#businessman meaning in hindi

[eisukevint]

eisuke ichinomiya x desi!reader headcanons !!

im so bored so here are some headcanons bec i love being desi

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

• he hates it when he has to wait and initially when you started dating you tried your best to be on time whenever he paged you but as your relationship progressed, its game over. whenever u have to go out, you ALWAYS leave at the the desi time and he slowly got so used to it, the one and only time punctual eisuke was late to events.

• eisuke has a massive sweet tooth so when you first made him kheer, he absolutely loved it although his only words were ‘not bad’. He definitely asks you to make it again so you feed him other ‘mithai’ (sweets in urdu/hindi) like gulab jamun, rasgullay, JALEBI etc and he loves it so much.

• you make him desi food from time to time and actually requests it like you him ask ‘eisuke what do you want for dinner today?’ and he just says ‘you made nihari last time, it was good. make it again’ he finds it very flavourful.

• he’s very familiar with other cultures since he’s a businessman and often interacts with foreign businessmen. he knows about the clothes and customs of your country. imagine eisuke in kurta or sherwani EISUKE IN A KURTA A BLACK KURTA AT THAT (i would actually die). Whenever you go to family events, you always wear traditional clothes and once eisuke is invited to them, he initially just wears his suit but after some time he starts to indulge you and actually wears your traditional clothes.

• he finds it very sexy when you talk and swear in your mother language.

• eisuke is multilingual (as its mentioned in the story) so if he doesnt know your mother langauge he would DEFINITELY learn and boy his pronunciation would be so good (thats a perfectionist for you)

• he says he hates bollywood movies because theyre so extra but thats a lie. whenever u play something like ‘kabhi khushi kabhi gham’ or ‘kal ho na ho’ he always watches it with you because he’s intrigued but ALWAYS says ‘this movie is so bad i wonder why you waste time watching this stuff’

• you go around singing bollywood songs or songs in your mother tongue around the penthouse and he just enjoys it so much but he definitely wont say it out loud

• eisuke was FLABBERGASTED when you told him or rather showed him a desi wedding like why is everyone wearing such fancy clothes ??? and he’s even more surprised when he finds out there’s actually three days to a wedding and even more pre wedding events.

• he loves it when you wear mehndi on your hands, he sees mehndi as something that adorns your hand and whenever u apply it, he brings your hand up to his face and smells it because he loves thr scent.

• when you told him about all your family and by that i mean family on your mother’s and father’s side, he has to do a double take because why the fuck do you have SO many cousins? he’s trying to keep up but there’s just so many.

• your parents love him more than you. they literally said it to your face ‘oh my, such a handsome boy, how did you ever end up with our incompetent daughter’ you cannot convince me that this wont happen.

• baba asks you to teach him bhangra and other desi dance steps and you, ota and baba have the time of your life dancing to chammak challo and nach punjaban in the penthouse lounge and eisuke just looks at you like youre comitting a crime

a little something for myself bec im a self indulgent bitch (not exactly a desi headcanon but i wanted to add this)

• every eid you spend with him, he makes sure to spoil you thoroughly. he gives you so much eidi (literally) like he straight up handed you car keys once and went ‘eid mubarak ___, i know you’ve been waiting for your eidi’ and then he just smirks while you think what did you do to deserve so much. he enjoys eid festivities with you and eid ul fitr is his favourite eid.

[trrickytickle]

The Tea Word 🕸️🫖

GIF by liurnia

A/N: STILL NEED TO REPLY TO MESSAGES!!!!! Okay okay Liya let's get on track. DO. REQUESTS! goes without saying that the movie is goated but like, I was gonna write some Gwen (Stacy) but I had a silly and stupid idea and it snowballed. Soooo here's some Pav and Miles enjoooy blehhh (lee!Miles, ler Pavitr)

Pavitr procures pipin' hot chai for the spider-gang, but Miles still says it the wrong way. Luckily, an unmissable opportunity comes by for Pavitr to correct his mistake.

Spiced sweetness wafted through the air in the rec-room of the elite spider society, a pleasant aroma to the chattering spider-people, who mostly were bundled up into their own clique. Lego Spider-Man was recounting his fight with an evil businessman with huge pants to Spider-Cat, Peni was cleaning out SP//dr, and Miles, Gwen and Hobie were being served tall and sweet mugs of chai by Pavitr Prabhakar. With perfect barista-like precision, he procured two warm mugs and with a THWIP! they slid across the bar to the trio. Miguel was definitely going to give him an earful for serving the anomaly, but he did owe the spider-people one after saving Inspector Singh and his girlfriend in Mumbattan. With a dash of cinnamon, the drinks slid across the counter faster than any of them could say "My Spidey senses are tingling". Hobie took a sip, slamming his glass onto the counter. "Bloody amazing. Oi, Pav, you reckon this is why we bought out your plantations?" Gwen giggled, Miles briefly glancing at her apprehensively, going back to blowing on his chai and taking a generous swig. The political quip earned a chuckle and a playful shove from Pavitr. "Oh, yes, absolutely. Much better than spotted dick. Why's it called that anyways? Spotted dick.." Burning her tongue, Gwen winced with a high pitched -squeal!-. Miles laughed. "Shit, guess that's too hot for you." he teased, blowing on her tea. "What even was that?" "Shut it, Spider-Boy." Gwen chided. "Ahh… Man, this is some good chai tea.." Miles sighed, startled when the bar stilled with the loud noise of Pavitr's exasperated sigh. "Miles, Miles, my guy, we've been over this! CHAI. MEANS. TEA. You're seriously still saying chai tea!? It's JUST! chai!" Miles stammered, arms flailing like two eels out of water. "Wh- Look, bro, bro, back up, I'm used to it-" "Yeah, no wonder e' forgot. Bloke's bleedin' from 'is head down to 'is armpits." As he attempted to defend himself, Hobie very unexpectedly traced up the red lining in the armpits on Miles' suit, and he let out a high-pitched snicker. Making him flinch, Gwen and Pavitr both jumped back at Miles' reaction. Gwen giggled. "Yeah.. what even was that? You laugh like a girl." "That's a patriarchal construct." Hobie quipped back and nonchalantly sipped his tea. Miles shrugged. "Ticklish." Hobie backed up apologetically, keeping his hands to himself. "S'embarrassing. Think I probably would've glitched." Pavitr walked out from in front of the counter to the bar-stools where the spider-people sat behind Miles- (..hopefully only to join the other Spider-People) -and playfully jabbed at his sides. "-IIIEEE!-" "I- I mean it's all the same with you people! "Ghee butter".. "Naan bread".. gh- Y-You know what? You know what I'm gonna say to you now?" The spider-person wildly gestured with a ribbing enthusiasm, prodding Miles, who curled away in nervous anticipation. Just as suddenly as he had jumped up, Pavitr jammed his hands into Miles' armpits, spidering from there down to his ribs.

"Gudi-gudi-gudi-gudi-gudi! Tickle tickle!" The look on his masked face was determined and sly, eager to dish out playful karma. He teased, sure to rub in his grammatically correct Hindi-speaking, at machine-gun speed that went as fast as his dextrous fingers.

"Heh-hEEH-hahaHAAI'M- no! C'mon, wehe're friends, right-st-he-h-hha-Stop, stoppitst-hhhHh!! Sh-IH-ihit, man!" Miles sputtered, flailing like an awkward goose. "Ghh-Gwen! Gwen, help, he's attacking mE-!!"

She only ignored him, squealing and blushing with every octave of Miles' laughter and desperately trying not to be involved, Pavitr's prying teasing only filling her with slightly more dread.

"Hoho-heh-Hob-IEEE!! HELP!!" His hyperbolic pleas once again fell on deaf ears while Hobie's news-clipping phone case was pressed in the mugs of the two tussling Spider-People. Pavitr kept poking Miles in the ribs, gradually moving down his sides, prodding and teasing with a fascinated zest unil he reached his suit-clad tummy, which he clawed up and down, up and down, up and- it was driving Miles insane.

"Come oooon, say it, Miles! Chai is…"

"Teehee-HEEEE!!"

"Can't hear you! Chai is.." Giggling a little himself, Pavitr kept poking, making sure to harshly jab at Miles' stomach or armpits or wherever caused the best reaction as he was about to admit his "mistake". Much to his chagrin, Gwen was still acting …strange, and Hobie had recorded up to the three-minute mark by this point.

"Chahahai is tHHEEEEEE-HEE-HEE-HE!" "Stop laughing and just say it! What's so funny about masala chai, huh? Huh?" "You're the one tickling me-hehehe!" Miles attempted to swat Pavitr away, sometimes succeeding with his spider sense. "Ooooh-hohoho, then this must be a really bad spot!" Pavitr chimed, spidering the space between Miles' ribs and sides. "Yeahaha-hah, no shit!" "So, what is chai?" His laughter grew louder as Pavitr moved down to his back, sliding his fingers down it. His eyes widened- he had control in those earlier moments of playful banter- but out of pure dumb luck (and probably prayer), oblivious ol' Pav had unknowingly found his worst spot. "Shi-HIT!-SHIHI-HIT! AHA-HH-HAH!" "Shit? Chai is shit?" Pavitr mock-gasped. "The audacity!"

"Nohohoho! Chaha-Chai tehe-HEEEA!- It's good!"

"Come on, you still don't get it?" Pavitr bluffed. "I thought we were friends, Miles!" He ramped up his fast flying finger movement as his digits climbed up and down Miles' ribs like he was speed-crawling up Mumbattan highways. "I'll give you One. More. Chance. Say it."

"Chai-chahaiisteehEEhee!-" Miles panted in exhaustion, Pavitr stilling his fingers as Hobie set down his phone and Gwen perked up from hiding her face on the bar's counter.

"-pant- -WHEW- Ne-heh-ver… neveragain…"

"Wow, great job, Miles, that only took you like, three tries." Pavitr quipped, fist-bumping Hobie. Said spider-anomaly quenched his laughed-out throat by guzzling the rest of his cold chai. Gwen perked up and kept composure, patting Miles' back. "Looked ...intense." she shivered. Hobie shrugged. "Just a spot of fun. I'll send you the video." "Iiiiiiranouddastorage." Gwen bluffed, blushing. Hobie slugged her in the arm, smiling. "Pork pies. (Cockney-ism for "lies") C'mon, we're mates, make some space for me, willya?" The shared air of laughter was greeted by a frown of disdain and glare from Miles. Pavitr pattted him on the back and gave him a smile. "C'mooon, go get her! I can't bear this!" "I-It's not like that!!" ----------------------------- The camraderie came to a close with a blanket of snow-white glow, enveloping the Spider-People fast as lightning would. Everything- the mugs- the counter- Lego Spider-Man- would be gone without a trace. It was an anomaly not even this lot could fix, and the events from earlier all washed away. 4 dAYS Avengers: Secret Tickle Wars- Part III Everything will change.

[amarhastings]

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STATS

full name: amar hastings

nickname(s): am (only by a selected few, most people call him hastings or amar)

age/date of birth: 33 / october 6th, 1990

zodiac sign: libra ☼ capricorn ☾ taurus ↑

gender identity: cis male (he/him)

face claim: dev patel

place of birth: oxford, england

current location: fairford, wa

neighborhood: mountainside

sexual orientation: pansexual

relationship status: single

occupation: businessman

education level: mba in business

fears: heights

hobbies: driving, gardening, reading, crafting

languages spoken: english, hindi, french, punjabi, italian and spanish

height: 6'2

instruments played: piano, french horn, violin

tattoos: none (yet)

piercings: none

labels: the soiled dove, the benefactor

positive traits: earnest, reliable, dedicated, meticulous, articulate

negative traits: secretive, unyielding, workaholic, resentful, argumentative

favorite color: depends (for clothing is neutral colors, for decorations a wam orange/brown pallet— he tends to graviatate towards that pallet more when it comes to most things)

favorite food: italian food

allergies: none

right or left-handed?: right-handed

parents: aadhira bhatt (oncologist), thomas hastings (ceo), amber hastings (step mother/real estate mogul)

sibling(s): tba hastings

pet(s): a 5 year old golden retriever that used to belong to his late fianceé

TL;DR

tw: death mention

was born in london to a single mother who tried her darn best to raise him to be a good man while also continuing her higher education to become an oncologist, dad didn't knew about him until he was 3 but once he did, he took care of him. comes from a rich family (on his dad's side), is expected to inherit the family's company and he pretty much handles half of it since it moved to america under his care. had a fiance, richard, who was a fairford local who tragically passed away a few years ago.

HEADCANONS

his family means SO much to him, he'd do anything for them, esp his mom (who now lives in california)

has a proper english accent that he absolutely claims not to have

he's not shy per se, he loves meeting people and making friends, but he has a hard time actually letting people in/learning to trust

he's a charmer by nature, though he claims he isn't. and claims to have no game— he does.

business was never something he wanted to do himself, instead something that was chosen for him. had it been his decision, amar would be either a historian or a psychiatrist (something he may do in the future, who knows? 👀)

loves art: music, painting, litrature... all of it, big advocate. sucks at each and every one of them but he is drawn to those who excell at them

okay he is still mourning so he hasn't done much of it in a while but man knows how to party. he is very reserved and proper most of the time but when there's an opportunity to party he. turns. up. and he can DANCE

hopeless romantic through and through

technologically challenged (he TRIES though, technology is just against him half of the time)

CONNECTIONS

sibling(s) (wc on main soon)

family of his late fianceé

maybe family of his own?

friends he met when his fianceé was still alive

family friends

neighbors

best friend(s)

possible love interest (?)

flirtationships

(future) fwb?

enemies

business rivals/friends

maybe future business partners?

literally anything, the sky is the limit and he is very easy going i promise!

[interiorcollective40]

The Architectural Marvel of Mannat House: A Glimpse into Luxury and Grandeur

Mannat House, the residence of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, stands as an epitome of luxury, opulence, and grandeur in the heart of Mumbai. This iconic mansion, located in the upscale neighborhood of Bandra, is not just a home but a symbol of success and a testament to architectural brilliance. As one of the most recognized residences in India, Mannat House attracts tourists and fans from around the world, eager to catch a glimpse of its magnificence.

A Brief History of Mannat House

Originally known as Villa Vienna, Mannat House was built in the 1920s by a wealthy Gujarati businessman. The mansion was later bought by Shah Rukh Khan in 2001, and since then, it has undergone extensive renovations and expansions to transform it into the palatial abode it is today. The name "Mannat" was chosen by Shah Rukh and his wife, Gauri Khan, as it means "a vow to the almighty" in Hindi, reflecting their dreams and aspirations.

Architectural Splendor

Mannat House is a six-story building that combines classical and contemporary architectural elements. The mansion's facade features intricate carvings, ornate balconies, and tall columns that exude a regal charm. The use of white marble and the meticulously landscaped gardens add to the grandeur of the estate. The house boasts a stunning sea-facing view, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop.

Interior Extravagance

The interiors of Mannat House are as breathtaking as its exterior. Designed by Gauri Khan herself, the house is a blend of luxury and comfort, showcasing her impeccable taste and design sensibilities. The interior decor features a mix of modern and traditional elements, with elegant chandeliers, plush furnishings, and exquisite artwork adorning the walls. Each room is meticulously designed to reflect a unique theme, offering a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.

Amenities and Features

Mannat House is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities that cater to the needs and desires of a superstar. The mansion includes a fully equipped gym, a library, a private theater, and multiple lounges and entertainment areas. The house also features a luxurious swimming pool, a spacious terrace, and a beautiful garden where the family often hosts gatherings and parties. Additionally, Mannat House has a dedicated area for Shah Rukh Khan’s extensive collection of awards and memorabilia, showcasing his illustrious career.

The Heart of Mannat House

Despite its grandeur, Mannat House is first and foremost a home. Shah Rukh Khan and his family have created a warm and inviting atmosphere within the mansion. The living spaces are designed to be comfortable and homely, with personal touches that reflect the family’s personality and lifestyle. The house is often filled with laughter, celebrations, and cherished moments, making it a true home rather than just a lavish property.

Mannat House: A Cultural Landmark

Over the years, Mannat House has become a cultural landmark and a significant tourist attraction. Fans from across the globe flock to the mansion, hoping to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan or simply to marvel at its grandeur. The house has also been featured in numerous films, documentaries, and television shows, further cementing its status as an iconic structure.

Conclusion

Mannat House is not just a residence; it is a manifestation of dreams, hard work, and success. It stands as a testament to Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from a humble beginning to becoming one of the most celebrated actors in the world. The architectural brilliance, luxurious interiors, and cultural significance of Mannat House make it a true marvel and an enduring symbol of opulence and grandeur. As Shah Rukh Khan himself often says, Mannat is not just a house; it is a home filled with love, dreams, and memories that will continue to inspire generations to come.

[alokkashyap123]

Navigating through Entrepreneurship: Difference between Entrepreneur and Intrapreneur

Focus keyword: difference between entrepreneur and intrapreneur Other keywords: entrepreneur, difference between entrepreneur and businessman, entrepreneur meaning in hindi

You might hear the word "entrepreneurship" or “entrepreneur” on a daily basis and may have doubts about it and the terms used in this realm. 

