Flash Fiction… New Home 21 Nov 201925 Nov 2019 The home we left had no doors or windows. That's where we ate, slept, and procreated. Anyone on the streets could peep into our lives. We felt like animals…
Flash Fiction… The Promised Land 3 Jul 2019 They alighted the rickety jeeps at midnight. The man to whom they had bequeathed their money pointed the way forward and quickly vanished. They walked through the desert, wary and…
Flash Fiction… Box Office 26 Jun 2019 He left his home to become the first filmmaker of South India. He faced obstacles at every corner. He lied and schemed his way to learn filmmaking. He sold his…
Flash Fiction… The Burden 19 Jun 2019 Usually, I’d have left long back. A honeymooning couple holding hands, whispering and giggling without a care in the world. A harassed young mother trying to feed, what looks like…
Flash Fiction… The Kettle, The Iron Box, and The Ladle 12 Jun 2019 ‘Ma, not these again!’ I cringed at the the old item trifecta displayed prominently on the showcase of our new home. ‘Why? What’s wrong with these?’ ‘They are old and…
Flash Fiction… Sailfish 15 May 2019 Bart was supposed to be a star! Scratch that – a superstar! Coach used to claim that Bart’s mother had somehow mated with a sailfish to produce him. That nickname…
Flash Fiction… The Tipping Point 8 May 2019 The barbed wire fence was cut after the war that had raged for half a century came crashing to a halt. People from both sides rushed to the centre and…
Flash Fiction… Snow! 1 May 20191 May 2019 'Grandpa! Look, It's snowing!' Five-year-old Emily jumped in glee, her little hands coming together in a joyous clap. I smile at her and run my hands over her hairless scalp.…
Flash Fiction… Jump 24 Apr 2019 ‘It’s all about your core and balance,’ Ralph murmurs. ‘Parkour is tapping into the courage you didn’t know you had.’ His voice was mesmeric and I nod eagerly, eventhough I…
Flash Fiction… Hate Prevails 17 Apr 2019 ‘Do you know that Hamburg was nearly wiped out of the map during WWII?’ My parents were impressed. They had come from India to London, where I worked. I’d planned…
Flash Fiction… Bluebeard 10 Apr 2019 They said that he never remained married for long and his wives vanished mysteriously. When his eyes fell on me, I was repulsed. I begged father not to agree to…
A to Z… I’m Done 9 Apr 20199 Apr 2019 Thank you for your best wishes and concern, my friends! Unfortunately, I haven't enjoyed a moment of this year's AtoZ. Last year's fun, frolic, bonding, and camaraderie has been replaced by apathy…
A to Z… Hand-holding and Handhelds 9 Apr 20199 Apr 2019 The short vacation after the term tests came to an end just as it appeared it had started. The little monkeys of Vanarapuri dragged their schoolbags and their feet reluctantly…
A to Z… Goobaloo 8 Apr 20197 Apr 2019 ‘Our forests were much different than the ones around Vanarapuri,’ Fathi took a swig of fresh tender coconut water and continued, ‘The trees were not as densely packed as here,…
A to Z… Fatty and the Flying Monkey 6 Apr 20196 Apr 2019 The next few weeks went in a blur for Suri and Nila. First, they had their term tests and the little monkeys were busy buried in their books. Suri, after…
A to Z… Escapades and Excitement 5 Apr 20194 Apr 2019 The ruins of Vanarapuri were precisely that – just ruins. Though they did have a dark history attached to them, most of the younger generation of Vanarapuri were not aware…
A to Z… Desperate for a Friend 4 Apr 20193 Apr 2019 It was a cool Sunday afternoon in Vanarapuri. Suri woke up after his siesta and sniffed the pleasant smells that came wafting in. Eyes twinkling, he jumped from his bed…
A to Z… Cool Down, Cool Girl! 3 Apr 20192 Apr 2019 ‘Nila, what is that you are wearing?’ A curious expression hovered on her mother Tara’s face. They were having lunch together in Tara’s staff room in the Vanarapuri School.…
A to Z… Bets and Buts 2 Apr 20191 Apr 2019 It was a warm and sunny day in Vanarapuri. Suri was gamboling on the branches outside. His mistimed leap during his birthday tree race had made him determined to improve…
A to Z… And, Suri Loses A Race 1 Apr 20191 Apr 2019 Inside a deep, dark jungle, hidden to the outside world was the beautiful monkey city of Vanarapuri. It was home to hundreds of monkey families belonging to different species. One…
Flash Fiction Monsters 27 Mar 2019 The monsters are killing us. We were a proud community who made fabric that was appreciated everywhere. We were the pride and joy of our land, not anymore. How can…
A to Z… Theme Reveal A To Z Challenge 2019 18 Mar 2019 Time has indeed flown in a hurry. I had quite the eventful debut in the AtoZ Challenge last year (read about it here) and to say it was an absolutely…
Flash Fiction Relics 13 Mar 2019 Mom and Dad were already awake and bustling when I woke up. I lumber down the stairs to see Mom scrubbing the long-settled black goop out of an old vase,…
Flash Fiction The Legend of The Scooter Assassin 6 Mar 2019 ‘Ever heard about the Scooter Assassin?’ ‘Who?’ ‘Only the greatest hit-man ever.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yup! Ninety-nine perfect kills. An absolute legend.’ ‘Wow!’ ‘You know what his M.O was?’ ‘Nope!’ ‘Single 9mm…
Flash Fiction Of Past Things 27 Feb 2019 'Do you see that old building there?' Don nodded eagerly to his Grandmother's question. 'Si, Abuelita! I do.' 'That was where I met your abuelo for the first time.' 'Wow! What was he doing?'…
