Shon Mehta

I grew up with a large family with a very diverse set of people. Some members of my family were very religious (would not get out of bed without saying a religious prayer), and some were atheists / rationalists. Some were pure vegetarian, and some wouldn't have a bite unless a non-vegetarian dish was on their plate. Some wore traditional attire, and some wore modern clothing. Some were parents with multiple kids, and some never married or were childfree. Everyone got along just fine. This taught me that one's life choices are nobody else's problem, they only become a problem when one tries to force them on others. If someone's life choices are not directly impacting us, they are not our problem. Who are we to judge what is right and wrong for others?  If we don’t like their choices, then we can agree to disagree and move on. Everyone has the right to their own life choices, and it is important to respect them.

  Zagkin is a man on the edge. Trapped in a room with a stuck window and a past he can’t stop revisiting, he is certain of one thing: his life is in danger. Zagkin rubbed his eyes again. It felt better, but he knew that they would start itching again in a moment. He had not been able to sleep for the past few days, not even a wink. Nobody could blame him, getting to sleep is not easy when one's life is in danger. Zagkin looked through the window. It was early morning, and the green grass outside looked inviting. He could hear birds chirping, as if they were telling him to come out into the open. The hills at a distance were slowly becoming visible through the mist. He narrowed his eyes a bit, straining to see what lay beyond. Zagkin could vividly recall the coconut trees, the glimmering sea, and the glorious beach in between -- the very beach where he got married just a few months back. A lot had happened since. Zagkin sighed, and tried to open the window. It was stuck. He pushed h...