Short fiction #33

My mother didn’t like cooking. On most days, we managed to have breakfast, and lunch at school and Asha akka would come at 7 PM, and produce phulkas and palyas with élan. But on days that akka bunked, and there was no maggi at home, or when we had ordered in two days in a …

Short fiction#31

Happy Mother’s Day! The message reads On some days, I think my daughter forgets me altogether On others she acknowledges that despite all my shortcomings, I’ve played the role of mother as well as any father can.

Short fiction #32

My mother and I, we’ve always discussed everything I’ve been telling her all about the type of guys I like, since I turned fifteen So, when I choose to go the arranged marriage route, I know she knows what I like Only Navin doesn’t meet any of my criteria And yet……….. he is perfect! Mothers …

Short fiction #30

It is already 7 PM, and curfew begins at dot 8, but the watchman at the gate doesn’t question her when she points to the distant PCO booth. She is pale, her eyes are wide open, and there is a sense of urgency about her that belies questions. Niru runs towards the booth, ignoring the …

National anthem at the theater

So, there is a lot of talk for and against national anthem being played before a movie. The only reason I think it's a good idea is that as an adult, i hardly get to sing the anthem, but standing with the rest of the audience in the theater, and silently following the lyrics makes …

Short fiction#29

Suresh was among the first few people I recruited in my role as team lead. I was his mentor, and he quickly won me over with his charm, his brilliance, and his ability to think outside the box. But it was not only about work. He had a laugh the boomed through the bay, he …

Short Fiction#28

Madhu had always been pleasantly plum. She had crazy curly hair, eyes that sparkled, and lips that never stopped smiling. She was the type who would wear a cotton skirt to a wedding and she was allergic to gold. We mostly met at family weddings, since her brother was married to my cousin. And each …