Author: Varad

Self-published author/ Social media neanderthal.

Darkness

Darkness never scared her. As a child, she had spent countless hours in the narrow, dark space between her parents’ … More

Ghost

‘Your usual, ma’am?’ She nods like she does daily – head tilted half an inch to the front and her … More

The Thirsty Ghost

Unfortunately, there are no supernatural entities in India starting with the letter ‘T.’ There are mentions of the monstrous creature … More

Fade Away

I had always been interested in photographs. No, not the images captured on the photo paper, but the way chemicals … More

Skondhokata

The last train of the night slowed down to a stop in the Keshabpur railway station. Amar yawned and waved … More

Qliphoth

‘Majestic! Absolutely majestic!’ Vishal Kapur exclaimed on seeing the scenic vistas from the balcony of the Skyline apartments. His daughter … More

Jann is a Jinn

Abu was a poor fisherman. Every morning, he rowed his boat to the middle of the ocean, where he cast … More

New Home

  The home we left had no doors or windows. That’s where we ate, slept, and procreated.  Anyone on the … More

The Promised Land

They alighted the rickety jeeps at midnight. The man to whom they had bequeathed their money pointed the way forward … More

Box Office

He left his home to become the first filmmaker of South India. He faced obstacles at every corner. He lied … More

The Burden

Usually, I’d have left long back. A honeymooning couple holding hands, whispering and giggling without a care in the world. … More

Sailfish

Bart was supposed to be a star! Scratch that – a superstar! Coach used to claim that Bart’s mother had … More

The Tipping Point

The barbed wire fence was cut after the war that had raged for half a century came crashing to a … More

Snow!

‘Grandpa! Look, It’s snowing!’ Five-year-old Emily jumped in glee, her little hands coming together in a joyous clap. I smile … More

Jump

‘It’s all about your core and balance,’ Ralph murmurs. ‘Parkour is tapping into the courage you didn’t know you had.’ … More

Hate Prevails

‘Do you know that Hamburg was nearly wiped out of the map during WWII?’ My parents were impressed. They had … More

Bluebeard

They said that he never remained married for long and his wives vanished mysteriously. When his eyes fell on me, … More

I’m Done

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 … More

Goobaloo

‘Our forests were much different than the ones around Vanarapuri,’ Fathi took a swig of fresh tender coconut water and … More

Escapades and Excitement

The ruins of Vanarapuri were precisely that – just ruins. Though they did have a dark history attached to them, … More

Desperate for a Friend

It was a cool Sunday afternoon in Vanarapuri. Suri woke up after his siesta and sniffed the pleasant smells that … More

Cool Down, Cool Girl!

  ‘Nila, what is that you are wearing?’ A curious expression hovered on her mother Tara’s face. They were having … More

Bets and Buts

It was a warm and sunny day in Vanarapuri. Suri was gamboling on the branches outside. His mistimed leap during … More

And, Suri Loses A Race

Inside a deep, dark jungle, hidden to the outside world was the beautiful monkey city of Vanarapuri. It was home … More

Monsters

The monsters are killing us. We were a proud community who made fabric that was appreciated everywhere. We were the … More

Relics

Mom and Dad were already awake and bustling when I woke up. I lumber down the stairs to see Mom … More

The Legend of The Scooter Assassin

‘Ever heard about the Scooter Assassin?’ ‘Who?’ ‘Only the greatest hit-man ever.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yup! Ninety-nine perfect kills. An absolute legend.’ … More

Of Past Things

‘Do you see that old building there?’ Don nodded eagerly to his Grandmother’s question. ‘Si, Abuelita! I do.’ ‘That was … More

Glass Roses

The package arrives precisely at 3 PM. There is a ‘Fragile’ sticker plastered on it. Sometimes, I wonder at his … More

Spark the change

I saw a spark and decided to keep it safe in the hollow of a forest tree. The forest smoldered and … More

The Car

He walks at a steady pace, tapping his cane on the mud-caked road. The car is still there, a grotesque … More