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101 Word Short Stories

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Filial Love

February 23, 2022 9 Comments

By Vamsi Mohan Pingili

On hearing that the St. Ann’s School bus carrying their children met with an accident, Mrinalini and Ritika—neighbors and family friends—rush to the accident spot, wailing.

The accident site is repulsive and disorganized.

Gathering information, they rush to Govt. Hospital; each propping up the other’s courage and hoping that their boys are safe.

~

At the hospital, they hold one another’s hand disconsolately and go about identifying the patients.

On seeing the last student in the room, Mrinalini says involuntarily, “thank God!” and rushes to hug her boy. Next to her, Ritika falls across a sheet-covered gurney, sobbing uncontrollably.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CJ Harrell says

    February 23, 2022 at 7:15 am

    A heartbreaking story about how a moment tear two entwined fates asunder. Loved it!

    Reply
  2. ro lamb says

    February 23, 2022 at 7:20 am

    Wow. The turn at the end was heart wrenching. Great job!

    Reply
  3. Bob says

    February 23, 2022 at 7:59 am

    Life is hard and random and you’ve captured that.

    Reply
  4. Joan Reed says

    February 23, 2022 at 8:37 am

    Very moving!

    Reply
  5. Doug Jacquier says

    February 23, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    A sad story beautifully written.

    Reply
  6. Nancy Rule says

    February 23, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    oh you feel the relief for the one parent and then get heartbroken an instant later. Well written.

    Reply
  7. Vamsi Mohan Pingili says

    February 24, 2022 at 4:40 am

    Thank you all for your words of encouragement. This is my first flash fiction story on this site.

    Reply
  8. Jac Harmon says

    February 24, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    So much emotion. Well done.

    Reply
  9. Yolanda says

    February 26, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    A beautifully-written story.

    Reply

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