Writings

This is a very short story which i wrote for the office newsletter. Though it didn't make it to the newsletter thought I will put it up for your comments.
Also I plan to work on expanding the story line further sometime in the future.

Your comments as always as welcome. So here goes...

Shaila waited in the queue, the heat had become unbearable but there was no alternative. The rationing line had just turned longer.

For past three days this had become a ritual for her. To stand in the never ending rationing line. Every time before her turn came the owner would put up the notice board out of stock. Even the black market option had turned extremely expensive.

She was tired of this waiting; she cursed the politicians for her plight. Her family had voted for the ruling party and they had assured all will be okay. The government had quoted that the quotas sent to each area had been increased though it never reached her family.

She finally saw the truck pull in front of the shop, it was surrounded by guards like a national treasure was being transported. She became ready with her cans hoping today at least she will get her quota of drinking water.

Waiting

Another short story...

Tania tried to forget him but it was next to impossible. How could she forget some one who was so close to her? Always by her side. She longed to touch his soft hair. His droopy eyes always searching for her even in a crowd and now she was searching him. He was no where to be found.

They had put up posters of him everywhere in the hope some one would have noticed him. Oh, Tania just could not get over the grief. Everyone tried consoling her but to no avail. Her eyes were fixed to the door hoping against hope that he will be back.

She just could not believe it that he had walked out of the house never to return. She had been angry with him for the mess he had created. She had been angry with him before and he had never reacted in such a manner. And now he was nowhere to be found. How could she forgive herself? Tania just kept praying that no unfortunate incident had befallen on him.

The regret she felt didn’t seem wash away with her tears. She felt alone and lost. She was waiting for him. All the wait seems to have stopped when she received a phone call informing her of his safety.

All her tears vanished but she decided then and there he is going to get a new leash no further argument on that.

Her Pouchy will never be away again

Shoes

It was a cold day and with nothing to do Shaila was awfully bored. Like migratory birds her friends had all traveled away for a little sun shine while she was stuck with her load of work. Her fingers kept tapping on the keyboard but her mind kept drifting away.

After work Shaila had loads of time as the next day was a weekend. On her way home she saw the word “SALE’ outside her mall and already her spirits seems to soar.

Her joy knew no bounds when the words SALE were posted right outside a shop store. Each pair of shoes spoke to Shaila a language only she understood. It called out to her to buy them and make them happy. They begged her to take them away from the misery of people’s stare; some of contempt on seeing the price tag and some of longing.

Shaila only too obliged to buy a pair of stilettos. The studded footwear made her heart jump with joy. Only an evil ogre stood in her way, the Salesman. He kept insisting that the shoe was not right for her. Must be the first salesman in the world who kept insisting on not selling. He seemed more worried of safeguarding her bank balance.

Shaila was adamant; the shoes had called out to her. Like the pride of a new mother, she bought the shoes only to hear whispers that “What a girl on a wheel chair legs do with such beautiful shoes”. Shaila was in no mood to spar words with the gossipers. She loved shoes and even though she could not wear them, the joy they brought more than made up for the mindless gossip.

My writing skills

I know it’s been a while since I have written anything. I am not sure if it is a writer’s block or I am just being stingy with words. Or better still I am plain lazy.

I thought I will write a short story maybe hone my writing skills.

Anjali was tired and exhausted. She had a long day at work and nothing seems to be going right. To add more to her agony, she missed her daily bus and had to wait for another 45 minutes for the next one that means after 10:30. She could not curse her boss enough for making her wait so late

She would now reach home only by 12:00. Her stomach was grumbling for lack of food. Every time she tried to think something positive about the day nothing seemed to work. Finally her bus arrived and shit it was packed. The remainder of the day was just getting worse. She had to stand throughout the journey to her place.

No one seemed courteous enough to give her a seat; her poor cat must be hungry. She just could not get her mind of her poor cat but the next moment she went back to cursing her boss. She jumped off the bus as soon as it halted at her stop. She had to take the stupid alley as it was already too late and she didn’t want to keep the cat hungry. Cause only god could save her sofa if she kept her cat hungry for too long.

All of a sudden felt lucky to find a small store opened so late, though she was apprehensive about the crowd outside the shop. She ignored her sixth sense and brought some milk and biscuits for herself. Today she had to be content with plain old biscuits. She could not stop feeling pitiful for herself.

In her state of self contempt, she took the shorter route to her place. She could not help feeling how different it felt in the night with all the doors shut and no street lights on. As she walked lost in her surrounding, she heard footsteps. Strong and loud footsteps. A panic arose within her and she could not see anyone. She started walking fast. The footsteps were faster.

She was almost running and had tears in her eyes when she heard a man call out “Stop Lady”. That did it, she just ran. The next thing you know she falls with a thud. Her stupid ankle had sprained, damn shoes. The man approached her and Anjali could not stop her tears. He asked “Madam, Are you alright, why were you running”. Anjali just could not reply. The man helped her up and said “Madam you forgot your change”. That did it for Anjali, she just broke into tears and could not stop.

With the sprained ankle she finally reached home to find her cat sleeping fitfully.