Fiction

The Echoes of Unbending will
The air in the mountain town of Naro Moru, at the foot of Mount Kenya, always carried the scent of pine and damp earth, a promise of the wild untamed beauty above. But for Elias, it carried the intoxicating aroma of his own certainty. He had climbed smaller peaks, navigated treacherous forests, and faced down swirling blizzards. Each triumph had chiseled away a silver of doubt, replacing it with an unshakeable conviction in his own abilities. He was, in his own mind, a titan of the high places, and mount Kenya, with its twin peaks reaching for the heavens, was merely the next challenge awaiting his conquest.
By Tallgirlabout a year ago in Chapters
My Tyrant Beloved
Episode 2 – A Storm of Emotions "Alisha, terrified, quickly moved towards Maheen—but he raised his hand to stop her." “Get lost from here or else…” His eyes were red with rage. Alisha felt like if she didn’t leave immediately, he would really hit her. So she ran away without looking back. --- “Really? You’re married too?” Taqdees nearly jumped with excitement. “You used to tease me so much—now it’s my turn!” She burst out laughing. “Listen, if you’re so happy about your friend’s wedding, then I’m thinking… why not complete your joy with your own rukhsati?” He had been standing there for who knows how long, listening. Taqdees turned toward him, turning off her phone. “Why are you always following me around? Don’t you have anything else to do?” She glared at him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be following my own wife. Sorry, from tomorrow I’ll follow the neighbor girls instead. Would that be okay with you?” He grinned mischievously. “There’s no point in talking to you.” She snapped and turned to leave. He quickly grabbed her wrist. “Answer my question first.” Taqdees looked at her wrist held in his hand, then faced him with determination. “What answer do you want?” She raised her brow. “Uh… um… about the rukhsati…” He stammered, putting on an innocent expression. Despite herself, Taqdees chuckled. He stared at her, mesmerized. “You’re such a clown. With you around, we’ll never need to visit a circus.” She said, smiling. “Ma’am, I’d lay down my life for you.” He bent slightly in mock reverence. “I have to die anyway… might as well die for you.” He got even more romantic, taking advantage of her smile. But before he could go further, Taqdees returned to a serious face and gave him a stern look. Before she could say anything, he spoke first. “I know, you’re just thinking of finding a way to get rid of me again. So I’ll leave on my own.” He turned to go but then stopped. “Keep smiling… you look beautiful when you do.” “Idiot,” Taqdees muttered with a smile, watching his back. --- Dressed like a bride, Muntasha was crying bitterly. Her stepmother had dolled her up and locked her in the guest room. But when she got there—he wasn’t there. Now standing in front of the full-length mirror, she was weeping quietly. “Is this what a wedding is supposed to be?” Maybe her fate was cursed. She cursed her destiny with all her heart. Was she like other ordinary girls whose only purpose in life is marriage? No! She wasn't. She had dreams… goals… But now she had been made just like any other girl. That thought broke her further, and she cried harder. She was so lost in her tears that she didn’t even realize someone had entered the room. She only turned when someone placed a hand on her shoulder. He stood there—surprised. “Why are you crying?” He asked gently. Hearing that, Muntasha’s grief turned into rage. After destroying her life, he dared ask why she was crying? “Did you ask that question before the wedding? You ruined my life! Shattered my dreams! And now you want to know why I’m crying?” She exploded. He gave a strange little smile… and stepped closer. “Don’t come near me!” She growled. But he kept approaching her. She backed away until she hit the wall. He placed his hand on the wall beside her, slightly leaning closer. “I didn’t know I was standing in the way of your dreams. I didn’t mean to. If I did, I’m sorry.” His voice softened. “I promise I won’t ever stand in your way again.” Muntasha turned her eyes away from his. But his last sentence made her look back. “Would you come with me to Muslimabad?” He asked softly, looking into her eyes. Muntasha felt like she was caught in a spell. Before