When recently I visited my hometown and caught up with a childhood friend who for a long time had stayed in the same town. So in a conversation, I mentioned the term entrepreneur and he immediately questioned me about entrepreneur meaning in Hindi. 

I knew entrepreneur meaning in hindi but at that point, I was a little confused so took out my phone and simply searched “entrepreneur meaning in hindi”. The result showed:

उद्यमी

उद्यमकर्त्ता

During this conversation, we discussed all about entrepreneurship, he had some doubts and I tried clearing them up. I realized that I also dealt with many doubts at the beginning of my career and entrepreneur journey like what is the difference between entrepreneur and intrapreneur, difference between entrepreneur and businessman, and also entrepreneur meaning in hindi.

While I was pondering about this, I thought of writing this week's blog on the same. Let me try to break down this for you.

Difference between Entrepreneur and Intrapreneur

The terms "entrepreneur" and "intrapreneur" are interchangeable since they both possess traits like conviction, invention, zeal, and understanding. The two, however, are not the same as there is difference between entrepreneur and intrapreneur because an entrepreneur is a person who owns and operates a company with a significant degree of risk in the hopes of reaping advantages and returns. He is the key player who plans and organizes all the efforts to bring new ideas, products, methods, and business lines to reality.

Conversely, an intrapreneur is a company employee whose compensation is based on the performance of the business unit that they were hired or assigned to oversee.

An entrepreneur is a person who launches their firm or company with a novel idea or concept. In contrast, an intrapreneur is an employee who fosters innovation within the confines of the company. This is the main distinction between the two terms. 

Difference between entrepreneur and businessman

The second question on my mind was Am I a businessman or an entrepreneur?

What is the difference between entrepreneur and businessman?

We often associate the terms "businessman" and "entrepreneur" interchangeably, they describe quite distinct personal approaches to business. We can characterize the businessman as merely copying the actions taken by someone else with a similar notion. Entrepreneurs are those who, using novel ideas, forge a route that others haven't already taken.

Ownership of a Business: Most businessmen concentrate on running and expanding already-existing companies. They might inherit or buy enterprises. Their main goal is to maximize these well-established businesses' performance.

Entrepreneur: On the other hand, entrepreneurs are driven to create new companies from the ground up. Their goal is to turn an invention or idea into a successful business that can grow.

For example, a businessman might purchase a tiny manufacturing company. Next, focus on increasing the company's market share while optimizing its operations. Their primary goal is to increase profitability. Alternatively, a businessperson might identify an unexplored market niche. They produce a unique good or service. then start a business to close that market gap.

The key factor of difference between entrepreneur and businessman can be the “Tolerance of Risk”:

Businessman: Generally speaking, businessmen choose lower-risk endeavors. Their main objectives are to reduce risks, maintain stability, and protect current assets. They may be more risk-conservative and place a higher priority on preserving a consistent revenue stream.

Entrepreneur: Higher-risk undertakings are undertaken by entrepreneurs. They are willing to take calculated chances to realize their ambitious goals and creative notions. Entrepreneurs understand that greater risks can sometimes result in greater benefits and have grown accustomed to taking risks.

Example: A businessman lowers the likelihood of failing. They might put their money into industries or businesses with a proven track record. It's only sometimes evident if an entrepreneur's business will succeed or fail. An entrepreneur could go into an unexplored market. They either create a game-changing product or bring disruptive technologies.

These are only a few of the many facts about entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and businessmen. Believe me, there are a lot of many aspects to talk about but definitely in a new blog with a new perspective of knowledge sharing. Until then, set your mind to various tasks, allow your thoughts to flow, and let me know what topics you would like me to write about in my next blog.

[1mpulsec0ntrol]

ZAKIR SETHUPATHI

nickname; baagee ( rebel in Hindi ) // age; 27 years old - january 8th 1972 // gender/pronouns; cis-man, he/him // occupation; rapper/associate // protected by sawayama // from new delhi, india

quick summary;

Zakir was born in New Delhi, India to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother. The preasure was always on, growing up. To get the highest marks at school, to be the perfect son. Zakir excelled in very little aside from languages. And as a darker skinned brown kid, he was at the mercy of his peers constantly. His uncle, a delhi businessman, travelled often to the USA, and brought back cassettes filled with hip-hop music for his nephews; Zakir and his three younger brothers. Unlike his brothers, Zakir grew obsessed with it. He'd written poetry all his life, and here was something that put poetry to music. Only a month before he turned eighteen, Zakir immigrated to New York City, to the city where hip-hop was born. He'd always thought that these kids were similar to him, facing the same struggles because of the colour of their skin. Reality hit him only a few months into trying to make a name for himself. He continued his attempt at doing exactly what everyone around him was doing, until he realised he was lacking in two things; originality and money. He started working for the Sawayama organisation as an interpreter and translator, able to switch quickly between languages. And this too he began using in his music.

personality;

Zakir has sculpted a personality for himself that he uses when in public, going by his stage name Baagee, meaning rebel in Hindi, he is all suave and charming. He's loose and easy to talk to, will spark up conversations with anyone, and isn't afraid to talk about his passion and his talents. He comes off as loving expensive things, beautiful women, and fast cars, while switching between languages at the drop of a head to impress people.

In the company of friends however, Zakir is much more anxious and reserved. He tends to say fewer words and gives more meaning to gestures and non-verbal communication. He's a romantic at heart, always looking for genuine love from others, and always worried about distorting this image of the suave rapper. He's especially worried of the outside world learning of his bisexuality, after all, a rapper is supposed to be seen with a woman at his side, not another man.

head canons;

Zakir is a polyglot, he was quick to pick up new languages in his youth and has mastered several, while always picking up new ones. At current he's fluent in Hindi, English, Russian, Urdu, and Arabic. While being able to understand and convey a general message in Spanish, Gujarati, and Japanese. And learning Mandarin and Portuguese.

He always wears glasses, most often sunglasses.

Can often be seen scribbling down new ideas in his notebook; sentences he hears that would work good in a song, concepts that would make for good songs, little poems, and quotes from people around him.

He addresses anyone his age with either habibi ( 'my dear' or 'my love' in Arabic ) or bhai ( 'brother' in Hindi / Indic language ), and anyone older than him as auntie or uncle. Does this consistently and with respect.

Despite his mastery of languages, Zakir still has a distinct accent when speaking in Russian, English or Spanish.

connections;

wanted;

friends

enemies

people he can learn languages from

fellow artists (any type of creative)

fans of his music

established;

Anchali Malee Shinawatra - pen pall / unrequited love

Katherine Boyd - friend / mutual banter

[anuragthecoach]

How To Sell Products 

Today we will be discussing how to sell your products in business? In business, sales and marketing play a key role. it is very easy to sell your products if you know how to sell but it will be very difficult for those who don’t know it.

In business training, you are given many tips and solutions to numerous problems that are discussed by businessmen. Here, one tip will be given at the end which is a sure shot to sell your products. Before that, let us discuss some ifs and buts and some disclaimers about the same.

How to Sell Your Products

Let us begin to learn what it takes to sell your products.

1.  Personality (Inner and outer personality) of the person who wants to sell his products matters. Your communication skills, your confidence, your mother tongue influence, your education etc. also counts. Outer personality includes your clothes, shoes, accessories, your body language, mannerisms, etiquettes, the vehicle you are using etc. Your leadership skills, team leader qualities, writing skills, smart work, hard work, speaking skills, confidence, extroverted, outgoing, punctuality, disciplined, organized/planned, structured, work domain knowledge, interpersonal skills, honesty, sense of humor, proficiency in language, self-motivated, bold, courageous, decision taking, determined, perseverance, knowledgeable/educated, empathy, reliable, out of the box thinking, learning attitude, proper planning form a part of your inner personality.  If you want to sell your product, you should be good with your outer personality as well as your inner personality.

Click here to watch the full video in Hindi.

2.   Whenever you go to your customer, you should have a win-win situation that means a situation which is profitable to both of you. Your customer will not buy a product if he does not find any profit in it. You cannot work life long just by looking at your profit and not the customers’. Making profit and making customers, both are important.

3.  Have a risk-taking attitude. There is risk in every situation of life but people think that there is risk in business and sales. But the risk in business is worth taking if you want to change your life. Is there any profession which does not have risk except government job? There isn’t. Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Facebook, also says that not taking the risk is the biggest risk itself. When you take risks, you either win or you learn. You never fail.

4.  You should be able to solve the problem of the customers. You customer is not bothered about how many cars you have, how many chandeliers you have, how much money you have. What he is concerned about is your ability to give solution to his problem. For instance, no one knows how much money OLA and Uber are earning, knows one knows their net worth but what one is concerned about is which car comes first to pick him up and who charges lesser amount. Similarly, while selling your product you should make sure that you have the solutions to the customers’ problems.

5.   The salesperson should have the knowledge of the competitors. When a salesperson visits a customer to pitch the sale, he should have complete knowledge of the products that are being supplied by the competitors. He should know about their USPs and also their weak points. If you know all these things, you would be able to present your products in a better way.

Click here to watch the full video in Hindi.

6.  Schedule yourself in the best possible way. If your business is small or micro, you may have to do all the tasks yourself. If your business is medium or large sized then you will make your team do all the tasks. As a businessman you must make sure that the scheduling of your team is done every month, every week and every day. It should not be skipped for whatsoever reason.

7.  What is your prospect? Are you in B2B or B2C? If you are in B2B, then you would generally get your prospect either in the morning or in the afternoon. If you are in B2C, then you would usually get your prospects on weekends. So, you have to set your schedule according to your prospect customers.

8.  Sale is a number game. The more you would contact people, the better would be your sales. Connect with your prospects through various sources like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, JustDial, SMS, E-Mail, Instagram etc. The more you connect, the more you will get.

9.   And last but not the least, one thing that is utmost important, that is JUST DO IT. If you just keep watching such sales videos, listening to some sales tips, reading sales books but do not follow them at all then there is absolutely no point. So as Nike says, “Just DO It”. And do it right now. Think what can be done and just execute it right now. If you go to some of your prospects, you would never come without earning something. You may take hundreds of business trainings or business courses but you would surely not get anything without doing, without executing.

[a-2-z-news]

e-Shram Card Self Registration: This is how you can do self-registration for e-shram card, know

e-Shram Card Self Registration: This is how you can do self-registration for e-shram card, know

e-Shram Card Self Registration Form 2022: E-shram card is a scheme under which the central government makes arrangements for the employment of people working mainly in the unorganized sector. In the year 2021, the government started the e-shram portal (e-shram card) for this scheme. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government has transferred one thousand rupees on the basis of two months to the bank…

[nadja-antipaxos]

CAN’T MAKE YOU HAPPIER NOW - FOUR

Previously - Three || Masterlist || Next - Five

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: swearing, kissing (technically cheating), outright cheating, smoking

Note: Thank you for the love this fic has gotten. I appreciate every one of the comments and views. Please leave feedback it keeps me going. beti is Hindi for daughter. Covers 2x01-2x03. 

Word Count: 4,203

17 years ago

“Based on scenario A, what would you recommend if this was your prospective client? Mr. Roy? Care to enlighten us?”

Kendall was nursing a hangover when he heard his name. His hazel eyes skimmed the chalkboard to remember what scenario A was. 

“Not worth the risk. Any businessman worth his reputation would never go after a deal like this.”

Nisha turned from her seat in the front row, unimpressed. Obviously, she knew who he was seeing as they had a few classes together and his last name loomed large on campus. From the way his palm pressed into his forehead, someone had a headache. Given his reputation for partying, she was not surprised. She raised her hand.

“Miss Asuri?”

“I disagree.”

Kendall furrowed his brow and looked up at the pretty sophomore questioning him. He recognized her but didn’t know her name. She looked back at the professor.

“The only thing I agree with is that it’s a risk. It could be a calculated risk. You can’t just sit out of the game. Prepare for any eventuality. Reputation is earned by actions.”  Her eyes raked over him on her last sentence before she looked away entirely.  She doesn’t catch the smile on Kendall’s lips.

“Miss Asuri, I believe you just won your client.” 

Kendall spent the rest of class staring at the back of her head. Once they were dismissed, she gathered up her book bag. The professor congratulated her and she smiled. She walked out of the room and Kendall was hot on her heels ignoring the gaggle of girls that usually formed around him. 

“Uh, excuse me, Miss Asuri.”

Nothing.

“Miss?”

He reached forward to tap her shoulder when she spun around.

“Yes?”

“I, uh, hi.” Fuck. She was beautiful. Big dark eyes. High cheekbones. Full lips. Most of the girls at school were cute, at best. 

“Please, tell your roommate to stop sending me flowers. I have LSAT prep and no time for his bullshit.”

“LSATs? Aren’t you a sophomore?”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t start studying. Especially if I wanna go to Columbia.”

“I, uh, I’m not here for Stewy.”  It was very like him to have hit on the most gorgeous girl on campus and not tell Kendall. Stewy had the looks and charm, but Kendall had the name.

Nisha stared at him like he was the most annoying creature in the universe.

“Then why are you talking to me? There’s like 4 blondes over there that would die if you even breathed on them.”

His eyes flickered over to them. They were boring.

“Uh-huh.”

“Do you even know my name?”

“I know your last name.”

This time she didn’t hold back and rolled her eyes.  He was cute. There was no denying that. She just had no time for games. Or at least that’s what her brain told her. 

“Nisha Asuri.” She put her hand forward.

“Kendall Roy.” He placed a kiss on the back of her hand causing her to yank it back. She was certain that made the other girls swoon because it was unexpected and old-fashioned. Who the hell did this guy think he is?

“Charmed.”

“You sure look it.”

She let out a long sigh. She did not give a shit about him and he was eating it up. So many people treated him like a prince and she looked at him like he was gum on her shoe.

“I liked your answer in class. You know your shit.”

“Some of us have to study cause our daddy’s not gonna buy our degree.”  Why was she still talking to him? She wanted to tell her feet to move. 

He laughed and she saw a genuine smile on his face. Ohh, no. She tried desperately to hold onto her annoyance as he stepped closer.

“Please correct me if I’m wrong…”

“No.”  He saw the way she reacted and smiled even more. She was annoyed with him, but she also liked him. He stepped forward, looming over her petite frame. She stepped back but kept eye contact.

“Do you even know what our lecture was about?” 

“Kinda?”

“Nope.”  She shook her head vehemently. He was trouble. It didn’t matter if she was attracted to him. He was trouble and she had a career plan to follow.  She turned her back on him and started walking. Kendall laughed. She didn’t say anything, so he trailed after her.

“What?” 

“You’re bad news.”  She stopped in front of the building for her next class and turned her head.

He chuckled and stepped back with his arms out. 

“Don’t you know, baby? I’m a Roy. I own the news.”

She laughed, despite herself, at what a cocky little shit he was. 

Now - 48 hours later after the wedding

Nisha’s quick to bring the kids back to New York. All Logan will say is “rehab” and “Europe” and she can’t do anything with that. She’s bombarded with messages from Shiv, Stewy, and her brothers asking what’s going on. She has no idea. Kendall is freezing her out. Shiv thinks she’s upset about his relapse and the bear hug. Stewy, Ramesh, and Kapil know the truth. She doesn’t even know what to tell the kids.

Her fingers work through her dark hair as she looks at her plate. She hasn’t touched her food. She’s taking a rare personal day and everyone she works with knows why. Kendall’s on television poorly reciting his father’s words and looking ill while he does it. Why is he doing this? Why is she on the outside? What could’ve changed so quickly? When she suggested the exit clause, she didn’t expect him to use it on her. 

The phone lights up and she snatches it. It’s not him. It’s their real estate lawyer? What the fuck? She blinks, staring at it. 

Subject: Midtown Apartment

Dear Nisha,

Kendall informed me you want to sell ASAP. The market’s really great right now and it’s a wonderful apartment. Sign the attached with the secure link and send them back to me. It won’t take long for a buyer then I’ll send you the checks. Kendall, see my separate email about penthouses. 

Best,

Paula

She clicks the attachment. It’s all standard. They will split the sale. If he’s not staying there, where is he? He really doesn’t want her to know where he is.  He’s really running away and this is the first move. 

A wave of nausea settles over her and she puts her hand on her mouth. The last time she was in the apartment was the morning of the meeting. He signed the takeover paperwork and they went back there. Too impatient to go upstairs, he took her in the doorway. That happened. She didn’t dream that. It happened. They fucked two days ago. He promised. He promised. It felt so different. They were gonna win. She had him. 

When she asked about separation, she used the word “trial”. She had the decency to say it to his face and watch his crumble when she handed him a suitcase. After the vote failed and he was freezing her out, they didn’t sell anything or sign anything. Somehow, her life is entirely different after two days. 

Stewy shuffles in after she puts the kids to bed. He’s not gliding like he usually does. He actually looks pretty shaken up. She offers him a glass of wine which he readily takes.

