Solstice

Every twenty-four hours, the Earth turns once on its axis, as if it needs time to reconsider. From my vantage point, the sun rises like a forgiving god, spreading hope. Yet for another, it’s already a canvas of nightfall and introspection. The same globe, serenely rotating beneath our feet, offers us a kaleidoscope of views—not … Continue reading Solstice

Perils of Cloud Storage

The cloud is a convenient vault—a weightless archive where our lives, memories, and secrets reside. Yet, the security of this invisible fortress is not as impenetrable as it seems. At any moment, a breach can turn our KYC documents and confidential files into a public spectacle. Hackers, like ever-watchful phantoms, lurk at the gates, ready … Continue reading Perils of Cloud Storage

Kintsugi Quotes

I've coined a few quotes. The best stories are born when something breaks. Creativity is Kintsugi, more than Kintsugi being creative. The world takes notice when snippets of life are sewn together on a patchwork quilt. They ignored the snippets on the streets, maybe trampled a few. Music, colours or a symphony of words are … Continue reading Kintsugi Quotes

Bullies Everywhere

The first sentence that caught my attention as a writing prompt was "Why don’t we stand up to bullies?" I believe evil is pulverised and far too amorphous now to be fought. It is not like we attack and conquer a fort where the monsters live, and live happily ever after. The monsters have sown … Continue reading Bullies Everywhere

Identification Technology

The prompt reminded me of a movie in which a scientist is kidnapped but kept alive hanging from a ceiling because his face is needed to start the computer where sensitive research data is stored. I used facial recognition technology once for a KYC check. They asked me to blink, record a 10-second video, and … Continue reading Identification Technology

Circles go Nowhere

I draw a circle on paperand fold itcircles are terrifyingthey go nowherethe wheel mocks;Don’t you ever ride meand get to your destination? I fold my hands in gratitudetowards the wheelYou are TimeI’m stationaryI make sense of existencethrough you and yetthe meaning is short-livedas you roll awayand I don’t recogniseyour return in disguise my curiosityblocked by … Continue reading Circles go Nowhere

Let Them

May has not begun well in our part of the world. Unseasonal rains did offer respite from the sultriness, but things got hot on the country’s borders—war clouds rain fire, not soothing droplets. The media hype, opinion shops spewing partial truths, and the resultant drawing-room discussions are not a pleasant affair, not for me. The … Continue reading Let Them

Grammarly, Syllables and Me

I use Grammarly to write on my laptop. It empowers me to make writing decisions, such as the use of 'a' and ‘an', and other discrepancies that arise. It even suggests rewrites, but I always have the final say on whether to retain or discard the changes. I feel compelled to switch it off while … Continue reading Grammarly, Syllables and Me

Kinda Sorta

Life’s kinda sorta normal.Till I ignore the spiders beneath coversI don’t like them crawling on my skinI can’t focus on anything else then… I call pest control; they do a good jobThe stench fills my nostrils for a weekI open the windows,but there’s smoke from a fire outsideyou can’t trust anyone these daysthey generate smoke … Continue reading Kinda Sorta

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)