she knew it, she nodded. --- She was restless. Maheen’s burned hand and the marks on his shirt haunted her thoughts. Should she apologize? But if she did, she knew he’d be furious. That fear kept her from moving forward. But enough was enough—whatever happens, happens. Muttering "Jal tu jalal tu, aai bala ko taal tu" under her breath for courage, she entered the study room. She expected Maheen to be there. He usually was. But he wasn’t. She walked over to the desk and noticed freshly opened files. “Maybe he was just here.” “What are you doing here?” His harsh voice startled her. She turned around in a panic—her hand knocked over a glass of water, soaking the papers. Maheen, now furious, rushed to rescue the documents. “Don’t you dare touch anything!” He stopped her from helping. “You’ve always caused damage in my life. What do you want from me?” His voice was full of venom. “I can’t stand girls like you. Manners-less. Foolish. You’re poison to me. Get out of my sight!” His words hit her like knives. “Didn’t you hear me? I said get lost!” He grabbed her arm and dragged her out. “And don’t you dare show me your face again.” He slammed the door shut. --- “What’s wrong, my little doll?” Her father asked warmly when she entered the living room. She smiled to reassure him. But everyone noticed her puffy face and eyes. “Nothing, Baba. Just sleepy.” Maheen noticed too, but remained indifferent and returned to eating. Taqdees pulled out a chair and sat opposite Awaimer. His eyes lit up. He touched her foot under the table playfully—and succeeded. Startled, Taqdees jerked her foot back and glared at him. He winked. “Stupid,” She muttered and stepped on his foot. “Ow!” He yelped. “What happened?” Everyone turned to him. “Nothing—just too much chili in the food!” He grabbed a glass of water. Everyone was about to leave the table when— “Wait a moment!” Junaid Baig stopped them. “What happened, Baba?” Taqdees asked. Smiling, he said, “Javed, we think it’s time our daughter Alisha gets married.” “But we have one condition,” Javed Baig replied, holding Alisha close. “No rukhsati yet.” “Fine with us. What about you, Maheen? Any objection?” They turned to him. “No, Baba.” His tone was emotionless. Alisha looked at him in pain. He hated her—called her poison. And now he had no objection? Did he have two faces? “I object, Uncle.” Awaimer raised his hand like he was in a classroom. “What’s your objection?” Javed Baig asked, smiling. Looking at Taqdees, Awaimer grinned mischievously. Taqdees glared at him. “Uncle, how long has it been since my nikah? When will my rukhsati happen?” “Awaimer!” Taqdees gritted her teeth. “Even Taqdees wants that—don’t you, sweetheart?” Everyone laughed. Taqdees stood up in anger. “Forget it, Uncle. I don’t need a rukhsati ever.” She acted dramatically as if scared. Everyone burst out laughing. And Awaimer walked toward the fuming Taqdees. --- To be continued... ---
By Babar Aliabout a year ago in Chapters
My Tyrant Beloved
“Please wake up, only five minutes left before class starts!” Taqdees exaggerated, hoping she'd wake up quickly. She had already been trying for over half an hour. But she forgot who she was waking. At the mention of "five minutes," the girl opened her eyes with a snap, glanced at her wristwatch, and then… slipped right back into her dreamy slumber. “You witch! You beast!” Taqdees, now irritated, stood up. “Why are you wasting time on her? Let’s go or we’ll be late.” Aleesha tried to calm Taqdees down. They left for the madrasa without telling or waking her. The hostel and madrasa were connected, just a short walk away. “I don’t understand what’s going to become of that girl!” Taqdees kept grumbling until they reached class. “Whatever is written by fate,” A voice replied from behind. Taqdees and Aleesha turned. “You…” Taqdees gritted her teeth. “Yes, my friend, it’s me,” She nodded dramatically. “I swear, one day you’ll sleep your way into another world.” Taqdees snapped. “I already live there all the time,” She replied in a dreamy tone, disappearing into class. Aleesha stopped Taqdees from replying. Later, at breakfast, they noticed her eyes were pink. “I’m sure she slept through the entire lecture,” Taqdees said, glaring at her. “She sits at the back for that very reason. If she sat with us, you'd never let her sleep.” Aleesha laughed. “If you'd told this