My friend cribs about her tough life in a sales job, her monstrous boss and unfair incentive schemes. Clearly, she does not enjoy her job - nor did I. But being conversant with something helped me navigate the downturns better. I steer the conversation to what she’d like to do – lounge around in pyjamas, … Continue reading On the other side
There’s something magical about the room, but not in a nice way. Is Ellen imagining the figure on the wall, or is it really there? Dad told her not to make up imaginary friends or foes. Wait and watch if the object under observation can really harm. The figure does not move, but something leaps … Continue reading Preparedness
“Thai cooking is no joke without the right ingredients”, the celebrity chef grumbled, “I found galangal, but kaffir lime leaves are substituted with lemon zest.” “Don’t you think ingredients need to be sourced from abroad, for the astronomical price that you charge for a meal?” the local chef was feeling left out. “Understand the opportunity … Continue reading Exotica
This was his desk from where he texted customers every evening. “Have dirty linen to wash? You can trust us to maintain complete secrecy.” It was a marketing technique that worked reasonably well for him. Customers smiled as they handed over their laundry. One afternoon, a well-manicured hand filled the empty cup with coffee. He … Continue reading Dirty Linen
If a brain can spin, it happens inside these tiny heads. If I had a device to scan the insides of a skull, it would show two different colours on the left and right sides, with the capacity to interchange between left and right, and between the siblings. I’ve never seen any kid carve out … Continue reading Spinning brains
Motionless, she stood gazing down the tunnel. The path extended as far as the eye could see, encased by walls of grimy bricks. She has passed through the same tunnel many times, in between what earthlings call a life and souls here call a project. She wants to make this the last time. She is … Continue reading Nirvana
The fading superstar reinstates himself by owning a cricket team. Writing cheques to buy superstars of sports is intoxicating. Rumours circulate that he chooses the cheerleaders himself. He is so sure they draw people to watch the events, much more than the performance of champions. The stadium is full, but his team is losing. It … Continue reading Superstars
I’ve had my share of interactions with feline and canine species – both good and bad. The range spans from innocence and goodwill to sharp manipulative instincts. Sembine interactions leave me defeated. These interactions are with a person suffering from mental health issues, or living beings who do not understand my language. The worst kind … Continue reading Sembine interactions
Each step towards perceived success feels momentous, as she moves ahead on light feet with the entire galaxy in her eyes. She carves out new ambitions flying on wings of what has just happened. Her fifteen minutes of fame are just around the corner, and she is sure of not dying a nameless and forgettable … Continue reading Unfinished story
Lorraine finally moves to the old age home she has resisted all along. “Happy to see you, but may I ask what caused the change of mind?” “I achieved a lot in life, by laying bricks in even, predetermined patterns with no scope for error. I earned rewards. I cannot relate to the millennial culture … Continue reading Brick-by-brick
