Maya looked at herself in the mirror and scrunched her eyes. No. Too much. People said she had a sad face. “What’s wrong Maya?” her room-mate Leela would say “why do you look so sad? Smile! You have such a beautiful smile.” Normally Maya ignored such remarks but today is different. She has an interview. …
Monthly Archives: September 2014
The House With 12 Jamun Trees
For security reasons, the house we moved into was not considered a good location. It routinely got allocated to new incoming school masters with the understanding that in a couple of years you could trade up when another new master was hired. While located within a 30 acre boarding school campus of what used to …
A Piece of Bread, A Curry of Potato and Family Beside Me
It is Sunday morning and we are allowed to get up late. Every other day of the week Amma and Papa are united in their wake up calls that turn from sweet to strident in about 5 minutes. I know that if we are not up Papa will walk in and yank the covers off …
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The Small Red Sweater
Clara held his hand as they walked through Central Park. She felt so sorry for Sal. Over the years they had drifted apart but she flew into JFK right away when she heard about little Timothy. Wanting to distract him she said “look at the colors on that Maple. Yellow, orange, red – we don’t …
An Arrival at JFK
In the year 1970, when Maya got a full scholarship to graduate school in America it was considered special. They had no choice but to let her go. Her entire family, and then some, came to see her off at New Delhi airport. They carried garlands, sweets, books, cards and gifts. “Study hard and you …
The Good Samaritan
It was raining and the ink was freshly bleeding off. Lucy bent down. Whoever dropped the note must be just ahead. The part that wasn’t totally washed out said: Rock Bottom Cafe. Just 5 minutes. Samar (smudge) She ran up ahead. “Did you drop this?” “Sir, is this yours?” ” Excuse me Ma’am- are you …
A Blade of Grass, A Drop of Water
Room With a View My room is not a room at all – it is a vast open field, a sea of green; yet not a sea. Unlike a water drop, every blade of grass is distinct, stands tall, invites you to come in. It is a soccer field where children play as a team and …
Underneath the Guava Tree
We grew up together. Literally. My first memory of us together is one bundle rolling around on the ground, legs and bodies all entwined. We were the same size and weight and maybe, just maybe, if it had stayed that way he would still be around. While we were the same in size he was …
Three Songs
Simon and Garfunkel were big in 1970 when I came to New York, America. I confess, at first, I did not get them, but then like everything that is obscure initially once you get it it stays with you. Even in your sleep – or maybe especially in your sleep. And the number one song …
Neerja Raman 