Tag: short story

The perfect guide

Alisa was the cleverest in the family, and the brightest in class. If anyone could uphold his name, her father claimed, it’d be her. Of his four children, only she possessed the craftiness to carry on his legacy.

Mr. Farber had been a criminal lawyer for fifteen years. From political goons to local thugs, he’d bail anyone out as long as cheques cleared. He cared for process times, and never for process rights.

Growing up listening to arguments disproving facts, Alisa, too, followed suit. As her career spiked she became more like her father, lacking nothing but a moral compass.

Dreamer

Corporates had lured Kamal since high school. Observing suited men and women stride into glass-decked buildings, he’d yearned to join them. Watching them drive away in Audis, he’d envisioned driving his parents, the construction workers, in a posh car.

With ambition for impetus, he chose engineering. Strove hard, outperforming himself every year. And entering a multinational company as employee, he’d sensed himself realising his dreams.

— — —

Four years on and Kamal still pays dues. With his meagre savings he’d own a second-hand Vento in three years. Dreaming of a corporate career, he’d miscalculated the costs of an education loan.

Beauty in yellow

She cruised along the highway, a yellow streak shining through the chilly wintry mist. As I waited at the curb for a cab, she soared, teasing my emotions. A mild breeze swept up in her wake, caressing my cheek as I gaped after her. I watched transfixed as she turned, and past me in one swift motion. I yearned to face her. I pined for her to halt so I could examine her. I craved to stroke her hood, to run my fingers along her curves, to sing her elegance.

Speeding up, the yellow beetle vanished out of sight. Pity.

Corporate lifestyle

corporate highrise buildings

“Varnished with fast food and short attention spans, corporate lifestyle massacres mindful living.”

Swallowing the last of his pizza, Nikhil shared the article on LinkedIn—another attempt to boost his credibility. Sighing, he then returned to finish the rest of the reports. He had to submit them by the end of day. He hadn’t intended his mid-morning break to turn into a lunch break as well.

As he tried to concentrate on the numbers, up popped a notification. A manager from a rival company had responded to his post. Within minutes, Nikhil was searching for Italian restaurants. She liked pasta.