When The Dead-end Began

She said she loved him more than anything or anyone in this world.

But, his wealthy family didn’t care.

They had fixed his wedding with her best-friend, an heiress.

It was more like a business deal.

Having no reason to live, she climbed up the highest peak near their city. 

PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg

A sign warned her of the dead-end.

A downward glance apprised her of what lay ahead.

I Owed You One

I Owed You One by Dr. Madhu Vajpayee is a gripping story of a young man, his family and friends.

Protagonist Dev Khanna is happy, secure, and well-settled with his pretty wife, Radhika, and his little son, Neel, at Australia. All is fine until the arrival of a letter to his Melbourne home. He is forced to revisit some painful memories of his life in New Delhi and Moradabad, India.

"Sometimes pain is the only thing that defines your existence, yet it's you who has the power to decide its imprint."

The letter spurs Dev into action mode that surprises even him and the people, who know him closely.
Though he had decided never to do so, yet he finds himself on a mission to 'return the favour'.

 

Who has sent the letter?

Does Dev succeed in repaying his debt?

Why does he owe the favour?

Whom does he owe the favour?

Why doesn't Dev heed to the requests of his family at Melbourne?

What costs does Dev have to pay on his journey to settle everything?

Are there really debts and credits in this world?

Interesting Inside

"And this is the impressive Innstone Palace. You can click photographs from outside as cameras are not allowed inside," the tour-guide said.

As the tourist group clicked pictures of the imposing well-maintained architecture nestled in a picturesque European valley, Sasha walked like a girl possessed.

"Won't you take us to the lake with the spherical rock sculptures?" she asked.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Just A Red Rose

Some said he was enamoured by my beauty.

Some others felt he loved my youth that was blossoming.

Some others warned that he was fascinated by my sensual smell.

He spent a lot of time with me.

I was sure that I had his complete care and attention....

Then, she entered into his life.

I felt she was the thorn in our relationship.

PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford

Green Wars

It was great to get an invitation to Bahar Dutt's book-launch in 2014. 
Bahar Dutt is an award-winning Indian television environmental journalist and wildlife conservationist.
"Green Wars", the name of Bahar Dutt's maiden book, concerns our environment and thus, us all.

As an Environment Editor with a rich environmental investigative reporting background, Bahar Dutt shared her experience as a conservationist and made important points by raising pertinent questions. 

"It's all right to brag about India evolving as the next super power, but what about its impact on wildlife? Why can't we prioritise GEP (Gross Environment Product) over GDP?"

Bahar Dutt making her presentation & in conversation with Sujata Sen and the audience at the British Council, Kolkata

Fresh Foreigner

"It is just not possible," an elderly man said shaking his head.

"But, this is the reality!", the onlookers stated.

"How did this happen? It has never occurred before!", the senior-most members of the village were puzzled.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

No Postal Stamp For The "Inventor of Rosogolla"

Who is the 'Inventor of the Rosogolla'?
If you answered, Nobin Chandra Das, then please note that it is not the correct answer.

 

Following the Banglar Rasogolla GI tag, unfortunately many are misinformed owing to the bombardment of biased and misleading information via news-reports and videos shared by most media. 

Articles claim that Nobin Chandra Das "invented the Rosogolla in 1868" and that 2018 is the 150th year of the "Invention of Rosogolla"! It may be mentioned that apart from the so-called "Invention of Rosogolla in Calcutta, Bengal, in 1868", there is no evidence in this regard except a stone plaque erected in 1968 in K.C.Das's family home in Baghbazar, Calcutta, to commemorate the "centenary celebration of Rosogolla invention".

The plaque states:

"The  famous institution of the inventor of Rosogolla, Mr Nobin Chandra Das, was located here. The institution was shut down by the order of the government banning production of milk sweets in 1965. this stone inscription commemorates the centenary of the invention of Rosogolla: 1868-1968."

As per Biswanath Ghosh's article published in The Hindu dated November 12, 2015:

“There is no historical evidence — and there can never be one — to prove that the rossogolla originated in West Bengal, even though the K.C. Das family claims that it was ‘invented’ by their ancestor, Nobin Chandra Das, in erstwhile Calcutta. Their claim, in fact, is cast in stone. Their family home in Baghbazar bears a plaque...It must have taken countless trials and errors, spanning several decades if not a century or two, before we got the first flawless rossogolla. To say that Nobin Chandra Das invented it would be as good as saying that Baba Ramdev introduced yoga in India.”

Exciting Pleasure

She opened her eyes, waking up with a throbbing headache and severe body pain.

Finding herself on a bed in a dingy room, she first slipped into her clothes that were scattered on the floor.

‘Exciting Pleasure Hotel, Pattaya, Thailand’ – the cheap menu-card informed...

PHOTO PROMPT © JS Brand

Stumped

She was home after a long trip.

There was a new wooden door with pretty sculptures and a new table with elaborate artistic work.
The sculptures seemed to be conversing with her.
What was it?

Her son’s friends placed his fortieth birthday cake on the table.
Despite the celebration, she didn’t know why she felt sad.
To feel better, she went to their garden.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Then, she noticed that her tree was not there in its spot.

She had planted a seed to commemorate her son’s birth…and nurtured it to a fine tree.
It would have been her tree's birthday too…

Have you ever planted a tree? How would you feel if something like this (as in the story) happened to you?
My 100 words story for Friday Fictioneers

Good Morning WhatsApp Messages

The messaging App that I use most is WhatsApp.
As many of my contacts also use it, it is easy to stay connected.
I am a part of many WhatsApp groups- family, business, events, school, friends etc.

Note: If you are a lover of WhatsApp messages that wish 'Good Morning', 'Good Night', and like to send/forward other such messages and videos, then you may hate this post. 
But, please do read on to learn the other side's point of view...

Many love sending and receiving Good Morning and Good Night messages.
You may argue-
"Why? What's the harm with Good Morning or Good Night messages?
You must consider yourself fortunate that someone thinks of you in the morning/night and feels that you are worthy enough to receive their good and thoughtful messages!"

There are some people who have all the time and interest to share Good Morning messages on WhatsApp, but no courtesy to return missed phone-calls or personal visits!