Flash fiction is an umbrella term used to describe any fictional work of extreme brevity, including the Six-Word Story, 140-character stories, also known as twitterature, the dribble (50 words), the drabble (100 words), and sudden fiction (750 words).
Plop. Plop. Plop.
I could keep time by counting the number of plops. One plop per second. It was coming from the bathroom and was driving me crazy, preventing me from getting back to sleep. I sighed and pulled myself up.
When I pushed open the bathroom door I found the metal bucket beneath was half full. Damn you Sheila, you neglected to close the tap tight. I mentally made a note to call the plumber and give him an earful. On second thoughts groveling might work better to get him to come over and check the tap, I thought.
Sleep had fled. I walked to the kitchen and got myself a glass of water. On the way back I took a detour and peeped into the other bedroom. Shibu was sleeping the sleep of the innocent young, limbs spread out in every which direction. I stepped in to tuck him in, the blanket having slipped off and fallen to the floor.The sound of difference There was a nip in the air and I didn’t want him catching a cold.
Walking out, I debated getting a book to read and then decided against it. The light might disturb Sheila and I also had to get used to the new sleep timings now that I was home from half way across the world and that too for an extended period of time.
Back in our bedroom, I found Sheila sitting up in bed, a frown on her face.
What’s the matter, I asked, concerned.
I can’t seem to sleep. Something woke me.
Did I wake you? I had been careful not to make any sound.
No, it’s not you. She had a puzzled look on her face.
Was it a disturbing dream?
No, she looked around her as if the room held answers.
Are you thirsty? Do you want me to get you a glass of water? I asked solicitously.
Water! She said in a tone similar in sentiments to the man who shouted ‘Eureka!’ The plop, plop sound of the dripping tap has stopped! The silence is driving me crazy.
©Shail Mohan 2017
Shail's Nest 
Oh lovely! I cannot bear the sound of dripping taps … how I laughed at Sheila’s reaction!
I am a very light sleeper too. 🙂
Lovely.
Thanks 🙂
Woah! You made a story out of THIS!!!! bows Reminded me of the movie Pushpak, where Kamal Haasan goes back to his room in the ‘chawl’ to record the sound of barking dogs because he couldn’t sleep in the silence of the posh 5-star hotel in which he is staying after a sudden change in fortune.
P.S I used to make a habit of listening to dripping taps when doing something boring. Also, I cannot sleep without the sound of fan now.
Ahh, I remember the movie. 🙂 The sound of the fan is comforting, though I don’t need it to fall asleep 🙂
Cancer is not a concern for the one who smokes
Aren’t there people who love to eat artichokes
And then there are ones who eat egg whites and throw the yolks
Yeah I guess it is different strokes for different folks.
I can’t stand the sound of dripping water. It will drive me crazy.😀
same pinch