“Nish, c’mon. I get it. You’re always Team Kendall, but—“

“I have no fucking idea what’s happening.” She drains her glass. 

His brow furrows as he looks at her. She tells him what happened two days ago. She isn’t being coy. She isn’t lying to him. She’s just out. 

“He just left?”

“He won’t talk to me.” The tears breakthrough for the first time that day. “I call and it just goes to voicemail. No one will tell me anything.”

She gets up and pours more wine. Stewy sighs and watches her move around the kitchen. She tops off his glass and sits back down.

“He’s selling the apartment.” 

“What?”

“The one in Midtown. I got an email from our property lawyer.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Jesus.” He inhales sharply. “Are you getting divorced?”

The noise that escapes her lips sounds like a hollow laugh. It’s incredible. Her relationship of 17 years is circling the drain and she found out in an email. Stewy puts his hand on her back and that’s when she starts sobbing. She can’t breathe. He frowns and sighs letting her cry on his shoulder. With every sharp breath, she can smell his extremely expensive sandalwood cologne. 

“It’s okay. Deep breath.” He whispers. It might be the first time she can hear genuine emotion in his voice. “Deep breath, Nish.” 

She pulls back mumbling an apology and wiping her eyes with the heels of her palms. Stewy shakes his head. God, it’s so strange. Who is this doppelgänger? Why isn’t he making jokes? Or a stupidly timed proposal to make her laugh? His brown hand reaches forward and brushes her tears off her face with his thumb. His skin is alarmingly smooth. He probably has more skincare products than she does.

“See? You're okay.”

She sniffles and nods as he keeps murmuring words of comfort. His thumb runs over her lip. Their dark eyes lock. He lunges forward, she meets him halfway, and their mouths slot together.  He inhales sharply and tugs her into his lap. His black facial hair scratches against her face. It’s not a sensation she’s used to. His tongue slips into her mouth and she hums. Wait. What is she doing? She pulls back and he chases her lips. She puts her hand on his chest.

“No, stop.”

He freezes. She moves off his lap and stands up.

“We shouldn’t. It’s just—I’m upset—things are—“

“Right. Right. Mistake.”

“God, how fucked is my marriage if I’m kissing you?”

Stewy raises his eyebrows and chuckles. They stumble awkwardly to the door.

“I didn’t mean to—“

“Never happened.”

“Good.”

“I’ll keep in touch if I hear from him and you…”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“Just so you know—Team Nisha all the way.”

“Thanks, Stewy. Good night.”

“Good night.” The second he’s out the door she shuts it.

“Fuck.” 

Nisha puts the stopper in the wine bottle and puts it away. Mindlessly, she gets ready for bed and nearly throws herself on the mattress. This day needs to fucking end. She pulls the blanket over her head when her phone lights up in the dark room. It doesn’t go away. She huffs and comes out of her bedding shelter. It’s Kendall. Her hand shakes when she answers.

“Hey, Nisha.”

Now that she’s finally talking to him, she doesn’t know what to say. 

“Things have been crazy busy. Hadn’t had a chance to call you back.”

“Mmm.”

“Dad’s having us meet up at the Hamptons house.”

“Okay.”

Her hand rests on her forehead. After torturing for three days, he’s talking about absolutely nothing. His voice is strained—clipped—unfeeling. She doesn’t know this person.

“Was the flight back okay? With the kids?”

“Yep.”

He goes quiet and she can’t help but laugh. He clears his throat uncomfortably as her laughter grows hysterical. 

“I was such an idiot.”

“W-What?”

“You were never gonna do it, were you? Not really. I was never—“ Her throat closes up and her vision blurs. “You made a fool out of me. Even when I…” She covers her mouth with her hand to muffle her cries. It’s the last thing she wants him to hear since he doesn’t even care anymore. She’s never felt more alone in her life. “Ramesh was right. This whole time. You’re always changing the rules. And it’s whatever you want. Always. No matter what.”

Silence settles over the conversation again. She’s struggling to catch her breath. 

“That it?”

“Oh, I have more. The fucking apartment? Are you serious?”

“Right, uh, I just thought, you know, clean break.”

“So, that’s it? 17 years, two kids, and that’s all you can fucking say?”

“…Yeah.”

Her blood boils and the rage spreads through her veins. How dare he? She doesn’t need to put up with this shit. He’s not going to give her answers? Fine. She doesn’t need them. She doesn’t want them. She’s not going to beg. She’s having the locks changed. She’s mailing him his things. She’s done. After everything she put up with, everything she’s done for him. Guided him. Supported him. Rebuilt him from his lowest. If he thinks he can survive without her, let him try. 

“Good. ‘Cause, this is over. Enjoy the Hamptons with Daddy Dearest.”

Nisha’s back at work when Kendall takes Sophie to the Brightstar Adventure Park. She resists the temptation to outdo him. Because it’s not gonna get bigger than that and it’s not a contest. Knowing how robotic Kendall has been lately, she goes for an intimate dinner in Westchester. Sophie gets her favorite chicken curry and all the homemade jalebi and gulab jamun she wants. Iverson enjoys the curry when it’s mild and likes the sweets. They giggle with their cousins while Nisha hangs back in the kitchen.

“I love her, but why did you name her Sophie? Did you lose a bet?” Kapil teases.

“It was penance since she came out brown.” Nisha nudges him in the ribs.

“Saw you on Page Six. Talking to Stewy Hosseini. Making those Roys sweat, huh?” Ramesh joins them.

“Yeah, the rumor mill is loving me these days.” Nisha rolls her eyes.

“It’s his fault. Not yours.” Ramesh sighs. “Press thinks he’s a disaster and you’re the long-suffering partner tethered to him.”

“You mean they got it right?” Kapil raises his eyebrows. Ramesh swats him on the chest.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve listened.” Nisha crunches down on the jalebi. 

“No, no, c’mon, Nish.” Kapil kisses the top of her head. Ramesh appears on the other side of her.

“We’d never turn down the opportunity to bring Logan Roy closer to death.” Ramesh puts his hand on her shoulder and squeezes. He leans in closer. “We got you. You know that right?”

“Yeah.” She puts her hand over his. “I do.”

They stay until 8 pm before going home. Nisha takes a shower while the kids get ready for bed. She has to keep herself busy. Locks changed. Belongings packed. Feelers about divorce lawyers. She’s not letting him pull the rug out from under her anymore. Nisha rubs her lotion down her arms when there’s a tap on her door.

“Come in.”

It’s the birthday girl in all her glory in lilac pajamas with her shiny black hair pulled back in a plait. Nisha grins as her heart jumps at the sight of her firstborn. She reaches for her and Sophie wastes no time diving into the duvet making her mom laugh. Sophie places her head in her lap and looks up with expectant brown eyes. Nisha hums a very classic Bollywood song while stroking Sophie’s hair. 

“Mommy?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think Daddy had a good time today?”

“He got Grandpa to shut down the park for you, yeah?”

“Yeah. He just looked kinda sad.”

“He’s busy with Grandpa. They have a very boring problem right now. Business blah blah blah.”

“Like Princess Unikitty? Business business business, numbers.”

“Yes!”

A genuine smile tugs on her lips. Sophie has made them watch the first Lego movie so many times. Does Kendall even know what her favorite movie is? Or Iverson’s? Her brow furrows as the sinking feeling spreads through her stomach. Her firstborn turns to face her.

“Are you mad at Daddy? Is that why he’s not here?”

“It’s a bit more than that, baby.”

“Did he say he’s sorry?”

Nisha clears her throat praying it’ll steady her voice before she speaks. She hates Kendall right now for putting her in this position. He’s always doing this to her. She’s the good cop and the bad cop because she’s the only one. She wishes she could be honest and tell her, but she doesn’t want her daughter to know how it feels to carry her mother’s pain on her small shoulders. She’s worked so hard despite all of their problems to make a stable life for her children. For them to enjoy just being children.

“You know we love you two more than anything, right?”

She pushes down the doubt she feels answering for him. Does he love their children as much as she does? She grew them in her body.  Made sure she ate well, exercised, and did everything to make sure they were healthy inside her. The minute they arrived in this world, she made an oath to do whatever they needed. She would walk on hot coals. Step on broken glass. Her life was no longer just her own and she gave it gladly. She’s been there through first steps, nightmares, splinters, and skinned knees. Iverson’s diagnosis. Sophie’s first haircut. The time Iverson threw his glasses into the Hudson after being chased down by a pigeon. Everyone knows her children are her world. Was it so much to ask that they be Kendall’s too? The feeling of small, warm hands wrapping around her waist tears her from her thoughts.

“I know, Mommy. I love you.”

Nisha kisses Sophie repeatedly on the forehead until she squirms away. 

“Okay, okay, enough. I’m 10 now!”

“Enough? Sophie Nitala Roy says enough to her mother’s love?”

“You don’t have to be so dramatic.”

“10 years old. She knows everything now. I guess I’ll retire. You can have the house. I’ll go to India. Live on a mountain.”

“No! You can’t live on a mountain!”

“I will! You’re so big now. My job is done.” Nisha throws the duvet over her head.

Sophie’s hands tug at the duvet and her squealing soon attracts Iverson. Nisha’s two favorite people tickle her until they’re all silly mess on the California king.

As the weeks pass, Nisha hates to admit it, but not having to babysit Kendall frees up her time and reduces her headaches. She can focus on her work and the kids. It should be easier now. She doesn’t have to give pep talks or deal with the whiplash. She doesn’t have to hope he’s going to follow her instruction and see it blow up when he doesn’t. She doesn’t have to pray he’s sober for his next meeting. This is better.  But it also means he’s not pulling her close in his sleep. Waking up with him snuggled into her side. Or whispering dirty things in her ear as the car approaches their place. The gleam in his eye when he looked up at her with his head between her thighs. No. No. No. She doesn’t need that. The previous separation had only been a few months and even then, she knew it was a power move instead of the actual end. She wanted to punish him for lashing out at her. Now, it’s just over and it’s…better. She just has to get used to it and that takes time.

Weekends are spent with friends and family. She spends a lot of time in Westchester even though this is all probably disappointing to her mother. She didn’t like divorce. Marriages are worked through only severed by death. 

She’s on the back porch despite the brisk air and types away on her tablet. It’s mostly messages to her assistant about Monday. Then she sees the email from Kate and the PR team.

Subject: Photos

Hi Nisha,

Sorry to bother you on the weekend. The New York Post is gonna run these photos tomorrow. They’re not great. Wanted to give you a heads up cause it’s a lot. Nothing about you but they’ll ask for a reaction. Let me know if you want me to draft something or if you wanna do no comment.

Thanks,

Kate

Nisha taps on the attachment. They’re low lit photos of Kendall out at different clubs obviously high. So, he’s Logan’s puppet by day and spends his nights shoving drugs up his nose. She keeps swiping. There are so many photos it makes her stomach churn. Sometimes, he’s not out in public. He’s at an apartment building she vaguely remembers him buying. He got a good deal to flip them. She didn’t care enough to hear details. He looks terrible. 

Her hand flies up to her mouth as she takes in the next photo. He’s on a balcony with a random woman hanging all over him. How could he? She can’t even picture being with someone else. The rest of the photos are all of different women. Nameless strangers. Pressed up against him with his hand lost in their hair or all over the back of their jeans. This is being published? Everyone’s going to see this. Everyone’s going to know. All of her family. All of her friends. Gossip-loving idiots on the internet. The whole world. She’s going to throw up. She rushes to the railing of the porch and heaves over the side. Nothing comes up. The tears are hot running down her face. She’s never been more humiliated. Kendall is many things, but he’s never been unfaithful. She knows that. It’s something he deeply hated about Logan. Why is he doing this? Does he even care about her? Did he ever? She hasn’t even filed for divorce yet and he’s letting these women into his bed. He made her a fool—again. She’s absolutely furious. It’s like he doesn’t care about anything anymore. She’s so upset she doesn’t hear the sliding door open. 

“Oh, beti.” 

Nisha spins around and sees her mother holding the tablet.  Her striking brown eyes fill with tears and her chiseled face colors with worry. 

“Oh, Mom, I didn’t—I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to know about this. I know how bad this makes us look. I’ll fix it. I’ll—“

Sarita throws her arms around her daughter and pulls her into a hug.

“You are a wonderful mother and a committed wife. If this is how he treats you, you have every right to be done with him.” She holds her tighter. “Better you learn that now.”

Nisha steps back and wipes her eyes. She nods. They never have conversations like this. 

“Why don’t you take a rest upstairs?” Gita tilts her head. “Arjun and I will watch the children.”

“Um—“

“I will get you when your brothers arrive, yes?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Gita guides her to the guest room and pulls down the shades. Nisha lays on the bed and her mother hands her a throw. 

“Thank you…Mom.”

“Nisha…sentiment…I wasn’t raised with it. But you have done your part many times over. He failed you and that does not mean you failed.”

The tears burn in Nisha’s eyes again. Her throat closes up, so all she can do is nod. Gita shuts the door. Nisha’s eyelids close so fast she doesn’t even realize she’s asleep until her mom wakes her. Ramesh and Kapil are outside, smoking. 

“Hey, Nish—“ Kapil starts.

“I’m sure she told you. I don’t wanna talk about it. Ram, did Stewy reach out?”

Ramesh turns to her and takes a drag of his cigarette. He nods and exhales.

“Says Sandy is interested in her our stock.”

“Hmm.” Nisha sits at the table. “So, are we still on their side or are we defecting?” 

“Whatever team destroys Logan,” Ramesh smirks. 

“But Sophie and Iverson. A public move against Logan—“

“We will always take care of them.” Ramesh passes his cigarette off to Kapil who takes it. 

“Your email,” Kapil starts, “this it or did you have something else?”

“Finish your cigarette.” Nisha looks up at him. 

“Are we putting a hit out on Kendall?” He leans forward and stubs it out on the ashtray. 

Nisha sighs. Ramesh fails to read her expression and looks at Kapil who is quite literally on the edge of his seat. 

“Logan offered me a board seat. Yesterday.”

“Holy fuck.” Kapil’s eyes grow wide.

“I think Ram should take it.” Nisha folds her hands in front of her on the table. Logan’s just looking for a diversity pick and a way to placate them. 

“His brain would explode.” Ramesh chuckles. “You should take it.”

“I don’t want it. But if we go for Stewy and Sandy, I definitely can’t take it.”

“Not necessarily.” Kapil shrugs, surprising both of his siblings. “Just means we have 2% and a board seat.” 

Nisha almost laughs and Ramesh hits him on the shoulder, smiling.

“Bloody devious, Kap.”

“You’ve said it enough fucking times. It finally stuck. Best deal for the family.”

Nisha crosses her legs and looks at her brothers.

“Kapil should take it. He’s not married to anyone on the board. No conflict of interest. Logan barely knows him. He won’t be able to play him.” Nisha smirks.

“Look at Lady Macbeth.” Ramesh smiles and she simply raises her eyebrows. “Sounds like a plan. Take the board seat and vote for the option that serves us.” 

She felt so alone a few hours ago, but she knows she’s not. They are her family.b

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Why So Jaded Chapter 8

FFN AO3 

Enjoy. 

Chapter 8

Violet was all too happy to get Buddy out of SEB and even let him drive her SUV to where they needed to go on her first official "Raid Day". Where all the "spiders" would be "sleeping" and it would give Buddy and Violet some breathing room.

"Oh my God, may the heavens themselves bless you, I almost forgot how nice it is to drive and not be driven around everywhere." Buddy thanked her gratefully as he drove her very nice SUV around Metroville, surprisingly remembering his way around here as he marveled at how the city had grown and developed since he drove around in it last.

"So are we clear?" Buddy breathed.

"Yes, all the "spiders" are sleeping. They're not gone but they're sleeping. And I've been practicing turning some that Phillip doesn't control and isn't keeping track of off and on again along with every other one I can get my hands on so I can turn them on and off on my own." Violet divulged.

"You do realize that you are officially the coolest person I know right? Like that is mind blowing cool." Buddy told her which got her to giggle as he drove them to their first destination because Buddy had surprised Violet with breakfast in his apartment. 

"Thanks, I try, I just needed to witness them being put to sleep in order to figure out how to do it. Because all I've been able to do before is just know that they're on and where they are. But that's it, I mean there have been a few that I've purposefully overpowered and fried. Like turning a burner on its highest setting. But I hadn't been able to figure out how to turn it down." Violet continued.

"That's a really good metaphor." Buddy realized.

"Thanks." Violet grinned and Buddy looked over to see her hand resting on her arm rest and resisted the urge to just reach over and hold her hand before they went to a butcher shop to get their main course as Buddy was all too happy to give her some pointers and how to pick out a great steak or chop, and then it was onto a Merry Cherry to order a good cake for dessert that Violet would be picking up Saturday morning and then to a big box store to get all kinds of things, from a playpen and toys for the kids to other ingredients and then they stopped for lunch at one of Violet's favorite places to get lunch on her days off when she wasn't in a suit, which was a 'FUBU' Mexican place which she explained was a "For Us, By Us" Mexican place and Buddy was impressed when she spoke flawless Spanish in ordering for them.

