“Walls have ears” is a saying she’d often heard. She was back in her grandfather’s crumbling mansion to check if the walls had memory. They had eavesdropped on and absorbed family secrets for decades. The portrait of her exquisitely beautiful great-grandmother fell as she came near it, revealing a hole behind. It was a path … Continue reading When Walls Speak
“A whistleblower and a hacker have created havoc with our systems and profitability, and both happen to be former employees”, whined the CEO in the Board meeting. The seniormost member with grey hair had a grim look on his face, “There was a time when a worker was handed back his sack of tools when … Continue reading Plugging Leaks
She had never met a person as toxic and abusive as her boss. The girl in the next cubicle gently warned her to be circumspect in her speech, as the femme fatale who was her boss was rumoured to be close to the CEO. It wasn’t idle gossip, since the boss herself mentioned it in … Continue reading Career Preparedness
“I think we should….” She was brutally cut short with a negative statement. The proper way was only what they prescribed. And one day she was gone, as unnoticed as she had lived there. Her acts were never cromulent enough. She ran out of patience. Weekend Writing Prompt #431
She was a victim of abuse; yet she was blamed for going out with male colleagues at a late hour. The criminals escaped unscathed, as they held positions of critical importance in the organisation; no wonder she resigned a few weeks later. “I’ve been a perfectionist at work, always delivering on deadlines. My punctuality has … Continue reading Diversity and Inclusion
“Why can’t you sell a part of your ancestral property to fund the purchase of a new house for us?” “I’ve told you many times. I cannot sell anything while my mother is alive. You don’t have the patience to wait till she dies.” He walked out in a huff, slamming the door shut. It … Continue reading Remnants
The journalist always mocked a candle march. It seemed impotent, especially when the crowds were unable to prevent a crime. Of what use is indignation without an effort? Tonight was different. Tonight, shadows crept out of crevices in floors and walls. Stars dropped from the sky to hold a candle against darkness. A noose hanging … Continue reading Justice
What was the whistleblower thinking when he typed the incendiary email? What kind of superpower did he assume he would be blessed with? The bloke was not aware that money will continue to exchange hands till every protesting voice was silenced; everybody has a price; one should know how to assess and pay it. When … Continue reading The Whistleblower
The city’s traffic lights started blinking in Morse code, spelling out a warning almost no one could understand. All those who could were in gaol, because their forecasts did not match the rosy picture painted by those in power. The masses were swaying to the tune of the Pied Piper, oblivious to the fact that … Continue reading The Coup
In the heart of Azadpur, a city pulsing with history and ambition, a group of idealists led by Meera Joshi and Arvind Deshmukh, filled with hope and determination, decided it was time. The old regime—headed by the formidable yet corrupt Devendra Rao—had held sway for decades. His policies were riddled with nepotism, his ministers bloated … Continue reading Traps
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