New Writing Vol. 3

In Calcutta, illustration by Newman D'Silva

In Calcutta

What does her smile look like? Does she have crooked teeth like me? Do her eyes crinkle up when she smiles?

Butterfly Love

Butterfly Love

Layers upon layers of fabric, he knew, were surely hampering his beloved white butterflies from fluttering in the breeze.

Skylight, illustration by Pooja Satish

Skylight

I was always watching you but you never felt the heat of my gaze.

Fugitive No More, illustration by Kruttika Susarla

Fugitive No More

You would be pleased to know that the evidence has been removed.

David, illustration by Tara Isha

David

There is nothing to be said. The hour is past, and he should leave.

Duet, illustration by Tara Isha

Duet

She felt as though she had done something terrible. But technically, she had just been singing in her own bathroom, hadn’t she?

Papercut, illustration by Dyuti Mittal

Paper Cut on My Tongue

When we left, we knew we’d probably never find our way back again.

Anonymous Asked, illustration by Kamal Singh

Anonymous Asked: What Is Dating Like in Sri Lanka? And for You?

You can do it. Accept that he isn’t upper class diplomatic or a refugee of war or lover turned killer.

Bandages, illustration by Kamal Singh

Why Else Do You Think I Carry Bandages?

Salves and salvation were two poles, and he, like the Earth itself, was slightly flattened at the doorstep of both.

Mother, illustration by Tara Isha

Mother

I take you like a paper doll and crumple you.

Trees, illustration by Kamal Singh

Trees

The girl and the boy made love to each other every night, and every night they climaxed knowing that they had climbed trees to get to one another.

Lost Bells, Illustration by Tara Isha

Lost Bells

Even in his blue silk dhoti, Shekhar looks like a walking insect—a fancy walking insect. It is an interesting look for someone with no personality.