The following are excerpts from finished pages.
I published short fiction — a literary space where you have just a few pages to make a reader care, cry or question their life choices.
That relentless economy of language is baked into every sentence below.
The Confession
(Published in Blue Bird in my Heart by Aspiring Pens)
The Vibe: a fast paced phone call that leads to a confession.
Shalim stood up from his bed and wore his slippers. His head was clear and he walked out of his room, searching for the source of the squeaky voice. It had to be him and he had to be nearby, watching and tittering.
“You should feel great. I am in the house and available daddy. Shame on you for making me feel bad about taking a day off,” replied Shalim walking towards the kitchen and peering inside. He found the cook busy pouring liquids out of big pots of food.
“I don’t want you to be available. I want you to be useful. Shame on you. Everyone is at home on a Saturday. And all you do is sleep,” the voice cried out.
Shalim, phone in hand, walked towards the bedrooms hoping to catch the perpetrator in action. His search was futile. He then dashed towards the rooftop. As he climbed the stairs, he heard giggles and laughter emanating from the rooftop.
Aha, so he was on the rooftop!
He quickened his pace. “Tell me what you want me to do daddy. I will get something up and ready,” said Shalim as he emerged on the rooftop.
“Hey Shalim, finally you are up. Here have some food with us. We didn’t think you will be up before 4 today,” called out Sherina.
She was serving the family a late lunch. Pulling out a chair, she motioned to Shalim. But Shalim was peering under the table and hurriedly looked over her shoulder.
“What are you searching for? Why are you in such a hurry? Shalim…. Shalim….?” she called behind him.
Shalim had hopped onto the stairs without answering Sherina. His wife went back to her chore.
“I want you to do what you did last year!” the voice said.
Karma’s Got You
(Published in The Looking Glass by TWS Publications)
The Vibe: inspired by a real life local incident, this story is about righting a wrong.
It had been 4 years.
Arshad had discovered solace in his work and two remaining children. He had remarried. He was now a father to two step children too. His life had taken a turn for the better. He had accepted Marium’s fate. Even considered her dead.
Beena lived with husband. A demon of a man who tortured her daily. He knew no bounds when it came to damage. But as many women before her in her family she did not know how to handle it.
One day Shauki met Arshad and told him he saw Marium in a distant village. She was buying groceries from a store he said.
Old memories of daughter he had forgotten came rushing back. Arshad became desperate. He asked Shauki to show him where he saw Marium. Both of them went to the village and inquired.
“Yes, Marium. She lives with Shera,” said a man. He looked at Arshad and Shauki suspiciously. Nevertheless, he directed them to Shera’s house.
As Arshad and Shauki got down from the motorcycle infront of a small house, they saw a broad shouldered man sitting outside the door basking in the sun. He was tall, had a turban on and could pass off as a wrestler.
Arshad approached this man and asked him if he was Shera.
“Yes. And you?”
“I am Arshad. I am looking for Marium, my daughter.”
“Your daughter?” Shera said sarcastically.
Life Reimagined
(Published in Felicity by TWS Publications)
The Vibe: inspirational. The childhood that never really leaves one in the adult life.
Years passed, and Serena went on to compete in many speaking competitions. She motivated people and changed lives gaining the position of a motivational speaker.
Her followers were now in the millions. She was only 35 and was named the youngest speaker who changed lives.
But…
Something tugged at her heart every night. She dreamed of the bigger stage, the harsh lights, the loud music….
On her 36th birthday, Serena sat alone in the room she had booked for her extravagant celebration. Thinking about her life, she stood in the middle and closed her eyes. She took one step forward, one step backward, a twirl on one foot and landed on both feet.
She opened her eyes and looked at the empty room—no audience, no competition, no speaking, just silence. Tears gushed from her eyes as it hit her. She closed her eyes again and lifted her feet in the air. This time she had her hand suspended mid-air too.
She spun to the music only her ears could fathom. Her smile broadened as the deafening music grew louder. It was a melodious sound- the violin entwined with notes from the piano. More tears flowed down as she spun round and round, her back arched, her hand outstretched.
Crushed/Life Reclaimed
(Published in Love’s Mirage and again in Women by TWS Publications)
The Vibe: woman-centric regular abuse story with an unexpected end.
“Take her to her room,” boomed Daniyal.
Shehla was lying on the living room sofa, half-conscious, struggling to breathe. Daniyal was standing over her, motioning to the house help.
He threw away shreds of Shehla’s clothing caught in his fingers during the struggle. Shehla had always been a thin woman. Fighting was the last thing she did when overpowered by Daniyal.
It had started two months into their marriage. Daniyal would want his way even when she was tired or refused. He never bothered convincing her.
He forced himself while she screamed and hit him. For a while, she resisted or at least attempted to. But soon, she became accustomed to his brutal behavior and left him to his whims.
Today, she gave up.