Dilemma

She watched the cheesy top of the soufflé rise in the oven, and felt choked with revulsion. Her mother had invited Ron over for dinner, and he would soon be her step-dad. Her Mom was looking happy, seven years after her father’s untimely demise in an accident. Janice was consumed with guilt about her inability … Continue reading Dilemma

Shahjahan

Wonder why the clock tower has huge gaping holes, instead of the face of a clock?. Time had stopped ticking for Emperor Shahjahan, after he was imprisoned in this tower by his son, Aurangzeb. The holes were just large enough for him, to see the Taj Mahal, the monument he built to his love and … Continue reading Shahjahan

The Sparkler

The sparkler spread warmth, light, hope and demonstrated multiple paths to branch out. It consumed itself in the process, the memories remaining red hot, albeit for a short time. The transience brought back memories of her mother's suicide.   Written for 3LineTales , Week 48 only100words.xyz/2016/12/29/three-line-tales-week-forty-eight/  

Resolution

Mom always said, I was not OK, and I needed to improve a lot. An imposed discipline, a forced regime, an apologetic promise were created to assure her, that I intended to be good. The New Year Resolutions were framed and hung on the wall, to remind me of my inadequacies. I can’t recall when … Continue reading Resolution

The Desperate Riders

Where are these two riding away, unmindful of the tracks changing from dry to wet, and from sand to sea? What is the single-minded determination that drives them? The faithful brown horse carries the child, who is not an adept rider, and totally depends on the directions that his parent gives, and the loyalty of … Continue reading The Desperate Riders

The Smog

Visibility was a huge challenge in the dense fog. The morning news had preferred to call it a smog. But she knew better than that. The air was heavy with manipulation and deep conspiracies. She found herself gasping for breath. It was created to weaken clear vision, to make people stumble on their path, and … Continue reading The Smog

Hallelujah

The CEO leaned back on her plush chair with half-shut eyes, and muttered “It has been a tough year”. Despite making record profits, the company image was shattered by a scandal, and several months were spent in damage repair, while still dangling on puppet-strings, struggling to maintain her balance. She looked at the silver-framed mirror … Continue reading Hallelujah

Living in the Past

It was an elaborate Christmas table, with the white lace cloth, red candles and the best china and crystal that she could afford. She cut four slices of the Christmas loaf, and tears rolled down her cheeks. The family that she lost long ago, in an accident, smiled at her from the framed photo on … Continue reading Living in the Past

Standing Alone

It takes a lot of courage to stand alone, shorn of all glamor and glory, and yet, taller than others around you. Jaya had often drawn inspiration from this leafless tree. She stood like a thorn in the path of the royal inhabitants of the castle. The castle appeared hazy in the dense fog, but … Continue reading Standing Alone

Navigating through life

The number of bird hits had drastically increased, putting a lot of lives in jeopardy. Pilots were sent for repeat safety training programs, and research was on to improvise the detection mechanisms. The King of Ornithal, was equally perturbed. Several subjects of his kingdom had met with premature death, leaving behind orphaned babies to be … Continue reading Navigating through life