Immigrants

It is Christmas again, the first after her husband’s departure. The house opposite hers has distinctly changed. The new owners strung lanterns shaped like moons and stars, not snowflakes. No inflatable Santa, no blinking reindeer—just quiet warmth. Curious, she watched them humming tunes she didn’t recognise. On Christmas Eve, they left a small box at … Continue reading Immigrants

Fermented Fables

The canvas has not moved, but the picture has changed. I’m not one to be tricked by visual illusions, but Earnest Easel insists it is the Truth. The Creative Canvas is an Empath that captures colours and shapes from the surroundings and reflects them. Tonight is the night of judgment, as Brewing Bucket manufactures a … Continue reading Fermented Fables

Book Summary – Elixir by Shinjini Sengupta

The protagonist of this novel, “Elixir” finds a magic potion which takes her to a dream world where she leads a parallel life. An actuary in real life, she is a sculptor there with a partner who respects her, unlike her husband. She quits her job to be in that somnambulistic state, and the diagnosis … Continue reading Book Summary – Elixir by Shinjini Sengupta

Loops and Tangents

Loops offer reconciliation with established patterns and estranged elements. They sat on the picnic table to share a packed lunch, and looked into each other’s eyes before they solemnised the bond. Unfortunately, they could never see eye to eye on anything after that. Tangents are invitations to take off somewhere in the unknown; they attract … Continue reading Loops and Tangents

Easy Day

A body found on the road, no claimants, no identity documents – the case is neither too easy nor too complicated, just incredibly dull. Inspector Ahaan stretches his limbs and reprimands himself for being lazy, “Time to get into action, dude. You need to earn your living.” His tall, uniformed frame and handsome face attract … Continue reading Easy Day

Migration

Is there a de-addiction program for people to detach from a residence, city, country or partner? I will miss the traffic jams, the caution against fraudsters, the extreme climate, the great food, and, not to mention, the easy camaraderie with strangers. A new place offers career growth and wealth opportunities, but the cold climes will … Continue reading Migration

Self-defence

She grew erinaceous—spiny, sharp-tongued, unyielding. Alone in her flat, she snarled at kindness, mocked warmth, armoured herself in sarcasm. Monsters wore smiles, knocked politely. She answered with venom. Better rude than ruined. Better feared than fooled. Her solitude wasn’t peace—it was survival. And her thorns? Her defence. Weekend Writing Prompt #437

Spaces

I was told water finds its level, but no one warned me that the subconscious does not. It fills up uneven places—behind the eyes, beneath the lungs, blocking oxygen, struggling to find its space in speech, in the silence between words. It disregards all the logic I was raised on — logic that connects me … Continue reading Spaces

Arches

“Arches in architecture always fascinate me – under a bridge, on doorways or elsewhere. At another level, the arc tempts me to complete the circle and let people jump in”. “Passing through an arch brings good luck”, chimes in my mother as the temple bells ring. “Then why do you pray for good luck after … Continue reading Arches

The story goes on

He realized that she had seen him and he couldn’t let her get away. This is a hackneyed story plot for a thriller, and the author decides to ditch the familiar today. The protagonist follows her to see what she is up to after seeing him. He is ever grateful to that momentary thought. He … Continue reading The story goes on