truth earlier, Taqdees' brother would’ve fallen in love with you on the spot.” She teased Aleesha, who burst into laughter. The remark was so ridiculous it made them both want to strangle her—but she quickly shoved the last bite of her burger into her mouth and fled. You never knew what those two might do next. --- "Muntasha! We have exams tomorrow and you're sleeping?" They tried waking her multiple times, even the roommates pitched in—but she remained dead asleep. Eventually, in the early hours of dawn, she rose on her own, snatched a notebook from Aleesha, and began skimming through it. She studied for barely 30 minutes before falling asleep again, notebook still in hand. Aleesha just watched her, stunned. “Taqdees is right. Who knows what’s going to happen with this crazy girl,” she whispered. But when the exams were over, Muntasha emerged from the hall glowing. That meant her paper had gone great. She was the top student at both madrasa and college, and no one could understand how she always aced everything without ever seeming to study. Today was the last day in the hostel. Everyone was heading home tomorrow, happy to be free but sad to part with close friends. “I swear, if I miss either of you, even a little—” Muntasha pouted at the emotional duo. “You’re heartless, Muntasha. Seriously, what’s going to happen to you?” Taqdees repeated her usual line. “Alright, I’ll tell you today. I’m the Princess of the Dream World. Soon, I’ll meet my prince, just like you did!” She teased Taqdees. “You’ll spend your whole life dreaming.” Taqdees rolled her eyes. “Don’t curse her like that,” Aleesha defended Muntasha, though Muntasha couldn’t care less. Just then, Rumana and her friend Jaweria appeared. “Look, even your enemies have shown up,” Aleesha nudged her. “They’re not enemies. They’re Muslims. And no Muslim is my enemy.” Muntasha said wisely. “How did your exams go?” Rumana asked. “All praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds,” all three replied in unison. Rumana smirked sarcastically and walked away. The hostel bell rang, signaling it was time for the prayer hall. “They’ll probably give us another lecture now,” Muntasha groaned. “Have some shame, Muntasha! Don’t call religious talks lectures.” Taqdees scolded her. They quietly went to the back seats of the prayer hall. “Our purpose in life is to remember Allah and help those who’ve forgotten Him. And we must protect ourselves and others from our enemies’ tricks.” After the sermon, they returned to their room—unusually silent. “What’s up with you? Why so quiet?” Taqdees asked Muntasha. “I’m thinking… where should I start?” “Start what?” “To shake the world. Especially my enemies.” Both ignored her; they had packing to do. Once Muntasha started talking, she wouldn’t stop. --- That evening, Taqdees took her tea to the terrace, missing her friend deeply. It had been three days since they left the hostel. “As-salamu Alaikum.” She greeted while putting the phone to her ear. “Wa Alaikum Assalam. I’m fine, so don’t bother asking. I know you two are fine too, so I won’t ask either.” Muntasha began without pause. “What were you doing?” Taqdees asked calmly. “Cursing you.” “Why?” “Tell me, why are you always on your phone? Aleesha I get—she’s single for me. But you? Didn’t Owaimer bhai give you any attention?” She whispered the last part like a secret. Taqdees, annoyed, hung up before more nonsense could pour out. But then she froze. Muntasha’s topic of gossip—Owaimer—was sitting nearby, sipping from her cup of tea. “That’s mine! It’s used!” She scolded. “Who were you talking to?” he asked, ignoring her extended hand. “None of your business. Why did you drink my tea?” “Drinking leftover tea increases love,” he said, pulling her to the chair beside him, handing her the cup. She stared after him, then muttered: “Love increases…” And took a sip anyway. --- More Episodes Coming Soon... React if you want Episode 2 ❤️🔥 ---
By Babar Aliabout a year ago in Chapters
Businesswoman Chapter 198
“So all you have to do is change the title?” Burt Beesly asked. The lines in his forehead look like waves of flesh. He stood with smart brown shoes, a gray suit and a white shirt with no tie. Tortoiseshell glasses clung to his nose. Lisa looked at him in his brown eyes. She wore a black and gold houndstooth skirt, a black blouse and thin gold Cuban link chain.
