The devil shrieks, “She’s up again”, and I rise from bed with a spring in my step. It is a story I tell myself to keep morale up for a challenging day. I’m known as a tease, a temptress, a shrew, and a manipulator as I juggle several hats to keep the show going. I … Continue reading Trap
In childhood, our teachers processed the world for us. We believed the picture they created for us. To some extent, they also shaped our goals. Then, influence gets granular. Bosses, peers, gurus, media, and literature influence our self-image and how we view the world. We pat our backs fulfilling someone else’s expectations; we flagellate ourselves … Continue reading Nirvana
“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 knife's metal blade catches threads of light to gleam as the sweetness of the fruit lingers on my tongue. It takes a knife and sharp teeth to extract sweetness from a well-bred fruit. The book taught me horticultural tricks but not the art of enjoying the fruit of my labour. I learnt it from the hard knocks … Continue reading Changing Gear
I met him after two decades, seated behind the counter at the Mom-and-Pop store, getting things packed for the delivery boys. I recall his arrogance as the concurrent auditor (he was related to the promoters) in the bank branch where I worked and the life-changing moment when he exclaimed, both condescendingly and lecherously, “She’s not my … Continue reading Presumptuous
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
She licks her lips to wipe off the foam. The coffee taste is incredible, but this foam refuses to go away. She wipes it off with a paper napkin and puts it back in the empty cup. She cannot believe her eyes. It seems to be drowning in non-existent liquid and then vanishes altogether. It … Continue reading The Art of Wooing
“Do you think someone allegedly involved in a fraud deserves a bonus and stock options?” her quivering voice echoes in the closed chamber. The question is direct, hard-hitting, and almost accusing. The honcho turns around in his chair, provocatively taps the cigar on the ashtray, and watches the dropped ash cool and shrink. “I know … Continue reading Clawback
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
“I think it is time for me to get married.” Mrs. Sen’s face was surprised, as her son Pronnoy had resisted marriage for the last few years. “The woman I have in mind earns Rs.1.2 crores in a year and owns an apartment in South Bombay. I can focus on investing in stocks and cryptocurrency. … Continue reading Opportunity Cost
Creative Experiments and More 