The court verdict proclaimed him ‘Not Guilty’, against public expectations. His opponents had teamed up to support him. The secret lay in the few files in his cupboard, which threatened to expose their lesser misdeeds. He was sent to learn wrestling in childhood. He never really mastered the sport. But he clearly remembered applying baby … Continue reading Protected
It had been a hard day at work. He dragged himself with heavy feet towards the meager shelter called home. The money he had earned was not enough to buy meals for a family of four. Again, his wife would feed the children, give him some gruel to nourish himself, and go to bed hungry. … Continue reading The Loop
It was the night of the year, she came out of her grave. And it was the night for which he waited on that chair 364 days in a year. It was a love beyond the realms of human imagination. He was the devotee who had seen the shadows of death approaching, and refused to … Continue reading Love and Loyalty
This was Table no.19 in the college cafeteria, with the paper cups on a tacky table cloth. The occupants were young and brimming with ideas. They fell in love with the intellectual vibrancy, and wavelengths that matched. Circa 2017, they had migrated to the finest china and exotic cuisines on reserved tables, in upmarket restaurants. … Continue reading Setting
Hey, meeting you changed my life! It was easy to paint you in colors of my choice. Knowing you is a different ballgame altogether. (130 characters) Inspired by Kat Myrman at Twittering Tales
I am the recipient of all the gifts, in your birthday party. You entered our life 14 years ago, and your physical presence was taken away from us, in a very short time. Spiritually, you remain with us forever. I find novel ways of celebrating your birthday. The simplest is feeding lovely babies like you, … Continue reading The Birthday Party
Apsara was totally taken by the intellect of this man, and the peace that he radiated. Ten years later, she wondered if Vishwa had ever loved her. He was so wrapped up in himself – his books, meditation and his international talks. There was no space in his life for anyone else. “Will you ever … Continue reading Aloof
The poet had always been inexorably drawn to this place. He wondered if the water was happy, in being contained by the shore. It exerted itself, hitting hard against the shore, and managed to change the shape of shorelines. The water was still channelized to take a particular route in a different way. The lunar … Continue reading Musings
He looked crestfallen, as he moved a step back, and asked his wife to hand over the cupboard keys. He had not anticipated this midnight raid by the Anti-Corruption-Bureau, on his residence. The ACB chief turned around to pat his wife’s shoulder, “Well done, officer!” That was where she had come from. (52 words) … Continue reading The Key
The truth suddenly dawned on me. The lonely honeymoon nights, and your surreptitious behavior justified themselves. You are not a creep! You need help, but do not have the courage to come out in the open. I walked past the stilettos with deliberate steps, pushed away the scholarly books that were used as a cover, … Continue reading The Epiphany
