Blog
Who Is The Culprit
As the sun rose on Sunday morning, the air was filled with the cheerful chirping of birds. Suraj Verma groggily stirred in bed, berating himself for neglecting to close the curtains the night before. The soft morning rays filtered into his 8th-floor apartment. Barely...
The Hands Of Fate
“Take these parathas for the journey,” Rachna urged, handing me a packet. ‘They serve food in the plane,’ I was about to say, but I accepted it. She had never grasped the intricacies of flying internationally. This was my second trip back home in three years,...
THE RIOT
You sneak out with the stealth of a cat when your mother goes for a bath. She had warned you not to venture out. "The riots have subsided, but all is not well. You may be a law student, but that doesn't mean the rioters won't harm you. “Stay home,” your father has...
LOVE IS ETERNAL
Having spent much of her life with a dominating husband, fifty-two-year-old Sumitra hardly had an active social life. Now, with her husband gone, she was a free bird. At her request, her son helped her start a Facebook profile. The first thing that came into...
The Physiotherapist who taught a life lesson
My mom was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the spine, which affected the mobility of her left leg. The surgery done for the same was successful, but she refused to attempt to stand. Considering her age, 78 years, doctors suggested giving her some time to get mentally...
The Miracle(As Narrated by a friend)
For the past week, an uncomfortable sensation has weighed heavily on my mind, a persistent nagging worry that wouldn’t let go. This worry revolved around a small lump I had discovered on my right breast. This subtle yet alarming signal grew more concerning each day,...
The Devastating Corono Virus
Social media has indeed revolutionized the global landscape in ways that were once unimaginable. While many lament its complications and pitfalls, it’s essential to acknowledge the two distinct sides of this digital coin: one side that can be undeniably beneficial and...
Zora Trigger (Name it, and that emotion is tactfully packed in this story)
The story has every characteristic of being a super Bollywood thriller. The flowing narration by Priya Nayak Gole keeps the readers hooked till the end. The backdrop with the armed forces and ISRO was a unique idea to start the story. The character of the protagonist,...
Pronounced Guilty (An intriguing and engaging novel)
Pronounced Guilty is an apt topic for this engaging narrative by a versatile writer, Ms Monica Singh. The narrative revolves around three important characters: Dushyant Dave, the idealistic advocate on a mission to rehabilitate convicts; Vijendar Singh, a former...
PYRE (A story of the struggle of a newlywed, inter caste couple)
Perumal Murugan, the veteran writer, has created a masterpiece in the form of the book Pyre. Anirudh Vasudevan has aptly translated the original Tamil work. Kumaresan and his wife Saroja, who belong to different castes, are abhorred by one and all, including...
Not Before Me (The Struggle of a mother with special child)
The title, Not Before Me, is appropriate for the subject of Ms Lata Gwalani's book. How the lives of all family members change when a child with special needs is born, how the parents cope with the situation, and how a younger sibling views the scene from her POV....
The flourescent Green Shirt
If one can define something as phenomenally difficult in this world, then I must say it is being subjected to an interrogation by the cops. It had already been a tiring day with a long wait at the Changi airport. After a cumbersome journey when I reached my only...
Retribution
"Collect your train tickets from the travel desk? " My boss said with a frown that meandered through his face. A smile hardly appeared on his ever-glowering countenance upon seeing some subordinates like me for reasons best known to him. I wanted to argue why I could...
The Right Choice
Soft, ethereal music floated up from the ground floor, harmoniously enveloping the duplex flat with its gentle melody. The atmosphere was infused with anticipation as the guests began to trickle in, their laughter and cheerful voices creating a vibrant undertone to...
The Curtain Of Guilt (Inverso)
MARCH 16th 1971 Inspector Mukundan's bike screeched to a halt in front of the departure gate of the Trivandrum International Airport. He spotted Gopan at the entrance waiting for him. Mukundan had promised his childhood friend the day before, when he had come to...
Mathematical Puzzles
"Two out of Fifty; BHASKAR, I need to see your parents on Saturday.” My 7th grade Math teacher rolled her pupils in disgust as she handed over my answer sheet. "Wonder why on earth your parents named you Bhaskar, maligning the very image of the renowned entity in the...
The Raid
The soft chirping of the birds engulfed the morning air with its melody. Niranjan was fast asleep. The day before, he had come home very late. It had been a tiring day at the office. In a display of utmost trust, the Chief Commissioner summoned Niranjan, Shena, and...
Passion
Traversing through valleys and hills, Confronting at times blizzards and chills, I move further away from my town and home, Wandering is my passion, and hence, I roam. But now I wish to retrace my path, No longer do I feel excited over the swathe, For back home, my...
