I’m participating in the #WordsMatter Blog Hop for October 2019, hosted by the lovely trio Corinne, Shalini and Parul. The theme for this month is ‘It’s not that time of the year without.’ I’m trying my hand at flash fiction this time. If you think it works, do please let me know, in the comments below.
‘It’s not that time of the year without….’.
It was pouring incessantly, since the night before. And, the next morning, when the sun shone brightly in cerulean skies, my man in green walked right in, through the front door, taking us completely by surprise. He knew there wouldn’t have been a better way to make us happy!
As he lifted Piu’s little frame off the ground, she squealed in delight, while I rushed to hug him, chiding him for leaving us alone for so long. There were laughter, tears and smiles galore. Three days later, he left for the front, but this time, he left us with beautiful memories. Memories that we now treasure forever!
His duty took him away from us but left a gaping hole inside—one that refuses to heal even with time.
Although festivals come and go, they hold no meaning for me now. It’s not that time of the year without him. Not anymore. Never will be. But, life goes on, nonetheless!
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I received this tag from Anagha Yatin who blogs at Canvas With Rainbow. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Amrita at Health Wealth Bridge. There are 38 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days—4th, 5th and 6th October 2019. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised!
You write beautifully. I came across your blog through Arv’s blog and I would like to follow you, but didn’t see a follow button.
Thank you so much, Cornelia. So glad to hear such kind words of appreciation from you this morning! It totally made my day. Have to tell you that there has been a problem with the follow button on the blog. I’m still trying to fix a few niggling issues (on this blog!) with the help of a friend who’s also a developer! Will send you the link once this is resolved. Please could I request you to bear with me until then. Have a beautiful week ahead and hope to connect with you soonest!
Warm regards, Esha
Hi Esra, not problem, I total understand this.
It is indeed a spectacular display of words in its most expressive form!
Please share the link with me too.
Rajesh C R
what a poignant story Di. I almost cried. You should write flash fictions more frequently.
Festivals are all about spending time with loved ones. Nothing else matters. You’ve brought out so many emotions through this small piece Esha, keep ’em coming!
Thank you so much, Kala! Really appreciate you stopping by the blog and sharing your thoughts!
Festivals are sad without people we love.A very sad story.
Thank you, Amrita. Glad you say so…festivals and family are both so integral to our lives .
Such a beautiful and sad story! Festivals aren’t the same without our loved ones. You should write more fiction, Esha!
Thank you so much, Shinjini. I totally agree that the festivals lose their magic without the loved ones by our side.
Will take your advice on board, for sure! 🙂
That’s a beautiful story, wonderfully written. Festivals aren’t the same without loved ones.
Thanks a ton for those kind words, Reema. Yes,festivals are special because of the loved ones around us!!
Life is never the same without a loved one. Could feel the poignancy in your short story
Thank you so much, dear Sunita!
Short, sweet and so effective. Life indeed goes on, whether we like it or not.
Thank you very much, Suchita! Glad you liked it.
So well written! So much conveyed with minimal use of words! Really enjoyed reading this one.
Thank you so much, Pragya! Its wonderful to hear your encouraging words…I’m still learning how to spin fiction and hope to continue…will take some time but I’m really pepped with all the encouraging words, now! 🙂
Beautiful! I loved your flash fiction. It is indeed so true for the men in green. #WordsMatter
Thank you so much, Shubhra! You don’t know how wonderful it feels to have your appreciation! Makes it all worth the effort as I was very iffy while posting this piece!
What a beautiful one, Esha. You should write more flash fiction. You do a great job at it. This soldier was a brave one. How I wish our soldiers never have to sacrifice their lives.
Thank you so much, Parul! I’m still new to writing fiction and I know I have a long way to go down that route but really chuffed when you all say such lovely things, so yes, will be writing fiction more often!
Aah! Felt the pain in the story. You should definitely write more stories!
Thank you so much, Sunita! Will gladly take your advice on this! 🙂
I can understand how difficult it is to the spouse missing him mostly and reliving the memories.
Thanks a lot, Ramya! It is very challenging to face such harsh realities but our defence personnel do sacrifice a lot and even more so, their families.
This is sad. I liked how you sketched that story in such few words – from happiness to sorrow.
Thanks so much, Tulika! I’m still new to writing fiction even though I’ve written a few on and off over the last few years! I tried but couldn’t come up with a better ending.
Oh! This is so heart-breaking! True, life is never the same but it goes on!!
A wow take on the prompt, Esha. Loved this flash fiction!
Yes, Shilpa…life goes on and often without resolving our sorrows or conflicts! Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation!
Pinched my heart and I couldn’t resist thinking about the families of all our brave hearts, that hang on to life with only memories to cherish.
Wishing more power to your pen for writing more and more of fictions. Look forward to reading them.
Thank you so much, Anagha! Your kind words do mean a lot. I wish to hone my skills in writing fiction. So much to learn but with so much encouragement, I really feel it’s not as difficult as I imagine.
It defintely works!. Such sadness in this one. A big salute to the ones we have lost this way..
Thanks you so much, Jyothi! Yes, our salute to those who protect us by offering their lives every single day!
It left me feeling so sad, Esha. Brought back memories of Christmas time waiting for a call from my Dad who was at the border – and then having to share that call with his extended family. Days long before mobile phones – 1971 and 1972.
But came back he did, unlike this soldier.
Thank you for stopping by to read my short piece, today, Corinne! It’s been a while but I’m trying to slowly ease my way back to writing fiction. Yes, the story would be a familiar one to many in the Armed Forces and you’d know best why! It is a sad story, i know! Maybe a happy one, next time. 🙂
This flash fiction worked for me. I could feel the happiness and the longingness of the narrator.
I would like to read more of fiction, flash or otherwise, from you 🙂
Oh, thanks for saying that, Anamika! Fiction is tough as I’m used to no-fiction writing mostly but there’s never a reason not to try one’s hand at it. Will be writing more often on this blog from now on as it’s been lying neglected for a very long time. Your encouraging words surely help to pep me up now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and stopping by, today. <3
So beautifully written, Esha. You have captured the pain and the longingness so well in here.
So glad to see this space active again, Esha. 🙂
Thank you, Vinitha. Glad to know your thoughts on my short piece of fiction. Writing on this blog makes me happy. This is where my heart and soul resides even though I’ve not been able to devote time to it lately. So happy to see you stop by here. <3
Reading this blog makes me happy. 🙂 <3
Thanks a ton, dear Vinitha. I wish I have many more readers like you! <3 <3 <3