When the Temple Was a Walk Away

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A five-minute walk required so little thought. I could simply step out. In Malleswaram, a friend turning up at our house in the evening usually meant we were going for a walk. A couple of friends from school or college would come over, and we would head to the nearby Hanuman temple. Afterward, we would stop at the railway station to watch the trains go by, talking, pulling each other’s legs, and figuring out where to get our next plate of bhel or masala puri. Uncomplicated. Even on days when nobody came, I would take the walk to the temple. There would inevitably be a few familiar faces to greet. Then I would lay out a plan with Hanuman so that he could help me figure out whatever was worrying me. A lab exam, a semester exam, a job interview. There was usually something coming up that required his attention. It was comforting to put everything before him. I could tell him what was on ...
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The Legacy Beneath the Leaves

My first ever publication — a small step, but a meaningful one.

Many of us carry a quiet wish to do something meaningful with our hobbies. If you love cricket, you dream of playing in a local league. If you’re passionate about music, you imagine performing for a small crowd. Some people even try their hand at stand-up comedy just to feel that spark on stage.

When any of these milestones happen, it feels like a dream — not because you’ve “made it big,” but because you’ve taken one real step toward something you love. And in my book, that’s a gigantic step.

This week, I finally took my own step: I published my first Kindle Single.

For years, I kept sitting on ideas. I kept waiting for the “perfect” novel, the magical debut that would fetch stunning accolades. Instead, nothing moved. It was a classic case of kicking the pot in the dreams — forever imagining, never doing.

But the publishing world has changed. Shorter works are welcome, self-publishing is accessible, and with tools like ChatGPT, the barriers feel smaller. I didn’t have to hunt for a developmental editor, line editor, copy editor, proofreader, or writing coach. AI let me focus on emotions, storytelling, and the heart of the narrative instead of getting lost in ultra-fine details.

So I decided to plunge headfirst into the publishing world.
First publication. First-time author.
There’s a nice ring to it.

My short story is titled The Legacy Beneath the Leaves.
If you get the chance to read it, I’d love to hear what you think.

Amazon Links:

US Edition & India Edition

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