My Stories
The Karma Backstab
“You have three hours left for the day, Tars. Finish the presentation, or I'm taking a thousand off your paycheck.” That was Manager Green - a noble, humble and soft-spoken guy, determined to his cause, unless he had an early-morning fight with his wife. Rumour has it that today he accidentally mixed daal into the coffee grinder. He was in a hurry. I've been procrastinating this presentation for about a week now, and yesterday, after a lot of self-talk and bribing myself with two full egg-chicken rolls, I made it. Well, I made my AI friend make it for me. Green now wants the human version - my version. “On it, Sir,” I said. My best friend giggled from my left, “All good, Tars?” “Yeah it is, Animal,” I said, looking at him through the corner of my eye. Tarun is my name. And I'm going to give you some time to guess his. . . (FOUR HOURS LATER, AT THE DINING TABLE) You know it's bad news when you secretly mocked someone for getting scolded by his wife, and now your own wife is staring at you with the face of Maa Kali. Rashi and Rishi, the twins with whom my home has been anything but peaceful for the past ten years, were silently sitting at their study table. As I walked in, I could feel their minds asking me with absolute disappointment, “Why, Dad, why?” I freshened up as fast as my muscles allowed, waiting every moment for the volcano to erupt, until it was time for dinner. “We need to talk,” said Disha, finally. “I'm sorry!” I thoughtlessly blurted out, and realized I walked into my own trap. “Oh you are? For what exactly?” She asked, placing her hands on her waist. Married men, take note. Don't apologise unless you know what you're apologising for. “Umm… I forgot to…” That's all I could find to stall. I tried taking a glance at my kids behind her shoulder, trying their best to point at something without drawing their mother's attention. They failed. She turned towards them with the same death stare. “If you both don't finish all the LCMs I gave, don't even dare to ask for dinner!” She said as she dragged me towards the refrigerator. “Care to open it, Sir?” The refrigerator. That's what they were pointing at. Yes, I remember… I messed up big. I attempted to hide yesterday's unfinished tiffin box into the fridge, hoping I'll take it to office today and distribute it… And before I could do that, I forgot it existed. “You have the time to play Tars and Animal, and you can't even finish a simple tiffin? What are you, ten? Where is today's box, huh? Didn't finish today too? Oh wait, why today's? You'll definitely have finished today! Maggi it was! One day, just ONE DAY I gave you green veggies for your health, and you couldn't finish it! You should seriously get admitted to school with the kids!” For a moment, it felt like Anumol giggled from the kitchen doorside, in the voice of Rishi. Another death stare, and Rishi and Rashi ran towards their study desk. “Look, I'm sorry. I totally forgot. And then I had to finish a presentation by last night…” “That’s the excuse you came up with? Wasn't ‘Tars and Animal’ enough to tell you that I know what's going on in the office!? You used AI to finish one week's job in under an hour, that too after sneaking out for a roll-break!” Right. My wife and my best friend's wife are best friends. Which means, anything I tell him, goes to his wife, and then to mine. No privacy at the office desk. “Please, it won't happen again. You can try. Give me green veggies tomorrow. I'll finish, I promise.” “Tomorrow!? You've earned yourself green veggies for an entire week now! Try sneaking out for any other food, and you are dead to me!” She rushed out. One week. I can tolerate. That crackhead Animal. I've got to teach him a lesson. . . (NEXT DAY, AT THE CAFETERIA) Anumol. Yes. That's his name. But the keypads of all smartphones have done a better job autocorrecting him. He deserves it. Even now, I'm sitting with a dozen ladyfingers, and he is chilling, buying himself sandwiches. And he thinks I don't like Tars? Oh, I love it. “Absolute honesty is neither the preferable, nor the safest way of communication with emotional beings such as humans!” Us, Tars, us! You know, despite all of these, he trusts me with his life. He is having the time of his life, no bounds from his wife, no scoldings, eating to the complete satisfaction of his taste buds, while his bag and his phone lay here with me. He never even hesitates telling me his passwords. It's been an achievement to be a trustworthy friend - an achievement about to cease from existence. He got an appraisal the day before yesterday. He had his daughter's birthday a week ago. The last time I heard his wife quarrelling with him was a month ago. This isn't right. I have almost everything he owns before me. I'd fail as a best friend if I can't spark a fight in his life… I unlocked his phone. Two pinned chats - his wife, and the manager. A part of me still wanted to back off, afterall, he had backed me up on multiple occasions, from