It is often claimed that life is tough and no matter how hard things get, we should keep fighting. Individuals are expected to fight no matter the situation. Neither the factors that support a person to fight nor the reasons for an individual to not fight aren’t discussed. A couple of winners are cited while thousands of failures are forgotten.
 
“A Desolate Soul” by Nikhila Kotni is one such forgotten story of a fragile soul who couldn’t live with her circumstances. Filled with sorrow, the story shows how the members we look up to mean so much when facing life turning situations and how life seems meaningless when we lack the strength and are abused by the very people we look up to.
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Illustrated by Nikhila Kotni
During the medieval era in India, an architect named Haider and a commoner named Noor fall in love. Even when their religion, era and circumstances obstruct them to be husband and wife, they never give in to those constructs and passionately care for each other until their Emperor commissions Haider to build him a monument of an original design that the world would be impressed with forever.

Read Santhosh Annabattula’s short story “Noor” to know how passionately loving someone could dictate one’s thoughts, pain and profession so much so that they are empowered unlike anyone else.​
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Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada
A few years into their relationship, Karan finished his Master’s before asking Supriya if she was willing to lead her life with him. Even though they were emotionally invested since they met, this was the first time they approached the topic of marriage. Before each of them could truly answer the question of leading a life together, both of them had to address their insecurities and muster their strength to respectfully disagree with the very people who created, raised and helped them shape their lives.

“His Past & Her Future” by Rajiv R Nair is the story of a couple coming from different cultures and religions with strict orthodox families and the stages they had to go through to lead a life together. Dealing with the idea that defiance isn’t always necessarily an act of disrespect, this novelette talks about how standing up for a few decisions in life is worth it, even if it comes at a cost.
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Cover Photo by Ravindra Patoju
Hello readers,

We are happy to announce that Chethana Nagulapalli’s second flash fiction titled “Passing Clouds” is set to be published on 21st September, 2021, on Patreon and it shall be made accessible on our website from 22nd November, 2021.
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Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

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