"How many languages do you speak?" Buddy asked.

"A lot." Violet answered.

"How many is 'a lot'." Buddy posed curiously.

"Take a guess." Violet prompted.

"Obviously, at least two." Buddy guessed as he dug into the chips and salsa.

"Higher." Violet gestured for him to up his guess as she helped him decimate the delicious chips and salsa because both were super fresh and delicious.

"Five?" Buddy blinked and his eyebrows rose in surprise when she gestured to go higher.

"Ten?" Buddy pressed.

"Close, 12, complete fluent languages."

"What are they? Can you tell me?" Buddy prodded.

"English, Latin- and it's the Latin that made learning Italian and Spanish a breeze but I learned Mexican Spanish first and then Spain Spanish second. Let's see- I know French, Turkish, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Russian and lastly Portuguese, I know bits and pieces of Swedish, German, Hindi and Greek. So technically more like 16. But I have to because Phillip is a world traveler and businessman and wants to make sure that he understands what everyone around him is saying, because again, paranoid." Violet explained.

"That and I already knew most of those before I ever worked for him because of my other work." Violet shrugged nonchalantly.

"And that's why you're the best at what you do." Buddy realized.

"It's one of the things, yes." Violet agreed before their tacos and other ingredients were brought out.

"Ok, these tacos are already amazing but to make them better, squeeze the lime to cut the fat, a spoonful of rice, a scoop of refried beans, a dash of mole, cover in queso, and just a dab of the green salsa unless you love really spicy then add the red and viola, the perfect taco." Violet urged as she did what she preferred to her own tacos as Buddy copied her pattern as they lifted their tacos and bumped them together.

"Cheers," they both smiled at each other before they each took their first bites before Buddy outright moaned and Violet giggled again and hummed in agreement.

"Oh, oh this is amazing." Buddy praised between mouthfuls.

"Now you see why I like to come here. FUBU anything is always better than the "mainstream" version and these are handmade, hand pressed corn tortillas that were being made as we were ordering and you always double up on the tortillas." Violet appraised.

"How many other little gems like this have you found in the city?" Buddy asked.

"Oh, dozens. Any and every kind of ethnic food you can think of, all of them 'FUBU's' . A year ago, in an effort to get a break from all the spiders, I would take myself out to lunch all on my own, I'd leave all the electronics in the car and park it like down the street and sometimes over a street from where I was really going and take like an hour and a half lunches, trying to find all these little hole in the wall places where there wasn't so many watching eyes and listening ears. And along the way, I found some amazing food and then I never showed any of them to him. Because I didn't want him to invade what little spaces of freedom and breathing room I had found. Not that he would be caught dead in any eatery that didn't have a five star rating and at least one Michelin star."

"So why are you bringing me to a place like this?" Buddy asked.

"Because I have a very good feeling you won't invade them. That you'll appreciate sharing them with me, and if anything happens and I disappear, it'll be one of the few places I'll reappear in." Violet answered softly.

"Well, count me honored and privileged then and if I'm ever in a position that I think I'm being tailed, I won't come anywhere near here or anywhere else you would take me, cause I would hate for an invasion, much less an infestation to take place." Buddy vowed.

"Good." Violet smiled appreciatively.

Once they finished lunch, which ended up taking a few hours because they got lost in conversation, they went to Violet's favorite wine and liquor store that was huge because they had everything under the sun where Buddy felt like a kid in a candy store as Violet showed him all her favorites and made suggestions based on his chosen menu and Buddy noticed that the more the day progressed, the closer to him she came, to the point that she was always taking his arm when they were walking side by side or simply standing looking at wines and other spirits and he was all too happy to get her doors for her and did his best to be a perfect gentleman which Violet appreciated and it was there in the cold room of the liquor store where Violet and Buddy were staring at one of many walls of floor to ceiling craft beer before none other than Keith and Greg showed up since they just got off of work and stopped in their tracks and stared when they saw Buddy in there with Violet as they huddled together in the cold room, trying to pick out beers but Violet didn't really drink beer and Buddy didn't either so they weren't sure what exactly they were looking at.

"Bud?" They called out before Buddy turned his head.

"Hey guys." Buddy greeted happily as Violet put on a friendly smile since she had already been running background checks on them and recognized them from meeting them in Vegas when Buddy had introduced them to her formally at the casino.

"Are you out on a walk?" They teased Buddy.

"He is, I figured if I held his hand, he wouldn't have to be on a leash." Violet answered with a shit eating grin which got them all to laugh as she slipped her hand into Buddy's and held it for emphasis but wouldn't let it go and Buddy was unbelievably pleased about that and gently squeezed it a little in appreciation.

"It would look a little strange." Greg allowed.

"Especially when he has to wear a shock collar to go with it." Violet clicked her teeth with a wink that got all of them to erupt into further laughter as Buddy's cheeks were beet red along with his ears and suddenly the cold room wasn't so cold anymore.

"So you're into that kind of thing?" Keith teased Violet.

"No, it was just a dig." Violet answered with a shake of her head.

"Damn." Buddy sarcastically snapped his fingers in his other hand in mock disappointment as Violet raised a challenging brow at him.

"I mean, whew, am I glad you're not." Buddy re-answered with a cheesy grin which earned some snickers from his friends as Violet just chuckled and shook her head.

"I'm gonna go back out and check out the cordials with the cart and warm back up, you guys can stay and pick out beer, help him pick out something you guys will like and enjoy on Saturday." Violet offered sweetly before she excused herself and Buddy immediately missed her by his side.

"Dude!" Keith quietly congratulated as he came and did the handshake hug with Buddy.

"Bud, be careful, you're playing with fire." Greg warned as he did the same.

"I know there's a risk for both of us, that's why we're just friends." Buddy reassured Greg.

"You didn't look "just friends" when we came in, you guys looked like 'cute couple' and even 'wow what's a dime like her doing with a nickel like him'." Keith murmured as he got to work getting some really good beers for Buddy to take to Violet which earned a humph from Buddy.

"Really? I'm a five." Buddy deadpanned.

"Four, five was generous." Greg added with a playful punch to the shoulder as Buddy gave him an unimpressed look.

"Sad part is I agree. So what beers should we get?" Buddy asked.

"Oh Dragon's Milk for sure. We need to cover the bases, we need to get a good stout or two, perhaps a porter, maybe a couple of lagers and pilsners and IPA's to round it out." Keith urged as he started pulling out what looked good.

"You and craft beers." Greg just shook his head at Keith who started handing him six packs and four packs before he handed the others to Buddy to hold.

"Yeah, but I'm grateful because anything other than whiskey or vodka and I'm lost." Buddy shrugged.

"Speaking of how are you doing with that?" Greg asked.

"Doing good, surprisingly." Buddy answered honestly.

"Well with a tall glass of water like the one you're with. I'd think you'd want to stay sober so you don't miss a second of her." Keith answered before he snagged two dessert beers himself.

"This is true." Buddy agreed with a fond grin.

"You know, even though she's kind of off limits. She did look pretty happy with you and vice versa. Whenever I see her with Phillip, she looks so serious and looks like she's just always on and always working and can't relax. With you it's like she's just hanging out and it's a lot more casual." Keith appraised.

"And you would be absolutely right and that's why she likes hanging out with me more than him." Buddy grinned victoriously.

"Just don't screw the pooch by screwing the boss' pet." Greg warned.

"Like I said, just friends...so far." Buddy admitted as he tried to keep his smile in check because the thought of anything more was too much to hope for yet strangely well within reach.

"So you've thought about it." Greg prodded.

"Yeah, I mean I'm still alive and have a pulse don't I?" Buddy returned as his friends hummed and murmured their agreement to that sentiment.

"Yeah I thought I saw your smile grow a little brighter when she held your hand and teased you like a proper girlfriend." Keith grinned.

"Ok, I don't know about you guys but I'm freezing my ass off in here, can we be done? Please?" Buddy requested before Keith grabbed one more.

"Yes, now we're done." Keith assured him as the three managed to get out and look through the store for Violet who was perusing the cheeses because the liquor store had a couture snack market to go with all the wine and spirits and had a really good selection and was putting some cheeses and crackers together and was getting hit on by some guy who was trying to lean into her personal space while he spit his best game at her and judging by her own body language, she was doing what she could to ignore him.

"Here's your chance, play her boyfriend and scare off the creeper, do it, do it, do it!" Keith urged in an excited whisper to Buddy who was already picking up his steps to come to her rescue.

"Honey? You pick out the cheeses you wanted?" Buddy took a chance and asked as he slipped the beer into the cart next to her and the smile Violet gave him was pure magic.

"Almost, I can't decide between the brie and the camembert. Did you guys get enough beer?" Violet giggled as Keith and Greg unloaded their beers into the cart too as she held up the cheeses in question to Buddy.

"I think we should get both." Buddy decided.

"Very smart decision Dear. I knew there was a reason I married you." Violet cooed as she stole into his side after she slipped them into the basket of the cart with the others.

"Oh, I..I didn't see a…" the guy tried to say as he started backing up at the sight of Buddy and his friends around him and knew he was outmanned and outgunned.

"Oh it's at the jewelers, one of the accent diamonds was coming loose." Violet waived off. "You ready to check out Handsome?" Violet urged Buddy as she practically moved Buddy into place pushing the cart so she could still wrap her hand around the crook of his elbow as he pushed it.

"If you are Darlin." Buddy answered as he followed her lead.

"Then let's go." Violet agreed as they walked to the check out as Violet let her head fall on Buddy's shoulder as they waited in line before she kissed his shoulder.

"Thanks for the save." Violet thanked him as she let her lips linger there and the utter delight in her eyes had Buddy hoping and praying and wishing on every lucky star he had that one day he'd make that a reality.

"You're welcome." Buddy answered before he took a chance and kissed her forehead sweetly which practically made her beam a happy smile at him as Keith and Greg knew then, that there were serious sparks there and were torn between being happy for their friend yet terrified for them both.

"You guys are gonna help us load all this up right?" Violet put to Keith and Greg who were buying their own packs of beer as they stood in line behind Violet and Buddy.

"Yeah, of course." They agreed from their place behind them and once through the line, the guys did their best "Tetris" it all into the back of Violet's SUV with everything else they had bought.

"Guys, it would be appreciated if not a word is breathed about what happened in there." Buddy reminded his friends as Violet was happy and relieved that he said something instead of her having to.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Greg answered.

"I didn't even know anything even happened." Keith shrugged.

"Thanks guys." Violet answered appreciatively as Buddy smiled proudly.

"Well, say hi to the missus' from us. See you Saturday guys." Buddy bid them before he opened the door for Violet to get in the SUV before going around and getting in it himself and was pleasantly surprised when Violet laced her fingers in his after he got the SUV in gear.

"Thank you for saying something to them, it meant that I didn't have to slip back into Ms. Parr and could just stay Violet." Violet thanked him in a soft murmur but her adoring smile was utterly divine.

"I didn't want that to happen either, if there's anything I can say or do to keep you as Violet, doesn't matter who I'm with, just let me know." Buddy returned as he chanced a gentle squeeze to her hand and was happy when she squeezed back but made no move to remove her hand from his.

"So where did you want to go out to dinner?" Buddy asked.

"Ok, I know another really good place." Violet answered as he gave him directions on where to go where she brought him to a dim sum/tapas place that was run by a couple where the wife was Chinese and her husband was from Spain and it worked beautifully as Violet once again ordered off both menus in both languages since their server was the couple's daughter and was herself trilingual, flipping from one to the other flawlessly to get all her favorites and Buddy was utterly enchanted to see her smile so excitedly and once all the food came out and soon covered every surface of the table and the dim sum had to be triple stacked because the tapas couldn't be, Buddy just beamed a proud smile to see her do a happy dance as she uncovered everything before she went around and identified everything that she ordered before she got her own plate and began getting one of everything, using her chopsticks like a pro before going for the soup dumplings first and walked Buddy through trying to eat them without burning his mouth before they alternated between the tapas and dim sum, slowly but surely getting through most of it, and making sure to at least try one of everything and Buddy felt he would have to loosen his belt and ate until he was just about stuffed.

"Ok, we have to get one more, it's a dessert dumpling." Violet said as she waived down the waitress and ordered what she wanted before she nodded and left again.

"I don't know if I could eat much more Vi." Buddy admitted as he took a breath, and tried not to belch too loudly.

"Just one more bite, find that extra pocket everyone keeps for dessert and get it ready to receive amazingness." Violet urged as she organized what they would be taking home in leftovers in the to-go boxes and in a few moments one last steamer box was brought out and Buddy could smell chocolate.

"Behold, chocolate soup dumplings, with chocolate, Nutella and bananas." Violet revealed as she took the top off as Buddy oohed. Then he carefully got the little pillow of mochi dough surrounding the gooey center and Buddy melted in his seat when he bit into it.

"See? Best last bite." Violet urged as she began to bire into one of her own.

"Do you know how to make this?" Buddy asked.

"Yes I do. The mochi dough is hard but the filling is easy." Violet answered as she finished hers just about the same time Buddy did.

"Do you want another or are you good?" Violet asked.

"I'm good, now if I take another bite, I'll pop." Buddy admitted.

"Wouldn't want that to happen." Violet replied with a fond smile before she checked the time.

"Well, we have two hours before our 12 hours of freedom is up. How do you want to spend it?" Violet asked.

"I don't care. However you want to spend it." Buddy returned.

"Could you do me a favor?" Violet asked thoughtfully as she tilted her head curiously.

"Name it." Buddy furthered.

"As sad and shallow as this is going to sound, I have not hung out socially with anyone except for other "gifted" individuals. In...well in years and being from a "gifted" family, all they know are other "gifted" people too and with other gifted people, you don't worry about hiding your gifts cause everyone has them and we always play and try to one up each other. So to try to be "normal" yet feel comfortable is going to be especially hard for me. It's going to be a challenge for me to stay Violet especially when I'm around anyone and everyone, but you, as Ms. Parr or simply "Vi" with my family. So...would you help me pick something to wear? Like set the tone, something actually casual but nice but not...intimidating. Because Ms. Parr is always commanding and intimidating wherever she goes and I don't want to be like that with your friends cause they'll never feel comfortable around me and if they're not comfortable, it's going to ruin it and this is your first social visit and I want it to go well and I don't want to ruin it for you. And I would ask Jack but he would see to it that I come in head to toe designer labels." Violet confessed lowly as they once again leaned across the table so they could drop their voices and have a private conversation despite the very busy restaurant.

"Of course." Buddy agreed.

"Awesome, then let me pay for dinner and we'll go." Violet offered and once they got their things, Violet directed Buddy to one of the high rise apartment buildings in town. Not the most luxurious, but close.

"Ok, now go to the tenth floor of the parking garage and park in parking space 10245." Violet directed as Buddy did as she asked, still not letting go of her hand as he drove his way up the parking garage. Not surprised when he saw a sea of Mercedes Benz, BMW's, Land Rovers and even some classic cars and sports cars before he found the right spot and parked her SUV into it before they got out and walked into the building where a doorman let them in from behind tinted glass of the entry way.

"Good evening Ms. Parr."

"Good evening James, how's Linda faring today?" Violet returned politely.

"She's doing better, thanks for asking." He answered before he looked questioningly from Violet to Buddy.

"Awesome, this is my guest Mr. Bartholomew Pine, This is Mr. James Conner. " Violet introduced before the two shook hands inside the entryway.

"Welcome to Sky Way, Mr. Pine." James said as he opened the door both of them as Violet came into the building and into the lobby of the floor.

"Good evening Ms. Parr." The receptionist greeted cheerfully.

"Good evening Samantha, how are you this evening?" Violet politely greeted.

"I'm doing great, thanks for asking, you have three packages today. Let me go get those for you from cold storage." She said as she quickly left and went into the office behind the desk and promptly returned with three packages, which were chilled before Buddy offered to carry them for Violet which Violet was grateful for before Buddy went with Violet to her apartment where she opened the door for him so he could get in and Violet blew out a breath of relief when she could tell that the "spiders" were still sleeping in her apartment.

"You can put them on the island." Violet directed as she got her actual mail that had been scattered on the floor since it overflowed the little mail basket and threw a small forcefield around all of it and pulled it back to her hand.

"That's a neat trick." Buddy commented as he passed her in the little hallway.

"Thanks, Jack calls it my 'yo-yo' powers. It comes in pretty handy so I don't have to bend over and pick anything up off the floor." Violet murmured a little distractedly as she looked over her mail and sighed as she began to look through it and started to organize it according to what it was before she used her powers to yo-yo two letter openers into her hand once they both came to stand at her kitchen island.

"You get the packages, I get the mail." Violet offered as she handed him one of them.

"Ok." Buddy agreed and took it and started opening her boxes which were all meal kits, which was why they were in cold storage to keep the contents fresh before he put all the food away for her as Violet opened her mail as she opened her bills first and looked those over before she opened all her other mail, ignoring the junk mail and going straight to the checks and opened those before she got a pen from a drawer in the island and signed the checks then got her phone out and took pictures of her checks to deposit them into her accounts directly before she put the checks into an envelope with the date written on the envelope to signify which checks she got which days before she put the envelope into a filing cabinet under the month folder.