Green and from my wife. A betrayal like this, and I may be forever on my own. But, it’d be fun watching a little storm in his life, wouldn't it? In the name of Karma, I did it. Three things. First, I texted his wife, “I'll be late, Honey, Green has loaded me and Shreya up heavy. Meanwhile, I'm feeling bad for Tars. Can you talk Disha out of his punishment?” Second, I texted Green, “Feeling a bit dizzy, sir, I would like a half day, please. It's a request.” And third, I uploaded a day old picture of him having a burger to all his social media accounts. That should do. Half day for feeling dizzy, while having a burger - will definitely be rejected with a taunt… Late work with the new recruit - he's dead… And on the top of that, I have a real chance towards redemption for yesterday… You're a genius, Taru! . . (FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER) Break was done. I was spending my minutes wondering what took Green so long to call my adorable Animal into his cabin, when our phone buzzed together. It was Green. We were both called into his cabin. I didn't see that coming. “Any idea, bro? Why do you think?” Anu asked. “Not a hint,” I said with as much confidence as I could. . Alright. Let me get my facts straight. First, Anu will know I did it. As far as Green is concerned, I didn't have Anu’s phone - it was in his bag which I never touched. The broken closed circuit cams did me a great favour already. We walked into the cabin together. Green looked at Anu, asking with his iconic smile which means he already knows the answer, “Are you alright, Anumol?” “Yes, Sir, why do you ask?” According to my prediction, it was at this point Green’s smiling eyes would change into the angry ones. It did. Except, they weren't looking at Anumol. They were looking at me. “Are you alright, Tarun Saxena?” Full name. I'm in trouble. “Y- Ye- Yes, Sir,” I fumbled. Green looked straight into my eyes, and asked, “Then will you care to explain why Anumol suddenly asked me for a leave saying he was dizzy, but in perfect grammar, and YOUR paralinguistic tone?” Anumol looked at me with one second of disbelief, then he giggled for another as he figured it out. “Anumol, you can leave if you want to, I need to have a little talk with your friend here,” said Green. “Yes, Sir, but can I stay?” Of course he wants to stay for the drama. Green nodded. Then it was my turn. “Tars. Before I deal with you, do you have anything to say in your defence?” “I, um, I - … It's a set up Sir, he set me up.” “Got it. Two hours overtime for you starting tomorrow. Two hours everyday, for one week. Inform your family today,” Green said as he looked down towards the files before him. “But Sir -” I tried. Green looked right back into my eyes for three seconds, and said in a cold voice “Dismissed,” and continued with his files. As we walked out, Animal gave up all his efforts he had in place to contain his laughter. You think Karma is real? Look into my life. . That idiot, still laughing, after five minutes of being at our desks, “Bro, seriously, what were you thinking? At least you could have made the message believable!” I side-eyed him for a second, and continued with my stuff. Laugh all you want. Something is still waiting for you at your home. And just as my brain said this, his phone buzzed. It was his wife. “I'm waiting at Tarun’s.” No one on earth was as blissful as me at that moment. The satisfaction of finally turning the tide is truly remarkable. Not only was he screwed, but I would also be able to witness him getting screwed! “Okay,” he replied from the notification, still oblivious to the text I sent. Understandable - you generally don't suspect your best friend to plan a redundancy trap, in case one doesn't work out… . . (FOUR HOURS LATER) We were at the door. He rang the bell. “What are you smiling about? You're the one in trouble. I should be the happier one,” he said. “Yes, you're right,” I suppressed it immediately… Disha opened the door and smiled at us, “Please come in!” I know this. It's her calm-before-the-storm smile. She definitely knows the impending storm on Anu, so it's definitely no surprise right? Anu entered first. To my surprise, as he entered the dining hall, his wife hugged him, and it wasn't a calm-before-the-storm hug… What just happened? Everyone was otherwise silent. Rashi tried to sneak out of her room towards me, almost as if to alert me of something, but her mother, still smiling, sent her back to her room. It was definitely the calm before the storm. But it was too late. “Tarun Saxena,” said Disha in the most polite voice she has ever produced, “Care to explain your obvious attempt on your best friend’s life?” I was stunned. She figured it out. They - the wives - figured out. I couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe it. He immediately checked his chats. And, as you would expect, he fell on the floor laughing. “Two weeks of veggies,” said Disha, “and a whole month of you doing the dishes - alone!”
