What do I do? Do I just need to consume some iron to get stronger? I just need an antidote that kills the toxic thoughts inside me.

Available in an eBook! For as long as I can remember, Amma had a secret, special box on the kitchen platform, always tantalisingly close but just out of reach. When I was five, I always wanted nothing more than to open the box and see its mysterious contents. Nothing seemed fancier to me. Neither the blue flames erupting from the stove nor the sharp knife glinting under the harsh tube light. Even the colourful display of various cereals and pulses didn’t draw my attention as much as this box drew me towards it.

Available in an eBook! Being a writer has always been my desire, But unfortunately, so far it has only filled me with ire! I know I can do it, there’s not just a spark, but a fire! I’m not writing just to impress the girls or some sire, Many think that it is from the girl that I inspire!

Available in an eBook! I don’t know who I am. I don’t know where I am, but I know I’m with someone. It is very dark here. I know that I’m with her and that she is my protector. No matter how much pain I cause, she loves me, and her love knows no reason. Till this day, I don’t know who I am, but now I can feel my heartbeat because of her. No one on this earth can measure her love. Her love is precious. Yes, I’m in love with her. She’s my first love. Many people say that love is a great feeling that comes and goes for everyone. Our love is not the love that everyone experiences. Our love doesn’t start with each of us staring at the other and then continuing as a friendship, and so on. Our love is blind and unconditional.

Available in an eBook! Don’t know what to do. This time would come, I never knew. Why is the world so mean Because life was never how it seemed. Ain’t what I expected Heartbroken, now I regret it. The turn I took seemed so wrong. This ain’t the place where I belong.

Available in an eBook! It was that time when the headlines screamed of feticide of the female child in Beed district of Maharashtra, and during such turbulent times when girls were brutally murdered in their mother’s uterus, we were sitting around in the department and talking about the prejudices, discrimination and ignorance of the rural and illiterate folk. In comes Savitribai, the patient assigned to us for history-taking. She looked just like the rest of them, those ignorant fools we were just cursing for killing unborn girls. She was old, withered, and in pain, and thus began her long spiel of complaints. By the time we reached the family history, we were pretty sure what her diagnosis might be, and we were just going through the motions. She told us that she had 4 children, three daughters and one son.

Available in an eBook! It all begins with a question. “Who am I?” Am I just a bundle of flesh and bones? No. I’m something more than that, Am I just a mind which thinks? Or am I just a heart that feels, Deep inside, am I something more?

Available in an eBook! It is a motley group of thirty people, all from different parts, places, areas and walks of life. Yet the minute I stand up and say “Hi! I’m Manognya Bethapudi” I knew what was going to happen… A second look, followed by filing me in the part of the brain associated with Idli, Sambhar, and, more recently, Kolaveri Di. Ten seconds into the acquaintance, and everyone already expects to know from me that I’m a homely, shy girl with a veshti-wearing, ash-smearing dark and potbellied man for a father and a Kanjeevaram-clad Gold bazaar & horticulture endorsement for a mother; pack in Ranji for a brother, and there you go! It’s the perfect recipe for a happy little “Madrasi” family from Madras, but unfortunately, they wake up in your neighbourhood every morning to the tune of M. S. Subbalakshmi (obviously).

Available in an eBook! Before Madhri’s crown passed to the custodians, there were three princesses who could have adorned it. However, their doom was preordained because the three sisters loved the only Prince of Shantipur. Neither of them knew that their sisters loved the same prince, nor did they intend to share among themselves their affection. Maybe because they feared that others might seek him out. Illustrated by Sravani Dhulipala The eldest of the three sisters was considered the most beautiful by the people. She was an ardent believer in God and prayed every dawn with a thousand flowers. Ever since she fell in love with the prince after his royal visit, she pleaded with God to make him her husband. Though she desired him more than anything else, she was never prepared to propose her feelings. The second sister was not considered as beautiful as the eldest; she was valued for her knowledge. She knew that she ought to express her feelings to the prince if she intended to earn his affection. So mustering her courage, weeks after the prince’s royal visit, she wrote a letter before ordering one of her maids to get it delivered by a messenger in secrecy.

Available in an eBook! It all starts with a twinkle in her eyes, And I start free-falling, Hurling through space and time, Where was the earth that stood beneath? A gust of wind sends a shiver through me. I see now a chuckle in her cheeks. I inhale the air which she breathes, And I am free-falling towards nothing,

Available in an eBook! I could feel the Sun’s rays for a while before I heard my mother shouting, “Wake up, Naina!” After shouting for a while, she barged into my room to turn off the fan, forcing me to get out of my bed. Struggling to open my eyes, I looked at her, and she was already dressed. Noticing me waking up, she asked, “Listen, I can’t pack your lunch today. Can you eat in your college canteen?” Cover Photo by Nikhil Narayanasa Closing my eyes, I replied, “Yes, maa. I can eat in my college canteen. Can you turn on the fan, please?” Pulling off my blanket, my mother asked, “You know where I’m going, right?” Triggered, I shouted, “To the office, Mom!” Following my answer, she spanked me. When I shouted in pain, she reminded me, “I’m going to Ishitha’s wedding along with our neighbours.”

Available in an eBook! Look over your shoulder. For there is a friend waiting To hold your hand in communion, In the winding journeys of life To turn every place you go, A special space called home.