Buddy couldn't help but notice that her income was far exceeding her expenses but kept his observations to herself as he realized her apartment was just as nice, if not nicer than his own apartment space. Quite luxurious and modern actually.

"You have a nice apartment." Buddy praised.

"Thanks, I'm never here enough to enjoy it, I only sleep here and eat about two meals a week here. Phillip insisted that I stay at a "safe, protected and respectable" place, so that left either here or a place at Green Gardens or Garden Square where he owns the penthouse there and that was way too close to comfort for me. Besides it has a spider and a mole problem and in two years when I'm not working for Phillip, I'll very happily be walking away from it." Violet answered as she took off her jacket and put it into the closet.

"I can take your jacket." Violet offered before Buddy took off his jacket and handed it to her.

"A mole problem?" Buddy repeated.

"Yeah not only does this place have thirty something "spiders" but the door men at both the ground level and this floor and half the reception staff and every single one of my neighbors on all sides are on Phillip's payroll to keep tabs on me and if I had to guess Phillip just got either two calls or texts or whatever saying that I've taken you to my place and so the spiders are about to wake up here, any minute." Violet predicted as she closed her eyes and focused on them around the place.

"Jeeze. Yeah, gilded cage." Buddy realized as he looked around and suddenly frowned at all of it, wondering where the spiders had their webs.

"Yup. So, let's go to my closet." Violet urged as Buddy followed her to her frankly gorgeous bedroom before she opened up a door that led to the most amazing walk in closet that was practically full of gorgeous dressy business clothes, handbags and heels before Buddy noticed that Violet stopped and stared at a little sliver of regular looking clothes before she took them all off the rack and then laid them over the bed before she decided to try to pull just a few of her more flattering blouses.

"Too much?" Violet asked as she held them out for Buddy as she held them in front of herself.

"No, like if you were to pair that with a pair of jeans it would be just fine. Granted Tammy, Lisa and Beth are probably going to dress up just a little bit too. You don't have to compete with them and you don't have to be the most beautiful woman in the room, I mean you will be no matter what, but that's just my opinion, but this isn't a competition. Just be Violet. Wear what you would if you were hosting a get together at your place with people you're comfortable with. Wear what you would be comfortable in. Remember almost all of them have kids and kids are messy so don't wear anything that won't be the end of the world if Beth's baby throws up on you or the kids decide to finger paint you with ketchup or something." Buddy explained as Violet just smiled appreciatively at him.

"Well, these are dry clean only, so something washable." Violet decided as she put them back and went through her other blouses before she came across one of her favorites that would 1. Make her look beautiful. 2. Was machine washable. 3. Not too dressy and it would go with the necklace Buddy had gotten for her that she had yet to take off.

"This." Violet decided before she held it up to her jeans before she found a nice pair of jeans to go with it.

"Perfect." Buddy nodded in approval.

"Are you sure it's not too dressy?" Violet questioned.

"You'll be fine. Honestly you could show up in just a plain t shirt and jeans and be fine." Buddy reassured her.

"Well, ok, well how about I pack, this and...this. Just in case Beth's baby practically leaks out of every orifice." Violet decided as she gathered what she wanted and put them into a small duffle bag before throwing in some unmentionables quickly from her dresser as Buddy simply sat on the bench at the foot of her bed and contentedly watched as she got what she wanted from around the room as he fantasized about how she would pack if they were actually together and he had told her that he was taking them away on vacation as he thought of all the places he would like to take her as he started to fidget with the skin around his left ring finger, wondering what kind of wedding ring she would get him if they ever did or could get married. He remembered fantasizing the same thing with Tali. But part of him was grateful that she had turned him down, because if she hadn't he would have never grown out of his obsession. And would have she been truly happy with him? Especially the person he was back then? Or would she have felt the way Violet felt about Phillip? Grin and bear it and then bolt at the first opportunity as he realized what had been Tali's breaking point. When he had shot down the plane that had them all on it. He had been so hell bent on revenge on Mr. Incredible that he hadn't even felt the slightest bit of guilt or shame in ordering to kill kids. He had no respect for the sanctity of life, especially young and innocent life and how much he deserved what he had gotten. He had earned it. That was for sure.

"You ok?" Violet asked as she noticed Buddy get withdrawn as he seemed to stare off into space before she settled next to him and reached out and held his hand again and brought him out of it.

"Yeah." Buddy took a deep breath and tried to clear his head of his accusing thoughts.

"Just deep in thought." Buddy tried to brush off.

"About what?" Violet asked curiously.

"The spiders are still sleeping." Violet whispered as she decided to rest her chin on his shoulder again and give him a curious look.

"Just wondering how close the parallels are between Tali and I and you and Phillip." Buddy confessed and Violet took a deep breath through her nose.

"Would you be surprised to learn not a lot?" Violet returned.

"I was an asshole, how could she stand me?" Buddy questioned, almost rhetorically before Violet lifted her head and just shook her head with a fond grin of her lips.

"Because of who she was at the time herself. You were strong and powerful and knew how to throw your weight around and she felt that you were simply misunderstood and she was genuinely attracted to all of that, especially when you treated her like a goddess and catered to her every need, want and whim and she was bound and determined to turn the two of you into a powerhouse couple. Be the next Beyoncé and Jay-Z but of the tech world. She appreciated your genius and knew it would just be a matter of time before the rest of the world recognized and appreciated it too and she was in it for the long haul. And if you hadn't tried to blow me and my family up and then when we survived how you treated us when you captured us, even as kids. Those were the steps too far and really bothered her conscience as they should have anyone. Otherwise she would have stayed. But messing with kids was her line in the sand as is mine. And when you stomped on it, that shook her hard enough to really see you for who you really were in that moment and it made her question if her genuine attraction was to you or to everything around you and question if it was worth it and she decided it wasn't. So she acted accordingly." Violet explained, not sugar coating it but telling him the truth, but still trying to be tactful.

"She made the right choice." Buddy concluded.

"She did." Violet nodded, proud of him for seeing that too.

"But the biggest difference is, her relationship with you was built on genuine, mutual respect that grew from there. Phil's relationship with me isn't. It's built off of power and control and manipulation and secrets and lies on both sides and Phillip adores Invisigirl and Ms. Parr -which is what his own fantasy of who I am is- that I have to live up to whether it's real or not and it doesn't matter how much I like it or hate it, it's part of the performance and he's happy with the act and buys the performance over and over again and he's never bothered to get to know Violet, the real Violet anyway. But you have, so our relationship is built off of um, let's see…." Violet took a deep breath and sighed as she brought his hand into her lap to consider how nicely their fingers interlaced together as she once again was drawn to all the scars on his hand as she couldn't help but trace them as she searched her thoughts and feelings for a moment.

"I feel ours is built on genuine mutual respect, honesty, understanding, sympathy and empathy and kindness. Which all good relationships should have and be built on to begin with, no matter what kind of relationship it is. And it's why it works as well as it does. Even with our shared history." Violet honestly appraised as Buddy carefully considered her words and was elated that it was even that much.

"What do you think?" Violet posed as she turned to him and looked at him curiously.

"I agree. Even though I'm not all that respectable, I'm a…"

"Don't. Don't start down that self deprecating pity party of a path. You're better than that and it's not fair to the guy you are now. In the past you were misguided and self righteous and vengeful. And then Karma handed you your ass and you humbly took the beating. And it's what you did after and since- that's mattered and it's what you're doing now that matters the most and who you are in this moment that matters too. Especially to me. Forgive yourself for the rest. I know I have." Violet appraised as the two shared a meaningful look and just as Violet gave his lips a glance as Buddy did the same and was seriously considering kissing her, her eyes went wide and she withdrew and bolted a few steps from him.

"Spiders are waking up." Violet whispered as she did her best to look and act "natural" again but even Buddy could see, the Violet he adored, shrunk back and Ms. Parr stepped back into the fore, he saw it in her posture and body language and Buddy was once again filled with anger and resentment towards Phillip, for doing such a thing to her. She deserved better than to live in fear, even in her own private space. Which should be sacred.

"Well, it's about that time Mr. Pine, we should be heading back, thanks for all your help." Violet thanked him as she put the bag over her shoulder and held onto it tightly as Buddy got up and left with her again and even in her SUV, Violet stayed withdrawn and eerily quiet as Buddy drove them back to SEB and the whole way over Buddy just got more and more angry and resentful to Phillip.

Violet stowed her bag of clothes in Buddy's room, in the closet before she helped Buddy unload everything else from her SUV and it was almost enjoyable to see and feel them slipping back into such domestic tasks in an effortless tandem. Even as mundane as putting away groceries was. But even Buddy could tell that Violet stayed withdrawn as Ms. Parr had taken over fully again because there was a surgical precision to her movements. She was trying to get things done as quickly and thoroughly as she could. Just a step below rushing before Buddy simply stopped and held her hands.

"The spiders won't always be around." Buddy breathed.

"I know. It's hard to know when they'll go to sleep again." Violet answered, her words barely a whisper before she reluctantly pulled her hands from his with an apologetic look as she finished what she needed to.

"Thanks for today though, I'll see you in the morning Mr. Pine." Violet said as she put her shoes back on before she left and drove home and finished putting her mail away and broke down her boxes and put them in a closet where she kept spare boxes to ship things out and was grateful that the "spiders" in her own apartment had been put back to sleep before she got ready for bed, brushing her hair and braiding it so it wouldn't tangle in her sleep and when she went to bed, she thought over all the events of the day in her head and actually smiled softly in the darkness. Buddy had been amazing, all day, and for him to slip into 'boyfriend/husband' at the liquor store had been so natural for both of them. Had her wishing maybe someday...because she couldn't deny or dismiss the feelings she had started to develop for him. It had started off as just two birds in side by side cages, sharing a toy or two. And it developed and bloomed from there. Natalia had even said that she had always been surprised when her attachment to Buddy had seemingly grown overnight and how one day she was his employee, and the next, she was his everything in all things. And how that seemed for her to be the same. One day, he was an an enemy, the next- an obligation and objective, the day after, an acquaintance, the next day he was a friend, and the day after that it felt like he was so much more but she was so scared of putting any names or labels on any of it because she didn't want to try to force it into anything or cut it into shape before it could fully sprout. She was genuinely curious to see how much more this would develop and bloom, like a growing vine despite the concrete around it.

But there was the issue of his name. Buddy wasn't exactly the most romantic name to call out during the throws of passion, Bud was informal but not quite right, although all his friends called him Bud. Buddy was a little infantilizing. Buddy is what you called other little boys on the playground when you didn't know their names. Bart was too old. Barret could possibly work before she got her phone and looked up common nicknames for Bartholomew. Barty was ridiculous. Tolly was too much like Tali. So that left...Barly, possible, but maybe too similar to barley, the grain, Barret, kind of like the gun, but it was the only good alternative she could like. But she needed something other than dead give away pet names, like Honey, Darling, Baby, Sweetie, Handsome that kind of thing that Phillip would immediately flag and get jealous and suspicious over, but still something a little more intimate than 'Bud' . Something she could use that was special but not something that would make others look at her strangely if she started to use it. It would be good on Raid days to call him something to go with Violet or Vi. Violet still came to the conclusion that Barret was as good as it was going to get because Barret and Violet did go together. Maybe he had something he preferred? Maybe something to do with his middle name. Maybe. But for now, she just needed sleep.

Violet found herself walking through another very luxurious home like space, normally, such a thing would make her a little nervous but she wasn't because Buddy was with her and held her hand as he excitedly showed her everything and explained what was what. And she was dressed casually and happily walked around barefoot as the windows were open and there was a warm breeze and bright sunshine coming in from all the windows, most of which were open and she could almost hear the ocean and to see him so animated and excited as she showed it off made her happy that he was happy. And that's all that mattered.

"And this is the bedroom, it has the best views." Buddy insisted as he opened the double doors for her before he brought her into the space as Violet softly gasped. It was even prettier than any bedroom she had ever seen in any magazine.

"We need to check out the bed." Buddy immediately hopped up on the bed, his own bare feet sinking into the softness of the mattress and the covers as he held out his hand to beckon her before she stood up on it with him before he started to bounce which got her to laugh as she started bouncing too before the two of them were outright jumping and bouncing all over the bed, laughing their asses off before they happily fell down and crashed into the bed on their backs next to each other as their laughter eventually died down.

"So what do you think of the house?" Buddy asked as they rolled to face each other.

"I love it. Even if you had not designed and practically built it yourself, and even if we had just bought it, I would still love it." Violet insisted as the two scooted closer to each other until they were chest to chest with Buddy's hand softly stroking down her back and her side as Violet reached around him and scratched his back, dipping her hands under his shirt to scratch at his bare skin, which earned her an appreciative keen from him as he rolled over her slightly to one- pin her to the bed, two- give her more access to his back.

"Really? You're not just saying that?" Buddy asked.

"I mean every word of it. Honest. It's perfect, you did so good, I'm so proud of you." Violet cooed before he dipped her head and kissed her happily as she kissed him back with all she was worth as the two of them seemed to follow a familiar pattern and chain of events as they pulled down the covers down as they tried to bare the other before they were finally rejoined.

"I'm not hurting you or the baby am I?" Buddy asked as he palmed her belly which had barely bulged as he positioned himself over her and began stroking himself into her.

"No, you're not, you're fine, I'm just happy the house is done before they come." Violet reassured him as she pulled him to herself so she could feel more of his body weight anchoring her in all the ways she needed it to before he continued.

"Me too." Buddy cooed in her ear before he playfully bit it before blazing a trail from her ear down her neck to her shoulder as Violet keened and sighed happily, letting him do as he pleased as she was all too happy to receive his affections as he poured all the love he possessed into her as she did the same.

[rileywrites]

If you’re still doing prompts, this is from your prompt list in the random section — nos. 4 or 14, or from the fluff section, no. 12, in yet another of my reluctantly shipped ships, the Book of Nile. *sigh* (I have fulfilled the requirement of the manifesto) 😆

I wanted to give you options just in case someone already asked for any one of these!

Or, if you want, you could go for my original prompt, which would be: Nile has now learned Italian, Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, perfected her Arabic, etc. When Booker returns to the fold, Nile asks him to teach her French, (which Andy, Joe, and Nicky always said would be his job when he came back) but he basically gives her the “Ask your mother” “Ask your father” treatment, passing the responsibility like a hot potato between the other members of the Guard. After some time has passed, Nile catches him quietly singing songs in his old dialect of French, and oddly, only when the two of them are alone in a room. Since his old dialect has basically died out, she can’t exactly google translate. But she begins to suspect something’s up when Quynh stops dead in her tracks after she walks in on Booker singing something while making breakfast, as Nile sits at the table, enjoying everything, which leads to Quynh disappearing, and quiet laughter coming from the bedrooms. After a confrontation, he admits he didn’t want to teach her French, at least not for a while, because he wanted to have the ability to tell her how he feels about her through singing ancient French love songs, without her knowing, promising himself he’d teach her his language, when or if the day ever came that he could tell her in words.

I’m so sorry it’s a bit long, but this just popped in my head, and I know you’ll do wonders with this, if you decide to do it. No hard feelings at all if you don’t!

Thank you so much, you’re an amazing writer, you capture the voices of the TOG characters so well — I always smile when I see your name pop up with a new BoN story on AO3!

Thank you for this wonderful prompt, darling! I have absolutely run with it. I will write the snippet prompts eventually, but this one grabbed me by the throat.

Read on Ao3 Here.

...

After fifteen years with the Guard, Nile has a pretty good handle on just about any language you could think of.

Nile can give a eulogy in Spanish, ask for directions in Pashto, negotiate a weapons deal in Russian, woo a honeypot target in Italian, con a businessman in Greek, and navigate trade in Arabic. She can read, write, and speak Ancient Greek (circa Nicky and Joe's era) and is passable in several dead languages from the Steppe and Southern Asia. She's decent at Mandarin, getting pretty fucking good at Vietnamese, and doing her damnedest to learn Hindi. (It's  a struggle.)

The one language she hasn't picked up yet is French.

It isn't for lack of trying. Her grasp at French is enough to not get her killed, but most of her practice has been with Quebecois or the dialects spoken in Morocco. Basically, if she spoke French in France, they would laugh at her, and her comprehension isn't great

"When Booker comes back, he'll teach you," Andy promises. "He has the most modern French between the five of us. It will do you better to learn from him."

"That doesn't do me any good in the interim," Nile points out.

"He'll be back any day now," Andy says. "Trust me, he'll crack soon."

...

Nile gets to their most recent safehouse late after a long night of schmoozing. She hates long cons, hates that some of humanity's evil can only be taken down with espionage and not brute force.

Her feet are killing her. These sky high boots make her ass look amazing, but her leg muscles regret every life choice she's ever made.

The TV is on, even though Joe and Nicky are supposed to be on recon. With Andy and Quyhn in Istanbul following a lead (to keep a grouchy Andy off of desk duty for a weekend), Nile's senses are on high alert.

