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Parasite

December 21, 2022 130 Comments

By Chetana Vaishnavi

My son brought his parasite into our home. “How could I turn down Navin’s proposal?” Shobha  jibed.

Ravi and I wake at dawn, cook, clean, and straighten before leaving for work. Shobha’s demands only add to our burdens, especially since Navin spends his time at his office.

Shobha’s contribution? She complains she’s bored.

~

We found her a job at an automobile factory, but now our lunches disappear. Every  day. Ravi and I stay tired and hungry, and Shobha spends her earnings on entertainment.

Today Navin asked her where our lunches go.

“To feed the guards. They let me sleep at work!”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jyoti says

    December 21, 2022 at 8:50 am

    Well written Chetna

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 21, 2022 at 11:07 pm

      Thank you Jyoti for appreciating it

      Reply
      • Dr lavina Sodhi says

        December 22, 2022 at 7:13 am

        Dr Vaishnavi, greetings. That was a very subtle and unique way of writing above a problem which actually exists in our society

        Reply
        • Chetana Vaishnavi says

          December 22, 2022 at 8:35 am

          Thank you Dr Sodhi.
          So very true

          Reply
      • Satyavati Acharya says

        December 24, 2022 at 1:23 am

        Hi Chetana !
        It was such a wonderful read indeed!
        A tiny tale which is truly engaging and impressive..
        More than that the subject is also a kind of seen and felt all over, sadly, unfortunately.

        Share more
        Looking forward to read more..

        Reply
        • Chetana Vaishnavi says

          December 24, 2022 at 4:48 am

          Thank you Madam for your kind comments. I shall definitely share with you more articles

          Reply
    • Rama Gupta says

      December 22, 2022 at 9:27 am

      A very deep and subtle way of narrating a day to day problem…nicely presented…Mam i was not aware of ur this talent…would like to read ur other literary work..and hope to see ur book soon…

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 23, 2022 at 8:37 am

        Thank you Madam.
        I am glad you realised the day to day problem

        Reply
    • Nonika Rajkumari says

      December 22, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      A very enchanting story whivh keeps the reader engaged totally.

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 23, 2022 at 8:38 am

        Thanks for reading the article

        Reply
    • Veenu Gupta says

      December 23, 2022 at 10:49 am

      Congratulations man well written about a problem keep it up ur talent was not known to me earlier All the best for future endeavours

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 24, 2022 at 4:51 am

        Thank you Madam for liking the piece. Thank you too for your good wishes.

        Reply
  2. Jim Gunshinan says

    December 21, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    Well done Chetana. Beautifully written, lyrical, and an interesting soap opera squeezed into 101 words.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 21, 2022 at 11:11 pm

      Thank you Mr Gunshinan. You have rightly guessed. It is a titbit of a large soap opera.
      Thanks for your kind words

      Reply
  3. Gehna says

    December 21, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    Superb write up Chetanaji. Waiting for your upcoming Book.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 21, 2022 at 11:14 pm

      Thank you Madam.
      The book may be published soon

      Reply
      • Jagadeesh Menon says

        December 22, 2022 at 11:16 am

        Beautifully written ma’am …..nice illustration of a common happening !!!

        Reply
        • Chetana Vaishnavi says

          December 23, 2022 at 8:39 am

          Thank you sir for appreciating it.

          Reply
  4. Dr. Selvaraj Stephen says

    December 22, 2022 at 1:35 am

    Remember Shakespeare’s quote about Cleopatra:
    Age can not wither nor custom stale.
    I read it twice to understand ??
    ?????????

    Reply
  5. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 2:25 am

    Thank you Dr. Stephen.
    Yes, most people read it twice to catch the essence.

    Reply
    • Rajbir says

      December 22, 2022 at 5:11 am

      Lucid style as always . You have a penchant and flare for writing . The suspense that you hold does come as a surprise, bursting ?

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 22, 2022 at 5:41 am

        Thank you Sir. Your words are overwhelming

        Reply
    • MUKUL RAWAT says

      December 22, 2022 at 5:22 am

      Great write-up in just 101 words, so close to reality,you have a natural flare for writing ,
      Keep it up,best wishes for your future endeavour.