The Stranger
Jacob dashed out of his office at 4 PM and leaped inside the elevator as it stopped on the ninth floor. He nearly startled a young man like him standing inside the elevator. "Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush," he quickly apologized. The polite stranger smiled and...
Platform Ticket
Platform ticket by Sangeetha Vallat. Let me share my thoughts about this beautiful book.We have always travelled by train and grumbled when the person sitting behind the ticket counter took a few extra minutes to give a ticket or when he or she fumbled with some...
REVERING CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
Retired IG of police Krishnamurthy walked home after his session at the Gymnasium. The temple bell rang, indicating the morning Deep Aradhana time. His spacious apartment in a skyrise was opposite one of the famous temples in a South-Indian-dominated locality in the...
You Are Different
Why did I have to endure the chaos of a younger sibling? My mother’s delightful smile had disappeared, and Dad stopped our games of bat and ball when Sushant arrived. How I cherished my mother’s melodious laughter; to me, she was the most beautiful woman in the world,...
Match And Mismatch
It was Wednesday, one of the busiest days at the office. The day during the week, the CEO called for the team meeting. Mohan was famished by the time the meeting wound up. It was nearing lunch break. The post-lunch session had plenty of demanding work to be completed....
Changing Perspective
‘Kausalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathe. Uthishtaa…‘ The Venkatesha Suprabhatam [1] in the melodious voice of Smt MS Subbhalakshmi [2] reverberated through the corridors of Rajan Namboodiri’s ‘Laksmi illam [3]. The illam, situated a little to the interior...
Reviving Childhood
It is almost a year since we met. That meeting turned ugly, and we dispersed, you swearing aloud that we should meet in a court. Was that upheaval indispensable? Knowing my partaking nature very well from childhood, you could have given a second thought before...
Where Angles Tread
George and I came upon the building's sophisticated front, painted in a calming shade of mauve, which was truly a sight to see. The sun's rays interacted with its surface, producing a captivating interplay of light and shadow that left me feeling amazed. As I admired...
I Love You Dearly
I love you dearly anyway When they call you different, I don't bother You are not like me, they say It pains to see mom cry and pray Is it because of you? I can't gather But I love you dearly anyway You legs are thin and appear fray While mine are strong and can run...
Infidelity
The fragrance of your costly perfume floats, Choking my heart with your unseen presence, Reminding of the loving anecdotes, Frightening me is the eerie silence, As I brood over the indifference. Why did you select someone over me? You were always my life and breath...
Memories That Never Fade
He came crawling Into our life one day. He saw us and smiled, Conquering our hearts. Then his fragile frame With needles pricked, lay, Lifeless on the bed, In agony we cried. Gone was he soon far away Leaving a void, huge and wide, That soon a pretty angel, Filled...
Ageing Gracefully
Age is nothing but a simple number, Brought into force by none other than us. Caring thoroughly for physique and fitness, Does make one feel agile and young. Eat food nutritious on time with a smile, Fretting has never proved good to the health. Grin as much as you...
In Those Nocturnal Lanes
Twelve times heavily the clock strikes, Yet, not a soul I see in view, ‘A lousy night,’ I cry in rue! Songs stop playing on the mikes. Why are the roads deserted badly? Everywhere is spread eerie silence. The lanes, bylanes have suddenly gone calm; Buzzing...
The Dark Adventure
.Caves passed one by one, long and narrow, Cooing aloud, the kids welcomed every tunnel, Continuing to sway and chirp as a sparrow, Clapping their hands sang Harry and friends with Brunel. 'Ah, the thirtieth one has come,' smiled Priya Again, the kids jumped...
Endurance
The tubes that hung from every part of her body fragile, Were stuck to her wrinkled skin with their sharp edges. But she showed no resentment nor did she groan, Her face looked calm as always was, Enduring with utmost fortitude, The pain, Sigh! Helplessly I...
The Princess, The Queen
Every corner of the house, Reverberated with her sound. With her, laughed the four walls, They cried when she wailed. The tiny girl had come to be, The centre of every life around. Born after a long wait of years; The little one brought joyous tears. ...
An Ode To My Mother
At times when I sit back dolefully and brood, I perceive a face that elevates my mood, A face in repose adorned with a broad smile, With unblemished love devoid of any guile. Boundless affection you have conferred upon, From the very moment that I was born. ...
