Rachel's (Very) Short Stories

Living the Dream:

24th Nov 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

Tucked away in a small corner of a shopping mall, stood a retro coffee shop. It was bursting with energy and the smell of blended coffee welcomed each person with warmth. The lively music filled the open space, and all kinds of conversation saturated the air. Taking in all the bustle around her, this barista, Nancy, took a moment to look around and smile. This was it. She was living the dream.

After several years of uncertainty about her career life, she finally hit gold. What common folk would think of as a ‘transitional’ job, she knew was permanent and something real. She didn’t care that it didn’t garner a lot of money or that it wasn’t what was expected of her as an adult. Her desire for service and connection exceeded her greed because she knew that it was more than serving coffee.

It was about creating a memorable experience that consisted of delicate moments keeping people wanting more. And Nancy was a natural at cultivating such an atmosphere. Anyone that met her, knew that she was someone who truly listened and remembered the small details of their lives. It could be about their job, family or even something as simple as their name and their coffee order. Customers always found themselves coming back, not only because of proximity to the shop, but because of her friendliness. And this is what enticed Nancy to commit to this field of work. The beauty in the mundane, the space for vulnerability and of course, sealing the whole experience was the rich, decadent coffee, which she was exceptional at making.

3 comments on Living the Dream:
A Silent Addiction:

22nd Nov 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

I never knew I had an addiction
That giving it up caused such an affliction.
Unaware of apathy’s desire to seize,
It spread within me like a deadly disease.

Happily hooked on not having to care
It soon became a torrid love affair.
And when the high quickly died down,
In hopelessness I slowly began to drown.

Letting go of this addictive feeling
Reassures me that I am healing.
Learning to uproot my ungratefulness,
Begins with planting seeds of thankfulness.

No comments on A Silent Addiction:
Time is a Friend:

8th Nov 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

They say that time is a wicked thief.
Who robs us of our lives and causes grief.
Yet, what if this was not the case?
Is he someone that we could all embrace?

Perhaps time is a loyal friend.
On whom we don’t realise, we do depend.
When our pain is too unbearable
He reminds us that it’s always repairable.

What he offers are many second chances
That speak to all our circumstances.
He gives and gives, before he takes away
Time is why we make the most of each day.

To think him a villain would be unsound
As we now know, he always comes around.
And as life continues to impede,
Time proves he is a friend indeed.

2 comments on Time is a Friend:
24/7:

5th Nov 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

There she lay. Motionless. Her eyes lost in the dull colour of the ceiling. It was her 24^th birthday. A day meant for celebration and a thankful heart. Instead, the day brought with it the all too familiar dread of existentialism.

“I have no idea what I’m doing with my life! No career, no money! Nothing!” She thought to herself. “What on Earth is my purpose, when all the doors are closed. Not only are they closed, but they’re also locked!”

She hated her birthday. To her, it was another reminder that another year had passed, and all that she wanted to do and be, were never achieved.

Dragging herself out of her bed, she sought counsel from a dear friend; knowing what she needed was a perspective change. And boy, oh boy, did her friend have a lot to say on the matter. The fresh eyes on her situation delighted her to her very core. The world seemed vibrant again and the newfound gratefulness for life slowly crept into her heart. It blessed her to know that even though the external things in her life seemed to have remained stagnant for years, her character and values had drastically changed. The silent conflicts within her had been resolved, as well as, having found the purpose of the long-suffering she quietly endured.

She realised that day, that change truly does not happen overnight. An adage she had heard a million times and even used, but never really clicked until she recounted her life. Change had occurred daily. In small, incremental moments she had never noticed. Although not the way she expected things to be, this way was arguably better.

“It’s actually impossible for me to ever be stuck because things are always changing,” she assured herself.

“24/7.”

2 comments on 24/7:
A Tiger’s Life:

26th Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

Orange and black with beguiling eyes
The regal Tiger begins to arise.
Though cunning and wild are to be true,
She too, was gentle with those she knew.

The cubs she nursed saw both these sides.
They felt safe in knowing she constantly guides.
For she fights ferociously for those she loves.
And any who threatens, she ruthlessly shoves.

Though her cubs give her company for now.
They too, will have to leave her anyhow.
One may see this as a tragedy,
And yet the solitary life is hers, quite naturally.

1 comment on A Tiger’s Life:
Two Haikus and a Limerick Walk into A Bar:

26th Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

Winter has arrived,
A season of dormancy
Leaving us deprived.

