered her so much. She hadn’t eaten anything in two hours, the longest she had been without even a jet-black coffee.

The owner of the restaurant had grown accustomed to people basking in his vacuumed furniture and freshened air without returning the favour. Every time someone left without ordering, he’d have a silent fit that only the employees had the misfortune to witness.

People came and went but she remained, still and looking at the piece of paper. The black and white of it made her eyes sore.

Another ten minutes later, a waiter approached her in baby steps. He had already been singed an hour ago. He had to get the woman to order something or the boss would be furious. He paused a little closer to her than he did the last time and noticed what she clutched in her hand.

Trying to keep his face impassive, he began to clear his throat. She threw him a look mingled with fury and perplexity.

The crossword puzzle had outwitted her.

The Expected

expected-change

They were forewarned.

They had known a change was inevitable. They had heard about it from all, and knew it all, all too well.

Their sleeping patterns altered, they lost interest in food parties, their expenses doubled, and responsibilities quadrupled.

They thought twice before flicking out fresh bills from their pocket, considered the additions, consulted the elders, and they even set up a fool-proof fire alarm.

She craved less of gingersnaps, and baked chocolate chip cookies instead; he gave up the jet ski idea for a more practical convertible.

Their life centred around one, and social was a thing of the past. Wine bottles held cough syrup and beer cans gave way to canned milk.

Personal care got a new definition; manicure wasn’t about herself anymore. A couple of nails has lost their gloss, and a few greys started showing without her consent.

His tools went into the attic, film roles over the shelf. The tripod they saved up to own lay unknown, and the sofa doubled as a bed because there never were enough laundered bedsheets.

They had known a child would change everything. They hadn’t known how radical it’d be.

The Unseen Outside

A wide expanse of green
with speckles of yellowing leaves.

Rays of a retreating sun, drenching
flowers as tiny as mice.

Earthy smell of newborn grass, mingled
with browning trees and groaning barks.

Shadows of towering sand, held
together in mountainous form.

And trees that reach for the skies,
green glaring at the blue.

Twin birds that peep from their nest,
nestled deep inside bushes of branches.

Slimy little creepers, caterpillars
basking on long felled trees.

He shut the book with a snap,
regretting the time he’s done
so much in the world left to see
all beyond the cold steel bars.
It was now time to end his time
reframe and recharge his life
and he shed his cloak of shame
that had weighed him down too long
and smiled as he left the fed prison.

The Move

It was the big day. She was nervous, worried, scared, and anxious all at the same time.

——–

Friends in her old school had warned her about moving into a new school. They had told her to stay back, “So what if your dad got a transfer? You can stay in the hostel with us.” But her mother had been stubborn. They had to move to a new city and Jessica wasn’t to argue.And so she had packed up her books, her toys, and her favourite stuffed animals. Rhonda and Mervin had teared up when they said their goodbyes. “Please come visit us,” Mervin had said, wiping her tears with the handkerchief pinned to her pinafore. And Rhonda had been too upset for anything more than a giant hug.

And so she had packed up her books, her toys, and her favourite stuffed animals. Rhonda and Mervin had teared up when they said their goodbyes. “Please come visit us,” Mervin had said, wiping her tears with the handkerchief pinned to her pinafore. And Rhonda had been too upset for anything more than a giant hug.The other kids had tried to be more helpful. “Hey, be careful. I heard kids in that city are

The other kids had tried to be more helpful. “Hey, be careful. I heard kids in that city are barbarous. They’ll tease you, and push you, and won’t pick you in group games.”Jessica tried to tell her mom all this, but she wasn’t to argue. They had filled up the car and ridden off to the city of Bangalore. She had walked into

Jessica tried to tell her mom all this, but she wasn’t to argue. They had filled up the car and ridden off to the city of Bangalore. She had walked into the school and everyone had teased her, ‘Just like Peter said,’ she wailed to herself. But she wasn’t to argue, so she adapted instead. Ten years went by and new school had now become

Ten years went by and new school had now become school. Strangers had become classmates and some even friends. As she stood at the gate on the last day of her school life, Jessica remembered Rhonda. “Please come visit us,” Rhonda’s teary voice reverberated in her head. Jessica had never gone back. “Friends forever!” They had declared to one another. And she hadn’t even called Rhonda once since the move. Mervin had called her twice, but she had been too busy with her new friends to answer or call back. Bangalore had thrown her in the midst of iPhone photographers and makeup-clad girls. She had been too distracted to think of small town Rhonda and Mervin.

And standing by the gate, alone, she yearned to sit once again, at the school canteen with Rhonda and Mervin by her side. And then she realised, it was time to make the visit she had postponed for so long.

—

It was the big day. Her old town was still old, still shabby, and still small. She approached the decaying school building with its peeling paint and cracked walls. And there they stood, looking much older than in her memories of them, Rhonda and Mervin. They had grown out of their pinafores and into dainty dresses. Jessica smiled at them and saw they did too. There was not a hint of or anger in their eyes. She began walking towards them, and every step sent shivers down Jessica’s spine.