Thanks to the much-needed nudge by dear friend, Natasha Sinha, I’m back at FridayFictioneers after what seems like ages! For those new to #FF—it is a weekly challenge set by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a #100wordstory in response to a photo prompt.
Photo prompt: ©Anshu Bhojnagarwala.
The Heart Has Its Reasons
It was before the war. The year, she turned fifteen.
She would often come by, to watch him play the piano. It didn’t matter if the keys were chipped, or if he was playing a Bösendorfer or a dusty spinet. To her, the music always flowed as smooth as honey.
She watched. He played. They never spoke. Then the war broke out, and he left for the front.
They never met again but she saved the letters he’d sent. Years later, she’d found his baby grand too—ravaged by war, broken just like her, where marigolds now bloom.
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Linking this with #FridayFictioneers, where you will find an amazing bunch of bloggers bringing you a variety of narratives and storylines, inspired by the photo prompt.
Your story touched me and I feel the sadness of loss.
Thank you very much, Carol!
the damage that war can do. such a sad story.
Thank you for stopping by the blog and sharing your thoughts.
What a beautiful and poignant one you got there, Esha. Seeing you weave such a piece after a long time. Good one!
Thank you so much, Parul. I am back after a rather long break-you’re right! So good to know you liked my piece. 😊
Lyrically written and very moving. Well done.
Thank you so much for those kind words. Meant a lot.
A sad tale of losing something you never quite had. Lovely
Thank you so much Lynn.
My pleasure 🙂
A touching tale of what might have been. Very nicely done.
Thank you, Sandra.
Sad and beautiful – so much emotion!
Thank you very much.
Oh this is beautiful, Esha! I love the story you’ve told about silent love and the ravages of war, and so tenderly and beautifully!
Thank you so much, Shinjini. Was an attempt to get back to writing flash fiction after a year-long break! So glad you liked it. 😊
You’ve written a tender story of love left unfulfilled by the cruelty of war. All we are left with is the promise of the marigolds that life goes on.
Thank you so much, Penny! So glad you felt that sense of hope in the end. Memories are precious and sometimes that’s what we cling onto when people leave.
wow1 gave me chills.
Thank you.
Sad tale, but told with great charm.
Thank you very much.
In all the sadness about the destruction of war in your beautiful tale, I also see the hope growing in shape of the marigolds of rebuilding and giving a chance to life again… but for how long?
Thank you very much! Yes, hope keeps us going when nothing seems to work. The gritty will keep at it, so let’s hope as long as she is alive, hope will continue to sustain her spirits.
Lovely. That could be made into a film.
Ah! Well, never thought of that. Nice thought, though! Thank you for the appreciation, Patrick. 🙂
This was beautifully done, Esha.
A love that was not broken, because it was never spoken. Beautifully told 🙂
Thank you very much, Linda. I guess, with some people feelings are stronger than words. So glad that you liked it. 🙂
Beautiful story of untold love. Lovers probably knew, but they never spoke. Beautiful.
Thank you Abhijit. Glad you liked it.
Oh God! My heart skipped a few beats reading this beautifully sad tale, Esha!
And, I loved the title, too….In fact, I am going to steal it–no, not for a fiction post, or anything…but, just to share it on social media someday….:P With your permission, of course!
You ought to make a new category for fiction, my dear! And, I am calling you today–remember, it’s the 15th of this month! 😛
Much love!
Sure, Shilpa. Anytime, my dear! Yes to both. Take my title and call. So looking forward to talking to you. Much love and hugs ❤️❤️❤️
<3 Thank you!
Planning on using the title as a caption for an ink drawing I will make someday, with a heart in it. 🙂
So beautiful Esha.. That’s the thing with war – people go but leave broken things and heart behind
Thank you Anshu. A war can be a terrible thing. It is heartbreaking to see how lives are torn apart as a result of war.
War breaks both those who go and those who stay behind. Lovely piece.
Absolutely, wars only leave destruction and devastation everywhere. Thank you for your appreciation.
Dear Esha,
War changes people. Poignant story, well told. Good to have you back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you for your kind words, Rochelle! Happy that I could write something, this week, especially since I have been away from fiction for a very long time.
This is so beautifully written
Thank you, Doc!
Very well told. Excellent!
Such a poignant piece.
Thank you, Keith!
what delightful story…..
Thank you, Sunita.
So very thrilled to see this gem of a story, as I open my peepers this morning.
I’m so glad you wrote this. Let’s resolve to get back to #FF if not every week, every other week.
I have missed being part of this lovely endeavour by Rochelle.
Have a lovely rest of the week, dear Esha. ♥️
Thank you so much for the inspiration, dear Natasha! I’m glad that I took the plunge to dive into writing this short piece of flash fiction even though I was completely clueless at the start! Had a crazy week but I’m happy with the way I juggled everything. Thank you for your kind words and yes, we will write for #FF every once in a while. I think it’s important to keep the practice, lest we get rusty. What do you say?
Beautiful, lyrical story. Loved it!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you for your kind words, Susan! So glad you liked this.
Beautifully done, loved it.
Thank you, Iain.
So bittersweet… war can do so much damage
Thank you, Bjorn. I think war can shatter lives, people, property and completely change the course of history as well.