The Disastrous Proposal
"Sana loves me, and I love Sana," I sang, my heart full of our love. I couldn't help but break into a dance. Gleefully caressing the box in my pocket, I crossed the road to the florist. The box had the diamond ring I had specially crafted for Sana from the most famous...
The Forbidden Fruit
The crepuscular rays danced in the western sky as ten-year-old Rasha carefully walked through the muddy lanes of Idaikal village holding a bottle half filled with edible oil and a small bag with two onions, some ginger, a few chilies, and cilantro. His mind encouraged...
Sibling Rivalry
Ever since I gained the ability to understand what people were saying, I've found myself on the receiving end of comments like, "Why does your younger sibling look so different from the older one?" or, "I doubt Rihaan will ever be as charming as Rohan." I suspect...
Khem Singh
According to my teenage son Arvind, I was far from being a ‘cool’ dad. In fact, he often reminded me just how unhip I really was, and it stung more than I cared to admit. For starters, I was a teetotaler and prided myself on being a non-smoker, traits that he seemed...
Beauty Lies In The Eyes Of The Beholder
During today's dance competition, the theme revolved around the essence of Shringara Rasa. “Bet you, Amma,” Saundarya, the twenty-three-year-old Bharatnatyam dancer whose confidence and beauty knew no bounds, chirped. “There will be no participant to vie with my...
Back To Square One
BACK TO SQUARE ONE. You can never trust an alarm clock. It could be as treacherous as your boyfriend. That scoundrel cooly walked out of a six-year-old relationship. Frivolous reasons soon turned out to be a...
The Anniversary Gift
Swati sat fidgeting with the tissue paper stand, contemplating whether she should order another cup of coffee. Why was Nisha getting delayed? Her phone constantly said it was switched off. She stared at the huge round clock on the restaurant's wall. The hands of the...
Game Of Chance
David hummed a mellifluous tune as he diligently polished Mr. Lobo's shoes. The fourteen-year-old's cheerfulness was so unusual and palpable that Mr. Lobo's chauffeur, Henry, could not resist asking about his elated mood. "I am going to get wealth soon," chirped the...
Me, My Mom, Dad, And Mathematics
My mom and I were seriously engrossed in solving a very challenging mathematics problem when Dad arrived as a harbinger of doom, conveying the devastating news that two of his male colleagues, accompanied by their better halves, would be coming for dinner at 7.30 pm....
The Delectable Curry
A scent reminiscent of the ocean's salty breeze and the intense fragrance of spices permeated the apartment, piquing Joe's interest. The twelve-year-old rose and inhaled deeply. "Come on, get up, you sleepyhead. Mother is preparing fish curry." His younger sister,...
The Red Scar
Winter in Philadelphia had set in with much intensity, probably this year. A volley of cold wind had been blowing right from the afternoon the day before. However, that did not deter shopping lovers from thronging their favorite store during the choicest Christmas...
THE DEBUT PERFORMANCE
"Are we all set to leave?" Harry called out as he bounded down the steps toward the car porch, his voice filled with a blend of urgency and excitement. "If everyone wants to take their seats before the play begins, we ought to plan to start in about five minutes. Joe...
The Wizard
Amery Faux As I sprinted toward the notice board, a tumultuous mix of excitement and apprehension stirred within me. The midday sun cast a warm glow on the campus, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of...
BLESSED
Of all the three-hundred and sixty-five days in a year, why did Granny choose this particular day, my first day at work, to breathe her last? How unpredictable is life? She was hale and hearty till the day before. And then, in a sudden twist of fate, she was gone,...
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Thirty pairs of eyes in a eighth grade classroom, gawking without a blink, and I forget all the mathematics I had learned relentlessly for so many years. Oops! This is just the first school where I begin my training session. I have four more to cover in a week. The...
THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
As I stepped off the train at Karmelaram railway station, Bengaluru greeted me with a gentle rain. “It’s the closest you can get to Electronics City,” my friend, who was already settled in the city, informed me. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to pick me up since he...
The Christmas Gift
As Nancy packed the last box, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. The movers were expected to arrive imminently, eager to usher her and her daughter into a new chapter of their lives. She glanced out the frosted window, pulling her cardigan tighter. Just as she...
Perseverance And Fortitude Pays
Vishnu Sahasranamam, as rendered by the renowned Mrs. M. S. Subbhalakshmi, floated throughout Subbaraman's well-kept three-bedroom home. The morning sun spilled its radiant light into the aesthetically pleasing residence. Seventy-year-old Subbaraman, the Retired...
