Cinderella’s Slipper

The celebration party is in full swing. Business heads claim credit for this quarter's record-breaking sales and thank their bosses for their support. The single shoe in police custody wonders if the unwarranted publicity has helped. It’s not much fun being the modern version of Cinderella’s glass slipper when the nation is hunting for the … Continue reading Cinderella’s Slipper

Confidence booster

The evergreen actor follows some rituals that perplex his co-stars. A younger co-star suddenly stopped talking as she realised he was not listening to her. He was busy chanting, “I’m the best, I’m the best…” Later in the day, she quipped, “Do you need that confidence booster? You’re undoubtedly one of the best.” “Everybody needs … Continue reading Confidence booster

The Last Leg

The deathbed feels like such a welcome place, though the medical team around her does not accept it as such. She wants to ask them not to poke all those needles in a body she would soon discard, but the oxygen mask prevents her from speaking. In retrospect, life has been a series of wondering … Continue reading The Last Leg

Devil at the Doorstep

“Who spun this web around my dreams? Delusions increase the gap between perspectives. One cannot view things from the other side. Walking in another’s shoes is a remote dream. It is a mental state in which imagination is a mild term. Hallucinations lead to lowly acts that one would not think of otherwise.” There was … Continue reading Devil at the Doorstep

Steps

The escalator was not working today, and each step felt … different, if not painful. It enhanced awareness of the journey without looking at a hand-held screen. I glanced at the other side and watched people alight quickly as if they enjoyed the process. I’m unsure if downward movement is always a joy,  but it … Continue reading Steps

Seal the deal

She loved the swing in the garden  at first sight. The interior décor of the cottage was rather quaint, with extensive use of local handicrafts. The broker wondered  if a renowned scientist would appreciate art. “I need a peaceful place for  my research, and there cannot be a place better than this.  Seal the deal.” … Continue reading Seal the deal

In self-defence

Gary pushed “send” on the email and hoped for the best… He knew the Recall option, but this last arrow from his quiver had to be shot -in his interest. ------ The police landed at Amy’s doorstep to arrest her.  The charge was issuing threats to the head honcho of a company. All her pleas … Continue reading In self-defence

Peace

The organisers of the show will be supervising the arrangements as the date of the event gets closer. “Think  about the trouble participants go through for leave, travel bookings,  arranging  for family comfort in  their absence, packing  for uncertain schedules, finally getting here to share dormitories or rooms,  and remember that we need to  treat … Continue reading Peace

Limelight

It was one of those nights when shafts of light rekindle dreams. It is not a process of reawakening but realignment. He could view the same story from a different perspective, as different installations of logic highlighted events. Orrie found himself on the path to fame without doing anything that called for merit. His association … Continue reading Limelight

Epiphany

She was a strict disciplinarian,  and her hawkish stance on policy matters was well-known. These are disputably good qualities for a leader of the high calibre and have carried her to the peak she occupies today. However,  the people she resided with lived in deep discomfort – compelled to become aware of their fears, foibles … Continue reading Epiphany