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"S" for "Serendipity"

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The spring breeze was blowing, and her scarf fluttered alongside it. She walked with grace; her face lit up by a smile. She felt happy, as her morning had begun with a brief conversation with him. She knew her day would be bright, with thoughts of his dazzling smile occasionally drifting into her mind. Deep down, she wished she could see that smile in person someday. For now, that moment seemed impossible, but she was willing to wait for it. As she paused at an ice cream cart to celebrate her small joy, her gaze caught a man standing at a nearby tea stall. Unable to believe her eyes, she continued to watch him as he chatted intimately with another woman, sharing happy moments. Suddenly, the ice cream fell from her hand, and she ran away, overwhelmed by the sudden realization. The man from France, with whom she had been chatting for so many days, dreaming of starting a life together, had been here all along. All her wishes and dreams were shattered as she grappled with the painful truth...
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"R" for "Reckless"

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He had been like this since his childhood. Paying no heed to any safety protocols, always up to dangerous stunts, as if he were invincible. He had been almost dead many a time for this attitude, but well, every time it had been just “Almost”. And that had made him more determined and confident, with the idea of achieving an invisible protective shield, a feeling of being a superhero without the cape. From climbing steep cliffs without support to doing dangerous bike stunts on the highway, he had done it all. It was as if he were married to Lady Luck. But that night was different. He was riding his custom-made bike for his comfort, and just as he was about to stand up on the seat, for the first time in his life, he missed the moment and slipped off the bike. The extreme force flew him a few metres away, and he bumped several times on the hard concrete of the highway before a speeding lorry ran over him. Lady Luck divorced him that night. This post is a part of  BlogchatterA2Z Challe...
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"Q" for "Quaint"

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The thirty-something superstar dramatically descended the hotel stairs. Dressed in the trendiest outfit, his smile alone sent the media and fans into a frenzy. Aware of his star power, he used every bit of it to charm those around him. With just a wave of his hand and a kiss blown into the air, he gave the crowd exactly what they wanted. He was there for a press conference promoting his latest release. The paparazzi in the lobby quickly gathered around him. In the corner of the lobby, an elderly man in white overalls observed the scene from a distance. He was playing the hero's father in the new film. In his 80s, he still exuded charm and sophistication, maintaining his evergreen persona without drawing attention to himself. He was happy for the new superstar and rose from his seat to head to his car. As he walked, he reminisced about 50 years ago, when all the cameras were on him, just as they are on the younger star today. He also recalled, from that time, another elderly man sit...
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Book Review: The Tree, the Well & the Drag Queen

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I have finished Salini Vineeth's The Tree, the Well & the Drag Queen in one day. No kidding! I had been watching a few movies, and one day I just picked up this book and thought about reading. As a child, I loved to read fantasy stories, like " Thakumar Jhuli" by Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar, in Bengali. This story took me back to those times. I will tell you how. About the book: Nina, a Mumbai-based drag queen who unwillingly returns to their ancestral home to break a curse of a demonic jackfruit tree, enters an almost trans-like world of fantasy, reality, lost identity, trauma, and healing. Through his eyes, we go into an unexplored world of existential crisis, of a woman trapped in a woman's body and the humiliation they have to undergo. About Salini Vineeth: Salini has been a fiction writer and translator since 2019. Her other works include stories such as Lost Edges , Magic Square , and Everyday People , as well as travel guides to Hampi and Badami. Review ...
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"P" for "Pathbreaking"

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They carried the sleeping girl on their shoulders. At just nine years old, she was unaware of what awaited her. Another group of men was carrying the body of a very old man who had passed away only a few hours earlier. He had lived a long life and died a natural death at an old age. The little girl’s forehead was smeared with vermilion, as if it had been rubbed by rough hands. The old man's body was placed beside the pyre, and the small girl was called from her sleep. Oblivious to her surroundings, she cried out for her mother, who was nearby but was held back by other women, preventing her from reaching her daughter. Suddenly, a woman on horseback emerged from the darkness near the burning ghats. With her sword drawn in her left hand, she galloped through the crowd, stunning everyone as she snatched the girl from their grasp and rode away as quickly as she could. The little girl was rescued from being burned alongside her deceased husband’s pyre. This post is a part of  Blogchatte...
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"O" for "Oppression"

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The golden crown, adorned with a red ruby, gleamed atop her head. The vermilion mark on her forehead accentuated her sharp features. She wore a flowing red silk gown, intricately embroidered with real gold. Gold jewellery studded with precious stones radiated an aura around her. Her crimson lips were pressed into a forced smile, while her kohl-rimmed eyes scanned the surroundings like a vulture watching over its throne. A maid approached her, holding a marble glass filled with milk. She took a sip of the hot milk and immediately gasped, as it was too hot for her taste. Seething with rage, she hurled the milk into the maid's face, scalding her for life. This post is a part of  BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026
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"N" for "Nihilist"

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The man was playing a small violin. A little girl, perhaps his daughter, was dancing rhythmically to the soulful tune. People gathered around, cheering and clapping. The centre of the square transformed into a carnival atmosphere, with a few couples joining in the dance. Some spectators tossed coins into a box near the performers, adding to the festive mood of the evening. Suddenly, a group of bikers dressed in chains and leather erupted onto the scene, howling like wolves. The cheering crowd, caught off guard, scattered in fear. The violinist and the little girl halted their performance. The bikers circled around, and one of them snatched the violin from the man and threw it aside, shattering it. Another biker kicked the box of coins with all his might, sending coins flying everywhere. After their rampage, the bikers left, still howling. The little girl began to collect the scattered coins. This post is a part of  BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026
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