55 Word fiction

Identity

Policeman stopped the car

‘You jumped signal.Pay me Rs100’

No,I didn’t.It was green

‘I dunno.Either pay up or take the challan]

OK give me challan’

‘Show me your license’

‘See my ID card’

“Guruprasad
Vigilance commissioner
Government of ……”

Sir, excuse me.I didn’t know

Never mind.Show me your identity card

Kiss

If you kiss her, you get the money you wanted

I don’t like it and in public

Take it or leave it

She may not like

She will say nothing and is within your reach

Why do you insist?

So you will not ask again

OK I need money

He produced a frog to kiss

55 Word fiction

A weakness

A high ranking elderly politician though happily married with grownup children had a weakness for beautiful women.

Constant tours provided him opportunities.

In the sprawling meeting ground he saw the young beauty approaching him being stopped by his security.

He shooed them away by beckoning her .

He lifted her happily as she bent down.

Boooom…she was a suicde bomber.

Innocence

The worried elderly woman brought the young beauty with her dark eyes .

The doc came out with grim face after examination.

“She is pregnant” he said

“Oh my god, I never allowed her alone without one of us.A sweet innocent thing ...How did it ever happen?”

"With dogs around, the bitch is never safe”

The guilt

Every Sunday the blue car would pull up sharp at 6 PM at the parking lot of the nursing home.A young man in his mid thirties would emerge ,a routine that was never missed in the last few years.He would bring a basketful of fruits and spend an hour with a young and charming lady patient.There would hardly be any conversation.She was in no condtion to talk.She would be sitting on her cot with a vacant look in her eyes or even if she chose to look at him there was no sign of recognition.Sometimes she would excitedly scream as if she was passing through a nightmare but would become quiet soon after he gently caressed her with his hand. .He would be seen constantly wiping the tears flowing from his eyes.The nurses the orderlies and the doctors attending on her knew him as her guardian..But they had no more information whether the lady in question was his wife or a lover. Her general health was excellent except that she had lost her memory and senses..She has been here since the last eight years.There has been no sign of improvement.

One evening the chief nurse who was retiring from the next day came on her last round along with her successor, briefing her about the patients.She explained the tragic illness of the young lady due to an accident and how there has been no progress in her condition.When the new nurse saw the young man in tears and looked at chief nurse questioningly, she quietly led her away.

It was next Sunday.When the new chief nurse saw the young man in the lady’s room smiled at him and said”Can you kindly come with me to my room? I wish to talk to you.”

Once in her room she said “I am told that you are her guardian and that you are the only one visiting her for years.I can see the pain in your heart and have not missed noticing the tears in your eyes. I learn she gets excited after seeing you but subsides after you gently show your care for her.As one who is interested in her well being, I would like to know more about you in relation to her and why you cry every time..”

The young man was quiet for some time as he tried to recapitulate the happenings that took place long ago. He then slowly said” She is not not related to me.It was years ago in one January night I was returning in my car along the highway.It was dark with poor visibility due to fog I was in a hurry to reach home. She was travelling with her husband and her small baby and approaching from the opposite side.It was then the accident took place when my car collided headlong against hers.Her husband and child were killed on the spot.We were rushed to the hospital by the passing patrol.The shock of losing her dear ones affected her so deeply that she lost her senses since then”

“Why should you feel guilty as the accident took place due mainly to darkness and poor visibility?.Have you a feeling that it was due to your fault? You seem to have done your duty as a compassionate man by getting her admitted here and bearing all the expenses.Besides you have shown your care by regularly visiting her.Truth to tell, it is somewhat strange for someone to take such abiding interest in the victim of an accident..Is it that you have a feeling of love for her” the chief nurse asked.

“Yes, I have held myself responsible for taking away her happiness at such a young age when she was in early twenties by killing her husband and the baby and pushing her into such melancholy..No amount of my help or care would wash away my guilt” he said

“What guilt you are talking about? I heard you started visiting her only during the last two or three years and that initially you were not seen” she asked

He kept quiet till he was prodded again.” I was in prison serving sentence of five years for rash driving.I have started coming thereafter” he said

“Why do you cry everytime you come? Accidents happen despite best care..Do you hold yourself responsible for her sad plight?’she asked

“Yes madam, I am fully responsible for this situation I wish to make amends”

“Are you married?”she asked

“No, I am not married.I wish to give her a new life once she turns normal.I am waiting for it”

“Why do you cry? You have not said anything about it” she persisted

“I was the culprit.driving the car when fully drunk.I wish to atone for the grievous wrong I did to the lady and the two souls I killed" he said finally

55 word fiction

Charity
He touched me outside temple
I turned round.
“Please give me a rupee.I am starving’
I was angry the beggar touched me with his dirty hand.
I ignored him
He strode a few steps and fainted on road as a speeding car ran over him
The rupee coins meant for charity jingled in my pocket

Kindness repaid

Molly was in a hurry as she walked past the lounge to her room.The lounge was crowded with many candidates. There was a traffic jam today. Though it happened at frequent intervals Molly never fretted as she invariably used such compulsory waits to listening her favourite music.She got no other time at home.But today she was not amused at the traffic snarl.She had to be at her desk at 10AM sharp for the series of interviews she had to take as Head of HR.

As she walked in the long and spacious lounge her eyes caught the figure of an old man in his Sixties.When she came near him ,she found a familiar figure but she could not place him immediately.When he stood up with folded hands she saw the two inches long scar on his forearm and the name Palani in Tamil..She recollected and holding his hands asked him “Palani, are you keeping well? You have not changed much except for the creases on your face due to age.”

