Oh, they sit around talking about the meaning of life and the book that just saved them that I hadn’t heard of - I bet you think about me. “Are you sure?” Pratap raised his eyebrows as Jalal looked flustered. “I am. Of course, I didn’t mean it. It was a joke! Ajab knows that.” Jalal could sense Pratap’s jaws tightening at his words. “It’s Ajab now, huh? Quite a friendship you two have.” Pratap almost taunted. This was when Jalal lost his cool. “Yeah, we do, what is wrong with that? Should we take your permission to be friends or speak, or flirt?” Pratap looked a little flushed as he spoke: “Who are you anyway?” “I didn’t mean… I don’t want you to get hurt. Any of you.” Pratap shook his head. “Yeah, thanks for your concern, Pratap, but I will never hurt her the way you do.” Jalal didn’t mean for the words to come out the way he did, and Pratap immediately took it to his stride. “Wow, what do you even mean? Is the purpose of my life to hurt Ajabdeh? Are you insane?” He retorted as J...
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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 ...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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