The Sanjhi had finally divided our village. When the rains abated we saw the split. A wooden bridge would be built for the duration of a year so that villagers on each side could commute easily as we adjusted to our respected sides. After which we would be, and function as, two separate villages. I…
Category: #fiction
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 9
I was embarrassed for her, even as I was shocked into silence. I wish I had asked her for more details about her family. I should have persisted, even though she refused. Her mother and sister had been and were midwives for the Zamindars 3rd wife, who was expecting her 2nd child any moment now….
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 8
A few months passed by in much the same manner, and just when Soni and I were settling into a comfortable routine, news arrived that the Government people would be coming in to mark the village for the split. Even though we villagers knew this would happen, and that we would be taken care of…
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 7
One day news arrived that my last surviving uncle and his wife had passed away in a car accident. Their only daughter, who lived abroad, asked me if I would like to buy their land. I had begun doing relatively well by now and saw no harm in doing so. With my latest acquisition, I…
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 6
I worked hard in my fields, continued running errands and doing odd jobs for village folks, and looked forward to my biweekly visits to the Gurudwara. I caught my mother looking at me curiously when she thought I wasn’t looking. She never asked and I never shared either. Yet another of my Uncles passed away…
Short Story- A River Runs Through It – Part 5
Those harsh words coming out of that beautiful mouth startled me for a moment, and then I laughed. I slapped my hand against my thigh and laughed and laughed, as she glared and me. My laughter incensed her and she stamped her foot and walked away. I stood there, a big smile on my face…
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 4
I watched her argue ferociously till she wore the shopkeeper down and he gave in. In an instant, her anger transformed into the most brilliant smile I had ever seen. She looked back at her girlfriends, flashed a wink, grabbed her purchases and ran away, with them following her. I stood there, rooted on the…
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 3
As the passing years and regular drinking robbed them of their health, my uncles were losing their power over everyone and everything. They couldn’t take care of their lands anymore and looked around for young, able shoulders to help. Mine were the only ones available. My uncles began depending on me heavily, and I delivered….
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 2
As afternoon made way for the evening I had no choice but to leave with my cousin and his friends, my cousin at the wheel of his newest, shiny vehicle driving towards the city. A few kilometers away from home I feigned an upset stomach and got out of the Jeep, asking my cousin to…
Short Story: A River Runs Through It – Part 1
This is Sanjhi, the river that borders our village. The source of our life and livelihood. We consider Sanjhi to be our mother, perhaps which is why I have forgiven her for splitting our village into two. I am Jagga, the strongest and bravest man of my village, Nihala. I stand almost 6 and a…