Short Stories

These are the short stories I have written till date.

Guest Post: Short Story – A Million Faces

Reuben stares at his own reflection in the mirror as he picks up the cologne from the counter and sprays it twice on his neck. He takes a small sniff, and picks up a tight cap from the counter. He pulls it over his head to hide his greying hair and adjusts it carefully, stuffing every strand of hair that emerged from the cap. He then turns to study his dimly lit bedroom.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2015/09/26/guest-post-short-story-a-million-faces/

The day she fought back for her dignity!

Someone has said that it’s very easy to be sad but really difficult to be happy. But I always made it a point that things shouldn’t affect me too much. My mantra was to live life king size without any tensions or fears. You never know what’s coming tomorrow. There is no point in spoiling your today just because tomorrow maybe bad. I was doing well at college, had a good group of friends and had a loving family. Life was bliss to say the least. This was until a month ago when my uncle came to stay over at our place.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2014/05/04/short-story-10-the-day-she-fought-back-for-her-dignity/

That eerie feeling

The work was more than hectic that day. Being a Friday, I had planned to leave earlier so that I could hang out with Ananya for a movie and a dinner date. But my boss had other plans. He ensured that I had much more than normal to do by scheduling multiple client calls as well as asking for the deliverables by end of the day. I couldn’t curse him enough.

When I finally finished filing the work, I got up to leave for home. It was 12:30am and there was almost no one in sight. A few lights and fans were switched on. But they were more to do with people having forgotten to switch them off rather than someone working late into the night. Guess, there weren’t as many crazy people as me working their energies off on a Friday evening.

As soon as I reached the lift with my laptop bag, the lights went off. I am not a person who gets scared easily. But then there wasn’t anyone around. And I was on the 25th floor of a 30 storey building. So it was going to take quite a bit of time even if I walk down the 25 floors.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2014/04/21/flash-fiction-that-eerie-feeling/

The raging inferno
The music was at its highest decibel as hundreds of party goers rocked the dance floor to their heart’s content. Being a Saturday Night, the Sanda-Liva nightclub was teeming with people from all walks of life. You could see almost everyone let their hair loose and dance the night away. From Bryan Adams to Ricky Martin, from Lady Gaga to Katy Perry, songs of all kinds were being played by the DJ in the house, much to everyone’s delight.

With its retro interiors and the distinct variety of music played from across the board, Sanda-Liva was famous with people from all around the world. It had literally put the city of Narito on the world dance map.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2013/08/10/flash-fiction-the-raging-inferno/

The day he made me blush..!
He knew his way with girls. Whether it was his good looks or his persona, girls were head over heels in love with him. But he was used to this. Wherever he went, girls followed him all the way. There were stories floating about him all the time. Some said he slept with each of them. Some said he was a spoilt brat. And there were many others who said that he didn’t know the meaning of love.

Like others, even I thought about him often. But then I was different. I couldn’t bring myself up to say something. Would he ever look at me with those love struck eyes? Would he be my knight in shining armour? He was smart. He was dashing. He seemed the perfect mix of tall, dark and handsome.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2013/07/21/flash-fiction-the-day-when-he-made-me-blush/

In the jungles of the Red Army!

As they opened my eyes, all I could see around was trees and more trees. It seemed as though we were deep in the jungles where the four prominent states met. Having worked in NGOs in the most difficult of regions around the country whether it was Kashmir or the North East, I always knew what to expect in war torn troubled areas. I had always seen people being tortured to death whether it was physically through assault or mentally and psychologically through rape. I was working in the Naxalite corridor for the Mukti Foundation helping the poor and the downtrodden when I was simply taken away by the Red Army.

To read more log on to – http://transitionofthoughts.com/2013/06/11/flash-fiction-in-the-jungles-of-the-red-army/

Destiny of Life

The emptiness in my heart mirrored the vast open sea. There wasn’t a soul around till the eyes could see. The sea seemed so calm that one wouldn’t even know that when it gets angry, it can even kill.

“People crave for a chance to look at me. But you don’t seem to care. Who are you?”

