#i miss mumbai man

[henrychengtual]

she was so right about this.......

[ashsimpsalot]

Sushi in Tokyo (Kid X Sita X Reader)

Yes this is a poly fic, the tittle is based on

MY poly anthem

You entered the cracked up flat to find Kid watching the TV by himself, so deep in the Movie he didn't even realise you were home, a smile formed on your lips, fuck, even though you're hosting two fugitives in your home, the sight is too domestic to not melt your heart.

"I'm home," you announced, closing the door behind you. You turned around to see Kid with a big smile on his lips, standing and walking towards you, as excited as a puppy.

"jaanu, I missed you," he breathed before attaching hid lips to yours, hands wrapping around your waist. You hummed in the kiss.

Once you pulled back you stared into his eyes with a smile before looking at his hair, touching them.

"your curls feels fluffier than usual," you made a comment which earned a chuckle from Kid. He hummed and have your lips a final peck. "Sita put henna on my hair, she said she got bored being stuck in this house." he explained.

The mental image of your girl just running her hands into your man's curls makes you smile.

"where is she?" he lead you to sit you on the couch with him. "she's asleep," he whispered into your hair. The man's already clingy as it is, having you work much more than usual makes Kid crave having you in his arms even more.

You being the only face that is not all over the news for the murder of Rana, Queenie and Baba Shakti, you had decided, it's safer for the them to stay at home until it all die down, then all three of you could make a run to a different region of India, maybe even crossing borders. Anywhere people can't recognise them.

But until then you have to work to supply enough money, for three people, and it's not easy. It takes way much more time than you usually work.

You glance at the blanket that is on the sofa and frowned. "you're sleeping on the couch? Did you two fought?" you asked looking at Kid.

Kid barely loses his cool, Sita, being herself, is always clear on what she wants, what she likes and dislikes. For them to fight is very very rare.

"God, no. She kicked me out of the room because it was too hot, she said I'm a human heater," he said and lightly pouted. You let out a small laugh.

"she's right, you are a heater, and the heat of Mumbai isn't to play with. Plus your habit of hugging while you sleep isn't really helping your case." you teased, kissing his pout off. His eyebrows furrowed. "I can't even cuddle my girls without being rejected," he joked. You love it when Kid is comfortable. When it just the three of you, you get to see this side of him.

"baby?" a sleepy voice interrupted you two you turned around to see Sita with sleepy eyes standing in front of the room.

"hey, pretty girl, come here," you smiled at your girl, fuck even when she just woke up she's so incredibly beautiful. Sita sits herself between Kid and you, playfully pushing Kid away from you earning a small whine from Kid. He positione her so that she's sitting on his lap. On of her hand thrown over his shoulder she lazily kissed him

You smiled and softly placed your thumb on her chin, caressing before leading her in. She smiled and kissed you next.

"how was your nap?" Sita had thrown both her legs into your lap, you chuckled and brought her hand to kiss her palm.

"was good, without the heater bothering me." she joked, Kid tickled her side earning a yelp form her.

"Did I wake you up, sweetheart?" you asked softly, she just shook her head. Taking your hand in hers and begun her favourite pass time. Drawing random shapes on your palm.

"it's raining outside, it got cold," she replied, her fingers tracing letters in your palm. 'I <3 u` again and again and you smiled.

"is that why you came out? To be with the heater?" Kid asked, his arm thrown over your shoulder to pull you closer, you end up with your head on his chest while Sita's head on his neck.

Just what you need after a long day.

Sita didn't answer just let out a small laugh and yelp once again when he tickled her side. "Kidd!" she whined, now switching form drawing letters in your palm to kissing your fingers, almost even suckling on them.

Kid on the other hand has had his nose buried in your hair. Obviously sniffing the hell out of them.

"you two are awfully clingy today," you laughed into Kid's chest, eyes pinned on how pretty Sita's lips are kissing your fingers like that. You're glad that she's comfortable enough to let her oral fixation out and about. She used to say she's insecure about it and try not to do it in public.

"we missed you," Sita said softly before taking her head off of Kid's neck, tilting your chin and kissed your lips. You hummed into the kiss.

"hopefully this thing die down a little soon, I've got my contact for fake IDs already, even all the papers we need, just need this to die down and we can move on," Kid said and sighed. Sita though looked particularly interested. "what?" Kid asked confused. You just laughed because you know your girl all too well.

"you talking about all these matter makes her hot and bothered," you joked which made Sita blush. "hey!" she tried to defend herself before burying her face into Kid's neck, hiding from both of you.Kid chuckled and raised his hand to run it through her hair.

"hot and bothered hm?" he looked over to you with a smirk. You chucked. "such a tease," you laughed at him and kissed his lips, Sita turned her head again, pulling your hand towards her lips and kissed them again.

"i could fall asleep like this," you admitted, earning a him from Kid. A yawn escaped your lips. You looked over to Sita and chuckled when she's settled into placed your index finger into her mouth.

"I might fall asleep," you said again eyes now closed. Kid's hand that was resting on your arm softly move to pat you "sleep, I'll lift you later," you answer with a hum. You felt a kiss on your head and before you know it you're snoring like a baby.

[tubadorashifts]

So I have a Kpop x Spider-verse/Superhero DR and I can’t decide whether or not I should be my earth’s spider-man in a New York inspired city in South Korea or just combine Seoul and New York like they did in Big Hero 6 (San Francisco + Tokyo = San Fransokyo) and in Beyond the Spider-Verse (Mumbai + Manhattan = Mumbattan)

This DR is a mashup of the Spider-Verse movies, DC comics, the X-Men and maybe the MCU, so most things are set in America. I feel like if I was a superhero in South Korea i’d be missing out in a way? Like all my friends, mentors, family etc would be in America and because most of them are superheroes it wouldn’t be hard for them to see each other. I’d feel a bit left out

However, i’m still a bit iffy on combining Seoul and New York? I honestly can’t explain it. Should I just make an entirely new borough? I might keep the new borough and just script that my K-pop group begun the trend of having international K-pop groups and K-pop has expanded beyond South Korea. Then because of this companies are having K-pop groups promote/do idol things between South Korea and the Seoul/New York City combination?

[dhalsimxhonda]

HONSIM ; TALK ABOUT OLD DAYS (REWRITTEN)

SUMMARY … the rewritten version of the old “talk about old days” prompt except lukejamie is only featured there . for reasoning, please check out this post .

CW … mentions of trans pregnancy .

CHARACTERS … edmond honda, dhalsim, luke sullivan, & jamie siu .

SETTING … street fighter 6 .

A/N … this is to make it up for my inactivity there .

the sumo wrestler chef took a look at the beautiful skyscraper around edomon and its cozy surroundings. he couldn’t believe how amazed everyone was when they took a shot in there. he could even watch the statue of liberty and it felt like a dream. all dressed up with his turtleneck, he already felt warmth and wind at the same time. it was all interrupted by his workers telling him that two couple’s orders were ready and he should be serving it. “thank ya as always for letting me know. please take a break while i do my work, sir!”

edmond smiled and left the view as he began carrying the meals with his other mates. towards the couple, he placed all of the respective plates onto luke sullivan and jamie siu. “and there ya have it, please enjoy all of yer foods, fellas. all done from recipes by me!” the trainee smiled and gave edmond a handshake as an honor. “no worries, we enjoy spending time in your restaurant watching those sumo matches!” the sumo wrestler chef chuckled from luke’s encouragement. “why thank ya! we should spare some time soon, sullivan!”

after leaving the two of them alone, he then went to supervise the sumo match from the heya, crossing his hands. “yoga!” behind him, the yoga master who was also dressed up with a turtleneck placed his hands onto his husband’s shoulders. “did you miss me, darling?”

edmond turned his head towards dhalsim and gave him a big hug while spinning around. “oh, dhalsim-kun! how much i miss yer embrace!” the hindu man laughed as he gently caressed the japanese man’s cheeks. “do ya know that you’re my #1?”

