Narcissism

A change in placement, pattern or taste would have been welcome. She was tempted to add some new seasonings in the tray several times. But one had to follow a set of rules in that house. There were things titled “I just love this”, and others were “Yuck”. No middle ground was ever visualised or …

Different Destinations

smart “I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He said. Time is measured differently by riders of  different vehicles. He did not return. She was the single parent to a child she was carrying then.  She is proud of his success, and the fact that he flies around the world. He may find his father some …

It’s all about consumption

“I guess we’re saying the same thing,” said a commentator who was trolled on social media. The author retorted, “It is all about how, when and where you say it.” Comments that followed …… “A manufacturer only processes, does not create anything.” “Beauty emerges after chiselling.” “Not really, it is about relevance of the final …

Tasteless

Pic: Dale Rogerson “Taste,” said my grandma, “is a function of all that you put in the pan, how and when.” I followed her advice religiously, while cooking meals for a husband who did not love me.  Very few words were exchanged between us. We lived in different worlds with different priorities, and blamed each …

Convergence

Friday Fictioneers Out on the streets, I know convergence of views holds no meaning. A houseful of people scrambling for their own safety, fight suspicion, as they want to know where the other had been, and what is the likelihood of contamination. A pandemic has only highlighted existing divergence and mutual distrust. I scribble on …

Cyclic fate

The arrival of that car means trouble. The mean owner has arrived, and it makes sense to stay away. He hopes to find work elsewhere, and earn a day’s bread for his family.  In the next street, someone is hiring people for slogan-shouting. They have to participate in a rally, in return for lunch and …

Missing

She walked out of her fave restaurant after a satisfying dinner, enjoyed alone. It was her last night in the city. She was going to miss a lot of it. The hurried walks through this street when she was late in the morning, the stroll after lunch and maybe a quick drink after work. The …

Selling pain

Her autobiography is being published long after the star is dead. Somehow, she could not muster the courage to expose her wounds to the world. Celebrityhood imposes certain expectations - of always looking flawless, born privileged and made of stardust. She was made of blazing sun rays, not stardust. The fire had burnt non-stop to …

Sepia Tints

“I don’t know how many spirits have stopped by, or lived here in the last few years. It feels criminal to disturb their abode.” “You cannot build a new structure, without pulling this one down. See what a grand plan I have for our new home, ” he held the architect’s blueprints in his hand …

He used to be ….

“Crowded streets in Covid times are scary…..” “It’s not a fraction of what it used to be on this day.” “This day?” “Yes. Today is Gokulashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna. Traditionally, people tie up yoghurt and sweets in a pot and hang it very high. There is an art of science of getting up …