Asha Rajan

Internet Friends

Posted on November 14, 2019 6 Comments

“Internet friends are real friends!”

We’ve all heard the claims and counter claims. Most people have picked a side. Which is inherently weird since nobody has bothered to define what friendship is, or what constitutes real friendship.

Quit

Posted on November 6, 2019 7 Comments

He flicked the butt, still glowing, out of the car’s open window. A jogger or dog walker would stamp it out in due course.

He filled his lungs, checking his bank account with a smile. He expected more ceremony, more import to his last ciggie.

He shrugged.

Image credit: El Caminante/Pixabay


This post was written for the YeahWrite #447 Microprose grid.
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Hall of Mirrors (or A Mansplainer’s Just Desserts)

Posted on October 2, 2019 1 Comment

“Well actually…”

Breathy whistles of calliope music swallowed his words.

“Come,” a silken voice commanded from the darkness. Swirling, slithering white-gloved hands led him forward. An impuissant marionette, he followed.

Behind him, a closing door’s click ushered a silence so complete his ears ached.

Released, he clawed at slippery surfaces searching for an exit, mocked by grotesque reflections of himself.

This post was written for the YeahWrite #442 Microprose grid. Click the badge to read and comment on other entries. Don’t forget to vote!

An inconclusive list of things I’ve learned from having a puppy in the house (again)

Posted on September 12, 2019 8 Comments

Tiles are a godsend.
Carpet accidents happen. Despite your best efforts.
Money spent on a good carpet cleaner is never a waste.
Reading instructions and learning the proper use of your carpet cleaner is time well spent.
Puppies (like teens) eat a lot. They will eat ~~pretty much any~~ everything.
Puppies have two speeds; full throttle or fast asleep.
You will walk more than you usually do or care to. You may even run.
The older dog will teach the puppy good habits. And bad ones.
The sound of dogs play-fighting is different from the sound of dogs actually fighting.
Puppies learn rules quickly. They will flaunt them. While looking at you from the corner of their eyes.
Puppies will bring out the gentleness and sweetness in recalcitrant teens.
You will be responsible for the puppy (even though it will “belong” to the nearly-adult child).
You will not mind this responsibility. You always wanted a horde of kids and dogs.
You can teach a puppy to boop noses.
Clever dogs learn quickly. Good behaviour, and bad.
There is intense joy in being greeted at the door by excited dogs.

This post was written for YeahWrite #439 Nonfiction grid. Click the badge to read other entries.

My friend, Bear

Posted on September 5, 2019 1 Comment

CW: mention (no detail) of dog death in children’s literature

When Child 2 was five he started a reading program at school. He was an early reader, like his brother, and the teacher was gently extending his skills. Every day, he had to pick a book from a specially marked box, bring it home, and get one of his parents to read with him. The idea was that he’d read, we’d listen, and if he stumbled, we’d help him sound out words and figure out meanings from context.

Unearthed

Posted on August 8, 2019 11 Comments

Acacias, adorned in gold, bob heavy heads to a koolbardi’s caroling call. A raven, scratching at freshly turned soil, unearths Marco’s watch. The koolbardi swoops, screeching. A clash of beaks. A storm of feathers.

Silence.

Gingerly, Gina grabs her shovel.

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How not to make my father’s sardine achar

Posted on August 6, 2019 2 Comments

Around mid-July become deeply maudlin and morose. Be confused about why colours seem muted, sounds seem dulled, about why you’re suddenly short-tempered and tetchy with your family. Wonder if you have a hormone imbalance. Check for pain or injury. When you find nothing glaringly wrong, wonder if mood swings characterise anxiety or depression.