“How can you be so nonchalant towards your torturer?” “Because I never let him take charge of my psyche. He’s the dirty outsider I leave behind before entering myself.” “So, forgiveness is your panacea for sorrow?” “No. I don’t let the unwanted come in.” Weekend Writing Prompt
Sarah had been dreading her 47th birthday. Being on the wrong side of 40 is bad enough, and 47 is inching close to half a century. Isn’t it anticipated? Everybody goes through the age cycle. Calendars and clocks don’t stop. Even if someone does stop those with artificial intelligence, the earth won’t stop revolving around … Continue reading The Prediction
The freedom to walk unshackled is priceless. I walked free before this only when I took baby steps, and stumbled against every piece of furniture in the room. Somebody, obviously not a well-wisher, placed the burden of tradition on my shoulders. I was the eldest in the family, president of the business club and a … Continue reading Roots
What is it that makes us such a voyeur – peeping through a window, opening a sealed envelope addressed to someone else, checking another’s phone, reading a biography, clicking pictures surreptitiously? What makes us feel so empty inside that we need to fill up the space with bits and bytes from other lives? A celebrity … Continue reading Voyeurism
Welcome back! PROMPT #292 I came across a story about a time traveler who brought back a picture from year 6000, and left a friend behind. The picture he shows is distorted, but he claims During the time travel process, pictures among other things tend to get distorted. Let this line drive you to write … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #292
“The twins are growing up to very different from each other,” rues an exasperated aunt who pampered the duo in their early years. “Whose imprints do they carry?” She looks baffled, “You mean what did they inherit?” “They did. But what makes each individual unique is their experience and how they react to external stimuli. … Continue reading Shades, hues and intensity
How could I have been such a shoddy player? The battlefield looks different and the soldiers placed in wrong positions. The moves were directed by market information, and ‘my eyes and ears out on the field’, but it looks like everybody took me for a ride. Saurabh looks crestfallen on seeing the 360-degree feedback on … Continue reading Topsy-turvy
“Mumma, I hope Harry does not dismantle our train.” “This is a real train, baby, not a toy for Harry to dismantle. Relax and enjoy the view.” Aaaaargh… someone dismantled it, Mumma It was destiny, not Harry. They held each other tight as the carriages rolled down the valley. “Don’t worry, darling. A rescue team … Continue reading Destiny
Anements - decorative lights “I don’t know in which direction to shoot. His clones are all over the place.” “Hit the one at closest range, and watch others move.” A gunshot makes a tiny hole in the sky, and stars start dropping, all equally shiny and shapeless. He gathers those in a bag for the … Continue reading Anements
“The pitch feels different”, Wilson’s message to his boss is disturbing. “You’re not one to get outsmarted. I’m sure you studied the terrain well before entering the conference room.” No reply… Silence feels ominous. “Is there a woman in the other team?” types his boss anxiously. “No. I can detect a honey trap.” “Then, what … Continue reading Outmaneuvered
