Short Stories

I was not in a particular hurry, but closed lifts seem to do it to us. I tapped my foot as the lift doors finally closed, waiting to reach the ground floor. A few of us were crammed inside — strangers sharing a tiny metal box for a few seconds. Most of us stared at … Read more

He sat in his room at home in the dark. All alone. In solitude. The noises he heard everyday were about to start. And they did. On the dot. At the precise appointed time. The noises never started all at once. It always started with a couple of voices. Then as time progressed, it always … Read more

“Alexa, don’t run away from me. Listen.” “Playing, Run to you by Bryan Adams.” “Alexa, Stop.” “Alexa, will you pay attention here for once?” “I didn’t quite get that.” “Not you, Alexa. Alexa, you!” “I still didn’t get that. Could you…” “Alexa, Stop.” “Alexa, will you give me, for heaven’s sake, some break from this … Read more

When she bent down to clean the floor beneath, her eyes were drawn towards that drawer again. The drawer was open when the bell rang. She knew what it was inside. She took a deep breath. “Shanthamma, give the keys to the driver,” she heard from the other room. She took the keys from the … Read more

The boy shivered on my sofa when he heard it. I was relieved. It was time for him to go. His mother had called him for lunch. “Aryan, Aryan,” she howled repeatedly. “Bye,” he said and ran downstairs to his house. Aryan came to my house around 11 AM the next day. This had become … Read more

On a wet, gloomy, rainy morning, when the alarm rang, Supriya snoozed it again. She pulled the blanket over her ears. A few more snoozes followed. Her eyes sensed a streak of mild sunlight peeping into her bedroom from the window curtains. Though the sun was not seen, that small ray of light on the … Read more

Rajappa got ready and put on his helmet. He sat on his bicycle, started riding it, and soon reached the main gate security cabin of Keshav Kunj apartment. He must have been the only person who wore a helmet while riding a bicycle. He never forgot it. He was called Helmet Uncle by the kids … Read more

I bent my back and picked up the big grey brick of stone on the ground with my hand. I stood straight and put it on the under-construction layer of bricks and stones in front of me. I felt a soft foot kicking on my back and smiled. I completed what I was doing. The … Read more

Travel broadens the mind, some wise man said. I went on a road trip in 2021 with my dear friend Hemant of Rustik Travel. I joined him in Gujarat in October and the North Eastern part of India in December. After spending a year at home due to the pandemic, we ventured on this trip … Read more