For women, dating is Russian roulette — Nothing had gone according to plan that day. The plan was to wake up early, feel refreshed and well-rested, ready for a day of excitement and adventure. Instead, I woke up panicking and disheveled. I’d slept through my alarm because I’d spent the entire night contemplating canceling my date. …

It’s never all bad — People always respond the same way when I tell them about my previous relationship— with shock and disbelief. And I can’t blame them. When I look at my life through their eyes, I feel the same Picture this. A man and a woman meet. After a year, she breaks up…

But I’d have to find a new audience in a competitive market — Whenever finances are rough, my friends and I always make the same ignorant joke; there’s always prostitution. Instead of selling your time to a boss and slaving away in a stuffy office, you can go on one “date” a week and make twice the money. It sounds so easy. Tempting…

Living in unprecedented times sucks a$$ — “Yeah, but I don’t mind paying extra for fuel if it helps Ukraine.” Dumbfounded, I stare at my co-worker. “You do understand that this money isn’t being sent to Lyudmyla and Volodymyr, who are getting bombed to smithereens in Sievierodonetsk, right?” He doesn’t respond, so I continue. “Fuel is expensive…

A short dystopian science fiction story about the spark that ignites a revolution — Someone was pushing her up the steps toward the stage. The crowd wasn’t visible yet, but she could hear them. She could feel them. Their anger, their frustration, and most of all, their hope. “I can’t do this,” she said as she turned around. “Yes, you can,” Nameless replied, as…

A short story about the aftermath of a disturbing marital fight — We behave like aliens pretending to be humans. Our faked politeness is so sweet, my teeth tingle. “Thank you for cleaning the bathroom,” he says. “You are welcome; thanks for noticing,” I reply. He makes eye contact and smiles like he’s part of a toothpaste ad. The only thing missing…

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. …

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…