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 22, 2022 at 5:40 am

        Thank you sir.
        It is based on true events.
        That’s why it was easy to write

        Reply
  6. Arun Sethi says

    December 22, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Nice message Chetna and unfortunately today’s reality at many homes…

    Reply
  7. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 2:52 am

    Yes. Very true.

    Thank you for deciphering

    Reply
  8. Vijay says

    December 22, 2022 at 4:21 am

    Good write up!

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 10:05 am

      Thank you Sir

      Reply
  9. Dr Deepinder says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:34 am

    Great write up …so well expressed….all the best ..keep it up ..u r always an inspiration…

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 5:36 am

      Thank you Dr Deepinder. It means a lot to me

      Reply
  10. Nidhi says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:34 am

    Very interesting style of writing , Madam
    Congratulations

    Reply
  11. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:37 am

    Thank you Nidhi for your kind words

    Reply
  12. Dr Shikha Garg says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:40 am

    Wonderful way of expressing your thoughts in precise way! Way to go mam?

    Reply
  13. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:43 am

    Thank you Dr Garg for your kind words

    Reply
  14. Dr Devinder Singh Sandhu, MD, DM, Oncologist & Hematologist says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:02 am

    Wonderful, very well written, All the best

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 6:05 am

      Thank you Dr Sandhu.
      Appreciate your support

      Reply
  15. Mahesh Kumar Goenka says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:04 am

    A strong realistic message in a brief story

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 6:06 am

      Thank you Sir. Your words inspire

      Reply
  16. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:06 am

    Thank you Dr Sandhu.
    Appreciate your support

    Reply
  17. Dr. Sukhminderjit Kaur says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:21 am

    Great write up ma’am.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 6:29 am

      Thank you Dr Kaur

      Reply
  18. Manju Wadwalkar says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:22 am

    We’ll depicted!

    Reply
  19. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:30 am

    Thank you Manju

    Reply
  20. Anshul Sood says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:39 am

    It has an essence of a classic. I had to read it twice to fathom the beauty of this piece of writing.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 6:46 am

      Thanks Anshul for your lovely words.
      They count.

      Reply
  21. Uttam Garg says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:46 am

    Took couple of reads to understand. Very well written Chetana ji! Strong message in a short write-up.

    Reply
  22. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:48 am

    Thanks Uttam Garg.
    This is reality of life.

    Reply
  23. Vinay Naidu says

    December 22, 2022 at 7:36 am

    At first i thought it’s just a snippet. Read it over again. Very well articulated and the message conveyed.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:32 am

      Thank you Mr. Naidu for your comments

      Reply
  24. Anita says

    December 22, 2022 at 8:03 am

    Satire at its best.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:32 am

      Thank you Madam

      Reply
  25. Gopal Nath says

    December 22, 2022 at 8:08 am

    Reality in simple words.Exellent

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:33 am

      Thank you Sir

      Reply
  26. Reena attri says

    December 22, 2022 at 8:35 am

    Strong message…Beautiful

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:37 am

      Thanks Madam

      Reply
    • Sunita Sapru says

      December 22, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      Good one.
      Read twice to really understand it.
      You are really multi-talented.

      Reply
      • Chetana Vaishnavi says

        December 23, 2022 at 8:43 am

        Thanks madam for your kind remarks

        Reply
  27. Rita Koul says

    December 22, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Very well written Chetna Ji.

    Reply
  28. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 22, 2022 at 8:45 am

    Thank you Madam

    Reply
  29. Atul says

    December 22, 2022 at 9:29 am

    Very nice maam

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 22, 2022 at 9:40 am

      Thank you sir.

