Story Overview:

“Chalavey” (“Camouflage”) is a psychological short story that explores themes of identity, alienation, and mortality. The protagonist’s sense of self is shaken when he receives a letter addressed to his home but with someone else’s name. This small incident triggers a series of surreal experiences: he witnesses haunting scenes of death and indifference, recalls the many friends he has lost, and becomes obsessed with the idea that his own identity is slipping away. Even at home, he is unsettled by the presence of mysterious guests who seem both familiar and unreachable, deepening his confusion and sense of isolation.

As he wanders through the city, seeking clarity, he is caught in a storm and takes shelter in a dimly lit hotel filled with ghostly figures. In a flash of lightning, he realises these are the same enigmatic visitors from his home. The story blurs the line between reality and hallucination, suggesting that the protagonist is lost in a world where identities, memories, and even life and death are uncertain and interchangeable. Ultimately, “Chalavey” is a meditation on the struggle to maintain one’s sense of self in a world that feels increasingly indifferent and surreal.