Let's be more aware

“Your son is slow”, complained the teacher.

“Oh, Akash always behaved in a queer way.” remarked a peer.

 “Shh..here comes his mother. Poor thing, it can be difficult.” said many whispers.

They said he died because they wouldn’t accept him.

Let’s hope more awareness spreads and we accept people with autism with ease and kindness.

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For the prompt 'They said he died because they wouldn’t accept him' for marathon bloggers. This is a week long attempt at 55-ers.

 #marathonbloggers #55wordfiction

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Life comes a full circle

Ramya had a new patient waiting for counseling; a mother who had lost her child in an accident.

 She looked deep into her eyes. They looked very familiar. 

A chill rose up Ramya’s spine as she remembered that fateful day.

“Car runs over a toddler. Driver absconding”, reported the papers.

 Ramya was behind the wheel. 

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For the prompt 'She looked deep into her eyes' for marathon bloggers. This is a week long attempt at 55-ers.

 #marathonbloggers #55wordfiction

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Different dreams

Kamala felt nauseated. She dreamed of frocks and pig-tails.

The family was jubilant and also had dreams for the future. 

“It will be a boy for sure.” 

“It better be. Else, we’ll take care of her” said a steely voice.

Kamala threw up. Not out of pregnancy nausea. 

Out of fear for her unborn daughter.

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For the prompt 'dreams' for marathon bloggers. This is a week long attempt at 55-ers.

 #marathonbloggers #55wordfiction

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On my experience of working with a designer.

When I began my search for an interior designer who'd give wings to my thoughts, I reached out to people- strangers and friends alike- for reference. However, I was drawing a blank for some or the other reasons. It was pure serendipity that I chanced upon Neelu's site (CozyNest interiors)during a random Google search for designers residing in this area. I really liked what I saw. A little more research and I was thrilled to note only glowing comments from all her clients giving me the much needed push to write her an email.

I received a prompt reply and soon we scheduled our first meeting. Much like meeting a prospective groom I was apprehensive about what to expect. I was unsure about how I was to decide if she was "the one". I was besieged by worrisome thoughts of what if I didn't like her designs? What if she didn't understand my idea of a home? What if we couldn't find a middle ground? So on and so forth. 

I needn't have bothered at all. The moment I met Neelu, I was much taken with her professional yet friendly demeanor. She was extremely approachable and seemed to be in complete control. I felt an instant connect with her. She spent a great deal of time talking to us and taking extensive notes. I realized that she was very detail-oriented from the manner in which she handled each of our requirements.

She got me thinking on aspects I'd not considered earlier: Do I want lights inside the wardrobe? Will under-cabinets light work for a fuss-free person like me? Even as she took down detailed notes, and I ticked off my check-list, I was also eager to make her understand the kind of look I had in mind. As though on cue, she asked me to share pictures and images of homes that were close to how I wanted my house to look.  The moment she said that I felt reassured of an association where my opinions and suggestions would be welcomed and treated on equal footing.

I was never once proved wrong on this point. I'd constantly badger Neelu with my worries, concerns and also pile upon her my suggestions.  She'd patiently hear me out, and address all my concerns, big or small. She equally welcomed my suggestions and ideas with an open mind.  It surely meant a lot to me because I wanted to be as involved as possible in the entire process and give it my personal touch.It was never the case of 'my way or the highway' with her even though we differed in our decor outlook. She stepped out of her comfort zone and was open to experiment. 

Her work is her passion and it shows in how she treats her client's home as she'd her own and invests a lot of time and effort for even the 'little' or 'insignificant' aspects.  She, also being a perfectionist with an eye for the smallest detail, does not shy away from taking a problem by the horns and tweaking it until she gets it right. 

Working with a designer may or may not work for everyone. It can be challenging and tedious both for the home owner and the designer. For the home owner because he is faced with the challenge of placing complete trust on someone who intrinsically an outsider to him and the ways of his family. For the designer because it is not an easy task to know and understand a person in a few meetings and design an abode that matches the personality of its owner. 

After knowing and working with Neelu for the past few months, I can safely say that our association has been very pleasant and we managed to break past the typical boundaries to bond at a more informal level. I truly wish her all the success and fame that she truly deserves in her career.

 

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Relatives

They are probably cousins. They speak out the obvious. You can love or hate, but cannot escape them. You might love one more than the other. 

But, pray, do remember, they only reflect a part of you; just the outside. You are beautiful from inside; no matter what the weighing machine or the mirror says. 

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For the prompt 'the weighing machine' for marathon bloggers. This is a week long attempt at 55-ers.

 #marathonbloggers #55wordfiction

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The Gift

She planted a tender kiss on his forehead and looked around furtively before placing the bundle at the steps.   

She hoped he’d be well looked after.  

The door was answered by a little girl.

She squealed in delight at the cute puppy. The card read, “Merry Christmas. Hope you like the gift. Love, secret Santa”

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My take for the 55 word fiction theme 'that tender kiss...' for marathon bloggers. This is a week long attempt at 55-ers.

 

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