A tale of justice
The courtroom was packed with people. Everyone had gathered to hear the final judgment in the high profile murder case that had been raging the...2 min
The courtroom was packed with people. Everyone had gathered to hear the final judgment in the high profile murder case that had been raging the...2 min
“Marry a cow,” said Swamiji without flinching a muscle in his face. “What?” the supreme star, as he was known in the Cine industry, was...2 min
Damn it! That maligning prober. That godforsaken ECG machine eavesdrop, clinging to my thoracic home. The tattletale encrypted my movements in zigzag lines on a...2 min
These are the moments you live for. The soothing sea-breeze caresses our cheeks, whispering secrets of faraway lands. Splattering the sky in brilliant shades of...2 min
Adare, County Limerick 2020 “Something ’bout this photograph takes me back in time,” said the retiring Inspector. He was looking down at the contents of...2 min
In the days of yore, there lived King Chaucer who hailed from the House of Fame and ruled over the kingdom of Canterbury. He had...2 min
How often is it that you see some kids playing and feel nostalgic? Blissful, Isn’t it? Well, this is a simple and sweet story of...2 min
Seven girls were chosen from the village. The requirements were exacting and the priest wouldn’t settle for anything less. Chaste virgins with no impure thoughts...2 min
“It can probably be dated back to the Proto-Renaissance period,” she gave the once-over to the painting. “It’s done in the distinctive style of Raphael...2 min
Deep inside the dense forests of Malkangiri, Chittaranjan perched himself on a machaan erected on a gigantic sal tree. The elevation at which he was...2 min
August 1940. They were a raggedly bunch of 10-year old lads, on the cusp of adolescence. The war made their families entrust them to the...2 min
Once upon a time, more than a thousand billion moonlit nights ago, across the seven seas and seven mountains flourished a kingdom, surrounded by deep...2 min
I am a regular at my aunt’s therapeutic center. She has a gift, it is rumored and people visit her establishment in droves. The place...2 min
She stood there gazing at the huge portrait. The gentle figure in it sitting against the tanned backdrop, was an image to behold! Her brown...2 min
Little Gretl could hardly keep her eyes shut. The thundering monster outside challenged her. His flashing eyes and scary roar made the seven Von Trapp...2 min
The search for it was on. It was already noon in the deceitful marshes of Mulleton and the nearby forest of Wickle. Soldiers and thieves,...2 min
‘Come on Grandma, tell us a tale,’ requested seven-year-old Mark. ‘And it has to be a new story. We know all your old ones,’ whined...6 min
Betty Cooper opened her eyes. The place was aglow in crimson hues. Dark Shadows of the ghastly fire danced in front of her eyes. Instinctively,...5 min
“Cooper, please be a good boy today and do not stray away like last time. Just stay with the herd. Okay?” Mother rubbed her moist...5 min
“Kwo-oooop!” Yuan squinted up at the skies, his hand over his thick brows. He knew the screech too well. A savage cat was lurking close...5 min
Subri’s story: My name is Subramaniam, in short, Subri. I work in the Theni wing of Cosmopolitan Trekking Club, founded by Von Reid, a world-famous...6 min
Emeralds, ambers, and sapphires sparkle in pairs. Scintillating shimmer loops around us, weaving this way and that. A purr follows a buzz. A suppressed howl...6 min
It slumbered for ages, hidden from the living. Alas! They discovered it. They woke it and enslaved it, making it a mere tool in their...6 min
“Breakfast time!” yelled Mrs. Cooper straining her tender voice making sure her family of 102 was warned. Each of her 100 kids, lined up like...5 min
River Merced plummets down the rocky hill, day and night disrupting my meditation. The squirrels scamper around collecting cones, tickling my body with every move....5 min
As I set my paws in the vast expanse of land, I felt free. I jumped and roared to my heart’s delight. Was it another...5 min
Don’t worry ma, you take father to the hospital. I will transfer money tonight itself’, Sumana assured her. She picked up her phone and gave...2 min
My self Sushila. I come from small town. My family very religious, following all customs and rituals. And of course, following the great Babaji. Jai...2 min
