The Waiting Room

The waiting room is a place to reflect. I chose to stay back. I was not left behind. I saw journeys caught in the grip of monstrosities—people suspended between the blue sky and deep water, watching power gather to crush their path, and all that lay upon it. They could only plead for a moment … Continue reading The Waiting Room

Unmindfulness

The metro doors slid open, and Arjun squeezed himself into the human tide, his laptop bag pressed like armour against the crowd. The crowd stepped on a sandwich in a brown bag, and he wondered who would miss a meal. He thought of his boss, a man who measured worth in missed lunches and late … Continue reading Unmindfulness

Follow the unexpected

She rode a bicycle all the way to audition for an ad to fulfil her dream of being a model. But Lolita Lolita Tulum, a skincare and fashion brand, had already chosen a celebrity as their brand ambassador. Her freshness and commitment had to wait for another opportunity. As she turned back in a dejected … Continue reading Follow the unexpected

Ugliest Secret of Success

One day, the Aspirant stumbled upon the ugliest secret of success. It made him want to abandon his aspirations. Nobody needed his strengths because it made them feel insecure. The people at the top of every pyramid reached there by trading on weaknesses. It is easier to blackmail someone into unquestioning obedience in return for … Continue reading Ugliest Secret of Success

The Weak Human

“Does he know the magnitude of the opportunity he has missed with his temper tantrum?” was the common refrain after he threw the laptop on his manager’s face. The fire was not just anger; it was history erupting, and when the eruption passed, he stood among the ruins, knowing the mountain inside him would never … Continue reading The Weak Human

Action without Expression

Who would have decided her place in the world and what she was supposed to do with her life – geography, lineage, personal values, philosophy of life, political leanings, relationship status, money? Each contributes in a small way, but only she knew how to put it all together to make sense of her existence. She … Continue reading Action without Expression

Ruins

The cobwebs start susurrating before I put the bag down and open the grilled doors to a neglected past. Everything that once adorned the house has been taken away – the linen, the crockery, the cushions and carpets - leaving behind ruins of the original owner’s expectations. The locker and almirahs were found to be … Continue reading Ruins

From Ivory Towers to Melting Realities

Businessman leaning on balcony railing watching colleagues hurry on sidewalk

Discover the fable of an Indian CEO in a multinational corporation whose ivory tower was made of wax—an allegory for leadership illusions.

Out of Order

Tiny slivers of historical evidence cannot withstand the scrutiny of critics and the superimposition of meaning by those in power. Books are written, rewritten, translated, interpreted and destroyed till approved textbook versions take their place. Children memorise those not out of curiosity, but to pass exams. They have been programmed anyway, unwittingly and unconsciously. The … Continue reading Out of Order

Rapids

Arjun, Khushi, Sammy and Anshula had just stepped out of the calm waters of school life, their marksheets still fresh, their dreams of becoming doctors glowing like lanterns. It was their first week in the medical college hostel. At night, the seniors gathered like shadows, their voices echoing through the corridors. “Sing the anatomy song!” … Continue reading Rapids