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
Welcome to a night of celebrations, whether you are Trick-or-Treating or Diwali meeting-and-eating! Diwali always falls on a New Moon night, and people light lamps and burst crackers to obliterate the darkness. It also celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, gods over demons and so on. On Halloween (as far as … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #354
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
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
“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
“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 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
“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
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
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
