The oldest theatre hall in the city caught fire. The firemen were trying to douse the fire. Alia could hear howling of trapped people. Her mom Sarita was ranting ‘This is sabotage. The hall was not making profit. They want to demolish it and build a new 5 star shopping Mall.’ Alia nonchalantly asked ‘how … Continue reading Greed Begets Sin
Pradeep stood awestruck gaping at the multi-storey. While growing up in a small village he never imagined that one day he would reach Chicago, America, the land of dreams. When he got the scholarship he couldn’t believe his luck and now standing here he wanted to pinch himself. He had taken a spoken English class … Continue reading Hold My Hand
The superstition for myna was: “One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told. Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten for a bird, You must not miss.” My brother deliberately held one mynah … Continue reading Happy
D said ‘we are lost’. D pressed my arms and said ‘boss is going to kill us’. I said ‘before that tiger is going to eat us’. There was no network in our mobiles. It was dark inside the forest even during daylight. After wandering the forest for almost two hours, suddenly, D said with … Continue reading Lost
Trina didn’t feel like coming to work today. It was her birthday and she wanted to do something fun. Last night, before leaving she had a terrible fight with store manager Rohan. She was almost in tears. Rohan has this habit of unnecessarily screaming at her even if it is not her fault. Trina literally … Continue reading Flowers in the Storeroom
Every day, she came to my cafe exactly at 4pm. She had a petite frame and stooped while walking. She used to slowly walk towards the blue chair, pull it out, hang her umbrella from the backrest, sit down carefully and then open a book, usually the same book. I knew her food preference, cafe … Continue reading Old Lady and the Blue Chair
‘Why did you ask me to come here?’ asked Trina. ‘I love solitude’ replied Himu in his usual calm tone. ‘This place is secluded and dangerous, can we go somewhere else?’ said Trina. She seemed visibly irritated. ‘What are you scared of? This place or me?’ asked Himu, his gaze ripping apart Trina. ‘It is … Continue reading Love, love me do
Ellen saw ‘unarmed’ Lochinvar alighting from his horse, through the window. She knew he had come to ask for her hand. Her father hated Lochinvar. Tonight, she would have to choose between her father and Lochinvar. Lochinvar entered the Netherby hall. Ellen’s father stood up, with his hand gripping his sword. Lochinvar boldly looked into … Continue reading Lochinvar and Ellen
My mom always got scared whenever I stood at the edge of the terrace wall. I often did this to tease her. I loved to see her scared and worried. She always said she would die because of me. My irresponsible antics will lead to her death. After I shifted to America, with my neighbours, … Continue reading Let Me Fall
Trina Looks Back 