STRANGE ARE THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE
"Cauvery, here is the money you earned from stitching clothes and embroidering. I hope you get to put this skill into practice back in your hometown. My best wishes are always with you." The kind-hearted jail warden, Lakshmi Amma, handed Cauvery the envelope...
The Daughter
AUTHOR'S NOTE: WITH DUE RESPECT TO ALL THE RITUALS THAT FOLLOW AFTER THE DEATH OF SOMEONE IN A HINDU FAMILY, THE AUTHOR WOULD LIKE TO ASSERT THAT NOTHING STATED IN THE STORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO MALIGN ANYONE OR ANY RITUAL. 12th June 1992 After an...
The New Abode
Savitri Aunty hummed a melodious rendition of the late Carnatic music maestro MS Subbulakshmi, as she carefully kept her sarees from the neatly arranged cupboard into suitcases. I watched in awe at the exquisite collection. I have often seen Aunty draped in those...
The wings of a bird
The white Ford Endeavour screeched to a halt on the porch of the Ramamurthys. Parking it aesthetically, Priya Venkatesh stepped out of the driver's seat, much to the awe of the two ladies of the Ramamurthy household. They exchanged acerbic glances. Ramamurthy's...
Justice served
'OUCH,' the baby inside my tummy kicked hard. The pain, however, was so soothing. The feeling of a life kicking inside the tummy, I suppose, is the most exciting for a mother. It was my baby shower. Guests poured in, and Amma's complete medical fraternity was present....
CO-PASSENGER
Pulling my suitcase, I opened the coupe door of the Rajdhani Express. My co-passenger, a lady in her mid-thirties beamed on seeing me. “Ramkumar! Where have you been all these years?” She gave me a warm hug. “What are you gawking at? Didn’t you recognize me? I am...
Jab They Met
"Kya khaana hai?" The girl asked. The boy, a customer at my Pani Puri stall, answered her before I could. "This is Pani Puri. Are you new to this place?". She nodded, her confusion palpable. "I know this is Pani Puri; I asked how it is eaten." The boy apologized...
The Dagger of Death
On that pivotal evening, Mannat, typically absorbed in the television, after his return from work, unexpectedly called out to his wife, Suma with a sense of urgency and concern. This was a rare event that their family had not experienced for quite some time. Mannat...
Standing At The Threshold
The farewell resonated profoundly within her. She yearned for him to articulate the emotions she craved to hear. Was her affection unrequited? Did he not possess any feelings for her? Or was he possibly encumbered by jealousy over his academic performance, which paled...
The Valuable Trunk Box
I tucked my bag beneath my seat and leaned back against the plush cushioning of the Rajdhani Express, which I had boarded from Mumbai Central, heading towards Delhi. As I perused the passenger manifest on my handset, a delightful piece of information caught my...
THE TRUE HERO
The seventh-grade students eagerly lined up outside the Principal's office to hand in their creations for Mother's Day. The kind middle-aged Principal, encouraged all students to either create a drawing or write a few lines of prose or poetry in honour of their...
My first day at work
I stepped into the lady's compartment of the 7.09 Virar-Churchgate local on the first morning of my work. In Mumbai they say that if you have travelled by this jam-packed train, then you can survive anywhere. Every halt brought more ladies into the compartment. A few...
The Last Chore
There were guests in my house today for my 60th birthday. Regrettably, my maid, Shantabai, did not show up for work despite my repeated instructions to her yesterday about the presence of guests. She had nodded in agreement, leaving no room for doubt about her...
The Sponsorship
Seated on her reclining chair on the verandah of her posh three-bedroom apartment, Priyanka Sethi savoured her evening tea. She inhaled the enchanting fragrance of the petrichor that accompanied the first rains. Such recreational moments were possible only on...
CONTENTMENT
With a sinking heart, Piyush opened the invitation card that the driver of the Bhatias gave him. The Bhatia couple Rohit and Sneha had invited Piyush Mehera, his wife Reema, and their seven-year-old son Maher for their son's sixth birthday party. Piyush dreaded this...
The wait
"When will Dad come back?" My five-year-old son, Ketan, sobbed seeing his father leaving with a suitcase. My husband, Mukesh, traveled to Ratlam for a week once a month. Ratlam's exquisite zari sarees and dress materials fetched a reasonable price back in Ahmedabad,...
A Moment of Ecstasy
‘Don’t you wish you could take a single childhood memory and blow it up into a bubble and live inside it forever?’ Prita Menon* and Manoj Pisharodi* too wished the same. They wanted to hold every memory of their childhood close to their heart forever and forever, and...
GOODBYE FRIENDS!!!
