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.
The rhythm and movement of the truck in which they had put my cage made it difficult for me to read the headlines of the newspaper lying outside. I tried hard to concentrate and finally read it. “Leopard spotted in apartment complex,” it said, and it had my photo next to it. I had appeared … Read more
At Hariharan’s marriage this time, his dead first wife was the proverbial elephant in the room. Isn’t that what you call someone or something that no one talks about, but everyone is thinking of? Everyone in attendance sensed Sumangala by her absence. She was still on everyone’s lips. And if not, she was on everyone’s … Read more
“What is the prognosis Sir?” The tense man sitting in front of Dr Sunil asked while he looked at the scan reports. Unlike other doctors who fiddled around when asked such a question, Dr Sunil looked at the man straight in the eye and pronounced his verdict. “One year with treatment. Less than six months … Read more
I am not sure if it were the thunder and lightning, but something did not let me sleep after 2 AM. The pitter patter of rain drops on my windowsill finally got me off my bed. I cast a glance on the wall in front. I saw that it was almost 6 AM and decided … 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
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