Fiction
by gleefulblogger

Silver Lining – Chapter 1

June 20, 2021
9
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Sushma was anxiously looking at the door ignoring the sea of human figures blocking her vision, she knew it is almost time. Hurriedly she glanced at the giant clock, hanging far away on platform number 1 at Churchgate Station. Her fluttering heart knew something amiss, will she travel alone today? The train’s signal was loud and clear, it is all set to depart. Gloomily Sushma removed her handbag from the adjoining seat to vacate and to face several angry snarls staring back at her. One seat and two dozen contenders, all eyeing for the sparse space. The train began moving, slowly leaving the populace and platform behind.

It was a dreadful day at the factory, Sushma again got an earful from the manager. His main objective is to humiliate me in front of all workers, I feel, she thought to herself. The manager is a short grumpy middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a heavy mustache, that makes him look like a giant rat. She calls him, ‘Mooshaka’ when he is not around, or during breaks while chatting with other female colleagues. No one likes Mooshaka, that’s for sure.

Sushma recently got a promotion and now she has to bear the manager for three extra hours, learning the accounts and logistics. He has no particular liking for Sushma either and thinks her promotion is only due to her shapely body and gender. His recent comment on her upbringing left her fuming red with anger, but she couldn’t utter a word. Only if looks could kill, Mooshaka would have died thousands of times by now.

PDA in the coach informed next station is Virar, she swiftly gathered her belongings and started moving towards the door. Relentlessly she glanced at the coach one last time, only to recall the departure from Churchgate station. Clutching the bags, she departed from the train and started walking towards home.

It was getting dark, she picked up some pace to reach home before father. He would be very upset to find she is late again. From far she could see the lights of the room are on, which means he is home already. A shiver went through her spine, but she continued pacing up to cover the distance. While entering she could whiff the same nasty smell, he is drinking again.

‘Is this the time to come home, who will cook food and give me snacks for drinks? Your mother did not teach you manners’, he yelled at her the moment she stepped inside.

She wanted to reply but kept quiet as speaking would repeat the previous week’s incident. Sushma quickly handed ‘bhajia’ to her father, which she got packed at Churchgate station before boarding the train. She wanted to have it on the train, but then her ally never arrived. Snacks doused her father’s temper a little and also gave her some time to prepare tea for herself.

Dinner was ready even before the bottle could hit the floor, being on time is crucial as even the smallest delay could create havoc. It was past midnight by the time she finished chores and readied the next day’s morning activities. Once on her bed, she glanced at her phone only to realize the next day is a bank holiday; i.e., she and her father together at home for more than 24 hours. The thought only made her uncomfortable and sleep left her eyes.

Last week it was her 24th birthday when neighbors arranged a small surprise party. They played music, kids organized a fancy dress show and dance party with cold drinks, snacks, and cake. She was happiest that day since her mother is gone, they are the only family she is left with.

As usual, father arrived drunk and got furious seeing them celebrating. He scolded neighbors for spoiling his peace and threw everything out in the veranda, when Sushma reprimanded him of his behavior she was beaten black and blue. He blamed Sushma for everything bad that happened in his life, her mother’s infidelity, unemployment; poverty, and above all for being a girl child.

Memories brought tears to her eyes, she wept silently and prayed for a better day tomorrow. Shutting her mind on the memories, she tried to focus on the evening train ride. What could have made Maya miss train today, she kept on thinking repeatedly until her tired body took charge and her overthinking mind got its due?

What happens next? Watch out for next post, coming out soon.

‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon‘

Copyright

©Dipika Singh. This article is the property of the site’s author. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

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romantic story

The Secret Crush Part II

September 3, 2023
1

Natasha is a regular at Emirates First Class, traveling more frequently than vagabonds, en route to her latest travel transitions, she was escorted by Aman – her concierge. Unaware of his infatuation for her, she acts indifferent to him. Aman is a persuasive young lad, who is deeply smitten by this sexy siren, Natasha. All he wanted was her attention! To know more, read Part 1 of this story, here.