Flash Fiction Glass Roses 20 Feb 201920 Feb 2019 The package arrives precisely at 3 PM. There is a ‘Fragile’ sticker plastered on it. Sometimes, I wonder at his maniacal attention to detail and his obsessive punctuality. Next Second,…
Flash Fiction Spark the change 6 Feb 2019 I saw a spark and decided to keep it safe in the hollow of a forest tree. The forest smoldered and reduced to ashes. For that is the prowess of fire,…
Flash Fiction Three Reclining Chairs Outside Humanity 30 Jan 2019 They gazed at the desolate landscape around them and sighed. Their faces were weary and weathered. They felt old, not just because of their age. Well, that too; they were…
Flash Fiction The Car 23 Jan 2019 He walks at a steady pace, tapping his cane on the mud-caked road. The car is still there, a grotesque bas-relief amidst the scenic greenery. It was his car once,…
Flash Fiction Not Today 16 Jan 2019 I began 2019 with a nice trek on the Himalayas. We saw the snow-capped magnificence of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world after the Everest and K2.…
Flash Fiction My First! 2 Jan 20192 Jan 2019 They never said it would be this messy, and bloody! All they spoke was about the pleasure and the orgasmic high once it's done. How do I clean the sheets?…
Flash Fiction Borders 2 Jan 2019 ‘Hello…’ ‘Good to hear your voice…’ ‘Yeah! Yours as well...’ ‘Does it bother you?’ ‘What?’ ‘Talking to me?’ ‘No! Better than the silence.’ ‘Same here.’ ‘Had your tea?’ ‘Yes! You?’…
Flash Fiction Love 26 Dec 2018 She sets her little wooden chair next to the grave of her beloved and after a session of sighs and tears, she starts reading from the book he once loved.…
Flash Fiction Stan’s Boots 19 Dec 2018 After a very travel-heavy week during which I couldn't get any reading done, this week promises to be a little slow. Hopefully, I'll be able to read most of the…
Flash Fiction Reunion 13 Dec 2018 I met my estranged sister after two decades and I have to say that we cried quite shamelessly in the middle of the plaza. Growing up, we were almost inseparable…
Flash Fiction… Comeuppance 12 Dec 2018 Nero stared at the bleeding man bound to the worktable. The man grunted and moaned pitifully, his sobs choked by a ball-gag fastened around his mouth. He was missing fingers…
Flash Fiction Match Made In Heaven 8 Dec 2018 It was a convention like none other – men and women from different countries had come together to find themselves the perfect job and the perfect partner. Few were nursing…
Flash Fiction… Gambit 31 Oct 2018 I'm but a child watching a chess game. I can see the players concentrating hard, thinking five, six, even ten steps ahead. Moves and countermoves, bluffs and double bluffs. One…
Flash Fiction… Reincarnated(?) 25 Oct 2018 ' I was born here, in this very castle. They named me under this domed roof. I used to play hide and seek in the hidden corridors behind the alcoves.…
Non Fiction My Friends of #MyFriendAlexa 9 Sep 20189 Sep 2018 Open e-mail Click! Check today's list Click! Who's on the list? Shrug! Pick one Click! What's it about? Shrug! Where's the like button? Click! The twitter share? There! Click! Did…
Poetry Almost Enough! 6 Sep 20186 Sep 2018 Eight thirty in the morn surrounded by a thousand cars blowing their horn Packed lunch getting soggy Already! Smartphone beeps Email questioning excel sheets and power point presentations ready Slog,…
Flash Fiction… Penance 5 Sep 2018 I look out, and see them just standing there, not speaking, accusing, tormenting. The bag with the money, and the gun lies on the bed. The reason and the reason.…
Poetry Atlas Shrugs 3 Sep 20183 Sep 2018 A baby is born branded for big things A bright-eyed sapling destined for greatness Does his parents think a second about his wants? The boy is doused with fuel…
Flash Fiction… Mirror, Mirror! – Friday Fictioneers 29 Aug 2018 'Grandmother, what is it?' 'It's a magic mirror, love. It shows what your heart really wants.' 'Really?' 'Well, that's what my grandmother's grandmother told her.' 'Have you taken a peek?'…
FFfAW… The Cursed Dog! – FFfAW 180 28 Aug 201828 Aug 2018 'Bradley!' Rubina calls me by my full name only when I'm in trouble, 'What is that?' I grin and unwrap the delicate packaging. With a flourish, I place the object…
Flash Fiction… Goodbyes – Friday Fictioneers 22 Aug 201822 Aug 2018 The crowd gathered on the banks of the holy river was a living, feeling organism in itself. It ebbed and flowed mimicking the dirty brown water and it glowed with…
FFfAW… Superstitions – FFfAW 179 21 Aug 2018 Professor Mehta turned around and addressed his students, 'This pathway here is forbidden, reserved exclusively for the Gods.' Praful scoffed, 'Yet another superstition! This is ridiculous.' The professor smiled, 'I've…
Flash Fiction… An Interview With My Favorite Author 15 Aug 201816 Aug 2018 It was nothing like what I had imagined. I found him rocking forward and backwards on his famous cane chair, a cigarette dangling between his parched lips. The ashtray on…
FFfAW… Car Cemetery – FFfAW 178 14 Aug 2018 'Grandpa, what are cars made of?' Al considered his grandson Ron's question. 'A lot of different stuff, dear. But, mostly steel.' 'What else?' 'Well, the newer car engines are made…
Flash Fiction… Options – Friday Fictioneers 8 Aug 2018 Take any street, it's a microcosm of the entire world. You can find animals and trees, churches and sewers, saints and predators, happy and sad people, running fast, minding their…
