His retirement speech delineated the biggest conundrum of his career – adoption of AI for business. It’s all behind us now. Weekend Writing Prompt #465
Takeover
Flagged
The quarterly review meeting had the tension of a courtroom, every slide a potential indictment. When you flag a concern, take care to not expose someone's manipulation. Arjun knew this, yet his report on “phantom revenue streams” cast a shadow across the CFO’s polished smile. The room fell silent, executives shifting in their seats as … Continue reading Flagged
Lost connections
It is a recurring dream. I am in a mansion with large framed photographs of men with turbans and moustaches on the walls. There is an arch in the stone walls covered with bricks. Looks like it conceals an entrance behind it. The giant keys are frozen in time and refuse to reveal secrets. The … Continue reading Lost connections
Patriarchy and Empowered Women
A woman faces patriarchal judgment while caring for her terminally ill husband, challenging outdated gender roles and calling for change.
Whose shoes are those?
Change the footwear if it is uncomfortable. It is a legacy. Shuffling feet won’t get you anywhere. Design your itinerary, make travel bookings, buy appropriate footwear and don’t let anything pull you back. But those are my roots. Then you are a tree, and trees are immobile. Six Sentence Stories
What say you?
A glass for you, a cup for me… I capture a moment for posterity, create evidence that you always lived amidst us, in our hearts, in my now fragile memory. But will you really care to know? Or is it only the counsellor? Shall we exchange the drinks? I know you prefer a hot snack … Continue reading What say you?
Editors
“Once upon a time, editors were human, and they liked to exercise control.” She wondered if the relic from ancient times on the creaking armchair was just nostalgic or lamenting the end of an era. He was holding a book with yellowed pages authored by him close to his heart. “Gramps, this is 2126. Algorithms … Continue reading Editors
Protest
Outside the crumbling courthouse in Lucknow, a group of activists proudly announced their “relay hunger strike,” as if skipping lunch in shifts would terrify a politician who dines on stolen millions. Ramesh took the first turn, dramatically sipping water every five minutes, while declaring he was “on the brink of collapse.” Meena replaced him after … Continue reading Protest
Sticking Out
She walks past the crowded street, self-conscious like the only spot of colour in a drab landscape. Nobody ever told her whether she was beautiful or ugly, as her only companions on the island were flora and fauna. This place is different as there are so many with the same physical form, but none of … Continue reading Sticking Out
The Pied Piper
Once upon a time, a Piper wandered into the marketplace of nations, his flute gleaming with promises of aid and his shadow heavy with threats of tariffs. The rulers, eager for prosperity, fell into step, marching to his tune, believing his melody would lead them to abundance. But the Piper’s song was woven with threads … Continue reading The Pied Piper
