Maya

This is an anthology about five women, all named Maya. The five stories are unrelated.

The first story is about a woman who is uncertain about her decision to get married. The second story is about a young drug-addict falling in love. The third story is about a wife whose husband commits suicide. The fourth story is about a woman who pours her heart out to a complete stranger. The fifth story is about a regular, middle class South Indian girl who wants to live the kind of life she sees on TV shows and in movies.

Here are excerpts from the five stories:

"Maya Mehta massaged her temples as she stared into the lipsticks in her drawer. She had to pack her make up quickly, the taxi would be here any minute. But she was never more uncertain of her decision.

Maya Cooper remembered the first time she saw him. She found it strange – how normal he looked.

Maya Kapoor sat down on the edge of the stone cold bathtub, clutching the phone to her wet and soapy chest.

The other woman looked at her walk across to the restroom. Her moist sandwich lied on her lap in an unwrapped silver foil. Her hair was frizzy and held away from her eyes with numerous clips and clasps.

Maya Sharma nestled in bed and pulled the old duvet above her head. It was a chilly Saturday afternoon, the kind that demanded all work to be left unfinished in order to take an unnecessary nap. She lied still in bed, let her mind drift to thoughts about Mihir and soon fell into a dreamless sleep."