Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2025

Stories (18)

18 Stories

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“Fractured Reflections” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Title: Fractured ReflectionsSubtitle: The Obsession That Consumed Him The mirror knew his secrets. It reflected back at him with a sneer, revealing the cracks that lined his weary face, the dark hollows under his eyes that bore witness to sleepless nights. Every day, Leo stood before it, consumed by the need to perfect what he saw. To erase the imperfections. To sculpt himself into something worthy. It had started as a simple fixation. A glance at his reflection turned into lingering stares. Then came the comparisons—against actors, models, ...

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“Awakening in Shadowsc” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Awakening in Shadows When Dreams Blur the Line Between Reality and Illusion The rain fell in sheets, hammering the city streets like a relentless drumbeat. Neon lights flickered through the downpour, their glow distorted by puddles forming in the cracks of the sidewalk. Detective James Calloway adjusted the collar of his trench coat and lit a cigarette, watching the tendrils of smoke disappear into the night air. He was chasing a ghost—or at least, that’s what it felt like. For months, a serial killer known as the Chameleon had been terroriz...

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“Stray” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

I'll expand the story by adding more depth to Elias and Ava’s interactions, exploring their pasts, and building a stronger emotional connection between them. Here’s the extended version: --- Stray It was the rain that led Ava to him. The streets were slick with the evening downpour, and the gutters overflowed with muddy water, carrying stray leaves and bits of paper along the curb. She pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders, shivering as she hurried home from her shift at the bookstore. It wasn’t a long walk—ten minutes at most—but ...

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“A Story of Serendipity” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

A Story of Serendipity The old bookshop on Elm Street had been around for nearly a century. Nestled between a florist and a bakery, it carried the scent of aged paper and freshly brewed coffee from the tiny café corner inside. Its name, “The Lit Haven,” was hand-painted in golden script above the entrance. A bell jingled softly whenever a customer stepped in, a sound that seemed to announce the arrival of something—or someone—important. It was in this little sanctuary of stories that Evelyn Harper first saw him. Chapter One: A Chance Encount...

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“Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking (Glossophobia): A Comprehensive Guide” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking (Glossophobia): A Comprehensive Guide Public speaking is one of the most common fears in the world. Known as glossophobia, this fear can range from mild nervousness to paralyzing anxiety. Many people, even accomplished professionals, struggle with speaking in front of an audience. However, public speaking is a crucial skill in various aspects of life, from business presentations to social events. Overcoming this fear can open up new opportunities, enhance personal confidence, and improve communication s...

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“"Through the Changing Seasons"” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Through the Changing Seasons --- The first time Noah saw her, the wind carried the scent of rain, and the autumn leaves danced between them. She stood at the bus stop, eyes lost in a book, oblivious to the world around her. He had seen many people at that stop, yet something about her made the crowded city blur into irrelevance. Noah hesitated, adjusting his scarf as if it were armor. The cold gnawed at his fingertips, but he welcomed the discomfort—it gave him an excuse to glance her way again. She turned a page, her fingers delicate yet s...

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“Through the Changing Seasons” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Through the Changing SeasonsThe first time Noah saw her, the wind carried the scent of rain, and the autumn leaves danced between them. She stood at the bus stop, eyes lost in a book, oblivious to the world around her. He had seen many people at that stop, yet something about her made the crowded city blur into irrelevance.Noah hesitated, adjusting his scarf as if it were armor. The cold gnawed at his fingertips, but he welcomed the discomfort—it gave him an excuse to glance her way again. She turned a page, her fingers delicate yet sure, tr...

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“The Echo of Lies” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Sure! Here's a 1,200+ word story where a character discovers that a truth they've believed their whole life is false—or at least, not the whole story.The Echo of LiesLena had always believed the story her mother told her about their family’s past. It was simple and tragic: her father had died in an accident before she was born, leaving her mother to raise her alone. They had moved to a small coastal town in Maine when she was a baby, starting fresh. There were no pictures of her father, no old belongings, nothing but the occasional sad look ...

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“The Edge of the Horizon” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Sure! Here's an extended version of your story, reaching approximately 1,200 words while maintaining its suspenseful tone.The Edge of the Horizon: A Captain’s Descent into the UnknownThe first time Ellis saw the horizon swallow a ship, he was ten years old. His father, a grizzled sailor with skin like old rope, had pointed toward the disappearing vessel and said, “That’s where the world ends, boy.”Ellis had believed him, but not in the way most did. The older sailors spoke of the horizon as a barrier, a point beyond which ships never returne...

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“Metamorphosis in the Night” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Metamorphosis in the NightShe walked in as one woman and emerged as someone else—because her life depended on it.The restroom was dimly lit, the bulbs above the mirror flickering as if hesitating to illuminate what was about to happen. The air smelled of cheap cologne, spilled liquor, and the desperate energy of a Friday night crowd. Music thumped through the walls—deep bass reverberating in my chest, a steady reminder of the world just outside this small, confined space.I looked at myself in the mirror, gripping the edges of the porcelain s...

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“The Perfect Stranger” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

You're right! I'll expand the story further by adding more detail about Lisa’s emotions, her increasing suspicions, and the psychological manipulation involved in these scams.The Perfect StrangerSubtitle: "A Romance Scam Unveiled: How One Woman Dodged an Online Deception"March 3, 2023 – A New ConnectionDaniel: Hey Lisa, I saw your profile on the travel group. You seem like an adventurous soul. I love traveling too!Lisa: Hey! Yeah, I love exploring new places. Where have you traveled to?Daniel: A little bit of everywhere—Italy, Thailand, Sout...

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“Lost in the Unknown” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Lost in the UnknownTrapped in Amnesia After a Mysterious AccidentThe room is unfamiliar. I don’t know how I got here. The air smells of antiseptic, the walls are a dull off-white, and the rhythmic beeping of a monitor fills the silence. My head pounds, and when I try to move, a sharp pain shoots through my ribs. Panic grips me as I scan the room—there’s a window, but the blinds are closed. A TV is mounted on the wall, turned off. Beside me, an IV pole stands tall, its tubing connected to my arm.Where am I?I try to think back, but my mind is ...

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“"The Gathering Clouds"” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

Sure! Here’s a story set just before a storm: --- The Gathering Clouds The winds were restless that evening. Beneath the grey, overcast sky, the air felt thick and heavy, like it was holding its breath. In the distance, the faint rumble of thunder could be heard, a sound that had grown steadily louder over the past few hours. Yet, in the small town of Glenhaven, life went on as usual—shops remained open, children played in the streets, and the usual hustle of evening chores continued uninterrupted. But not for long. At the edge of the town,...

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“"The Unchanging Sky"” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

In the quiet town of Forthfeld, the weather never changed. The sun hovered just above the horizon, casting a soft golden hue over the land at all hours. There was no rising or setting, no storms, no clouds, just a constant, serene calm that blanketed the town. The temperature hovered in the perfect balance between warm and cool, and the air was always crisp but not cold. People did not speak much of the weather; it had been the same for as long as anyone could remember.The town itself was nestled in a valley surrounded by hills that stood as...

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“A Whisper in the Wind” by Ghulamdaraz Shaikh

A Whisper in the Wind The soft evening breeze brushed against Ella’s skin as she stood at the edge of the balcony, gazing at the city below. The wind was warm, carrying the scent of jasmine from the garden below, its fingers lightly playing with her hair, as though offering a quiet moment of solace. Her thoughts, however, were far from peaceful. It had been a year since she left the city she once called home, and every time she came back, the breeze felt different—more distant, less familiar, yet oddly comforting. A subtle reminder of the pa...

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