Personal values should be non-negotiable in a relationship — “I’m not sure if I’m comfortable doing this,” I said with a slight shiver in my voice because I didn’t like disappointing him. “Come on,” he pleaded. “We’ll both make a lot of money out of it. And you’re not doing anything illegal; I just don’t want them to know…

On accepting pain and discomfort — Everybody in the waiting room was visibly annoyed, but I couldn’t stop tapping my foot. Anxiety was somersaulting through my muscles, and I had to release some of that kinetic energy before it would explode inside my chest. I was as annoyed as the other patients. My fear had almost…

A short story about work in unprecedented times — “Emilia, when can you deliver?” There was no reply. “Emilia, could you please put your phone away and focus on pressing matters?” Confused, Emilia looked up. She had a hard time adjusting to being back in the office again. It was so much easier to secretly read the news when…

My inbox is limitless; my time is not — "I'm a bad texter," I say as I give her my private number. "If I don't respond to your messages, that doesn't mean I'm angry or something." She frowns and says she doesn't understand people who are "bad" at texting. "How hard is it to type a quick reply?" She…

If only I could live in a romance novel — “And then he pulled me into the bathroom and kissed me everywhere,” I lied, straight through my teeth. Jazz urged me to keep talking, so I did. I told her in every little detail what hadn’t happened. I mentioned my heaving bosoms and how I felt his hard manhood through…

The war in Ukraine exposes the deep-rooted racism in East and West Europe — My heart breaks for the people in Ukraine. And some of the cracks heal immediately when I see how united Europe is in helping the Ukrainian refugees. There are massive protests worldwide, and every country in Europe has welcomed Ukrainian refugees. Although, only the white, “civilized” refugees are genuinely welcome…

Why so serious? — People on Twitter were angry on February 24th. But then again, people on Twitter are always angry. Every day, something is happening in the world that calls for outrage. Often the outrage falls into the same categories: A celebrity said something ignorant. A comedian made an “edgy” joke. A TV show…

He wanted me to stay monogamous while he lived out his fantasies with someone else — “I don’t understand what’s going on,” I cried. Hesitantly, he scooted closer and held me. He comforted me and told me he still loved me. “Then why don’t you want to have sex with me anymore?” His answer was the same everytime. He was tired, overworked, and when we were…

I just want to write compelling stories without a call to action — Of course, they mean well. Most people who give unsolicited advice do. But their simple “just do x!” solutions are driving me up the wall. I know what I want. I want to write compelling stories, that either entertain you or teach you something new. Or maybe both. And because…