Wearing a tube top and hot pants, she seemed dressed to kill. Oodles of makeup, botox, straightened hair; guess she loved to look artificial. She didn’t seem the type who you would find on cruise liners.

“Are you talking to me?” I was taken aback at this sudden conversation.

“Yes Mister. Diana is talking to you. Any doubts?”

“Uh Oh! Am I bothering you? I am really sorry.”

“You seem weird. Is everything ok?” She put her palm gently on my shoulder out of what seemed genuine concern.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/short-story-9-destiny-of-life/

The guy who didn’t bother to remember..!

He was the dude of the college. Whether it was his looks or the way he spoke to women; whether it was his personality or the aura he exhibited, there was something about him which attracted women of all kinds. There were hundreds who tried for just one chance to get to talk to him. There were others who wanted to spend some time with him over
coffee. And there were some who even went to the extent of wanting to touch him just to know if he was for real. It wasn’t always like this.

He had come as a shy and introvert guy who never even spoke to women let alone befriend them or have a girlfriend. His life revolved around studies, classes, assignments and the likes. But when he faced rejection for the first time in life, he realized that he had not bothered about creating a personality. He didn’t have a sense of style or a persona that people craved for. He didn’t know how to talk properly to anyone let alone his classmates. And so he revamped himself completely so much so that the girls began to go weak in their knees waiting to see him everyday.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-guy-who-didnt-bother-to-remember/

That eerie night..

Since he was in a support project, his work timings differed every two weeks. So for two weeks a month it was a 9am – 6pm shift while for the other two weeks it was a 9pm – 6am shift. He was a very hardworking, honest and dedicated resource. Whether it was being asked to work on weekends or on public holidays or even spend late hours, he never refused. That night there wasn’t much work at office. All his teammates had left by 1am. But he thought to spend some more time in learning a few more concepts which sounded confusing to him. By 3am he packed his stuff and set out to leave.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/that-eerie-night/

Deserted at the altar..

Since the time a girl is small, she dreams about her wedding day. I always expected my man to come on a horse as my knight in shining armour and take me away into his world bringing me all the happiness and peace. Though that was a bit too much to expect, I still wanted to be loved, to be happy and to have someone in my life who could pamper my wants and desires.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/deserted-at-the-altar-of-marriage/

When that pinkslip is in the pipeline..

She worked really hard to impress her bosses. Whether it was working hours on end at office or taking work home, she did much more than what was required of her. Most of the time, she went beyond her line of work to learn more about what her teammates in other units were doing. Teamwork, dedication, determination were some of the words which defined her among her peers as well as bosses.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/when-that-pinkslip-is-in-the-pipeline/

Innocence lost in translation!

She was sweet and cute. She seemed happy all the time. It’s always said that kids have a smiling face and bring cheer to everyone around them. Since the time she was a little girl, she kept everyone occupied. Whether it was her parents or her cousins, everyone laughed and enjoyed being around with her.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/innocence-lost-in-translation/

The Betrayal

“I charge 2000 bucks for one night. Take it or leave it.”

“2000? Isn’t that too expensive?” With wrinkles all around his face, hair which had turned white and a frail body structure, age seemed to have caught up with him.

“Hey uncle! Looks like you are new to this place. No one has the guts to ask me such questions. You are old enough to be my grandfather and that’s why I lowered my rate out of respect. Otherwise, you can ask anyone, my rate is not less than 3000 per night.

Looks like, you still want to enjoy some nice sex, is it?” I nudged his arm and winked.

And so I got my first customer of the New Year. No one cares how the customer looks or thinks like. If he is ready to pay what one demands, there’s nothing better than that.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/short-story-8-the-betrayal/

The dark secret of the grasslands!

“Is this the same country which people routinely trash when discussing about tourism?” Sam seemed awestruck by the beauty all around.

“Yeah that’s the question running through my head as well.” Ginny had heard the same from her friends back in Auckland.

“From the greenery to the valley, from the wildlife safaris to the unspoilt beaches, this place is paradise rediscovered.”

“Yes it truly feels like. God! They scared us to death while departing. Thankfully we kept our foot down.” Over the last few days, they had realized that this place was nothing like what had been described by their friends.
“Who knows; maybe they assumed that we were going to a concentration camp rather than an adventure trip.” Both of them had a hearty laugh.

