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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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“You see, all the wisest women had to do it this way.” ~ Mastermind Rukaiya could not anticipate the probable reason for her to be summoned into Humayun’s office in the early hours of the morning. She dreaded that the conversation would be something uncomfortable she was not ready to talk about yet. The therapist and she were having progressive sessions almost every day, yet she did not want to talk about it with her family. She had no answer to their why. At least not with Humayun. In the absence of a father figure, he had been the best possible one she could ask for. Of course, she had learnt from a very young age that whatever she received in this house was a blessing she should be grateful for and never ask for anything that was not given to her. Yet she noticed the small things. Like how he never discriminated between Jalal and her. How often discreetly he would ask about her career or health and guide her, and how he looked hurt when he visited her in the hospital. The last thing...
It could stay this simple, I won't let nobody hurt you, Won't let no one break your heart.” Never Grow Up The moment the property manager, Mr Chundawat, opened the doors of the Sisodiya haveli instead of the Punwars, Ajabdeh frowned a little. She was supposed to be back home . Mr Chundawat murmured an apology. The Punwar mansion needed some renovations, which were going beyond the stipulated deadline, and it was Mrs Sisodiya who had instructed him to stay in the Sisodiya Haveli. Ajabdeh inhaled. She glanced over her shoulder at the Haveli, which looked haunted in the darkness and nodded at the man, murmuring a thanks. The moment she stepped across the threshold of the house, Ajabdeh was flooded with memories. The empty hallways were once filled with love and laughter, a corner where Ranima had the jhula Shakti, and she fought over. Over there, behind the table, was Heer’s pillow fortress. Ajabdeh realised her eyes were moist by the time she reached the reclining chair where Kar...
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“I was tired of waiting, wonderin’ if you were ever coming around, my faith in you was fading ~ Love Story. Ajabdeh took a deep breath as she adjusted her microphone on the podium with her newly done nails, careful enough not to breathe into it. She cleared her throat, stared at the paper she had put down and then briefly at the shadow of the crowd sitting in front of her. Just in front of her eyes were her father and Bade Papa. Udai Singh smiled briefly at her as if to nod and say, “Go on.” Ajabdeh started addressing the gathering. She had been on the stage so many times before, in front of cheering school kids at their school functions or even at the rowdy judging college crowd at fests, her guitar slung across her shoulder as she sang her heart out. Never had she imagined that speaking would make her so nervous, especially in front of these corporate people whose eyes seemed to judge her every move. The media presence did not help either. Was she going to be confident? Would she sli...
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Raabta (2013-2026) All Rights Reserved.
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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