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
Strangely, the only question that popped up in his mind when the end of the world was declared was, “What about breakfast tomorrow?” Neel didn’t want to face it with a hungry stomach. He had just finished lunch when the news flashed on the screen. A minute later he paid more attention to it. “The … Read more
“It’s you, again,” I sensed her and said to myself. Well, I have to say, whatever I have to say, only to myself. Because no one else can hear me. Except spirits like you, who hover around for no reason and can’t do anything else, anyway. That’s because I cannot speak. So there’s no question … 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
I don’t know who I should call a friend. Friendships happen out of nowhere when doing things together. And once they happen, I often find myself keeping them going whether I like it or not. I have made friends when I chanced upon someone who read a common book. I have made friends when I … 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