FORTY WINKS

(  The short story fiction category was chosen for an online writing competition. The story began as a 50-word submission I wrote for a prompt on Instagram.) The Patterns In The Sky Ten-year-old Nina pointed towards the sky, her eyes sparkling with wonder.  "Look, Mom, the sky looks so beautiful," she exclaimed. It was a cold, dreary morning in January, and the looming clouds veiled the entire landscape. Nina and her mother, Neelam, were nestled in the tranquil embrace of their farmhouse courtyard, enveloped by the undisturbed rural panorama. As Neelam hesitantly looked up from the book she was engrossed in, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the dull, gray sky and her daughter's vibrant, elated expression. Instead of basking in the warmth of her daughter's joy, she was unexpectedly trapped by a bewildering surge of conflicting emotions. Unsure of navigating this whirlwind of feelings, she was transfixed. She realized that this moment would ma...

Phoenix   They said I had it all. I woke up on a bed of roses, without a worry in the world, as destiny smiled on me daily. Unaccountable wads of cash stuffed in my handbag, I roamed around the world. But there I was, lying on driftwood, floating far away from home, losing sight of my goals. They said I had it all. The heir, the progeny, and the lucky one— no one to ask, no one to tell. for some, I was a good catch; for the rest, I was an easy prey. And there I was, looking at the noose, taking it all in. Lonely, fearful, and abandoned while they devoured the cupcakes. They said I had it all. The spark found me, and now I am reunited with my soul— silencing the aching heart, shutting down the voices in my head. I will fly through the roof, reach for the stars, And have It all! I say I will have it all. Why not... !!

Unloop The Loop!   The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualizes mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community. Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10 th October every year. The theme for 2023 set by the World Foundation of Mental Health is “Mental Health is a Universal Right”. Mental health issues are just as real as any other ailment affecting physical health.  The manifestation of physical ailments is evident but it may take years at times for mental disorders to surface. Since the approach and management involve the treatment of deep recesses of the mind outcomes are slower.   Let’s break free from a few myths surrounding mental health. 1)     Myth: Women are vulnerable to mental health issues. Fact: Mental health issues are gender-neutral and can affect al...