“yes, my dear edmond! but please calm yourself.” dhalsim tried to snap his husband’s pda out of it. the sumo wrestler carefully placed the yoga master down as he kissed him on the cheeks. “i know i shoulda calmed myself down, but seein’ ya makes me happy! i’m so glad to see ya, dhalsim-kun!” the yoga master chuckled while kissing his husband’s lips. “glad to see you again, my darling! please, tell me what are you doing?” the couple went back to the view. “i had to serve the couple seconds ago!” he replied. “ya know they love to spend time here on edomon!” he laughed as dhalsim embraced his arms onto his husband’s shoulders. “what couple?” he asked as edmond turned around and looked at the four men. “sullivan and siu.”

dhalsim blinked, all eyes on his husband. “hm, the two rivals?” he asked as he turned around. the sumo wrestler chef glanced at his husband. “yep.” he replied. “plus, seein’ them together just reminds me of us when we’re younger.” his smile grew softly as he held dhalsim’s hands. “do ya ever miss our youth back then?” the yoga master thought and remembered memories from eighteen years ago.

back when they both met in mumbai, and became good parents with datta and sanjo edmond honda received his transition goals and dhalsim carried and gave birth to anishk. from taking down shadaloo as many times before, traveling from japan to india endless times until they finally reached their new chapter in metro city. they lost count of how many times they make love and would do anything to kiss birthmarks, bodypaints, or scars. all of the difficulties of becoming street fighters and protectors of their three children ended when honda decided to establish his restaurant in metro city. sanjo has been training sumo wrestling, datta is studying to become a doctor, and anishk enjoyed studying in his elementary school with his friends.

eighteen years of being together have been the best decision that dhalsim and edmond took and their respect for each other is so special that they deserve each other. their fate with each other was meant to be after all. dhalsim remembered everything…

“i indeed miss our youth. and the day that we met changed everything about us. you were so handsome when you were on your late twenties, and you still are nowadays.” dhalsim recalled as he held his husband’s hands back. “i love you, darling. i still love you after nineteen years of our first fight.”

as luke and jamie watched both of them in awe, the coach wrapped his arms around siu. “y’know, meathead.” he spoke. “they really could be us when we get older.” jamie blinked and laughed with a slight blush. “you mean these two guys? it will not happen ever! how do they even get together in the first place? do people really know that they were together back in the 90s or some shit?”

luke sullivan chuckled as he kissed his boyfriend on the cheeks. “it’s sometimes hard being a street fighter and being together. but we’ll work things out together, just you and me, siu.” he replied as jamie agreed and both continued to enjoy their food and companion.

[silverstonesainz-archive]

espresso & music – charles leclerc

his shot of espresso, your favorite song

charles_leclerc

Liked by yourusername and 705,193 others

charles_leclerc she's like a shot of espresso ☕️

2 years and you never fail to make me feel alive. i love you 🤎

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cleclerc16 TWO YEARS?!!

leclercwdc i missed a chapter

charles_eclair the HARDEST launch i got whiplash

yourusername

Liked by charles_leclerc and 642,952 others

yourusername my favorite song. i could listen to you forever. happy 2 years lover 🎶🖤

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yourfan1 A WHITE MAN?????

leclerclove im so 😭 happy 😭 for yall 😭

charles_leclerc i love you

f1wags

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f1wags Meet Y/n (yourusername), Charles Leclerc's girlfriend of two years. She is a famous actress in Bollywood, and has a new movie coming out soon! They've kept their relationship quiet until recently, so hopefully we'll see more content with them together!!

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yourfan2 waaaaah my favorite actress and my favorite driver??? it doesn't get any better than this

lec16 she's so beautiful!!!

f1tea

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f1tea SPOTTED!! Charles in Mumbai bringing y/n flowers the day of her movie premiere!

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oconleclerc he's so cute. we love to see charles in his wag era

championcharles i want a man to love me the way charles loves y/n

yourusername

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charles_leclerc let's go babyyy 😙

pierregasly he looks so good can i come??

yourusername sorry no losers allowed 🫢

charles_leclerc

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charles_leclerc in between takes 🎬🌅

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yourusername my favorite time is with you

joris__trouche you guys are so cute wow 🤢

charles_leclerc its okay just say you're jealous 😘

face claim: athiya shetty

[nidhi-writes]

Prithviraj in Mumbai Police is my Roman Empire!!!

How was this man able to act in any role and convenience us? And how did I miss watching this movie for so long?!!

Also, I have to appreciate him for selecting the script to act in such a role back when there was little to no acceptance. He surely deserves everything after what he went through in his career. 💕❤️❤️❤️

PS: Now I get how he would have nailed if Deva and Varadha made as a pair in Salaar 😉😉

[srbachchan]

DAY 5619

Jalsa, Mumbai                  July 6/7,  2023                Thu/Fri  1:15 AM

Apologies for missing the Calendar updates 😔 .. but making up .. 🙏🏻

..

🪔 .. July 04 .. was no birthday ..

🪔 .. July 05 .. birthday of Ef Shashikant Pedwal from Pune .. and Rajat Watel from Jammu ..

🪔 .. July 06 .. birthday of Ef Pronobesh Roy Choudhury from West Bengal - Kolkata ..

🪔 .. July 07 .. birthday of Ef Saurabh Bhakri from New Delhi ..

Greetings to all and the joys of the World .. ❤️ from your Ef Family .. 🙏🏻🚩

So .. a few days off .. and the days spent in reflection , rejuvenation .. not of the age kind but to gain the knowledge of what goes on inside the World of reflection .. smart yes .. 

Yes .. 

It is , or rather are the reflection days .. a wonder why certain ‘givens’ were given , why certain doings were being done .. why a name an act an act .. and so many other ‘whys’ .. 

The curiosity widens .. and it is not the curiosity , it is the will of the mind to delve into regions which were in a sense reserved to ask or know .. 

Now with age the ridicule has lessened .. now with time they that are asked or are brought into the picture by me , are convinced that the man is 81 , old decrepit and mental , bear him .. it shan’t be for long .. and the responses go on with a sense of  .. ‘poor guy , so uninformed , let him be .. etc etc etc .. “ 

Also the temerity to seek and voice matters that may never have been done earlier have reached the stage of a fearless disposition .. 

So to start with ..

Wimbledon is on .. and the Women players get Women ex champions in the commentary box to speak and inform and comment .. most of the time .. the Men players get ex men champions in the box .. 

BUT ..

Typically .. give a microphone to any individual and they shall never stop talking .. and this I notice often .. 

In the game of tennis or any such moment , when the entire concentration is in the players and how their mind is working etc., the commentators keep talking .. hey ! I want silence at that time .. I want to get into the mind of the player and the ladies keep commenting on past games and opinions , and moments as to why he or she played so and so and such and such ..

NOOO ..

I do not want to be disturbed by your chatter .. give me all that you have to say in the break .. when the players wipe face drink energy, eat energy chocolate, complain to the Ref , ask questions facially to their team on the stands above , lament that the crowd is not with them .. and so on ..  

then talk as much as you like .. !! hahah .. its limited there isn’t it , because the Ads., start .. hahaha .. the ad., money is so needed for the commerce of the Tournament .. many of you would not know that there never used to be a break in tennis before .. the players just changed sides and carried on .. the break was deliberately introduced to give time to the Ads., to run and for their Commerce to thrive ..

AND THANK THE LORD FOR THAT .. !! I get a job too .. the Ad.s and the endorsements  .. hahah !! 

yes their experience and stories of past moments .. or guidance of how the game goes on and what the strategy should be - unless its an English Brit playing ..  then it’s all about them even when they are losing .. it’s always the ‘sun’ coming in the eyes , the wind is blowing against them when they serve or take a smash shot .. the shadow keeps changing on the court , the linesmen are making mistakes .. ufff .. the list is endless .. even when the opponent has given a amazing shot, the comment if its a Brit will be .. ‘he was there, foot slipped, would have returned it .. ‘  

the exuberant adjectives used when there is a Brit commentator for Cricket and their team players hits 4 or a 6 ..  !!  listen to them .. they just go on and on in praise and compliments .. !!

And for us ..  it’s just a terse inform .. hehehe .. 

WE  THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, NOTICE ALL THIS  .. 

But we are a tolerant people .. just that ..  ‘गले ते  हथ ना लाई  !’  as we would say in Punjabi ‘don’t put your threatening hand on my neck’ .. because we will thoko ..  ठोको,  ..  .. गळ्यात हात ठेवला तर, ठोक देणार !!!

