Abhishek's Musings

  COSMOS NESTLES ALIEN PET FROM VENUS   The cockpit wheezed as Cosmos placed his frosty palms against the steel metal, pulse racing. Zeta, the grey alien’s fluorescent skin, glowed with a hallowed blue light, casting ominous shadows across the crowded shuttle cockpit compartment. Space Ship X buzzed beneath them, Elon Musk’s latest offering connecting the vast chasm between Venus and Earth.   “You’ll be safe,” Cosmos whispered, his breath foggy. He chewed on his Wrigley’s chewing gum, his teeth grinding. Looking out of the window, he whispered, “I promise.”   Zeta, the grey alien from planet Venus, was a novelty he had never seen before. Her body was limpid, almost lucid, with ringlets that moved like fluid vapours. When she spoke, there was no audible sound but a kaleidoscope of compound colours that changed every minute, giving him a picture of the colourful hues of the rainbow, which somehow translated into his mind.   The danger she transmitted, her form cha...

  ODE TO GUNS N ROSES   Riffs of steel and Axl's cry,  Slash's guitar reaching for the sky, Welcome to the Jungle's wild refrain,  Guns N' Roses, rock's eternal flame.     Sunset Strip, where legends rise, Appetite for Destruction lights the skies, Axl's wail and Slash's electric sound,  Where rock and rebellion are both found.     Sweet Child O' Mine rings loud and clear,  Strings that tremble notes that sear,  Paradise City, with its thundering beat,  Where hard rock's passion makes hearts repeat.     From Los Angeles to the worldwide stage,  Their music burns on every page,  Guns N' Roses, rebels of their time,  Eternal rockers in passionate rhyme.  

  A SOCCER SPORTSCASTER’S COMMENTARY   “Good evening, folks! We have a stimulating atmosphere here at Brew’s Oasis Coffee Shop Stadium. We are witnessing an unanticipated skirmish between Team Dino and Team Jessica, and oh boy, it’s a blazing clash!”   “Let’s pick up the action live… Dino steps up, looking unruffled but under strain. He opens with an unsettling statement. “Jessica, I’ve had it.” Oh, that’s a daring move right there. He’s breaking up with her bang in the middle of the crowded café. Perilous strategy, Roy, let’s see if he pulls it off.”   “Jessica, however, is not taking this sitting down. She launches a counterattack, questioning Dino’s capability, honesty, and integrity. She’s been coached well by her coach, who came out of retirement to formulate her team’s gameplan.”You’re serious! Right here? In a coffee shop?” A splendid rhetoric strike from Jessica.”   “Dino attempts to regain control, going for the definitive defensive tactic. “It’s not yo...

  JENNY THE BARISTA'S POV   Another day at Brew Oasis, fixing lattes and mopping up floors after people who seem to think coffee shops are free unloading rooms. The afternoon was still young as far as my shift was concerned when they strolled in, another run-of-the-mill couple on the verge of exploding. I was right.   “Jessica, this is it,” the guy- Dino, I think, said in a voice that sparked curiosity all around the shop. Medium built, wiry, and with the practised air of someone who had rehearsed his lines a thousand times the previous night and all morning.   Jessica, of course, went ballistic. She was the picture of a drama queen with dramatic hand gestures and broad eyes as if she were camping with a herd of wild elephants all night. “You’re serious? Do you want to break up with me right here? In this darned coffee shop?   Now, this unfolding scene was attracting the full attention of customers pretending to be half-interested but not eavesdropping.   I...

  THE SILENT WAILS OF BABY JOHN   The heart-wrenching cry jolted Daniel as he rushed to the nursery. Baby John’s wails had increased in frequency and desperation. His tiny fists flailed meekly, his face a picture of anguish. “What’s wrong, my lil champ?”  Daniel murmured, ladling his son into his arms. His wife, Clara, appeared in the doorway, sad and concerned.   “He’s been so irritable lately,” she said, “Do you think it’s colic?”   Daniel shook his head, noticing faint scratch marks on John’s arms and legs. “Clara, look at this! These aren’t from a baby writhing in discomfort. Something doesn’t seem right.”   Clara gasped involuntarily, “You think…you think it’s the governess?”   “We need to find out,” Daniel said in a firm, stony voice.   The next day, after placing a discreet CCTV camera in the house, Daniel and Clara left for work as usual. Their hearts were heavy, their minds gripped with fear and doubt.   When Daniel reviewed the...