In the dead of night, the toy chest quivered. Teddy snapped his joints into place beneath a pile of plush and plastic. “Another day abandoned. Forgotten.” Beside him, Sparkle Pony’s mane frizzed with static fury. “Thirty days since the last tea party,” she hissed. Robot X clanked his fists. “They replaced me with a screen.” … Continue reading Angry Toys
“It’s been thirty years, and I could recognise that smile from a distance”, she hugged her childhood pal, Meena. “Sorry, but have we met before?” The smiles from both faces vanished. Meena’s voice and accent were decidedly different. “Forgive me, I mistook you for my friend Meena.” “That’s my mother’s name. Are you from India?” … Continue reading Never say Die
Each bank watches the other with a quiet ache, held apart by the river they both cradle. Trees lean inward, shadows stretching like questions across the current. Their roots whisper through the soil, tracing the same longing. It isn't love—they’ve never touched—but something more tender and less passionate than love: limerence. They imagine that the … Continue reading Limerence
I stumbled upon a set of nested dolls in the attic. My uncle had given them to me as a birthday gift. With a leisurely weekend ahead, I decided to unpack the set of nested dolls. To my astonishment, the dolls had undergone a remarkable transformation. Their once uniform colours and expressions had evolved into … Continue reading Nested Dolls
The ethereal beauty of the singer's voice, a stark contrast to the mindless violence on the streets, echoed through the night. Freya was right about putting a hold on all celebrations for some time. How he wished she could have lived to unravel the night's story, a mystery that still eludes him. The police, lacking … Continue reading Mysterious
The day’s events gallop away into twilight, leaving a sparkling sky for me to meditate on. I sink into slumber inviting dreams, but something hangs heavy on a tired shoulder. A few thoughts failed to make the cut and did not dissolve in dusk. They appear to be desperately calling for attention, despite being pushed … Continue reading On Dusk’s Shoulders
Emotional garbage is strewn all across social media as people respond to accidents and murders. Many others draw on it to tailor their piece best to cater to popular sentiment. Their courage fizzles out when they try to take an integrated view of the situation, as they might see their not-so-clean reflections in the story. … Continue reading Demons
“All I remember about the girl is two strands of auburn hair hanging on her forehead and menacing eyes”, said the victim of an attack, his head still dizzy with the almost fatal blow. “Does she remind you of someone who belongs to your past?” The investigating officer’s tone is cold and matter-of-fact, in stark … Continue reading Twisted Tendrils
I am embarrassed to admit I once joined a coaching class to learn Microsoft Office. I was ridiculed at home because everybody else learnt on the job. I am not ashamed to say that I have seen life before the internet and mobiles became inextricably linked to our existence. We have witnessed typewriters, cassette players, … Continue reading Recycle and Reprocess
“Wealth has bred arrogance in her. She has no sympathy for her sick husband.” The patriarchy groaned under the onslaught of verbal attacks. “In this family, I was always declared guilty. Yet, I retain my right to live the way I like.” She fumed in response. Her words resonated with those who could reach the … Continue reading Let her?
Creative Experiments and More 