Sam and Ginny were not your regular couple who meet in a college and fall in love. They actually never worked in an office at all. Whether it was rock climbing, rappelling, bungee jumping, paragliding or any other adventure sport – both of them were always game for challenges. And it was during one of these adventures that they happened to meet.

To read more log on to – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/short-story-7-the-dark-secret-of-the-grasslands/

Life’s lost minutes

With its off white walls, dreary and dull surroundings and the pungent smell of some godforsaken chemicals, the room felt excruciatingly depressing. I had to summon all my reserves of strength to keep my eyes open. But all I could see was medical equipment strewn around. With my arms and legs covered in plaster and me on a saline drip, it seemed as though I was fighting a losing battle with life.

As soon I held on to the bed to get up, I felt a shooting sensation in my arms. It seemed as though 10 needles had been inserted into my body without any warning whatsoever. All I could do was scream my lungs out for help. And almost immediately, a stream of doctors rushed into the ward to regulate my breathing which had spiralled out of control.

How had I reached a hospital? What had happened to me? Am I going to survive this? More than a day had passed without me even being conscious. The last I remember, I was flying to New York with my family. Despite my desperate condition, I was still trying to figure out the exact turn of events. I was so lost in my thoughts that
I didn’t realize someone else enter the room.

“Hi Matt. I am Adrian from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The doctors didn’t want me to be here so fast lest you suffer a fatal attack. But the situation is so desperate that I need your help. I rushed into the room as soon as you gained consciousness.

You are the luckiest man on the planet right now. Surviving that sort of a plane crash with just minor injuries, you really got to be God. There were just 4 others who we were able to rescue from that ill-fated jet. But all of them are fighting for their lives.

I am not sure if you can hear me. But if you can, please tell me what happened that night on Rossia Airlines Flight 204.”

To read more, log onto – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/short-story-6-lifes-lost-minutes/

The night that was!

“Where are you Ritesh? All of us have been waiting for you since long. You had promised to take all of us for dinner tonight, hadn’t you?”

“Yes darling I had. Have I ever broken any of the promises I have ever made?”

“But you told you would be back by 6pm. It’s already 7 and there’s still no sight of you. Is everything ok?”

“Yes jaan. There was a lot of work at the office and that’s why I got late. I promise to make up to you. I am already at the station and the train would be here any moment. Once in, it’s just a matter of half an hour.”
“Come fast my love. I am getting worried.”

“Don’t worry darling. The train’s here now. I will have to hang up because of the extreme rush at this hour.”
“I will be waiting.”

“Just close your eyes and I will be there.”

To read more, log onto – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/short-story-5-the-night-that-was/

Cruel Twist

“Sir! AG 323 has veered off the radar.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Yes sir. Look at this. I can’t see it at all.”

Over the next few minutes both of them tried desperately to contact the flight captain but were unsuccessful.

And then there was a phone call –

To read more log onto – http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/short-story-4-cruel-twist/

An Opportunity

With his thick rimmed glasses and crooked teeth, Suresh was every bit an awful looking fellow. Her cheerful persona, lovely smile and a ravishing figure made Nisha his anti – thesis. But would the twain ever meet? Well, you gotta read the story to find out! 🙂

Log on to: http://d.ustb.in/story/an-opportunity/

Virtual Rendezvous

“Mom! I want the breakfast on the table right now. I am hungry and have to go for work. Where are you?”

“Son, you have done a huge mistake by teaching your mom as to how to use Twitter. She seems stuck on that all day and night. It seems as though her world has turned completely virtual.”

It was January 2008 and since the last couple of months, Lata didn’t have anything much to do after retirement other than sit at her house in Bangalore. This made her ask her son to teach her the way to use Twitter. Twitter had grown into a phenomenon of mammoth proportions over the last couple of months to connect people across various geographies and demographics.

To read more log on to –

http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/virtual-rendezvous-part-i/

http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/virtual-rendezvous-part-ii/

http://aseemrastogi2.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/virtual-rendezvous-part-iii-of-iii/