The Mad Woman's Money

Everyone in her neighbourhood was investing in the latest scheme.
Though Rahim Chacha* and Shanu Mama* did not see eye-to-eye, she saw them bonding over cups of tea and passionately discussing about the merits of the scheme.

The audience lapped up every word of the 'experts', who recommended such investment.
Everyone found it hard to stay away from the 'get-rich-quick' investment scheme.

For them, she was the- 'pagli' i.e. 'mad/silly woman'.
They called her so as she was the only one who had not invested even a rupee in the chit fund.
She regularly deposited all her money in her bank-account.
There were too many burdens on her and she wanted to be able to withdraw cash whenever she wanted.
For her, it was wise and safe to have money within her reach.

The Anniversary Gift

"How was your silver jubilee marriage anniversary celebration?"

“Well, that went well.”

 "What all did you do at the hill-station?"

 "We stayed in the resort mostly."

"Hmm!" :)

"Rani took rest and slept, while I clicked photographs." 

"Looks like Rani is tired of you! Imagine sleeping on the marriage anniversary!"

"No issue. That's her idea of celebration."

"What did you gift her?"

"Apart from the holiday, I gifted Rani a photograph of a cloud that I clicked there. I asked her to feel free like the cloud and explore and celebrate on the sky of my life! I promised to forever be the silver-lining of her cloud."

Latte Lesson

There were five vacancies for a research-project, but fifteen aspirants.
All had gathered at their professor's residence.
The professor asked them to have latte.
Each student was to serve latte for self.

The students sipped in silence awaiting the list of the chosen five.

PHOTO PROMPT © Priorhouse

As the professor read out the five names, the ten not-selected students looked disappointed.

Karma Is A Bitch

When her overseas business-trip got over three days before the scheduled date, Nina did not inform about it to her husband, Sunny.
This was the right chance to do what she had always wanted to - to surprise Sunny!

She had mentally made elaborate plans. 
However, after reaching their apartment, Nina was the one who got surprised.
There were some women's items like hair-clip, cup with lipstick etc. on their table.
Whose gown was lying on their bed?

She was angry to see the key of a brand new car.
"Sunny has bought a car without informing me?"

A Lesson From The Umbrellas

The College Annual Day was a fortnight away.
Students of different religions had different views.

The Principal wanted each student to participate in some way.
There was a notice asking every student to lend her/his umbrella for the decoration.
Attendance was compulsory. Students were to collect their umbrellas after the celebration.

The Annual Day presented a colourful picture with umbrellas of different colours in neat rows above.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

The Race

“You will take part in the race?” they asked looking concerned.

“Of course, I will!” I answered cheerfully.

They burst out laughing uncontrollably.

I could not understand what the joke was.

While I was busy training for the race, they were busy laughing.

My friend Rosy had full faith in me.

“I love your passion, dedication and confidence, Ashok”, Rosy said as she gently stroked me.

Did she guess how much I loved her?

Rosy was the reason why I looked forward to races.

On the day of the race, she was dressed in a pretty pink gown.

Standing near the finish-line, she signaled the thumbs-up and victory sign to me.

I pledged to run my best race.

They were looking, but I didn’t care. I ran to her anyway.

Just A Minute

They took a boat to reach the ancient home.
The researchers took care to be still lest the weak building should collapse.

Week 72 Prompt © Flemming Beier

One room looked recently-constructed with its freshly-painted walls and concrete structure.
The brand-new room had an old clock.

Celebrating Forgiveness - 7 Hindi Movies

Forgiveness is a quality of the strong.
Many Hindi movies have shown the importance of forgiveness. Some movies have the protagonists deciding not to forgive. Except for a few examples in some movies, mostly parents or elders forgive their children or youngsters.
Here are 7 examples that illustrate this:

Maine Pyar Kiya - 
Hero's father mistreats his friend, the heroine's father. The latter takes his daughter, the heroine, away. It's a question of high and low status. The 'rich' lovelorn hero is ready to work for 'poor' pay to beg for forgiveness.
Does the heroine's father forgive his childhood friend, the hero's father?

Hasee To Phasee -
Heroine runs away from home by stealing her father's money to fund her scientist dreams. After she attains success, she lands up at her home.
Does her father forgive her?

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham - 
'Rich' hero falls in love with 'poor' heroine and decides to marry her instead of the rich girl his dad has chosen for him. His costly love-marriage results in the hero getting ousted from his home.
Does his father forgive him?

Incredible Impression

Saba returned home after a tiring day at work.
The full moon's view from her window was perfect for her upcoming date.

PHOTO PROMPT © Gah Learner

She had met Rehan a fortnight ago.
That night, it’d be his maiden visit to her place...

The bell rang.
Saba found Rehan at her door.
He had arrived early!

As he entered her apartment, two armed masked-men also barged in.
"Undress now" they commanded.
Saba looked helplessly at Rehan.

Women, Violence And Silence

It is said, 'Silence is golden'.
But, is it really?

Silence may be interpreted in a different way When You Say Nothing At All...

I feel- 'Silence Feeds The Violence'.
Violence is not right. Lord Krishna has said in the Gita that those who suffer injustice are greater culprits than those who commit injustice.

When something terrible is happening, why are people silent-onlookers, rather than protesting?

I have shared this in my poem- 'India Needs Bravehearts'.

For example, if a man is slapping/beating a woman in public, people would rather 'watch the fun',  click photos or take videos, rather than raise their voice or come to the rescue of the damsel-in-distress.

Meant For Each Other

Rimi was frantically searching all over her room.
She browsed through the pages of the documents and folders in her office-bag.
She just couldn't find the envelope...

It had simply disappeared.
It had a special note that she had written:

Dear Burglar of my heart,
It's tough to stay apart.
There's a lot I'd like to say,
Join me for a date this V'Day.
I'll be there at 'Cafe Forest'!
Drop in at 7 & be my guest!
This note in envelope is my gift!
Let our love-balloon get a lift :)