Undercurrents

“You have changed, Captain Amar”, the Chief spoke with a frown as he issued instructions for the next naval mission. “Why do you think so?” he mumbled incoherently as dread encompassed his spotless white starched uniform. The boy from the slums who played a body double for actors never imagined he would be acting in … Continue reading Undercurrents

Nostalgia

“We used to have a life -  chatting face-to-face, watching expressions before responding and displaying etiquette in easy, understandable ways,” Uncle Arthur is going nostalgic again. “I’m younger than you are,  Arthur,” interjected  Aunt Esther, “ and I remember the sounds when  you disconnected the  phone in anger or disgust and even the wooden pen … Continue reading Nostalgia

The Last Leg

The deathbed feels like such a welcome place, though the medical team around her does not accept it as such. She wants to ask them not to poke all those needles in a body she would soon discard, but the oxygen mask prevents her from speaking. In retrospect, life has been a series of wondering … Continue reading The Last Leg

The Risk of Living

“How can you arrive at decisions so quickly? There is a methodology to be followed.” “Your methodology rests on hypotheses. Presumably,  those are based on observation, but that may be an illusion”. “We need to follow the method without better alternatives.” “And how will those alternatives emerge?” Silence. “We never know where the wheel will … Continue reading The Risk of Living

Philosophy and Discipline

A visionary had two children – Philosophy and Discipline. He entrusted Philosophy with researching evolutionary concepts and finding the best way to forge ahead. Rejecting old notions was okay to ensure forward movement. He asked Discipline to create actionable goals for people to support his sister’s wisdom and monitor their progress. While Philosophy remained shut … Continue reading Philosophy and Discipline

Change forever

It’s not an easy task. I’ve to convince the therapist that I’m neither afraid of myself nor my creativity.  I don’t suffer from impostor syndrome. I believe that I deserve more than what I’ve received. I plod slowly, putting out small pearls everyday instead of building that magnificent crown for my head. Can you tell … Continue reading Change forever

Imperfect

Fallen leaves belie the truth of stories etched on tree trunks. Spring does not restore the glory of those who fall. Renewal is an illusion, a fallacy of nature that fails to grant permanence to anything other than the soul. A soul feels, records and then departs. It occupies another body with no memory of … Continue reading Imperfect

Blow by Blow

“A formidable opposition leader is arrested, but some drastic action was expected anyway.” “What makes you say so?” “The majority party has been caught on the wrong foot with a Supreme Court judgment about a scam to extort donations from the vulnerable. They will not let all the election preparation, publicity campaigns, hero-worship, some genuine … Continue reading Blow by Blow

Suspended

This is a fascinating place. The roads are bifurcated into two colours – black and white, and so are the buildings on both sides. There are a few coloured cars that appear to quiver on the road, undecided on which way to go. The traffic lights are not red and green but say Yes or … Continue reading Suspended

Paradox

I suppress a yawn while listening to another story of millions and crores and how the speaker saw herself perched on a peak, looking down at the unfortunate have-nots. Having worked in a bank and managed books worth thousands of crores, money fails to fascinate me. There was always a fear of repercussions if I … Continue reading Paradox