Seashells

[That's an AI generated image. Bet you, we don't look like this ;) ] Everyone has that one love story. This one was pure obsession/infatuation!? It may not have lasted long. It may have been messy or mad or made no sense to anyone else. But for mw, it set the benchmark for what obsession could feel like when it’s raw, weird, and wonderful. Mine involved nudles, a chilled glass of Apple Tang, and a Catholic boy who could solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute. We didn’t last long  — but oh, what a time it was. He would pick me up, place me on the kitchen counter like it was the most natural thing in the world, and start cooking. Nudles was his signature dish back then. Not the fancy kind — just noodles with herbs from Domino’s leftover packets, and sauces mixed like cocktails. Plates? Too mainstream. We’d eat straight out of the saucepan, laughter spilling, cracking the most bizarre jokes. While the nudles cooked, he’d toss a glass into the deep freezer — an EMPTY one, mind you...

  I kept seeing Nua sanitary pads all over Instagram, and honestly, I didn’t get the hype. Another pretty brand, right? That changed when my neighbour recommended them after I vented about rashes and stains. I decided to test them on one of my toughest period days. The Real-Life Test I was in Naigaon—where the roads are chaotic and any short trip feels like a battle. I had a five-minute ride to the railway station, which previously ended in stained pants. This time, I used Nua. I stayed clean. No leaks, no panic. What I Liked About Nua Great Coverage: Long and wide enough to handle heavy flow. No Rashes: Super soft and gentle on skin. Smart Disposal Pouch: Each pad comes with a wrapper for clean disposal. Travel & Work Friendly: Fits discreetly in your bag, and no extra trash bags needed. Is Nua Worth It? For anyone dealing with heavy flow, on-the-go routines, or sensitive skin—Nua’s a solid choice. I didn’t expect much, but it seriously impressed me. Looks like I’ll be...

When the BCCI recently introduced new guidelines limiting family presence during international tours, it sparked debates among cricket players, fans, and families. The reasoning behind it? To minimize distractions and maintain team focus, especially after India's 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. While many found the decision bizarre, I couldn’t help but recall an experience that, in hindsight, makes this rule seem completely justified. A year ago, while working at a PR agency, I was assigned to service a cricket league team. My role involved profiling players—understanding their backgrounds, crafting narratives, and ensuring the media had compelling stories to tell. Meeting ‘him’ Just a few days before the tournament began, I attended a team gathering where I met all the players and introduced myself. Among them was a particular player—let’s call him X. While most players simply answered my questions for their profiles and moved on, X engaged in conversation and...

Marriage? Hmm. It used to be an intriguing topic—until I turned 25, 26, and found myself becoming a part of it. For the longest time, I dreamt of finding the right person, getting married in a typical Tamil ceremony, creating memories together, attending weddings as a couple, going on vacations, having a child or two, growing old together—you know, just the usual. Growing up, marriage wasn’t something I ever discussed with my parents. They never initiated the conversation, and I wasn’t keen on bringing it up either. The only thought that would occasionally cross my mind about marriage was this: I didn’t want to marry a Tamil boy. Now, you might ask why. I have my reasons. Mainly, I’ve never been exposed to Tamil boys who I found attractive or intellectually stimulating. The ones I did know never seemed to be my type. That was the primary reason I never felt drawn to them. Also, I’m not very religious, so the idea of marrying into a Tamil household—where I might be expected to participa...

Oh, on this random humid day, I slept for hours together in the afternoon. Of course that’s the reason I was up until 2am, or maybe there were other reasons, too. The boyfriend was on a boys' trip to a quaint place in the woods, and I was on my own, missing him, as usual. Now, if it were the typical  he’d probably make it clear that he was with his friends and wouldn't be available to text or chat. But the guy I’m seeing is quite the opposite.  This boy would text as soon as he leaves his house for the villa, text when he reaches, share pictures of the place immediately, video call for a minute or two, and check up on me once in a while. He doesn’t quite fit the ‘typical boyfriend’ mold. That same day, I was reading 2 States, clearing old pictures from my phone, and came across something about Love Again on Netflix. So I decided to watch the movie, but within the first thirty minutes, I felt sleepy. I let my boyfriend know, sent him some hugs and kisses, and set my phone ...

 What relationship do we have with the sea? Why do I always fall for smooth talkers? What makes me love Chennai so much? Why is the film '2 States' so close to my heart? Why does Thangamey from 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan' make my heart glow? Why are endorphins released after taking the first bite of a croissant? What is my mother's idea of 'romance'? What is the 'honeymoon phase' in any relationship?  Why do people flirt even if I do not reciprocate? How does banana walnut cake hit the right spot always? Why do I not see Gujarati taxi drivers in Mumbai? Why does crying feel therapeutic? Why do some girlfriends understand you so well? Why do some people leave an impression so hard, it haunts you in dreams? Why does Jesus seem cool? Would obituaries be rap songs someday? Will the LGBTQIA+ community someday become a majority? Why is 'At My Worst' from Pink Sweats so relatable?