Tales from a twisted mind

Charles waited in the shadows. His breath got heavier. In the closed space behind the dresser, he stood silently. There was complete silence in his bedroom now. He should have left the fan on, for he was sweating profusely. The sweat beads ran the length of his spine, creeping in his underpants. But, his teacher had forbidden him to keep the fan and the lights on, when not in use? Why should he then?   He dared to peep from his hiding place. Getting his head out a fraction from behind, he shot a glance at the door. It was still locked as he had done it himself moments ago. He took a quick look at his mickey mouse watch. It was nearly time. His heart beat increased. He was feeling scared. He felt suffocated and had to draw air in through his mouth. But out of fear, he clasped a hand to his mouth, to prevent any sound escaping his lips. Still as a statue, he stood and waited. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching the door. He knew it was him. He felt a ...

Dr. Joshi wiped his brow. He wore his favourite blue shirt to work today. Usually, he never paid attention to his frizzy hair. And why would he? He was almost bald from the top and on the wrong side of 40. Whatever was left in the sides was sprinkled with dull grey. Thankfully, his moustache and beard still germinated as black. His desk was cluttered as usual. Naresh, his assistant for the last fifteen years, was late. ‘Today of all days!’ he groaned inwardly. He turned to the small Ganesha statue kept next to his wife’s picture on the desk and hoped for an answer. But looked like, even Ganesha wanted him to figure out this on his own. Casually, he picked up his planner and started going through the list of surgeries he had to cancel for the day. Two thoracotomies, one artery repair, etc. hell! The list was painful to look at. He wondered how Naresh had managed to convince these patients to have their surgeries postponed by a day. “Hello? I’m Naresh, Dr. J...