Sunflowers reaching
To feel the warmth of the Sun
As they bloom again.

There once was a whimsical fairy.
Who made everyone look real scary.
All the people screamed.
But later they schemed.
So came the tale of Bloody Mary.

No comments on Two Haikus and a Limerick Walk into A Bar:
A Gloomy Day:

23rd Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

The day was gloomy. The Sun made no appearance and dark rain clouds filled every inch of the sky. Though the day was quiet and calm, so much seemed to be bubbling underneath.

The way the low, leaden clouds rolled in by each minute. Gathering vapours and increasing in size. The winds hollowing through empty trees and light diminishing by the hour. The day needed a change. It needed the Sun to show its face or the clouds to unleash its storm. In fact, the day seemed to beg for the sweet release of waterfall. But no change came. The day remained the same. Dreary and unable to cease repining; the day came to its end. Hoping tomorrow brings with it the refreshing rain.

1 comment on A Gloomy Day:
The B Grade Batman. The Boman.

23rd Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

There once was a 16-year-old boy named Stephen. However, he was better known as Bo. Bo spent his days sleeping, skipping school, eating, and sleeping some more.

Bo was always fascinated with Superheroes. He often pondered what it would be like to be Batman. A rich, emotionally stunted man with no parents. He had nothing in common with Bruce Wayne, “but I suppose having only one parent left means I’m half-way there,” Bo thought to himself.

So, he decided to he’d like to be in Batman’s shoes. He got up from his bed and created himself a Batman suit and spent the night fighting crime.

The night was cold and Gotham city was rampant with villains, and only one man to serve justice to all. That man was…Boman! But of course, none of this was real. Gotham was the name of a game server, the villains were other players, and his username was Boman; complete with his character dressed as Batman.

“It’s time to be Boman!” Bo said to himself, as he moved his curser to the ‘start’ button.

No comments on The B Grade Batman. The Boman.
The Makeup Attempt:

21st Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

There once was a 13-year-old girl named Jacintha. Earlier this year, Jacintha started her journey into what she called her, “K-pop era.” As the young girl consumed more Korean content, she became enamoured with the music, tv-shows, outfits, and make-up looks. She spent time learning the Korean language and the many choreographies that the music had to offer. But then came that fateful day where she wished to learn how to do make-up.

Although the make-up she wanted to do was not dramatic or difficult, Jacintha still had to learn the basics, which proved to be a battle. Especially her eyebrows. She used a brow brush and aggressively combed through her eyebrow hairs. Then taking the glittery, black eyeshadow and a flat brush, she applied it onto her eyebrows. Sweeping back and forth, following the shape of her brows. When the battle was over, she let out a deep sigh and stepped back to see herself in full view in the mirror.

“Looks good,” she assured herself and walked out of the bathroom.

While she was walking, she was stopped by her older sister, Rachel. When Rachel looked at Jacintha, she burst out in a fit of laughter.

“What did you do?!” Rachel exclaimed, unable to catch her breath.

“I did my eyebrows!” Jacintha snapped back.

“With what? Permanent marker? Go wipe that off and I’ll show you how to do your eyebrows properly,” Rachel offered.

A little hurt and confused, Jacintha walked back into the bathroom, preparing for battle once again.

1 comment on The Makeup Attempt:
A Garden in Need of a Fix:

21st Oct 2023

Rachel, Short Story, Uncategorized

There once was a man named Wilson. He had a full-time job, 4 children and a burning desire to maintain his garden. ‘Twas a noble wish, however, the city he lived in did not make his goals of a beautiful garden achievable. For this old man and his family lived in Melbourne. A place where the weather was unpredictable, and hay-fever plagued the lives of many Australians.

With each weekend that arrived, so too, did Wilson’s feverish chills; forcing him to rest and not tend to his wild garden. But then came the perfect day. A day so sunny that the birds sang, and small rays of sunlight lit up the living room.

“Today is the day!” Wilson thought to himself as he peered out the window enjoying his morning liquid gold in a mug.

Soon the afternoon came, bringing with it a cool breeze and some shade from the shadows of the house. Wilson excitedly ran to the garage and collected his gardening tools. His goal for today was to pull out the weeds that were as tall as trees in his backyard. Putting on his boots, Wilson set off to begin his work.

2 comments on A Garden in Need of a Fix: