2-MINUTE TALE: TIMEMACHINE

From behind a tree, I saw a sickly
old man, aimimg a gun at a youth.

The youth was staggering and
was helpless.

It was me- my younger self, as I was
20 years ago.

I must save myself.  Loading my rifle,
I took aim. A bullet flew out.

The sickly old man at my feet! Dead!

I peered in closely. It was me,
my old self, as I'd be 20 yrs hence.

55 word story: The cycle of life

Image source: google images

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55 word story: Chat room

Image source: Google images

“ASL,” I typed.

“22 f Kolkata,” she replied.

Yesss, she’s from my city! Emboldened, I typed back, “You have a boyfriend?”

“No. You have gf?”

“Na,” I lied. “Can I see you sweety,” I pushed.

“Sure, let me turn on my cam”

As a nude girl appeared live, I shrank back. It was my girlfriend.  

A very short story: Fault in the stars

And just when the stars were about to kiss each other, the lonely cloud turned off the moon.

There was a fault in their stars.

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55 word story: 7 Seconds of life

In those seven seconds of fall, he sees himself being cradled, mom bandaging his wound, dad pushing the bicycle, Maths tutor slapping him, peeping into Mrs Sen’s bathroom, sleeping with Sunaina, graduating, parents finding a girl, first night, he slapping her coz she is not a virgin, on honeymoon she pushing him off the cliff………..

  

[This post is written for IndiSpire as a part of ongoing theme ‘Virginity should not be regarded as a girl’s character certificate’]

~Ritesh Agarwal

Email: ritzy182000@gmail.com

15 word story: The phobia

Iqbal was claustrophobic. 

So, he converted to Hinduism. 

He said he would prefer the flames. 

~Ritesh

The Promise by Nikita Singh: Review in 55 words

Image source: Google

Nikita Singh’s ‘The Promise’ by protagonist Arjun to his ladylove Shambhavi is another cheesy romantic novel. Makes for a light read, but not as good as ‘Love@Facebook’. Mostly clichéd but engaging nevertheless. Gets a lift towards end. Phase of depression aptly described. Some unconvincing turnarounds coupled with smart dialogues. Overall rating- 3 on 5.

~Ritesh Agarwal

Email: ritzy182000@gmail.com

       Buy the book here

         

55 word story: Something of me

Image source: Here

I observe Rosie on the sly.

 I have blue eyes, she has black. I have hooked nose, she has square. I am blonde, she is a brunette.

Completely like her father, not a wee bit like me.

And then she trips, hits the vase, knocks it over.

And I squeal delightedly,

 ‘Hey, there I am’

55 word story: That acrid smell

Source: Google Images

I sniffed the air. That acrid smell was getting stronger.

It smelt of a dead body.

But being a writer, I lived alone.

I moved towards my desk. A sickening stench assaulted me. I flipped open my diary. The smell was emanating from its final page.

You see, I had killed the protagonist last evening. 

140 character story- Freedom

Courtesy:Google Images

Loved

Venerated

Mocked

Despised

Today, the man designs his own coffin. Gets freedom after 25 years.

Yet, dies within.

Today…. Tendulkar retires

55 word story: The Perfect Road Trip

Image courtesy:Google

SUV was ready.

I scanned through my luggage. Had I boarded everything?

Rucksack- check

Laptop- check

Headphone- check

Adaptors- check

Books- check

Yes, everything! Perfect!

Yet I felt discontented. Something bothered me.

Was I taking myself?

Struck by an epiphany, I unloaded all items. I drove away alone; with myself, into those laughing mountains. 

[A perfect road trip is one which makes you discover yourself. This post is my entry for the IndiBlogger contest held by Ambi Pur. For more information about the brand, kindly checks its Facebook page Ambi Pur India]

~Ritesh Agarwal

Email: ritzy182000@gmail.com 

55 word story- Born Another Way

Hi. Owing to the post-dating scheme of IndiBlogger (where they release the post on IndiVine after several days), my submission for the 'Ring the Bell' saga never showed up and hence didn't get a single IndiVine vote /view.
So, you can read this post here- Born Another Way (it is a 55 word story; won't take much time). Thanks

55 word story: The birthday gift

I lie trapped within a body which neither lets me die nor live.

Bedridden and immobile, I beseech my children to poison me.

“Let death be the perfect gift for my 70^th birthday.”

My grandson trots over, climbs the bed and plants a kiss on my wilted cheek.

