Extraordinary drama rarely announces itself in everyday life — yet it is often hidden in ordinary moments.
These short stories explore the lives of everyday people navigating love, loss, restlessness, humour, and unexpected change. Each piece offers a brief window into a moment that reveals something deeper about the human experience.
Browse the stories below and discover these everyday epics.
“No Papa, I didn’t lose the pen,” I cried in agony, as Papa slapped my open palm with the cane he had in his right hand. “This will teach you that you shouldn’t speak lies. If you have lost the pen, don’t say you haven’t lost it,” Papa said. “Open your other hand,” he demanded. … Read more
It was a hot summer morning when I saw a man of slim stature and medium height get off his bicycle from my living room window. Srini pressed my doorbell while I was getting my five-year-old son ready for day care before leaving for office. He had well-oiled hair with a centre parting, and a … Read more
Today was my lucky day, I told myself. I had the shared cab all to myself. My destination was at least an hour away. That was when the cab stopped. That was when the woman got in. Someone, perhaps her boyfriend or maybe husband or brother – I wasn’t able to make out, saw her … Read more
On a Sunday afternoon, Balaji was having coffee with his wife at home when the telephone rang. “I am calling from the local police station. Can I talk to Balaji?” “Yes this is Balaji speaking.” “Sir, you have to come to the police station for address verification for your passport. Can you come in the … Read more
On a cold evening in November, the Air India flight from Pune started its descent. In about forty-five minutes, it was to land at the international airport in Newark. In the flight were Mr and Mrs Joshi who were visiting their son and daughter-in-law. They were tentative and unsure about what to expect during their … Read more
They say that when someone goes out of your life, they go out of your memory. I will tell you that it is not true. I had convinced myself it was true, but it wasn’t. I can vouch for that. In that sense, my life has been a lie of some sort. The woman in … Read more
Parikshit Sharma boarded the Thai Air flight from Bangkok to New Delhi. At that time, his mind went back thirteen years. It was then that he had taken the same route last. But at that time, it was the other way round. He had flown out for good from New Delhi to Bangkok. He had … Read more
The morning sun reached the centre of the sky. Even in full brightness, Lakhinath Kaman looked like a ghost. He sat with a straight back on his second-hand two-wheeler. No beeps on his phone. Not a single phone call. No one thought of calling him. The only calls he received in the past week were … Read more
At 6.04 am, the alarm went off. “Mummy,” he howled from under the blanket. There was no response. He pulled the blanket doubly over his face so that the sound of the alarm doesn’t disturb him. It kept ringing. “Mummy…. Mummy,” he yelled again at the top of his voice after a minute. He turned … Read more