Never a great cook, she rummaged through the larder to see if she could put together a meal for two. She wondered what her housekeeper would do with the limited ingredients, without the herbs and sauces she always kept handy. But whom is she trying to impress when she could easily order a fancy meal? … Continue reading Culinary Adventures
The spaces I leave for grass to grow give a different texture to stories. They tell me so much about what happens underground. I retain the choice to accept or reject theories. The lies in the world are spoken either with an ulterior motive or because I could not say, “Wait till I dig the … Continue reading Strategic Grass
The countryside calls me back. I miss the music of the flowing river flirting with rocks, which spawns folklore about its origin and the blessings and curses it carries. I watch my shapely wife, wearing a red swimming costume, complete the 50 laps she does every day to meet her fitness goals. She is dedicated, but the stagnant pool … Continue reading Gaps
We spread our arms to receive blessings from the Universe, and thunder strikes. It is only an announcement that God’s bounty or forgiveness will not take us anywhere towards Nirvana. We were created imperfect with a mission to achieve near perfection, and it is a rocky road with no shortcuts. The self-appointed agencies of God have … Continue reading Malleable
lights blinking in the darkness, but signals do not matchI trust ya and flash a light, but stopthe bridge above calls it a fraudulent moveI'm desperate to meet my counterpart I trust ya and flash a light, but stopWho can crack the code without a common language?I'm desperate to meet my counterparttrust is premium; being … Continue reading Cracking a code
“Is this a house?” “It looks like an old-fashioned inn we read about in story books”. “It's not inspiring enough for me to get in,” Ted said, turning his face away with an upturned nose. So we walked on, the anticipation of finding a place that would satisfy Ted’s taste and my rumbling stomach keeping … Continue reading On a hungry stomach
The red-tiled roof, a symbol of resilience, starkly contrasts the fleeting beauty of the rainbow. The tree, a silent sentinel, has witnessed the many storms the roof has weathered, providing unwavering support to the house's residents, a comforting presence in times of turmoil. The bird, with a heart full of courage, tests her wings. Perhaps … Continue reading To each their own
The eerie feel in the air is unmistakable. It is the kind of evening when the sky could start raining aliens. The ground beneath my feet is firm, yet I walk gingerly, fearing it could give way to instability. I recall being caught in quicksands on a college picnic and how my classmates formed a … Continue reading Fearsome
Did we ever stop to discover sterling qualities in each other? Ideologically, we were on opposite sides of an imaginary fence. We lived at cross-purposes and tried never to cross each other’s paths. When I started writing, I learned to explore and develop characters' mindsets. I found myself thinking of you more often, and I … Continue reading Two-sided
“Back home, we were called a lemon set. We are four sisters who are not quadruplets but look almost the same. We’ve taken after our mother.” “Did it not feel derogatory to be called a lemon set?” quips the interviewer. “For a while, it did, and we dressed differently. However, now that we all live … Continue reading Sameness
