Rapids

Arjun, Khushi, Sammy and Anshula had just stepped out of the calm waters of school life, their marksheets still fresh, their dreams of becoming doctors glowing like lanterns. It was their first week in the medical college hostel. At night, the seniors gathered like shadows, their voices echoing through the corridors. “Sing the anatomy song!” … Continue reading Rapids

Glamour Meets Gloom

Young woman with disheveled hair and smeared makeup standing in a doorway at night

One glance was enough to say she was not her usual self – dishevelled hair, runny mascara, lipstick in ageing lines around the mouth. “Another late night, I presume … you slept without removing your makeup?” She made an effort to adjust the strap on her shoulder, but the slip hanging below her knees was … Continue reading Glamour Meets Gloom

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #442

Welcome back! PROMPT #442 We have a few common words to ponder about this week, and use those to write something. It is not necessary that the word is the theme of the piece. Just a mention speaks a lot about how you treat it. Light — What truths emerge when the weight of light … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #442

Time and God

It flows with me, but I can’t keep pace with it. I am a dot. I ask the river to carry my story to the oceans. It accepts by touching my hand lowered over the guardrail. The sun takes away a part of it, and clouds rain somewhere else. Other stories are curious and want … Continue reading Time and God

I don’t wanna write

It is not easy to learn ancient languages, especially those that are not in vogue now. They carry history – not just dates, but culture, emotions and compulsions. One wonders why they did whatever they did, and then, the answer pops out of someone’s monologue. The fears that shackled their mindsets, and the hope that … Continue reading I don’t wanna write

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #441

Welcome back! We have been interpreting images for the last two weeks, so let's play around with the rhythm and structure of words for a change. PROMPT #441 = Parataxis and Hypotaxis Two techniques—parataxis and hypotaxis—can completely change the emotional texture of a scene. PARATAXIS is writing without conjunctions. It places clauses side by side, … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #441

Cultural Reset

She switched off the TV, put the phone aside and sat still, refusing to participate in the heated discussions around her. “Our social structures are under attack. The path that young women are taking spells disaster for families.” They condemned the girl who killed her fiancé, whom she was being compelled to marry. Her statement … Continue reading Cultural Reset

Co-author

She saw it floating on the TV console, then on the wall – the shadow of half a face wearing a turban with dark, intense eyes. Did she do the right thing by choosing to stay alone in a palace converted to a hotel resort? She walked to the library and randomly pulled out a … Continue reading Co-author

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #440

Welcome back! PROMPT #440 We have an image prompt again this week. This is a little tricky, but let your imagination take you wherever it goes. There is no restriction on the length of the piece. There is no last date unless you wish to be featured in the Weekly Wrap. We will not include … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #440

I am ….

I am not beyond your reach, but reaching me takes tremendous willpower. Things look different from here. The aerial view gives me access to a lot more than the reach of your imagination. I can see your different masks, different acts and the reasons for limited perspectives. The secrets of the earth and oceans travel … Continue reading I am ….