The Capsized Boat

The ducks, the birds and the mountain were familiar figures. He wondered where the boat had vanished. The boat was supposed to ferry him back home, where his family waited to have dinner with him. It felt like ages, since he interacted with human beings. His shadow was not joined at his feet, any more. … Continue reading The Capsized Boat

Pulling it down

She had spent several hours in the balcony, behind the branches of that tall tree, reflecting upon life, and writing. Her writing had won global acclaim, and yet, she remained unknown to the world. She looked in the mirror every morning, at the unsightly scar on her face, and could never dare to venture beyond … Continue reading Pulling it down

How many turns?

The pain was unbearable, as the familiar hand stabbed her in the back, and the trusted face twisted into a contorted smile. She turned away, not letting him see the blood or the pain. She had deprived him of a sense of victory. There were many more waiting out there, with a similar set of … Continue reading How many turns?

Seeing the Unseen

The devil in the vase smiled at her again. It was a mocking smile that scared the wits out of her. She screamed and ran out of the room. It was followed by torture in the mental asylum. She hated the nurses in white uniforms, with indifferent expressions that bordered on cruelty. She detested the … Continue reading Seeing the Unseen

The Dream Express

The tracks inspired the villagers to reach their destination. Each had a different dream, and a different plan for the journey. She always wondered if those blue wagon cars had the capacity to hold all those rosy dreams. The only train that passed through that village was called Dadar–Lucknow Express. She preferred to call it … Continue reading The Dream Express

The Path

Oh, dear Path, I have traversed you every evening for a walk. You go as far back as memory, and move as far ahead as imagination. You have been a witness to my thoughts, as well as an inspiration. You have kept my feet grounded to reality. The planes, kites and birds that I saw … Continue reading The Path

The Shock

The Inspector General of Police, was crestfallen. His department appeared to be hitting a blank wall, in the major cases being handled. He anticipated punitive action, or at least an inconvenient transfer to another place. The schools in the city wore a desolate look, deprived of their chirpy inhabitants, as parents refused to let their … Continue reading The Shock

The Puppet

  Today, her steps faltered, and her graceful movement did not sync with the music. She fell to the ground with a thud, as her Master fell behind the curtain, killed by a cardiac arrest. Her painted lips parted in a genuine smile, relieved at the end of her ordeal. The Puppet had longed to … Continue reading The Puppet

Reflections

Water is a colorless liquid that changes the properties of several other fluids. Water is an unassuming element that never asserts its own identity. It unleashes destruction on the planet, when powered by dark, underground forces, seething in its belly. Is that really a chosen role assumed? One suspects stronger powers forcing its hand, using … Continue reading Reflections

Picnic Island

The sailors had been ferrying people from the port to The Picnic Island for several years. The decks had seen a lot of partying and merrymaking, as they sailed on choppy seas in the dark, and brought back the revellers safely to the shore. Very few stopped to notice a forlorn-looking waitress, with empty eyes, … Continue reading Picnic Island