Stories about my S Asia working experiences
Ruth Shepherd looked at the baby in her arms and compared it to her own body. The baby was fair skinned like its father Brian, but it seemed quite content to be enclosed in her brown arms and attach to her greedily at feeding time. She marvelled at the miracle of birth that had produced her daughter from the union of two greatly different heritages … Continue reading Roopa
Shaktiwala sat crossed legged on the wooden platform above the bags of grain on prominent display in his shop. He surveyed the village and constant movement of people of different classes in the caste system as they made their way around the village carefully avoiding contact with each other and keeping within permitted limits. He was lost in thought as he contemplated his situation. Everyone … Continue reading Sri Shaktiwalaji
The End of an Era and Beginning of a New. On his return to Dehradun the Colonel sought out Major Lancaster informing him of his retirement from army duties and the Major’s elevation to the command of the base. The Major considered Cartwright his mentor and benefactor in positioning him for advancement and the honour of his appointment as replacement and ordered an immediate function … Continue reading तितली (Butterfly) Chapter 6
Trouble in Calcutta Colonel Cartwright was in the process of reviewing troops with officers gathered around him when a runner appeared and requested permission to deliver his orders. Permission granted the Colonel handed over command to Captain Lancaster and strode to the Company Headquarters office taking his seat behind the desk. The runner saluted and extended his hand with a sealed letter. He read it … Continue reading तितली (Butterfly) Chapter 5
Decisions Noorzia and Titali lay on mats in Matildas bedroom. They’d done that for a couple of weeks during Matilda’s illness administering local medicines during the night along with drugs to help her sleep. Matilda was often in sweat as the body released toxins with the help of these medications. They bathed her often to keep her body clean. Women of the hills were expert … Continue reading तितली (Butterfly) – Chapter 4
Surprising Confession When Noorzia returned to the bungalow after seeing her husband off on his journey she found Reg distributing gifts to the servants after unpacking his belongings. These were items he’d acquired in England he knew would have interest to them. Each of the servants chatted excitedly as they received their gifts and pronounced a blessing on him for his generosity. Noorzia smiled happily. … Continue reading तितली (Butterfly) – Chapter 3
Dehradun Colonel Horace Cartwright sat at his desk in Dehradun and cursed the heat and flies affecting his concentration. The Pankah Wallah studied his Sahib anxiously as he pulled ropes activating house ceiling fans reading irritation on the Colonel’s face and hoping it wouldn’t result in scolding should he not activate those fans fast enough to counteract the shimmering heat. The Colonel shouted for the … Continue reading तितली Titali (Butterfly) – Chapter 1
Justice Served Judge Gaikwad stood to his feet. He may have been grey haired, but he was an imposing tall warrior who knew the tricks of the law. He looked over the men seated around the table. “Am I wrong in what I’ve said gentlemen?” “You’re absolutely right Judge and we’re upset at this unnecessary intrusion. We were shocked to see that DVD you managed … Continue reading Shalini’s Escape-Chapter 7
Evil Exposed Shalini could feel Raj Sir’s eyes on her all through the last class. She waited until the rest of the class had rushed out for after school activities and Rajkumar went to the door and peered down the corridors. He nodded his head in the direction of his office and told her to wait five minutes before following. Soon after she entered his … Continue reading Shalini’s Escape-Chapter 6
Looking for Answers Plain clothes policemen waited until linesman Aditya hailed an auto rickshaw then followed as he headed for work in another rickshaw keeping in touch with some of their undercover counterparts by cell phone. They hadn’t wanted to detain him at home or at work so waited for a strategic location along the route to work and cut in front of Aditya’s rickshaw. … Continue reading Shalini’s Escape – Chapter 4
