I couldn’t focus on work.This was a big decision we had taken.The stakes were high.
In a society where a mother is considered a primary caregiver- we had chosen to defy these rigid norms.After my 4 months paid maternity break,I was back at work. As a Director and a stellar career which I loved, I had chosen to come back.My husband had chosen to take a sabbatical and raise the child.
As I reached home,the table was set for tea- a slice of bread with a heart shape cut out in the middle- I knew that instant we had chosen right.
(100 words)
Linking up with Rochelle Wisoff for Friday Fictioneers, a photo prompt flash fiction. Thanks © Kelvin M. Knight for the photo.

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Published by Akshata Ram
Chartered Accountant, Story Teller, Dreamer, Voracious Reader, Blogger, Mommy to a little munchkin, Shopaholic, Day Dreamer.Passionate about my career in the corporate world and aspire to break the glass ceiling, at the same time nurture my passion for writing. My niche area is short stories, I also write on parenting, sexism, life's experiences, micro blogs and flash fiction. I have won the best Parenting blog post at mycity4kids.com the largest parenting website in India, 4 times and several of my posts have been published in the #MostPopular category on this site garnering millions of views. I also write on Bonobology, Rivo Kids, Women's Web and Youth Ki Awaaz. My blog has been chosen as the Top Indian Blogs for the years 2018-2019,2020 by TopIndianBlogs website and found a place in the prestigious Top 22 Indian Literary Blogs in 2020 @TopIndianBlogs.
View all posts by Akshata Ram
Excellent piece Akshata, and very relevant.
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Thx so much Ian!!
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life is all about sharing and caring…..nice one Akshata…..
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True Sudhir especially as parents it’s important that both share the load!
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yep….. very true…..
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Love the subtle message of love and equal respect in the end:)
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Thanks so much Vishal I wanted to write so much more but the word limit 😢
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Yes and you made such a perfectly intelligent use of the prompt.
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What a relevant story in today’s day and times. Hopes to see more of these stories playing out for real, someday must be a sure sign that times are indeed changing.
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Yea I do hope this turns out to be a reality and not a rare occurrence. Times are changing and it’s a change for the better
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That’s a lovely story Akshata. In today’s times, this is more important now than ever. I guess its been a long time since we have ‘reserved’ particular tasks for women and other tasks for men. It’s important we come forward and be the change we want to see.
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Yes we need to challenge these stereotypes! And rise above it! Thx for the comments Aseem
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This is a short and scrip post 🙂
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This is a short and crisp post 🙂
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Thx! The word limit is 💯 that’s s challenge in itself
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Hope this piece of fiction becomes a reality for many parents.
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True I hope so too atleast by the time our kids grow up
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Maybe society would disagree, but perhaps that was the right choice for the family. 🙂
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Hope we see that day when society considers it normal
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Aww! Heart-warming 🙂
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Thx Kanika
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Life in the modern world…I know of many ‘stay home’ dads who wouldn’t trade it for all the gold in china. Great story!
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Wow! You made that slice of bread into a story I never expected. Nice work.
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Thx so much for the kind words Heather
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I love that man!
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Who won’t? 😊
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Thank goodness it’s becoming easier for men to be the primary caregiver. I like the message of your post.
One tiny thing – and I hope you don’t mind my mentioning it – you say “The husband…” Do you think it would show the intimacy more clearly if you said “My husband…”?
All the best
Penny
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Ya that’s a fair point. Thanks for the suggestion
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Hi Akshata! I loved the theme of this story. This is what gender equality means to me, largely…it begins at home…I would love it to be the norm for the coming generation ,,if not ours as yet. Keep writing! Cheers!
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True Tina that’s what we can hope for our daughters! Thx for writing in
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Short and sweet 🙂
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Thx Zee!
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This title caught my eye in the inlinkz chart…as i opened i was thinking whose role would have reversed.
After reading your post, i felt a sense of pride and smiled. Very relevant
Great use of the heartful bread 🙂 😀
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Thx Ritika I suppose as a woman this could be the best role reversal one could hope for!
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Times they are a-changing, and about time too! A delightful tale Akshata.
Click to read my FriFic
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Thx Keith! So glad to hear from you
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Nothing better than to have the support of your partner in all major decisions. When s/he’s got your back, the world can be damned!
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So true Corinne!
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Not a Vicarious thought…. in a way I am living and loving the story and enjoying my time with my kid 🙂
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That’s the change we want to see! Glad to hear this
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Seeing men share the load, helps me restore back by faith, In times when responsibilities such as household chores and raising children are seen as the responsibilities of a women. Loved ur take on the prompt Aks its so refreshing!
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Thx so much Keerthi! Yea I do hope that times change and people have the power to choose without any judgement
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Well said Aks! (As always)
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Dear Akshata,
Timely story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thx so much Rochelle!
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As a Dad on “sabbatical,” I can totally relate to this. I think my wife believes she chose well too (even without hearts in the bread). I really enjoyed this.
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That’s so awesome to hear- when your fictional story is someone’s real life! Heart or no heart in the bread- I am sure she chose well
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I love the husband’s role in this. Hope to see this change in our society soon. Loved the twist on what was a normal piece of bread.
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Somehow this came to my mind as soon as I saw the bread
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This is awesome Akshata. Such a unique interpretation !!
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Thx so much dear Meha!
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This is so sweet and yes the times are changing, daddies are taking the charge 🙂
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It’s a beautiful story with a great message! Good one, Akshata 🙂
Kohl Eyed Me
Something’s Cooking
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Thx so much Shalini!
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So beautiful…very nicely written!!!
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Thx so much Prasanna
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Beautifully expressed. Hope more people read this and follow it. 🙂
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Yea I hope people are empowered to make choices without being judged. Someday perhaps
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This feels so right. And so much courage to the husband who supported the power woman in his life.
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We all want husbands like that- don’t we? 🙂
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