AAAh .. a favorite subject of mine  .. and I love noticing and commenting in private , but today .. गळ्यात हात ठेवला तर ठोक देणार !!

“ to ask the hard question is simple ‘ .. किसी मुश्किल प्रश्न को पूछना बड़ा आसान होता है  

So have asked .. and the answers shall be in the known medium  !!!

Love respect .. affection and more ❤️

Amitabh Bachchan

[chaniiverse]

any good chanhee fics that you recommend? there isnt a lot of new biased peopel

Oh my. I love this ask so much! As a channie girlie there really is so less fics of my man 😭. It physically hurts but I re-read so manyyyy of the ones which are out there.

Simple gifts: by @sungbeam

This is like the first ever fluff (?) I read of Chanhee which stuck to me. I literally went to Beam’s DMs crying to her about this fic because I just love this so much 😭. I did not stop thinking about this fic for WEEKS especially the line “I am lonely but not when you’re here” it’s just so Chanhee coded!

That’s him, that’s just who he is: by @from-izzy

The first ever fic Izz wrote and that also for ME! Yes people, it’s for me 🥺🫶🏻. When I was reading this I literally started balling my eyes out because of how sad it was. I even sent a pic of me crying too Izz 😭💀. It’s not everyday you’d find a fic about the struggles my man went through and Izz literally depicted it all so well :)

The warmest winter: by @from-izzy

The roller coasters of ride izz went through when riding this fic was so 😭🥲. She really gave it her all when writing this sweet thing and she did not disappoint us Chanhee lovers because she ate AND served 💪. Tbh this fic is just so pure 🥺 the way chani gets jealous of Juyo (I love jealous men and I kid you not I am a possessive chani believer) made me want to bang my head against the wall SHSHSHSHSHS

Redemption of love: by @winterchimez

You guys don’t know how much I love this series 😔. I have never watched any musicals (NOT MY FAULT NOTHING LIKE THAT IS IN MUMBAI OKAY??) but I genuinely saw this one clip (it was in the first chapter of this fic) of the chandelier falling and oh my the way I was like “I NEED TO WATCH THIS MUSICAL!?” But not only do I love this fic because it’s Chanhee but also because ik how much this means to Als 🥺🫶🏻.

Even if the world caves,: by @kimsohn

Yall shru wrote this fic for me and me only and I will die while holding this fic close to my heart because it means a lot to me and I love this very much just the way I love my shru. The way I went through so many different emotions while reading this fic 😭. Like omg I get enemies2lovers AND a cameo of Vernon?? It’s a good day to die yeah? You guys have to read this fic written by shru ASAP!

# ur such an emo!: by @cloverdaisies

I will never shut up about the fic written by clo because they’re just so magical and makes me want Chanhee more than ever. Tbh this was such a surprise for me when clo said she wrote a fic for me 🥺. I already knew that she was busy with her work and all and then she just goes “Sana I wrote a Chanhee fic for your birthday.” Out of nowhere and me just sitting there balling my eyes out because 🥺🫶🏻. And then again we love enemies2lovers in this household especially when it comes to Chanhee so yes. We love this fic dearly.

Black hearts: by @cloverdaisies

The way clo depicted all the prompts given by me and @winterchimez in this fic has me on chokehold ngl 😭. I went to sleep after talking with ally and clo and then when I woke up BOOM BAM POW Clo had posted it already. I lowkey screamed when I saw this and the way it literally has all of our biases in this fic 🥺😭. Side note: I miss our lil trio yall 😭🥺. Late night chats again when 😭.

Valentines win: by @strayed-quokka

Omg my lenlen 🥺🫶🏻. She dedicated this one for me. Ha! *flips hair* be jealous 😍🫵. I was smiling like crazy when reading this fic of hers tho, the way Chanhee was like “no I am going to win this for you. I am not gonna back out” made my heart melt 🥺. Because we all know Chanhee is not a sporty type of person so him trying to win this just made me want to bash my head against the wall 😭🤧. And the fact that it was a POKÉMON SOFT TOY MADE IT MORE BETTER SISJDJDJ.

Chanhee with a girly gf: by @astrae4

If I don’t mention this one it’d be a serious crime and I do not want to go in jail 😭😢. This is the first ever work i read of Gill (that’s a lie. The first one was the channie smau) and this literally made me giggle so much 😭🥺. It has been a while since I read this again but we love this fic a lot 💪

Lipstick stains: by @slytherinshua

This very fic of Chanhee made me fall in love with him even more. Like you don’t get this fic the way I do. It literally took me out of my writers slump 😭🤧. It literally made me want to read other fics again because it reminded me that there are still good writers out there who write for my man 😭🥺. And u get husband channie. What else do you want? Be fr 😭

Something blue: by @deobienthusiast

I was beta reading this fic for K and I divorced Sangyeon and married Chanhee instead. End of the story. I was literally balling my eyes out because no way in hell would I treat my best friend (why be a best friend when you can be my best boyfriend tho?) Chanhee the way the reader did 🙄. Like?? But I love how Chanhee still showed up to her wedding (wanna make it our wedding instead?) despite everything the reader said to him 😭.

I think if you guys want a part two of this plz let me know 🥺🫶🏻. I would have added some smuts but idk if you’re a minor or an adult so 😭. In the part two (if you guys ever want it) imma add the ones I read on Wattpad too! (There’s only two but whatever)

Here’s some Chanhee for a good day ahead!

[hobiebrownismygod]

Pavitr Prabhakar x Indian!Reader (Platonic)

Got sick of there being no Indian!Reader fics with my favorite ATSV characters so I wrote one :D

Even though it says "Indian!Reader", anyone can read it and not really pay attention to the race of the reader. It doesn't really matter and since the fic doesn't have a plot, it won't disturb your understanding of the fic!

Summary: Meeting Pav and getting to explore Mumbattan with him! Reader feeling a little disconnected from their culture, but having a blast after visiting Mumbattan with him.

TW: Reader is established to be a spider person, Fluff, Not much of a plot just wanted to write something cute for my desi readers!

____________________________________________________________

You were walking through Spider Society HQ, a bit tired from the sleepless night you had and hoping to find some kind of distraction from the responsibilities of being a Spiderperson. Not really paying attention to your surroundings, you began to drift into a bit of a trance, walking along the path aimlessly, nodding at the Peters and Mjs who waved at you but lost in your thoughts as you tried to process the events of last night. Fighting your universe's version of the Sinister Six, coming back home with cuts and bruises, spending the night trying to clean them and cover them so your friends and family wouldn't see your wounds the next morning, being a Spider-person was difficult to handle. You just wished you had a distraction, something you could do, somewhere you could go to calm down and destimulate. HQ was nice and all, but it was so formal, what with the training and conditioning centers, and the boring food court.

"Arre, watch out!"

You felt a body collide with yours, sending the two of you stumbling backwards and crashing into a wall. "What the-"

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

You looked over woozily to see the boy who'd crashed into you, wearing his decorated Spider-suit, the colors practically blinding you as he approached and tried to give you a hand to help you get up. You took his hand, trying to shake the dizzy feeling from your head before you spoke. "Its alright. How did you even-"

The boy eagerly spoke before you could finish, his tone full of excitement. "Its my first day here, and I was trying take a self-tour of the HQ, but I think I was going too fast" He said, his voice and expression seeming slightly sheepish. "I'm Spider-man! And you?"

"Spider-woman. But you don't have to call me that. My name's Y/N."

"I'm Pavitr! But most call me Pav."

"Hey Pav. Where're you from?"

"Earth-50101! At least thats what Miguel told me. For us, its just Mumbattan!"

"Mumbattan?" The place sounded oddly familiar, as if you'd heard of it before. Wait..."Do you mean Mumbai?", you asked, a smile spreading across your face.

"I don't know what Mumbai is, but sure!"

"Oh man, its been forever since I've been to Mumbai! Its been forever since I've been to...well...India in general."

"Oh?" He sounded like he was thinking something over. "Well, would you like to see your Mumbai? Or a version of it at least?"

"What do you mean?" You asked, a little confused.

