“'Cause we are young and we’re reckless, we’ll take this way too far.” Blank Space The work days were busy and mundane. Most of the day was spent at the office, where Pratap’s job assignments were separate from those of Ajabdeh’s, and they barely shared a conversation. Usually, when they came back to the Haveli, being greeted by the house help and cook Mr Chundawat had appointed, Pratap decided to have his dinner in his room while Ajabdeh had it while working in the study. They had developed the perfect way to coexist without bumping into each other. Sleep was not to come easily in the unfamiliar surroundings, and while Ajabdeh preferred to work till her brain was tired, Pratap often tiptoed down to the library room, dusted off the dirt on the few books on the shelves and read them to sleep. The silence of the house was only interrupted by the whistle of a cooker, the ticking clocks or the ringing of the restored grandfather clock. The other rooms were locked too. They thought the ...
Give me a photograph to hang on my wall - Superstar. “So entry there is very tough in the Institute of Photography; they get thousands of applications and choose only a few for the course,” Jalal spoke as he cleaned the lens of his camera. Rukaiya nodded as she progressed to help him with the scattered papers on his desk. “So what is the process to get in?” Rukaiya asked, observing a notepad with scribbled ideas. “There is a topic of assignment for which we have to submit ten pictures each.” Jalal narrowed his brows a little. “But if mine is not unique, they won’t even consider my application.” “What is the topic then?” Rukaiya enquired. “Beauty.” Jalal shrugged halfway “And most people were already discussing nature pictures, babies, weddings… What will stand out?” He eyed Rukaiya, lost in her thoughts as she stared at one of the portraits he had taken of a child selling balloons on the street. It was a greyscale-toned picture taken in one of the busy intersections of the city. ...
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“This hope is treacherous, this daydream is dangerous.” Treacherous Pratap was greeted at the entrance of his childhood home by the smiling Mr Chundawat, who informed him that Miss Punwar was already “on-site” and he would wait for Pratap to settle in and freshen up before taking him to the place of work. Pratap suddenly felt relieved at the idea that she was not home. Throughout the journey, he had been preoccupied with the thought of going home and finding her waiting for him there. Well, she wouldn’t wait for him, but the sight of her at the door or perhaps in his home was not good for his dainty heart. He had braced himself for her cold, formal greeting or a shake of a head for acknowledging his presence and nothing more. He found it easier to look around the place, settle his things and take a quick shower before following Mr Chunadwat when her scrutinising eyes were not on him, judging his every movement. But Pratap hoped for that. He hoped that she would scrutinise and criticise...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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