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
Turn off all the lights. Do not document barbarism, or give it a place in history. Destroy all records of past enmity induced by colonialist rulers who walked away after leaving nations to consume themselves. Let future generations not know what happened before. Silence the souls that cry for revenge. Invite them to participate in … Continue reading Obliteration
It was a vacation from life. I watched friends and foes drown in uncertainty, rise up to the surface, find tools to reach the bottom of the ocean, while I flew around soundlessly. I don’t know why the flight felt like a suspension, like I was a kite - not a bird with wind under … Continue reading Holiday
“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
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
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
The magnificence of curtains is unable to contain the discord inside, or conceal the beauty of the open sky outside. The contradiction is stark and conclusions unspeakable. He wonders if there is a proscenium outside, where a prologue on the drama is delivered to onlookers. It will prepare them for dialogues that are yet to … Continue reading Let the mob decide
Meeting ex-colleagues after long is a double-edged sword. We start getting into zones we want to forget, after the initial euphoria fades. Anyway, they were here …. lunching together at the same place, where they did years ago. “Hank, why do you think we did not rise as fast the current generation does?” Tom spoke … Continue reading Regretfully yours
“Do you see a thought shoot across the sky of existence like lightning? Those thoughts have changed the course of history.” “Will it be rude to say I disagree?” “You have every right to say so….” “How far does your thought go then?” “It makes history if it finds supporters.” “……….or detractors? What changes the … Continue reading Path-breaking
“I guess you love the food here. We’ve introduced a few new dishes”. The waiter pushed the sparkling menu card on the table. “Bring it on. I’d love to savour the food slowly”. The smile is clipped. “Oh, that’s the best way to enjoy our delicacies. The chefs really put in a lot of effort … Continue reading Watched
