Short stories are really where it all started for me. They remain my first love even after all the other forms of writing I’ve tried my hands at.
A selection of my most recent works is given below. One of them – Girdhar’s Mansion – was shortlisted for the 2016 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and is responsible for my switch to a career in writing.
Click on the names of the stories to read them.
As the Waters Slowly Cover Us This story was inspired by an article I read about a sea-side village that was being submerged as a result of climate change. How would life change for the villagers, I tried to imagine, when catastrophe is certain but slow.
By Manto As an admirer of Saadat Hasan Manto, I wanted to see what an aspiring Manto in the modern-day would look and feel like.
Court Date One time I saw an old couple in a courtroom, waiting for their case to be called up. I was full of pity that in their golden years they were forced to make rounds of the court, but I also tried to imagine the strength of their relationship through it all.
Girdhar’s Mansion What would it look like when a generation of freedon fighters has to hand over the nation into the custody of the next generation? Can we imagine it through the story of one small family and their inheritance?
Grey Orchid Though a weak-livered person myself, I tried my hand at writing a story of terror, with a style inspired by the great Edgar Allen Poe.
Home Cooking When a refugee has lost everything and then built a life back from scratch, can she feel threatened by her own people from back home? A look at the paranoia that must forever be a part of a refugees life.
I Need More Time A nurse notices a striking similarity between herself an a patient that changes how she views her own life.
Last Day of School On the day of his retirement, a school principal has to decide on what note he wants to end his illustrious career.
Professor Percy in the Acknowledgements How much does a student owe his success to his teacher, and will his teachings outlive him?
Thirteen Roses How many fights can a couple have before they decide to call it quits? How many apologies does it take to go back to the way things were?
Flash Fiction (very short stories)
Empty Galleries An artist and his only audience
Only Fools Rush In Love at a crossroads