“Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo” the strains of the Bhajan filled her ear as Raka listened to her own voice in her mother’s ringtone. Meera’s love for the Lord shone through her clear voice that like her mother’s touched high notes with ease. At Raka’s last concert, Anuradha had recorded this song on her phone and had used it as her ringtone. She looked up at the clock and wondered why her mother was taking so long to pick up the phone. Ever since her father had passed away,…
Year: 2020
The Prodigal’s Homecoming
Joel thought he would never be home again. He stood on the 17th floor of his plush condominium staring down into the street below. Traffic had reduced to half its usual flow. The virus had forced Dubai and the rest of the world to slow down. Joel paced restlessly and flopped down on the sofa. He looked around at the beautifully decorated room that had been his home for the last two years. Life had been so good. The job offer was irresistible. He knew it would give him the…
The Crow’s Nest – A story of hope
The nest stood hinged between the dark straggly branches of the Gulmohar tree in front of Minni’s balcony. The tree itself was like an eerie skeleton. It stood barren and dry exposed to the elements under the open skies. It was one of the most unlikely places to have built a nest. But the crow did not think so. Everyday, the crow couple would collect bits of scraps, dry twigs and branches, leaves and all sorts of rubbish to furnish their home. Things stolen from people’s houses, collected from the…
The Songs of Spring
Nusrat Naaz was born on the same day as her mother Nadira. However, the three decades that separated their birth day did make a lot of difference. As Nusrat, waited by her daughter’s writhing body, she let her mind go back to the moment 60 years ago when she had first held Nadira in her arms. Her pearly white skin nuzzling against her warm breast as she suckled tentatively at first and then with a new found gusto. It was a happy moment. The skies were ablaze with the colours…
The Special Messenger
“Don’t you feel afraid?” Kartik looked at the older man in awe as smoke from the piping hot tea mug he held in his hands, tickled his nose. Chellappan stood up smiling. He looked at his watch and swung his satchel across his shoulders. They were at the tea stall next to the post office for their mid-day tea break. While Kartik was a new recruit, Chellappan was a veteran and had been working as a postman since the last 30 years. He was 60 years of age, average height…
The Wings of Freedom
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare” The lilting strains of the bhajan filled the air as Soham waited outside the small makeshift temple, busy sketching. He desisted from entering the temple as he did not believe in the idol worship that his mother devoted herself to. As for Soham, he revered his mother more than any idols worshipped in temples. She was the only one before whom he was willing to bow. The other God in Soham’s life was – Art and he was devout in his penance…
Oh! Foolish Heart!
The letter stood innocuously on the table, unopened. Naina looked at it uncertainly every time she passed by. Its familiar monogram smiled back at her in a vain effort to break through the passivity of the observer. It was an invite for the annual alumni meet at St. Michael’s High school, her alma mater. Like every year she decided to ignore it “You cannot keep thinking of what happened ages ago,” her mother finally said “You have to let go. Besides, it’s been a long time Naina. I am sure…
The Journey
I knew it was insane but I still decided to do it.I embarked on one of the most extraordinary journeys of my life by expertly vaulted over the raised eyebrows, delicately waded through pools of tears and strategically evaded the curious questions seeking answers for my unexpected decision. Despite everything, I managed to remain focused on my heart’s desire . The strangest thing about this strange journey is that it began with a word. “Coddiwomple”. It haunted me all through my youth, adolescence and right into my adulthood. I heard…
Chapter 10
Matongini wiped off the beads of perspiration from her forehead with the loose end of her sari as she blew air into her earthen stove. Peeping into the vessel placed on top of the stove, she pushed in the ladle to give the broth another stir. She sat back to let it cook a bit more resting her tired back on the Sal wood stilt that held up her hut. Her eyes tired with age and misery, bore a far-away look. It was as if her body was sitting in…
Chapter 9
Shrikant pursed his lips thoughtfully. Having visited the village and speaking to the people filled his mind with questions. Several things flashed around in his mind. Lalu’s wristwatch and aftershave, the fishing net, Shuddho’s absence on the night of the fire all formed a story waiting to be tied up. However, he needed the thread to do so. A picture that was vaguely forming in his mind, awaited completion. Unfortunately, he was unable to shed adequate light on it to make it look sharper. Shrikant knew he was missing something…