"Do you want to come to Mumbattan? You have a watch, right?" Pav looked down at your wrist excitedly, seeming happy to have made a friend at the Spider Society so quickly.

"Mumbattan huh? Well...uh..." You had to mull it over. I don't have anything else to do...besides I haven't had pani puri in so long...You should to yourself, the memories of street food in India flooding back to you. Oh how you missed the place. "I'm down."

About an hour later, you and Pav were swinging through Mumbattan, with him showing off the whole city to you, pointing out the different attractions, the nicer temples, and even his own favorites, like small shops and stalls which he said he often bought from.

"And over there, they have the best chaat in the whole of Mumbattan!"

You whipped your head to the side at the mention of chaat, the memory of the delicious snack coming back to you as the aroma made its way toward where you two were sitting. "Can we get some?"

Pav nodded his head and led you closer to the stall, still staying on the roofs of the buildings, swinging above the heads of the crowds in the area. There were more than a couple stalls, probably anywhere from 20 to 50 of them, the sights and smells practically flooding your senses. "Chaat or vada pav?"

"both. Both is good."

He laughed at your response and motioned for you to wait there while he grabbed some. You took the few minutes to take in the rest of the sight. Mumbattan was beautiful. Yes, it was crowded, but the people were just a part of its charm! There were miniature temples everywhere, with women in saris and men in dhotis entering and exiting them. It reminded you a lot of home, where you family was from. I mean, it technically was your home...just a much more futuristic version of it. But then of course, some things never change. The temples, the street food, the traffic, it was all practically the same.

You were pulled out of your thoughts when Pav reappeared next to you, holding a paper plate with two different chaats in it. Papdi and samosa. Nice. He also brought vada pav, which he immediately started snacking on. "So...Indian Spider-man huh? Never thought I'd see the day"

"you're Indian too, correct?"

"eh, its not the same. You're like Indian Indian, I haven't even BEEN to India in ages."

"Well now you have, haven't you?" He said with a smile, nudging your shoulder. Damn this guy was optimistic. It was refreshing.

You chuckled at this. "Thanks for the food"

"Anytime! If you ever visit again, I'll bring you to even more stalls next time. We can get pani puri too!"

"Sounds perfect."

"Does this mean we're friends now?"

"Do you wanna be?"

"Yeah."

"Then we're friends. Us desi's gotta stick together, right?"

A/N

I didn't really know how to end it, so I kind of gave it a crappy ending, sorry for that. This fic didn't really have much of a plot, but I just really wanted to write something that was Indian/Desi reader related because despite there being a whole Indian spider-man, there's like zero fics where he encounters an Indian reader or an Indian oc! Hopefully this was readable and any and all feedback is appreciated!

I love Pav so much, I just wanna hug him and be his best friend 😭

[dira333]

Act my Age - part 4

You aim to lose yourself in your studies, at least for the day and somehow, your coworkers seem to notice. No one bothers you with questions, not even Commander Spock demands your attention and you work and work until your shift ends and P-tra has to come and get you for the gathering. You haven’t prepared anything and for a moment you feel self-conscious, but P-tra is smiling brightly at you from the front of the small crowd, eager to get the first question. You smile back and the questioning begins.

After almost two hours of talking, Commander Spock steps in and calls an end to it.

You’re tired, but in a good way, as if all the anxiety has been drained from you.

When your stomach growls, you finally notice how hungry you are and decide to head towards Mess Hall. You haven’t gone far when a redshirt falls into step beside you.

“Hi,” he greets you, stretching out his hand for you to hold, “I’m Lieutenant Cee.”

“Oh,” you stop and take his hand, shaking it, “I’m Y/N.”

He towers over you with his height, but his smile is warm and big, reaches up into his reddish-brown eyes. His skin is brown, a color you have started to miss on New Vulcan.

His smile broadens a bit. “You’re wondering how my name and appearance fit together.”

“A bit. Do you get that often?”

“I do.” He lets go of your hand and gestures ahead, “Want me to tell you the story while we walk towards Mess Hall? Your brother asked me to make sure you eat something.”

“He’s a bit on the protective side,” you joke and start walking again. Gray chuckles.

“So, the story?”

“Well, my family is from India, but my father has some European descent. We don’t really know where he is from, exactly, but I’m named after my grandfather.”

“A good man?”

“A very good man,” Gray answers and smiles again, “I hope I can live up to it someday.”

“And you got your mother’s looks?” You ask because it’s a topic you’ve always been interested in and one he’s obviously not afraid to talk about.

“Yes. I look like Tata. My other grandfather. My younger brother Hrithik is named after him, but he got Grandpa Gray’s looks. It’s a pretty interesting mix, my family.”

“I bet. Genetics is an interesting topic.”

“Didn’t you write a paper about it?” Gray asks and stops in front of the door leading to Mess Hall so you can step in first. A Gentleman, it seems.

“Yes, I did. Did my brother tell you?” You ask, taking a quick look to make sure Mr. Scott is not around. You don’t want to bump into him on this date that doesn’t feel like a date but could be one all the same.

“No, my mother. She recognized your last name. She’s teaching Xenobiology at the Starfleet Academy in Mumbai. You might know her, Admiral Cee is pretty well known..”

“Yes, I know her. And with a mother like her, you decided to become an Engineer instead?” You joke and he smiles at you again. You can easily understand why your brother is friends with Gray and why he thought the man would be a good choice for a date.

“Well, we can’t all go into Science. Who would repair the Replicators then?” He jokes back and you feel yourself blush.

It’s easy to talk to Gray. He is kind and funny and at the time you’ve finished your meal you’ve already talked about a variety of topics, from your thoughts on the shaky peace the Federation has with the Klingons to which planet is the best place for a camping adventure.

He’s attractive, too, you’ve noticed that, but looking at his warm eyes doesn’t make your heart race, or your mouth run dry with nervousness.

Maybe that is what you need, what your brother thinks you need, at least. Someone that won’t make your heart race, your hands sweaty, your mind empty. Or maybe the years on New Vulcan really have changed you, made you forget how to talk to a human man after all. Who knows? You don’t.

“Thank you for this evening,” you say when he walks you back to your room. You had opted to tell him that you would find back just fine, but you had not wanted to say goodbye in the middle of a busy hallway. He smiles, one corner of his mouth lifting a little bit higher than the other.

“It was really nice,” he answers, “Glad your brother sent me to look after you.”

“Yes,” you nod, feeling the conversation steer into awkwardness, “Thank you for doing that, by the way. You didn’t have to. It was nice, though, and maybe… we will see each other around?”

“It’s a big ship…” He starts and you bite your tongue, try to swallow the fear down, fear of something you can’t even name.

“Yes, but, well, you’re best friends with my brother, who is, kind of, related to me, you know? And I know your mother, who is, well, your mother and I-” You hear yourself rambling and see him smiling and you wish you could just stop yourself from talking.

“I will see you again, then,” he cuts you off and you’re thankful for it, “Good night.”

“Good night,” you breath and hold out your hand for him to shake, the years on New Vulcan leaving you with a feeling of dread while doing so because he’s not meant to shake your hand.

“Good night.”

He turns to leave and you slip into your quarters before he can turn around for one last look, sinking against the closed doors with a sigh. You’re so glad you’re alone again.

This time, you’re not even surprised to find your brother sitting on your couch when you open your eyes.

He looks at you with a smile that threatens to split his face apart.

“How did it go?”

“Gray is nice,” you say slowly and think of a way to voice your feelings without making Gray sound less the great man that he is or making you sound like your head over heels in love with him when you’re not.

Your brothers face falls immediately.

“But-” He says and you cut him off.

“No but. I mean it. Besides, is it really a good idea to wait in my own room when I’m supposed to be dating? What would you have done if we had hit it off and stumbled into my room while making out?”

Your brother makes a face. “I know you’re not like that. And if you would, I would…”

“What?” You ask…

“Let’s just not talk about a scenario like that.”

-

The most comforting thing right now? No matter how much you toss and turn in your bed or try to get something out of your twirling thoughts, days and nights end and start anew.

“You look tired,” P-tra greets you when you step into Lab 3 the next morning.

“I am,” you answer and take another sip from the cup of coffee you had to smuggle out from your quarters under the watchful gaze of your brother. It would have been easier to replicate the coffee in the Lab itself, but then again - your own Replicator makes way better coffee now.

