Disclaimer: For ages above 18 only. Champa sat on the green knoll watching the light fall on the other side of the dam. The light, and the dust that carried in the rays, had all the colours she could name, little frickles of red here, a bit of blue and a lot of yellow-orange beams at both ends. When she was young, and the dam was just a design in some engineer’s office, the same rays would have illuminated the dry patches of the mountain, and when they were seen from the other side, it looked like a rangoli. Champa could only recall her father’s words because she had never been to the dam or the other side of the mountain when she was young. Her father said there would be snakes and tigers. Her mother said boys from the Mandal would come there after dark, and from her words, she was sure they were up to no good. These old musings and sitting here unfazed were her favourite pastimes. Although she forgets the old mental images, the comfort this place offered was worth all the half-hour climb she had to do. She’s been to this place a couple of times before meeting Dharani. There were no tigers or snakes. There were boys, but most minded their own business, and she was okay with the occasional flirting. She looked up, and the clouds were thick and dense, coloured in grey. “It will rain today,” she murmured to herself. Strangely, the wind wasn’t that indicative. But it seemed to be catching up for the night. The cool breeze whizzed past her, and she wished she had one of those thick jackets Dharani had. She stood up and looked down at the water. It lay awfully still and smooth. Only a few more minutes and all of that stillness would be gone, disturbed and forgotten. Forgotten, at least till the storm had subsided. She almost lost her ground and slipped a bit to the left when she heard a voice. “Champa? I have been searching for you for hours?” “I thought I needed some rest.” “And you choose this? What is here to look at? A river between mountains and a dam? What is so good here to take all the trouble to get here? Now, look at me, please.” he pulled her hands towards him.

Disclaimer: For ages above 18 only. I: Flowers “No! This cannot happen!” shouted Koffee, gobsmacked, looking at herself in the mirror. Meanwhile, her mom barged into the room to yell, “It’s already 7.30! You will miss your school!” Koffee exited the room and picked up her lunchbox and backpack before marching towards the car. Koffee was sixteen years old and pale-skinned, but if asked to describe her, most people in the school would remember her for her long dark burgundy hair, hardworking quality and warm nature. Cover Photos by Pankaj Tottada “Mom! Where’s my tie?” screamed Koffee’s sister. She was ten years old, smart, quirky and the youngest child in the family. “Check inside your skirt pocket,” replied Koffee’s mother. Meanwhile, her father completed cleaning the car and was ready to drop his children at school. “Today I am going to sit beside Papa,” said the little one, sliding her sister, while Koffee, lost in her thoughts, didn’t respond but simply sat in the back seat of the car. Waving bye to his wife, Koffee’s father asked, “So, today is your last exam, right? How did you prepare?” “Yes, papa, today is my last exam,” replied the little one. Curling her hair with her fingers, Koffee seemed distracted thinking about the previous night. Breaking her thoughts, her father asked, looking at her face in the rear-view mirror, “What about you, Koffee? Did you revise all the important topics Kissy mentioned?” Hearing the name Kissy, Koffee woke up jazzed, and her face turned pink. “Err… yeah… I almost covered everything, Dad,” she replied diffidently, looking outside the window. Kissy is a twenty-year-old, 5’5, dusky-skinned, vigorous and fervent girl with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is a bachelor’s student at Axis college and works as a part-time tutor for high school students. “All the best to both of you!” said their father as he dropped Koffee and her sister at school and waited until they walked inside the campus. He couldn’t stop thinking about Koffee while he drove to the office. He was worried that she was stressed about performing well in her exams. The sisters parted ways in their respective classrooms. As soon as Koffee entered the classroom, the lovebirds, who were Koffee’s friends, greeted her, and the girl said, “You missed her! She came to provide a few Xerox copies which included topics that appeared in previous examinations. She waited for a while but left”. Following her, the boy continued, “And yes, she asked for you and wished you luck.” Koffee was overwhelmed with happiness and wanted to meet Kissy soon after she finished the exam. Meanwhile, the headmistress announced an announcement asking students to settle down to take their exams. Koffee collected her lucky pen, a water bottle, and other stationery while the lovebirds wished each other luck before wishing their friend together. Everyone settled in their appropriate benches, and the invigilator soon started distributing question papers with attached answer sheets. Koffee received her set, and when she started looking at each question, it reminded her of Kissy. Noticing her not writing anything while absorbed in her thoughts, the invigilator asked, tapping on the bench, “Are you not feeling well?” “No, ma'am. I am all right,” replied Koffee before taking a sip of water. “Focus, Koffee! You can do it!” she told herself before she started writing. Before long, the invigilator collected everyone’s papers as the bell rang. The lovebirds suggested that they could hang out at a nearby coffee shop. They wanted to spend more time before reaching home, but Koffee declined. She said, “Not today. I have some important errands.” Telling her sister she would be back before long, Koffee took a bus to the Town Hall. She sat beside the window, animated. She has always been a shy girl who respects her parents and lives up to their expectations by getting good grades. The girl amongst the lovebirds was her closest friend since childhood. Neither of them kept many secrets to themselves until the boy stepped in, but now there are a few things that they never shared. At least Koffee certainly didn’t. However, many, along with her close friend, were curious as to why Koffee, a popular girl in the school with long wavy hair and brown-honey eyes, never dated anyone. For years, the lovebirds teased her that she would become a saint. Koffee used to defend herself, claiming she was waiting for her prince charming. But deep inside, she always felt a little weird when she said that. Whenever she saw the lovebirds, she dreamt of having a partner who truly loved her and swept her off her feet; at last, she might have one. Reaching her destination, Koffee stepped off the bus and headed out to her lover’s house. She noticed the door locked from the outside when she took the elevator to the fourth floor. She then leaves and approaches a small telephone booth. Recalling her lover's number, Koffee calls her. When she is just about to respond after hearing “Hello” from the other end, she becomes dumbstruck, and the phone drops off her hand as she sees her lover with a man on the other side of the road. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Hello, who is this?” a sound comes from the other end of the call, and she quickly drops the phone. She frowns, watching a man with a bouquet full of red roses. Her lover Kissy disconnects the call and hugs him. After taking the flower bouquet, Kissy jumps in delight, and they go to a nearby restaurant. Heartbroken, Koffee leaves home as tears rain out of her eyes. II: Kisses On her way back home, Koffee recalls how it all started. Two days ago, Koffee went to her tuition as always, and Kissy asked Koffee to stay back for some more time as she had much syllabus left to revise. After all the other students left, Kissy contacted Koffee’s father and informed him that she would be late for an hour or two as she had an exam the very next day, and there were a lot of syllabi left to revise. Post-call, Koffee continued studying; meanwhile, Kissy prepared coffee and food for both of them. This was nothing special, as Kissy always cared for Koffee. In the past, Koffee used to spend her weekends with Kissy watching movies and playing badminton alongside beautiful conversations. She always felt special when she was with Kissy. The way her teacher looked into her eyes made Koffee forget about everything and just pushed her, even more, to be with her. Sometimes, the love bird used to feel jealous of Kissy when Koffee bragged about her. Today, however, something was different. Kissy locked the door from inside and sat beside Koffee on the couch bed. She grasped the book from Koffee’s hand and asked her if she had studied everything perfectly for the exam.

