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"U" for "Upscale"

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The boutique was renowned for catering to a selective clientele. Its luxury interiors were adorned in shades of ivory and gold. At the centre of the room hung an exquisite chandelier from the ceiling. Below it, a mirror on the floor reflected a second chandelier. Each day, the colour theme was changed, and today it featured beige and gold. All items displayed for sale were either beige or gold. Fresh red roses were arranged in golden vases near the Accounts section. Two sales associates stood ready to welcome customers, dressed in body-hugging ivory tunics, gelled ponytails, and crimson lipstick. Today’s beige and gold collection had been selected from the New York Fashion Show, and the store manager was anticipating visits from a few celebrities. A woman entered the store, dressed in plain clothing and looking nervous. She certainly didn’t appear to be someone who could afford designer clothing. One of the associates greeted her and offered assistance. Slightly trembling, the woman ha...
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"T" for "Talkative"

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  “Hey, what’s up?” His voice was curious and excited as always. Before she could reply, he continued, “Are you getting bored? Why don’t you watch a movie? There’s a good thriller web series on Netflix. Have you watched it? I’m sure you haven’t. Oh, and don’t go out in this heat. Make sure to drink plenty of water. You don’t have to go to the gym every day; practising yoga at home is a great alternative. I’ve been doing that too.” He paused to take a breath and then realized she had disconnected the call. He dialled another number. “Hey Ronit, how are you, dude? I hope I’m not disturbing you. I know I’m not! Let’s chat for a while. Isn’t it too hot these days? I thought about stopping by your place today, but after seeing the weather outside, I decided against it. What can I say? My skin is too sensitive, and I get tanned easily. How about you? Are you okay with tanning, or…” Suddenly, a gentle push from behind interrupted him. He turned around to see Ronit standing there, holding ...
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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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