Why don’t you understand?

Your getting out of here means disaster - for you as well as reputation of the ruling party. You hold secrets which can spell the end of the empire, and your life will not be spared after the expose. “My question is straight and simple — Aren’t you a party to whatever is happening?” “Women … Continue reading Why don’t you understand?

Quotes

I found three quotes on the wall of an office. “The world does not change, because of genes. We need to make radical efforts to counteract the DNA impact, and develop new methodologies.” “Everything I say today has been said before….just that I don’t know who said it and when.” “Nature’s effort will be wasted, … Continue reading Quotes

In God we trust, and ….

“I trust in God, and the rocks which I need to navigate.” It is a small prayer they all say before embarking on adventures. The monk in red robes had arrived only last week, to tell them about a monastery at the top. There are monks who meditate there in silence, and do not appreciate … Continue reading In God we trust, and ….

Bridge to nowhere

The Palace of Wheels, Rajasthan, India  “There was a girl in the compartment. She asked if I’ve come for her, and gave me this piece of paper.” The attendant quietly took the paper from me, and scanned it. “Here it is ….. November, 1960” “What does that mean?” “It’s the spirit of a girl who … Continue reading Bridge to nowhere

Contingency plan

Company headquarters in Germany devised a contingency plan in 2020. What if the workforce in India fails to deliver during the pandemic? It is a country of 1.2 billion with less healthcare facilities. Today, news arrives that we need to plan to deliver more. A major part of the German workforce is indisposed. “Hey! What … Continue reading Contingency plan

Seeds

The one-year old throws up, and his mother looks hassled. “He doesn’t know when to stop eating.” Systems are put in place to keep a check on his oral consumption. He cries and cries, then indulges in vengeful acts - like breaking a glass to see his mother in tears. The kid insists on checking … Continue reading Seeds

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #171

PROMPT #171 We have a dialogue prompt this week .... with a twist. What is the twist? You need to take it forward from the perspective of the opposite gender, not yours. You may use the dialogue as a theme, beginning or end. Your piece can be fiction, poetry, an anecdote, historical fiction, biographical sketch, … Continue reading Reena’s Exploration Challenge #171

The Glass Mountain

She was castigated for her courage, let down by those who resented her leadership, put down by puny egos. Yet, she rose to be at the pinnacle of a small mountain she constructed by choice. A tiny, glass mountain adorned her desk and she never failed to credit it with being a source of inspiration. … Continue reading The Glass Mountain

Magnets

I struggled with motivation, behaviour management and therapy for a long time. And then during a visualisation session, enlightenment struck… I felt these innumerable magnets dancing inside me, uncontrolled. I just had to re-orient those and increase their power to attract the right things. No mean task though …. There is always an opposite pole … Continue reading Magnets

Protocols

“Thanks for guarding what I left behind! I ran three blocks to find this.” His twinkling eyes betray the shabbiness of his attire. “Are you sure you will take it back?” “Yes. Why do you ask?” “I’m convinced that you’re the owner. Three others stopped, sprayed sanitiser on it, and are probably waiting somewhere in … Continue reading Protocols