Savour the Moment – The Asian Writer Short Story Prize 2018 Runner Up

Ever since the email went out at the end of November, food was all anyone could talk about. From: Culture Comms Subject: Important Staff Event – International ‘Bring a Dish’ Lunch Day! Date: 30 November 2017 at 10:00:54 GMT To: allstaff@mb.com On the 12th December @ noon, please bring in an international dish to share. Let’s celebrate the diversity of our teams …

Yellow Daffodils

“I’m in the department till twelve. You can come by eleven.” When I had texted Dr Verma the previous night, I knew this was my only chance if I wanted to meet her. I had chosen a Thursday for my meeting. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the social work department had fewer people than usual; students …

The Gardener – Jocelyn Watson

Never in a sari.  On Sundays she’d always change first.  Back from mass, she’d unwind the six yards of silk or chiffon, replacing it with her baggy black cotton tracksuit and her brown pumps.  Even in those unflattering clothes, her black eyes and quiet grace shone through.  Read more of The Gardener by Jocelyn Watson, The Asian Writer Short Story Prize 2013 Winner

On Being Mary – Sulaxana Hippisley

The Asian Writer Short Story Competition – Runner Up Angela O’ Connor was the Virgin Mary. Everyone knew it was true. Something about the neon scrunchie with black dots that held up her hair. And her lips. You only saw lips like that in my sister’s magazines. Bliss or Mizz. Those ones where they told you …

Fault by Praveen Aldangadi

Amma was ritualistically watering her plants, which included fighting with pigeons and making small talk with squirrels. The rodent droppings never bothered her but she would get colossally upset with bird shit. I think it was probably the unusual mixture of white and green or maybe it was just the quantity. Watering a plant was …

Streets by morning by Areeba Siddiqui

Seductively, she whispers a familiar melody into his ear, her physical presence enclosing him in a cocoon of warmth and security. He tilts his head to one side and silently listens as she speaks to him, entrusts him with the burden of her chest, relates to him enchanting tales of glories bygone, tragic losses and …

Twenty Rupees and an Air-conditioner – Arunima Mazumdar

To smoke a beedi and regale in its burning ingredients to perfection is not easy. One ought to puff at it between every five seconds. It’s not like the pricey cigarette that is able to burn itself naturally, whether you blow its filtered-butt or not. And so, the humble beedi finds its audience in the …