Shruti and Shreya were two sisters who were raised in a conservative family by a strict mother and an adorable father. Though the siblings were eight years apart, they shared a special bond and kept no secrets from one another. After their graduations, the sisters got married to guys who were handpicked by their parents. It had been nine years since Shruti got married and one year since Shreya got married. Cover Photo by Vani Buddhavarapu Though both of them were imparted with the same values by their parents, Shreya disliked a lot of their notions and didn’t support their ideas. She didn’t want to follow traditions that were cast on them through the centuries. But neither of the sisters were given the liberty to even discuss why these traditions make no sense. They weren’t supposed to touch others or help themselves for a span of three days when they got their periods, they had to wash their hair every Friday, cut nails on specific days, braid their hair all the time, learn to sing, dress traditionally and even smile elegantly in public gatherings like a ‘lady’.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon after the Morning Service, the church door creaked as a man wearing shabby clothes with piercings all over the body walked down the aisle towards the confessional. The priest observing the person entering the confessional rushes to the other side of it. Both of them occupy their seats at once. ​ In a hoarse voice, the stranger said, “Father, I have come to confess sins.” Cover Photo by Prabhath Narapareddy Leaning his ear towards the white curtain that was separating them, the priest mentioned, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper child but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

While I was walking in the park near my home as I do every evening, I saw a boy probably ten years of age resting on a bench dissolved in thoughts. He looked worried, so I approached him before asking, “What is your name, son?” As he turned to me, I continued, “Is everything alright?” Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada Looking at me for a moment, he smiled. A moment later, he responded, “My name is Rahul sir and everything is alright. I’m just waiting for my mother.”

She looks delicious in those shorts and crop top, her milky white skin glistening in the moonlight makes her seem like an angel. Every inch of her exposed skin is asking me to touch and play with her. One look at her clothes and anyone can tell that she is asking for it. The fact that she is walking in the streets alone after nine is the perfect proof of her desire and it is my duty to give her what she desires. After all, she is asking for it, isn’t she? Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada I advance towards her slowly, moving stealthily in the shadows. I have to pounce on her and take her by surprise, just like how they show in the movies. ​

I live above everyone and when my time comes, I fall to save all the living races. They call me Rain and I watch over the tale of the sky and earth every day. Though they might seem mingled, they are not just like many relations in the living world. Sometimes, I become the reason for the birth of these relationships and other times, I hide their tears and sorrows. Irrespective of their interpretation, I mostly cherish them choosing to be a spectator and sometimes a narrator too. Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada “Tara! Tara... wake up dear, it’s time for your dance class!” said Nirmala, switching off the alarm set by Tara. It has been a routine for Nirmala waking her daughter ever since her husband passed away. Tara woke up and got ready for her class. Observing the time, she packed breakfast in a hurry and dropped it into her bag. She took her bicycle keys and drove down the lane and stopped near a tree to give breakfast to an old man who lived there in a small hut. Just like every other day, when given food, the old man smiled and blessed her.

