Transit mode

He has a presence despite his shabby appearance. Maybe we are drawn to his ferocious eyes, looking for a challenge. One feels compelled to keep a distance. The boundary lines are invisible but sharp. He surprises us with a mellow voice, “Can you help me in finding this address?” “Are you from the police?” “No.” … Continue reading Transit mode

The Art of Wooing

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

Living in Ignorance

I met your mother yesterday at the mall. She was looking at ornate jewellery for her prospective daughter-in-law. I watched the gleam in her eyes with awe, which induced a strange, sad feeling. I am haunted by how much our mothers do not know. We can blame them for not building a congenial atmosphere for … Continue reading Living in Ignorance

Thought

I am constantly evolving, not the same person I was in the past, and I will continue to transform in the future. Maybe I was the same soul in a different body, or the same soul in the same body, with different thoughts. Thoughts are energy.  They evaporate as quickly as they form but leave … Continue reading Thought

Epiphany

She was a strict disciplinarian,  and her hawkish stance on policy matters was well-known. These are disputably good qualities for a leader of the high calibre and have carried her to the peak she occupies today. However,  the people she resided with lived in deep discomfort – compelled to become aware of their fears, foibles … Continue reading Epiphany

Is it too late?

The national symbol of Brotherland is a group of people huddled together. Aman is an avid international literature reader and often asks his parents if they have seen a better version of unity, love, and brotherhood. They reassured him that this was the best place in the world to be. Soon, a war is waged … Continue reading Is it too late?

Starry Skies

It feels like an achievement today. Struck by insomnia, I’ve been staring at the night sky for ages. My unanswered questions keep bouncing back; not even a shade alters - as dead as the birthday blessings I received in childhood, holding visions of a bright future. I’m hearing this song for the first time: “Count … Continue reading Starry Skies

Fuzzy places

What’s in a name? Everything. It’s my identity. It is how people know me. I revisit the above thought process whenever I’m unable to recall a person's name. The memory of the face and expressions and how that person made me feel is vivid. We assimilate the world in images, not in words. I’m happy … Continue reading Fuzzy places

Wolf Meat

The long, dark hair and red lips are beautiful. But the extended eyeliner and lip color leaking out of the perfect bow-shaped mouth makes one feel as if she just walked out of a horror flick. Then she smiles and the aura changes. Well, it could be the makeup artist overdoing his job. Her beauty … Continue reading Wolf Meat

The Auditorium

The darkest nights redefine our relationship with light. The coldest months rebuild longing for warmth. I looked forward to the concert with great enthusiasm, and my companions were what I called my comfort zone. Dressed to the hilt, we took our seats in the auditorium. As someone tested the mic, we looked around for elements … Continue reading The Auditorium