“Date night?” She asks with a wink and you choke on your coffee.

“I didn’t… We didn’t… It didn’t mean…” You stutter and P-tra laughs loudly, clapping you on the back.

“Doesn’t matter what it was and what you did. I just saw you with Gray yesterday. He’s a nice guy.”

“He is, but I’m…”

“Not interested?” P-tra smiles and nods, “It’s not easy to be not interested on this ship, I can tell you.”

She looks at the door, whistles an easy tune and steps away from you and towards her work place, when the door opens and Commander Spock steps through, looking over the Lab, eyes focusing on you.

“Lieutenant. We did not have time to go over your process yesterday.”

Right. Work.

“Indeed. If you’ll follow me,” you direct him towards your desk. Working will help you forget how tired you are.

-

“So what’s the deal, exactly?” P-tra asks when you’re sitting on one of the tables at the far end of Mess Hall, “I don’t want to be nosy, but I feel like you might need some female perspective on things.”

You heave a sigh. “I’m not sure. There’s someone I really like, but I’m not sure if it’s just an enormous crush coupled with being nervous. And Gray is really easy to talk to and I could probably grow to feel more for him, but-”

“A relationship shouldn’t be funded on the word but,” P-tra disagrees with a click of your tongue. Her warm eyes are looking over you and you dig your fork into your salad, trying to distract you from your thoughts.

“The way I see it, you should talk to Lieutenant Uhura.”

“What? Why?” You sputter, glad that you had not taken a bite yet.

“Because the way you’re acting, you’re almost half Vulcan and Lieutenant Uhura is successfully dating a half Vulcan. If anyone knows who you’d be better suited with, it’s her, right?”

“I think I’ll stick to my brother’s advice instead,” you disagree, “To other species, Vulcan’s might seem very alike, but they aren’t. And just because the Lieutenant is in a relationship with one won’t make her an expert on my behalf. It is, therefore, logical to seek out the advice of people who know me, instead.”

“That sounds awful,” a voice rumbles behind you and you freeze, your neck stiff.

P-tra looks at you with worried eyes and when you manage to turn your head to your left, it actually hurts from how tense you are.

Mr. Scott is smiling down at you and your heart is in your throat again.

“What do ye need advice in, lass? Can I help?”

“I,” you joke, swallowing dry, “I wanted to ask my brother, because…” Your voice breaks a bit and you clear your throat again, while Mr. Scott looks more interested than you wish him to be.

“Your brother?” He tries to help you out, “Is it about engineering?”

“Yes,” you croak out, glad for the straw he’s holding out for you, “About the training,” you say and he nods, about to say something, when he notices someone waving at him from across Mess Hall.

“I will talk to him, if tha’ is okay with ye, lass,” he offers and you nod because you don’t know what else to do and watch him walk away with a smile and a wave.

P-tra clears her throat and you turn around to her giving you a look that can only mean one thing.

“Please don’t laugh,” you beg, wishing you could just put your head on the table and disappear.

“Why would I laugh?” She asks, her voice calm, but her eyes are betraying her. Her eyes are saying that she wants to know a lot more.

“Because he’s so much older than me?”

“You’re what? In your mid-twenties? That’s not that much of an age difference, considering that your mind must be a lot older if you can survive Vulcan company.”

P-tra winks at you. “Yes, I just called you old.”

You throw your fork at her.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

What do you think about the catholic 'miracles' of fatima, the prophecies, the apparitions of the virgin Mary, miracle of the sun and whatnot, do you think that there's any authenticity to it?

No.

And we know that they're not.

Take note here that they wanted to punish someone for finding truth. They wanted to worship a lie without the intrusion of the truth. They weren't disappointed that it wasn't true, they were angry at the person who figured out that it wasn't. They didn't want to know, they wanted to believe. This is what "faith" means.

If the sun had "danced" in the sky at Fátima, it would have been visible at more than one specific location to only a minority of people of Earth, who were true believers and told contradictory stories anyway.

Prophecies are fantastically easy to fulfil. Particularly when they're vague, unverifiable, or the events predicted are inevitable, such as wars, diseases or the political rise of good and bad leaders. Here's an example all three:

If you make enough predictions, some are statistically going to land, or may even be self-fulfilling (the act of predicting it encourages people to make it happen).

It's Nostradamus' entire schtick. If we're keeping score Nostradamus is ahead of Xianity. Especially since Xianity's most important prophecy - the return of Jesus - has already been falsified.

Mark 9:1

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Matthew 16:28

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

They never account for their history of "misses," yet still expect to be treated as reliable.

Importantly, and hopefully obviously, we don't have to be able to explain these events otherwise in order to reject them as "miracles." It's not up to us to disprove what has not been proven. "You can't explain it, therefore god" is not just an argument from ignorance, it's a contradiction: "you can't explain it, therefore it's explained" is self-refuting. The only thing you can say about an unexplained thing is that it's unexplained. And it's useless to claim that people who weren't there and had no access to the events can't explain a thing.

We can insert anything into that gap. For example, it's no less justified to assert that the Miracle of the Sun was the evil lord Xenu deploying mind-control programming to those at Fátima to be his guards in the afterlife. Prove that this isn't true.

They must be able to make the case that the only, or most likely, explanation is the the laws of the physical universe were violated, specifically by their preferred god. And to do that, they must be able to justify why other more mundane explanations - or simply "we don't know" - are either false or less likely. And most of the faithful couldn't even name a single other explanation - and won't accept the intellectually honest "we don't know."

One of the biggest reasons of all to remain skeptical of human claims of miracles and prophecies isn't what we don't know about those miracles, gods and virgin mothers, but what we do know about humans themselves.

We're pattern-seeking creatures, and meaning-making organisms. It's been an advantage in our evolution, but it also makes us unreliable, as we're prone to finding meaning or making connections that aren't there.

This is not an elephant. This is not Mother Teresa.

So the question becomes, what's more likely: an unverified woman who supposedly became divinely pregnant without having sex, giving birth to a man who was killed, came back to life and flew up into the sky is communicating through a vague outline of herself on a wall under a freeway, or humans see what they're motivated to see among millions of stains of various types and causes?

Isn't it odd that we never hear about the millions of stains that aren't in the shape of the Virgin Mary if you squint and know what to look for? If this stain had appeared on a wall in South America or Japan 1000 years ago, who would they have interpreted it as? Would they have even given it a second glance? If you have to already know about Mary to see Mary in it, how is it a "miracle"?

It's really unfortunate that the lord of all creation, who made everything, who got the physics of the universe, the functioning of human bodies, the position of the Earth in the solar system just so, who spoke directly to people and made bargains, covenants and plans directly with humans - yet somehow thought the Earth was flat, stars are tiny lights, didn't know about the Americas or Australia, or how rain works - is now relegated to faint whispering through vague smears on walls, dripping toilet water through human statues, appearing on toast and dog's butt's, and giving out predictions through crazy people and liars.

How the mighty have fallen.

[theascent]

☼☾ ( douglas booth , 28 , he/him , cisgender man , schellenberg 4 ) - have you seen MATTEO SCHELLENBERG?  we’ve heard through the grapevine that they’re IMAGINATIVE but also DUPLICITOUS. when you think of them , you think of INK STAINED FINGERTIPS, WARMED FROM THE FLAME OF A NEARBY FIRE, DARK LASHES CONCEALING AN EVEN DARKER, MORE DISINGENUOUS GLINT, and FLOWERY PROMISES WHISPERED AGAINST THE COLUMN OF YOUR THROAT.

⊱⋅•⋅ full navigation

b a s i c s

name: matteo schellenberg title: lord; second youngest of the schellenbergs birthdate: july 9; currently 28 pronouns: he/him gender: cisgender man nation: liechtenstein orientation: bisexual/biromantic

more information, particularly regarding interests and personality, available through the navigation link above.

b a c k g r o u n d

1800s 07 August My Dearest Brother,

I have sent yet another bundle of masala chai, you would do well to savor the leaves as my monthly shipments will soon cease. I’ve never considered myself to be in possession of much luck, and I’m aware of the irony of such a statement given the current circumstances that have befallen our family, but ha! I knew a rainy day would soon arrive, and oh how gloomy this year has been. I have just enough saved to purchase a ticket back home. Seeing as Silas has all but ruined our reputation… I suppose it’s best I spare you the distress of bearing this situation alone and say that…well, I intend to be back in Liechtenstein before Silas has the chance to bleed us dry of every krone in his sight.