As the rounded Sun trekked up to the mountain top, the friendly rooster synced his wake up calls with the melodious warble of the morning...2 min
Radhamani quickened her steps. The sun was yet to rise, and planet Venus was still shining. In the silence of early morning, she could hear the...2 min
The sound of the rain pounding heavily on the roof grew deafeningly loud. There was no respite from the downpour in the last two days....2 min
Shanti gazed at the distant gleam of sunshine in the garden beyond, from the confines of her small shaggy prison cell. The bars stood between...2 min
The enticing aroma of coffee wafted across CCD, as l lost myself in the dreamy eyes of my wife, Priya. The hint of a smile...2 min
It was heartrending to see dad lying in a semiconscious state with several tubes stuck to his fragile body. An extremely soft natured man; he...2 min
I have no hesitation to admit that I also loved him for the sex. Every moment with him in bed was different, every single time....2 min
“La pila de, Sathi…” Ummm, what more does an old man want. A single malt in hand, on the rocks and the soft, mellifluous voice...6 min
She stood by the window and watched them. The playground reverberated with the exuberant chatter and laughter of her children. They had just finished a...6 min
Nisha was feeling ecstatic. Nothing made her happier than her early morning five-kilometer run. Today was extra special. She was back to running after a...7 min
I have been making plans. A few. Nothing much really. A trip to Switzerland. I have always wanted to go there. I think I have...7 min
How much we fear death. Dr. Robert Edellman did what any man would do when a pistol was pointed to his temple. He yielded to...6 min
Prologue This is the year 3020 and the Earth is renamed Terra 2.0. The entities ‘Food’ and ‘Water’ have perished after the floods...7 min
Chapter One: The Pledge After the darkness of the night, Sun gave away a hue of copper to the sky. The beaked chorus of birds...8 min
“Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” This was what Shakespeare felt about life. But for me,...7 min
The constant hum of the machines that fills the still air soothes his soul. “So, I’ll wait for my gift, Mr. Ahmed.” The inspector winks....7 min
10 am, February 2003. New York, District Court. “All rise for the Honourable Judge Richards.” At the bailiff’s announcement, all rose. Judge Richards sat, perched...8 min
“What’s up mom?” Tana smiled and looked at her. She smiled and responded, “I’ve just finished my evening prayers.” “Good, let’s prepare dinner, come help...4 min
The wails, the pleadings for mercy followed her. The devilish laughter of the man, as he beat and pulled the woman inside, still reverberated around...4 min
Ramlal Babu* was elated and I still remember his first touch. He exclaimed, “Ahh! So smooth, just as I had imagined!” I couldn’t have been...5 min
Daniel stared at the massive pile that awaited him. Discarded medicines, toxic drugs, hazardous materials and chemical wastes. The stench no longer assailed him. More...3 min
In 1947 the winds of partition rose up like a maelstrom, furiously whipping through the Indian subcontinent. They left death and destruction in their wake....4 min
1227 AD, Burkhan Khaldun The digging was at its peak. It had started on the thirteenth day, when we had arrived at this hillock of...3 min
The game was on. Akansha had started to count. It was her turn to seek and our turn to hide. We, the children of Mehbulla...3 min
The basement was dank and smelt of fear, a mixture of breath, sweat, and urine. It was too small for all of us to fit,...3 min
I haven’t moved on yet…though they had bid me adieu four days ago. Am I already forgotten, buried as an unwanted past? The veranda, adorned...7 min
“Mom!” I whisper softly. “Mom…Mom. I am thirsty. Mom…wake up!” still whispering I nudge her gently. Why isn’t she waking up? I am thirsty. I...5 min
It was the winter of 1857. The cold winds cascading down the northern mountains had swept across the city of Delhi, swathing it in...6 min
The meeting Behind the ancient wrought-iron gates, the night was eerily tranquil. Rows of tombstones were standing erect in quietude, to the left and...7 min
London, June 1880. The summer sun played around gaily with the honeysuckles and the forget-me-nots. The lilac cornflowers seemed to dance around in the warm...7 min
