Mummy has no clue that her first cousin, Kishen Arora, has been residing in San Diego for years. Bhaboji’s (mom’s mother) youngest brother is his father. Over time, his older brothers left India to travel across the continents. Kishen and his spouse, Bonnie, travel back to the old country. They have been going back and ...

“Join me at my place for lunch and let’s prepare mouthwatering Indian cuisine.” The suggestion came from Leslie, our Caucasian friend who loves Asian food. There are three of us in total. Both Anila and I come from Indian heritage. The proposal urges me to search through my assortment of clippings, handwritten scraps, and a ...

Oh, my dear Judasyou once meanteverything. We played, laughedand fought demonstogether. We wanted to liveand take on thecruel world. But your family hatedme hanging out withsomeone like you. Your loved onesdidn’t appreciate mebeing a part of your life. Instead of defendingme against them andremaining a true friend? You abandoned me toan emotional hellevery time. I ...

Best friends for neveris what we havebecome. Time can never healthe rift and distancebetween us. An angel turned demonis what you areto me. “Misery loves company,”is what people saidabout you and I. Like a blinded fool,I could not seethis eye-opening truth. “No good deed goes unpunished,”is a spoken truth Inow believe. Best friends for neveris ...

Random Checking John and I are flying to Canada. We landed at the Montreal Dorval airport. As passengers disembark the plane, an airport official approaches and asks me to leave the crowd. To the officer’s surprise, John steps out along with me. They also asked another gentleman in the group to step aside. We are ...

Thirty days and thirty nightscan never be enoughto get over you. The light you broughtinto my life is nowa distant memory. Every time I close my eyesI envision the happinessI thought I brought you. You disappeared into the coldwinter night, leaving meto the unforgiving wilderness. Abandoned by you, I try to livefighting my demons andblack, ...

A HAWAIIAN MANICURE A week-long cruise around the Islands in Hawaii was decided by the Turkey group, a Bell Labs softball team. It is a non-stop fun time. On-board cultural classes are offered. I have opted for hula-dancing lessons, while others enrolled in ukulele classes, or the art of stringing leis. On the first day, ...

Those were the days when neighbors took pride in knowing each other by first and last names Kids, pets included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors exchanged tomatoes, potatoes, and onions Milk included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors drove their cars, trucks, and trolleys ...

We were young, still in our cocoons when we first met. Flora morphed into a beautiful butterfly, sooner than me. Her wings—the colors of fire, lit the sky. Her flutter stirred many, to reach and pocket her. But free minded, she held her own, unwilling to be caught.   With a grand vision to travel ...

I cannot wait to fly and touch the sky Above the clouds, beside the Sun and Moon Where Stars stand straight in line and wave their “Hi!” Where Plough and Crux appear to watch me swoon   Where Birds adapt to fly beneath the sea Where Green Sea Turtle races Octopus Where Sally Lightfoot Crab ...