Black Monsters

28th January, 2005, was the day I felt hurt and ignored. 12th June, 2007 ……… She wondered if she was talking to a human being or a talking calendar of events—events she could not remember or relate to, but had trapped his weak mind in repetitive cycles. Sahil kept talking in loops and failed to … Continue reading Black Monsters

The Perfect Date (Mahurat)

“I don’t believe in this mahurat nonsense,” Ajay hissed. “It doesn’t harm us in any way. We are already living together. This event is meant to be a social declaration in India.” They wanted to get married at their annual vacation home, but the priest said there were no auspicious dates during the month. Her … Continue reading The Perfect Date (Mahurat)

Fiercely Private

The laptop screen flickered as the lights went out. She turned back to open the windows, and froze in her tracks as the reflection in the glass was not her own. Words appeared on the device screen unaided by text or voice input – “You left the attic door open and invited me in, so … Continue reading Fiercely Private

The road to power

I find him gasping for breath under the bridge. He could barely keep his head above water. “Who threw you under the bus …er bridge?” I feel almost like a monster when asking this. “Pull me out first. I’ll spill the beans.” I haven’t asked for a scoop. I recall his speech in a conference … Continue reading The road to power

Navigating the Unknown

When the soul’s lease agreement with the body nears its expiry date, I see the irrelevance of other contracts. Duality has never been so transparent and evident as in the almost posthumous messages invading my fading consciousness. The internet enthuses me as a carefully orchestrated image stares back at me. Mirror it is not, as … Continue reading Navigating the Unknown

Enablers

It is a place where relationships lived, revived or died with conversations. Connectedness was the keyword. Plants in the same space are watered regularly, but are starved of oxygen. What kind of oxygen are you referring to? I remember how I felt renewed and invigorated after hearing your voice. Texts do not have the same … Continue reading Enablers

Acorn that I am

Aren’t you surprised to find me shivering in the backyard, when cherry blossoms adorn the season outside? My breath is icy when windows open to welcome fresh air, and kitchens smell of seasonal delicacies. As a seed, I was shot out the back end of a blue jay when, heedless, she flew over the meadow. … Continue reading Acorn that I am

Sammi’s Prompt

Fierce instincts often make me introspect. Where is that broken part of me that I want to defend, heal or conceal? Is it something I deeply value, but it has garnered a negative response from others? Weekend Writing Prompt #411

Choose what grows behind your back

“18 years, and I still remember what happened that fateful night. It is a sight that hasn’t left me ever since.”  “A lot of good things happened after that. Do you celebrate and commemorate those?” “I lived through those like many other people do. But whatever happened that night, happened to me alone.” “And yet, … Continue reading Choose what grows behind your back

Peace

“This is not my country”, the old man sighed, “but I’m afraid of saying so, because I will be asked to leave my birthplace.” “So you belong to X party…” “I don’t belong to any political party, but have been a proud citizen of a democratic country. Equality and mutual respect were highly rated here. … Continue reading Peace