Cocktail

The morning starts with an Ashley Brilliant quote for me, “I may not be totally perfect, but parts of me are excellent”. I wonder if the Maker is bad at design, and committed awful mistakes in putting me together. The world expected a better version, but is compelled to tolerate me, and keeps expressing its … Continue reading Cocktail

Past

I don’t know why people think the past is romantic. Why do they revel in reunions or visit historical monuments? The past wants a voice in the present, but forgets it has already lived its present. Now it needs to let others live out their present. The present peeks into the past, only to be … Continue reading Past

A piece of scarce pie – one at a time

It’s election time. Freebies flow down the gutter. Every candidate offers something, and for once, the voters have a right to accept or reject. “Why did you pick up that scholarship, son?” “It will help my career, unlike the other things you’ll consume.” “The money is not enough to pay for the entire course.” “It … Continue reading A piece of scarce pie – one at a time

Risk of Living

Those were the days when life was a dream waiting to happen…. I wandered lonely as a cloud, and dreamt of lifelong friends, soul-stirring conversations, ever expanding networks and spheres of influence. Human beings survive on hope and imagination.  Everything that is yet to happen is beautiful. It keeps us moving towards a goal post. … Continue reading Risk of Living

Scamster

“Of course, we’ll be too happy to help you, Ma’m”, stuttered the customer service representative, “just complete the details in the form, and the amount will be credited to your account.” He couldn’t believe a celebrity was taking a small loan from them. The scammer moved ahead confidently with her purported identity. A small effort … Continue reading Scamster

Artificial Intelligence

The eternal secret reveals itself in the fourth decade of her life - keywords not chosen carefully. Subconscious re-imprinting is a full-fledged course in NLP, but who knows when it gets imprinted. Can there be a program to design a child before it comes into the world? It would save so much trouble later. If … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence

Orange on Black

The young scion of a prestigious business family makes waves in the industry, as she completely changes the face of the business. The new products are quirky, cost less than the competition  and appeal to millennials.  Senior managers are concerned about investment being higher than the returns, but the septuagenarian Chairman quips, “The company needs … Continue reading Orange on Black

A letter

I know you don’t expect me, nor am I a welcome visitor in your self-imposed isolation. But this is to let you know that I’ll be there with you next week.  I’m haunted by the stones in that cottage – each carrying a story from the past. Stones chosen carefully for what they represent, got … Continue reading A letter

Launch anew

The auditorium looks gigantic with only four people in the audience. All bookings have been cancelled. Naveen is worried about the bills. He has to pay minimum charges for the event, even if people have not turned up. He gathers himself and starts an informal chat with the four attendees. He thanks them profusely for … Continue reading Launch anew

Between the Covers

Eileen does not want to be in Chapter 1 ….she’d rather appear a little late when Morris has committed mistakes and she has an opportunity to change his life, that is if he is willing to mend his ways. I see myself as a creator of both, but they show no respect for the plot … Continue reading Between the Covers