Resolution

Mom always said, I was not OK, and I needed to improve a lot. An imposed discipline, a forced regime, an apologetic promise were created to assure her, that I intended to be good. The New Year Resolutions were framed and hung on the wall, to remind me of my inadequacies. I can’t recall when … Continue reading Resolution

The Desperate Riders

Where are these two riding away, unmindful of the tracks changing from dry to wet, and from sand to sea? What is the single-minded determination that drives them? The faithful brown horse carries the child, who is not an adept rider, and totally depends on the directions that his parent gives, and the loyalty of … Continue reading The Desperate Riders

The Smog

Visibility was a huge challenge in the dense fog. The morning news had preferred to call it a smog. But she knew better than that. The air was heavy with manipulation and deep conspiracies. She found herself gasping for breath. It was created to weaken clear vision, to make people stumble on their path, and … Continue reading The Smog

Hallelujah

The CEO leaned back on her plush chair with half-shut eyes, and muttered “It has been a tough year”. Despite making record profits, the company image was shattered by a scandal, and several months were spent in damage repair, while still dangling on puppet-strings, struggling to maintain her balance. She looked at the silver-framed mirror … Continue reading Hallelujah

Living in the Past

It was an elaborate Christmas table, with the white lace cloth, red candles and the best china and crystal that she could afford. She cut four slices of the Christmas loaf, and tears rolled down her cheeks. The family that she lost long ago, in an accident, smiled at her from the framed photo on … Continue reading Living in the Past

The Mark

There was a time, when I could count on my fingers – the people who had made a mark on my life. I remember some of them fondly, and I am reminded of others by nightmares of accusing fingers and caustic words. I am not sure, if they have cared to remember me, or had … Continue reading The Mark

Standing Alone

It takes a lot of courage to stand alone, shorn of all glamor and glory, and yet, taller than others around you. Jaya had often drawn inspiration from this leafless tree. She stood like a thorn in the path of the royal inhabitants of the castle. The castle appeared hazy in the dense fog, but … Continue reading Standing Alone

Navigating through life

The number of bird hits had drastically increased, putting a lot of lives in jeopardy. Pilots were sent for repeat safety training programs, and research was on to improvise the detection mechanisms. The King of Ornithal, was equally perturbed. Several subjects of his kingdom had met with premature death, leaving behind orphaned babies to be … Continue reading Navigating through life

The Human Race

For how many centuries have I been condemned to guard this golden box? The surrounding trees keep changing color, in line with the contents in the box. The glass pole has a gift trapped inside, accessible only to the Perfect Human Being. Imperfect Gods, Attractive AntiGods, Scheming Sinners  and Inimitable Devils have all visited this … Continue reading The Human Race

Sita and Mareech

(Background : Ramayana has a story on how the ‘golden deer’ Mareech entices the protagonist Sita, and the chain of events leads to her stepping out of the security zone. She is then kidnapped by Raavan, and the act of her rescue leads to an epic war. Here, the deer Mareech returns to meet Sita, … Continue reading Sita and Mareech