Reena's Exploration Challenge #164 Welcome to the last month of 2020! We’ve all hoped it ends soon, and I hope all of us are ending it on a note of hope. I throw open a question, before netizens take a break for the holidays. How can we change the format of this Challenge in 2021? … Continue reading Reena’s Exploration Challenge #164
Dinner with Diana on Fridays was a ritual, inmates of the asylum had always followed …. some had to be wheeled in by attendants, in a semi-conscious state after medication, but they were all present. ‘You know what, the shots aren’t as bad as you think, and I like the way they put me in … Continue reading In a trance
“Let’s go back…” “I’m fed up of these daily excuses not to run.” She was training for the next event at national level. “It’s not an excuse. I’ll complete the distance running to and fro, to this point, but not beyond this.” “Why?” There was exasperation in his tone, “there are no ghosts on that … Continue reading Warning bells
The shapes and symbols are unfamiliar. He looks around to spot a clue or see similar objects around. No help in sight… he turns back to the screen in desperation and sees the lines getting translated to a known language. The messages give him directions on things he should and shouldn’t do, during his stay … Continue reading Breaking new ground
Reena's Exploration Challenge Welcome back to explore the innermost recesses of our mind! PROMPT #163 We are getting ready for a re-lockdown here, after a sharp spike in the number of Covid cases. Here’s a video depicting a let’s interpretation of life in lockdown. https://aeon.co/videos/lean-into-loneliness-like-it-is-holding-you-a-poetic-reflection-on-life-in-lockdown Take us into your inner world., and let us see … Continue reading Reena’s Exploration Challenge #163
Image: Saturday Evening post He remembers a sense of unease in company right from childhood. He would be full of enthusiasm for a new experience, but find himself at the other end of strange looks. There was something that others could not relate to, and preferred staying away. He attached no great value to relationships … Continue reading In a place I (don’t) wanna be
She came every Thursday, dressed in a shade of blue matching her eyes and her straight, long, auburn tresses burnt the consciousness of all participants there. “I’m fit enough to leave the asylum”, declared a confident-looking young man. “Good to know that, and I’ll bid you goodbye after you have undergone the mandatory tests.” “I … Continue reading Confusion
“I transferred the money to her account. She has to return it.” I could see only the accusing finger in the courtroom, and then her well-moisturised ankle. She hushed up facts about the investment that ran into a loss, and it being in my name, because she expressed inability to sign papers on a working … Continue reading Double Loss
My father is breathing his last. He is the only support I’ve ever had in life. I lost my mother in infancy, and did not have any siblings. A relationship was initiated, but ended badly due to my insecurities. The girl found me too possessive and clinging. I hold his hand, as his breathing gets … Continue reading Confession
“I’m sick of magic mirrors”, my teenage daughter protested, “I don’t like seeing grotesque forms of myself.” “These are not those deforming, illusionary mirrors. You will be transformed forever.” His voice appeared to come from another plane. “What? You mean deformities will be permanent?” “There are no deformities here. The tormentor and tormented look alike, … Continue reading Games people play
