I Was Not There – A Short Story Collection By Rachana

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2010:

Rwanda: Genocide, Love and Resilience:

This piece is close to my heart, as it is semi-autobiographical, but the story line is pure fiction. It is a tribute to a person in my life, who has been a great influence on me. His name, profession, his location are not part of the story to fiercely protect his identity. Exercise your right to be informed.

You can read it HERE.

Bring The Boys Back Home:

And then it happened, as the concert came to a close..The ‘helicopter’ lights whirring above and the light shining on her head.. The crowd went crazy and before she could dismiss the attention, Pat saw the picture on THE WALL.. It read the words, that she would remember forever..

You can read it HERE.

A Soft Key Radio And The Melting Pot:

People and Relationships are complicated, if life were a journey in a metro, people get on and get off, you switch on and switch off their thoughts. The meaning of a relationship still lies on how it withers the passage of time and the storms of trust and prejudice.

You can read it HERE.

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2011:

Kim Jong Il And The Nuclear Family Paradox:

Summary: This is the story of North Korea, that is the darkest in the world at night and equally disturbing during the day. Of its 30 million people and one Choe Yong Taek who dreamt of freedom and food for all.

You can read it HERE.

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2012:

Darling, Be Gentle On My Curves:

For that she is the bravest, kindest and toughest woman I ever knew in my life. To the love of my life, my life partner of 59 years and in memory now on, this is for you Rose,
Waiting to meet you on the other side.
Your Charlie.

You can read it HERE.

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2014:

Turns Out I Am Dirt Poor:

Presumptions drown empathy, but empathy drowns fears. There is little hope for a person who chooses to identify with only his version of cultural comprehensions of the society he lives in. Sometimes thoughtless actions can be more life changing than the ones with deliberate thoughts. Sometimes it takes just a moment to realize that you are still dirt poor at your heart.

You can read it HERE.

got tragedy ™:

Life is brutal, cruel and frustrating. Life is endless and tragic. Yes, indeed, her life seemed to be filled with irrational challenges – the daily commute notwithstanding. But if things were happening to her, didn’t it also mean that she was still alive, well and actually breathing? James Foley is dead. To be dead, now, wouldn’t that be tragic?

You can read it HERE.

This Time, Another Place:

Recreational parenting creates a distracted gene pool. The phenomenon can be perpetuating and is a sad result of all matters related to our modern, electronic and connected civilization. The worst output is the urge to be at any other place than the one that we are presently in. This time, another place.

You can read it HERE.

When I Die, Can You Cry?

In life, Sirisha signified a woman who was very much on the dating scene. Her jeans never once sagged off her thighs and she shopped exclusively at Victoria Secret. A couple of months ago, she had promptly driven to Goodwill to donate all her ballet style shoes because the D’Orsay flats were the new rage in the summer of 2014. She reminded me of the times I looked at myself in the mirror and thought of why marriages stick and how loyalty is so important.

You can read it HERE.

Pregnant Brains, Infertile Bodies:

It’s the strangest relationship we shared as girlfriends. I felt this intense hatred and jealousy for her lifestyle, freedom and luxury to choose her will over time, like literally sitting on the toilet for more than a few seconds at a time. But, that was only until I met her and saw her face. A face that demanded examination and undivided attention.

You can read it HERE.

The Room Was Empty, Except for Him:

“I don’t know why I feel lonely. When I am watching TV or out in the park, the entertainment keeps me distracted. It is when I am by myself, something comes back to me. Most of the time, I am struggling to figure out what it is that I want to think about. Some days, I don’t want to be seen. Some days, I don’t want to be heard.” He told his therapist every time he went to see her.

You can read it HERE.

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2015:

A Novella – How Green Were Our Valleys:

If Chaz had left me to stay there alone all night, the Tevere would have flooded with my tears.
In conclusion, I am not saying I have turned our marriage into the best one, but we have learnt and taught each other to endure. As far as Antonio goes, let’s just say, the experience helped me hold onto beliefs that all Italian men might be heart-breakers.
Arrivederci.

You can read it HERE. Part I and Part II.

Some Dress Rehearsals Are For Dead Mothers:

“Between you and me, I see that the boy is turning out to be a replica of his mother. And it is not good for me or my family. That is where all the trouble began in my life, with that woman. Also, uhh.. my wife feels that it’s best if you keep out of our business. I hope you understand.”
With those words, the line went dead.

You can read it HERE. Part I and Part II.

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2017:

Haunted and Helpless – A Journey In Autism:

“Mom, you always had high expectations of us and always demanded that we become doctors. You never asked us what we wanted. All our lives, all your three children have been working to meet your expectations. But now you don’t want me to have any expectations from my children?? All I want to is to have his attention a few times a day and tell me ‘I love you, mom.’ How can it be too much to ask??” And then she hung up.

You can read it HERE.

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2023:

Thanks To Cupid, Lalitha Found Jimmy:

So many people, and so many ways we find love. And what do we do with all those people who talk without a full comprehension of the diversity of lives around them?
Everyone can live life their way as long as they’re not encroaching on others’ civil liberties. Isn’t it?

You can read it HERE.

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2025:

Queen: A Powerful Short Story of Womanhood by Nadella Anuradha – English Translation of క్వీన్:

“And about this idea of ‘getting your daughter married’ as a duty, honestly, it’s time we let go of that mindset. It just doesn’t fit anymore in today’s world. Children bring us joy when they’re young, yes. But raising them is our responsibility, not a contract for lifelong control. Once they’re grown, their life is their own, we have no claim over it. What we can do is be their safe harbor, quietly present, unwavering, available when they need us. That’s what truly matters.”

“So what then?” Madhuri spoke softly as if she was thinking aloud. “Will families and marriage just disappear? Will society become a crowd of lonely, disconnected individuals?”

You can read it HERE. Part I and Part II.

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For more on the latest story compilation visit HERE:

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On Life, Love And Desires In Fiction