With Consternation

It might take longer reaching there. The path is jagged and I need to yield to traffic from the other side. There are butterflies in my stomach as I navigate the roads skilfully, with one eye on the look out for a traffic cop. I am committed to attending the gang’s meeting at the other … Continue reading With Consternation

Dwarfed

I feel dwarfed by the opulence of art. I watch the ceiling float away as the artist’s conceptualisation and expression rise into the sky, and place them next to the Creator. They are fractals of God. The power packed in minuscule forms makes me strike off the “small” words from my lexicon. Nothing in the … Continue reading Dwarfed

Idealists

A face would appear on the fence after he received her message. They will get into a waiting car and drive to an idyllic world free from crime, corruption, bigotry, and evil social systems. The escape looks well-planned and easy. Except that it was not. There were no mobile phones or waiting cars when they … Continue reading Idealists

Artistry

Sugar ropes entwine to create visually appealing shapes that invite a bite. The shapes will be destroyed, but the sugar will enter the victim's system. What are we talking about? Oral doses of morphine will be used instead of injectibles in the party… The sugar artist continued in a daze. What will you gain by … Continue reading Artistry

Domes

Domes are built to resonate with energy and make a lasting impact on people inside. But they also restrict the sky and the invasion of new thought processes. New thought? Is that rebellion? It is the beginning of a new era. It will make people long for the beautiful, principled past. Only if they survive … Continue reading Domes

The Fishermen Know

Silhouetted against the deep grey sky, we turn into wispy shadows. Evenings on the beach are scary, as they make us aware of our smallness. The high tides will cover everything on the golden sands, leaving behind a residue of jellyfish and water snakes. We will walk cautiously again, waiting for the sunrise, and get … Continue reading The Fishermen Know

Spilled Secrets

It was here that the Queen of International Cuisines wrote her first recipe. She glanced at the ingredients on the shelves and painted poetry on paper. She felt the fragrance and flavors emanating from the notebook. She hired two assistants to implement her culinary design. Lo and behold, she became the most popular author of … Continue reading Spilled Secrets

Reverse Vision

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) is one of India’s longest-running sitcoms, first aired on July 28, 2008 on Sony SAB, created by Asit Kumarr Modi and produced by Neela Film Productions. It is based on columnist Tarak Mehta’s Gujarati work Duniya Ne Undha Chashmah. The show revolves around the residents of Gokuldham Society, portraying … Continue reading Reverse Vision

It’s not what you look at, but what you see

It’s a pleasure to see flowers bloom in the unlikeliest of places. Look at the reflection. Water carries memories, and its freshness will go a long way toward touching all those who use or consume it. I see rocky reflections too… Take a deep breath, pause and watch the rocks float. They are not as … Continue reading It’s not what you look at, but what you see

Immigrants

It is Christmas again, the first after her husband’s departure. The house opposite hers has distinctly changed. The new owners strung lanterns shaped like moons and stars, not snowflakes. No inflatable Santa, no blinking reindeer—just quiet warmth. Curious, she watched them humming tunes she didn’t recognise. On Christmas Eve, they left a small box at … Continue reading Immigrants