Horror Island

Archie leaped into the air and grabbed at it with fervour… The fervour is surprising on this island. Archie is a phantom whose identity has been crushed, and his system indoctrinated with the researcher’s notes. Aruna ardently wishes Archie regains his memory and recognises himself. Yes, that is necessary before he recognises her and the … Continue reading Horror Island

Difficult Conversations

Do I love the work I do for a living? Probably, no … though I’ve let it grow on me, become a routine I efficiently execute. Life is not always about the ideal, it’s about making viable and practical choices. I’d advise you to take up that internship offer. Weekend Writing Prompt #332

Life Lessons

“That is the beauty of freelancing”, she said, “dig a well everyday to drink water. There is no piped water delivered to your faucets like a salary.” “Well, I’ve never dug a well in my life but I come from a village, where we used a handpump to get water, and I can bet it’s … Continue reading Life Lessons

Discipline

“I salute you.” The surgeon smiled at his mother’s expression.” “But why, Mom, you are an accomplished actress yourself, and have won many awards.” “I learnt knitting long before I learnt acting. If I got a stitch wrong, I’d had to dismantle and re-do the whole thing. It induced discipline in me. Then, theatre performances … Continue reading Discipline

Compatibility

“How did the two of you meet, Mom?” Children get incredibly curious about their parents’ past lives at times. “There were no café dates, but everything to do with working together on a food truck. When we were all fagged out at close of business, Richard took the trouble of concocting something unusual from leftovers, … Continue reading Compatibility

Missing You

I stop in my tracks with squeaky sounds from Angel’s bedroom. But I remember having locked the door properly. I switch on the lights to see a few toys displaced. A toy car comes rolling towards me as if the driver has lost control. Teddy’s face looks crestfallen, and all other soft toys look deflated. … Continue reading Missing You

Anomaly

It’s not unusual for Sara to feel this way – as lonely as a blade of grass in a well-manicured lawn. She longed to be different, even if she was not worshipped, for belonging to an illustrious family. She envisions the arched eyebrows in her mind – the disapproving glance and pursed lips which will … Continue reading Anomaly

Presence

She appears to be in love with her words as she utters them. Maybe, it’s the glorious images those words conjure in her mind – her pristine superiority, pictures of herself and her loved ones ruling the world with an opinionated hand. It’s no joke, but a narcissist mind at work. I’m a criminal because … Continue reading Presence

Narcissist

She appears to be in love with her words as she utters them. Maybe, it’s the glorious images those words conjure in her mind – her pristine superiority, pictures of herself and her loved ones ruling the world with an opinionated hand. It’s no joke, but a narcissist mind at work. I’m a criminal because … Continue reading Narcissist

Too much too soon

His thoughts turn to his first visit to a candy store with the 500-rupee note his aunt gave him. Greedy is the only label he can put on that version of himself. He ate too much too fast, and landed in the doctor’s clinic with a stomachache. Sania’s message causes heartache. She is the best … Continue reading Too much too soon