2013: #55wordstory Themes: Week 1

Theme: Illusion

He woke up with a startle.

Was this a nightmare? Or was this real?

Was he really lying on the hospital bed? Or was that also part of a dream that he was still having?

What was reality and what was an illusion was something he had to decipher.

The hash brownies had played their trick.

Theme: Passion

For ten years, she went to the beach every day. She felt the waves talk to her and come close to her, sometimes touching and caressing her body and sometimes teasing and going away. This was pure passion.

She stopped going to the beach, the day she realized that these waves will always go back.

Theme: Children

The first raindrop was enough to send us into a frenzy. Rushing out with our paper boats, ready to jump into puddles without a care about the world. No stress of daily rigmarole nor the rigour of the daily grind. Free spirit and a clean and creative mind.

Childhood was a great stage of life.

Theme: Sand

Ranbir was born with a silver spoon. All his wishes got fulfilled, making him believe that owning everything was his birth right.

When he started dating Radhika, he started getting possessive about her, which suffocated her.

He did not realize that a relationship is like sand – tighter the grip, sooner it goes out of hand. 

Theme: Dust

It was brought home with great fanfare. The entire neighborhood came to congratulate us. Soon, it became an integral part of our lives, with all events happening around it. It was witness to our joy and sorrow over the years.

Today, the black and white TV is gathering dust with no-one willing to buy it.

Theme: Invent

Churning out stories from thin air!

Creating something on a page, where nothing existed moments ago. With every word, a chain is formed. A series of such chains is what leads to a creation. Sometimes the word limit of 55 keeps the chain small. But, if this is not an invention, then what is?

Theme: People

There were hundreds of them. All had come together to show their humane side. Each of them believed that they were a good human being. As soon as they entered the alley, they were greeted with a row of mirrors. Not a single reflection of people. Each mirror reflected a beast, their inner evil! 

#55wordstory: Themes: Week 9

Theme: Platonic

It was a small seed at first. Too small to even notice. But soon, the roots took their place. With every passing day, the roots grew stronger. Uprooting them now was impossible. This small seed of 'Doubt' grew so big, that it stopped differentiating between physical relationship and platonic friendship and ended a beautiful journey. 

Theme: Noise
Rajeev: "I am buying lots of noise making crackers for my son Sid. After all Shor Na Machaya toh Mazaa Nahin Aaya"

Sail: "That is good but ask him to be careful. I still feel sad for Rahim. After last year's incident, the deafening sound of silence is the noise that bothers him a lot." 

Theme: Angst
It was a momentary lapse of judgment and Rajan's short-temper, which led him to hit Roshita.

She went to another room and closed it to decide her next set of action between her sobs.

The choice was between calling the police or forgiving Rajan.

She decided for the latter by hanging herself from the fan. 

Theme: Brazen
Having always been a topper Derek didn't want to miss it this time either. But this time it was different.

He was caught cheating. Instead of being brazen about it, he broke down. The death of his mother a month back didn't allow him to prepare and his first attempt at cheating had fallen flat.

Theme: Furtive
Sitting at a cafe in Paris, Raul kept giving furtive glances to Lolita while sipping his cup of coffee.

Anyone noticing this would have thought Raul to be shy and not being able to walk across and speak to her.

No one knew that Raul was a detective hired to keep a watch on Lolita.

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 8

Theme: Captive

Salil had visited so many countries, but there was not a single picture to show.

Many people asked him the reason, and his response always was "Nature is meant to be enjoyed with your naked eyes. You cannot make them captives of your lens and think that you would be able to enjoy them later" 

Theme: Free
Rajan invited his secretary Rita for lunch at the Taj and asked her if she would like to get promoted.

“Sure Sir” replied Rita

“But you know Rita, there are no free lunches” grinned Rajan.

Rita knew he was another one of those creeps to be avoided at all costs. She decided to quit soon. 

Theme: Catharsis
As a kid, putting pen to paper was like a catharsis for him. It allowed him to escape to a make-believe world from the stress of his boring life.

But things had changed nowadays, as all the writing was happening through keyboards and screens.

Who had the time to find a pen or a paper?

Theme: Consequences
The liftman closed the lift even after noticing her come.

As soon as he came down again, she shouted and abused him a lot.

He didn't say a thing. Two days later, her body was found with a slit on her neck. She didn't know the consequences of a small incident would be so fatal. 

Theme: Lost
The year was 1995. Rajeev's father had got him a CD player from his US visit and Rajeev wanted to show it off in school.

In all the excitement, he forgot it in his classroom that day. He tried checking the 'Lost and Found' section next day but he knew it was a lost cause. 

Theme: Risque

Shoaib trudged back home after a tiring day expecting another emotionless session at home as usual.

Simar looked different today and was very sweet to Shoaib, surprising him. After dinner, she switched off the TV and called Shoaib to the bedroom.

Shoaib did not notice that the book on Simar's table was '50 Shades of Grey'.

