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A traveller’s dilemma

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Meha opened the travelogue after eighteen months of her marriage. All the enriching memories cascaded before her eyes. Travelling was one passion she had followed religiously.

Four years before her marriage, she had decided not to stay at home for long. So after spending four months with her parents, each time she would pack her bags and leave with an itinerary in her hand, passion in her heart and thrill in her eyes.

This picture of Venice still had those iconic words written under it “My Next destination.” These words created ripples in her heart in great measure. But how contradictory was the serenity of the pic with her present chaotic life.

Whenever she raises the topic of solo travelling, she gets mocked at by her in laws. Although her husband had approved of her travelling plans but he failed in convincing his parents.

And here she is today with the travelogue in her hand. Her travelogue was obviously not eaten by the moths but yes her travel dreams and fantasies did get devour by the narrow mindedness of the society.

It seems another lady traveller’s feet got adorned by anklets of traditions, norms and rituals of marriage.

Word count : 198

Thanks for the wonderful picture prompt : TellTaleThursday with Anshu & Priya

pic courtesy : pixabay

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“B”: Six word story challenge

“Bride’s body found near river bank”

“Alphabet B” : Six word story challenge hosted by J I Rogers – Author

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“A”:Six word story challenge

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“Anomalies of life triggered her death”

Alphabet A : Six word story challenge hosted by JI Rogers – Author

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Where’s my master ?

8th Post ⊥ #MyFriendAlexa ⊥ Jaya

And I turned around with my freshly produced saliva-coated rubber ball in my jaws. Thinking of incentives with a nice pat on my head and a tickle on my neck, I trotted out of that nasty icy cold stream. My legs felt like icicles.

“I won’t step into this thing again but what if my master throws this ball again here. Argh !”

As I landed on the dry spot, I could not see my master. He was just here standing on this very spot few minutes before.

“Yes, I can smell his chocolaty scent.” I jumped left and right calling out for my seven year old master.

But I am confused. Another strong stinky smell is getting mixed up. Has the master been abducted??? This slight notion raised up all my hair on my back, my heartbeat elevated. I started jumping and calling him at my highest pitch.

After the shouts I stay still, silent, holding my breath to listen to my master’s response but to no avail.

“ Woof Woof ! To hell with the ball.” I lunged and followed my master’s shoeprints and that distinct smell.

“I am going to rip the kidnapper apart.”

198 words

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here : A night of freedom, The unrequited love, The bubble

Written for Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner: Week #38– 2018.

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The Reprisal

7th Post ⊥ #MyfriendAlexa ⊥ Jaya

build-a-story

After waiting for five seconds, he hard pressed the bell second time. The whistle had blown. Eliza knew what would happen next. Anticipating the outcome, she hastened to open the door for her husband.

Day by Day it was getting tough for Eliza to keep abreast with her writing deadlines along with her never ending nagging of her husband. Eliza was desperate to find a way out to this daily harassment. The intriguing climax of her “to be launched book” had kept her hooked to her seat while the first doorbell rang.

How she wished to switch places with the main protagonist of her novel Dhira, only for tonight !

Like herself, her protagonist, Dhira faced everyday challenges in her domestic life. Once back from work, Dhira would do all odd jobs at home to keep it clean and dirt free. And still her ablutomania suffering husband would mock at her cleaning. Sometimes she slept with bluish four finger marks on her face, sometimes a swollen eye. Most of the mornings she could touch deposited salt particles around her eyes.

How Dhira wished to file a case of domestic violence against her abusive husband ! How she wished there was just one lawyer in the whole city who was better than her husband. Every night she stood before him for the verdict of the day; hands cold, legs shaking, heart palpitating. She would feel as if blood stopped flowing in her numb body.

But the incessant mockery would never stop. Twice she tried to run away but every time his power prone husband would find her out like a mole finds out a worm in a hole. That night she got back late from work and her husband was about to arrive soon. Prediction led to palpitations. She got tired of all this. Running away was ruled out. So she crossed the boundaries that night.

Dhira left a note on the table written “out for groceries.” She crumpled two pieces of paper into balls and threw near the note. Her disposable coffee mug with her lip stain too was there. She felt the urge of opening her clutched hair, letting them breathe in the air of freedom that was to enter in her life. She added the hair clutch too to the staged crime scene. Wow ! she patted her shoulders when she visualised her husband’s first shriek when he would discover it all. While picking up her car keys and moving out, she got amused musing the results of her misdoings.

Sauntering down the path she sensed as if the deep dark sky is soaking up all the negativity from her life. And in return the Moon is throwing on her the luminescence of freedom, love and self-respect.

As she recollected the list of groceries to buy, her subconscious mind flashed some calculations. How much time would the laced food take to settle in stomach, get into his bloodstream and do the wild jig with his heart.

