He stared at the ship, called Victoria. Now was the time to attack, he felt. The ship was surrounded by fog and his men were ready with weapons, just waiting for a word from him. He was about to turn when a moment caught his attention. An elegant woman, aboard Victoria’s deck, was examining something. He, with an eye for these things, could clearly see that the ‘something’ was diamond. Then she carelessly tossed it to the river, as he stared. Now she held a chain, examining it. In a thoughtless frame of mind, he jumped into the sea to retrieve precious jewellery.

The next moment, a squad from Victoria jumped into the nameless ship. “You are under arrest.” thundered the commander. He called a number as the dumbfounded pirates were handcuffed.
“Task done, ma’am”
The elegant lady smiled, “All for some trinklets.”
This was written for Alastair’s photo fiction.

Tom’s thoughts were elsewhere as he rode his bicycle. Rose refused to speak to him. In addition to that, she had taken to ridiculing him. She knew that he was devoted to her. Then, why this attitude, he wondered.

As Tom sped, he did not notice his small tennis ball slipping down. Then he saw it sliding down the hill. Tom hurried to locate the ball, but it was lost in the muddy water below. He considered going after the ball, but did not make the effort. He sat on the edge, lost in thought. Was it worth it? Should he reach for a ball lost in dirt? Another thought struck him. Why was he devoted to someone who did not care for him? If Rose could not spot his merits, it was her problem. He would wait for the right girl, but never give up his self-esteem for anything or anyone.

Tom got up and confidently walked to his cycle. He whistled now as the world looked new.

Written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write

Will gazed at the river sadly. The water was smooth, but what terrible secrets did it hide underneath?

Six months ago, he had travelled in the same road with his wife, Shaolin. They argued, as they often did. She insisted that they get their youngest enrolled in a new school as she found it difficult to pick and drop him. He argued that the present school was the best for beginners. Shaolin raised her voice and said that he never listened to her and this was just an example. Will screamed back and regretted the very day he married her. At this, she looked shocked at him for a moment. Then, she opened the car door and threw herself outside. A stunned Will stopped the car, but she picked herself and ran towards the river. All he could see was her white dress in the wind, then it disappeared with a loud thud.

He was devastated and his children were inconsolable. His loving eldest daughter had now stopped speaking to him. Shaolin had taken their happiness, hope and faith with her.

This was written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Roopa hesitated in the lawn of her palatial bungalow. A month earlier, she had eloped in the middle of a night to live with her boyfriend. A salesman at a boutique, he had seduced her with sweet talks and promises. An under-age Roopa ran away with him without informing anybody. Unable to live in a meagre income and missing her luxurious house, she had sneaked away when he was asleep.

She paused outside her house, when she heard voices.

“Aren’t you going to search for her?” asked her aunt.

“It is as well that she ran away. Now the property belongs to us.”

“She might come back to claim it.”

“Never. You left your house for me when I was just a boutique salesman. Did you ever go back?”

Her aunt made a face and did not reply.

Roopa stood for a few minutes in silence. Then she ran down the steps, hoping to reach his house before he woke up.

Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.