She is terrified of stairs – it is almost a phobia, or maybe more than a phobia. She imagines a game of Snakes and Ladders concealed behind the scene, and awaits a roll of dice to throw her off. She thought she had aced the political and satirical game, and then, the unthinkable happened. A … Continue reading Ascent
Making a death-bed of arrows for Pitamaha Bhishma was not easy. All excellence in archery becomes irrelevant, if one loves the person he is compelled to kill. But the war had to be won. Bhishma was living out his curse. He pledged celibacy, but lived to see four generations after his father. Though he was … Continue reading Arrow-bed
The tragic accident had ended two young lives. Worse than that, the old mother was left with a six-year old grandchild, and no breadwinner in the family. I referred them to a NGO which could help. Both returned home in a devastated state. “How could you do that to us? We cannot be in a … Continue reading Culture gaps
“I’ve always found comfort in sharing with friends than family. I could never imagine my brother could be so mean to me.” Julia had been wailing for the last ten minutes. “I agree, Julia. But have you ever realized why?” “Friends care and share…” “Yes. But there is no bone of contention between them about … Continue reading Rivalry
Cass was a nightmare in white silk and pearls. She wondered why Cass couldn’t wear something else to office. She had never done any harm to me. But seeing her took me down memory lane – religious heads dressed in white committing heinous crimes, the female lawyer in a white shirt and tie, who informed … Continue reading Nightmares
The honcho from Indian Police Service was on his official tour, and was allocated this guest house to stay. It brought back a flood of childhood memories. He had left this village, decades ago. In childhood, he had often wondered if somebody lived in that house. The house was barely visible in spring and summer, … Continue reading Haunted
“I like to dress in classic styles. It is safer to err on the conservative side.” “Classic is not vintage, but something that has stood the test of time.” “How does it matter?” “Wear what suits your personality to the tee, and becomes a part of you. It will go on to become to classic … Continue reading Classics
Your rigidity restricts you, despite the excellence of your construction. I love the fluidity of my being. Be not vain! You are still controlled by the water and sun. And your existence will end, if I cut you off at the base. Can you, really? It is all about the water and sun. Three … Continue reading Twinning
The tourist guide tells me that dome-shaped structures facilitate circulation of energy, in absence of sharp angles and corners. I’m not sure if energy is always positive. An idle thought crosses my mind – maybe the speakers like to hear echoes of their own voice. What could be the purpose of elaborate sculptural design and … Continue reading Humbled
I think of the nights we spent together, clinging to each other. Your dried tears on my fur are still unwashed. We were a tremendous source of strength to each other. I found a purpose to my existence, other than looking pretty on a shelf. You sought comfort in my softness and muteness, to wash … Continue reading Use and Throw
