There is something oppressive about silence. Everyone is afraid to break it. I can see the fear mirrored on the faces of the people surrounding me. Papa has fear lurking in his eyes. The sight of a uniformed officer in our home bodes no good. Having been the father of a police officer for years, he knows all too well what it means. Mummy decides to sit down on the chair and rock herself rhythmically. The rocking of the chair seems to calm her. Barun pulls his lower lip down and runs his tongue over it nervously. He reminds me of a lizard with its tongue darting in and out. Aarti, our maid, turns her back to the officer and looks into the garden. I wonder if she is really able to enjoy the profusion of flowers or if this is her means of escape. Raghav remains frozen, as though…
A moment can change one’s life in an instant. For me that defining moment came when I boarded the train at Raigarh station, just…
The newspaper, dated 4 September 2004 lies open on the dining table. My eyes are riveted on the news item, “When a mother was made to…
The screeching of a van’s brakes brought me to the window. I pulled the curtains apart and the burst of sunlight made me blink.…
“Why is Papa wrapped in the national flag, Ma?” asks Mithun plaintively. “Why do you say that?” I say, wondering if he is…
Well, Linda, you’ve gone four thousand miles south, and sixteen years into the past—pretty good for a novice fugitive. The tall, slender woman smiled…
Me and Dad were sitting on the bus stop bench telling knock-knock jokes waiting for Mom when he pointed to the rooftop of a…
Ribak knew that the only way he would calm down would be to lie down. He walked the short distance to his house, and…
Doctor-saab, there is nothing to fear, right? Dr Karmaker bowed his weary head in exhaustion. Or was it frustration? Frustration at his inability…