My mother and father were being carried away in a van. I struggled in vain to follow them. A heavy rope tied around my legs deterred me from moving. Their images kept waning in my tear filled eyes. My heart was choked with emotions. I woke up with a start almost...
THE SAMARITANS
“Passengers travelling by Indigo 6E-392 to Gauhati via Kolkata, kindly proceed for boarding ....……,” In a daze, Angshuman proceeded towards the departure gate. This was the first journey by flight for the twenty two year old, but trepidation caused by the deadly...
A SECOND CHANCE
“Can I come with you to the hospital? I understand that volunteers are needed to help during this pandemic.” Anita looked at her daughter with anticipation writ large in her eyes, but was disappointed when Disha shook her head. “No ma, I can’t take you without my...
YUMMY CHOCOLATES!!!
The day dawned to be a pretty adventurous one at Gokulnagar colony situated on the outskirts of Hosur city. The kids who were having summer vacations, had gathered by 7 am. The colony hosted only eight houses out of which seven houses had a kid each in the age group...
Boon in Disguise
Purnima* day of the present month It was one of those balmy mornings in the year 1132 in the West Bengal region. The bright sun had embarked upon its journey. The daylight fell gently into the hut through the small window. Damini was humming a canorous tune. Her...
Fast Buck
With a nonplussed look, Vivek watched as Rajan Bhai instructed his son, Montu, to stuff the bag with bottles of Vodka. "Confused?" Rajan Bhai laughed, displaying a set of stained teeth. "These are the tricks of the trade, my boy. You will learn eventually." "What if...
The Lord Himself
'Cursed Avanthi, why did she have to suggest this truth and dare game, and why did Dayani have to come up with this punishment for me!' "Thousand steps in this dense path!" Dayani had pronounced the verdict using the steel bottle as the gavel. I had come with five...
Potion 387
The February cold wind blew with a strong drift as Tarun entered the cafe. Few patrons scattered in an otherwise ever-crowded joint made it feasible for Tarun to find a secluded two-seater table near the window. Soham had explicitly asked him to take a seat to enable...
Sound of Music
'Shree Mahaaa Ganapathim……………,' the invocation to Lord Ganesha wafted through the early morning air. I sprang up from my bed. Had I been re-transported to my home in Chennai from my new flat in Mumbai? From the time I was introduced to the world, every bit of this...
MYSTIFYING MATHEMATICS
MYSTIFYING MATHEMATICS ‘If the age of the mother is five times more than thrice the age of the uncle, whose age is seven times that of his son………,' Sumi's head went 'Whirr……' upon reading this. Saurabh's daft expression...
A building committee meeting
"Bahadur, what's up? How is your job going on?" "Is there any novelty in our type of work, Shyam? We are recruited for security purposes but people in the building premises make us do everything under the firmament. Buying vegetables, taking kids to school and...
Monotonous Cuisine
Husband: Can I get a cup of hot coffee? It has been a hard day at work. My head is splitting awfully. Wife: Oh is it?. You know I had a very smooth day at work. My head isn't in pain at all. God has given me some superpower. I can not only make coffee for you but can...
FRIENDSHIP IS NOT TO BE RELINQUISHED
Chand villa dazzled under the deluge of the multi-colored lights that cascaded from the verandah. Mellifluous sound of the Shehnai* filled the air amidst the hustle and bustle. "Laajwanti," Roopchand called out to his...
CROW SHIT FORTUNE
Adorned in my blue Armani suit, I sat impatiently, half-listening to the garrulous chief guest. It looked like his secretary was not well versed with full stops. There was none in the speech drafted by her. After what seemed like an...
The Haunting Melody
'Chalte Chalte…. Yuhi koi mil gaya tha…*' Tavishi's lips quivered. In a moment, she was drenched in sweat. "Stop the music," she screamed at the auto driver. The music stopped, but she involuntarily cowered....
The Roommate
Why would Shraboni request a room change? It was just two days since college started, and they hardly knew each other. Tavishi was bemused by her roommate's behavior. "Not a word was uttered between us. Shraboni did not even acknowledge my greetings when I first saw...
PREMONITION
You laugh at your wife's apprehensions when your daughter informs you about her college picnic to Malshej Ghat. "How far is Malshej Ghat from your college in Churchgate? Are all your friends going with you? By when you will be back?" She has a volley of questions to...
The Divine can hear us
A frisson ran through my body as I was chosen amongst a few more brethren to be taken home by a handsome man on new year's eve. The chauffeur steered the car in which we travelled with our master into a posh bungalow. 'Arjun Singh -Chef.' The nameplate glittered. My...