She enters carefully, gun drawn.

"Don't shoot," Booker says, hands up. He smiles slightly. "I would have messaged, but I don't have your latest code."

"I still have the Nokia you gave me," Nile points out. "Andy could have told you that."

"Maybe I wanted to surprise you."

"You definitely have too much of a death wish for someone who can't die."

Booker doesn't have a comeback for that. Nile holsters her gun.

"Hug me, you sneaky bastard. It's been literal years."

He doesn’t need to be told twice. He crosses the room in two strides and steps into her waiting arms.

When they collide, it knocks the wind out of Nile's lungs. Breathing is irrelevant anyway, when she's in Booker's arms.

"I missed you, asshole," Nile says into his shoulder, probably getting makeup on his dumb denim shirt.

"I missed you too. I'm sorry that I did not visit sooner." Booker rubs one massive hand over her back. "Your feet probably hurt. I should let you get changed."

"One more minute."

Later, when Nile has had time to change into an oversized t-shirt and Nike shorts, her wig back on its mannequin head, Nile sits down with her feet in Booker's lap and grills him for information.

"I got sober about five years ago." Booker rubs her feet without hesitation, well-trained from centuries with Andy. "I haven't had a drop since."

Nile nudges his chest with the foot he isn't massaging.

"I'm proud of you. It can't have been easy."

"It wasn't." Booker bats her foot away. "It was worth it, though. You deserve a better teammate - you all do. Besides, I don't need to spend the rest of my immortality intoxicated. Six thousand years is a long time to be drunk."

"So what have you been doing since?"

"I spent a lot of time Journaling, processing my emotions. I worked in several literacy programs across the world, staying long enough to help but not too long." Booker shrugs. "Safer that way, I guess."

"Did you bring me pictures?"

"Of course. I have no clue how you keep finding film for Polaroid knockoffs though. It's twenty-thirty-five."

"I have my ways." Nile makes grabby hands in his direction. "Pictures. Please tell me there's pictures of you holding cute children you're teaching to read."

"Of course there is." Booker finds the envelope in his bag, careful not to dislodge her.

The tiny gesture is so fucking heartwarming it hurts.

"I have training in literacy coaching in English and French, so I've worked just about everywhere."

The photos are fucking adorable. Nile flips through them with glee, enjoying the tiny humans and huge Booker sharing textbooks and screens. One little girl in particular pops up in several.

"That's Adelaide," Booker says when Nile holds one up. "I stayed in Port Au Prince for almost a solid year, because I couldn't bear being another to abandon them. When she was adopted by a family in the church, I decided it was time for me to come home myself."

"That reminds me. You're back, which means I finally get to learn proper French."

Booker hesitates.

"Come on, Book, I know you have the qualifications." Nile retrieves her feet so she can kneel by his side on the couch. "You promised. Andy promised. No one else will teach me."

"Nicky hates French," Booker points out.

"I know, and everyone else is too stubborn. They all want you to teach me." Nile fidgets with his rolled-up sleeve. "I want you to teach me."

One good bat of her eyelashes later, and Booker finally agrees.

"Fine, fine, I will teach you French."

"Yes!"

"Eventually. For now, you need rest. Andy will insist on a stupidly early call tomorrow."

...

Six months later, and Booker hasn't said three words to Nile in French. He uses it on jobs, with Joe and Andy, when he talks to himself, but not with her.

They end up in Calais for three days, longer than expected, and Nile bugs him to go out with her.

"Come on, you can teach me in the field. I can practice." Nile pokes him in the arm. "You can laugh at my shitty attempts to use your language, and then you can correct me. Fun and educational!"

"I have too much to do, Nile. I have to make sure this program runs properly, or else we can't get on that plane." Booker waves her off. "Go read something. We have more books than sense here."

"That's not hard, when you're dumb." It's petty, infantile, but it gets Booker to smile and that's enough. "Fine. Don't think it's the end of this, though. You promised to teach me."

"I know, ma cherie, and I will. But for now, entertain yourself."

Nile grumbles. "I am forty-one years old. Don't act like I'm a child."

"I know you aren't a child. However, you are being a brat, so shoo."

"Asshole."

Nile pokes through the books in Booker's latest pile and fishes out something newer and trashy. Brainless. It'll do.

(And if she gets him to throw couch pillows at her by doing dramatic readings of the worst bits, all the better.)

...

Booker has been back in the fold for almost a year.

"Booker, you promised."

A year, and Nile is still just as shit with French - except for the curse words. She knows a whole stable of curse words now.

"Ask Andy."

Nile huffs. "I've been asking Andy for almost sixteen years, Booker. She says you'd be the best one to teach me."

"I don't know about that," Booker says, frowning.

"You're the French one."

"They've spoken French since it was invented."

Nile sighs. "Forget it. I'm going for a run."

She slides her ancient Nokia into her armband and pulls on her sneakers. A run will clear her head.

He doesn't say anything when she leaves. Nile tries not to take it personally.

They're in Istanbul, following up on the lead Andy and Quyhn have been chasing down. They're going to the Hippodrome in the morning, but for now, Nile has the evening to herself.

Why does this whole French thing piss her off so much?

(Nile isn't an idiot. She knows why.)

Maybe she'd be less irritated if he hadn't started singing recently.

It's nothing too obvious, just little snippets of old-sounding songs in a version of French that is either impossible for her to spell, too old for Google Translate, or both.

Nile turns a corner, mentally marking her distance as her feet hit the pavement.

Maybe she wouldn't care as much if Booker sang when the others were around, but he doesn't. It's just when it's the two of them.

Booker is asleep in the armchair by the time Nile gets back. She pokes and prods at him until he's awake enough to shuffle back to the bedroom.

"We've got a long day tomorrow." Nile shakes him gently. "Don't fall asleep in your boots."

"M'good," Booker says, then mumbles something incomprehensible in French.

"Goodnight, Booker."

"Bonne nuit, ma cherie," Booker says.

Nile can figure that much out.

...

The next morning, Nile wakes to singing and the smell of breakfast. She pulls on a hoodie and shuffles out of her room, scarf still on because fuck it.

"G'morning," she says, muffled by a yawn. "Coffee?"

Booker pours her a cup as she sits at the table. Before she's done with the coffee, an omelet appears before her.

"You are the fucking best." Nile digs in, content to enjoy the moment.

Good food, good company, and surprisingly good singing.

Nile is halfway through her omelet, Booker still be-bopping around the kitchen singing, when Quyhn and Andy get in from their morning run.

Both freeze in the doorway before Booker can notice, but Nile watches their minds race.

"Good morning," Nile says.

Quyhn whispers something in Andy's ear, and they walk quickly back to their bedroom.

Booker seems to realize they're there about the moment quiet giggling comes down the halls.

Nile didn't realize Andy could do anything other than chuckle gruffly these days.

Booker blushes bright red and his eyes go wide.

"Booker, your breakfast," Nile points out before it can burn.

"Fuck." Booker rescues his omelet. "I should go talk to them."

Nile stands, hemming him into the kitchen.

"Why are they giggling, Book?"

Booker refuses to make eye contact, but Nile doesn't back down.

She's been a mercenary for a decade and a half. She's faced down gangsters and serial killers and oligarchs. She can handle pinning Booker down with a glare.

"They, ah..." Booker rubs the back of his neck. "They speak French?"

"I know they speak French. Why were they giggling?"

Booker finally makes eye contact.

"They're love songs, Nile. I've been... I've been singing sappy shit from my youth, because I knew you wouldn't understand."

"That's why you wouldn't teach me."

It isn't a question, but Booker nods anyway.

"I was scared," he finally admits. "Scared for you to know."

Nile wants to say something meaningful. Wants to sweep him off his feet, wants to kiss him stupid, wants everything in the world.

Instead, she steps back.

"We have a job to do. Tonight, if you want to, if you're ready, I want you to translate your songs for me. Then we can talk, yeah?"

"I-" Booker nods. "Yeah. Yeah, that works for me."

She turns on her heel to go get ready for the day, leaving Booker in the kitchen staring after her, baffled.

...

Later, blood and mud spattered and healing from a sizeable fall from a horse, Nile limps into her bedroom. She manages to get most of her layers off and into a basket to see if they can be salvaged, but her ribs are still healing so bending too much is out of the question.

Getting her bra off is an Olympic event.

Booker doesn't knock until after she's showered.

"Come in."

"I brought you... well, the translations." Booker holds out a new-feeling leather journal. "I wrote down all the ones I could think of. You can read them, and I'll just-"

"Sit," Nile says before he can escape. "Please, stay."

Nile reads, connecting words to tunes he's been singing for weeks.

They're sappy, fond, romantic, saucy. Nile enjoys peeking up at Booker to see him blush almost as much as the love confession she's holding in her hands.

When she reaches the end of the lyrics, Nile crosses the tiny bedroom and looks Booker in the eyes.

"Booker?"

"Yes?"

"Are you ready to teach me French?"

Booker nods, blushing. "If you would like, ma cherie."

Nile finally kisses him. "I would like that very much."

[themovieblogonline]

Sarfira (2024): The Crash Flight Of The Common Man

Fasten your seatbelts because it’s time for the common man from India to reach sky-high! Written and directed by Sudha Kongara, the craze turns wild with “Sarfira”! Witness the madness and hunger of the common man to achieve his dream in an ocean of obstacles, his own Airline! Starring the "Khiladi" Akshay Kumar, Sarfira hits your nearest theaters on July 12, 2024. Experience The Spirit of Sarfira with Bollywood Star… Akshay Kumar! https://youtu.be/v546mSwEtCw?si=YbEM5cNxEJjiMFMz Sarfira (2024) Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/8Iy2geJD8HY?si=2biytQKTH2KRu9_0 The Good: I have to appreciate Bollywood’s idea of showcasing an inspiring true story of an underdog who bars all obstacles and achieves his dream. The dedication, perseverance, and enthusiasm shown by the lead character Vir Mhatre (played by Akshay Kumar) in achieving his business goal are indispensable. This true story can motivate many. If you have lost hope about achieving something you dreamt of, then you must visit your nearest theaters and consider watching this inspirational movie. The visuals in Sarfira have a rustic appeal. Many dialogues in Sarfira are thought-provoking. For example, in a dialogue, Akshay tells Paresh Rawal, “Sir, Main Chahta Hoon Aam Aadmi Aasmaan Choo Sake”, which means, “Sir, I want every common man to touch the sky”. And I have to tell you, the combo of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal in itself drives audiences to theaters. They both have a glorious past together in the history of Hindi cinema. Paresh Rawal as an actor is outstanding. His comical punches in his villainous business tycoon character add life to the screenplay. South’s superstar Suriya has a sensational cameo in Sarfira and the pairing of Akshay with Suriya was indeed delightful. And why not have a cameo? After all, Suriya and his wife Jyothika are co-producers of this movie. https://youtu.be/TJG9qOJi_jQ?si=5F_Ghobtn27ik0kQ The Bad: If you want to witness your favorite “Khiladi” cry like a baby, then this movie may appeal to you. You may be amazed that according to reports, Akshay didn’t use glycerin for his emotional scenes. He said that he used to recall the event of his father’s demise and that made him really cry and shoot the emotional scenes! This emotional drama is based on a real-life personality G.R. Gopinath who founded Air Deccan, India’s first low-cost affordable airline for the common man. Akshay plays his character but is named Vir Mhatre here who is an Air Force pilot-turned-businessman who dreams of opening his own airline. This 2-hour and 35-minute drama is laden with emotions and has Akshay crying frequently. Mhatre had to face emotional, financial, and logistical hardships such as his opinion clash with his father, setbacks driven by corruption, bureaucracy, and betrayal; and worst of all, rivalry with a powerful aviation mogul (played by Paresh Rawal). I would say that having a superstar like Akshay, who is known for being a daredevil action hero, crying like a kid amidst personal, family-related, and career-related challenges can be unacceptable for many. People just don’t seem to enjoy watching him that way! Moreover, the aging Akshay, in certain scenes, has looked horrible in his character of Vir Mhatre. I bet the filmmakers wanted to show that he is toiling hard to set up his dream airline but showing him in an unkempt style with messy hair, a face full of graying beard, and shabby clothes is just not right. Even a well-groomed man can work hard and achieve his dreams. In the quest of making one's dream come true, you need not show the central character in such a shabby and unkempt look. Indeed, Akshay Kumar is one of the most handsome actors in Bollywood and was the heartthrob of every Indian actress once upon a time. But just look at how he has been depicted in this movie. People may despise the character he is playing just because of his awkward appearance. Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan in the romantic track “Saare Ki” from Sarfira https://youtu.be/ykuZWxUBy54?si=k5-9qdS9Ebw5HAFk The biggest drawback of Sarfira is that it is a carbon copy of the 2020 Tamil film “Soorarai Pottru” which stars South’s sensation Suriya. That Tamil film too was written and directed by Sudha Kongara. Even the casting was the same with Paresh Rawal as the villain who played the lead character’s rival businessman. The only difference between Soorarai Pottru and Sarfira is in place of Suriya it's Akshay Kumar. And disappointingly, Akshay in this Bollywood remake just doesn’t seem to match the vibe and hype of Suriya. I don’t know why, but maybe because Akshay has become too old to match the chemistry with his co-star Radhika Madan, or maybe because of his weird unkempt look in the movie, or even maybe because he has been made to cry like a kid which just doesn’t suit his personality. I believe Sudha Kongara has made a big mistake by remaking Soorarai Pottru as Sarfira in Bollywood. It's because many people had already watched that Suriya-starring Tamil drama and this Bollywood remake has nothing new for them. Shot by shot it is an exact copy of that film. Also, the Hindi-dubbed version of Soorarai Pottru is already available on Netflix. People who don’t understand Tamil can very well watch the Hindi version of Soorarai Pottru. Then why waste your time, energy, and money to watch that same movie in theaters that has been remade by Bollywood? If you want to watch it just to see Akshay, then you are most welcome! https://youtu.be/mzHsDu1VUyM?si=uiswW5-0v8MOGQWF The Verdict: Even if Sarfira is a motivational story based on businessman G.R. Gopinath’s memoir “Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey”, it won’t work out at the Box office. Unfortunately, the film also suffered because nothing much had been done to promote it before its release. This exciting flight for the common man may have succeeded in gaining altitude, but it simply crash lands! Even if the story of Sarfira is appealing and inspiring, it won’t influence you. You may feel lost upon knowing the real story. The fact is, India’s low-cost airline, Air Deccan had shut down long back. So what if it was a flourishing airline business once? Where is it now? People get inspiration from the things that leave their mark but sadly, Air Deccan didn’t. Just as that business didn’t succeed, similarly, this emotionally inspiring drama wouldn’t. The bad news is that the aging Akshay tested COVID-19 positive after this film's release. This is the third time he has been detected with COVID-19. Hope he recovers soon in good health and continues entertaining us with his movies. https://youtu.be/X7sc-TCUAsM?si=RtGYJA-I2zx2WBQe Read the full article

[sharmap12]

Cup of Serendipity

Chapter 1: Flying high

Coffee shops are one of the most common places for people to meet new people, make new friends, meet old friends or bump into old relationships.  It was the summer of 2009 when Divya was accepted in Arts program at University of Arts, London. She was excited but nervous about starting a new phase in her life. Leaving her past back in India. She left Delhi with a big smile on her face, nervousness in her heart and confidence in her thoughts. She landed at Heathrow airport where her best friend is desperately waiting to pick her up. Nisha; Divya’s best friend since 5th grade. The moment Nisha saw Divya at the arrivals, she jumped up and down with happiness and excitement of seeing her best friend. Nisha ran towards Divya and hugged her so tight that Divya could barely breathe. Nisha whispered to Divya in her ears “Welcome to London, bi**”. Divya, smiled and hugged her back tightly. Nisha’s father was also very happy to see both the friends and said to Divya “Welcome home kiddo”. Seeing the love and affection in Nisha’s father’s eyes, Divya had tears and was very emotional. She said “Thank you uncle for coming to the airport to pick me up”. Nisha and her family moved to London when she was in 9th grade. Her dad is a decent businessman and they lived just outside London.

Chapter 2: Friends forever

Divya couldn’t describe her happiness in words but her eyes were filled with joy and gratitude of being with a loving friend and her family.

Divya was eagerly looking forward to start her new school in a week and before that she had to find her own apt to live. Nisha was upset with her decision because she wanted Divya to stay with her. Nisha said “Divya, are you upset with me or mad at me? Why do you want to stay in a different place away from me?” Nisha was sad and Divya knew that her friend was in pain. Divya, said “Nishu, I am not mad at you. I am grateful that I have a family away from family, but I need to become independent and that is the reason I applied for Art school in London. I need to learn to live by myself. I can never forget what and your family has done for me but now it’s time for me to take the next step in my life.” Nisha, knew exactly what Divya meant and didn’t want to push her to stay with her. Nisha agreed and both decided that this last week of her stay at Nisha’s house has to be memorable and fun. Nisha had a big surprise planned for Divya and the week started with a day of bicycle riding all around the “London eye”. Divya always loved riding a bicycle and the summer near the London eye was gorgeous and filled with people.

