Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-ninth edition of Fiction Monday. Six years ago, a beginning— nudged by a few friends. Today, I prepare another edition— the 300th. Three hundred… how insane is this? I did not see this coming.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” Isn’t that an insane question to ask anyone? Who are we to know? How can anyone predict what’s coming next? 

I wasn’t very strict about wearing proper walking shoes in my 20s. Even in my early 30s, I mostly enjoyed walking in sandals. Whatever was right next to the door found its purpose covering my feet, and off I would go for a walk.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-ninth edition of Fiction Monday. “Even if you cannot change all the people around you, you can change the people you choose to be around. Life is too short to waste your time on people who don’t respect, appreciate, and value you. Spend your life with people who make you smile, laugh, and feel loved.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

I am in love with this corner of our backyard. It makes my heart rejoice when I see the green leaves fluttering in the breeze, playing with the sunlight. 

I was scared to glance in her direction, like I have always been scared  to plan my future,  because somewhere  not too deep within me,  I fear  I’m not doing enough.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-eighth edition of Fiction Monday. “So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters, and whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody can say.” —Virginia Woolf

Today is Achan’s (my dad’s) 15th death anniversary.  Sometimes it feels like it’s been forever since he’s gone. Sometimes it feels like he passed away just yesterday.

It happens too fast— the scenes that flash before your eyes, before you can soak in that beauty, before your eyes can feast on the gorgeousness unfolding.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-seventh edition of Fiction Monday. “Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” —Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

When you feel an unreasonable glow from within, know that it is the touch of hope, hope, reaching for you, nudging you, gently.

Some things are just so precious… like the aroma of morning tea, like the gentle touch of sunlight filtering through the window, like the corner of your home that sprinkles calm into your mind, like noticing the gentleness of little joys, like basking in the quiet glory of unadulterated, tiny moments you call life— some things are just so precious…

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-sixth edition of Fiction Monday. “If plan "A" doesn't work, just remember: the alphabet has 25 more letters.” —Unknown

As an ardent reader, Swapna found the library to be a second home. Her sister used to joke that she would’ve moved there permanently if the staff had allowed it. It was true. Swapna could never resist a book—or the place that held them. That’s why she majored in Library and Information Science, hoping to spend her life among the books.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-fifth edition of Fiction Monday. “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” —William Morris

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety-fourth edition of Fiction Monday. “Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started.” —Austin Kleon

There is a moment before the rush of the day catches on—  an in-between space in time,  to slow down, to pause, to relish

No matter how fiercely the storm inside my mind rages, I find my heart, my soul, my face lighting up in the company of nature. 

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety third edition of Fiction Monday. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” —Robert Louis Stevenson.

Sometimes I just don’t see it— how close to the edge I stand. Sometimes I feel, though, the despair, the desperation of being at the brink.

To look ahead and find calm and peace, to feel lost in the wonder of what’s ahead to feel incredible just being where I am, that’s pure joy I find in the company of sunset and sky!

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety second edition of Fiction Monday. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

What are dreams made of Fluffy pieces of cloud refusing to drift away, making me feel light, sometimes they are what my dreams are made of.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninety first edition of Fiction Monday. “Always be a first version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.” —Judy Garland

I was never fragile. It took me ages to realize that truth.  You may have mistaken my kindness and compassion for my weakness.  But they were my strength. My armor. My shield.

A fleeting moment— marvelous, ethereal, transient.

Welcome to the two hundred and ninetieth edition of Fiction Monday. “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” —William Arthur Ward

It is arguable what one would call 'normal,' because normal is always subjective. Yet, we strive for it without realizing the complications or the boundaries we’re expected to uphold in order to preserve the illusion.

Something is always left undone on my to-do list. Always. Day after day. Night after night.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty-ninth edition of Fiction Monday. “You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.” ― Mary Oliver, Upstream

By now, she should’ve been used to the constant moving and the uncertainty that came with it.

A joint family you'd rather stay away from!

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty eighth edition of Fiction Monday. “Being free is being able to accept people for what they are, and not try to understand all they are or be what they are.” —Maya Angelou

Sometimes, all you can do is wait. But for how long? The wait can stretch on forever. The "right time" hardly ever stops by to knock on your door, letting you know the wait is over and it’s time to get on with your life.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty seventh edition of Fiction Monday. "Be the change you want to see in the world.” —Mahtma Gandhi

A never-ending island drifting away into the abyss, carrying just me— filled with pain, anguish, and defeat. That’s grief.

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” – Mike Murdock I don’t know exactly what awaits me in the future. I have made many plans, yet I often find them difficult to execute in the present.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty fifth edition of Fiction Monday. “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” —Paul Valery

If you look at it calmly, you will see— life is full of lessons in disguise. Most of them are on repeat, as if they refuse to leave our side. 

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." — Zig Ziglar

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty fourth edition of Fiction Monday. “Recognizing that you are not where you want to be is a starting point to begin changing your life.” —Deborah Day

The path appeared out of nowhere. Megha stopped in her tracks. Where had this trail come from? Every morning she jogged along this same road, yet she had never seen this new path before.

Well, there is only one big challenge—being consistent. It’s something I’ve struggled with for as long as I can remember.

It’s a new year after all —  let’s flip the pages with prayers and promises as always —  even though we know some of those promises will be broken right at the start.

I remember 2025 as an annoying teacher— a year full of lessons, I realized then, now that 2026 is ready to open its door. That was my biggest realization— every day of 2025, even the breezy ones, hid lessons.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty fourth edition of Fiction Monday. "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" —Anne of Green Gables

The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that they’re a tricky area. I like them because they force me to stop and reflect on the changes I would like to incorporate in my life. At the same time, I don’t like them because I almost always fail to keep them throughout the year.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty third edition of Fiction Monday. “Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it.” —Anne of Green Gables

Don’t let the should be eclipse your could be, for every could be can breathe fresh life on its own, and bloom spectacularly when given a chance.

Welcome to the two hundred and eighty second edition of Fiction Monday. “As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.” —Margaret Deland