Happy INTERNATIONAL Women's Day

By Latika M

"So, you're a Fijian with a NZ passport?"

"No. Actually, I'm a Kiwi," she murmured softly - throat parched from caffeine induced anxiety.

"I went to Fiji once," he looked away into the distance, pupils dilating.

She followed his gaze out the window and saw what had attracted his attention; a leggy blonde in 6 inch stilettos, with a perky rump.

"They eat too much breadfruit in Fiji. Boiled and bland with a side of fish in coconut milk. I was sick from it by the end of our holiday."

Lowering his glasses he glared at her, as though she were responsible for his dining woes. She couldn't help but notice how his chin wobbled or how he clasped his pasty fingers, reminding her of cartoon villains.
She thought it unusual that a bald man could have such copious amounts of hair - tiny little sharp needle-like silvery spikes sprouting from his skull in a scruffy mess.

"I went to Fiji with my family for the first time a few years back, just before starting uni. My aunt  made us deep fried breadfruit chips and we ate a big bowl of it with spicy tinned mackerel curry. It was delicious."

Immediately she regretted her over-firm delivery. After attending several of these interviews, she knew to always remain calm, meek, non-threatening and without an iota of personality. It was crucial to stay inside the box, think grey thoughts and blend in with the dull space of any office she walked into.

Narrowing his eyes, he sighed and checked his watch, "So you are absolutely certain you are allowed to work in Australia?"

"Yes, I'm classified as an Australian permanent resident. I am a citizen of NZ - I was born there. Would you like to see my passport?"

"No, no," his turkey-like chin wobbled again, "We have a few more interviews to get through, my assistant will be in touch if you are successful."

Before she could respond, he stood up, towering above her. And so she reluctantly stood up too. He gestured towards the door. She nodded, smiled politely and walked out of his office with her head bowed. Her overzealous defence of breadfruits might have cost her the job.

March - BANANA (Word limit: 100)

Positive Words Short Story Competition

By Latika M

At the peak of summer, the office air conditioner carked it every year, just as the workers were returning tanned and lethargic from their Christmas break. This sudden influx of life invading the small space, walking through the cramped corridors, sucking in too much oxygen and sharing holiday stories unsettled the old cooling system. This year, the boss had preemptively given everyone apple green desk fans with little yellow banana motifs. So when the air stopped circulating, everyone switched on their fans in unison, causing a power outage, blanketing the entire office in darkness with just the bananas glowing brightly.