2020: Story 1: Helping Hands
After a hiatus of close to a year, I'm back to writing short stories. This month's prompt: Coalition. Word count: 1200 words exactly. For the umpteenth time, I wonder why I even agreed to come here. For the umpteenth time, I struggle to curb my mind that says, “Because you’re running away...” I step off the train and make my way out with the crowd exiting the Kalburgi railway station. Hugging myself against the early morning chill, I enter the mini-bus that’s going towards the hotel booked for my stay in this small town. The bus isn’t very crowded. It’s a small town, after all. I listen to my co-passengers talk. Simple people, simple lives. But no matter where you live, human life does seem to be the same, with the all-too-familiar pains and the only too rare, occasional joys. By 9 am, I’m in the waiting hall of the ESIC Medical College and Hospital which caters to the health needs of people in this rural belt. Dr. Kumar greets me with a firm handshake. “Good morning, Dr. Ra