The sun peeped through the slits of my grandma’s weathered curtains. “Ata Yari, kiije insa!” (Sister Yari, let’s go!). Cousin Hagio’s voice exuded with excitement. He was up and ready for our bug hunt. As I clambered down the cramped wooden stairs, I saw him looking up at me with his doe eyes, hair combed
In the heart of Ziro is a place called Khotiir, once an ancient route for commuters. With modernization, asphalt roads began to replace the narrow winding paths. Despite this, pine trees, bamboo groves, and rice fields still cloak most of the area. Occasionally, news of night travellers assaulted by uyi (spirits) in Khotiir would surface
It’s 3:00 am. Sulyu’s eyes are wide open, sight fixed on the ceiling. A beep on her watch breaks her attention. She gets up clumsily and moves to the side, placing her bare feet on the cold surface. She drags herself towards the bathroom, puts her hands on the basin slab, and stares at the