Tag: flash fiction

Work the Routine

the routine

She awoke with a wide smile. Today was the day. Jumping out of bed, she reached for her new French Press. Letting the coffee to brew, she grabbed her brush and skipped her way to the bathroom.

Her reflection glowed at her. Laughing at her self, she cleaned her teeth and washed up.

Opening the bathroom door, she saw it. On her dining table sat her perfectly brewed coffee. Waiting, calling for her.

She grabbed her extra-large mug, in all its whiteness, and poured carefully the brown goodness into it. With the cup nestled in both her hands, she walked over to the window.

Slowly inhaling the scented steam, she looked down at the world. Bustling and rushing — worktime had begun.

Turning away, she walked over to her desk. Everything was ready.

Clicking her Mac to life, she placed her coffee next to it. She pulled herself closer to her desk, and opened the usual application; Pages.

Full screen.

No distractions.

Clean slate.

Fingers hovering over the keyboard, she waited.

An hour later, she stood for a refill. And then, went back to the clean slate.

This time, she crossed her arms, waiting.

The cursor kept blinking. Assuringly. All would be alright. She’d figure it out.

The sun kept rising. She took a break for lunch — a pack of instant noodles, and got back to her desk.

Back to her blank canvas.

Daylight steadily decreased, and along with the lights, came her evening cup of coffee.

Still a black canvas.

Night fell as she steadily stared at the blank screen. When the clock stuck twelve, she breathed heavily and cracked her knuckles.

And then, she began.

Time for Truth

time for truth

“Love’s love. Whoever you are born as.”

The auditorium erupted in applause. She stood solo, accepting the world’s praise.

Motivational speaker. Voice of the minority.

She had shed light into thousands of lives. Helped them accept themselves.

Years of spreading awareness, and now, she could only smile. Seeing the couple glowing with pride, she walked up to them.

After 15 years, the time had finally come.

“Mom, Dad. I want you to meet her.”

Testing Times

testing times

Amit feverishly flipped through his worn MBA books. The final test was upon him. He was now just one step away from the corporate life.

Ah! How much he had heard!

He would clear the interview; he would show his father. Amit snorted. His father, the old fool. He had no idea how competitive the corporate world is. He had been constantly pressuring Amit about not getting through in campus interviews.

“Well, what does he know? He’s just a petty banker!” Amit thought to himself furiously. A ‘cling’ from his phone brought him back to reality.

“Why aren’t you at the party? Everyone’s here!”- It was Tina, his girlfriend – No. Friend. Just friend. He sighed.

“I’ve got to study. :( You guys have fun.” – Hitting send, he cast his phone on the bed and returned to his books.

Amit sat outside the manager’s room. Cracking his knuckles, he waited to be interviewed. He was called, and barely managed to avoid the usual foot-trip.

The next few minutes went exactly as planned. They asked him a few questions, and he answered them perfectly. Then came the usual question.

“Do you have a recommendation?”

Amit’s eyes lit up. This time, he did. He handed over the letter – from a respected politician. After Amit’s outbreak last time, his father had agreed to pay for the letter.

“Welcome to our company, Mr. Amit.”