THE MASK – FICTION WRITING #FRIDAYFOTOFICTION SEP 8-13

The dice was cast.

Duryodhana commanded, “Go and get that maid”.

She was dragged forcibly by vile hands and watched by men in power with helpless eyes.

As Duryodhana lunged forward indicating her to sit on his lap, Karna got up, standing in

the way of his best friend and the lady “Stop Duryodhana”

“You are my mate, Karna”, blood-shot eyes thundered.

“My shoulders weigh down by your debts, Duryodhana. A lady’s honour is above

friendship. I will not allow you to cross the threshold of immorality and indecency as a

close friend.”

“I second Karna”, echoes Bhishma’s baritone.

“Me too”, choruses the court of Hastinapur.

A pair of feminine palms clap in the audience of the Experimental Theatre, Mumbai.

All feet arise to a standing ovation. The Director’s chest swells with success.

“What would be your reaction, Modern Draupadi, hadn’t you got unexpected support?” a

critic asks.

Panchali whips out a can of pepper spray and hitches her sari high to demonstrate her

marital skill.

The curtain falls with pride.

Written for : Friday Foto Fiction -The Mask-Sep 8-13. Thanks Tina and Mayuri.

Tina Basu

Google pic

Word count : 171.

I tried to stick to the prescribed word count of 150 but was forced to exceed it.

THE TEACHER – FLASH FICTION WRITING #FRIDAYFOTOFICTION AUG 25-30

People came from far and wide to consult him on wide ranging matters. No pair of feet

returned from his threshold without unburdening their worries or dilemmas.

But his own kindred stable was far from picturesque. His three off-springs never saw eye-

to-eye and their better halves followed in their foot-steps. Shankar Shastri was least

perturbed as he adept in handling them. The fault lay not in them but in their stars and

he was well acquainted with their oddly placed planetary configurations.

The husband and the astrologer in him was concerned and protective of his naïve wife

after his demise.

*********************

At twilight, the aged widowed matriarch lit the lamp, read her husband’s old almanac and retired

to bed. The old lady managed to keep the domestic machinery running smoothly with

tact and understanding.

Shankar Shastri’s clairvoyant spirit steered her through the rough weather. The almanac

was her saviour.

Written for : flash-fiction-writing-friday foto fiction-teacher. Thanks Tina Basu.

word count : 148