A solemn voice declares that times have changed, and so has democracy, Our words need to be respected, because we are the keepers of national interest. Everything that the opposition leaders say is hokum. Weekend Writing Prompt #487
Democracy
Navigating Power
The patient is amused to see the doctor’s child walk into the clinic to seek permission for going to the movies. The doctor looks flabbergasted, mutters a half-hearted yes, and sees his youngest child run in excitement to share the good news with his siblings. “Doctor, does every movement at home need a nod from … Continue reading Navigating Power
Insignia
“I have always been proud of the stars on my uniform.” She raises her hand to salute him, though the pain in his voice is palpable. His commitment to protecting his country’s borders is undiluted. He follows instructions in a split second. But the inner reluctance to do so is growing. He sees an offensive … Continue reading Insignia
The Waiting Room
The waiting room is a place to reflect. I chose to stay back. I was not left behind. I saw journeys caught in the grip of monstrosities—people suspended between the blue sky and deep water, watching power gather to crush their path, and all that lay upon it. They could only plead for a moment … Continue reading The Waiting Room
Unmindfulness
The metro doors slid open, and Arjun squeezed himself into the human tide, his laptop bag pressed like armour against the crowd. The crowd stepped on a sandwich in a brown bag, and he wondered who would miss a meal. He thought of his boss, a man who measured worth in missed lunches and late … Continue reading Unmindfulness
Follow the unexpected
She rode a bicycle all the way to audition for an ad to fulfil her dream of being a model. But Lolita Lolita Tulum, a skincare and fashion brand, had already chosen a celebrity as their brand ambassador. Her freshness and commitment had to wait for another opportunity. As she turned back in a dejected … Continue reading Follow the unexpected
Ugliest Secret of Success
One day, the Aspirant stumbled upon the ugliest secret of success. It made him want to abandon his aspirations. Nobody needed his strengths because it made them feel insecure. The people at the top of every pyramid reached there by trading on weaknesses. It is easier to blackmail someone into unquestioning obedience in return for … Continue reading Ugliest Secret of Success
The Weak Human
“Does he know the magnitude of the opportunity he has missed with his temper tantrum?” was the common refrain after he threw the laptop on his manager’s face. The fire was not just anger; it was history erupting, and when the eruption passed, he stood among the ruins, knowing the mountain inside him would never … Continue reading The Weak Human
Henna and The Humanist
She did not attend his rallies to boo him — that would have kept him at the center of her days. She did not write furious letters. She testified for eleven minutes, plainly, without theater. Then she drove home and did not look up the verdict. She simply closed the page.
Action without Expression
Who would have decided her place in the world and what she was supposed to do with her life – geography, lineage, personal values, philosophy of life, political leanings, relationship status, money? Each contributes in a small way, but only she knew how to put it all together to make sense of her existence. She … Continue reading Action without Expression
