Give and take

It was called the jewel of her coastline. An isolated wasteland had become a bustling metropolis. Now, waste from the land was dumped into her. She shaped its destiny as reclamations disfigured her shores. It was gone in a flash with the tsunami. As if the sea swallowed its pride in a fit of rage.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "City by the sea"

Lesson learnt

"Go inside your room and don't come out unless we ask you."

"I am sorry. Please let me explain."

"I don't want to hear any excuses. There is nothing to talk about."

"What if I'm hungry or I need to use the bathroom?"

"You are not coming out, no matter what! This will teach you how to behave."

"Can you hear me dear? Please come out and say something."

"Leave me alone!"

"You can tell me what's bothering you. Let us talk about it."

"Go away!"

"But you haven't eaten in two days. Why are you behaving this way? Is this what we taught you?"

Life in death

A cool breeze cut through the warm sunshine as a shiver ran down her spine. She walked gingerly towards him. He always greeted her with a smile and enticed her with goodies. She never gave-in, mindful of her mother’s advice. But today, she was enamored by the sight. He had only one thing on his mind.

They spotted him from a distance. The bright, pink-colored candy floss and the bunch of red, yellow and blue balloons gave him away that day. The gunshot left her in a state of shock for sometime. But it saved the little girl from being scarred and leading a shattered life.

Image: Milliped, via Wikimedia Commons

Love without luxury

His hugs were so warm and cozy. Her kisses were full of tender love and care. He flashed his sunny grin again. She matched it with an endearing smile. It was such a dilemma each night. In the makeshift asbestos shelter near the construction site, a mother did not have the luxury to pick sides.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Love and other wars"

Monkey, Man

One could sense the tension in the air. The chief scientist nervously scanned the room full of researchers. It had been six years since the first one was rolled out, and now, latest performance reports had confirmed their prognosis. “Humans are getting dumb and dumber. These apps are turning us back into apes,” he concluded.

 

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Apps for apes"

Image: Ziko, via Wikimedia Commons

Bastards!

It was just a trickle at first. Soon, it became a flow. It was beyond my control now. As the trespassing continued, I began losing my bearings.

"Get out of my head! You don't belong here," I heard myself yelling. “Hell we do,” they replied in chorus, “we are the bastards of your fertile imagination.”

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Citizens of no place"

Lovelorn

When the days always seem dark

And merge into nights of gloom;

Wandering like a lifeless soul,

You fade towards your doom.

Cherished memories, lingering dreams

Nurtured with desire and anticipation;

Alas, the heart is easily broken,

Leaving behind a treasure of emotions.

What was an affection, becomes devotion,

Unbridled, it blooms into romance,

Unrequited, it's an endless heartache.