Asmita Kodityala

“Remember When?” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #102

“Hey.” “Hey.” We had come home after three years. Amid college, jobs, and our own lives, we couldn’t make time for each other. That’s not to say that our relationship is great. Leo moved out (actually ran away) when I was ten. Lived at his friend’s house. I was left alone- and never forgave my big brother. Many of my friends had older brothers, and they were always saying how great they were. My brother was nonexistent. Leo came back when I was eighteen, and he was ready to leave for college. Didn’t even glance at me. And neither did I.&nb...

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“Love, Masala” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #100

I always envisioned myself coming home from college and stepping into the rich aroma of cardamom, cloves, coriander, and curry leaves. Now, I have to somehow recreate that.   Knowing the recipe by heart, I decide to make my mom’s twist on baingan bharta- Indian comfort food made with eggplants, cashew and coconut sauce, and lots and lots of masala. It is usually eaten with chapati or flatbread, and I know that only my mom can make the perfectly round chapatis. It doesn’t help that she’s coming over after the pandemic- the meal has ...

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“Invisible to Being” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #97

It was practically horizontal. As in everything. The winds were gusting, bringing the rain with them. Trash cans were being hurled across the streets. Now and then, we have storms. But, for some reason, this one felt different.  20 minutes later: “Anu? Are you there?” a voice calls out to me from the storm. My window is been encapsulated by a dark shadow. I immediately draw the blinds and turn off the lights. Who would be at my window at this hour? Impossible.  “Anu, it’s Caleb. From English?” Okay, this was mega creepy. I’ve pro...

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“Summer Turned Dark” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #92

It was one of those days where you felt that nothing else could be more perfect. It was a warm summer day- with the cloud cover just right, a light breeze, and the warm sun hitting our backs. Jason and I were at my house, sitting in the sun and reminiscing memories. The world couldn’t have been better.  “Lara, remember when we were like, seven, and you were too scared to dive into the pool and I pushed you in? I was scared of you for a week after that,” Jason grins in a way that makes me want to slap the smile off his face.  “Haha,...

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“I Wonder” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #91

We. Log. Everything It’s the rule now. Everything that we do must be tracked, cataloged, or logged into our phones. If you don’t do it, they will find out. And when they do, y’all don’t want to be around.  Sunday, April 25th- 10:21:17 am Ate two slices of french toast. A moderate amount of syrup. Was asked to put bananas and did so unwillingly. Two centimeters of the crust was left. Is now in the garbage disposal.  I mic myself and head into the backyard. It’s finally spring. Even though the blooms and smells and birds are co...

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“Entwined Lives” by Asmita Kodityala

Characters and setting inspired by “Anne with an E,” available on Netflix.  Cole The breeze swayed over the cliff at the coast. Seagulls squawked overhead, and the salty scent of the ocean was carried over to me, stinging my eyes. The clay was drying too quickly, but I didn’t mind, for this scenery was all I was here for. I don’t fit in at school. When instructed to sit boy-girl, I am unsure of my place. I think I find my enclosure in my sculptures- I convey my emotions, my thoughts, my story. I found this hut, once, in the middle o...

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“The End of an Era” by Asmita Kodityala

Submitted to Contest #86

Preface: It has been 15 years. 15 years since I've lived in this house I call home. But I don't know why. 15 years ago, I had a family; a family who cared. I never had many friends, but they existed. What had I done to earn 15 years of hibernation? 15 years ago:I live in Manhattan, New York. No, not the super hotspot for the coronavirus, but the first place to go gasoline-free. That place. I'm graduating from school this year. After six long years, I can finally take my place as an adult in society. I had to stay in school for an extra ...

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