Divya laughed at seeing a little girl and stopped her bicycle. Nisha was slower than Divya and seeing Divya stopped, Nisha stopped and asked “Divya what happened”. Divya replied “Nishu, do you remember when we were kids, we used to swing on the swing set in the park near our houses. I just remembered our first meeting om the slide”. Nisha immediately went in back in her memories and remembered that day on the slides when and how she met Divya. Nisha said “Divya, I can never forget that day when you saved me from that guy who used to bully me on the swings and taught that guy a good lesson”. Divya smiled and said “Look at that little girl. She is also doing the same thing, saving her friend from a naughty boy”. Nisha and Divya re-lived their childhood days biked around the Ferris wheel.

They laughed, danced with street musicians and enjoyed themselves. It was the second day of the week and Nisha woke Divya at 6am and drove her to the beach for morning sunrise. Divya has never been morning person and hence Nisha wanted to annoy her but waking her up early. But to Nisha’s surprise, Divya had changed and got ready before 6 am. Both left for the beach with hot ginger tea and old hindi songs. Divya, just enjoyed the drive, tea and the effort that Nisha took to make Divya feel happy and nice. Divya had never felt so relaxed and free than before. Looking at the sunrise, Divya knew that this year will be a new beginning in her life and it will be full of joy and happiness. After enjoying the sunrise, both of them spent the rest of the day pampering themselves. Nisha took Divya to a day spa with clay mud bath, sauna, massage, manicure and pedicure. Divya had never been to a spa before and seeing the spa, she was excited but nervous about different services as they required her to take her clothes off. Divya hesitantly said “Nishu, I don’t think I can do this. I am not comfortable taking my clothes off for the services”. Nisha smiled and said, “Divya, it’s a private session and it will be all women so just don’t worry and be shy. They will take care of us”. Divya, as usual trusted Nisha and got ready for their first service “clay bath”. Both were submerged in the clay mix with wine glasses on their side and lavender and vanilla candles lighted around their tub. Divya had never experienced anything like this. She felt extremely relaxed but little ticklish. She said “Nishu, I feel nice but I feel little mushy and ticklish”. Nishu grinned and said “Dude, this is how it’s supposed to feel”. And for the next 1 hour, they both talked and reminisced their friendship and childhood. Next stop was sauna. Divya has always been very sensitive to heat so she told Nisha that she cannot take the sauna and that Nisha should continue with her sauna appointment. Nisha said “if you won’t come to sauna then I don’t wanna go alone. Let’s go for massage”. Both smiled and went to the massage room and enjoyed a 90 min deep tissue massage followed by manicure and pedicure. They both enjoyed their day, full of wine, scented candles and deep tissue massage. The day couldn’t have been any better. Divya saw her manicured nails and was so happy that her eyes filled with tears. Divya said emotionally “Thanks Nishu. I can’t thank you enough for such a memorable and lovely day”. Nisha’s reaction from happiness changed to anger and she said angrily “Don’t talk to me Divya”. Divya was upset and confused but didn’t know why Nisha was angry. Divya asked Nisha in tensed voice “What happened Divya, why are you angry with me, what did I do to upset you. And, even if I did something unintentionally, then please forgive me”. Nisha was angrier than before and ran out of the spa and stood at the curbside waiting for her driver. Divya ran to her and looked at her worriedly. Nisha said “Divya, do you think we are best friends?” Divya was perplexed and scared as to why Nishu was asking this question. Divya instantly replied “Of course, Nishu, why are you asking me this question”. Nishu replied “Divya then why did you say thank you for everything that we did today. You say thank you so this means that you don’t consider me as your best friend”. Divya, was relieved to hear the reason behind Nisha’s anger. Divya gave a back hug to Nisha and said “I love you sexy, and I promise I will never say thank you again. Are you happy now”? Nisha dropped her act and started laughing. She said “Divya, you are my sister please never say thank you again. Thank you and sorry between us feels like we are having a formal relationship and not emotional”.

Next morning, Nisha had planned for a family outing to some of the famous gardens in London. Divya, Nisha and her parents all left early morning to cover all the prominent gardens. They all had fun and best family time together. Divya felt like she was with her family and not away from them. They all returned back home that evening with bunch of pictures and souvenirs from the gardens.

Two days left and Divya was now getting nervous about her semester, new apt and staying alone. Divya and Nisha planned next day to finish Divya’s shopping for the new apt and everything that she would need to set it up. Both of them went to a home décor shop and Divya’s eyes lighted up seeing ceramic jars for sugar, coffee and tea. She just couldn’t help herself from buying and she bought the set for her new apt.

From that store, Divya also bought some cushions for her couch, new bedsheets, corelle dinner sets and kitchenware. Divya was very happy and excited to move into her own place, set it up and decorate it just like she dreamt of.

Divya and Nisha ended up going to different stores and finishing up shopping for the apt. Finally, at the end of their shopping schedule, Nisha had a surprise for Divya and she took her to this boutique with exquisite dresses. Nisha blinded folded Divya and took her to the store. Divya was very confused and surprised at Nisha’s actions and she said “Nishu what are you doing? Where are we going?” Nisha replied “Divya, be quiet and keep walking with me”. Divya said “But Nishu, I don’t understand, all this”. Divya would not stop asking questions. Nisha finally took off the blind fold and presented her the best dress for her first day at the art school. Divya had no words and had tears of joy, love and gratitude. Divya couldn’t keep her emotions within after seeing that gorgeous laced neck black dress with silky satin black bow at the back. Divya ran back and hugged Nisha and said “Do you think I really deserve such a friend like you? You have been more than my family and I am not sure if I can take this”. Nisha lightly slapped Divya and said “Shut up bitch and just try it on”. Divya took the dress and went inside to try it on and when she came out wearing the dress, Nisha and sales girl’s eyes and mouth were wide open. Divya was looking stunning, sexy and exceptionally gorgeous. Divya never felt so confident and pretty before. She said “Nishu, how do I look?”. Nisha smiled and winked at Divya and said “You look and alright”. Hearing that Divya lost her smile and started walking towards the changing room. Nisha hugged her from back and said, “If I were a guy, I would have proposed you today”. Divya screamed and hugged Nisha back and said “Thank you Nishu”.

Both of them took the dress and went back home with lots and lots of shopping bags.  

It was the Friday, just before Divya was moving into her apt, they were passing through a street market and saw a cute coffee shop. They decided to stop there for a cup of coffee.   She didn’t know that coffee shop will change her life completely. 

Have you ever felt sudden jitters in your heart, butterflies in your stomach not because of happiness but because of something that is about to happen, good or bad? That’s exactly what Divya felt in that coffee shop.  She couldn’t put words to her restlessness but she knew something is going to happen. She was about to face her past in the most unexpected place.  Divya was standing in line at 5th position and he was in the front of the line at the counter ordering his coffee and he said “Can I get black coffee”. Hearing those 5 words, Divya’s heartbeat increased and she could hardly breathe. She started looking around to see who ordered that but couldn’t see the face of that person. She left the line and rushed outside. Seeing Divya run outside, Nisha rushed to see what happened to Divya suddenly.  Nisha asked her “Divya what happened, are you ok?” Divya couldn’t speak a single word. She was hardly breathing, Nisha tried to calm her down and by the time, Divya came to her senses, the person who ordered black coffee was gone.  Wanna know who this person was???

Chapter 3: Present meets Past

The mystery person was none other than Divya’s ex-bf; Ishaan.  Nisha and Divya left from the coffee shop and came back home that evening. 

Weekend passed by and Divya was ready to move to her new apt. Nisha and Divya forgot about the coffee shop incident in packing and moving to Divya’s new apt.  Weeks passed by and Divya enjoyed her Art classes and finished her first semester with amazing grades. She was all set to go back to India for her vacations and meet her parents. Her flight was in next 2 days and while she was shopping, she stopped by the same coffee shop where she heard Ishaan voice for the first time.  Divya ordered her coffee, turned back and boom... bumped into Ishaan. Their eyes met and, in an instance, all her past memories came to life in front of her eyes.  Ishaan and Divya stood there for 5 minutes looking into each other’s eyes. Divya suddenly comes back to reality and runs out of the shop. Ishaan was all confused, shocked and stumped with what just happened. He couldn’t believe his eyes and what they had seen. It then hit him that he just stood there and didn’t do or say anything, not even a “Hi”.   What would happen now??? I am sure you all are thinking that this story will have happy ending and they will live happily ever after. Hmm...  You will have to read ahead to know what happens next.

Chapter 4: First meeting after breakup 

Ishan was standing with his coffee outside the shop staring at the road. He was feeling a rush of mixed emotions, anger, sadness, shock and strongest was love. Ishan was in denial that he still loved Divya.

Divya went to India for her 2-week vacation and while she was in India meeting friends and family, all she could think of was Ishan. She had questions. “Does Ishan live in London, was he just visiting? Did he remember everything? Why didn’t he speak to me?” and so on.

2-weeks passed by in a flash and it was time for her to go back to London for her next semester. She was happy and sad at the same time. But she couldn’t wait to meet Nisha and tell her all about Ishan and how she met him in that coffee shop.

The moment Divya landed in London, she called Nisha and asked her to meet her at the apt. Hearing the desperation and worry in Divya’s voice, Nisha rushed to Divya’s apt as soon as possible. She rang the doorbell and without any delay Divya opened the door and hugged Nisha so tightly that she could hardly breathe. Nisha said “Divya, I can’t breathe”. Divya realized that she was almost choking Nisha and quickly left her. Nisha worriedly asked “Divya, what’s wrong? What happened. Did something happen in India or someone did something? I am very scared please tell me what’s wrong and why are you crying”. Divya said “Nishu, I saw him. He is here”. Nisha was confused and didn’t know whom Divya was talking about. Divya continued and said “Ishan is here in London”. Nisha was speechless. Nisha stood up and held Divya by both her hands and said “WTF. How do you know? Did you talk to him or meet him?” Nisha’s voice had anger and concern for her best friend and she wouldn’t let go off Divya’s hands. Divya told her the entire incident and said “I just ran away. I didn’t know what else to do”. Nisha consoled her and said “Divya, I am sure that he was just visiting and doesn’t live here. He won’t hurt you again. I am here and will not let you get hurt again”. Both of them hugged each other and Nisha wiped Divya’s tears and said “Let’s do our most favorite thing. Watch a nice movie with popcorns”.

For a moment, Divya forgot about Ishan and enjoyed the movie but Nisha was scared in her heart and was determined to protect her best friend this time. She had some friends doing computer engineering and who were good at finding people. She spoke to them and started looking for Ishan to conform if he is living in London.

Meanwhile, Divya and Nisha started their second semester and Divya was getting back to her normal routine. But Nisha never stopped looking for Ishan and finally after a month’s search, Nisha’s friends came back with all the information on Ishan.

Chapter 5: Who is Ishan?

Ishan was indeed living in London with his family. He and his mom with his grandmom were living in Chelsea. He was studying International Law from King’s College, Cambridge.

Nisha wanted to tell Divya but she didn’t know how to break this news to her.  She couldn’t keep this information from her and hence decided to tell all about Ishan in her favorite restaurant and over her favorite food. Nisha and Divya met at “Lucky da dhabha” in city and ordered spicy Indian paneer curry with daal and garlic naan.  Divya had always been a big foodie and she was so happy smelling and seeing all that Indian food. Divya said “Nishu, I am not waiting for you, I am eating”. Nisha thought this is the best opportunity to tell Divya about Ishan.  Nisha hesitantly started “Divya, I need to tell you something”. Divya was so happy eating the food that she didn’t notice Nisha’s facial emotions and slight fear of the conversation that was about to begin. Nisha continued “I want to tell you about Ishan”. Hearing his name, Divya dropped her bite and screamed “what”. Nisha knew this would be her reaction but food has always been the calming remedy for Divya. She didn’t run away or freak out on the dinner table, but she was perplexed that Nisha brought the topic again.  

Nisha said “Divya, just hear me without panicking and freaking out. After you told me about Ishan being in London and your encounter with him in coffee shop, I snooped around and found something that you should know”. Divya’s heart was sinking with suspense and fear about what was coming next. Nisha said “Unfortunately, you were right Divya, he is here. He lives with his mom and grand mom in Chelsea and he is doing International Law from King’s college in Cambridge”. Divya couldn’t believe that her worst nightmare was turning into reality. She asked Nisha “Are you 100% sure? Maybe you have mistaken and its someone else”. Nisha held Divya’s hand and said “I am sorry Divya, it is true. I confirmed multiple times and I even went to his home and saw him there. I am sorry Divya but I wanted to be sure and protect you this time. Please don’t be mad at me.” Divya stood up feeling devastated and helpless and walked out of the restaurant quietly and slowly. Nisha had tears in her eyes and guilty feeling in heart that she betrayed her friend. She paid the bill and ran after Divya. Nisha knew that she can’t handle this situation alone and she needed someone else to handle Divya with her.

Here comes the entry of their super woman friend, Ashima. Ashima was their neighbor in India but she was elder to Divya and Nisha by 6 years. Ashima had a big influence on Divya and she was the one who helped Divya first time when Ishan came to her life. Ashima was married and moved to Belgium with her husband. Nisha had recently connected with Ashima through facebook and thought she is the best person to handle Divya at this time. While Ashima’s thoughts were going on in Nisha’s head, her heart was crying for Divya because she had not spoken for over an hour to Nisha. “Divya was never quiet; she couldn’t sit quietly even for 5 min and today she hadn’t spoken a single word for past hour.” Nisha was even more terrified. To break the silence, Nisha stopped Divya and pulled her towards her and said “Divya, please say something to me else I will die of fear”. Divya couldn’t snap out of her mental state and looking at her miserable state. Nisha had to do something. Nisha said “I am sorry Divya”, and slapped her. Tears rolled Divya’s eyes and she screamed “why me God, why did you bring me here”? Listening those words, Nisha panicked and she said “Divya, nothing has happened, everything will be fine. This is a big city, the chances of him finding you or hurting you are very low”. Divya said “Nishu I can’t live here anymore. I need to go back to India”. Divya couldn’t let her leave and run away from her career and life. Nisha took Divya to her home and forced her to stay the night at her place. Divya couldn’t stop crying. Divya kept her head in Nisha’s lap and said “Nishu, I am not mad at you, you were thinking best for me and therefore you looked for him but I can’t do this again. History cannot repeat itself”.  Nisha said while brushing Divya’s hair “I am sorry Divya but you have to get over it. You can’t live in your past. You have to face it and be brave.” Nisha knew bits and pieces of Divya’s past but she never knew the whole story. She thought, she should ask her about it to help Divya get over Ishan. Nisha said “Divya, what happened in the past, would you share with me”.

Chapter 6: Down the memory lane

Divya wipes her tears and goes back 5 years when it all started. “Nishu, it all started in my first year when I met Ishan on the first day of my undergrad. Even today I remember what he was wearing. He was wearing a dark blue jeans and white t-shit with a denim jacket. All the girls in the college were staring at him when he entered the college gates. He was one of the most handsome guy in the college. But I never paid attention to him because for me excelling in undergrad and getting into best art school was more important. Ishan and I were like opposite poles in studies. I was always focused on performing best in academics and he focused on girls and performing best in extracurricular activities. We never spoke and met each other for almost a year. But who knew our paths will cross and merge on the day of love -“Feb 14”. He was flirting and going around with almost all the girls in the class and had brought red roses for all of them. I never liked the idea of Valentine’s day and hence I took off that day. My friends kept calling me to college but I kept saying no and then one of my friends came home, spoke to dad about taking me out for lunch to celebrate Valentine’s day. Dad, gave permission and I had to go with her. I didn’t like all the fuss about Valentine’s day and what boys did for girls on that day. I always thought that love is not about roses and teddy bears and chocolates. Love is the soul of all relationships and it can never be expressed in materialistic things. It can only be shown in love, care and unspoken understanding. But everyone is so in love with love and romance that no one really cared about the real and true love. My friends thought I always behaved like a 90-year-old lady. They always teased and taunted me for my old – fashioned thoughts. My friend took me to a very cute café that served best coffee and pastries. You know how much I love pastries, so I was excited about the café and the pastry. I ordered my favorite black forest pastry for myself and couple others for my friends. I took my first bite and there he was in that café with my friend. He gave her a rose and wished her Happy Valentine’s day. The smile on friend’s face was from one end of her cheeks to other. I have never seen her smile and blush so much. This was all Ishan’s so-called charm and magic. I could never fall for such crap. I continued with my pastry and he walked slowly towards me and said, Happy Valentine’s day with a red rose. I smiled and said “No thank you. You can keep you rose and wishes”. He looked around and saw people were staring at him and thinking him as a loser that a girl said No thank you to his charming and cute Valentine’s day wish. He said to me, “are you serious? Did you even hear what I said?” I said, yes, I heard what you said and I have replied appropriately. I don’t believe in V-day, and I am sorry, but I don’t need this rose from you.

