IN A KNOT
PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
By Neel Anil Panicker
Icicles of wintry chill slither past the iron bars of the lone cell window.
Inside, as the temperature dipped, Abdul Qarim, his back against the stony damp walls, cupped his hands under the wafer thin tattered shawl, a standard winter issue.
This winter had been harsh.
He had knitted a thousand caps. That’s 800 above the quota.
‘Why the extra labour?’, the chief warden had inquired.
Abdul had kept mum, simply replying, “Sir, please give the profits to my wife”.
The money would help her survive one more winter.
Not he.
The cancer had ensured that.
©neelanilpanicker2017 #flash #fiction #FRIDAYFICTIONEERS #100words
neelwritesblog 
Dear Neel,
This could be another chapter to my story this week…a tragic one, though. How awful for him to be incarcerated and dying, too. Bittersweet. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, I agree, and a tragic story indeed.
Thanks for the compliment, Rochelle and now i shall hop over and comment on your tragically beautiful story.
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A lot of sorrow and regret in this one. Nice writing Neel.
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Thanks a lot Kelly.
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That is the darkest picture you paint, there, Neel. Such desperate times, driven to such industry through bleakness. A chilling description of a grim life. Well done, Neel
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Life can at times get rough, isn’t it? I thank you for the lovely comment and your appreciation. Thanks a lot, Lynn.
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Yes, it can indeed. My pleasure Neel
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How horrid a life for him. Not only to be incarcerated (probably for a paltry crime, at best) but to be dying of cancer as well.
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What a man! Supporting his wife through all that.
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What a tragic tale from a man filled with love for his wife. Lovely!
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Thanks
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I think you sometimes reach a point when the only time you can measure is the days remaining… great story
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He may have done wrong but he was doing his best to look after his wife after he’d gone. A sad tale. Hope you have a Happy Christmas Neel.
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One of your very best. Nicely done.
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Thanks Alicia and Merry Christmas
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Poignant and well written. The “thin tattered shawl, standard winter issue” says a lot about the wretched conditions the prisoners were kept in. This could be any prison anywhere 150 years ago— and many today.
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You said it. Prisons world over are all the same, well almost.
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Awwwe, so touching. I would like to believe that he was innocent in the first place.
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Brilliantly, Neel. Simply brilliant.
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Sorry, that was meant to be ‘brilliant’.
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Thanks a lot, dear Moon.
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Yes, but maybe he was a reformed soul. Thanks Anurag.
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Such a sad prospect. Well done.
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Thanks Sandra and Merry Christmas😀
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Impressive write.
Seasons greetings 🙂
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Thanks YS and Merry Christmas☺
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Pathos. So much emotion in so few words.
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Thanks and Merry Christmas☺
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A sad but beautiful story, Neel. I hope the money got to his wife. We hear of so many promises made and broken in these times. At least he has hope in something in his last days. Good writing. Happy Holidays. 🙂 — Suzanne
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