Girl With Ink

   Not all of us are accustomed to living indoors throughout the day, especially avec our family. Gazing at the scenic beauty of the blank walls and holding the window railings as if I were in a jail and long to be free have occupied a huge part of my day.   My day typically begins with my father yelling at us and trying to wake us at dawn. Catching the first rays of sun is an activity in which he aims to engage me in. Unfortunately, waking up at the ungodly hour of 6 in the morning, a time reserved for bats and vampires does not fall in my to-do list for vacations (read: quarantine).   I beg for 2 more hours of decent sleep and Dad storms off towards his mobile and plays his favorite old songs which by a massive coincidence sound like opera shows. This awakens my sister, who is as cheery is as a peacock in rains.   She runs to get ready for the day while singing K-pop songs. She claims to be able to speak Korean quite fluently, but since I am unable t...

Quarantined. Self isolated. Bored. I repeat these words to myself as I sit beneath the fan whose speed is harmonious with the leaking tap. I scroll through instagram and see Kylie Jenner fancying a day on beach decked up in her million dollar swim suit, sun bathing.     My tired thumb protests as I open my gallery and my childhood greets me.       We would sneak a 10 rupees note thinking of ourselves as smugglers. We would creep along the shadows in our unfruitful efforts to evade the harsh sun rays.          I slid open the lid and cool air gushed out. The shop keeper yells to close the lid and everyone calls out their preferred flavors. I grab 7 ice candies and everyone hands over their money.       We gallop in the park and sit beneath a tree. I distribute the candies which soon becomes a sticky affair as many don't see their favorites. Between the soft grumbles, sticky fingers and s...