His eyes were wide open in surprise and anger because someone actually rejected his flirting. I left from the café and went back home. I felt bad for him but it didn’t really matter or mean anything to me. Finally, the valentine’s day madness was over and classes were back on. Ishan made all efforts to talk to me during or in-between classes but I tried to avoid him. I knew that talking to him and being friendly with him will just distract me and I couldn’t afford that. He kept trying day after day and I tried my best to keep my distance by either hiding out in library or leaving for home immediately after my classes. And one day, right before our final semester exams, he came up to me and said “All the best Divya”. I was shocked and speechless. He was staring at me and waiting for me to say something and I was just staring at him and his eyes. Immediately realized that we have an exam and I wished him same and rushed in the exam hall. He wished me every exam day and I wished him back without any additional word. Finally, it was the last day of exam and while everyone was celebrating and planning for parties and how they will spend the semester break, I was biting my nails in stress and tension for the exam. I hated history and I knew that I might not excel in this course and that feeling was killing me. As usual, he came to me and today he said “Don’t worry you will do great in history too, good luck Divya”. Trust me Nishu, those words had some magical effect, I felt so nice and confident that all of my stress just vanished. You won’t believe, I scored highest in history. I didn’t even realize but I had started feeling something for Ishan. I was so stupid that I thought that butterflies in stomach was some kind of sickness and ignored them. Semester break also helped in ignoring the actual feelings. Time passed and finally it was time to get back for 2nd year.

Chapter 7: I love you

First day of 2nd year started with welcome back celebration and new batch of 1st year students. It was a regular day with everyone trying to find their classes and schedule, when Ishan entered the college. He had a small beard with white shirt and jeans. This time I did notice him and admired him. He saw me with my friends and stopped by and said “Hi Divya”. I replied with a smile “Hi Ishan”. I thought he would ask about my vacation and how I have been but he didn’t ask anything and left. I didn’t like it. As basic courtesy he could have asked about my vacation, but he didn’t. I was upset but knew all this is nonsense and I need to focus on my studies. Our classes were now separate as he took law and I went into Arts. We would only meet either in library or in college canteen. He and I never had any interaction more than Hi or Hello. And one day, on my birthday, I was in library and he texted me “Happy birthday, can we meet today?” I didn’t know who it was and how to meet. I just ignored the text and continued with my studies. I didn’t realize that he was hiding behind a bookshelf and was looking at me. He texted me again but this time it had “Divya, I really want to meet you today at 6pm in front of college gate – Ishan”. I didn’t know what to say and how to react. I couldn’t stay in college after 5pm but somewhere down the heart I wanted to stay and meet him. I called papa and said “I have to stay late for art practice with my classmates”. Didn’t feel right for lying to papa but then somehow, I was happy doing so. I gathered courage in woman’s restroom and then met him at the gate at 6pm. He didn’t come. I waited for 10 min but he didn’t come. Then suddenly, a girl came by with a yellow rose and gave me a note that said “come inside the library”. I smiled at the yellow rose and I went to the library. He was standing at the entrance with a big bouquet of yellow and pink roses. His eyes were shinning and had a big smile on his face. I came up to him and was blushing like anything. I was so freaked out that I just stood there without saying anything. He knew what I was feeling and to make me feel comfortable, he started the conversation by giving the bouquet to me and said “happy birthday, Divya”. I took the bouquet, gave him a smile and said “thank you”. He lifted my hand gently and walked me inside the library. I went with him without any hesitation. He had a room decorated for me with balloons, rose petals and cake. He wrote a love letter too. Nishu jumped and said “What? A love letter? He wrote for you? Yes Nishu, he wrote a very interesting love letter, just that it wasn’t meant as love letter at that time. I smiled and said “Ishan, what’s all this?” He said “Divya, I wanted to surprise you on your birthday. You didn’t like my valentine’s day wish and rose so thought will wait for your birthday”. I was having butterflies and may be birds flying in my stomach. He said that so innocently that even today I can feel that moment. I said “Thanks Ishan but you didn’t have to do all this. You could get in trouble for doing all this in college and in library”. I asked him why he was laughing so loudly and he said “That’s probably the most I have ever said to him and that is also about not breaking rules”. I also laughed with him and he softly pulled me towards the table and said “please make a wish and cut the cake”. I wished this moment never ended and then slowly cut the cake. Guess what cake it was. Nishu, it was my favorite black forest cake with caramel cream icing. He took the sliced piece into his hands and then brought closer to my lips. He said “Would you mind eating from my hands”. I couldn’t say anything but opened my mouth and took the bite. It was the most delicious cake I have ever had.  Till today not sure if the cake was that good or it was him feeding me with his hands. I offered him a piece of cake but didn’t have courage to feed him with my hands. I said “Ishan, the cake is really good and my favorite. How did you know I love black forest”? He smiled and said “I know everything that you love and hate”. I was happy but little scared to know that he knew everything about me even though we never interacted before. I was curious to know how did he knew about me so much. So, I asked him “Ishan, how do you know all this about me, my birthday, my favorite cake, my favorite shade of rose?”. He said, I asked your friends about all this. At that moment, this answer was good enough for me and instead of probing him more, I asked him “why did you take so much pain to find out all this about me and doing so much for me?”. He took both my hands in his hands and said “Divya, I really like you and I want you to be my girlfriend”. Hearing those words, my heartbeat probably skipped a beat and my eyes were left wide open. I just didn’t know what to say, so I just ran away from there. He came running behind me but I didn’t stop and went home. I just couldn’t go to college next day and face him. I stayed back and gave an excuse of headache. He waited for me that day and when I didn’t come to college, he texted me in the evening asking what had happened. I didn’t respond because I knew this was not right. I couldn’t take any distractions. Mom never supported me for picking up Arts as my career and I wanted to prove her that I can make a name for myself in Art. And Ishan would definitely cause problem in proving myself. Therefore, I decided that I will stay away from him and focus on my studies. I went to college next day. He ran towards me the moment I entered the college gates, took my hand and pulled me to a corner and said “Why didn’t you come to college yesterday? And why did you run away that day?”. I pulled off my hand from his grip and said “Ishan, I am not here to be your girlfriend but I am here to study and excel in my class. I don’t have time for all this. I am sorry but hope you understand and find someone else to be your girlfriend”. I walked my class and he just stood their speechless and heart broken. I was upset too because somewhere down my heart, I liked him and had feelings for him. But this was the practical choice and I knew he would be fine and find someone new in a day or two.

Days went by and my eyes kept searching for Ishan in the college but I couldn’t find him anywhere. Every day I came to college in hope of seeing him and making sure he is alright. Finally, after a month of searching him and failing, I decided to break the silence and inquire about him. I went to his best friend and asked “Rohit, is Ishan alright? I have not seen him in college for a month now. What’s wrong?”. Rohit’s face turned almost red with anger and he took my hand, held tightly and dragged me out of the college and to a hospital where Ishan was admitted. Rohit said “See for yourself, what’s wrong”. I couldn’t believe my eyes and my heart sunk. I felt a gush of pain and fear at the same time. Filled with emotions and pain, I asked Rohit in a heavy voice “what happened? I didn’t know he was in hospital. How is he?”. Rohit said “you are responsible for this”. Without a second’s delay, I said “what the hell? How am I responsible for his condition”? With a bitter and furious tone, he said “After you ran away that day, he was so upset that he drank for the very first time and slipped from the stairs in the restaurant. Since I was with him, I brought him immediately to hospital and doctor said that he broke his right leg”. I felt a big, sharp knife in my heart. I couldn’t move or say anything. I slowly walked inside the room where he was sleeping with plaster on his leg and bandages on his head. I didn’t want to wake him up so I turned around and he help my hand. I was so happy and excited that I hugged him tightly and said “I will be your girlfriend. I am so sorry Ishan. I never meant for all this”. Nishu, you should have seen his smile. It was the most innocent, cute and childish smile. Seeing him happy, I couldn’t stop my tears of happiness and joy. He wiped my tears and said “I knew. I knew you liked me but Divya, I love you and I can’t live without you”. Those three words filled me with immense happiness, joy and content. I didn’t need anything else in life and nothing was important than that moment for me. Eagerly waiting to hear my reply, Ishan asked “Divya, do you also love me?”. I decided to punish him by not responding him. I said “I need time to think about it. Because of your foolishness, I will not reply immediately. You will have to be punished for your carelessness.” I left from the room and before leaving, kissed his forehead and said “get well soon”.

All the way to back to home, I kept thinking why did I stay away from him. Why did I ever ignore or avoid him? I felt so light in my heart for accepting his proposal.

Chapter 8: Beginning of a fairy tale romance

After a week of playing hard-to-catch, I met Ishan in a park and heavy breathing and trembling voice I said “Yes, I love you too”. He was ecstatic and hearing those words, he lifted me up in his arms and kissed me on my cheeks. That kiss was my first kiss of any sorts. I know Nishu, what you are going to say, Divya that’s not called kiss, it’s a peck. Nishu laughed and said “you know me so well girrrrrrrrrrl”. Anyhow, Divya continued “I was trilled and felt a tsunami of love and togetherness. I couldn’t get over Ishan but I promised myself to keep up the grades and prove myself”.

[cheyemobmerga]

MARTIAL LAW ERA

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:

1.) What are the common things you hear about martial law?

Some of the common things that I hear about martial law was that it was bad and a bad time for the Philippines and for all the Filipino people.

2.) Do you think martial law was a good thing?

For me personally, I think I am a neutral in that case I am neither a supporter and a decenter of martial law I am just thankful that I had such no experience of it.

3.) If you have the power to change the course of history, would you reverse the occurrence of martial law?

No, because I do believe that all the things that happened in the past had to be done for a reason even if we don’t like it. If I change the course of history then I would not be who I am today and I don’t want that to happen.

4.) If you are the president of The Philippines, will you implement martial law?

If needed yes, if the country needs yes also our time nowadays is different from the past times.

NAME: Alejandro S. Obmerga Sr.

DESIGNATION: Businessman

AGE: 66

BIRTHDAY: March 23, 1953

AGE IN MARTIAL LAW: 19

LOCATION IN MARTIAL LAW: Lucban, Quezon

1.    What do you remember about Marcos?

“Magaling na pangulo si Marcos kaso nga lang, marami na siyang naging kontrobersya sa pagtagal ng termino niya. Kasi ba naman 22 years siyang naging pangulo ng pilipinas eh.”

2.    What do you remember about martial law?

“Naku eh mabuti na lang nung martial law nasa lusban ako nun kasama pamilya ko eh dito naman sa lucban noon eh wala naman masyadong nababalitaan kaming mga patayan at kung ano ano pa kasi ang tatay ko noon eh malapit sa mayor dati noon ng lucban eh kaya masasabi kong maayos naman kami noon nung martial law.”

3.    Do you think Martial law was a good time or a bad time?

“Aba ay maayos dito sa lucban noon payapa maayos ang buhay kasi takot lahat noon na mang bulaso eh.”

4.    Why should we study about this time in history?

“Dapat itong pagaralan ninyo lalo na kayong mga kabataan na hindi naman naabutan si marcos at ang martial law sapagkat maraming kapupulutan ng aral dito ang iba dapat gawin ngayon at ang ilan dapat matuto tayo.”

5.    What was the most memorable time you had in martial law?

“Edi yun nga natatandan ko eh payapa ang buhay namin noon kahit kamiy mahirap lang at ang tatay ko rin kasi ay magsasaka lang naman noon eh kaya maayos ang paliya naming noon ay walang nang bubulaso samin noon.”

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

1.) What are the common things you hear about martial law?

Based on the interview I have conducted it was actually a good time for my lolo but doesn’t mean for all, for example, my lolo my not affected by martial law, but maybe others were greatly affected by it.

2.) Do you think martial law was a good thing?

The idea of it was good but the way of execution of it was not. It lacked proper execution.

3.) If you have the power to change the course of history, would you reverse the occurrence of martial law?

No, because I do believe that all the things that happened in the past had to be done for a reason even if we don’t like it. If I change the course of history then I would not be who I am today and I don’t want that to happen. But also some part of me root for the ones that had been killed by the brutal soldiers of the past.

4.) If you are the president of the Philippines, will you implement martial law?

If needed yes, if the country needs it yes also our time nowadays is different from the past times. I would not allow the past to happen again now.

SYNTHESIS

        All-in-all this interview has been very meaningful for me because this just reminded me of being connected in the past and learn in the wrongdoings of others and live the good deeds of the great ones in the present. This also just added respect and love for the ones that had been present in the time of martial law I pay them my greatest respect and love and I pray for them to always be healthy and good in life.

       My realizations in this interview are that martial really had a good intention and idea but the execution of it was wrong Marcos really wasn’t the one to blame in this issue because of the brutal soldiers of the past are some factors of it too. Also now I really do understand why some are Marcos loyalist and some are not, all of this are just a matter of perspective and position, just like for example some didn’t feel the core wrath of the martial law and for some they did, so this just really proved to me that for me to be an active bystander it would really take a wide understanding of things especially if this thing is from the past.

       Also, this activity made me an active bystander of the past that would like to revisit the past and know more, indulge more in the information being brought up nowadays. I am now more than interested to study the Philippine history and politics.

[desanctii]

𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 !

FULL NAME. Santino (born: Emilio di Lugano)

NICKNAME.  Santo, Tino, Santi

GENDER. Male

HEIGHT. 183 cm

AGE. 700 (physically 30)

ZODIAC. Libra

SPOKEN LANGUAGES. Italian, Latin, English, German, Spanish, Russian, French, Greek, Farsi, Egyptian/Syrian Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, Sumerian, ancient Greek, ancient Egyptian, Hindi, Sanskrit, Hittite, others.

𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 !

HAIR COLOR. Black

EYE COLOR. Black

SKIN TONE. Pale, olive tint

BODY TYPE. muscular, broad-chested

ACCENT. Italian

VOICE. Low pitch, smooth, paternal

DOMINANT HAND. Left

POSTURE. Straight, casual 

SCARS.  None, all faded over time

TATTOOS. None

BIRTHMARKS. None, all faded over time

MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE(S). His eyes/his lips (according to Marius)

𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 !

PLACE OF BIRTH.  Unknown town in Abruzzo, Italy

HOMETOWN.  Rome, really.

BIRTH WEIGHT. -

BIRTH HEIGHT. -

MANNER OF BIRTH. He was a little late but the birth went smoothly.

FIRST WORDS. His older sister’s name.

SIBLINGS. One older brother (Petruccio), one older sister (Veronica), one younger brother (Riccardo), two younger sisters (Silvia, Giuliana) 

PARENTS. He had some.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.  He was closer to his father than to his mother. His father died earlier than his mother and his mother lived with him and his family until her death.

𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 !

OCCUPATION. ‘Businessman’. 

CURRENT RESIDENCE. Siena, Italy

CLOSE FRIENDS. Eric, Maharet, Jesse, Mael, Bianca & others

RELATIONSHIP STATUS. In a relationship

FINANCIAL STATUS. independently wealthy

DRIVER’S LICENSE. Never got one.

CRIMINAL RECORD. None.

VICES. He has a penchant for acting like it is his purpose to fix everybody’s lives for them while insisting he doesn’t want to give advice. He is a bit of a control freak. He’s also rather belligerent and traditionalist. Also he tends to impulsively buy wildly expensive items. He is absolutely in love with his mirror and will glance at any reflective surface he passes by. (I’m just taking him apart here.)

𝐬𝐞𝐱 & 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 !

SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Bi

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION. Bi

PREFERRED EMOTIONAL ROLE. submissive |  dominant  | switch

PREFERRED SEXUAL ROLE. submissive  | dominant  |  switch

LIBIDO. In general very low to nonexistent, especially when apart from his companion.

TURN ON’S. Power, Experience, Age. Subtle expressions of dominance, provocative dress, submissive teasing, praise

TURN OFF’S. Rude, unappreciative remarks, dismissiveness, unwarranted advances. 

LOVE LANGUAGE. He’ll often initiate physical contact, give expensive presents and is generally more relaxed and more given to silliness. 

RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES. He doesn’t care for short-lived arrangements. When he chooses someone, he does it with the prospect of spending the rest of his life with that person. So far he has a good track record.

𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 !

CHARACTER’S THEME SONG. When in Rome by Nickel Creek

HOBBIES TO PASS TIME. Reading, pottery, restoration work, traveling, attending operas and theatre productions, etc.

MENTAL ILLNESSES. He definitely has to deal with some form of PTSD.

PHYSICAL ILLNESSES. None.

LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED. I don’t think that really means anything but I guess right brained.

SELF CONFIDENCE LEVEL. At a steady high.

VULNERABILITIES. When backed into a corner or pressured about topics he doesn’t want to talk about, he will get very defensive and abrasive. He doesn’t deal well with the death of loved ones.

TAGGED BY:  @teamreeves 

TAGGING: @dark-eyed-elegance, @perladivenezia, @pandoratheancient, @greyveined, @silentmagia & and anyone else!