“I believe that Gen Z is not difficult to work with. Unlike us, they were born into a fast-changing world, and their perspectives are not frozen in archaic timeframes”. “I appreciate your efforts to bond with the team and extract results, but not consistently the desired results,” Harry said with knitted eyebrows, not looking up … Continue reading Change the Lens
I dropped the fork and blew the candles, blinded by the glow on my plate. It is a wedge of the moon sitting atop the slice of cake. “Where do you draw your light from on this dark New Moon night?” “I stole it from your dreams to drive you towards newer goals.” My daughter … Continue reading Wedge of the Moon
We spread our arms to receive blessings from the Universe, and thunder strikes. It is only an announcement that God’s bounty or forgiveness will not take us anywhere towards Nirvana. We were created imperfect with a mission to achieve near perfection, and it is a rocky road with no shortcuts. The self-appointed agencies of God have … Continue reading Malleable
The devil shrieks, “She’s up again”, and I rise from bed with a spring in my step. It is a story I tell myself to keep morale up for a challenging day. I’m known as a tease, a temptress, a shrew, and a manipulator as I juggle several hats to keep the show going. I … Continue reading Trap
I met him after two decades, seated behind the counter at the Mom-and-Pop store, getting things packed for the delivery boys. I recall his arrogance as the concurrent auditor (he was related to the promoters) in the bank branch where I worked and the life-changing moment when he exclaimed, both condescendingly and lecherously, “She’s not my … Continue reading Presumptuous
“Do you think someone allegedly involved in a fraud deserves a bonus and stock options?” her quivering voice echoes in the closed chamber. The question is direct, hard-hitting, and almost accusing. The honcho turns around in his chair, provocatively taps the cigar on the ashtray, and watches the dropped ash cool and shrink. “I know … Continue reading Clawback
The shell of a human being passes by with unseeing eyes focused on the sunset and a device in his shaky hand. He shudders to recall the scene that had wrecked the core of his being many sunsets ago. She had jumped into the valley, and he was left holding a mask in his hand … Continue reading Muse
“Project complexity is the perfect counterfoil to showcase one’s ability,” she said, drawing a sharp question from her coach about who the goal-setter or challenge creator is. She clutched onto the chair in her search for words, then mumbled, “I believe in setting goals for myself.” “Choosing the toughest path shows an effort to prove … Continue reading Self-sufficiency
He was rejected for lacking social grace and having two left feet, but he was getting used to it all. “You are getting too comfortable with your single status,” whined his mother, who had always been too involved in his personal life. He took some time to think of the right words to answer, but … Continue reading Punch line
He promised magic with his ale; people drank, wept and danced, their hearts healing in the shared joy and unity. He stipulated that they sip the brew in company, basking in the warmth of shared memories. Undeterred by bankers' derisive laughter and refusal of a business loan, his family set up a riverside resort on … Continue reading Magic Potion
