Short Stories

Mapped

Mapped

Yosemite, California January 2022   In between two incongruous worlds, the vibrant nature seemed to erupt in cheers. Hand in hand, they tried to absorb the nascent shimmering golden rays of the sun. They watched the sunrise usher in hope and light, impaling the...

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Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia

Sitting on the edge of anxiety, life was cemented within the four walls. Whenever I dared to step outside, the lingering reluctance seemed to incarcerate my desires time and again. Fear hovered over me like bees buzzing over twinkling wildflowers. That night I...

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The Rebel’s Roar

The Rebel’s Roar

Dear rebellious fighters,   I stand before you today, as the camouflaged strength within you. Although my life draws to a close, I feel surreally honored to have been able to mentor a coterie of revolutionary women at the “PhoenixRise Women’s support Center” for...

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Privileged

Privileged

  I couldn’t believe I was a part of the majestic hooding ceremony, after today I’d be Dr. Lorelei Bright.  In a grand amphitheater adorned with celestial motifs and vast cosmic murals, under the radiant glow of a thousand suspended stars, we gather to celebrate...

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Spooky Shriek or Mysterious Messiah?

Spooky Shriek or Mysterious Messiah?

"You’re a bazillion galaxies away from the planet Earth. This is the largest privately owned tactical training center, complete with R&D labs, life-boarding simulators. We do threat assessments and diplomatic training. All of you have proven quite capable when the...

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Catalyst

Catalyst

“I can’t believe it’s already July! Soon you’ll be leaving for your college this Fall; time to grow up girl. Now stop being dependent on me for all trivial things.” Bina’s muffled yet concerned voice overwhelmed her daughter Rhea. Rhea breathed deeply, trying her best...

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Unveiling My Worth

Unveiling My Worth

Since my birth, I was incarcerated within the morbid, chaotic prejudices. I yearned for a breather to break free the feigned passage of time. None seemed to approve of my ‘non-girlish’ dreams, with questions like “…but why don’t you like dolls and frilly cute...

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Dream a Little

Dream a Little

I named her Dream. Her eyes have a bazillion stories to tell, the stories that weren’t judgmental but were enswathed in jejune hues of lost days. Her diaphanous flowing mane was a sight to behold. The single, spiraled horn protruding from the center of her forehead...

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Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

“Adapt to changes Learn to fly For in everyone Lies a butterfly!”   Maa’s words reverberated in my ears. She was the first person who’d realized I was worth far more than the drugs I was doing way back then. I still reminisce about that fateful day, when Maa was...

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The Wailing Castle

The Wailing Castle

Life as a paranormal investigator, sure ain’t a cakewalk. But I stood firm on my unyielding resolve. Based on my immaculate and efficient track record, I was assigned the complex case of ‘The Wailing Castle’ located in the Sleepy Hollow. A legendary village in the...

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Lingering Love

Lingering Love

Everything around seemed to be an aching reminder of the muted past. The wafting aroma of strawberry cake from the nearby café piqued my nostalgia. The first bite of the cake was exclusively for me always. 'Twas the same cafe that had witnessed two souls falling in...

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The Right Timing

The Right Timing

I still quaver with rage for the way I was made to depart. The hysterical wails of my grieving family made me antsy but I was helpless that day. I’m jolted back to the present, with the warmth of mama’s hand on the granite headstone. Just like the way she’d graze her...

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𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞

A few decades have passed by since I last heard that kinda ‘music’ (if at all, I can call it music). As an adolescent my sense of music was rock-bottom in the truest sense. My mom used to yell her lungs out, with her incessant rants “switch it off, will you? These...

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𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞?

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞?

It’s the same nightmare! Every time I see her ascending the stairs to that picturesque but haunted palace. Extreme fear floods my body coursing through every vein, bone and organ as I see an ominous ray of light glinting on her lustrous mane. Earnestly trying to...

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The journey of love within

The journey of love within

  Since my childhood, I was coddled and cosseted by my parents and grand-parents. As a result, I’d unintentionally fanned the notion of being everyone’s favorite and hence grew my nascent version of “Philautia”. Also, my mother instilled in me my life’s Mantra...

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The Fresh New Painted Beginning

The Fresh New Painted Beginning

Svale used to say, “Consider yourself a newbie while learning, and life will reward you opulently with lessons that are worth cherishing”.   Despite being a recipient of the Magsaysay award for his exemplary contribution in the field of art, he ardently continued to...

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Purpose, Magic and Miracles.

Purpose, Magic and Miracles.

Shankari’s past and present are far removed from each other and she’d lived many lifetimes in between breaths. Today she’d completed her happy second year of city life. Shankari wasn’t equipped for so much happiness, hence often she gets dragged into her past. ** "Too...

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Seeking Answers

Seeking Answers

The wafting aroma of honey cake from the nearby café triggered my nostalgia. ‘Twas the same café that had witnessed two souls falling in love. The mandatory tea, honey cake and shortbread cookies were her absolute favorite which eventually forged its way into my...

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Over And Out

Over And Out

Since the time I was born, I was incarcerated within the morbid, chaotic prejudices. I yearned for a breather to break free the feigned passage of time. None seemed to approve of my ‘non-girlish’ dreams I was compelled to believe my dreams were delusional. Albeit, I'd...

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Ready Or Not!

Ready Or Not!

Every evening, Debbie still plays with that carton. “10, 9, 8, 7…..1… ready or not, here I come”! she squeals with joy. Uncovering her face, she runs around their verdant green backyard looking for her only son Dylan. “Okay.. Dylan, come out I say, Mamma’s getting...

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Time To Usher In Change

Time To Usher In Change

    Shankari felt relaxed as she retired for the day. The plush diaphanous comforter seemed to augment her somnolence. Just when she was about to doze off her thoughts dragged her into the abrasive and meandering lanes of the past. ** Despite being a...

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The Humble Palace

The Humble Palace

          Post lunch, Riyasha took out a book to read, when a tattered photograph of a teenager popped out. Three decades has elapsed, but she could still sniff her old self amidst her refurbished self. Her husband walked out on her, within a...

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Together In Solitude

Together In Solitude

Gazing at the deserted shelves of aisle 7, I reminisce about the very first day I met her. Her luminous hazel eyes were a radiating warm sun warmed with inner gold. When combined with the gentleness of her other facial features and honeyed skin she was capable of...

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