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 7

Theme: Kill
For miles and miles, all one could see was the pure white expanse of snow like a canvas. The mountains stood tall and proud with no hubris or arrogance.
But it all changed 13 years back with blotches of red spoiling the pristine beauty and taking away the silence.
Kargil – something we will never forget.

Theme: Damage
Being teenagers, their emotions were fragile. A trip to the amusement park got her heart in her mouth. The roller -coaster ride made her scream and he laughed at her. The relationship was damaged there and it was a closed case. She was just trying to understand love and all he had was lust for her.

Theme: Envy
Radheshyam's car was getting scratches daily and he reported to the police, who caught Manekchand red-handed.
On interrogation, he revealed his jealousy on seeing the new 32-inch TV of Radheshyam and so he did this.
When police realised the brand of the TV, they had a hearty laugh. The brand was Onida - 'Owner's Pride. Neighbour's Envy'.

Theme: Death
Meera and Sameer exchanged their vows and said “Till death do us apart” amidst friends and family. Theirs was a love marriage after three years of courtship.
Meera’s bad dream turned out to be her premonition when Sameer met with an accident.
The words that rang in her head were: “Till death do us apart”

Theme: Supernatural
Everyone thought that Karim was alone and lonely. He did not think like that. He had an unwanted companion with him for years.
It seemed as if there was some supernatural power that ensured that he was never alone and pain was his constant companion.
Karim longed for solitude, at least without this companion.

Theme: Blue
It was the first art class of the six year olds. The teacher asked them to draw and colour a river.
Everyone except Ameya coloured the river blue. He coloured it black.
When asked, he replied " But madam, I've always seen the Yamuna as black and never blue. My house is on the river bank".

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 5

Theme: Taste

It seemed like a case of murder for robbery, but the autopsy report revealed poison in his blood. The police found no evidence of poison in the house. They didn't check the wall plaster that was coming off. His brother knew he loved the taste of chalk from childhood and hadn't given up as yet. 

Theme: Words

He got into a relationship early in life. It was game of scrabble which led to the initial sparks. What followed was knowing each other more. Love blossomed further while graduating in English Literature. Its been years and they're still going strong. As a writer, today, words are his addiction and his companion for life. 

Theme: Alcohol

Being a car race driver was a thrill and a passion for him. Every win was celebrated with a success party with a glass in hand throughout the evening. Soon addiction took over and now every loss also follows a similar pattern. Only difference is that the word 'success' is missing and he parties alone. 

Theme: Seduction

Ice cubes: Check

Strawberries: Check

Honey: Check

Chocolate sauce: Check

Ragini was pleased with her shopping list. Rajan looked at it and smiled. "I am impressed sweetheart and am looking forward to a night of passion and seduction".

"Oh Shut Up Rajan. This is for the birthday party of our four year old." Rajan sighed. 

Theme: Fight

8.01 am. The fast local to Churchgate was packed. A push here and a shove there was leading to arguments and fights. This was the kind of opportunity Suleman looked for. Picking pockets in such a scenario was pretty easy. He did not know that CCTVs had been installed last night on the Western Line. 

Theme: Possession

While playing, Jhanvi hurt herself. Her mother took her tears in her hand and said "These are pearls. Don't waste them."

Few days later at the mall, Jhanvi innocently went to her mother and told her "Mom. If Papa is not buying you that pearl necklace, please use my pearls that are in your possession." 

Theme: Irony

Growing up in a middle class family with limited means had made Michal stingy. This nature of his caused a lot of stress in his marriage to a girl who liked to live the good life. Michal has changed now and he indulges and pampers himself often. Ironically, this change happened after May left him. 

Theme: Taste

It seemed like a case of murder for robbery, but the autopsy report revealed poison in his blood. The police found no evidence of poison in the house. They didn't check the wall plaster that was coming off. His brother knew he loved the taste of chalk from childhood and hadn't given up as yet. 

Theme: Games

It was raining heavily and Sonu was getting bored. His father made a paper boat in front of Sonu and put it in the puddle. Sonu saw this as an exciting game. When it rained next, Sonu made many boats while his father was asleep. He thought the money in his father's wallet was paper.

Theme: Name

He was being felicitated for his phenomenal work in cancer research and he dedicated his prize to his mother who had succumbed to the dreadful disease ten years back. But even after such success, filling a form that asked for a father’s name made him cringe. Living the life of a bastard was a curse. 

Theme: Bollywood

"Were you a barber in your past life?" asked the brawny actor.

"What? No! I mean how do I know? Why do you ask?" said the famous action hero.

"Because you love using the scissors a lot on the editing table!" said the brawny actor and walked off.

The action hero was stumped and speechless. 

Theme: Distance

Adnan proudly posted his half-marathon pictures on Facebook, and there were 55 comments. Adnan running a distance of 21 km was unexpected. People asked him when his philosophy - ‘Live to Eat’ had changed and how had he managed the weight loss. The word Liposuction was not mentioned even once by him in any comment.

