The basement was hewn out of old rock. Unlike the house upstairs, this room had existed for centuries. A haven for those who needed it. The walls still bore marks of old candle wax, and the floor was bare. Except for the wooden bed at the corner. Rashmi debated whether …
“RASHMEEEEEEEE,” “Whaaaat?” “COME HERE NOWWW!” Rashmi sighed and put her doll away. Downstairs, she found her big sister in the usual spot by the window. Staring slack-jawed into her phone, with the occasional smirk. “What is it Ramya?” Ramya looked up from her screen. She nodded her head at the Lunch …
8:21 pm Wasim: Asha, are you awake? 8:30 pm Wasim: Hey? Why aren’t you replying? 8:31 pm Wasim: Are you still mad at me? 9.05 pm Wasim: I’m trying to call you, but the network here is spotty. 9.10 pm Wasim: Ok, fine. I’m sorry about showing up at your doorstep …
Almost 11 pm. Laptop shut and stowed away for the night. You stretch and coax the kinks out of your neck. Eyes burning, you reach for that glass of water on the nightstand. Except there’s no glass. A quick debate whether it is worth the trip to the kitchen. Maybe …
Bobby looked at his watch and swore. Even with the shortcut, he would definitely be late. He picked up his pace, running faster than the slightly tight shoes would allow. Dressed in neat chinos and a sport coat, Bobby was rather cute. At least that’s what he tried to remind …
Maya fluffed her favorite pillow. She smiled at her cozy bed, grateful for the luxurious sheets and the tiny night light attached to the headboard. At the end of a lonely, long day, these little things made her smile. Her bedroom door creaked softly. Warily, Maya tiptoed to the door …
There are no absolute truths in life. What you may consider gospel, will be openly laughed at in other parts of the world. And vice versa. Humankind evolved because a few, wise (wo)men challenged the rules. Weary feet invented the wheel, frostbitten fingers discovered fire. Cultures and dynasties rose and …
The queen rubbed her aching neck. It had been a long day. Perched on her head, the crown was an object of absolute splendor. Encrusted with rubies and emeralds, it glittered darkly in the evening sun. Five hundred of her subjects waited in tense silence, their eyes flitting back and …
Veena swerved her car, narrowly missing the pothole. The tires caught on some ice and her heart stopped. She clenched her jaw and steered hard. Finally, thankfully, the wheels regained traction. Purring on in a straight line, her car approached the traffic signal. Blink. Blink. Blink. And Red light. They …
I have always been a wuss around creepy crawlies. Insects of all manner and snakes. Big problem for me. In fact, as a teenager in Mumbai, I often walked past snake charmers and their kind – mostly on Railway bridges and near temples. I took a wide detour every time …