We are both aware of the trouble our brother’s desires have got him in, and if we desire to have the bastard outested by the end of the year, you will be in need of all the help you can get. And before you choose to scold me - I can nearly see your quill poised over your reply, even from my accommodations here in Mumbai - I evoke the term bastard with all the adoration in the world for my dearest elder brother.

Even if his penchant for parties and whores have all but rendered the last six years of my life abroad useless …

Once you’re instated as Duke Schellenberg, I expect proper compensation for my efforts. My generosity, as you well know, is not given for free. I understand funds will remain short, so perhaps I will accept an alternative form of payment. 

Ah, and do you still see the publisher’s nephew on occasion? It is…of supreme importance that you give him the letter I posted from Spain. For a man that claims to have his hands full, he is quite adamant about a mere chapter….do give him the letter, yes? He says it is not potential I have, but a ‘natural genius for capturing the very essence of life in mere words’ – his words, not mine. You know I’m not one to brag. Well, not often, at least. But can you believe it? Your brother, the author. Perhaps I will end up like Rousseau or Austen?

 I must return back to bed before the flame burns through the last of the wick. Give my best to Silas and the others, or do not. I don’t particularly care. Yours Truly, MS

p u r p o s e + h c s

matteo's purpose for being in france can be summarized into one simple word: autonomy. being fourth in line for the dukedom meant his ambitions were his alone, not forced upon him in the name of familial duty. matteo dreams of becoming of famous author; this is what led him to spend his early twenties traversing the world in hopes of drawing inspiration for his debut novel.

unfortunately his plans came to a staggering halt when the news of his family's sudden financial misfortune forced him to return home.

but it's not revenge that brought him to france, it's riches. titled misses and misters wander the hallways and frolic in the gardens and it's just so easy. matteo is a master of words, and he intends to use them to his advantage, bewitching his way into the upper echelon. into wealth. with fortune comes the funds to achieve his dream, and he's prepared to swindle and use anyone it takes - even if it means subjugating himself to a loveless marriage.

those with humble origins become pawns; the hands that caress supple skin prompt shaking, pointed fingers of blame. blackmail. the lips that offer declarations of fondness elicit the slightest whisper of a name. a victim. handmaids and stable boys become his closest confidantes, but the ball is forever in his court.

to those who don't know him (which, admittedly, is most considering he's been traveling for years), he appears to be just another rake. easygoing and unserious. he prefers this; it allows him to move through society unbothered. late night rendezvous lead to diamonds and watches sitting heavily in the bottom of his pockets.

matteo craves glory. if he can't secure enough funds to support his past lifestyle, he is sure that all his hard work will be for nothing. writing has always been his outlet, but liechtenstein doesn't offer the same inspiration that the high seas and spice markets do.

and i have some wanted connections in the navigation! message me on discord or tumblr if you'd like to plot something !

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Lies and Other Love Languages Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❝ How did mothers go from being rocks you relied on to being the rocks you had to climb over to make your own way? ❞

❓ #QOTD What traits have you picked up from the women around you? ❓ 🦇 When Vandy Guru's daughter Mallika suddenly disappears, she becomes frantic to find her, unaware that Mallika doesn't WANT to be found. Tired of failure and life as the family black sheep, Mallika signs up for a genetic study (run by the man she not-so-secretly loves), only for the results to unravel her life. Rewind the clock and we meet Rani; a woman with a troubled past who becomes far more than Vandy's best friend. In Vandy's journey to find Mallika and Mallika's quest to find answers, both are forced to confront the secrets of Vandy's past. Separately, these three women journey from LA to Mumbai to discover who they truly are.

❝ All my life I had defined myself as one person. Then I thought I didn’t even know who I was. Now I don’t want to define myself. I don’t want to label what I can and cannot do and be. I just want to do and be. ❞

💜 Sonali Dev is a MASTER at weaving three related timelines and POVs into one seamless, heartfelt story. This story blurs the lines between friends and family in a tale of love, sacrifice, and secrets. As with her previous novel, The Vibrant Years, this story creates a tangled web between three generations of women before guiding readers on a journey of revelation. There's a distinct artistry in Dev's prose that draws you in and keeps you enamored page after page, but truly, it's the heart infused throughout her stories that captivates. I've read 80 books so far this year, but this is the first to trigger tears.

🦇 Maybe it's because I've read Dev's previous works (she's an auto-buy for me, so if you haven't already, I totally recommend The Rages Series), but I anticipated the reveals sooner than I liked. Both the name mix-up and Vandy's secret weren't big surprises. The little breadcrumbs are perfectly laid out, but I'm sure avid readers can recognize where the story is going with just a taste. Really, it's the last few chapters that kept me from awarding this five stars. Without getting into spoilers, I feel that Rani's secret was misplaced. Her actions in one of the story's last chapters felt out of character. It wasn't a surprise reveal so much as a disappointment.

🦇 Recommended to anyone who loves powerful stories about family, female friendship, finding your purpose, and love. If you haven't read any of Sonali Dev's books yet, I recommend adding them to your TBR ASAP. They're not to be missed.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 💜 Family Drama 💜 Twists and Turns 💜 Female Relationships 💜 Self-Discovery 💜 Multiple POVs/Timelines 💜 Contemporary Fiction

🦇 Major thanks to the author @sonali.dev and publisher @amazonpublishing for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #LiesandOtherLoveLanguages #SonaliDev

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of Spider-Man India #1

SPIDER-MAN: INDIA #1

SEVA, PART I SPIDER-MAN: INDIA RETURNS! Just in time for his big role on the silver screen, Spider-Man: India returns for his first miniseries in almost twenty years! Pavitr Prabhakar is back, fresh from “The End of the Spider-Verse” in in his own universe’s Mumbai. But things aren’t exactly simple. There’s a science professor promising results, activating people’s “lizard brain” along with a ruthless businessman who may be more than he seems… Don’t miss the break-out Spider-Character of 2023! Written by: Nikesh Shukla Art by: Abhishek Malsuni, Scott Hanna, Neeraj Menon Cover by: Adam Kubert, Brad Anderson Page Count: 28 Pages Release Date: June 14, 2023

[mahisblog]

•BANJARE KO GHAR•

A couple was shown arguing with eachother and we could hear yelling and it was increasing with each second

"I wish I never met you" The boy angrily said and leaves the house smacking the door hard

"I wish I never met you" This words roamed in the girl's head and a tear escaped from her eyes

"Na jaane humari bhul kya thi, unse pyaar karna ya unki parwah karna"

She tried to calm herself but that was not enough, tears were falling down her cheeks without any hurdles

She remembered the time she met him for the first time and found her self falling for him

“Tumne jo dard diye the usske sahare jeete hai

Ye dard ko hum yun Haas ke sehte hai

Na jaane tumse ishq karna sahi tha ya galat

Tumse pyaar karke bhi tumse sab chipate hai”

It was first day of college and ofcourse she was worried about it, soon she reached the college gate and took a deep breath and walked in with a smile

"Bela, you here in Mumbai?" a shocked voice called her

"Hii Vish, yeah I got admission here" she replied with a small smile

"Wow!! I'm so excited, you know I missed you so muchh" as soon as the words were left, Bela was caged in a tight, breath taking, hug from her childhood bestie

"Vish, I- I can't breath and I missed you equally"

"Hehe, sorry"

"Btw how is uncle and aunty?"

"They are great and where are you living?"

