Mr. Saykar Satish Govind Head and Asst. Professor, A.S.C.College, Ramanandnagar “Samina Ali has created a compelling story filled with psychological insight and a deep understanding of the conflicts that plague all of us who inhabit two worlds.” – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Madras on Rainy Days is a sad, touching and pathetic story of the life…
Author: Madhuri Bite
Eighteen Wheels and Another Mouth to Feed
Hello?
Aparna Mukhedkar Hyderabad, India It was a dark moonless night. Ainee was reading a novel on her single bed with a shawl covering only her legs. Her eyes felt heavy and drunk with sleep, yet, she fought to stay awake to finish the chapter. She was reading Sidney Sheldon’s “The Other Side Of Midnight,” and …
God said no
THE RECKONING
Sangeeta Bhargava Lucknow, India Belinda groaned. The flight had been delayed by two hours. It was precisely at that moment that she noticed Shirley. Colour drained from her face. Her throat went dry. Shirley looked the same – just a tad heavier, the hair shorter. Not tied in braids anymore. She looked prettier this way….
Arms up to the Sky
THE COOK AND THE CHICKPEA
Shanta Acharya Highgate, London. (With acknowledgement to Rumi) A chickpea leaping out of the pot, no more dry and hard, but ready to sprout; soaked overnight, then boiled fiercely Yelled with all its might at the cook: “Why are you doing this to me?” The cook casting the chickpea back in the pot as if…
Market Garden
Michelle L. Brown Texas, USA She smells bruised onion despite noon’s chill, sees her kale as cankered leaves for harvest, green plagued by cabbage loopers in the field, growth a reluctant prayer half-answered. Culls yonder in a waxy heap, some trampled beneath rubber boot heals, their impress already dark with rot. Her late reaping gamble…