The Blue Carpet
Inviting guests over is common and it is basically saying you are a part of our family now. And refusing the invitation is considered rude and offensive specially in the Arab households. So he did not want to disappoint his…
Mourning
The moment I heard the Imam christen my mother a name I’ve only read in books, I heard a sound synonymous to the creak of bones. I do not remember if a bone creaked, or if it was me, trancing;…
A Letter To My Old Self
Dear girl who had a shoddy past, I am hoping that we will never meet again and therefore writing this letter to talk to you, to confess, to thank you for the times you have been there for me when…
Blue Butterflies
The war ate the 14-year-olds. Such were the days, when young boys wielded swords and died on these dusts. Politicians, drunk in the revelry of power and greed, sent more and more elderly and the young to join the army…
In This Godforsaken City
The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity. ― Leo Tolstoy We live here. In this city. A Godforsaken one. We live in wooden houses, brick ones, painted building, muddy cottages. We live in owned mansions—we also…
Nostalgia
We all ran the corridors together to make sure we were always ahead of the headmaster. If one did get caught, we all took the blame being ready to be held accountable for every one’s mistakes. This unity is something…
To My Brother In Heaven
Dear Brother, Some may say it is unwise of me to write a letter to you when you are somewhere this letter cannot reach, but there are things I want to tell you, show you and talk to you about.…
The Moment Between Impulse and Control
We step onto the roof in anticipation. Just the two of us and a bottle of wine, a cool summer breeze caressing our faces. “What now?” I ask. “We’ll just have to wait,” you say, your eyes already fixed on…
A Small Sri Lankan World
My mum says the EasyJet cashier was my father’s brother’s friend’s housemate for two years when they first came to England, back when Appa* thickened the chicken curry up with cornflakes. She says he played UNO with me growing up,…
Undivided Love
‘I have never seen Inam this serious.’ I thought. Something was seriously wrong. His thick black eyebrows narrowed, jaws stiffened and fair skin turned red. ‘What is wrong, sweetheart?’ He didn’t seem to hear me as his fingers went fast…
Love Song #777
for Maria Your favourite colour is purple and mine is blue and how’s this for romanticism but combined they resemble the shade of a pretty majestic bruise. Before I met you, I’ve seen sunsets merely going through the motions, a…
Unforeseen
‘Funny how you’ve got to get your heart broken ninety-nine times to feel numb on your hundredth’, she tweeted. Letting her long black hair on the floor from the edge of her bed, she took a look at her mother…
The One Who Walked Away
With a heart heavier than the dress she wore that day, she walked up to the beautifully adorned stage that waited to glow as she took the seat that was meant for her. ‘Smile, it’s your big day!’, her closest…
Expectations
Just always be the better person. And make your intentions pure. What and who you are is what will be remembered. Pain is inevitable in our journey and it will always exist, but if you focus on understanding what you…
Lest we forget Grandad’s dog, and other stories
I remember the feel of his fur, and can almost remember his smell. Standing next to him was amazing. He once stood up with me on his back. Grandma came racing over and took me off him, telling me Rex…
Falling Breathless
The heart yearns for the comfort of a familiar body or a soft feeling or being protected and under the care of someone strong and caring. Yet when these things aren’t achieved, we feel obliterated like a piece of straw…