The Fishermen Know

Silhouetted against the deep grey sky, we turn into wispy shadows. Evenings on the beach are scary, as they make us aware of our smallness. The high tides will cover everything on the golden sands, leaving behind a residue of jellyfish and water snakes. We will walk cautiously again, waiting for the sunrise, and get … Continue reading The Fishermen Know

Gold

Granny loved experimenting with emojis, and her incorrect usage was often a subject of humour in the family. She learnt FaceTime long before Zoom arrived, to stay in touch with her grandchildren who lived abroad. Then, one day, the emoji pack she had downloaded disappeared from her phone. Maybe one of her grandkids decided to … Continue reading Gold

Troubled Waters

Business empires are built by close-knit lobbies, those who act in unison and do not leak information. But loyalty dissolved like sugar in troubled waters. No wonder, for a key member was the competitor’s implant in the system. Weekend Writing Prompt #446

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #411

Welcome to the last RXC prompt of 2025! I will be on a break till the first week of January, 2026! Enjoy the holidays! PROMPT #411 Here is a sentence for you to ponder. You are winding up a number (2025) in the flow of life. "It was not my idea, but it happened." You … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #411

A Toast to Herself

She did not recognise herself in the mirror, and she knew why she received cold or lukewarm responses in meetings and at social events. Epiphany struck—she was shedding skin and not feeling guilty about it, discarding the weight of expectations. Each layer that fell away revealed a pulse of freedom, raw and unashamed. She took … Continue reading A Toast to Herself

Pulled Back

Anna felt like a free person, walking barefoot on the sand. The waves washed her feet and the footprints she left behind in time. Then, suddenly, a high tide of memories would encapsulate her in the existence she left behind. She had lived in terror. She feared that at any moment someone would yell at … Continue reading Pulled Back

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #410

Welcome to the last month of 2025! PROMPT #410 I've navigated a hectic few weeks with multiple problems and urgent tasks cropping up from seemingly unconnected ends. I need to prepare for travel and the wedding season. Online shopping also seems like a chore. My thoughts turn to some time of total relaxation, before I … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #410

Spilled Secrets

It was here that the Queen of International Cuisines wrote her first recipe. She glanced at the ingredients on the shelves and painted poetry on paper. She felt the fragrance and flavors emanating from the notebook. She hired two assistants to implement her culinary design. Lo and behold, she became the most popular author of … Continue reading Spilled Secrets

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #409

Wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends! SHOUT-OUTS Thanks to all my friends here for being a blessing to creativity and collaboration! The special mentions this week are Jude Itakali for creating magic on a single page with his mash-ups. We miss you when you are not around. Suzette B. for … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #409

No Shortcuts

 “Hitch your wagon to mine, and you’ll never be disappointed,” he would often brag in an inebriated state. It gradually became clear that he was referring only to organizational freebies, nothing more. “There is no choice but to do things as they are done here,” yelled a cruder version of the monstrosity called a boss. … Continue reading No Shortcuts