Volcanoes

The verdict is out. “All four accused found guilty, to be hanged to death….” The defense lawyer is defiant. “I cannot let four young people die for the sake of one girl, who was out on the streets in late hours.” A whisper in the crowd, “Is this man for real?” The nervous speaker has … Continue reading Volcanoes

I hope they are safe, wherever they are

No one turned up in the park today again. I hope they are all safe wherever they are are. I’ve been working incessantly to keep them safe - for the last 23 years - since that fateful day when they killed me on that bench. I swore that I would not let it happen to … Continue reading I hope they are safe, wherever they are

Shooting Pain

A sharp pain shoots through my head on the left side, as my husband animatedly makes a political argument. We do not support the same ideology. Life is back to normal in a while, but the pain continues. I wonder how much of it is psychosomatic. And what exactly is the trigger that generates discomfort … Continue reading Shooting Pain

Shackled

"How is watching different from seeing or looking?" "Well, the language is slimy, but I guess it has something to do with being alert …. Seeing and looking are comparatively passive activities." "So, it is somehow tied to getting a desired result in a time-bound manner?" "Er…. Maybe." He flung the expensive wrist-watch at me, … Continue reading Shackled

Frog in the Well

It was fun to pose as a frog prince, and let all the young girls kiss me. But then.... I did not turn into a prince. The girls were furious at being tricked, and threw me into the nearest well. I've been unable to jump out despite all efforts. Memories fade, and dreams change. The … Continue reading Frog in the Well

Off they go…

She still owns two of those hats, they used to love twinning around in. She offered the hats as free gifts to kids, but those were rejected as being outdated. Kids these days …. There is a lot to learn from them though. Why is she moping around for something that was never meant to … Continue reading Off they go…

Self-inflicted

It is terrifying to see him slip into depths of insanity. Others-centeredness has destroyed his core. The youngest child raised in a large, joint family – he was taught that being good meant being obedient and servile. He always needed a god to worship, and a cult to follow. Shorn of deities after his parents … Continue reading Self-inflicted

Nourishment

The monk has travelled across the world in search of meaning of life. Gone are the days when people congregated in an ashram to partake of wisdom… there are umpteen agencies to get him online and share his learnings. The digital marketing campaign lasts 90 days to generate a feeling of emptiness in people, and … Continue reading Nourishment