Sharda Mishra is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
The Mall
by Sharda Mishra
“Come Maa, what are you waiting for?”
Not seeing her next to me, I hollered and looked back from the running escalator. My mother was oblivious to me: still looking down at the grooved steps, and estimating the right time to step up on the escalator.
I reached out, but she was still contemplating the right time to step on. “The escalator is running with its own vicious cycle,”Maa angrily muttered.
“No I can’t do this! This is hard.
“My head is spinning and I am unable to focus.” She planted her hands on her hips and gave up, drenched in sweat.
We could not shop that day in the mall.
“Maa, next time maybe you should wear pants instead of Saree when we go to the mall.” I suggested. “You’ll have an easier time stepping up on the escalator in pants, because you can see your both feet, and have a better estimate.”
“Don’t try to teach an old dog a new trick,” Mother said without regrets, while busily sipping her tea.
“But you can get more things done, if you use the escalator, Mother,” I suggested, leaning on her shoulder.
“We will see.” Maa teased me with a big smile.
The next time we went to the mall, Maa found a spacious lounge with a comfortable sofa, sat with an iced latte, a muffin, and my three-year-old son.
“Now go and get things done quicker.” She motioned me towards the escalator.
[Edited by the Admin.]
