Devil’s Advocate

I picked up the spirit of two lines from Jim's prompt piece. We are in a stage of moral transition. Why have a moral compass when one can drift along and see where life takes us? So, here is a story where the protagonist plays the Devil's Advocate. Rajiv Menon worked in a gleaming glass … Continue reading Devil’s Advocate

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #439

Welcome back! PROMPT #439 We have an image prompt this week. The image shows a unique house atop a rocky cliff with a tree, under a bright blue sky, sourced from Pexels.com. Credit: Ville Alto See where the image takes you. There is no restriction on the length of the piece. There is no last … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #439

Turn of the Wheel – Part 1

“I invite you to a world at the intersection of culture and technology, a world where you will see artificial intelligence and human expertise in seamless integration; where Diversity will add to the richness of experience and inclusion will be celebrated by invitations. Are you ready to join me on this hot air balloon?” Silence. … Continue reading Turn of the Wheel – Part 1

Turn of the Wheel (Part 2)

Michelle, who hails from Trinidad & Tobago, looks at the anxious faces in the room and thinks, “It is not a male or a white male trying to undermine me. They are all with me in this fight against the monsters we created and who are now threatening to take away our jobs.” George is … Continue reading Turn of the Wheel (Part 2)

Turn of the Wheel – Part 3

The year is 2055. It is heartening to see people from different nationalities, genders, and skin colours in a face-to-face meeting, under the same roof. They are achievers in their respective fields who have redefined art, tech, humanities, creativity, and repetitive tasks with artificial intelligence. They notice that the company's face has changed as they … Continue reading Turn of the Wheel – Part 3

Impact

She scrolls past threads tangled in rage. Her silence is deliberate. She refuses to get involved in toxic conversations or vulgar counter-attacks. Elegance is refusal to enter a fruitless debate. Yet across the digital din, another voice erupts: “Elegance be damned. I need to speak my mind. Volcanoes are erupting inside me for decades.” Two … Continue reading Impact

I don’t miss myself

Dawn was just breaking. She stared at the path ahead, wondering if she will make it to the other end. The anklets gradually gave way as she walked. Other worlds awaited her raw beauty and talent that needed some polish. Brava! What emerged from the simple exterior was stunning. Perhaps she was not aware of … Continue reading I don’t miss myself

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #438

Welcome back! PROMPT #438 Here are three quotes that juxtapose words or ideas effectively. “Luxury is not the opposite of poverty, it is the opposite of vulgarity.” – Coco Chanel. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci “Elegance is refusal.” – Coco Chanel You can choose one of the quotes to fire your … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #438

Without

Warrior woman with fiery glowing eyes in medieval stone courtyard

She carried the quote in her mind like a secret scripture: “Lightning without thunder.” Her anger lived in that silence, a storm that lit her veins but never broke into sound. Each act of hers was a part of a well-crafted routine; every gesture of hers was polished calm. Her revenge was not loud—it was … Continue reading Without

Castles in the Air

“Don’t talk about this till the elections are over”, she whispered before saying goodbye. He was over the moon. He had inside access to the future Prime Minister of the country. He had just learnt about the proposed projects and the land acquisition deals that would precede those. Back in the office, he suggested they … Continue reading Castles in the Air