“Our vision of the future is quite often, a projection of our past experience, and this is the only reason for disappointment, heartbreak and relationship failures”, Manil wonders if his son’s words emanate from wisdom or vested interest. “In absence of this connection, how do I visualize the future? Won’t it be a fairy tale … Continue reading A Father Listens
When the moon grows full, a story howls from deep precincts of the psyche. It wants to remain in the dark, yet bask in moonlight. It was asked to stay incognito, out of bounds for the civilized world. I feel it growing inside me like an expectant mother, knowing that eventually, it will see lights … Continue reading When the Moon Grows Full
The fluttering calendar says it has been three months since she lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs, and Francisco has nursed and taken care of her during this phase. “Come on, discard the walker. You can walk on your own two feet.” “These feet don’t feel like mine anymore.” “You need to use … Continue reading Crutches
“They’ve set fire to a sacred place”. “Fire can work in two ways. It destroys everything it encounters, converting it to carbon footprints. It can also ignite minds and hearts to do something that has never been done before”. “It sounds good to this point. The point is whether those ignited minds and hearts make … Continue reading Jumping the gun
Peace will descend tonight from Heaven, and all will be well with the world. Are you sure of those spirits up there – can they even hear our voices? Well, we need to ask the clouds and the sky about how much permeability they offer…. Then what gives you that confidence of tonight? Actually, confidence … Continue reading Waiting for Godot
The imposing façade succeeded in concealing long-standing conflicts in the family. But the patriarch’s death suddenly brought it all out in the open. “Find a place for yourself and your families. I’m selling this house.” The matriarch dropped a bombshell on unsuspecting generations. They had come to take this house and the identity it gave … Continue reading Shade of the Oak Tree
The holiday resort boasts of having a frozen chamber – in a country that sees snow only on mountain peaks. Her boisterous teenagers come out with shades of blue on their skin. It has been a tough battle keeping them in. Yes, snow would be the easy way out, even if it was artificial. “Mom, … Continue reading Thaw the Blues
I don’t mind being called the Rebel of the Century or a cynic or spoilsport. But whenever someone who is in power or an aspirant to power highlights a story, I look in other directions. What are they trying to conceal, or divert attention from? “You fall victim to people’s stories ….” is an oft-repeated … Continue reading Gaslighting
Maya had no clue what a cold reception meant. But the sharpness of her step-mom’s sarcasm stung like leafless twigs on sore skin. Suddenly, the Destitute Childrens’ Home felt like a better place, where she’d friends and a matron who loved them. She’d to share a dorm with seventeen other inmates, and two washrooms between … Continue reading Cold Reception
Spooky is whatever our senses are not trained to interpret or understand. It lies outside the domain of ordinary life. My maternal grandfather had to reach his village where his wife was counting her last breaths. The bridge on the river he had to cross had broken down, and he was wondering if he will … Continue reading Spooky
