We went because he said he wanted something light. We went to the botanical garden because we were avoiding where we would end up anyway

I am happy. That’s what I say when people ask me, “How are you?” I could say that I am not sad but I don’t want to look like a pessimist.

After the poetry reading, after the hours of rum and cola and courtesy, the black widow stands before the mirror and takes her adornments off one by one. She unpins her hair. She had put it up during the party ...

Stretched out on the deck chair by the poolside looking at the stars, the voice had startled Aparna. “Is all right if I sit down by you?” The words were slurred.

Weary, at the end of your day, you enter an evening bus. You attach seamlessly with the rest of flesh in the vehicle. Tch, tch, someone inevitably makes this sound, tch, tch, as you step on that someone’s shoes. Tch, tch, as you crash onto the back ...