      Reply
  30. Subhash Sapru says

    December 22, 2022 at 10:30 am

    Interesting

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:43 am

      Thank you Sir

      Reply
  31. Dr Tuhina Banerjee says

    December 22, 2022 at 10:30 am

    Mam you have hit the bull’s eye subtly yet in a classical manner. Wonderful to read.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:44 am

      Thank you Dr. Banerjee for liking it

      Reply
  32. Prof Vimal says

    December 22, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Well forgive say thank you and march ahead . Its Karmic. Count on blessings only. Time turns twists but tunes too. Bravo mom.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:46 am

      The world is a stage and we are all actors.
      Enjoy the show

      Reply
  33. Ravneet says

    December 22, 2022 at 11:05 am

    Chetna Mam I truly appreciate your expression of writing the gospel truth with candour and wisdom.May you continue to inspire many of us with your amazing words and a punch of suspense in it.God bless you.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:48 am

      Thank you Madam for reading it. Thank you too for your good wishes.

      Reply
  34. Dr Ritu Garg says

    December 22, 2022 at 11:19 am

    Very interesting write up madam.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:49 am

      Thank you Dr Garg

      Reply
  35. Meenakshi Singh says

    December 22, 2022 at 12:02 pm

    Very well written ma’am. You are always appreciated for your thoughts written whether in the form of poet or newspaper article or anything else.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:50 am

      Thank you Meenakshi. Your words are encouraging

      Reply
  36. Dr RK Soni says

    December 22, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    Well articulated. You presented your ideas and thoughts really in impressive manner.I genuinely appreciate this incredible writing.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:51 am

      Thanks for appreciating the expression

      Reply
  37. Ibrahim Masoodi says

    December 22, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    Respected Madam . I read it twice to get the mesage I enjoyed reading it So nicely written Best wishes and keep it up

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:54 am

      Thank you sir for liking the article. Thank you for your good wishes.

      Reply
  38. Dolly says

    December 22, 2022 at 11:45 pm

    Dr Chennai,
    Very nice Very well written,you really presented your ideas in impressive and remarkable manner.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:56 am

      Thanks Dolly for changing my name. It has increased my girth considerably

      Reply
      • Gurinder Singh Cheema says

        December 24, 2022 at 5:20 am

        Respected Madam,
        It’s a very nice story that shows the true picture of today’s world where life is so fast that sometimes we fail to comprehend what’s right and what’s wrong. We live under one roof but still we are too far from each other emotionally and fail to connect with each other though everyone is connected on the same wifi router.

        Reply
        • Chetana Vaishnavi says

          December 24, 2022 at 6:26 am

          Thank you Mr. Singh for appreciating the message behind the tiny story. Yes we are connected, yet refuse to understand the value of others in our lives.

          Reply
  39. NK Prarthi says

    December 23, 2022 at 12:21 am

    Nicely written mam…Always enjoy your words mam…
    Regards

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:57 am

      Thank you Mr Prarthi for reading the article.

      Reply
  40. Rana says

    December 23, 2022 at 5:27 am

    Very nice

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:58 am

      Thank you

      Reply
  41. Devwart Chauhan says

    December 23, 2022 at 11:01 am

    Well written ma’am

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 4:53 am

      Thank you Devwart

      Reply
  42. Sagar says

    December 23, 2022 at 11:07 am

    ?Fun filled fiesta.

    Reply
  43. Rakesh kochhar says

    December 24, 2022 at 4:47 am

    Crisp and realistic ! Enjoyed it, Well done Dr Vaishnavi

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 6:29 am

      Thank you sir for liking the write up and for your encouraging comments.

      Reply
  44. Usha Dutta says

    December 24, 2022 at 5:25 am

    Interesting realistic perspective

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 6:31 am

      Thank you madam for sharing your thoughts about the article.

      Reply
  45. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 24, 2022 at 5:27 am

    Thank you sir for liking the write up and for your encouraging comments.

    Reply
  46. Megha says

    December 24, 2022 at 7:07 am

    Well briefly written mam! Anonymously described. Keep encouraging us with your words.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Thank you Megha. The challenge was to give out a story in exactly 101 words.

      Reply
  47. SUMAN KUMAR SHARMA says

    December 24, 2022 at 9:07 am

    Concise and well written

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 11:09 am

      Thank you Mr. Sharma for your observation

      Reply
  48. Prof Geeta Shukla says

    December 24, 2022 at 9:14 am

    Very interesting & very well written Dear Dr Chetna. Congratulations & waiting for many more ?