Aman was gleeful, his benign plan was executed well. She finally noticed and looked straight into his eyes. Her touch was ecstatic, a soft brush could give an indication of how blissful it would be to hold her in his arms. Seeing her gorgeous face so close was a breathtaking experience. He noticed she was not wearing any makeup, just some kohl and nude lipstick her lips were fine pieces of art, thin, soft, and made with perfection.

While retreating from the aircraft, all he could think was her bewildered reaction, she didn’t anticipate the closeness, and her heart skipped a beat when he fastened her belt. It was like a victory leap, without leaving any traces of his premeditated plan, he got her glimpse up close and personal. ‘I need to take this forward, she didn’t flinch away from me’, he made a mental note to himself with a hint of a jubilant smile.

Miles away somewhere, Emran was waiting by the exit, Natasha got a glimpse of the black beast as she came out from the VIP exit. His friendly face shared a glint of smile seeing her back to the bay, and asked, ‘How was your journey, Madamji?’

‘It was good, Emran, thank you. How was your daughter’s wedding?’ she questioned.

‘Wonderful Madamji, she was looking like a heroin in your gifted dress,’ said an elated father.

Turning the wheels into a huge vintage-styled mansion, Emran stopped the car by the lobby for Natasha to descend. ‘I will be by the garage, Madam’ he informed with a humble nod.

Scaling the steps, Natasha enters the very familiar lobby. An entourage of helpers welcomed her with warm smiles, she eyes a large bouquet of purple iris carnations, with a card popping out, ‘Welcome Home, Love. See you in the evening’. She read the card peacefully with a fleeting smile and kept it in the confines of her handbag, climbing towards the bedroom on the first floor.

Her room occupies a large poster bed with white sheen curtains looking over the seashore and palm groves. She deeply inhaled the acquainted smell of lavenders and gardenia, her favourite smell. I need a warm bath to wash off the traveling stress, and a quick nap before the evening, she thought heading straight to the grand bathroom.

She started to fill the bath tub, a few drops of essential oils to relax the nerves. Coming out of her clothes she entered the inviting warm bath, she was finally at ease and in her territory. Her eyes were feeling heavy when she propped her head by the support and started scrubbing her body. Inadvertently she rubbed her wrist repeatedly, the same spot touched by the airport guy yesterday. She wasn’t naïve to the sexual charms, but this touch was incorrupt, it’s a novelty.

It was around 5 in the evening when her staff brought tea in her room, she gazed over the horizon from the large French windows of her bedroom. She picked a magazine from the stack kept by the coffee table, when her eyes caught the GQ.

‘Interesting, let’s see what do you have for me today, huh!’ She turned a few pages uninterestingly, the same rhetoric ads, faces, fashion, nothing fresh or original when she stumbled on a face, er… brown eyes. Her thoughts were back in the aircraft, those two glistening brown eyes – she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about his eyes, deep brown with a hint of sheepish ploy, her lips twitched in a smile.

‘What’s happening with you, Natasha! get a grip!! He is just a boy, leave him be’, she said piercingly to herself.

Will Natasha’s troubled mind get any solace? Aman is planning to take this demeanor to the next level, let’s see what happens next tomorrow.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023

COPYRIGHT NOTICE –

@Dipika Singh Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger) with the right and specific direction to the original content.

Quest of love

Queen of Hearts – Short Love Story

April 20, 2020
2

College mess was bustling with all kinds of sounds, utensils clattering in the kitchen area, students inflated voices, traffic in the nearby road, it was total chaos. Most awaited holidays of the year have been announced today Tim for students to rush back to their homes.

Anshul and Pranav were roommates, best pals more like brothers. Despite coming from contrast backgrounds and lifestyles, they clicked well during the entrance process at the Medical college. Pranav is the only son of the country’s well-known businessman, the future heir to a pharma giant, Anshul belonged to a humble family of farm owners in the nearby town.

In the second-year college break, Anshul visited Pranav’s luxurious villa, his eyes turned sour seeing the absurd wastage of wealth. “Do you really need such a huge house for just three of you?” he asked Pranav looking at the massive swimming pool and billiards table with other wealthy irrelevant things.

“Not three, just one. My mom doesn’t live here, she is more like you in that way.” Pranav shrugged his shoulders in dismissal. “Like you, she also feels this luxury is absurd. In fact, she tried to persuade Dad on numerous occasions to sell this property and share the wealth for humanitarian causes.”

