The Crumbling Limewash - By Anjna Iyer

Written By: anjna iyer

Category: Short Story

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Anjna Iyer presents a thought-provoking short story titled "The Crumbling Limewash" in this year's Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 on Hashtag Kalakar. Anjna's piece delves into the nuanced theme of personal struggle and the pervasive monotony of daily life. The story’s narrative is woven around the persistent imagery of a deteriorating wall, serving as a metaphor for the protagonist's internal battles. This entry captures the essence of the competition, which celebrates diverse voices and creative expression.

About the Work

"The Crumbling Limewash" thoughtfully explores themes of existential contemplation and mental health through a narrative centered on a crumbling wall. The story’s mood is reflective and intimate, as Anjna weaves a tale that juxtaposes physical decay with psychological unrest. The use of vivid imagery and dialogue brings to life the protagonist's inner turmoil and monotony, inviting readers to ponder deeper questions about life’s purpose and the human condition.

The Crumbling Limewash

Original Submission by anjna iyer

The crumbling limewash

“Hello, Brij Bhushan ji, hello, hello. Can you hear me?”

“Yes madam, yes. Calm down I can hear you, madam. I will come take a look at the wall in an hour, madam. You wait, kindly.”

“Hello, hello. What an audacious man. He hung up on me. Let him come and I will make sure he finishes all the work today itself.” Mumbled Priya angrily.

Her gaze would not leave the wall. She could not dare look elsewhere. This wall in her room was chipping. Paint on the wall looked puffed up, swollen and moist; waiting to crumble onto the floor.

“It barely rained this year, then why this?” she thought to herself curiously.

She pulled a plastic bathroom stool right across the wall and sat there wondering what had gone wrong.

“Should I call Mrs Raja to ask if their wall has been acting up as well? Or maybe I should just call Saroja, she knows what happening and where in this colony, she would report it guiltlessly to me.”

The loud door bell jolted Priya awake from her disturbed meditation and she sprinted towards the door aware that it had to be the mason Brij Bhushan.

“Come in Brijlal ji. Come in.”

“Yes Madam, thank you. And where is that wall?”

“ In my room, where else?”

Brij Bhushan walked straight to the master bedroom and began inspecting the walls. He moved the curtains, the tables even the huge chunky bed a little.

“Arree Madam but there is no problem in the room.”

“When did I say it was that room, Brijlal. I told you my room.” The one to the right of the hallway.”

“The Guestroom, Madam?”

Priya did not say a word and watched Brij Bhushan walk into her room. She followed him now with two cups of chai on a tray. She carelessly placed the tray on the bed side table and gave a cup to Brij Bhushan.

“Aree thank you, Madam. Chai was not required really.” He said while sipping the piping hot tea.

“Now tell me, Brijlal what is wrong with this wall?”

“Hmm, its common madam. Most houses have it. I can fix it in 3 days.”

“But what is it?” Asked Priya impatiently.

“Humidity, what else. Don’t worry madam, I will take care of this.”

“It did not rain at all this year, Brijlal. So, how is it humidity?”

“Sometimes madam some walls trap moisture, dust and all nasty things and the wall starts chipping.”

“Hmm, so its trapping nasty things?”

“Yes madam, very nasty. But the wall is fine Madam, it’s just the limewash.”

“So you need to clean just the surface then?”

“Yes, Yes. Scrape the wall, and that’s all. Then a fresh coat of paint.”

“Hmm….”

“I will send two boys tomorrow to start working, madam. Don’t worry at all.”

He left swiftly and Priya sat there staring at the wall.

The limewash is crumbling and so is my mind.

The day ended uneventfully. Her son came back from school, hugged her, saw the wall and went to his room. Her husband returned from work, saw her staring at the wall and went back quietly to his room.

Hi,

The bus ride to work was the same, the breeze, the sun, the pleasant driver, the vacant seats. All of it was just the same. My thoughts, my choice of music and my blank face; also, the same. The urge to end this life sprouted wings and took over my mind. The urge is the same. Not voluminous or heavy, a little longer maybe.

Hey,

What did you have for dinner last night?

Oats, I guess. Food tastes chalky, somehow. And then my magnesium tablet.

Hmm, what did your son say before you went to sleep?

Nothing, i read him a story and he sang, hugged me to sleep. I love his hugs.

Your son is a blessing on you.

I know that. Please don’t tell me that mothers should not have suicidal thoughts because their sole purpose in life is to raise their children.

I would never say that. You are free to have any thought you want.

You reached out to me today without giving in to your urges and as your doctor I want you to know that I am with you.

But what is the point in life? Seriously. Is it monotony that makes life purposeful?

Such an existential question is beyond my reasoning ;)

Witty huh, doc?

Life has purpose and meaning and joy and sorrow. Pleasure and pain. And much like any other journey this is what life is. Sometimes it is adventurous and sometimes it is boring. Some days are tough and some are a breezy walk in the park.

Aaahh! A walk in the park. Indeed. How is your life doc?

:) It’s all of it that is yours and anybody else’s.

And you have never thought of ending it?

Never.

Have a good day doc!

You too.

7 am texts with my psychologist. Something is wrong with me, maybe. I don’t really have to text him. This is my life and I have the right to decide when to end it. If I have the freedom of speech, thoughts, right to vote, to make choices with respect to my education, career, marriage, childbirth or abortion then deciding to kill myself should also be my right.

It is the eventual conclusion. Death shall come for all, yet why can’t I walk towards death?

Sometimes, I wake up contemplating the multiple ways in which i can finish it all. Tying a noose to the hook in the ceiling seems like the best option.

I am not very creative, I guess. Just bland and boring. Crumbling like the limewash.

My mouth feels chalky. It is the wall. It has to be the wall.

The long monotonous ride to work. The silence.

Brijbhushan’s men have started scraping the wall. The dust is bearable. The smell though, repulsive.

I cannot stop thinking about the wall. It took two men two days to scrape it clean. In just one day my room will be painted. Everything will go back to normal. The chalky taste will disappear.

Sleep will return. Monotony however, will continue.

I like this ivory wall. The colour is pleasing to my eyes.

What is that in the corner of the wall. A patch. Botchy paint. Crumbling again.

“It is fine Priya. The wall is fine.”

“No, Neerav, can’t you see? There in that corner. The paint is peeling again.”

“It is all in your mind Priya. Have you stopped going to the psychologist?”

And then silence.

“Mumma, why are you sitting and staring at the wall?”

And then silence again.

The chalky taste continued. So did monotony. And so did her debatable thoughts.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity, inviting participants from around the globe to share their unique voices and perspectives. This prestigious event provides a platform for poets and writers to engage with a community that values artistic expression and storytelling. Participants explore a wide range of themes, showcasing their talent in poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing.

We extend our gratitude to Anjna Iyer for sharing "The Crumbling Limewash" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Anjna's introspective narrative invites readers to reflect on the intricacies of mental health and the repetitive nature of life. Thank you, Anjna, for your contribution to this vibrant literary community.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.