Parul Srivastava

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (10)

10 Stories

336 karma pts

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“Trespassers” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #76

“Quite chilly, isn’t it?” “And your special ginger tea is just the right thing for the season!” “Hehehe….here….careful, it’s hot! I’m so glad you visited, Neena. I was beginning to wonder what’s new in your life. So tell me?” “Ah! Anne, your mischievous smile and this ginger tea. You know how to get anyone to spill the beans.” “Well….” “See….that one again! It’s like you know everything and still want to indulge people in storytelling. Anyway, life’s going on fine….my editing job, husband, home….same old.” “Nothing new?” “Uh-hu...

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“The Promise” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #63

“Really!? You’ll take me with you? Promise?”“Promise! We’ll leave at 3 am and be back before the break of dawn. Be ready.”Anuj was elated. Krishna had finally agreed to take him along. Now that he was 14, he too will work and bring home the bread like Krishna did. After their father died mysteriously about four years ago, Krishna’s 14-year-old shoulders were burdened with providing for the family of six including himself.Anuj was up and waiting near the horse cart. The sky was clear with little diamonds scattered all over. There was ample ti...

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“The Guest In Room No. 301” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #55

April 5th, 1954: “Can you keep a secret?” “Excuse me, sir?” “Mr. Fizi, I will tell you what happened last night. But before that, you will have to promise me to keep it a secret.” “Sure sir!” He then brought his face towards Mr. Fizi’s ear. Mr. Fizi’s eyes became wider as his ears absorbed the words. His face was flushed in horror. Disbelief was all over his bulky frame. *** My dear grandma had told me this story. Her husband and my grandpa, God bless his soul, was an engineer who worked with the railways. Traveling to differen...

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“Class of 1970, St. Teresa” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #54

“The blue one compliments my eyes better……. the black one enhances my suaveness…….. blue……. black…… mmm…….”I could be lost in your eyes forever.“Blue it is!”Kartik showed a teen-like excitement. He was all set with his shoes polished, beard trimmed, suit steam ironed and a little speech ready for the big day.He had initially dismissed the invitation for the centenary celebration of his school. But then another notification popped up – NEW MAIL FROM KIRAN IYERHe skipped a beat. His breath stopped for a moment. His lips parted in awe. His pupi...

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“The Sound of Danger” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #53

“Quick…..quick.….there…..the other side….roll it over….yeah, fast….oh….oh….OH!” ‘A roar of playful laughter’ Jason and Moni were competing on who finishes their melting popsicles first without letting a drop fall on the grass. And whoever wins the competition gets to ride the swing. The warm summer evening filled with humid air didn’t mar their happy spirits. They slurped their popsicles, laughed their hearts out and licked their hands that were covered in melting cream. I took a seat on the bench under the jacaranda tree and sipped on...

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“Karmic Intervention, Perhaps!” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #51

It has happened twice with me. I don’t know how it happened though. And no matter how much I think of it, the perplexity only grows. So I chose to give Karma the credit for it.Now, a couple of ants in the room may seem harmless. But when the bigger picture shows that your entire house is surrounded by anthills, you know that colossal damage is on the cards.Karma is like that, it sees everything with a zoomed-out lens. And so it knows when to send an "anteater". Because you really do get back in full and final what you do unto others. Yes, Ka...

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“Crash Of A Starry Dream” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #51

Pointing at the brightest star in the clear sky, George said, “Look Tim, my ma and dad. Oh! I miss them! And look, Ariel. My lovely Ariel. I miss her so much.” George looked intently at the stars with sad eyes. There was a longing, a yearning, a story of the traumatic separation. Tim leaned over to lick George. He wagged his tail and then cuddled next to him. They continued looking at the stars till the breeze became harsh and the chill no longer allowed them to be out. When the sun broke the darkness away, George woke up to a growling...

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“Stain On The Wall” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #50

The sun had set. The sky glow was fading away. The birds were chirping their way back to their homes. Just a few more minutes before the fog would cover the town in its white calmness.Nisha had always loved watching the sunset. It gave her hope for a better tomorrow as today came to an end. Pooja, on the other hand, liked the dawns better. She felt the sunrise brought in rays of optimism while the sunsets were oh so gloomy.“Here is the bag, but do you think…Nisha!!! C’mon!! Help me clean up this mess will you?”, Pooja was perplexed to see Ni...

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“The Knotty Nest” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #50

Ah! My place… I smiled with contentment as I stepped foot in The Nest.***The Nest was the tree house papa had gotten made for us when we stood not above 3.5 foot from the ground. It was our hideout where my sister and I pretended to be divas saving the world and strategized how to kill the monsters. And sometimes it became the venue for our birthday parties. But mostly it was where we spent most of our growing up years either reading or playing or working on school projects.The cosy tree house was adequately furnished with a large bed on the...

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“Knock On The Door ” by Parul Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #49

It was a usual morning at the Sebastian’s. John was irritably looking for his glasses while he grumbled and squinted to read a new text message and Martha was arranging the table for breakfast while ranting about how the neighbor's dog again littered her walkway this morning. “Why are the words so small and why does he have to message? Can’t he pick up the phone and talk, your busy son! And why do you misplace my things always?” “You didn’t talk to Nori when I told you to, now see, every morning I have to witness this unsightly rubbish. ...

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Author bio

From designing content for behavioral skills workshop to ghostwriting articles and content for various websites to freelance story telling, I've been spinning words for over 12 years now. Please follow me and make me a part of your author spectrum for interesting, slice-of-life short reads.