Friday Fictioneers: The Future

Mar14

lilies-lora-mitchell

Jim stood up after explaining the job details to Jon. Now, it was up to Jon to carry it forward. Jim looked around his office. He had joined as a fresh graduate 5 years ago. He had learned so much here; experienced joy, endured pressures and disappointments. This was the time to move on, towards career growth. Jim would miss everything here, his team, his place by the window and the plastic flowers, which would never grow old or move anywhere.

Thank you, Rochelle, for hosting Friday Fictioneers and Lora Mitchell for the picture.

Ligo Haibun Challenge – Fortune Favors the Brave

Mar12

business

When Navin inherited a huge fortune from his uncle, he decided to invest his new-found wealth in the cotton business. Relatives and well-wishers tried to talk sense into him, pointing out that it was not wise to invest everything in the declining cotton industry. But, he remained firm. With Navin’s foresight and business acumen, his company flourished and profits doubled. When he retired, he passed a cotton empire to his nephew. Navin told us:

Rely on knowledge,

act with self-confidence

and fortune comes running

Written for Ligo Haibun Challenge

Picture it & Write – A Movement

Mar11

touch-reflection-creative-writing-prompt

Max saw a movement in the river. “I saw a something moving in the river. Did you notice it?” he asked Pat. “Nope” said Pat, disinterestedly, munching some chips. He could not wait to get back to college. He had made a mistake in coming to this old town with Max and Mary. Max descended the rickety steps, which led to the river. What was that? A hand waved to him from the river. Max went closer, thrusting out his hand. But, the hand from the water had vanished. As he was about to turn back, the hand returned. It was not a wave, but a desperate plea for rescue. Max understood the urgency. Without further thought, he jumped inside. As Pat ate the last of his chips, there was no sign of Max. The river was abnormally calm.

This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write.

Words Unsaid

Mar9

words

Emotions hidden

in cast down eyes,

stiff posture,

and still hands,

but given away

by the shy trembling lips

while trying to stop

the surge of words

as deep as the

unblemished ocean

Friday Fictioneers – Erika

Mar7

friday fictioneers

Erika hurried back after her violin class, as the lights in her apartment staircase were switched off by 11 PM. However, it was too late and the lights had been turned off. It was exactly at the same time that the most wanted thief, Ren, stealthily made an appearance. He had already studied the apartment details and decided that he was going to loot the tenth floor house. As Ren moved to the staircase, he came face to face with a woman. While she smiled at him, his mouth dropped open in fear. His shocked mind remembered her pictures in the apartment’s association office. She was Erika Mori, the renowned violinist, killed in the 1945 bombings.

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and Jennifer Pendergast for this lovely photo.

Picture it & Write – The Precious Folder

Mar4

picture it & write

Julie read it again.  It was an anonymous mail declaring love. She had been getting these emails for the past one week. Julie re-read it and smiled. She always read them in the morning, break and before going home. It was definitely someone from her team. Julie hoped that it was not some married man. Was it Alvin, Jay or Jake? She was sure it was one of these three men. Alvin was the most well dressed, Jay was trendy and Jake was unkempt, but talented.  Julie was still dreaming when she was called to attend the meeting. She observed the three of them when they made their points in the meeting. Jake noticed her and smiled.

Was it Jake? Julie certainly wished it was him. The next day she got another email. From Jake? She saved all them in a folder. The weekend made her yearn for those emails. She would ask Jake in the office party on Monday. She dressed casually for the party. Maybe Jake would like it. As she went inside, there was a crowd. Her teammates were congratulating Jake, who was there with his fiancée. A shaken Julie went to her desk and opened her inbox. The folder concerned was gone and with it all those precious emails.

This was written for Picture it & Write hosted by Ermilia.

Friday Fictioneers – The Old Car

Feb28

friday fictioneers

Jas sighed as he looked at the documents. He had returned home to attend his father’s funeral. His father had divided his property equally between Jas and his two siblings. Jas’s eyes searched the car park while his siblings discussed the contents of the will. He went over to an old car, neglected behind flashy new cars. It was the first car that they had bought. His siblings were not born then. Jas recalled his scribbling excited words on a piece of paper when his father dropped him in the boarding school. He decided that the car was the only thing he wanted in his father’s memory.  Let his siblings take everything else.

This was written for Friday fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. Thanks to Beth Carter for the photo.

Ligo Haibun Challenge – South America

Feb25

lake titicaca

He stood spellbound by Lake Titicaca. He did not listen to the tour guide, who had started speaking about the history of the neighbouring town, Pucara. He stared at the lake, wondering if it was more beautiful in sunrise or sunset. He felt the tranquil water calling out to him in a soft voice.

What is it that you whisper?

It grows urgent with the spell of night

and I am pulled deep inside

As it has in the past two days, his mind wandered to the girl he had met in Taquile island. He had met ethereal queens and dusky beauties, but had never seen her sensuality in any of them. She was a combination of the western beauty and eastern charm, something he had only heard of. He was also captivated by her down-to-earth attitude and polite manners. But, more than anything, the way she looked at him. Nobody had looked at him that way.

Did I interpret it right?

Was it longing? If yes,

Taquile is my home for life

This was written for Ligo Haibun Challenge. Do take part and share your work in this prompt.