As the cold winds touched the Prince, he rode triumphantly on his horse followed by two soldiers. He knew, he had earned the ride, the one he waited for a fortnight and as he rode his horse, his light blue cape cut the cold wind with the warmth of his anxiousness. Listening to the thunder of galloping horses, subjects walked out into the street to witness nature’s will. On the street mentioned two weeks ago, Prince Indrajeet waited for Lakshmi and its master. Observing the Prince filled with pride in earning his ride, a few of his subjects were worried about Lakshmi. Illustration by Sonam Jha Their faces turned pale under the black clouds hiding the fierce burning ball behind it. The wind grew colder as Lakshmi finally approached them. On top of her was her companion Vishnu. Resting on his horse, Prince Indrajeet raised his hand holding the demanded coin that appeared to everyone like a white dot in a dark world. While it felt as if nature had to surrender to tyranny, Lakshmi burnt like a golden flame eradicating the darkness.

At dusk, after a three-hour discussion, Parikshit rushed ahead of an old man in his sixties carrying his bag. As they reached the green Hindustan Ambassador waiting for them near the entrance of the music school, the old man wearing a white dhoti and dark green angavastram entered the car after Parikshit placed his bag in the back seat and opened the door for him. As the old man, Hastar settled, he confessed, “I was worried if you would have issues with what I was planning to tell you about Diya. However, after our meeting, I’m relieved.” Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada With a smile, Parikshit mentioned, “Trust me, sir. I will report nothing more than what you have informed me. Your institute will receive the best advertising through this interview.” Glancing at the young interviewer, Hastar mentioned, “It’s good business for your newspaper too,” as Parikshit nodded, he continued, “Convey Akashvani my best wishes and thank you!”

Naina found her seat and placed her cabin baggage before resting beside the window. It didn’t matter to her what the others on the plane were doing as she was lost in her thoughts about her grandmother’s condition. There was a part of her that wished she had built a more affectionate relationship with her much sooner but now, it was too late to nurture a bond. While she was lost in her thoughts, a little girl arrived holding her grandfather’s hand and sat beside Naina in the middle seat while her grandfather sat in the last seat. Cover Photo by Ravindra Patoju Looking at her, Naina smiled but the girl didn’t. Wondering what happened, Naina extended her hand before introducing herself, “Hello little one! My name is Naina.” She looked at her grandfather before cautiously shaking hands. A moment later, she faintly whispered, “My name is Kreeti.” Hoping to cheer her up, Naina offered, “Would you like to sit beside the window?”

Every Sunday evening, as soon as Raghav returned from his Lord’s bungalow to his hut, he and his little sister went for a walk. She was three years younger to him and was named Lakshmi. From their hut, they crossed the paddy fields, where Raghav worked occasionally, after which they walked past their Lord’s guest house. A mile away from this guest house, resided river Champavathi and the closer the siblings got, they noticed that the roads ended first and this was followed by the absence of thatched roofs. They always felt they have entered their mother’s abode which was the dominion of nature. Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada The siblings always reached the bank before the moon woke up and turned the blazing sky into a black blanket as they loved to witness the change while the river sang. The river was Goddess Champavathi herself and was worshipped by their mother before fever took her and the goddess’s materialistic form was their father’s livelihood until he was shot by Lord Andrew.

Long ago, in the ancient Vindhya kingdom, there lived a devout priest of Goddess Kaali. His wife died while giving birth to a boy. The priest named him Bhadra. He decided not to marry again and the boy grew up under his father’s care. When Bhadra was a young boy, he went to Kaali’s temple along with his father. But he was scared at seeing her imposing idol. He ran away in fear and did not return to the temple. His father tried to assure him that Goddess Kaali is fearful but she is also gentle and protects her disciples. But Bhadra was not to be convinced. He asked his father many questions. Why is she so dark? Why are her eyes bloodshot? Why does she take out her tongue like that? Why does she wear a Garland of skulls? Thinking of her would give him the chills. His father hoped that his fear would pass but Bhadra grew up to be a timid young adult. The fear and the dislike of the Goddess only grew to be stronger. He was ridiculed and shunned by the people in his village. One day, his father had enough and he dragged his son to the temple. He narrated the story of the Goddess to his son. He told him how Kaali was a destroyer of evil and her fearful form was to strike fear in the hearts of her enemies. “There was an evil demon in ancient times called Rakhtabheej. He had a boon that he will be resurrected for each drop of his blood which falls to the ground. He ravaged kingdoms for wealth, killed virtuous people and committed many atrocities as he became invincible with his boon. Mother took the form of Kaali to destroy him. She fought and slew him but his blood touched the ground giving rise to an army of demons. Maa Kaali then killed each of them and drank their blood before it touched the ground. She, thus, became the destroyer of evil and protector of good”.