"At my place, dad bought it some year ago and after his dead this place was transferred to my name"

There was a long but comfortable silence between them, Vish side-hugged her and squeezed her shoulder lightly

They both got to know that they have only 2 lectures with each other, first and second and after that they have all different lectures

Bela was in the classroom, sitting in the corner just when the lecture was about to start, a boy came and sat beside her

"Hi, I'm Mahir, Mahir Sehgal" and forwarded his hand

Bela shaked hand with him and replied, "I'm Bela Sharma"

Both nodded at each other and focused on the lecture

Few months passed like this and now Bela and Mahir was close friends, in the meantime they got to know that Vish is in relationship with Mahir's younger brother, Yuvraj Sehgal

She had 2 more friends, Darshan Raval and Anu Mittal they both lives with each other as they are childhood sweethearts

They were happy for YuVish, they were a perfect couple as Yuvi can be reckless sometimes but only Vish can make him responsible man, meanwhile Bela was also feeling something for Mahir but choosed to ignore the feeling coz it can affect her friendship with him

"Darte reh gaye hum kuch

keh na paaye,

Unke aache dost banke reh gaye, Ishq na ban paaye,

Mohobbat ki khata bhi aasa na thi, naa to hum unke the, nahi unko hum apna bana paaye,

Unko na paane ke aas mein aur khone ke daar mein hi hum ek tarfa ashiqui kar paaye"

Few weeks later they got to know that there is singing competition between college and nobody knows that Bela loves to sing expect Mahir and right now he is requesting her to take part in it

"Pls Albela take part na, you loves to sing then why you aren't participating?"

"Mahi I'm not good enough"

"Nonsense, you are talented enough to be a professional singer"

And they continued to argue about this for half an hour and finally Bela said, "Okay baba I'll take part"

Mahir hugged her tightly and smiled

Soon the day came when the competition was held on, Bela practiced song written by herself

Not even Mahir, YuVish or DarshAnu knew the name or the lyrics because Bela said that will be surprise for them

It was Bela's turn to sing,

"Umm... Hey! I'm Bela Sharma from XYZ college and I'm going to sing a song written and composed by me only, hope you'll like it"

"What is the title?" one of the judge asked

"Ohh it's called Banjare Ko Ghar"

"Okay you may start now"

Bela nodded at them and closed her eyes and opened them, looking at Mahir and the gang and smiled at them

"Jise zindagi dhoondh rahi hai

Kya ye woh makaam mera hai

Yahaan chain se bas ruk jaaun

Kyun dil ye mujhe kehta hai

Jazbaat naye se mile hain

Jaane kya asar ye huaa hai

Ik aas mili phir mujhko

Jo qubool kisi ne kiya hai"

She remembers the day she meet him and found unknown peace in his presence

The times when she was close to breaking down and Mahir was the one to console her

"Haan...

Kisi shaayar ki ghazal

Jo de rooh ko sukoon ke pal

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjaare ko ghar

Naye mausam ki sehar

Yaa sard mein dopahar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjare ko ghar

Hmm..."

He was a beautiful sin for her, she knew he wasn't going to be hers yet she didn't let her hopes down and wished for him to be hers

"Jaise koi kinaara

Deta ho sahaara

Mujhe wo mila kisi mod par

Koi raat ka taara

Karta ho ujaala

Waise hi roshan

kare woh shehar"

He was the Sunshine she wants to protect, she remembered the time when an party's decoration was going on and Mahir was helping them without taking rest and doing almost work alone

"Dard mere woh

bhula hi gayaa

Kuch aisa asar huaa

Jeena mujhe phir se

woh sikha raha"

She forgot her pain when she was with him

There was a time when she decided to commit suicide but now she feels like there is a reason to live and that is Mahir

"Hmm.. Jaise

baarish kar de tar

Yaa marham dard par

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjare ko ghar

Naye mausam ki sehar

Yaa sard mein dopahar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjaare ko ghar"

She remembered his pranks on her and him pacifying her

"Muskaata yeh chehra

Deta hai jo pehraa

Jaane chhupata kya

dil ka samandar

Auron ko toh har

dum saaya deta hai

Woh dhoop mein

hai khada khud magar"

Now Mahir remembers her selfless works, even if she was in hurry she never let anyone down who asked her for any

type of help

She is the mystery he wants to solve

"Chot lagi hai usey,

Phir kyun mehsoos

mujhe ho raha hai

Dil tu bata de kya

hai iraada tera"

Even if Mahir was the one who get hurts but Bela was the only who feel pains

"Main parinda besabar

Tha uda jo darbadar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjarey ko ghar

Naye mausam ki sehar

Yaa sard mein dopahar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjarey ko ghar"

She longed for love, not friends' love but a lover's

She wanted someone to rely on, someone on whom she can trust with her life

"Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjare ko ghar

Jaise banjare ko ghar..

Jaise banjare ko ghar...

Jaise banjare ko ghar...."

Bela opened her eyes and looked at the audiance, her group were the one cheering most, she made an eye contact with Mahir and smiled, she had decided to confess to Mahir through this Song as after meeting Mahir, Bela really thought she found home

But guess what? Mahir had a surprise for her, introducing her to his girlfriend, Bani Singhania

Bela compared herself to her and found that Bani is above her in each category and she will be best for Mahri though she didn't let this affect her friendship with Mahir and was as close as before

But someone was not happy with their bonding, She wanted them to be separate, she tried to create misunderstanding between them but nothing worked

Few days later, Bela found Mahir drunk at her doorstep

She made him sit inside and was about to go when Mahir held her hand and made her turn towards him and hugged her, resting his head on her chest

He was crying, and murmuring things like, “Why she did that?” “Wasn't I enough for her?” “She wanted to separate you from me, separate me from my albela”

Bela was shocked but got to know that Bani cheated on him and she was the one who tried to create misunderstanding between them

Bela called Darsh and Yuvi and asked them to take him home carefully

Next day when she goes to him home, she found YuVish and DarshAnu there sitting with sad face, she asked them what happened and they told her that Mahir went to London for forever without informing anyone just leaving a note

She was so sad that he went without saying anything, she was again turned into the quiet girl

She remembered why they were arguing

"I love Ruhi" Mahir said those words looking directly into her eyes

"Why?" that was only question that was able to come out of her

"She treated me like I was somebody" he whispered

"But will she love you when you will be nobody?" she silently asked him

"No one loved me when I was nobody" he yelled

"I did" she almost screamed

Mahir was taken back by it and stood stunned

"Before the money and before the fame, before the success and before everything" Bela couldn't hide it anymore, he needs to know

"I loved you Mahir, when you were just yourself not any arrogant CEO, when you used to be careful and you used to come to me when there was any problem not drinking so much that you don't know what happened last night, when you used to be a gentleman who respect women, not a Playboy who use woman as a tissue!

You don't know how much it hurts to see you with someone else, how difficult it is to behave that we are just friends when my feelings for you are more than just friends"

Mahir didn't said anything for good 5 mins because he was so shocked to say something

"You.... You are lying, right?" He stammers

"Why would I Mahir? you became my world, you were the one I thought I would rely on, the one who would never judge me, and then you also disappeared!"

Bela was not stopping she was saying all the things she wished to say him earlier

"What was my fault Mahir? Where was I wrong? I did everything to make you happy from saving you from professors to being there whenever you were down! But you didn't hesitate to leave me, you never care Mahir, never!"

Now she was a crying mess, she was letting her feelings flow which she hided for years but not now

He needs to know what she suffered when he left her all alone by herself

Here Mahir was getting irritated because of her crying because it somehows still effects him, so to make her stop he said something which he knew will broke her completely

"I wish I never meet you"

Back to Present

"Tum bhi ye galti na kar na jis galti ke liye humein nazar

andaaz karte ho,

Kisi din aake ye na keh dena ki ab tum bhi humse pyaar karte ho"

Bela stopped crying and goes to washroom to wash her face, her eyes fells on something and she smiled sarcastically, she picked it up and it was razor blades

She puts her selves up and turn on that, she again looked at it and cuts her arm, she felt satisfied after seeing the blood oozing from the their

There were faded scars on their arms, she made 4-5 more cuts and puts the razor blades down, there were no sign of hurt or anything like that on her face, it was just pure satisfied smile

She has changed very much, it was the first thought of Mahir who came back to Bela's apartment after knowing what he meant for her and what he had done, it brokes his heart to see her in this condition, he can't see his love hurting herself

Yeah his love, she was her first love which he didn't realised earlier, he realised his love and missed her when he was in London, yes earlier whatever he said in the argument he was forced to do that

He is now a businessman and he have many enemies behind him who can hurt her, he didn't want her to get hurt that's why he wanted her to hate him

And it wasn't like his wanted to leave her at first place, he was forced by Bani to leave her or else she will leak some pictures of Bela taken from the wrong angles and some photoshopped pics of her kissing different different boys and then Bela's reputation will be gone

Earlier when Mahir stromed out of the apartment, he got call from Darshan

“Hello Mahir did you met Bela?”

