“Ramji refused to pay for his brother's funeral, and I had to step in,” reminisces the nonagenarian, which puts others in a tight spot. Ramji’s son is sitting at the bedside. “Of course, I remember you – you are from a different religion, often smoked in my bathroom and I’d chided Ravi on marrying you.” … Continue reading A point in life
I’ll spend my life climbing those stairs and never reach the top. I’ll read each word, each alphabet and each character on those stairs and ask them if they are self-made or compelled to be stepping stones for others. I’ll scan the steps for the footprints of readers to see if there was a mutual … Continue reading Pages
“A formidable opposition leader is arrested, but some drastic action was expected anyway.” “What makes you say so?” “The majority party has been caught on the wrong foot with a Supreme Court judgment about a scam to extort donations from the vulnerable. They will not let all the election preparation, publicity campaigns, hero-worship, some genuine … Continue reading Blow by Blow
I’m accosted by an unusual sight of a figure dancing in captivity. The shackles are not a limitation as he draws unusual shapes in the air and creates music with his bonds. He says you cannot ensnare the mind with its unlimited powers. He is happy to have met himself in the dark enclosure. But … Continue reading Divine Dance
What happened to those who stayed home gazing at the roof while travellers cut through mountain passes to blaze stories? Perspectives changed on both sides. They were re-imagining and painting the world with a pen, brush, hoofs or wheels. The Earth sunk in with the burden of some more stories as wheels rode over it. … Continue reading Sinking earth
In a fit of rage, she smashed her champagne glass on the marble floor and stared defiantly at him. She was fully prepared for the battle this time around. He advanced menacingly towards her, and she responded with a tight slap. A stunned silence pervaded the room. It was a slap on the face of … Continue reading Unending Fight
“I’m sorry, he’s gone.” The monster with steel grey eyes and a white beard covers it with a sheet. “Keep it under wraps. The elections are just a month away.” “Who killed him?” A third voice joins the melee. It was Truth, I think silently. Outwardly, I say that the culprit is yet to be … Continue reading Under wraps
How far would you travel in search of an isolated beach? Would you travel across states, countries, continents or more? Nothing beats the pleasure of finding a destination untouched by commerce and crowds. You revel in the bliss under the blue sky and hear the waves crashing against the shore. So what if you can’t … Continue reading Copywriting
Sania’s indignation is visible more in her red eyes and tight fists, rather than in her broken words, “I did not expect this from you.” “You expected me to keep giving without taking care of my own needs first,” Anju’s response is cold. “For years, I gave in to the wishes of the family, and … Continue reading Whose game is it?
Whoever put the flowers there did not know he would define a turn in a life story. I woke up late after ringing in a birthday and rushed to work without peeping in the backyard. The sender of the flowers took offence at not receiving a timely response, and I lost a job opportunity. He … Continue reading Incidentally…
Creative Experiments and More 