Love
A Bittersweet Smile
The scent of frangipani blossoms hung heavy in the warm Ubud air, their sweetness mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. Wayan stood on the veranda of her guesthouse, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on the horizon where the rice paddies met the sky.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
Blue Rose Cottage. Top Story - December 2024.
As the last dying rays of sunset struck the cracked window, Jane pressed her nose to the glass. Inside she could see dust motes dancing in the beam like tiny fairies on the summer solstice. A ballet of hope performed on a floating stage. The old cottage stood alone in the field… seemingly lonely, forlorn, abandoned… just like her.
By Andrew C McDonald2 years ago in Fiction
Beneath the Mistletoe Moon
The town of Evergreen Hills was famous for its picturesque winter scenery. Tucked between rolling hills and blanketed by snow every December, it felt like stepping into a storybook. The streets sparkled with holiday lights, wreaths hung on every door, and the town square boasted a towering Christmas tree that glimmered beneath the silvery glow of the moon.
By Thomas Vasas2 years ago in Fiction
Oh, Jeff... I love you, too... But (Challenge Entry)
Oh, Jeff... I love you, too... but… You confuse me. You walk with elegance and grace, and you speak in smooth, soft tones. Your pretty-boy face is flawless. When I kissed you, it was divine, but I knew you weren’t quite the man you claimed to be. Oh, Jeff… I love you, too… but… My biological clock is ticking.
By Rick Henry Christopher 2 years ago in Fiction
Love After Divorce
Radha scrolled through the photos on her phone, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. One image stood out: her two sons,eight-year-old Veer and six-year-old Aryan, were sprawled across Priya’s lap, their faces flushed from the afternoon sun and the excitement of a local cricket match. Priya, her ex-husband, Rohan’s, fiancée, had an arm draped protectively around them, her own smile warm and genuine.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
: "Love in the Time of Cassette Tapes"
In a small town where the air was filled with the scent of summer rain and freshly cut grass, 1996 was just another year marked by neon colors, floppy disks, and grunge music. But for Sarah Jenkins, it was also the year she met someone who could make her heart race like the latest chart-topping song.
By Sazia Afreen Sumi2 years ago in Fiction
The Fire That Never Diminished
I watched the flames dancing in the wind, as I sat there staring into the fiery abyss. I could feel their eyes watching me as I quietly spoke "I just don't understand". Wren softly speaking back "They would have continued lying, had you not found out and continued to call them out". My eyes remained on the fire crackling in front of me, sighing in disappointment I looked over at Wren and then over at Bowden, who's amber eyes met mine, as he smiled meekly, seeing the sympathy and pain in his eyes. My face remained blank and defeated, I felt numb. Laying back, I looked up towards the night sky, seeing the stars twinkle I muttered "There just has to be something I'm missing". I folded my hands together, laying them across my stomach, feeling the warm embrace of the fire. I could hear the empathy in Wren's voice as he said "You saw the light that so brightly is ignited within you that it was portrayed within the darkness in him". I lightly scoffed then, my heart heavy as I said back, almost disgusted with myself "But that's what I always do, you'd think I'd learn". That's when Bowden chimed in "That isn't something to be ashamed of, my dear. You will always attract the weak, no matter what you do, your authenticity is something the world craves and wishes so immensely to have themselves." Wren nodded in agreement as he added "What you hold is truly powerful, something beyond astounding and there will always be those who are intimidated and consumed by it, to which they then hope to strip it of you in order to gain for themselves." I chuckled then, appalled, with discontent wondering as I asked "But why try and steal that from me, why not embrace it and let it make them become better, so we can become great together; as one?" Wren said wisely "Do not let the corruption of others detour or falter you, the weak and cowardly can never take accountability to their own misery, let alone their own misdoings and when someone else shines too brightly they can not handle the reality of what it takes to be better or to hold it; let alone have someone else stand out the way you do." He smiled then "You always see the better part of someone, even when, they, themselves can't fathom, let alone, recognize it." I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath in, slowly letting it escape from my lips. Bowden whispered softly "Everything will be alright, you will be alright, you always are". I opened my eyes again, fixated on the stars against the dark night sky, my lips quivering in shame "I'm so tired of this, of repeating the same heartache in everyone, just always happens to be a different face. I saw the signs and yet I still ignored them anyway". I spoke, disheartened, almost desperately as I questioned, "But when will it be my turn? To find my safe haven... my peace?" I could hear the sincerity in Bowden's voice as he said "Sometimes the heart needs time to catch up with what the mind already knows to be true." I could feel Wren's deep green eyes on me as he said "Bowden's right, you already knew deep down, but your heart wanted so desperately to be proven wrong". As he continued proudly "You have grown so much, you saw right through the lies and the character he attempted to portray and he knew that." Bowden let out a chuckle then, as he said "He faltered far too quickly, you beamed with so much radiance he couldn't handle it and he knew he couldn't contain you, he knew he had lost you, so he resorted to what they always do". I listened quietly and smiled then, still staring up at the dimly lit sky. He gently leaned over and playfully nudged me "Hey, at least you didn't shed a tear this time, you did everything you could to make things right and as soon as you realized the abuse and it's utter dismay, you left right when you needed to". I laughed then, in agreement, while saying "Right? Progress". Bowden and Wren both smiled contently, I knew they were proud of me and that everything was going to be more than okay. I sat up then, slightly leaning back, letting the blades of grass entangle between my fingers and said "It's funny because I'm not even sad or hurt, I'm just disappointed that he turned out like the rest of them". They were both looking at me, as Wren replied knowingly "Oh I know and that in and of itself speaks volumes". I felt the smile spread across my face, grateful, as I continued "It's just paving the way in the right direction and I know and believe that to be true". I saw their smiles get bigger as they both nodded in agreement as Wren said "We love you and we will always be here for you, no matter what". I could feel the warmth in my heart flood my body for the sheer thankfulness at having them by my side. "I love you guys too, so very much". The smiles remained on our faces as the three of us looked up towards the star filled sky, for we knew that everything happens for a reason and that greater things were coming.
By Reagan Jensen2 years ago in Fiction
