*Vastara?* The lined face reflected the agony, her withered, arthritic afflicted fingers plucked her housecoat, the eyes that were practically white with un-corrected cataract peered at me, yet the words and the tears broke my heart in two. I stood helpless for I did...
“The choice is yours. We will await your decision. We’re sorry.” I watched the white coated men leaving me and my son. Should it be my son and me? I remember my English teacher saying, “Donkey should come second!” I heard Ajay’s words, “Grammar Nazi,” and I smiled. I...
I really don’t know what a fix is for I never did drugs. Nevertheless, the impact of her limpid eyes was an arrow straight into my heart. I was reduced to an Indian version of a marsh-mellow and I was addicted. I was caught like a kite to a tree. Despite being a...
The evening found a contemplative Meera and Rohan on their balcony looking at the star studded sky with the nocturnal insects creating music of their own. The birds and insects were being heard only after the cessation of sounds brought forth by blaring horns and...
The whimper began. “Oh, no..please no. God, I will break coconut as an offering to you. Let her sleep. I need some rest. God, please.” She tried to make a pact with God is the only style she knew, the ever- prevalent barter system. It made for thriving business at...
The call came too early. Vishakha groaned and rolled over, the crease on her forehead reflecting her annoyance. She needed to be cajoled before the crease turned a disgruntled turn around her lips. Varun reached over to see who it could be this early on a Sunday...
Tiptoe out of the room of your sleeping toddler holding your breath Take a deep breath before you asphyxiate Pray to whichever powers it might be Clear the kitchen island off toys, leftover baby food and scores other things that you kept piling up in your bid...
What does it take to buy oneself some freedom from a stifling marriage, besides courage? Money! It took me two years to prepare myself for freedom. That is what I thought. I had stolen a 100 here, a 500 there, a rare 1000 and plenty of 10 and 20s which I exchanged for...
Padma stood on the balcony of her small flat with a cup of freshly, brewed filter coffee. It was just after seven in the morning. Just a few hours on, it would be difficult to stand there as she would be assailed by fumes, the honks not to mention the dust from...