Prafulla Vyas

“The Stranger in the Library” by Prafulla Vyas

Submitted to Contest #91

Miss Brown stared at the computer, her mind far away, dreaming of the blue ocean, relaxing and sipping margaritas on the sunny beaches of the Mexican Gulf. The cursor on the old Mac blinked impatiently, emitting short beeps, hungry for the next word. She sighed deeply, her heart heavy with grief and disillusion. Her date last night was a huge disappointment. She could not envision a happy, married life with the timid, young man sitting opposite her. She sighed again and returned to the boring job of entering data into the computer. Stacks of...

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“Under the Banyan Tree” by Prafulla Vyas

Submitted to Contest #90

Most nights I slept under the banyan tree, on a straw bed, beside the smooth, black stone-representing Lord Shiva. Perhaps it was the gentle rustle of the spiritual energy that hovered around- I could not be sure, it lulled me into a dreamless state, into a cocoon, from which I was reluctant to emerge. But the sweet melody of the bulbul cracked it open and I crawled out. I rubbed my eyes and looked up into thick canopy above me, where a parrot and a monkey were squabbling over the little, red figs. Green, glossy leaves rained upon me. I got ...

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“The Road Less Travelled ” by Prafulla Vyas

Submitted to Contest #89

How would mother react, if she left without saying goodby? Would she even miss her? Daksha wrestled with these harrowing thoughts as she packed her small suitcase with essential items like clothes, makeup, toothbrush and books. She planned to sneak out in the evening and catch the 9:15 to Delhi. Nobody would miss her, not even her pesky, little brother who tagged along and never lost sight of her. The little monkey was probably busy harassing the workers brought in to build the Mandap in the center of the courtyard. Preparation for her siste...

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“Be the Change” by Prafulla Vyas

Submitted to Contest #88

Avatar sat like a mute, amongst the elders of the village, gathered under the banyan tree. It’s shade extended beyond the entrance of the old haveli, where they were guests of honour. They were seated cross-legged, his father, his uncle and the girl‘s father, sipping tea while discussing his engagement ceremony. Avatar could never understand why his father preferred to sip hot tea in a stainless steel tumbler, on a sweltering afternoon. He preferred a cool glass of lemonade with ice floating on the surface. He tried to sit cross-legged lik...

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“The Blind Date” by Prafulla Vyas

On Valentine’s Day, Stella did not take her usual forty minute nap, but instead devoted more than usual time to get ready for her evening date. She stared into the mirror, scrutinizing her face for fine lines that persisted in spite of the expensive creams that she lathered on every night. The frown on her forehead was etched forever, like a writing on a stone. It was the only living sign of struggles and sorrows that she had endured over the years. For Stella was not a weakling and at the age of seventy-three, had survived many hardships in...

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