“Wow! She really said that?” Anshul was curious to know more.

“Of course, this is one of the biggest reasons my parents don’t live under one roof. They are poles apart, buddy! One believes in amassing wealth and the other one is sharing.” Pranav said rolling his eyes.

“What do you think? This is required or an overindulgence?” Anshul quizzed his buddy gesturing towards the huge expanse of luxury ahead of them.

Pranav didn’t say a word, just shrugged his shoulders with a petulant dismissal. His typical reaction for – it doesn’t matter!

Anshul isn’t going home this vacation, he told Pranav about the part-time job offer he received last week.

“Are you sure about that? Let’s enjoy the holidays man, we slog our ass off for the whole bloody year.” Pranav asked him one last time, still trying to convince for a change in plan.

“I am good, and stop it before I myself throw you out of this room,” Anshul declared.

“Okay! I give up.” Pranav he picked up his bags, made a rude gesture to Anshul and left for the airport. He is traveling to Singapore to meet his father and venture the Lion City. “One country every year, that’s my current philosophy of life,” he told his roommate while flashing the flight tickets.

Anshul is selected as a healthcare-worker by a famous NGO, a part-time job might not give much money, but the exposure and advantage of CSR activities will add extra credits to the score-board.

He entered the new office, which is a sprawling villa turned into a child orphanage cum education and medical center. He was perplexed to see the commotion between a bunch of young kids and the lady smiling back to them wholeheartedly. The kind of smile that makes your day bright.

“She is Mrs. Dewan, your boss, and NGO founder,” a voice came from behind. He turned back to find a familiar face looking back at him.

“Mr. Pandey! Good morning, sorry I didn’t notice you coming,” Anshul said to his reporting boss clearing his head from the serene view he just witnessed.

“Cut the formalities, call me Shantanu. Let’s get moving, I will introduce you to the center staff and if time permits, we may catch Mrs. Dewan for a quick introduction.”

“Yes, Yes! Sure, right away.”

The day proceedings were quite a handful, Anshul didn’t realize meeting everyone and understanding the mission, vision and philosophies of the NGO have consumed his entire day, well almost!

He still has two more hours to go, Shantanu waved at him urgently. “Come we have just 10 minutes. You know if you meet the lady on your first day, you are blessed.” He chuckled and directed him towards a closed door.

The inside office was done with bare minimalistic design, with the only cane and recycled wood furniture and walls full of planters or hand portraits. Anshul was absorbed looking at the stone walls defeated by the vines, how beautifully the green runners have taken over the stone expanse and made it their home.

“Do you like them?”

Anshul fumbled his balance listening to the sudden breach of solitary, he turned around to see Mrs. Dewan looking back at her with summoning eyes.

Bewitched! Anshul was dumbstruck with the beautiful face looking back at him, she is definitely the most stunning lady he has ever seen. Calling her beautiful would be an insult, she is poised, serene and peaceful like river.

“Are you okay? I am Chandni Dewan, how can I help you?”

“umm…. Mrs. Dewan, I am Anshul Malik (stammering) joined today as health-worker, I mean…. Part-time health expert, like a doctor. Today is my first day, Shantanu Sir asked me to meet you.” He was a nervous wreck under those scrutinizing deep grey eyes.

“Pleasure to have you onboard, Anshul. We don’t follow sir/madam here, please use first names. We all are equal.” She replied forwarding her hand to him.

Anshul greeted with wobbly hands, the touch of her skin made him shiver. He tried hard to hide his ridiculous infatuation, but a smirk on her lips made it away.

“Thank you, Ma’am, I mean…. Chandni ji.”

“Only Chandni,” she said while moving towards her desk. “Please close the door while leaving, Anshul, please.”

Getting the cue, he left the room holding his right hand tight to his chest.

The post is written as part of #A2ZChallenge & #BlogchatterA2Z. To read the previous post, please click here. My theme this year is Short Love Stories.

Disclaimer – This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Reader discretion is advised.

Copyright

©Dipika Singh. This article is the property of the site’s author. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

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