Parvathy Sabapathy

“The Invisible Footprints” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #77

Dad is a die-hard, never-give-up person brimming with positivity. Still, the rigours and worries of the past six months have taken a toll on him. The fit and energetic person is slowly reducing to a mass of despair. The search for Yeti has hit him hard. I try my best to help him in every new search mission we undertake, but he doesn’t listen to me. He ignores me because I'm still a girl. He believes, I'm misdirecting him towards some wrong path. He thinks, I'm leading him towards a nice little snow dune that I can slide down as much as I wan...

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“Oomen's Omana” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #53

It was the beginning of year 2020 that I landed my dream job in one of the premier institutions in Mumbai. I loved my career and this was what I had set-upon to achieve twelve years ago. Brought up in a small town in God's own country – Kerala, I was yet to adjust to the hustle-bustle of the busiest Metro in India.I looked forward to each new day at work. Those soft, spongy, twin-bums in all shapes and sizes lured me to work each morning. Knowing me to be an emotional guy, many well-wishers had advised me that I wouldn’t be successful in my ...

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“The Visitants” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #52

Surveying the black gowns in my wardrobe, I wondered if I should go with the black gown with a plunging neckline or the one with the bare back.I decided to go with the black gown with the bare back. Exposing my back seemed more conservative than exposing my cleavage. A plunging neckline would attract unwanted attention. Not that the bare back will attract any less; yet between the two, the bare back seemed the less obvious. Still, it would be enough to grab the eyeballs of few rich men expected to attend the function.I slipped into the black...

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“The Mango Tree” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #51

I was the only son of a rich Indian farmer which entitled me to a plethora of privileges. We lived in a village called Koproli that fell on the outskirts of the Financial Capital of India – Mumbai. We were 50 kilometres away from the centre of the city amongst the lush greenery that bordered the banks of Kalundre river.My father owned fields that seemed to stretch beyond the horizon much farther than the human eyes could see. We harvested many crops seasonally ranging from rice, wheat, millets, pulses to corn and vegetables.I was well-fed an...

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“Untold Truth” by Parvathy Sabapathy

I am a cherubic 16-year-old girl attending the neighbourhood high school. Thanks to my parents, life had always been kind to me. But it all changed one cold Tuesday morning six months ago in late January. As if it was not enough that I was carrying on with life burdened by the fact that mom was fighting a losing battle against cancer, she had to break another heart-breaking news to me. She found solace in death. But what about me? Here I am stranded on a thin rope bridge unable to decide which way to proceed.    Dad had b...

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“Star Struck” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #51

I gazed at the twinkling stars in the clear night sky. Where has the one nearest to us - - the Sun disappeared?I remembered reading in my science text book - - 'it doesn’t really disappear; we don’t see it during the night because the Earth rotates to face the darker side of Space.'I looked once again at the tiny twinkling dots in amazement.How many galaxies, how many life-systems do these burning balls of fire feed? Will my dreams come true? Will I see the Sun in the night sky? Will I see my favourite star up-close? ***********I w...

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“Noel” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #50

Down on my knees, I look at the serene face of Mother Mary cradling baby Jesus. I pray for strength, for courage, for success - - not the kind that will bring accolades crashing at my feet, but the kind that will fill people's heart with happiness and gratitude, the kind that will restore faith.The shivering that had engulfed my body some time ago gradually stops as I end my prayers with - - 'In the name of Jesus Christ - Amen'The purpose of my life and the reason for my existence will soon be put to test. I am experiencing my first pre-perf...

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“The Threat” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #50

I cursed my fate for the zillionth time as I looked at the 10 by 10 room that my family called home. At every nook and corner of the small room was scattered the meagre belongings of our household. I had learnt to control my bowel and bladder movements to sync with the length of the queue outside the rows of public toilets adjoining the slum.My parents worked hard to educate me. They tried everything possible within their means to keep me in school. They couldn't afford the fees of even a modest private school and I therefore went to the loc...

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“The Pond” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #50

After 10 years and having travelled 13,800 kilometres in the last 24 hours, I am once again sitting on the stair next to the pond. The pond is still. Puffed rice strewn by the visitors’ float on its surface - - food for the fishes that have made this pond their home. A lone fish somersaults out of the water and dives back in, creating concentric circular ripples that travel outward from the centre.I am caught on the last ripple of despair and dejection that travels further outwards.The fish emerges again somersaulting, this time grabbin...

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“The Perpetual Hiccups” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #49

After driving for two hours, navigating through the rush hour traffic, I reach my destination. My back is sore from riding my Kawasaki Bajaj, weaving through heavy traffic, dodging people jaywalking, as well as bumping into sudden potholes and speed breakers that took me by surprise.I climb up the stairs, and after sensing my presence, the automatic glass doors slide apart. I see her in the waiting area, talking empathetically to a sobbing lady. Empathy is the quality that she always carries like a diamond studded crown on her head. She noti...

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“The Glitch” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #48

Ram and Sita were born a couple of years apart. The framed twins that proudly adorned the homes of both kids, was the photograph of a two year old smiling Ram, tenderly holding a bawling newborn Sita on his lap, a memento of their first meet. They not only shared the same neighbourhood, they went to the same school and shared the same sun sign too - Libra. They spent most of their time together, from licking ice creams purchased at the roadside cart to crunching faces and clicking tongues, a natural reaction to the tintilating sourness ...

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“The Accidental Life” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #47

You pack your bags and get ready to leave. 33 years after being uprooted from your roots, you force yourself to return to your origin. Isn't that the promise you made to yourself a decade back? In a thunderous eureka moment, blood pumping courage, pushing your thoughts towards that pinnacle called acceptance?You were always driven by rage to push yourself and fight beyond your strengths. It wasn't entirely a desire to calmly and quietly achieve your goals with deep resolute. They weren't even your goals. They were goals set upon yo...

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“Fatal Inspiration” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #46

Born to professionals, a well known solicitor and a top-notch doctor, Amy was a peppy and exuberant girl in her mid teens. She lived and attended school in the upscale area of Chevy Chase, Maryland. In her Sophomore year, she looked forward to high school coming fall.  She had big dreams, but to the disappointment of her parents, neither law nor medicine was her fascination. Amy grew up gnawing her way through heaps of books and it came as no surprise when she aimed to graduate in literature from an ivy league college. Introverted, ...

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