Please log in to add a comment.
Diabetes Renewed
“I'll get your reports and be back in twenty minutes. Meanwhile you're not allowed to get out of bed. Puchi, make sure he doesn't get out of bed, and make absolutely sure he is not anywhere close to the fridge.” Diya left. You know what's a highly advanced and exaggerated version of a closed circuit surveillance system? A kindergarten toddler, especially when employed by her mother. Do anything other than playing with her, and she will narrate each second of what you do, with added chilli flakes and oregano seasoning. “Catch it!” A flying football hit my head. “Uff, can't you sit peacefully at a place where I can see you?” “I can't. Mum told me to see you, not you to see me,” she said with an evil smile. She knew I was growing jealous of her. And why wouldn't I? She could jump and dance like an absolutely crazy monkey and here I am on bed rest since I fainted two days ago. But I guess she has the right to be bored. After all, I was the one who ran after her every time she was in play mode, which was practically half of my wakeful time at home. Diya too plays but she hates running around the room. Having almost nothing else to do, Puchi calmly sat beside me, and started tying the hairs of her Barbie. “Dad, can I ask you a question?” “You already did,” I said, staring at my ceiling fan. “You've used this joke seven times now!” “Alright, go ahead,” I said with a surrendering chuckle. “When Thompson and Thomson were like kids, like me, how did their Mummy and Daddy know who was Thompson and who was Thomson?” Good question buddy. Unfortunately I have only seen them as grown adults. “I don't know. Maybe Thompson had a scratch mark that Thomson didn't have.” “You're wrong, Dad.” “Okay, in that case, enlighten me. How did they know?” “Thompson said the sentence first. Thomson said the same sentence again, PRECISELY.” Wait, what does she mean exactly? It took me some time to figure it out. Almost everywhere, Thompson and Thomson used to be together, and in any conversation, Thompson used to take the lead and Thomson used to repeat the same sentence by adding a ‘precisely’ at the start of his sentence. “Oh, well, yes! I never thought of it!” Few more moments of silence as she continued to make Barbie’s hair. Then, “Dad, what does billions of blue blistering barnacles mean?” The doorbell rang. It was my grumpy wife, Diya. Thanks to her, I don't have to immediately explain what a heinous task it is to remove a colony of barnacles from a ship haul. “An FPG of 216. Try touching raw sugar again and see if I take a breath more without divorcing you,” she said as she walked in. Okay, officially, I am diabetic. Which means, no more sweetness in evening tea. And no ice cream. And no sugar in cooking. And, of course, no more stealing raw sugar when no one's looking. “Pihu, what was he doing all this while?” You know she's not someone you want to mess with when she's calling her Pihu and not Puchi or Puchu. So I did what any sane husband would in my situation - be a dumb listener. “Just sitting and discussing Tintin. But he was staring at the fridge,” said Pihu. “Very nice. Stare all you want. You're forbidden from touching it until your 216 comes down to 116.” She placed the envelope on the table, and looked at me. “What's that pleading look? Nobody in this home shall have a trace of sugar until you're in range.” Pihu looked at her with her well-practiced cutely hopeful look, “Except me, right?” “No exceptions.” Collective suffering - I like it! These are the times I feel like I have the best wife in the world. “Dad, when will you tell me about billions of blue blistering barnacles?” . . “I’ll quickly fetch Puchu from school, and bring your reports on my way. Until then, be a good man. Don't buy any crazy food because there's nothing for you at home.” Diya left. It's been 26 days since the sugar ban was placed. And my God what a ban it was! She even cut down my carbs intake. My five-rotis dinners were cut down to two, and she made me fill up the rest of my stomach with raw cucumbers and tomatoes. Pihu’s final exams end today - with mathematics. I pray from the bottom of my heart she doesn't write inverted 6’s and 7s. She does it a lot! We will know that precisely in ten days as her results are released. (Few minutes