Sangeetha Kamath

  I finally muster the energy, the grit and the emotional embrace to write about it. When life socked the daylights out of me in ways that I never imagined, I looked on the upside of it as a divine intervention and a another miracle to add to my list in this year 2024 which went down the memory highway full throttle ahead. July 7, Dear Diary is a day which left a distinct mark. A day when my father had a coronary follow up and I not only went along, but also had a check up done for myself. This was a couple of days after my visit to Sai Mandir where Sai Baba guided me to go for a cardiogram. A strong inner voice, authoritative yet kind, a heightened intuition, call it what I may, rang in a manner that couldn't be ignored. That said and done, I had a consultation with my father's doc who did my ECG and ECHO. Minutes flew by in deafening silence when he finally finished the tests and to my horror bluntly revealed that I have an ASD. A 38mm hole in my heart. I was advised to go f

  I was excited for my first international trip!  Finally I was deemed worthy of this assignment. But I could sense the inside gossip that I was chosen because the best candidate backed out. My resolve didn't sway, instead it swelled by notches when my boss handed me a bulky package and escorted me to his chartered flight. The pilot sneered at me and the cabin crew smirked to see a greenhorn assigned for this role. Everyone was trying their best to exclude me from a clique!  But the ambience inside canceled their condescending behaviour. Leather couches, spaced out recliners…the regalia was out of this world! There was one other passenger besides me. The snooty vibes didn't stop. I was left out of all conversations. As the aircraft soared, I played out my next move, sipping on the best quality wine. The knots in my stomach started to relax.  “We're about to make our descent…” a voice announced. Beads of perspiration trickled as I reached for my package.  Moving swiftly, a

  I was excited for my first international trip.  But the cab I booked turned out to be a jalopy sputtering and halting at intervals.  Finally! Upon arriving at the port, the majestic sight of the Star Cruiseliner held me in awe! Craning my neck to capture it for my Instagram, I stumbled backwards and my knees came crashing on the ground, bruising them badly! A steward, slightly resembling DiCaprio rushed towards me with a wheelchair. But a sense of foreboding took over me instead…was this ship destined to be a Titanic? Suddenly, a strong wind blew away his wig, revealing his bald pate. ‘DiCaprio’ looked like Shakaal ! I exhaled in relief! But my happiness was short-lived! I had booked myself on the Star Pisces, but due to a glitch, I was rescheduled on the Superstar Aquarius! A rival at my workplace was an Aquarian! Arggggh! Cursing my luck, I hobbled into my cabin to be greeted by chilled champagne, warm breakfast platter, also a Hermes scarf as an apology for the goof-up. While s

Standing on the rooftop of a shop, I look all around me to a scene of apocalypse; the tumultuous Mandakini is ravaging the roads of Uttarakhand--- sweeping away houses, cars, vehicles...even people.  Having separated from my group of twelve hikers, I have no idea where they are or where I am! In the scuffle to save myself, I've dropped my backpack with all my food rations, essentials and all I have with me is a water-logged handphone. The melting Chorabari glacier and the unrelenting deluge has swelled the waters further making my worst phobia of death by drowning come to fruition. With the mercury dipping by the minute, I can't feel my feet, my gloves are soaked, my lips are cold and blue. The frigid wind is a whipping force cutting scars on my face. I don't know for how long I've been stranded up here, but it's going to be nightfall soon with no relief in sight. Am I fated to perish in this manner...I'm fighting to keep my head above the waters... (Word count

  There was excitement in the air as Nathan packed a few bags and we bundled inside the SUV for a road trip to the mountains. Last week, after a visit to the vet, he had been terribly upset, burying his face in my furry neck, crying uncontrollably.  I just simply know… I haven't been myself for a long time now. The spunk, the stamina has been deteriorating. Marco, my best buddy has been frequently visiting me in my dreams too. **** It's been a few days since our stay here, sometimes camping out under the stars. While Nathan reminisces the good old days, I can hear Marco whispering in the wind that floats. I can see him in the clouds against sunset skies. Sitting on a ledge, visions of Marco and I as young police dogs revisit me. My ‘partner in crime’, there wasn't a failed mission on our records. Marco, loyal and patriotic earned his martyrdom when he shielded Nathan from gun fires. His body was torn but my spirit was damaged never to recover. Although I'll be sad to le

The mists rolled, blurring the peaks yonder until they were only a faded outline on the dusking horizon.  The crisp autumn breeze rustled the leaves of the Sycamore and Birch trees, lulling me to sleep. I woke up with a start under twilight skies. The full moon was in all her glory bathing the woods in an ethereal silver shine. Fully alert, I listened hard to what seemed like muffled sounds of distress. Up on my feet in a jiffy, I raced along with lightning speed in the direction of the unusual sounds which weren't heard in these serene woods for ages. There he was, with a menacing look, pinning a hapless young girl on the ground, choking her to death. It was clearly a losing battle with her strength failing her. His eyes widened and he let go of her as he heard my sinister growls. My eyes glowed like embers in the darkness.  On this night, I was sinewy and thrice my normal size, with jaws that could rip pounds of human flesh with one crunch.  He met his end in this manner! When th