MICROFICTION

A guest for lunch. Sushma was annoyed at her husband. He had just called from office to say that a grandpa of one of his colleagues would be coming over for lunch and would she please entertain him? He had this habit of sending perfect strangers for lunch to earn some goodwill...at her expense. When no one turned up at lunch, she decided to wait awhile.  When she just looked out of the window, she saw an elderly gentleman at their gate, looking lost or confused. She quickly went and invited him inside. The old man, who initially mumbled something in an unknown language, followed her,and after the lunch, thanked her with folded hands and left. Not a single word could be exchanged because of language problem. Sushma had then just started eating her own lunch when the phone rang. " Sorry dear, the program is off. That grandpa couldn't make it as he is sick."

Navrathri day 8. JAI MA DURGA! The vegetable seller. Venu, the vegetable vendor was forlorn. Today, he had to do good sales in order to fulfil his commitment of repaying a small loan to a good friend. Though the friend wouldn't really mind, Venu was very particular on keeping his word. " Durgama, please help," He prayed, though realising at the same time that he was troubling the Goddess for trivial things. Meanwhile an old lady came and stood near him, offering to assist with the sales. Though Venu knew that her offer was both strange and absurd, he just smiled acquiescence, being a kind hearted man. Inexplicably, people started flocking to his cart and started buying up his vegetables. They seemed to be fascinated by the old woman, ogling at her and even trying to flirt. After he had mopped up the day's sale, he tried to thank the old lady but she was nowhere to be found. " Did you see the old lady who was standing with me till now?" He asked some of his c...

Navrathri day 7. JAI MA DURGA! Hewn from a single rock. The Durga Devi temple in this village was famous for the stone Durga hewn from a single rock. Even her crown, throne, conch, spear and other things adorning Her were from a single sculpting. She was venerated by the villagers and tourists from nearby. One day, a teenage girl named Renu went missing for a few hours. Since it was an unusual occurrence, many villagers set about, looking for her. The search ended when they found Renu, crouched in a corner, sobbing inconsolably. On questioning, she quietly pointed at a place in front of the Durga idol. To their utter amazement and shock, they found the village rowdy, Chathu lying in a pool of blood. The spear from the monolithic Durga had detached itself and pierced right through his heart. Durga devi thus protected  her innocent devotee Renu from his clutches. JAI JAGADAMBIKE