Tag: flash fiction

Memories

Though he had to walk an extra mile, he chose the longer route. That way, he could avoid the forlorn building.

It’d been an impressive construction once. The entire village witnessed the minister inaugurate the glass factory. Thousands of workers marched every morning into the building alight with energy and abuzz with activity. The villagers could afford additional meals and silk garments. For five months everything had been wonderful. Until one afternoon a machine collapsed and the boiling liquid ruined eighty families.

The factory had been abandoned since. And Prem had dropped out of school to replace his father elsewhere.

Welcoming a New Year

“I’m allergic to negativity. It’s my New Year’s resolution.”

Jessica said to the woman smiling at her from the mirror. She brimmed with self-confidene and positivity. New Year’s Eve had been crazy. She’d dined with friends from work before heading out again to welcome the new year with friends from college. As she washed away the previous night’s vodka and lemon from her hair, she also washed away all her problems.

Shielding her eyes from the bright light, she stepped out of her apartment and into the gleaming Honda Civic fresh from a service. Enjoying the lingering buzz, she zoomed her way to the towering corporate building.

————————————

“Chai!”

Jesintha cowered as her father’s foot jabbed her ribs. She should’ve known. The previous night had been New Year’s Eve—as if he’d needed reason. Before he kicked again, she sat up rubbing her swollen eyes.

Her mother died giving birth to her on a New Year’s Day. The man who’d raised her didn’t resemble a parent. He’d give her enough to last the day—she’d cook, clean, and eat leftovers. He’d sleep at the toddy shop, coming home for tea every morning. Unless she overslept. That’d result in black eyes and aching ribs.

Handing him chai, she wished only one thing: to be elsewhere on her next birthday.

Uncanny relationships

They hadn’t had a proper conversation since their farewell at college five years ago. Martha had pursued cookery and, as seen on television, did a fine job. Merlyn, on the other hand, realised her long-time ambition working in a farm. Not only did she graze with goats, eat goat cheese, and drink goat milk, but she preferred open valleys over open offices.

When Martha called the supplier of her last catering gig, she didn’t know it’d be Merlyn. They hadn’t had a proper conversation since they’d seen each other last—and discovered a love triangle with their best friend Jason.

Young and crazy

Late night parties bored Daniel. Not because he couldn’t socialise but because such parties seldom ended well.

The interns at work had invited him to a New Year’s Eve party once, and as they entered what appeared a refurbished garage, Daniel had groaned to himself. Disco lights had lined the ceiling, reflecting off the beer bottles in dancers’s hands.

Everything that night had spelled extravagant vanity—copious wine and cheese, barrels of beer, piles of nachos, grilled meat, biscuits and cakes—all shrouded beneath a layer of cigar smoke.

He’d left without a goodbye. He was no longer forever 21 material.