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 4

Theme: Obsession
Fifteen years had passed since they met last. They were inseparable in college. Binge drinking on graduation night followed by the bike ride home turned fatal. Rajeev lost his vision and his love. Today, he knew she was sitting next to him in the flight. He knew that smell. She always wore Calvin Klein Obsession.

Theme: Suitcase
He saw his parents slog for 25 years and letting go off all their joys to pick up a rat-hole in the suburbs of the city that was bursting at the seams. He knew his path since then. When asked, ‘What do you do?’, ‘I'm a vagabond’. ‘Where do you stay?’. 'Always in a suitcase'.

Theme: Wish
The phone beeped once again. Nirvaan rushed towards it. 'Hey dude! Happy Birthday. Have a blast. Cheers!'. Another birthday wish but not the one he was waiting for. Just one message from Ria is all he wished for. When together, they had dreamt and wished for many things. Divorce was surely not one of that.

Theme: Leather
Simran's promotion party at her penthouse was at its peak. Kamini dropped her glass of red wine on the plush white leather sofa at Simran's house. She didn't know that Simran loved animals and never bought real leather. Simran didn't know that Kamini did this because she was the other contender for the same role.

Theme: Mad
At the age of ten, it was evident that she possessed talent that even the 16 year old did not have. After few concerts, she knew this was her calling. Her first album itself was a platinum. She gave the nickname herself when she told her first interviewer "Don't call me Madonna. Call me MAD!".

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 2

Theme: Job

"My job sucks man!" said Divakar while gulping his peg of whiskey. "Yeah man! Crazy hours, pathetic pay and a moron boss" chipped in Tulika. While heading home, they saw an old man without legs, at the signal and Rhea spoke "He is working in this condition, at this hour and we complain our work sucks!"

Theme: Paper

It was his fourth attempt. He tried his best but still found it difficult to manage it. He tried using various books, surfed the Internet to get tips to improve, even asked friends for help and guidance, but the result would just be the same. He never knew writing a love letter would be so difficult. 

Theme: Cafes

I finally got the collage ready. Choosing the best ones from the lot was quite easy. The day I held her hand for the first time, my first appraisal in my career, and my meeting with her parents to ask for her hand. Yes, this was a perfect collage of the memories that I had collected at various cafes.

Theme: Spices

"Why did you kill him?", asked the lawyer. "Because he loved spices." Everyone in the court room were bewildered to hear this. "What are you saying Ms. Dalal?".  She spoke nonchalantly "I caught him in bed with his secretary.  When I asked why he did this to me, he replied 'Variety is the spice of life'."

Theme: Hotel

It was past 2 am and the party ended abruptly. Neighbours had complained and police had landed at the door. People started leaving reluctantly when suddenly the speakers started blaring ‘Hotel California’. Saif wanted to have the last word as this was his success party and Chhote Nawab did it in style before getting arrested.

Theme: Aliens

Krish joined work after a break of ten days. He had taken to seek psychiatric help as he had been dreaming of UFOs since the past few weeks. Today everyone was heading to Blue Frog and asked him to join. Alien Chutney was performing there. He did not want to go anywhere near aliens anymore. 

#55wordstory - Themes: Week 1 (Mar 11 - Mar 18, 2012)

These are my #55wordstory of this week on various themes:

Theme: Wicked

It was the last day of the circus. Two months and not a single day of applause for him. All the applause was for the ring master and all he could manage was a few guffaws and some sniggers. He was sick of being the clown. He had a wicked plan...to open the cage.

 
Theme: Letters

"What will you do now?" she asked him. "I don't know. This is what I have always done. It's not their fault." 

"They fired you from your job of 37 years and you say it's not their fault?" "Times have changed. People dont send letters anymore so what's the use of a postman like me."

Theme: City 

Having an office that gave him the view of the entire New York City from its 105th floor was a dream come true for Rohan. Today was his second day and he was enjoying his cup of coffee, looking out of the window when he saw the plane coming towards him. He was staring at death.

Theme: Bottles

It was the last day of campus life. Two years of late nights, projects, group work, parties, sports, bitching, placements and all the razzmatazz had come to an end. They wanted to celebrate all this with bottles of beer. Only thing they did not know was that their bootlegger in this dry state had been caught!

Theme: Apples

The body was burnt beyond recognition. Police could not establish the identity of the woman found dead. The tea-vendor saw the news and recognized her unique shoes. He approached the police station and told them that she worked at the office which has apples at its reception. There was some questioning to be done at Leo Burnett now.

Theme: Gods and Demons

I started dreaming in the 60s. My dream was to upstage the leader in all the big industries. I started seeing success in automobiles when I became bigger than USA. Soon, I earned the wrath of Gods and Demons and I was struck by earthquakes followed by a terrible tsunami last year. My name 'Japan' soon lost its power.

Theme: Water

In a cruel and ruthless city like Mumbai, this was his only confidant. Happy, sad or depressed, he would find his answers here. 

Always by his side, ready to listen to his pains and anguish and advising him whenever needed. The sea, its waves and the horizon in the distance had its language, which he understood.