Sometimes to vent, some words that make them repent. At times just as a joke, to pull the leg of the new bloke.

TRRRRRRRRINGGGGG! TRRRRRRRRINGGGGG TRRRRRRRRINGGGGG! Blared the alarm from the phone. This alarm, just an hour before midnight, was a reminder for her that she should get to bed and end the day. It was at that time that she heard a faint sound that seemed like it was the main door knob opening. She wanted to go out to the living room and check if anyone had come into the house, but she was way too lazy to get out of her cosy bed. The next day was going to be a special one and she didn’t want to trouble herself. She was supposed to be alone for the month as her flatmates had gone to their respective homes. She went back to reading her book “All the light we cannot see”, a war novel about a blind French girl and a German boy who try to survive the devastation of World War II. A little while after that, she saw a blinking light from under the door, it wasn’t natural but that didn’t seem to push her to get out of bed. She tried to put the distractions aside and went back to reading about how, during the war, despite the situations or circumstances that were in front of them, people tended to be very understanding and find ways to help each other. She hears one more sound and is pissed with what’s happening outside her room, she texts on the flat’s Whatsapp group asking if anyone is home to which the others reply negatively. She wanted to get back to her book, but the sudden thought of not having anyone around her got to her head and she started sobbing.

I asked a bunch of youngsters, “What is… life all about?” They said, “Life is an adventure”. But, in my mind, I still had a doubt.

“It’s vacation time!” Instead of going for a normal picnic with friends this time, I have decided to spend time with my grandparents in their native village. I was overwhelmed about this trip, so I quickly booked the tickets and shared my trip details with them over the phone; while speaking, I could visualize the sense of joy in their voice. When I reached the village train station, regardless of their age, both of them visited the railway station to receive their beloved grandson with so much love and affection. Believe me, the elders’ love is priceless. We returned back home from the railway station in a bullock cart. That was the first time I was transported in that vehicle. Though it was very hot during summer, it was an enjoyable experience throughout our ride and very comfortable as well. On the way back home, my grandparents narrated various events & activities happening around so that I can get a feel of the rural atmosphere and as an urbanite; it was very interesting for me to know the little things. Everywhere it was surrounded by tall trees, huge mountains & little plants with beautiful flowers, just mind-blowing to see Mother Nature. We saw a group of people engaged in pottery activities and prepared porcelain, mud, and ceramic pots. When I entered home, a small cat jumped and welcomed us by saying, “Meow”, surely one of the cutest creatures that can give company to old people. My grandmother gave milk to that little one and gave a hi-fi for welcoming her!

A crisp blank sheet with no wrinkle or crease. Well calculated angles. Perfect folds. Open space and a light breeze.

There are people who let you down. There are those who pick you up. And then there’s also ‘You’, who can just as well do both. There are some who will watch you drown. There are those who will help you float. And then there’s ‘You’, who can dive deep within your soul.

Let’s start with an incomplete question… “What is your worth?” Was it given to you at birth? The first time you cried. Was it decided by the colour of your skin or your family’s status and pride?

While the truth might seem fair to you, but for some it’s hardly that! Innocent are some liars knew he – who on the chair of judgement sat.

A guy with a long list is titled ‘Romantic’. But a girl is just labelled a ‘Tramp’. He can show-off his well chiselled body. But if she does, she’ll just be given another stamp. His late nights at the office are deemed hectic. But a girl would be labelled a ‘Whore’. He can have guests over at any time. But a girl shouldn’t welcome any male at her door.

One sets the target, the other brings the force. Each strike, a rhythm – set to the aim of a tone.

Sometimes at night When the world is fast asleep I lay awake while my anxiety speaks to me “Boundaries! Boundaries! Boundaries!” My anxiety speaks to me! Why do we have Boundaries? Why do we have walls? Why fight wars to defend these man-made Boundaries?

There I was, at last, the place where the devil indeed resided. They called me the Omniseeker, the nickname I have earned, searching everywhere to find the devil. I dug graves, sealed dead bodies without burial, performed black magic and even donated myself to be possessed, but nothing worked. The nemesis of the divine never greeted me. Everywhere I went, it hid in the darkness until I met an older man after burying a dead body in the nearby forest one day. This older man, who decided to waste his last few years meditating, heard my desire and adored my passion. He told me to visit an abandoned orphanage called the Child’s Wail and promised me the devil awaited for everyone. It was nothing but a fancy name for a burnt orphanage that killed more than thirty children, and now the place is abandoned because visitors heard a child crying every night. I suspected it to be nothing more than a hoax from what I had seen. Cover Photo by Nikhil Narayanasa So here I am, standing before the burnt two-storage building covered in darkness while being pointed the way by the moonlight. The building was undoubtedly haunting, but I heard no calls so far. Approaching the nearly open door, I entered the pitch-dark home to witness the magnificent evil that not only shows itself to some but calls to everyone who visits her.