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 9:17 am

      Thank you Prof. Shukla for your inspiring comments.

      Reply
  49. Bella Mahajan says

    December 24, 2022 at 11:33 am

    Very interesting read.
    Its a great concept n enlightening.
    Keep going???

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 24, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you Madam for your comments

      Reply
  50. Neelima Chadha says

    December 24, 2022 at 9:32 pm

    Hello mam very impressively written. Heartiest congratulations and wish you good luck for future endeavours. Actually a reflection of reality in a subtle way.

    Reply
  51. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 24, 2022 at 10:54 pm

    Thank you for reading the article to catch its grip.
    Thanks for your good wishes

    Reply
  52. Dr Surinder Kumar says

    December 25, 2022 at 1:21 am

    It is very intersting to read this article.Many domains of life have been touched in few words. Excellent presentation.

    Reply
  53. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 25, 2022 at 4:46 am

    Thank you Dr. Kumar for your kind words of appreciation

    Reply
  54. Dr Amit Sethi says

    December 25, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Very well written Ma’am

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 25, 2022 at 7:47 am

      Thank you Dr Sethi for liking the article

      Reply
  55. Debasish Basu says

    December 25, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    Very nice

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 26, 2022 at 1:31 am

      Thank you Sir

      Reply
  56. Gurjot Singh says

    December 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    Very well written mam

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 26, 2022 at 1:32 am

      Thank you Mr Singh for your appreciation

      Reply
  57. DR MAMATHA BALLAL says

    December 29, 2022 at 9:06 am

    Very meaningful. Touches every heart .?story of this kind is seen all around these days .Hats off to your creative mind ?

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 30, 2022 at 3:33 am

      Thank you Dr. Ballal for your encouraging comments.

      Reply
  58. Varsha Gupta says

    December 30, 2022 at 8:18 am

    Excellent job
    Yeh dil mange more

    Reply
  59. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 30, 2022 at 8:20 am

    Thank you Madam for your kind remarks

    Reply
  60. Navinchandra says

    December 30, 2022 at 10:28 am

    Very nice sis

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 31, 2022 at 9:47 am

      Thank you bro

      Reply
  61. Jyoti Malik says

    December 31, 2022 at 9:15 am

    Dear Dr. Chetana Vaishnavi, you have very sensitively portrayed a contemporary issue in a suggestive and subtle manner. May God add wings of even more creativity to your imagination in the coming years.

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      December 31, 2022 at 9:48 am

      Thank you Madam for your kind words.

      Reply
  62. Neeraj khullar says

    December 31, 2022 at 11:45 am

    As always, it’s a pleasure to read your impressive writings. Keep it going dear friend ??

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      January 1, 2023 at 2:47 am

      Thanks for your valuable comments, Madam. I appreciate the same.

      Reply
  63. Vishal Sharma says

    January 2, 2023 at 6:04 am

    Another facet of a great personality. Deep, but true

    Reply
  64. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    January 2, 2023 at 10:48 am

    Thank you sir for your encouragement.

    Reply
  65. Dr Abhinay Sharma says

    January 3, 2023 at 11:21 am

    Dear Mam..

    This was subtle , meaningful , interesting and above all relevant..

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      January 4, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Thank you Dr. Sharma for realising the relevance of the story

      Reply
  66. Pardeep singh says

    January 3, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    Nicely depicted the reality of today’s world

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      January 4, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Thank you Mr Singh for your kind words

      Reply
  67. Dr jyoti Chaudhary says

    January 3, 2023 at 9:27 pm

    A very creative idea to depict an important issue. Beautifully written ma’am…

    Reply
    • Chetana Vaishnavi says

      January 4, 2023 at 10:41 am

      Thank you Dr. Chaudhary for your kind words

      Reply
      • Pavana Ingole says

        April 7, 2023 at 10:33 pm

        Very well written story. Precise and crisp.

        Reply

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