S for Sensitivity #AtoZChallenge

source: VectorStock

In the lone bed of a hostel room two floors above the ground lies a flat pillow. This poor pillow has been victim to much abuse by its owner. It has been squeezed, twisted, soaked with tears, brutally folded multiple times, and occasionally dropped on the dusty floor. On multiple occasions, it has also been surprisingly ignored. That was usually when its owner found insufficient space in the bed to have a breakdown and chose to sit on the floor instead.

R for Remembering #AtoZChallenge

source: clipart.email

"You're all about Harry Potter. Have you even read Dan Brown?"
"Of course! I love the Da Vince Code!"
"Sure. I don't think you've read it."
"I did long ago!"
"Oh yeah? Then tell me the climax of the story."
"Alright. In the end Langdon goes...ehh....Langdon..."

Q for Quitter #AtoZChallenge

source: clipartart

Every inch of my suit dripped with sweat. Strands of wet hair stuck to my flushed face. I could almost hear my racing heartbeat, hot blood pumping through the veins. My heels didn't touch the ground, the feet prepared to pounce at any moment. Be it to attack or to quickly retreat in defence, I had to be ready for anything. My arms were in position before me, fists clenched and eyes fixed on the opponent's. Waiting.

P for Paunch #AtoZChallenge

source: paintingvalley

She hung there in all her glory, putting all the ones around her to shame. The fabric clung well to accentuate the shape, complementing the waistlines to perfection. The shade of royal blue gave her a mesmerizing glow, the bare neck descending sideways to slender sleeves. Her style screamed of confidence. Her looks invited admiration. She was ideal for flaunting the body. She was meant to be. But just not for me.

O for Overthinking #AtoZChallenge

source: Dreamstime

The cursor blinked in the empty spreadsheet before me. I typed down the heading and watched it blink some more. I had a half-mind about writing it down. It seemed like a great idea thirty seconds ago. But now the dubiousness crawled in. My fingers hung on top of the keyboard, waiting for the brain to give the green signal. But the brain was busy processing the gazillion thoughts that'd poured in all of a sudden. 

N for Needful #AtoZChallenge

source: Dreamstime

It is 7 'o clock in the evening. Mom and dad are watching the day's news from the living room. I casually walk across the room to the front door, my mobile phone hidden well in my pyjamas. 

"Where are you going?" Mom starts. I shrug.

"Just for a walk in the terrace." 

Before either of them could get curious, I make for the stairs. From up there in the dark, I fish out my phone and make a call. No, not to my boyfriend. But to my best friend. The information to be conveyed was confidential and couldn't risk being shared from the bedroom. She picks up the call from the other end and I know that she's moved over to her own private location.

M for Mediocrity #AtoZChallenge

source: Dreamstime

There are two kinds of people in this world. The ones who have their lives sorted out, and the ones who have no idea what they're doing. If you're among the latter, welcome to the mediocre club. We have been rowing our way ahead with no sense of direction. We have let ourselves be guided by the flow rather than our choices. We have successfully made that majority which goes unnoticed.

You see, we have been building the podium for that minority who succeed. We're the reason they're on the top. We keep trying to climb ahead only to end up tumbling over ourselves, not realizing that we make the very mountain that the winners climb over. The joke's on us if we continue to try, because either way, we'll remain to be the muddle in the middle.