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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of desi short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

430+ Desi Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Discover the magic of Desi stories in this directory of short stories, curated by our panel of judges.

Desi Short Stories – Page 3 of 29

A wicked cup of coffee

Submitted to Contest #277

Raman’s Narration It was one of the big American brands that had set up shop at a prominent spot of the circular market that was the famous Connaught Place of Delhi. CP was a remnant of India’s colonial past, created originally by the British for their entertainment and fashion needs.After independence, it retained some of its elite atmosphere. How could it not?, punctuated as it was by elegant victorian arches and facades housing designer boutiques and fine dining. Still, it had become less exclusive, a little more crowded and dirty, with r...

6 likes 1 comment 1
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Belle Nessa - A Gothic Story

Submitted to Contest #275

How much did other journalists have to beg the editor to write a story? "I will come back with THE story, a wonderful one, an honest, personal account from the reserved Belle Nessa, perhaps her last with her illness.” The breeze from outside clamoured up and she opened her eyes. ”I close the windows, foggy now” the Uber driver stiffly explained. The air stifled and clasped at her throat and she felt dizzy.“The air conditioner please!” The driver sighed loudly, but he turned the air conditioner on low. The mist enveloped the car graduall...

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Rohan's Birthday Wish

Submitted to Contest #274

It was eight o’ clock. Papa was going to knock at the door any moment now. Rohan felt his heartbeat rising, and his feet start to twitch. But they were not supposed to, so he dug into them with his nails. Ma didn’t like it when she caught him fidgeting. And she was already pissed. Sammy was fidgeting in his crib. Ma had just put him to sleep and was putting on make up. Not that she needed to. She was already so beautiful. But Papa didn’t think so. That’s why he didn’t give her any time anymore. They had spent the whole afternoon fighting. He...

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Building Bridges

Submitted to Contest #271

Raised on Philadelphia’s Main Line, I came of age in prep schools and country clubs. The culmination of my prowess was to be demonstrated via matriculation to an Ivy, then a graduate degree in law or medical school. This would ensure my place among the privileged elite whence I hailed. Questioning the wisdom of this trajectory, foretold since pre-consciousness, was dismissed as folly. Discussion being discouraged, I simply acted. Dashing the hopes and dreams my parents had pinned on their only child, I enlisted in the United States...

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A PERFECT BOWL OF BIBIMBAP OR (K)SHIT(IJA’S) GUIDE TO HAPPINESS

Submitted to Contest #270

According to Kshitija's note, one can find comfort in the most unexpected places or experience the best taste of a bowl of bibimbap when they need to escape reality. Escaping reality is the best way to stay happy. The further you are away from the reality, the happier you become. Recipe Preparation time: 1 hour 45 minutes.Cooking time: 3 minutes, 32 seconds.Serves 1 in dire need of comfort. Ingredients1 Newly opened, crowded Korean restaurant with noisy people.1 corner table with seven friends loudly discussing maths (trigonometric equation)...

11 likes 1 comment 1
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An Epiphany

Submitted to Contest #266

An Epiphany'Sorry dear, I can't do it.'Pawan yanked the sticky note sheet from the bathroom mirror, and read the message again – ‘Sorry dear, I can't do it’. He could not believe it. How can she step back when a step forward would be opening a whole new world for her, he thought. He swung around and stomped out, shutting the door behind him with a bang. "Sujata, Sujata! Where are you?" He marched to the kitchen, where his wife was preparing breakfast. “What’s this? He slammed the sticky note on the kitchen table. “How can you do this now? Wh...

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In the blink of a memory

Submitted to Contest #264

Rain splashed against the windshield of my metallic green car, making it even harder to navigate the winding road ahead. The fog was already thick, obscuring my view, but I pressed on, driving the serpentine route toward the venue deep in the countryside, about 45 minutes from home.Despite my initial reluctance to attend the wedding, here I was, decked out in an embroidered jumpsuit for my friend Girisha’s sister’s reception. As the windshield wipers swept violently from side to side, I began rethinking my decision. I barely knew anyone at t...