The room was filled with a palpable chill, as time ebbed slowly as I looked down at my own body strapped onto the ventilator. Countless...6 min
Tonight is the night of the blood moon. A Shaman had once told me these nights are marked for marvel. I peered among the branches,...8 min
The two horse trainers approached the stables on a moonlit night. There was a leap in their step, excitement writ large on their faces. They...6 min
“I want to have my own baby, Doctor. Will you help me please?” Neha Thakker had walked into ‘Hope Genesis Clinic’ with a lot of...2 min
My name is Mango, Alphonso a.k.a hapuz Mango. I grew up here in the back yard, owned by an old couple, by the edge of...2 min
Once upon a time there lived a king named Kosm, to whom glory and might were kind. He ruled over a kingdom so vast that...7 min
“Kariim..” Her voice trailed with the fading lights of the day. He wasn’t coming back. Swallowing the huge lump in her throat, she started the...2 min
Once again he was gone, unaware of my existence; soon a heart skipped a beat, a pair of eyes winked and somewhere twosome kidneys jingled...2 min
It is a vicious circle. But… In my thirty years of existence, if there is one word that would describe me aptly- it would be...2 min
Kallar Ghat was hardly motorable. Landslides left nearly two scores of people dead and a few more missing. Many remained buried inside their vehicles after...2 min
‘Come and sit here, next to me.’ The teenage boy who boarded the bus at M G Road looked in the direction of the tremulous...2 min
“I love spiders…..” I spoke aloud to convince myself and failed…. Shoo…shooo….. I cringed in horror…. Three hairy brown arachnids crawled over my blood...2 min
“I will never lie anymore, Ralph. I promise you. Just go with the story this once, okay?” Jack pleaded, mustering as much appeal in his...2 min
“I’ll get’em scamps one day.” Police Constable Buckroo bellowed, as usual, after the village pranksters. ____________________________ A bachelor, he was a portly man with a...2 min
Trust me! I was very lucky. How many of you could survive a 15 feet fall and live to tell the tale? I did and...2 min
He carried the child on his head in neck deep waters, towards safety. Many many eons ago, heavy rains lashed the town. The skies above...2 min
“Sit quietly!” I said, “Giggling? You idiot.” It was Bablu this time. The most notorious of them all. To mind a class of forty 17-18yo...2 min
“When will dad come back?” My five year old son, Ketan, sobbed seeing his father leaving with a suitcase. My husband, Mukesh, travelled to Ratlam...2 min
Whoosh! And she was gone! Gone down the rabbit hole, just like Alice in Wonderland. 21 year old Alicia Creado had been selected for a...2 min
Mysty Bayou– The freshly painted words on an old board greeted as our car entered the town. Delays shadowed me in every possible place. Still,...8 min
The creaking stairs, the approaching steps woke up Shireen with a start. For the next few moments, but what felt like eternity, she could hear...7 min
Samuel Clooney was doomed. His new book had received abysmal reviews… “Sam Clooney’s comeback is too insipid…too predictable compared to his famous Gabriel series….” It...8 min
“Let’s keep the lights on today, darling.” “No!” I almost screamed, then somehow controlled. Taking a deep breath, I tried to sound as sweet as...3 min
He said he still loved me, but the irony of those words seared through my heart. The enormity of the agonising moment grew heavier in...3 min
Needles pricked my arm. Head pounded like crazy. Parched mouth heavy with cigarette taste, it took effort to crack open my eyes. Blinking a few...3 min
End of 1995. HELP!! Help.. please… Can you hear me? Don’t lock me in. I beg of you. It’s dark in here. I feel something...3 min
Thump…thump. I could hear my heartbeats. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my dupatta. Soon I was going to speak in front...3 min
The phone beeped again. No, it won’t be her. She hadn’t pinged me after that night two months ago! She had messaged me a few...3 min
This is not a story, rather an appeal to find a friend of mine. I have an axe to grind with her. I am a...3 min
Mohan looked at his twin brother anxiously. Though he was only two minutes younger, he always looked up to Ratan for solutions to all their...2 min
