Shail’s Nest

- a story

I lay there in the blue light listening to the rhythm of the train. The rest of the passengers were all fast asleep. I couldn’t sleep. It would soon be time for me to disembark. Outside it was raining. The drizzle made faint patterns on the window pane. My journey was about to [...]

- A 55 words story

“Who spilt the paint??” the mother asked angrily.
“Not I… ” Little heads shook denying.
“It’s you!” the mother accused her.
“I didn’t” she said indignantly.
“Liar!!!”
The boy smiled weakly, in embarrassment.
“It’s him,” she pointed.
“Oh was it you darling??” the mother smiled, hugging the son.
The non-liar daughter stood watching from the sidelines.

– a 55 word story

“Show me your lunch-box!” the mother-in-law demanded.
She obediently showed the small-sized rotis, the sparse vegetables.
“Three??!” she hissed spitefully, taking one out, throwing it to the dog.
At noon, her co-workers shared from their lunch-boxes.
Her eyes overflowed at their kindness, remembering with sadness, the unkind grandmother of the baby growing in her [...]

- a 55 word story

“Go inside”
“Why??”
“You can read in your room”
“I want to sit here and read. It’s cooler here…”
“Some boys are loitering outside.”
“So??”
“They are staring at you…”
“So??”
She didn’t see the slap coming.
“Go inside, now!”
She went in quietly.
She learnt: When boys ogled her, it was somehow her fault.

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The above is a 55-word [...]

- 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 passing [...]

“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.

Note: From [...]

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 opposite [...]

- 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 moved [...]