later) Pihu hugged me the moment I opened the door. Diya followed. Something must have gone really right. “I got full marks today!” Pihu said, and danced out of excitement. “But how did Ma'am check so fast?” I asked as I closed the door behind them. “I was ten minutes late. Ma'am had nothing else to do, so she checked her paper while waiting for me.” Diya said. I had heard dads experience a satisfying and wholesome moment during their child's first success. This was the first time I experienced it. I must say, this is one of the best feelings in the world! “That's not it, my sweet honey,” said Diya. Sweet honey? I’ve turned sour in these 26 days. “There's more to it?” I asked. “Your fasting plasma glucose is down to 154! Here, take a look!” I looked at the report. Victory! Victory to me! Victory to my lovely wife! Instantly, I threw my arms into the air. “Now don't get too excited. Your restrictions are still in place. The upper safe limit is 126 and you're still 154. Another month of no-sugar, and you'll be fit.” “As you say, Ma'am.” I said. I was healing from diabetes! And my daughter got full in maths! The very previous day she wrote so many numbers inverted, and this time she nailed it! I felt so proud. She definitely deserves a reward from me! “Diya listen,” I said. She turned to me. I continued, “How about we make an exception today and bring in some butterscotch cups in her honour?” “Butterscotch! Yess!” Pihu jumped out of excitement. Diya sharply looked into my eyes, or rather, stared into my soul. “Not cups. Only one. For her.” “Can I go?” I asked. “Yes, but before you leave I'll check each and every one of your pockets. You shouldn't have more than 30 rupees with you.” “Roger Ma'am.” “Can I go?” Asked Pihu. “No, your legs will start paining. You walked a lot today. Go freshen up.” . . (Ten minutes later) “One butterscotch cup please.” “Give me a minute, let me do her billing first,” the shopkeeper said pointing at the customer ahead of me. That's when I saw something I absolutely shouldn't have seen. The shopkeeper’s UPI QR code. My wife didn't allow me more than 30 rupees of cash. But I had my mobile with me. It was a sign from the universe. A sign that I should buy not one, but two cups, and finish one on my way back. But wait. My phone knows Diya’s fingerprints. She can check my transactions. But again, she generally doesn't. But again, what if she does? After all, she is right. My glucose is still not within limits yet. “Yes, Sir, what do you want?” The shopkeeper asked. “One cup of butterscotch please.” “That'll be 30.” “I'll pay cash.” “Alright, here is your ice cream.” I put it in my pocket and started walking. My heart. Oh my heart! Why do you desire this? Why do you crave this? It will kill you! And if it doesn't, the love of your life will! I turned around. “One more butterscotch cup please. I'll pay UPI.” I took it and immediately opened it as I started walking again. What a yummmm! What a satisfaction! I've missed this for so long! But I had to be quick. I had to finish it before I reached my apartment. I had to finish it before being seen by the enemy gang. Alright. Mission successful. I threw the empty cup at a dustbin around a hundred metres away from my building, and started walking, when a sudden realization struck me. I was visible. The shop was visible. I looked up at my floor. My enemy. Staring at me through her binoculars, with an iconic evil smile of triumph, stood the little demon herself.
Please log in to add a comment.
Testing!
This is a test story to test features. Feel free to read the rest of my stories!
Please log in to add a comment.
Comments:
Akash Ghoshal commented at 6 Aug 2026, 2:56 pm.
Hello 1
Akash Ghoshal commented at 6 Aug 2026, 2:56 pm.
Hello 2
Akash Ghoshal commented at 6 Aug 2026, 2:56 pm.
Hello again!
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
its a little broken still but good job
Akash Ghoshal commented at 17 Aug 2026, 6:20 pm.
Thanks bro
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
hello
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
hello
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
hello
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
hello
arjun.karwa commented at 11 Aug 2026, 12:58 am.
hello
Akash Ghoshal commented at 17 Aug 2026, 6:02 pm.
Hello hi