“Yes, I met her”

“Don't tell me you hurted her again?”

“.....”

“Means you hurted her, didn't you? Are you fool Mahir??? Can't you see that stupid loves you more than herself, you don't know what she went through without you”

“Then tell me what did I did???”

“You left her when she needed you most! She was suffering, she lost her last living family after 2 months you left her, left us. She was already in the state is going to depression because of you and when she learnt that her grandfather left her for forever she was broken beyond repair”

Mahir was speechless, he can't imagine what pain she went through

“After 3 months we found out that she is in depression and started to hurt herself and had attempted suicide 2 times, we somehow managed to made her love herself again”

Now Mahir had no words left, he is ready to fight any enemy and anyone for her. Non can hurt what is his and Bela was born to be His

She is his angel and now he have to save her and win her trust again and prove himself worthy of her

He goes inside with the first aid and holds her hand and make her sit on the table

She looked at him as if he is just her imagination while he was doing her bandage, a tear escape from his eyes and he looked at him

“Khayal nahi rakh sakti apna? Ye kya soch ke Kiya tumne haan?!”

(“Can't you take care of yourself? What did you thought before doing this!?”)

“Why you cares? You left me, go I won't mind you going away again”

And she pushed him and gets up to go but Mahir holds her wrists

“Leave me”

“.…......”

“I SAID LEAVE ME! GO AWAY, GO TO YOUR RUHI WHOM YOU LOVE AND YOU HATE ME NA, THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE??”

“SHUT UP!”

Bela stood stunned and immediately shuts up, then Mahir calms himself down and said

“I never said that I hates you, I don't love Ruhi, Bela…..

I love you, only you, this sher loves his albela only”

And he continues to say why he left without any msg and all

Bela just hugged him tightly and let herself lost in his arms, Mahir holds her tight, close to himself

1 years later

“Bela fast come na”

Mahir was ready in a formal suit and was waiting for Bela to come with him somewhere, throughout the year Mahir worked hard to gain Bela's trust back and with the help of his friends he managed to get Bani arrested for blackmailing him

Bela who forgived him long ago, but she was still hurt by him so she wanted to make him pay for that

“Coming”

And when she came, she was the most beautiful women he had ever seen

He smiled at her hold out his hands for her, Bela smiled back and took his hand in hers and walks wherever he was leading her to

Few moments later,

Bela had blindfold on her eyes and Mahir was taking her to a beautifully decorated place, it was simple yet elegant

“You can remove that blindfold now”

Bela romoves her blindfold and got shocked, she covers her mouth with her hands and her eyes were widen, she can't believe this was happening

It was like her dreams coming true

Mahir was on his knees, with a open ring box with a beautiful ring inside it

"Bela I know I'm not the perfect one and the one who deserves you but trust me in all this year there was not a single moment I didn't thought about you

Your pain became mine, I started to feel your pain and you became my home

I swear I'll never let you go away from me, I'll protect you with my life

I Love You So Much Bela Sharma, more than anything else”

Bela was a crying mess now but with happy tears, he continued

“So miss Sharma will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world, I'll never control you and force you for anything”

Bela was in so much happiness that she was unable to answer and Mahir started to think that he did wrong step by proposing her and should have waited for few more months

“Okay, I understood your answer, it was my mistake but as I said I'll never force you for anything, take you time”

He said in disappointed tone and stood up and turned around to leave, when he found Bela holding him from behind, back hugging him,

“Are you going to leave me again?”

Mahir turned and hugged her tightly

“Never again”

“So why were you leaving before listeningy answer, so Mr. Mahir Sehgal I'll marry you”

Mahir looked at her with smile and teary eyes

“I'll never allow you to leave me, you are mine & only mine and in this lifetime you are stuck with me”

Mahir looked into her eyes and slowly leaned towards her, asking her permission he kissed her passionately, pouring all love he had for her

[hislopchino]

Paul Merton: ‘I stayed in one of the world’s worst hotels in China’

The comedian recalls terrible hotels in China, mishaps with malaria tablets and why he’s happiest holidaying in the UK

Interview by Nick McGrath

From The Sunday Times, 22nd February 2023

Paul Merton, 65, first performed at the Comedy Store in 1982 and since 1990 has been a fixture on the BBC’s Have I Got News for You, which returns this spring for its 65th series. He lives in London with his third wife, Suki Webster, his co-star on Channel 5’s Motorhoming with Merton & Webster

My first holiday of any substance was to a holiday camp in Hemsby, on the edge of the Norfolk Broads. I was eight years old and I loved it. I loved the space to run around and the people drinking beer and watching the shows in the ballroom. It felt idyllic.

I visited Ireland a couple of years later and got a lot of attention from my mum’s relatives, which was great for my performer’s ego. We saw the Ring of Kerry and I was charmed by the locals’ love of words and storytelling.

I spent most of the Eighties living in a bedsit earning very little money, so the first time I travelled further afield was in 1987, when I went all the way to Australia, with a heavy cold, to visit my girlfriend at the time.

The cheapest route was London to Sydney, via Athens and Singapore. In Athens, the complimentary coach from the hotel to the airport was full of boy scouts from Liechtenstein, who were on their way to Sydney for an international scouting jamboree. Being stared at by three-dozen hostile Liechtensteiner boy scouts is an experience I won’t forget.

After a two-day delay in Singapore, I eventually got to Sydney on Christmas Day with horrible jet lag and an even heavier cold, sat down to Christmas lunch in 35C heat, then fell asleep for 16 hours. It felt like I’d been kicked in the head by a horse.

I’d only been earning £30 a gig, sometimes £10 even, so holidays were rare. But as my career took off, I travelled more — including to Kenya in 1990, where I had a terrible experience with anti-malarial drugs. Back then you had to take a weekly and daily pill and I had a severe reaction to the weekly pill, but it took a while to work out what the problem was.

Each Friday, first in Kenya and then back home in London, I’d take this pill then start to hallucinate. I got these paranoid thoughts, where I believed I was being followed by the Freemasons and could predict the next song on the radio. Which I couldn’t.

I then went to places like St Lucia, but felt uncomfortable driving around in a rented Land Rover that probably represented what some people there might earn in half a lifetime. I felt the same visiting Cape Town.

I was lucky enough to film a couple of travel documentary series in India and China — and had totally contrasting experiences. The poverty was dramatic in India, but the people were polite and proud and when I returned to film in Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta, they found our earnestly awful attempts at Bollywood improv hilarious and gave us multiple standing ovations.

I wouldn’t return on holiday to China, as the state interference leaves a bit of a nasty taste, as does the spitting. You literally pull up at some traffic lights and a woman in a very nice car will open her window and spit on the road. Everybody does it. Maybe a popular Chinese film star was a passionate spitter. Or perhaps Chairman Mao decreed it a healthy habit. Filming while surrounded on all sides by armed soldiers wasn’t massively relaxing either.

I also stayed in one of the world’s worst hotels in China. The foyer had a tarpaulin covered in some unusually dark stains and the room had bits of wall missing and stank of urine. I moved to a nearby hotel which was equally basic but clean, at least, although the TV was puzzling. It had a single channel showing a military man laden with medals berating a group of people for hours on end while they looked shamefaced.

I’d love to visit New Zealand as everyone raves about it. Another place I definitely won’t go back to is Tahiti, which everyone imagines is a South Sea paradise, but for me, it wasn’t. The hotel I stayed in was completely overrun by cats.

These days I prefer British holidays, as airports in the 21st century leave you with a low level of anxiety. My wife and I now love travelling round Britain in our motorhome, which is basically a hotel room on wheels. If we all could drop the idea that we have to go on holiday somewhere that has guaranteed sun, holidaying in this country has a lot going for it.

Paul and Suki will be speaking at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC Birmingham, which runs from February 21 to 26 (ccmshow.co.uk)