9 likes 1 comment 1
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Zu and the star fox

Submitted to Contest #263

When you said stepping out of the house was your biggest fear, no one laughed. And the sheer thought of it felt like a physical cut. To leave the house which carries Zu’s memory was like allowing the witches and the monsters to eat you whole. Sound of rain seeped into the room and Blue or Annie or Copper rushed to close the windows. Bee or Laya or Ethal remained silent. Their gaze shifted from you to the rotten bananas on the table.‘How long it’s been there?’ Annie or Ethal asked.You didn’t say anything but thought of Zu and her tired smile....

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A Father's Tale

Submitted to Contest #263

A Father’s TaleTrigger warnings: Mental health, substance abuse, physical abuse, and harsh language. “Ashik, what is wrong with you? How can you be so stupid?” I exclaim. Ashik looks over at the grey leather couch that I sat in. Dressed in baggy ripped clothes with stains on them, and a beer bottle in one hand. My son was lying on a white hospital bed with the couch across from me. The hospital put him on suicide watch after his attempt on the bridge. I continued to stare at Ashik, hoping for some sort of a reaction. The room was filled...

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Friendship Matters

Submitted to Contest #261

 My name is Ria. I'm British Asian with Mauritian roots, the founder and CEO of HR Matters. People tell me I have everything, brains, beauty, love and wealth. But what people don't see is the hard work and sacrifice that's cost me the best years of my life. I open the door to my office, and there’s a huge vase of vibrant, sweet-smelling flowers sitting on my desk. “What the?” My first thought is Don, and my heart swells.   “Hope you don’t mind.” I turn around and see Zoe, my new PA, standing behind me in the corrido...

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Guess what? I’m related to Frankenstein

Submitted to Contest #260

“Guess what? I’m related to Frankenstein” That was the last text message Amir sent me. I had so many questions like “Isn’t Frankenstein just a story?” and “How’d you find out?”. But he left me on read.Summer had come and gone, and with it the vacation. Clouds roared aloud at the height of the Indian monsoon. I looked out the school bus window, my mind as gloomy as the skies. Amir’s ghosting had got to me. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten and I was beyond frustrated. My plan for the day was to beat his ass as soon as I saw him....

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Boiling Point

Submitted to Contest #260

He gazed absently at the black kettle, his reflection looking back at him like a stranger. Nice cup of tea. That’s what we need. A faint humming of a song and the sound of light footsteps on the floorboards above him made him smile. He noticed the whistle of the kettle, as it screeched louder and louder, vapours fading away in the sunlight. Realisation struck; she must have put the kettle on. Of course, she did. Of course, she did. How kind. How thoughtful.  The dawn broke in a pool on the window, seeping in through the cracks and ...

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Resolution

Submitted to Contest #258

Keerat pursed her lips and grimaced. She turned her head to the left and then quickly to the right, doing her absolute best to avoid making eye contact with the camera in front of her. She held a bread pakora in her hand, suspended just above a puddle of deep red chutney on a porcelain dinner plate. The cameraman panned around to everyone else sitting around the table; some gave smiles and threw up peace signs while others continued conversations with those sitting beside them, backs a little bit straighter, gesticulating a bit more delibera...

4 likes 1 comment 1
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The Ninja from the Suburbs

Submitted to Contest #256

Note: Contains scenes of violence and brief mention of mental health"I am sorry, ma'am, " the out-of-shape, African-American woman FAA officer interjected my mother politely. "We can't let you carry this.""But why?" My mom interjected. "I am allowed a carry-on. I am 67 year old diabetic patient with heart problems, cholesterol…"."Ma'am, I am sorry. But these are the rules. Our overhead compartment is full.""How can it be full? We didn't even go in." She objected."Com'on mom, don't be a Karen." I tried to make it light."No wait. Why should I ...

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Umpire's call -" Kalyug"

Submitted to Contest #256

“Everyone I knew was glued to the TV, or their phonesThey had been waiting for this day for over three months. I was going to be on TV during on one of the most awaited events of the year. For more than 3 hours, I would be seen with some of the biggest sports stars in the world. But nobody would be watching me. They may see me but I would be swiftly ignored like I never existed. I was used to that for a while now.After all, nobody pays attention to the Umpires (referees are called “Umpires” in cricket) during a cricket match. Everyone blames...

9 likes 6 comments 6
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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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