498 words

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here : The bubble , The unrequited love, A night of freedom

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

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A night of freedom

6th Post ⊥ #MyFriendAlexa ⊥ Jaya

“How exquisite it is ? Red, blues, greens and pink weaving a rainbow out of something so mundane,” chiselled Emily. Although it wasn’t raining yet she was already drenched in the intense feelings of discovering freedom.

Alex appeared like a regular customer. But as soon as Emily was ushered in his bedroom, he held her hands, jumped out of the window, through the narrow alley and entered this brilliant place.

What a fairy tale like night ! A feeling settled Emily’s mind that she was blessed tonight to be a fairy. This was her “the night of freedom.”

Word Count: 98

Thanks Rochellewisoff for the wonderful prompt.

Pic Courtesy : Dale Rogerson

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here : The bubble , The Mist in her heart , The unrequited love

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The unrequited love

5th Post ⊥ #MyFriendAlexa ⊥ Jaya

A pining soul bereft from its body

Wandering mindlessly in lover’s lane.

Searching for the love of its life,

The one it was destined to be with.

The last unrequited love it had,

Completely drained life from it.

And now it meanders through valleys galore

Searching for the love of its life.

The last time it was in a body

Twisted and warped it remained inside

Love unsubstantiated, unsufficed then

Love unsettled, untouched now.

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here : The Bubble Stella’s Innocence The Mist in her heart

Picture credits : Pixabay

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Stella’s Innocence

4th post #MyFriendAlexa Jaya

Daddy dearest painted the room along with Stella.

“It should be white Papa,” said five year old Stella innocently.

“Everything should be white. None of my friends should have a whiter room than mine. Only I, daddy, shall keep all the whiteness.”

And so it was. Daddy complied with what his dear daughter demanded. It took them a week to arrange everything. And after finishing up all the tasks of painting and decorating, the cherubic Stella sat on her chair proudly looking out at the dark night. And suddenly she let out a scream.

“ Oh! No Daddy, How can the moon be so white ?”

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here – Mist in her heart , The bubble , The Clue

104 words

Thanks Rochelle Wisoff for the prompt.

Pic Courtesy : Gah Learner

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The Mist in her heart

3rd POST #MyFriendAlexa Jaya

photo-20180903154623649 — The Mist in her heart

The only soul present amidst the mist was of the girl pining for a rendezvous with her lover.

It was the perfect timing. The mist had just appeared as if Mother Nature had herself pulled down the curtains for the lovers to meet.

Awaiting his lover, the girl pondered over the saddening situation of the mist which made persistent flights to meet its friends, the clouds.

But all in vain.

Perhaps, the girl did not see the irony that it was her heart leaping and yearning the presence of her lover.

With each passing minute it grew dark. The azureous sky had turned into Cimmerian darkness. The tweedling of the birds then, had hushed now. And so shushed the anticipation of the girl.

The crest fallen clouds stood witness once again to the egress of their friend, as was the distressed girl.

Alas! They were destined not to meet.

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Read my previous posts here – The Bubble , The Clue , Strange Reflection

149 words

Thank you Priceless Joy for the wonderful prompt.

Thankyou Jodi for the picture.

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Book Review : The Five Love Languages

2nd post #MyFriendAlexa

Love language

Book : The five Love Languages

Author : Gary Chapman

Pages : 203

The first chapter itself is titled “What happens to love after the wedding ?” Author Gary Chapman, in this book, has propagated that there may be number of languages used to communicate with people, but to express love to your spouse or loved one, you should learn and speak the love language of your spouse. That’s the key to a long lasting loving marriage.

Not only to your spouse but this theory applies to your children and all your loved ones. There is an “emotional tank” in each child waiting to be filled in with love. You fill it with your warm hugs, cosy talks, affection and care. And in return you achieve the satisfaction and happiness of upbringing a normal and happy child. But what happens when the love tank is empty ? Could you care to fill this love tank in your husband too?

I will mention the five love languages here as crisp as possible.

# Love Language 1 – Words of affirmation – It is the first and the most widely accepted love language. Use kind and encouraging words with your spouse to communicate love verbally to your spouse. Even mind the undertones also.

“If an apple a day keeps the doctor away then surely a compliment a day will keep the counsellor away.”

# Love Language 2 – Quality time – Quality time is the undivided attention which you need to provide to your spouse. Sitting on a couch, hand in hand, watching Netflix is surely not spending quality time. Quality time is when only and only you two are involved directly in talking by walking and spending time with each other.

# Love Language 3 – Receiving gifts – Wait, don’t think of preparing a list of gifts you wish to receive from your spouse. Do not attach monetary value to the gift when you receive it but accept it as the token of love . Aren’t we teaching this to our kids so then why not us?

# Love Language 4 – Acts of Service – Some couples do things they know their spouse would love them to do. These acts of service can be anything from making beds, managing kids, cleaning house, washing dishes to even cooking a meal. These little acts support the otherwise rocking marriage.

