Reservation

The morning rays penetrated through him. Ironic, he thought, carrying 50 rupees worth of labor on his shoulders. The cool water ticked his back, as he wiped a bead of sweat from his filtrum. The train was already at the station, he wondered why the mustached uniformed man wouldn’t let him board the train. His load kept getting heavier with each passing moment. What he would not give to curl himself up in a corner and goto sleep.

He looked at the blue seats. He’d walked almost the entire night with water on his back, just to catch this train. He was remembering his journey when the doors opened.

He pushed and rushed in, feeling bliss and finally reaching the blessed seat he’d eyed for so long. All he discovered was a stained handkerchief. A mark of reservation in an unreserved compartment. He closed his eyes.

Sindbad

My 2nd post for the Short Story Series.

He dreamt of sailing the seas. His only desire was to be guided by the stars. But his peers did not understand freedom as he did, and tried to shove him beneath the fear of failing. But he dreamt, for no works could break his spirit to sail. Fear could not win, when he chose to write his own tale. He’d rather die gleefully in the ocean, than be bounded on land forever. His life was meant to be lived in his own way. He built his ship and bid farewell. He heard curses to go to hell. But he paid no heed to the people who feared. He had the blessings of those who cared. On a blessed clear morn, he lowered his sails.

Little did he knew, that storms dwelled beneath the horizon.

When Women Controlled the World

With this I embark my series of short stories originally intended for publication in 2014. But a backlog of articles, poems and stories have caused the delay, and I’m now able to finally start with them. So without further adieu, I present to you – When Women Controlled the World.

The world is at peace now, she thought. If only the idea had occurred to her race generations ago, millions of needless lives would have been avoided. She smiled as she looked down to a rainbow-colored car stopping below the white building.

Minor aberrations still occur, but they will be eliminated soon, she reflected, putting on the blue gloves. Just last night she’d delivered one, beautiful thing it was. She decided to let that one grow so his seed could be extracted.

By the time they realize it was us, it would be too late.

The plan was simple. Male infanticide. Elegant and treacherous. Just like her race. That was how humanity should have progressed. It’s a pity it took so long. She smiled and breathed fresh air.

They never suspected the nurses.