He gives me love. A better gift.

[This post has been selected by my team Coup d'East (Team East of 'Indian Bloggers League') as the official entry for the IBL 2013 in the category of "55 word fiction". Hope it wins] 

Topic for the contest was: Write a 55 fiction about the most priceless gift you have received from your loved one.

55 word story: Born another way

Image Source: Google Images

“The burly man shook her hard, “I AM YOUR HUSBAND. DO NOT REFUSE ME.” He pinned her to bed and forced himself on her. She pleaded, wept, got raped…..”

‘This is how I was born’- Sangeeta blogged her mother’s story. ‘But I promise that my child would be born another way……out of love.’

Author’s Note: This story may be a work of fiction, but it depicts the ubiquitous plights of domestic violence and marital rape suffered by women at the hands of certain chauvinistic males.

By blogging the story of her mother, who underwent spousal violence and rape, Sangeeta is championing the cause, spreading awareness and is herself pledging to stay vigilant against such bestial acts. She is ringing the bell, which, after all, needs to be rung, and rung with extreme resonance by her, by me and by ‘you’.

[This story is my entry for 'Ring The Bell', a social agenda propagated by IndiBlogger. You can read more about this cause at http://www.bellbajao.org/ ]. 

55 word story: He took my breath away

There was pin drop silence in the theatre. A bed scene was on.

Ratul made the first move. His hand slid over my arms and he directed his face towards mine. Our lips came closer. I exhaled in anticipation.....

“Bad breath,” He grimaced, backing off.

Embarrassed, I wished I had opted for a good mouthwash. 

Moral of the Story- Not paying heed to your oral hygiene can cost you your first kiss.Why not run through Colgate's tips & tricks for prevention and cure of Halitosis (bad breath)? You can read them all here and finally fortify your chances of getting that perfect kiss.  

[This post is a part of IndiBlogger's Contest in association with Colgate.]

55 word story: The guava tree

The axe man appeared. They were pulling down the guava tree.

Memories flew.

Its branches had nested my childhood; its leaves had aged alongside me.   Now, in our twilight years, we were both at our children’s mercy.

“We can’t afford his medicines anymore,” I overheard my son.  

The axe struck. Tree fell with a thud.....  

55 word story: Clouded

The septuagenarian stood timidly on crossroads.

His wrinkled face, creased in frown, mulled over the right direction. Passersby hardly paid notice to his untied laces; no one guided him when he headed towards the wrong house.

 He tried to call his son from a PCO, but his mind was clouded; Alzheimer’s hovered over his memories. 

55 word story: I love you…..still

“I love you,” Fred whispered. “Do you love me still?”

He willed her to respond…., move…., whisper back.

Fred’s hair had greyed, but she still looked 28. Young, sassy, exuberant and full of life- even after two decades.

He bent down- “Happy 48^th birthday…..I will never let you go”- and kissed her chemically preserved body. 

55 word story: The sole inheritance

His life is a sorry tale of wretchedness and penury. Tattered clothes, soiled face and bony body!

An ornately-clad teenage boy arrives, flings a coin and whisks off in a fancy car he has presumably inherited from his super rich dad.

He gazes down dolefully at the latest catch by his begging bowl….his sole inheritance. 

[You may also like to read 'The Hand', one of my favorite 55-word stories. Read it here.]

Some 55 word fictions

It happened last night

A young executive was nervously biting her nails. ‘Why did I sleep with him last night’- she mused. Should have resisted, even though he looked irresistible.

Her cell buzzed. It was him.

“Umm…hi Deepak,” she was tentative.

“Hi Ruchi…ummm….after last night.. I realized something….I… umm.. will you marry me.”

“Deepak,….. I’m already married,” she sighed.

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An interview with a vampire

A young executive was nervously biting her nails, as she stepped in.

“Good afternoon,” she mumbled.  The CEO was buried in some files.

“Miss Stacy, I can give you the job on one condition.”

“Yes sir,” she enquired.

“You must compromise,” he looked up.

The grin from his face faded on seeing his own daughter.

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Nervous nervous

A young executive was nervously biting her nails. Her laptop wasn’t working; files were pending; she had to submit a presentation by evening; and she wanted to pee badly. But her nervous mind was preoccupied.

She dialed a number.

“Is the news bad,” she spoke.

“No mam, good news. Sachin has scored his 100^th century.”

[This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.]
The WOW theme for 15th March- Start your post with 'A young executive was nervously biting her nails.'