I used to write a lot of angst filled fiction..but I must admit that I havent really worked on it much in the past year or so.
On a more interesting and exciting note, I have just completed writing and illustrating "The Magic Mirror" - a children's fairytale and picture book, as part of my graduate thesis. In fact I have gone through the prelimnary rounds of the publishing process and have contacted several agents and publishing houses in the hopes of getting my book published. Hopefully someone will get back to me soon and I will be a published author of children's books! Until then, I dont want to post anything more on that, since its currently circulating amidst publishing circles looking for a sugar daddy or sugar mommy!
Instead what I have done here is posted excerpts of some of the other stories I wrote and never got around to sending in for publication. If you want to read the complete stories, do send me an email and I can send you a copy.
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Patchwork
The old woman sat working on her patchwork Quilt. Her fingers sewed deftly and neatly. She was at peace with herself. At last...
The afternoon sun lazily washed over her face, as she sat under the old Banyan tree, absorbed in her task. Somewhere in the distance she could hear the village kids laughing. A cow tethered to the same tree chewed on some grass a few feet from her. All around her was tranquility.
Dressed in a faded old cotton sari, she looked her age. In fact, some would say, she looked older than her years. Innumerable worry lines, marked her forehead. Her neck sagged and her face was covered with wrinkles. Yet her eyes radiated an inner peace. A final acceptance of the past. She looked almost regal in her simplicity.
In a way, it was like sewing a patchwork of her life together. All her experiences, insights, happiness and sorrow. Her problems and her peace – all woven into her beloved quilt...
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The Last Laugh
The rain fell softly, continuously, a mirror to the turmoil in her mind. How long would this go on? For how long could she bear to be a silent witness to all that was happening around her?
The silent patter of rain, was her only companion. At least one thing in life was continuous, she thought wryly to herself. The rain had not ceased for the past two days and already the distress signals had been sounded. Slums had been cleared out. People moved to higher, safer ground. Everyone seemed to curse the rain, for disrupting their routine.
But not she. It was amazingly perfect, this steady patter in the background - the only friend she had - complementing her state of mind in entirety; totally in sync with her emotions.
The rain had not ceased its downpour. Just as her emotions steadily twisted, turned in a jumbled cry for release – a solution, a happy ending.
‘If only...No! It was not possible. How could anyone understand, who could even begin to comprehend? No...it was not possible.’ She sighed...
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The Realization
The station was deserted.
She looked around her in dismay as she walked down the platform. One crippled beggar and a lone tea stall greeted her.
The fluorescent lights hurt her eyes, as she sighed and looked at her watch. 10pm and not a soul in the world – at least in the immediate world of the dingy station. Spotting a bench, she gratefully made her way towards it and sank her weary limbs onto the concrete slab.
An overfriendly dog came bounding up to her and started nuzzling her toes hopefully. “Go away doggy! I’m tired and just want to go home…” she said tonelessly. The dog refusing to take no for an answer and continued playfully prancing around her.
Alighting on the train, she realized too late that she was the only soul in the compartment. Slowly, it made its painful way past Charni Road, Bandra, Santacruz…she must have dozed off, for suddenly she was startled awake…. the train had stopped for how long she wouldn’t know.Damn! Why hadn’t she worn her watch today of all days? She peered out of the window fearfully and wondered why she was in this godawful train that had just stopped in the middle of nowhere. As the perspiration started dripping from her forehead....
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