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I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this - Paper Rings. Sometimes life becomes too good to be true; happy and peaceful, and problems seem to vanish overnight. Usually, that is the calm before the storm life throws at you. Ever since their vacation at Sarang Pura and their eventual return to the city, Ajabdeh couldn’t help but notice a welcome change in Pratap. Not only was he friendly with her since their vacation, but he also spent time with Jalal, Shakti, Heer and her by the pool on lazy afternoons when Jalal strummed his guitar, and Ajabdeh hummed along. Jalal observed that he must be healing from his breakup for the better. Shakti noticed it too, but none of them pointed it out to make him conscious. But Ajabdeh was confused. She was used to his cold aloofness towards her, for as long as she could remember. He wasn’t a fan of her antics, and even his pity was understandable, but she couldn’t quite place what he was doing this time around. At times, when she laughed...
We play dumb, but we know exactly what we’re doing. - New Romantics The yearly trip to Sarang Pura was compulsory as long as both their grandmothers stayed there. Sarang Pura was a small village near Sanganer, their native place, where the Punwars and Sisodiyas shared a farmhouse when their fathers were young. Their grandfathers had started the textile business there, in a tiny room in the property they had inherited and with time, the farm had been expanded, and now two bungalows stood side by side, attached by their roofs, with orchards, gardens, stables, kennels, and small farms surrounding them. There were greenhouses and glass canopies with bougainvillaea and a library on the premises. About a minute’s walk from the house was the highway leading to the small village of Sarang Pura, and the factory was a fifteen-minute drive. Both their grandmothers stayed on the property, as the city air didn’t suit them well. It meant that every year during the summer vacations, the Punwars ...
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The air was cold, but something about it felt like home somehow- All Too Well. The moment Pratap reached the car at the Indira International Airport with a banner with his name on it, he removed the backpack from his shoulder and handed it over to the driver, who bowed. Although the weight was lifted off his back, something still felt heavy on his chest. He was heading straight to the wedding and was supposed to meet everyone after a long time. Everyone. Including her. He knew that the parents were waiting for his return to officially hand the company over to the next generation, and it meant seeing more of her than he intended to. He was not sure if he was prepared for it. A part of him was happy to be back home. There was something in the air, the smell, the noise, the feel and even the uncomfortable pollution that still felt like home. He was eager to see his brother and meet his parents and Jalal. The two people apart from Ranima who were constantly in touch with him were Heer and ...
“Staying friends is safe, doesn't mean you should.” Ruin The Friendship Ajabdeh almost felt sick to her stomach enough to skip her lunch as she sat down with her laptop, trying to distract herself. Bade Papa wanted her to write a speech for her first address to the employees next month. Her eyes kept wandering to the clock on the bottom right-hand of her screen as she calculated the time it would take for him to reach the venue. Her throat was dry, and no amount of water could do away with the tingling sensation she felt in her stomach. A knock on the door of her hotel room almost made her jump as she regained her composure and said a brisk “Come in.” Jalal peeped into the room, a little unsure as she narrowed her eyes slightly at him. “I just came to check if… You are alright?” He asked, a little unsure, walking up to the bedside. “Why won’t I be?” She retorted as he fell short of words. He cleared his throat and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Well, you didn’t have lunch, so… A...
I’m hanging on every careless word, hoping they might turn sweet again - Better Man. Jalalluddin Mohammad was a practical person in his head and heart. He wasn’t someone who would claim lofty ideas of love, put his bet on destiny or blame the Almighty for his misery. He worked hard and had his feet on the ground. Yet it did take time in his rational mind to sink in when Ajabdeh, almost sounding impulsive, asked him if they could give dating a try. She didn’t promise a relationship, love, or the label of being a boyfriend. She just wanted to go out with him and see how it went. Jalal was no fool; he knew very well that Rukaiya must have told Ajabdeh that he liked her, not that he ever wanted any form of reciprocation. He also knew her timing was impeccable, a month after Pratap left for London. Was she hurting so much? But why all of a sudden would she want him to date her when she already had him around as a friend? Was it a silly attempt at making Pratap jealous? If so, she would...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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