He blinked.”Amma, Sorry I cannot remember you readily” he muttered

“Palani, how could you forget me.Not once or twice, we had been meeting daily for four solid years both ways to and from college.”

“Sorry, my memory is failing me these days.Where did you board the college bus, amma?”

“Samiyar madam, Palani.That was about 20 years back”

“Were you the only girl in the bus stop.I remember you as a frail little girl in Salwar suit.Could not remember you immediately.You used to come late making me wait.”he smiled

“Yes Palani, I am the same Malathi.What brought you here?’she asked

He showed a young man standing by his side."He has been called for interview and he is an engineer.We call him Manickam. Do you know anybody here?” he asked

“OK Palani,I am late.Nice to meet you after such along time” she replied and hurried to her room

Once seated in her large comfortable chair in the AC room,her memories of her college days rushed back.She told her PA to give her 15 minutes before sending the other committee members and the candidates.She recalled how her mother with her arthritis problem was slow in getting up in the mornings and in preparing breakfast and lunch.Molly invariably ran from her house to the bus stop about 100 yards away.Many days she was delayed by even ten minutes.Never did Palani leave her.He waited patiently and gently and smilingly remonstrated with her that she should hold others like this.In her four years of college,she had never gone except by bus thanks to the patient and kind Palani.She had not seen him wait in other bus stops for students who failed to come in time.

The other members of interview committee joined her and the candidates started coming one after the other.More than 30 candidates had come and gone.Still she had not seen the papers of Manickam.She remembered the name.It was already nearing 2PM and time for lunch.Her PA announced only two more candidates were waiting.She asked them to be sentin.Then she saw Manickam enter as last candidate.His resume looked reasonably good.She put some simple questions and he answered correctly.She told him “Don’t worry.You will hear from us soon”

Palani was waiting anxiously and when Manickam said the interview was over,Palani said”Let me find out the girl who took my bus daily and ask her whether she can put in a word for your selection”

Manickam said “Daddy,it is only that lady who took the interview.She is a very big officer here.She told me not to worry and that I would soon be informed.You should not meet her.Come on ,let us go”

55 word fiction

Encounter
“Hand over the wallet” barked the man
Raju saw the cold pistol staring at him
Unfazed he laughed uproariously.
“Why do you laugh, you fool?”
“See where you are standing”
The man turned his gaze down
The next second a thunder blow struck his chin as pistol fell
Raju an encounter specialist grappled the man

Abduction
A motor bike with a woman on pillion whizzed at breakneck speed
Another one with a man hurried behind despite red signal.
The policeman stopped him
Are you colour blind? Don’t you see red
I am in hurry to catch him.
Then pay Rs.200
Don’t you see he is abducting?
Abducting? Whom?
My wife, his lover

The payback

It was dark and drizzling.Sakthi was speeding home in his motobike along the desolate road.He saw a young lady standing alone in the shelterless bus stand.Taking pity, he stopped the bike and asked her“Where are you going? I can drop you.It may rain heavily.Buses are also not frequent on this road”

She replied ‘,”Velacheri, near Vijaya nagar Bus stand”

“OK, sit behind, Hold me carefully” he said

She was around 24 looked attractive with a good figure though slightly dark in colour.

“Do you work nearby?” he asked

“No, I came to meet my grand ma” she replied

“Aren’t you afraid to stand alone in this lonely road alone?”

“Yes, I was waiting for the bus for a long time.” she said

“Where do you live?” she asked

“In Pallikaranai, a few miles before Velacheri.Do not worry.I will drop you at Velacheri as I have some work there” he said

She kept quiet.Vicious thoughts sprang in his minds.His wife is away at her parent’s place for delivery.He was attracted to the girl and thought she might be an easy lay.

“Are you married? Any kids?” he asked

“Yes, no child” she replied

“What is he doing?” asked Sakthi

“He died six months before”

“Oh,oh,are you living alone? What do you do for living?”

“No, my grand ma stays with me usually.But she is not with me for the last two months.I am looking for some job.Actually I am struggling for income” she said

How convenient Sakthi thought.After riding for some time,he stopped the motorbike opposite to his house.I have to take some parcel to Velacheri.It will take ten minutes.Won’t you come in?” he asked

“Is your family inside?”she asked

“No.they have gone to village.I am alone.Do not fear” he said

After a few minutes he thrust Rs.1000 in her hand and said “Keep it with you.You said you are in difficulties”.When she hesitated, he put his arm around her and said”Do not worry.I can give you regularly”

She tried to free herself .But he did not let go his grip and pulled her closer.

She said ”Please do not proceed .Stop it.It is not proper.”

“Please my dear girl,do not spurn me.I will take care of you always.No one will know”he said as he drew her face towards him.

“Please stop.You will regret for your action.You are already married with kids” she protested

“Never mind..I need you”he said and imposed himself on her.After some resistance, she let him have his way.She was quiet thereafter.He took her in his motor bike and dropped her at her residence.

“We will meet regularly here henceforth.You will no more have any financial worries.You told me your husband died six months before.What work was he doing? Was it in an accident or what?”he asked

“No,he was a lorry driver”she replied

“He was not a good man.He died of Aids” she mumbled

The earth below appeared to give way as he realized the Himalayan blunder he had committed.