‘Yes, mom. ….No, please. Don’t worry….just a stomach ache….I am fine….yes, definitely… ..no, won’t miss it from next Friday……..Ok, then. See you on Sunday. Bye’...2 min
The beautiful ranch, in sunny Mexico, spread before her eyes. Samantha Crump, let out a phlegm filled cough, and walked towards the stables. She cast...2 min
The dark never bothered her; neither did the shrill wails, rattles, and shadows. Kiva spent most of her life living in a tiny hut beside...10 min
And The Rest Becomes History Disclaimer: The story is a work of the writer’s overactive imagination. Liberties were taken. However the writer assures you that...9 min
“Mr. God, do we really need Ms. Death down there? I mean, look at man…. such a beautiful creation of yours…near perfect I would say…...1 min
The river flowed on, beyond a curtain of mist, its coquettish laughter ringing out in the morning air. Today, its laughter seemed to hold the...1 min
He was the Jack of all trades. Literally. His name was Jack and he was a whimsical poet, a gifted artist, a melodious singer, a...7 min
The large oak door was open, allowing the winter chill to seep into the house. Where was the butler? “This way, ma’am. Please, the Inspector...3 min
‘What do we do now?’, Dipa paced frantically with the letter in her hand. Anil did not know and went on to add, ‘I mean,...3 min
Devikulam, my home town is a sleepy hamlet in the foothills of Munnar, in Kerala. The name was evolved from two words Devi, meaning goddess...3 min
It’s the night of Diwali. The smell of firecrackers permeates the air, taking me back, like it always does, to some memories from my childhood....6 min
The dream was back again. But, this time not in sleep. Amalia, the youngest General manager of the company was attending an important meeting, when...1 min
‘Thambi, I am too tired to tell the story. Can you do the honours?’, Raji requested. At her bid, I relate to you the story...1 min
Picking up the bale of grass I started feeding Ganpya inside the cowshed. This big wooden structure housed our two oxes, Ganpya and Harya. While...3 min
“Come in, Amara.” He gestured for me to step inside. The man did not look like a servant, but he wasn’t the owner either. I...3 min
My sonny gone over de ocean My sonny gone over de sea He gawn dere tuh work for mo’ money And dat he gawn send...1 min
‘Three sovereigns and not a paisa less!’ my mother raised her voice to the bewilderment of the girl’s father. ‘My son can speak in...5 min
Despite summer being at its peak, the day was windy with dark clouds looming over the buildings. It was Wednesday. Again. A roar of laughter...1 min
Saima was passing by a posh coffee joint when the clouds above broke into a fine rain. She froze in her steps and was about...1 min
Today seems to be a day of inescapable wetness. The downpour lashes the air furiously. The smell of fresh coffee, turning cold, fuels my stamina...1 min
‘Can you see a pattern here?’ asked the Inspector. ‘All during monsoon, Sir’, the new recruit answered promptly. ‘Hence I christened him the Monsooner.’, the...1 min
I served the hundred and fifty-eighth coffee with a polite smile on my face. It was a poor decision to wear the new shoes when...7 min
This is the story of eight-year-old Rani, wedded to a farmer’s son. In those days, small girls were married off to a man much older...1 min
A knock on the door was what triggered off the chain of events. Anika was clearing the loft, poised delicately on a seven-foot-high ladder. Bingo,...1 min
After driving around the city, I took a break at a lounge in Khan market. There were a couple of ladies gathered around a man...1 min
It was a lazy afternoon in the Heavens. God was sipping his tea in the garden. The Devil was napping in his hammock at a...1 min
Jerry’s mother, Martha, not one of world’s shiny happy beings, had a saying: ‘When things go wrong, they keep going wrong until there’s tears.’ ________________...1 min
~Listen to me while you read?~ My legs hurt from standing, but I had a job to do. Oh! The prince was riding on a...5 min
‘Tell me, what brings you to our hinterlands?’ His eyes smiled. I was comforted by his easy demeanour, especially after the unnerving lone trek...7 min
“ Midnight on the bridge. Come alone.” Six words were all I typed before pressing the Send button and then I switched off my phone....1 min