#TenTinyTales Story 9

Mohit woke up in a cold sweat. His recurrent nightmare had returned. As it always did before any crucial day, to remind him of past failures. Today was one such day. 

He looked outside. It was not yet dawn. He got up, shaved and had a shower. He then prayed fervently to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to bless him today. Tika on his forehead, prayer on his tongue, he left home, before the crack of sunrise for his mission. 

He had to scan a dozen ATMs, before he found one, an hour away from home, where he was just the 2nd in queue. Today, he would succeed!

#TenTinyTales #Story9

3 Dec 2016, 07:20

#TenTinyTales Story 10

We both spoke the language of silence, fluently. We understood its grammar, its punctuation, its vast vocabulary. We could chatter, banter, argue, apologise with the language of silence. We conversed perfectly, in silence. 

It was when we started talking, that we stopped communicating. 

#TenTinyTales #Story10

3 Dec 2016, 10:39

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 8

"Ahhhh", Lakshmi winced, as the unpleasant man, went deeper inside her mouth. His equipment felt and tasted awful. She wondered how she had gotten herself into so much trouble. If only she had heeded mom's advice.

He was soon done with her. She recognised that satisfied smirk, he wore so proudly at the end, week after week. She couldn't wait to rinse the terrible after-taste from her mouth, and get away from him as soon as possible. "Don't be naughty", he winked, "otherwise we will have to meet again." He was mocking her ! How she detested him! 

"Never again", she swore, would she be in this compromising position again. Yes, this was her last time ever on a dentist's chair.  

#TenTinyTales #Story8

TenTinyTales : Story 7

Meenakshi waited for Mahesh, fuming. He was late again. She paced around, impatiently, waiting for him to return. Didn't he know, how she looked forward to his return ? And yet, he always took her for granted. Today, she would ignore him, she decided. Ought to teach him a lesson!

She heard the door knob turn. He was back! She closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. 

He came in to the room and whispered "Meenu,I'm home". Her anger forgotten, she galloped to him and started licking him all over his face. He cuddled her and ran his hands through her mane. All was well with her world again. 

#NotSoTinyTale #Story3

Anecdote : My cousin had named her cat Meenakshi Sundaram. I always loved how quirky that name was, hence used that here.

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 5

"I am coming by the 2.00 p.m. flight. Keep my filter coffee ready." ,she called to inform. 

He ran out to buy freshly ground coffee powder for his daughter. He didnt drink coffee anymore. He had given up dairy foods and caffeine in a bid to age healthy. But she loved filter coffee. His filter coffee in particular. 

He made fresh decoction, just the way she liked it - not too watery, not too dark. He then opened a new packet of milk and boiled it, just before she was expected to arrive. Great filter coffee needed both freshly boiled milk and fresh decoction. 

He heard her before he could see her..'Appu, is my coffee ready.?" She came in and plonked herself on the diwan waiting for her sizzling hot cup. He mixed the coffee and milk and poured it in into a steel tumbler, from a height. This gave the filter coffee its much needed froth. Finally -and this was crucial to their ritual - he poured himself a quarter cup from her tumbler so they could drink it together, giving up momentarily, his vegan pledge. 

She sipped her piping hot filter kaapi, relishing its soul nourshing feel. Enjoying in silence, this father-daughter ritual of bonding. Homecoming was not the same without her Appu's filter coffee.

She would deal with the bloating, the stomach ache and the other side effects of milk allergy later. 

#NotSoTinyTales1 #TrueStory

This is about me and my dad😍😍

30 Nov 2016, 09:47

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 6

She was his first love, whom he never forgot, never got over. There had been many since, but he cherished his time with Her,more than any other. He had thought of Her over the years, on quiet evenings, on lonely nights. Sometimes, his yearning for Her would hit him even in the middle of a buzy day.

He was older now, and tired of wandering, searching. He longed to settle down, and he couldn’t imagine settling for anyone else, with anyone else. It would have to be HER. 
He wondered though, if She would welcome him with the same love, that She had shown him all those years ago. Would She remember ? Would She care? How would She look ? 

She had aged much, since their last parting. She had changed a lot - both obviously and imperceptibly. But to his eyes, She was still beautiful. And He loved Her more now, than before. Best of all, She loved him still. 

Yes, he was glad to have returned Home to his favorite city. She would be where he would nest now, till the end of his days. 

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 4

"The dad dipped his son’s worries in a large bucket of care, and rinsed them off carefully, one by one. 
He put his son’s damp spirit to dry in the bright sunshine of his love. 
He slowly and carefully ironed out the wrinkles on his son’s forehead, removing one crease after another, patiently, with sage advice, and a warm hug. 

He did it still, in-spite of his brittle bones, his sagging skin and waning vision. Even when he was the father of a man. And his son was now a father. Because ironing his son’s shirts perfectly was how he loved his son."


This story is very personal. And it is dedicated to my father-in-law and my father. My father-in-law, even today, likes to iron my husband's shirts. He is rarely satisfied with how the professionals do it. My father, begins his day each day, by checking if his son is ok, or if there are wrinkles on his forehead that need ironing out. They are both beautiful relationships, between father and son. I dedicate this story to all fathers and sons and that special bond they share.

Ten Tiny Tales : Stpry 3

"You are so beautiful", he sighed huskily as he pulled her close.
As his finger traced the outline of her face, a wisp of excitement coursed through his veins. 

And a sharp shard of fear, pulsed through hers. 

#TenTinyTales #Story3 

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 2

They found a secluded spot behind the bushes, and quickly, furiously undressed. Oblivious to their surroundings, they admired the perfection with which the other had been chiselled. 

Their reverie broken by "Awww"s and laughs; their mothers amused by the curiosity of toddlers. 

#TenTinyTales #Story2

Note : Toddlers are incessantly curious about their own bodies and that of the other gender. 1st time Parents tend to get shocked when they see their kids checking out their and their's friends's wee-wee.

25 Nov 2016, 08:09

Ten Tiny Tales : Story 1

"Shall we play a game ?" he suggested.
She giggled her approval, innocently.

"Shhhh, this game will be our little secret, OK?"
He caged her with his trust. 

And then, slowly, deliberately, dismantled hers.
#TenTinyTales #TinyStory1.

Note about Child Sexual Abuse : Upsetting as the story above is to read - it makes some very important observations about CSA. a. The perpetrator is usually somebody the child knows and trusts. b. The line 'This will be our little secret' or versions thereof is the major red flag. To protect your child, ask him/her to report to you instantly if any grownup asks them to keep a secret. c. The damage inflicted by CSA is primarily on the physche and it is long lasting. Ability to trust is usually the first, but not the only psychological casualty.