December 2024
In this issue
Contents
Spectral Fables
It shouldn’t. We live unlike the living. In the end, for us, it’s all drawings and diameters and directions.
Asylum
Our trip is a week-long promotional tour arranged by American donors. A vehicle to show the American donors how projects like NAZO…
Vanishing Citizens
His appearance hasn’t changed much since I last saw him, except for the streaks of grey in his hair, which he still keeps long.
Aparigraha
Some of the tension stiffening his shoulders relaxes as he slumps back. As the rickshaw starts, a dusty wind rages into it and Devang sighs with relief.
Serious and Hardworking
“Money isn’t of any importance,” Mr. Carleton said. “We’ve never had a renter with us and my wife was only feeling a bit nervous having someone come living with us.
The Greatest Assamese Stories Ever Told – Excerpt
TBR presents an excerpt from Sheelabhadara’s piece in The Greatest Assamese Stories Ever Told
The Greatest Kashmiri Stories Ever Told – Excerpt
TBR presents an excerpt from Bansi Nisrdosh’s piece in The Greatest Kashmiri Stories Ever Told
When The Water Tables Turn
I walk through mostly empty ravine-like streets until I reach the Art Centre. The extremophiles are making a fortune today, it seems.
Afterwards
Could a phrase reach her and encourage her to stand? Suddenly, all the furniture falls on top of her, the whole weight of the bed, the dining room table…
A Change of Climate
The dog came to a screeching halt. Growling but at attention, oblivious to the hail, it stopped and stared at the Slim Jim, licking its jowls all the while.
The Woman Who Married a Peepal Tree
The peepal by the river also seemed to be glowing in a special way that morning. Though the river reflected the sun just as it did daily…
Gold-unTouch
After a while, his mother, parched with thirst, asked for water. An earthen pot stood under a ghaf tree, but it was forbidden for Dalits to touch it.
Shuklaburhi
Shuklaburhi’s father-in-law, Sri Bamacharan Prodhani, was a renowned man from Kalahaat village near Dhubri town.
Two Mini Stories
The hall was filled with hungry diners. She served the dishes on each plate as if it were her own body she had cooked.
Nani’s Noose
This is the way Nani is. Fire, one moment; cool water, the next. Even her rage is special.
Tetari
Days would pass before she ate even a morsel of food … and there was no one to ask after her either.
House Warming
Dastgir transported farm produce for large farmers and worked as a cook whenever he could.
Tiffin Box
His mind drifted back to the hunger pangs that had plagued him from the beginning, a familiar sensation that…
No Regrets
It was a thing with Sheth. He had a special taste for teenage boys. He would hire them at the bar, enjoy them for a few months, and then send them away.
The Broken Column
I couldn’t change the time on the clock in Chachi’s house. Soon after college, I will have enough money to rent a room.
Jokhini and the Princess
Ivy yearned to make peace with the princess. She would wait outside the castle to see if the princess would come out.
Mahmud and Ayaz – Excerpt
TBR presents an excerpt from R. Raj Rao’s Mahmud and Ayaz