FOUL FRAGRANCE - By Hemashree Nagarethinam

Written By: Hemashree Nagarethinam

Category: Short story

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Hemashree Nagarethinam brings us into the enchanting world of Albrighton with her short story, "Foul Fragrance." Submitted to Hashtag Kalakar’s Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this narrative unfolds in a picturesque flower garden filled with the sweet scents of roses and jasmine. Through a blend of imagination and realism, Nagarethinam takes readers on a journey into a garden managed by Augustin Vance, exploring the unexpected dynamics between the scents themselves.

About the Work

"Foul Fragrance" is a captivating tale that weaves together elements of nature and fantasy. The story is set in a vibrant flower garden, where the essence of roses and jasmine come to life, engaging in an intriguing conversation with a third, unexpected companion. The narrative explores themes of identity, perception, and the unseen connections that bind us, all while painting vivid imagery of a misty morning in Albrighton. Hemashree’s storytelling invites readers to reflect on the unseen contributions of the mundane in creating beauty.

FOUL FRAGRANCE

Original Submission by Hemashree Nagarethinam

FOUL FRAGRANCE:

FOUL FRAGRANCE:

In Albrighton, The village of Shropshrine, there

was a beautiful flower garden in which flowers of sweet smell were cultivated in large numbers. Ruby red roses are very familiar in that area which were also liked by the royal women of England.

That beautiful huge garden had been under the control of the Vance family now. It's in the hands of Augustin Vance, sole heir of Vance family. He and his pet dog Susan were the only people to look after the garden.

Augustin is a young handsome man with blonde hair and deep brown eyes. He was a heart robber of that town whenever he walked through the market everyone had their eye on him.

One morning, a winter mist had filled up the

garden already. Every morning in Albrighton feels like heaven on Earth. In addition to that Augustin’s garden located in the centre of the valley it can be loved even by a stone hearted. That day it seemed to be very scenic and dramatic too.

Amidst the snowfilled garden Augustin in heavy denim jumpsuit holding a big basket and gardening scissors to harvest flowers.

Usually he sings some sweet songs while plucking those flowers. His voice was a bit manly but melting like butter. Blood red roses are dewy like honey drenched. He gently cut the velvet soft roses. After harvesting the roses, he moved forward to the Jasmine section. Augustin whistled to guide Susan to follow him but she refused and simply continued to play with those butterflies which were roaming the garden gracefully.

In the right part of the garden the nocturnal white jasmine welcoming him with a mesmerising smell. He collected them with love and care, those soft feathers like not feeling real. With all the harvest of the day he entered the distillery unit which is inside a red brick barn with a glass roof. From his workshop the fog which dashes the roof can be seen through clearly. Then he carefully arranged the machinery to start distillation,

Petal by petal separated roses entered the distillery to attain its next avatar. Augustin also put jasmines in another distillery pot to gain its essence. Afterwards he completed those operations and now the real field work has started. He rolled up his sleeves and pants too, stepped into the mossy land with a spade and crowbar, dug some holes to plant some new saplings then cut the unwanted branches of the apple trees and pruned those rose shrubs. He worked in the mud and moss to make the garden look perfectly done.

After this he was drenched in sweat he rushed to his workshop then collect the liquid and add some chemicals while he working with those liquids which were scents of various elements in the world, He leaned to the table to get

a precise view of the measurements inscribed in the glass conical flask. He brought a mixing stick near his nasal hole.and slowly inhaled that and then a smile of pride and satisfaction stuck with his lips.after knowing this perfume batch had a fantastic outcome he decided to take a shower and little noon nap to complement his busy day.

He left the room .He also left the mixing stick resting on a couple of inch tall wooden block, from that height. One of the mixing sticks dripped a drop of perfume on the table.

That lil pink drop suddenly opened its eyes and looked here and there to figure out where she is now.then she came to know that she is in Vance's distillery.She turned around find an another drop like her she also had a great odour of sweetness and elite look .The pink drop introduced her as rose scent and another introduced itself as jasmine also known as jas .

They started their conversation .

“Hey jas you smell so good” said the rose.

“Really! You’re soo good too” replied Jas.with a smirk rose said “i know” rose noticed another drop on the table who was little away from,that was not like them in both looks and scent

Rose slowly asked the drop” Who are you?”. The third drop looked at them and introduced it as sweat .Rose and Jas laughed for a while”sweat!poor sweat don’t you have

fragrance like us ??”Jas asked.Before sweat’s reply Rose said this in a humiliating tone “ instead you stink , how you came here?”.

Sweat calmly replied “sorry i don’t know it bothered you but i can’t help you. It's my nature”.Jas said “no no i think something is wrong with you superiorly rose asked “exactly, you have some problem then why are you spreading such a smell .in this radius no one have heavy odour like you . First of all, where are you from ??”

“Sorry I can't understand,” Sweat said. “Oof.. i am from ruby red roses in the garden outside then Jas is from little jasmine likewise you are from?”she asked in a bossy tone .

“ ho i am from Augustin’s forehead” it answered. Immediately Rose screamed in disgust “ew!! We are from flowers, just leave that i am from the god’s gift. From their loved ones but you just came from merely human skin what a pity “. “Sister,why are you saying that Augustin grew you with that much effort”said the sweat .

“ Did you call me sister ? how can i be your sister .this Jas may be my sister but she herself not in my tier”arrogantly said the rose .Jas asked sweat “ really! Are you related to us ?”. Sweat explained"Yes we are related,I mean I am part of your creation . if I not existed you wouldn’t have been invented”.

“From your point of view ,you’re saying that you have a great contribution to our fragrance ??”Jas asked

doubtfully.sweat nodded its head. “Stupid Jas !she is fooling as.sweat is inferior just in the lower tier, no fragrance but heavy odour,she is dirty ,ugly,just a human secretion but me . iam royal, elite

,intoxicating,mesmerizing.Even the queen breathes me in.”Rose expelling the anger like this

sweat triggered by those words of rose and shouted “ you foolish droplet!you’re not wise . don’t think so without my salt your sweetness is nothing” .their conflict gets heated as the time flow.after a warm shower Augustin stepped in to the room

He walked towards the table while whistling a tune and looked at the table then effortlessly took a cloth piece and wiped the table to make it clean.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary creativity and expression. Writers from various backgrounds are invited to share their unique voices and stories, contributing to a diverse collection of works. This competition is an opportunity to engage with a community of creatives and showcase storytelling prowess.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Hemashree Nagarethinam for sharing "Foul Fragrance" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her imaginative narrative and rich depiction of the garden in Albrighton provide a delightful reading experience. We look forward to seeing more of her creative endeavors in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.