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SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (120)

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120 Stories

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MARRIAGE REPLAY

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #28

Sulochana aunty had to go apartment no. A Block 234 and inform the ladies that her daughter in law, Hemamalini, would not be able to attend this fortnight’s kitty party cum get together, arranged in this house. She could have very well telephoned and told them. But then, she was not sure who would pick up the phone. Sulochana aunty was not good at conversing in English nor in Hindi. By going in person and telling the ladies, it was expected that one or the other woman would understand her dialect. By the way it was neither a far away place, ...

4 likes

KALYANI

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #27

Sindhu was travelling from Chennai to Mumbai for attending an official conference. The office had arranged for her train ticket and stay arrangements. Since she thought that she would overstay at Mumbai after her office work was done, she had requested that she might be permitted to get her return journey ticket as per her convenience and it was agreed also. But in her daily chores and other preoccupations, she totally forgot about her return journey rail ticket reservation. Only on boarding for Mumbai, she remembered that she was yet to arr...

2 likes

MAN PROPOSES

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

The private secretary of M.S. Sukumari, a well-known playback singer reminded her that a reporter of a popular magazine, would be coming soon for taking an interview. As a matter of friendly advice, he cautioned her not to entertain any controversial topic. Sukumari was well aware that only controversial news fetched more popularity and popularity alone kept the performing artists in the field and in media glare. Some busy reporters send their queries before hand and at the time interview get the response from the artists without wasting the...

1 like

UNKEPT PROMISES

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #25

Shakuntala was lying on the table with her skirt lifted a little above, so that her knees were prominently visible. Not that, she was on any photo-shoot or committed to be a poster girl for any popular magazine. She had to cooperate with the radiologist, who could do his job efficiently. Hence the exposure. Shakuntala was suffering from pain in her knee-joints and could not walk comfortably. She was putting up with the pain for quite some time. To walk even a short distance, it was a great attempt for her. Stepping out for taking up small er...

4 likes

GOLDEN FETTERS

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #24

Peter along with his daughter, was standing in the queue at Meenakshi temple in Madurai. There was a long queue and tight security. When his turn came, the security guard, frisked him and his daughter. He was about to send the two in. Out of curiosity, he asked the daughter, a charming cherubic cute little, fair skinned girl, for her name. She gave her name very distinctly as M..E..E..N..A..A..K..S..H..I and in clear terms. The security guard was taken aback. A fair skinned foreigner with his pale blue eyes, coming to Madurai, was not any st...

5 likes

ICE TOWERS

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #23

Vindhya wanted to go urgently. But do things happen as you want? She was stuck up on road, due to traffic jam. Varun, her younger brother was also with her. He asked her to see the app and gauge the long trail of traffic and also find out if any alternate route was available. Since she was at the driving seat and tucked with seat-belt, she gave the mobile phone to him. He looked for details and immediately said,“Traffic Jam, chi-chi.” She involuntarily responded,“Chi-chi, chi-chi, chi-chi, chi-chi.”It was their childhood game. Anything they ...

3 likes

THE UNDO FACTOR

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #22

8th March…. International Women’s Day. Rotary Club of the city had arranged for a programme. A few women in the town, known for their remarkable contributions, were to be felicitated. Leelavati was one of them. The organisers wanted a wider coverage of their event and had engaged reporters to gather information about those honourable women – like, how they happened to excel in their line of activity, their motivational factors, their mentors, challenges they faced, overcoming funds constraints if any, to whom they would dedicate the memento,...

5 likes

HISTORY REPEATS

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #21

Suddenly Susheela asked me, "Why not we go to Thirukkadaiyur this time?""What for?" I questioned. "Your birthday, that is falling next week. Thirkkadaiyur is not any ordinary place, it is Markandeya Kshetram, a holy place marked for seeking longevity in life."Getting irritated I said, "You know I don't believe in such rituals. All spiritual activities have lost their spirits behind them - only rituals are abound. Rituals without involvement of the performer are mere show off. I am not for such fanfare. First of all, who told you birthdays ha...

4 likes

PERSEVERANCE PAYS

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #20

Dr. Kandasaami was travelling to Paalayankottai with six boys. Another teacher, Lopamudra, was escorting four girls. All students were in the range of 5 to 10 years of age. It was one of their routine annual features. The number of boys and girls might vary year to year. But their visit to various jails in the state was a routine affair. During the journey itself, he guided them on what they should speak. Very little time would be given for conversation between the parent and the child. Every minute being precious should be spent on telling ...

4 likes

NO CLAPS PLEASE

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #20

Rohini was on her way to Vaniga Sangham Hall to deliver a lecture on ‘Beti Bachao’. She was a popular social activist and many organisations used to call her for their programmes as guest speaker. Occasionally she used to go well prepared, but many times, it was extempore. This time it was a mix of both. She had added her own personal experiences and made the speech very effective. Though she did not tell the audience about all that she went through, she did throw light on fallacies and myths, men carried two decades ago, may be holding good...

5 likes

SOMETHING ONE LESS

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #19

Sharavanan asked his wife, Krithika, what she would like to have for their first wedding anniversary, falling due shortly. She, thrilled by the offer, expressed her desire to go to Hongkong, now in China and a part of China. He surfed the net for flight tickets, hotel and other arrangements. So sad! He was advised not to go there, as the beautiful city was now under turmoil and was facing terrible violence due to local issues. It would take quite sometime for the city to come to normal terms. He asked Krithika, ‘Then what next?’ She too was ...

3 likes

LOST AND FOUND

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #18

Chandrakala visited Govindan’s family. She happened to be his daughter, Prameela’s classmate-cum-friend, since their schooldays. She sought his blessings first, then gave her wedding card to him. Govindan was at first, surprised. Normally, the invitation card would be given by parents only, unless otherwise, the marriage did not have their approval. But in her case, as they were not keeping well, she came in person. She cordially invited both Govindan and Kokila and insisted on their hundred percent presence. They too assured her of their co...

2 likes

JABAALI JANARDHAN AND JATROPHA

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #17

Pinky was boarding the flight. She was flying for the first time. She was going abroad for her higher studies. It was a dream come true, made possible for her, by Aunty Chandni. “My God! What a great woman”! She thought. A lady kicked and tossed by her destiny and yet stood up firmly and magnificently! All those who rebuked her, now looked at her awestruck, that too with dignity and respect. She had rightly commented ‘if a person is successful, his /her past blemishes are simply wiped out. So, don’t bother about mockery or rebukes.’There at ...

3 likes

NO PAIN NO GAIN

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #16

Krishna was sitting sad, with his head down and his two hands, holding his cheeks. His wife, Meena, was very much moved by his gloomy appearance. She went on to comfort him.“See, my dear, our forefathers have long ago advised us, not to hold the cheeks in two hands, even if you own and your sailing ships have been wrecked and shattered. So, therefore, hold your chin high and think positively. I don’t know what is bothering you. If you are suffering from physical pains, think of your mother. No pain is sharper than a mother’s labour pain befo...

4 likes

PLAYFUL TOY AND JOYFUL BOY

SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #15

Jayanarayanan and Premnaseer were neighbours as well as thick friends. Their friendship continued till Pranav was born. Not only till Pranav was born, but much after that also. Pranav as a baby, was a chubby, robust active and ever smiling boy. Anybody who saw him, was bound to take him, fondle him, cajole him and be like another baby in his presence. Jayanarayanan was a very proud father of an attractive robust baby. As Pranav grew, he kept buying dresses, toys and what not. Once, he bought a beautiful expensive toy, much beyond his means. ...

2 likes