LUCID INTUITIONS

Monsoon had replenished the valley and the visage presented a soothing effect to every eye. Water droplets assembled from last night’s drizzle sparkled when the first ray of the morning sun kissed it giving the illusion of a diamond studded blanket enveloping the region. Amid this lush foliage stood rows of concrete colourful houses either side of the road illustrating prosperity. Anyone who spared a moment to explore beyond the scenic beauty of the valley would observe a perfect synergy of progression and nature.    The community had seen rapid progress in the last twenty years with literacy rate increasing among both the sexes, natives learning advanced techniques of farming; which was their main occupation, developing markets and better connectivity with the outside world for better transportation. The air smelled of freedom of thought, the availability of resources and the optimism for success. Among this wave of progression stood an old palace akin a dinosaur....

Kapil had entered the age when opportunities seemed endless, restriction; playing safe and can’t do were mere words used by older generation or found in dictionaries. Life for him was a competitive adversary that threw obstacle after obstacle so that he was able to unravel the glorious prospects hidden in them. He like many of his age was lured away from home by the glittering city lights and the innate confidence that he would succeed. At first everything went according to plan; he implemented some of his ideas and worked according to his set notions. Life was looking up; the world was his canvas and he like a master made whatever strokes he wished. In his period of success Kapil forgot the one constant of life; change. Everything went downwards after that which resulted in negativity entering his conscious. Kapil admired at his reflection, “can look good if you want” he said. Looking dapper in a grey coloured suit he was ready for his friend’s marriage party. This was pre...

“WTF,” Ronit said, as his leg accidently hit something. Usually street light filtered through the curtains which illuminated the room but today the room was in pitch- black. He extended his arm towards the left to switch on the light bulb. “What?” he said as he groped in the dark; failing to find the switch board or the switch. How come the inverter is down? Ronit thought; nevertheless knowing each and every nook and corner of his house he proceeded towards the kitchen for candles that would help in dissipating the shroud of darkness. “Ouch!” he said as his forehead hit the wall. Perplexed he tried to calm himself, “I am dreaming” he said. Ronit felt the lump with the tip of his fingers. Can a dream be this real? He thought. He pressed the lump a little harder, “shit” he whispered due to the pain. Ronit shook himself out of his slumber and alerted his brain; I am certainly not in my home, he deduced. Then came the root question; where the hell am I? Extending his arms ...

It was just an innocent smile , Manohar, a teacher by profession thought as he passed the meat shop in the main market with a blooded knife concealed under his clothing. The persistent fear of being spotted made him nervous as it was his town and he didn’t want to be caught in possession of the weapon so he walked towards his flat without attracting any undue attention. From the corner of eye Manohar saw a normally run market where buyers and sellers were involved in their perpetual battle; one in which the seller try to extract the maximum profit whereas the buyer try to negotiate the best deals. Manohar took a sign of relief as he entered the cobbler street and looked at three-story building whose top floor housed his flat, so far so good . The legend of the streets name brought a smile to his face as he noticed a cobbler sitting in the corner mending shoes.     It was said that here once lived a cobbler who was famous for his designer shoes.   The tow...