There’s something magical about the room, but not in a nice way. Is Ellen imagining the figure on the wall, or is it really there? Dad told her not to make up imaginary friends or foes. Wait and watch if the object under observation can really harm. The figure does not move, but something leaps … Continue reading Preparedness
It was her first taste of whiskey. “You look wasted. Learn to stop at the right time,” a so-called well-wisher quipped. “The first sip is the right time.” Gloria replies wryly. She is impressed by the exquisitely carved glass, not the drink. Disappointment boiled and fermented inside, till she changed completely as an individual. Her … Continue reading No impact
“Thai cooking is no joke without the right ingredients”, the celebrity chef grumbled, “I found galangal, but kaffir lime leaves are substituted with lemon zest.” “Don’t you think ingredients need to be sourced from abroad, for the astronomical price that you charge for a meal?” the local chef was feeling left out. “Understand the opportunity … Continue reading Exotica
This was his desk from where he texted customers every evening. “Have dirty linen to wash? You can trust us to maintain complete secrecy.” It was a marketing technique that worked reasonably well for him. Customers smiled as they handed over their laundry. One afternoon, a well-manicured hand filled the empty cup with coffee. He … Continue reading Dirty Linen
If a brain can spin, it happens inside these tiny heads. If I had a device to scan the insides of a skull, it would show two different colours on the left and right sides, with the capacity to interchange between left and right, and between the siblings. I’ve never seen any kid carve out … Continue reading Spinning brains
An electronics research guide says, “I learnt a few subjects, excelled in some and mastered one enough to help others in their research. But one thing I could never decipher is why two people like or dislike each other.” Clearly, the theory of attraction or repulsion between nuclear particles does not apply to human interactions … Continue reading Insulation
He is declared the hero once again, the star performer being applauded for his superlative performance in sales. The announcement of a special bonus warms the cockles of his heart. He waddles through the corridors, unable to carry the weight of his pride. It’s an open secret that his networks are more powerful than the … Continue reading Naivete
The fading superstar reinstates himself by owning a cricket team. Writing cheques to buy superstars of sports is intoxicating. Rumours circulate that he chooses the cheerleaders himself. He is so sure they draw people to watch the events, much more than the performance of champions. The stadium is full, but his team is losing. It … Continue reading Superstars
Irrestibubble is an aerated chocolate, and cream cakes are naughty but nice. Prospective buyers see innocent faces of kids in these words. The copywriter who coined these terms is proclaimed guilty of sacrilege, and fatwas are issued against him. He survives an assassination attempt, but is stabbed again just before a scheduled lecture at Chautauqua, … Continue reading Literary Artist
Competition and Collaboration both look at the same problem. The problem is fairly consistent, but the view changes as vested interests give it a different colour. So much so, that the question mark looks kaleidoscopic. Rainbows assume shapes of a question mark, but it turns out to be a manipulated prank by the meteorological department. … Continue reading Vanished Question
