Shail's Nest

She fed them herself. Each rice-ball shaped with the right amount of vegetables, dal, rice ….and love that swelled in her heart. She stroked them gently till they slept, peacefully. In the morning, the police came. As they led her away, she gave her son-in-law a crooked smile of triumph. He couldn’t hurt them anymore!

- a story Her cheeks were wet with tears. She stood silently looking at her mother’s face contorted in anger, now blurring as her eyes filled with fresh tears. She had not yet understood how to solve the math problem and her mother was clearly annoyed, chastising her in loud tones. She felt hemmed in [...]

- a story The Tiny Weed stood clinging precariously to the barren rocks. Its leaves were carefully painted a beautiful green with the little moisture its tiny roots could gather from the surroundings. There was something about the Tiny Weed standing proudly against the grey barrenness of the rocks that caught the eye of the [...]

“Chinese!” she smiled. “Sure!!” he replied gallantly. His heart sank watching her expertly handling chop-sticks. She looked enquiringly at his untouched plate. “Upset tummy…” he feigned. “Awww…!” she sympathized. As he lay in bed, rats gnawing his insides, he vowed to fortify himself with his mother’s tasty curd-rice before next venturing to a Chinese restaurant. [...]

I sensed rather than saw him behind the curtains. I remained motionless waiting for him to make his move. He was headed for the kitchen for sure. Today I was going to catch him red-handed, the fatso! All he could think of was food, food and more food. When he got the chance he even [...]

“Here is a rainbow. For you!” he said. She extended her hand to accept, her eyes shining with colors far brighter. He quickly withdrew his hands making the colors vanish in a flash. “The rainbow doesn’t belong to you alone…” he said laughing. “Fooled you!!” “You didn’t have to….” she replied “I was born one.”

- a short story I am a ghost. Well don’t run away. I wouldn’t dream of scaring anyone. In all probability I’d be the one scared stiff if you shouted ‘Boo’ in my vicinity!! I live in yonder house you see…yes the small neat little one, with the tiny garden in front that lies just [...]

- a short story I met her when I moved to the small apartment block in the suburbs. I had just kicked out Rajesh from my life when I found out he was having an affair with a colleague’s wife. It was Neha, my seven year old and I, on our own now. I had [...]

- a short story. She looked at him across the compartment. He looked back at her nonchalantly. There was no trace of any emotion on his face. It was just blank. How could he?? How could he?? She felt crushed, miserable How could he do this to me?? Why did he do this to me?? [...]

- a story of heartbreak. I have lost the last chance I took. They have taken over. I am powerless. They tell me what I should do. I have to obey. They tell me I have to seal my heart shut. How can I?? I told them it was impossible. They tell me I am [...]