Navigating Power

Check marked FORGED, held before two concerned men

The patient is amused to see the doctor’s child walk into the clinic to seek permission for going to the movies. The doctor looks flabbergasted, mutters a half-hearted yes, and sees his youngest child run in excitement to share the good news with his siblings. “Doctor, does every movement at home need a nod from … Continue reading Navigating Power

Unmindfulness

The metro doors slid open, and Arjun squeezed himself into the human tide, his laptop bag pressed like armour against the crowd. The crowd stepped on a sandwich in a brown bag, and he wondered who would miss a meal. He thought of his boss, a man who measured worth in missed lunches and late … Continue reading Unmindfulness

The Weak Human

“Does he know the magnitude of the opportunity he has missed with his temper tantrum?” was the common refrain after he threw the laptop on his manager’s face. The fire was not just anger; it was history erupting, and when the eruption passed, he stood among the ruins, knowing the mountain inside him would never … Continue reading The Weak Human

Poetry Slam at Six Sentence Cafe & Bistro

Poet performing at Daily Grind poetry slam before applauding coffeehouse audience

Glad to be here tonight. The Café’s owner has been pouring warmth into cups for many years now, while a tall, lanky man constructs elaborate word maps on the round table. The beautiful storyteller and accidental blogger with an adorable pet on her arm keeps everything together without much ado. Mimi hums like a secret … Continue reading Poetry Slam at Six Sentence Cafe & Bistro

Action without Expression

Who would have decided her place in the world and what she was supposed to do with her life – geography, lineage, personal values, philosophy of life, political leanings, relationship status, money? Each contributes in a small way, but only she knew how to put it all together to make sense of her existence. She … Continue reading Action without Expression

From Ivory Towers to Melting Realities

Businessman leaning on balcony railing watching colleagues hurry on sidewalk

Discover the fable of an Indian CEO in a multinational corporation whose ivory tower was made of wax—an allegory for leadership illusions.

Glamour Meets Gloom

Young woman with disheveled hair and smeared makeup standing in a doorway at night

One glance was enough to say she was not her usual self – dishevelled hair, runny mascara, lipstick in ageing lines around the mouth. “Another late night, I presume … you slept without removing your makeup?” She made an effort to adjust the strap on her shoulder, but the slip hanging below her knees was … Continue reading Glamour Meets Gloom

Webs

Black hole at the center with swirling luminous gases and cosmic dust around it in deep space.

PARATAXIS It is hazy. It has no definable colour or shape. It has a pattern – known but never acknowledged. It is the web of tiny lies spun like a yarn to clothe truth. It is the black hole that will explode rather than reveal its secrets. The Emperor’s new clothes are the grandest spun … Continue reading Webs

Co-author

She saw it floating on the TV console, then on the wall – the shadow of half a face wearing a turban with dark, intense eyes. Did she do the right thing by choosing to stay alone in a palace converted to a hotel resort? She walked to the library and randomly pulled out a … Continue reading Co-author

Turn of the Wheel – Part 1

“I invite you to a world at the intersection of culture and technology, a world where you will see artificial intelligence and human expertise in seamless integration; where Diversity will add to the richness of experience and inclusion will be celebrated by invitations. Are you ready to join me on this hot air balloon?” Silence. … Continue reading Turn of the Wheel – Part 1