# Love Language 5 – Physical touch – The physical touch is another important aspect. According to author Gary Chapman if your spouse’s love language is physical touch then you need to understand it. A bear hug to a child is always welcomed by him but to a physically motivated and a demanding child, a bear hug may mean more than anything.

I would definitely recommend this book to those couples whose marriage is not sailing smoothly. It has some real life examples of mistakes we commit just by using wrong words and undertones while speaking. You will definitely relate to one of the love languages.

Discover your love language and help others too to know it.

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

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The bubble

Author : Jaya ⊥ Flash Fiction ⊥ September 1, 2018

Elison let the bubble blow out of the bubble blower. Of course with its stupendous size, as mamma had said, she needed help of her younger sister Amie to blow into it perfectly. Elison did not have to say anything. Amie at the age of eight already knew what she had to do. She stood up and started blowing in it.

Elison could smell the fleeting fragrance of mint in air. She noticed the cool air caressing her cheeks and purely passing through the bubble blower. She could hear the eternal cooing of the birds as they travelled back to their nests snuggling with their fledglings merrily. She overheard the gossip and the giggle of the gleeful girls living next door.

Suddenly, little Amie’s hysteric claps brought her back from her assimilation. “Elison ! It is beautiful. I can see the colours of the rainbow in it. It is so huge and changing its shape frequently. It’s so clear and delicate. I wish I could touch it. It’s already high up in the air.”

Elison quickly put up her head in anticipation of seeing the giant bubble herself.

But alas!! Amie’s description was all that she had to imagine the beautiful picture of that brilliant bubble. A bubble which was made up of words and sounds.

Elison again lifted her hand to blow the bubble second time. But this time the soapy water weighed more with the salt added to it in a trickle.

I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.

Picture courtesy : Pixabay

Book review : A Sister’s Secret

Book : A Sister’s Secret
Author : Mary Jane Staples
Genre : Historical Romance

Lady Caroline, the widow of wicked Lord Perceival repents her hasty marriage to him out of infatuation. She owns two estates in her name and is free to lead a life fully socialising with London’s finest aristocracy. Her only problem is her sister Anabelle who is about to fall victim to a similar fate at the hands of Cumberland, a villainous Duke.

Caroline hires a charming professional gentleman, Captain Burnside who had to dissuade her sister from wicked intentions of Cumberland. But Fate spins it’s wheel differently and circumstances change.

Classic lovers and readers of historical romance will like the book. It had all the ingredients perfectly simmered to qualify it a good classic read. The middle of the book got sluggish but other than that it was fine. Language used is also beautifully adorned with descriptive words.

Being a classic lover….. 4⭐/5
#netgalley
Thank you for the copy of the book.

Book Review: The House Guest

Book : The House Guest

Author : Mark Edwards

Publisher : Amazon Publishing

Adam, the protagonist has been offered to house sit for a couple Jack and Mona. He and his girlfriend Ruth are more than happy to do it. They are young, new in New York with good chances of success at work. But one fine day, in the summer, Jack meets a charming stranger at the door of the house. Why he lets her in ? What happens next ?

This book is an easy read for everyone. The plot of the story opens out beautifully in the part 1. But not simple as it seems. The part 1 itself kept me awake for a long time. All the little incidents directed a storm building up. And the part 2 is where it all whirlwinds. The readers would keep brooding over what would happen next And that is the best part of the book. You keep thinking, mirroring your thoughts with the protagonist but ultimately something different happens.

Overall a good surprising plot with nail-biting twists. An unputdownable book totally.
Do read it.

My rating 4⭐/5

Follow me on Instagram @heartinprintbyjaya for more reviews

Book : Little Disasters

Author : Sarah Vaughan

Publisher : Atria Books

Little Disasters is a thought provoking book about trials and tribulations faced by a stay at home mom Jess. She is a perfect mother of three, loving her children unconditionally. An ideal mother for many and particularly by her best friend Liz. But what happens one fine evening, changes everyone’s opinion about Jess and her life. That’s a mystery you must find out.

This book is not just about an affectionate mother and her family but also about RAISING A FAMILY. We see so many doting parents around us with their gleeful kids. But what goes inside the four walls of a house and inside the tired minds of moms is what this book describes. It raises some deep questions on parenting. Is it only a moms duty to raise children ? What happens when your husband isn’t there to support you, not even in the late nights or early mornings ? Not just parenting, it also talks about severe childhood trauma that most of the time goes unnoticed by parents. Some volatile experiences can disrupt your mind and even your future

I surely took sometime initially to pick up the storyline as it moved slowly in the beginning but in the middle somewhere I got lost in it. It resonated so much, that I couldn’t keep it back. The author has portrayed perfect pictures of paediatric wards, and hospitals, life of parents.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers specially all would-be moms, not to scare them but make them understand that it is alright to feel anxious raising a child. It is also alright to take help in whatever way they can. This book really is worth discussing in groups. And you need to read it to find out what happened on one fine evening.

My rating 4.5/5