By Skyler Saundersabout a year ago in Chapters
The Stranger on Platform
t was the summer of 2015 when Arman Malik, a 27-year-old civil engineer from Hyderabad, boarded a train that would lead him into a chapter of his life he could never have planned. A man known for his routine, his logic, and his unshakable skepticism toward anything unexplainable, Arman wasn’t the kind of person who believed in fate. But that changed one rainy afternoon on Platform 7 of Pune Junction.
By Farzadabout a year ago in Chapters
Businesswoman Chapter 197
A few steps into the church and Entrepreneur Paul Atkinson paused. This brief interruption in his stride made him think of the crucifixion. He saw Jesus of Nazareth in pictures as a child. He always possessed facial features that opposed his own. At the same time, he knew that the contradictory nature of faith took him on a horrific journey. Misdirection, snares, and unanswerable questions popped up along the way. He walked towards the pastor.
By Skyler Saundersabout a year ago in Chapters
Chapter 4 Pt2: Pizza Girl
Chapter 4 continued: Part 2… After a quick and necessarily cold shower in the gym, I hop on the tube and travel underground through the stuffy tunnels of London. I stand on a slightly less crowded train, having missed the Friday rush hour, and try to shake the images that crowd my head. Not the girls, but the guys. What is it with older guys in the gym locker room? It’s like the only time they get to be naked. One guy dropped his towel and bent over less than a foot from my face while I knelt down to tie my shoes. I’ve never been mooned and black-holed at the same time before. The other stood with his foot on the bench and let it all hang out like a rejected marble statue, smooth like one too. It must have been as cold as marble, too, based on the size of it. Not that he cared. Oh, to have that much confidence. I can’t begin to imagine all the rejections I wouldn’t remember. My life could have been so different had I had just thirty per cent more confidence. I’m thirty, and my longest relationship was only a month long. To be honest, I don’t know whether that’s long enough to count in months or if ‘dates’ would be the correct measurement. Technically, we only went on six dates. Six. I roll my head back and let out a groan. I freeze when I remember where I’m standing. I can’t believe I’m thirty and I’ve never had a relationship.
By Simon Georgeabout a year ago in Chapters
🌫 Dream Logic and Sonic Fog: How Dark Ambient Disorients the Mind Into Meaning . AI-Generated.
Dreams don’t make sense—but somehow they matter. A forest becomes a stairwell. A face becomes your childhood home. You wake up not remembering what happened, but knowing something happened.
By Yokai Circleabout a year ago in Chapters
Businesswoman Chapter 196
Loreen made the effort to keep going down the road. She felt relaxed as she switched gears and allowed the horses m of the engine roar. She looked in the mirror and noticed that no one tailed her. The black of night on the highway actually comforted her. Her arms relaxed and her mind sharpened.
By Skyler Saundersabout a year ago in Chapters
Mah-e-Muhabat -part=3
Episode=3 Hanam silently followed Rashida to the room, unaware of the reason for her punishment. Her innocent heart was filled with fear, and she felt pain on her cheeks where marks had appeared. Would fate teach her the meaning of "Vani" or would she create a new history?
By Bilal Muhammadabout a year ago in Chapters
Businesswoman Chapter 195
As the plans for the updated bridge displayed on the screen, Entrepreneur Paul Atkinson looked on casually. He wore jeans and a jean jacket with the sleeves removed.
By Skyler Saundersabout a year ago in Chapters
Boxed In: Trapped in the Dark
I was drifting through a dream of peaceful nothingness. The kind of comfortable sleep reserved for vacations and lazy Sunday mornings. A cool breeze ruffled over my shoulders and beckoned to me. I rolled over to snuggle in closer to Ryan to soak in his body heat but he no longer was there. I sat up to look for him, but my eyes wouldn't open. As though sewn shut, the lids refused to budge. I tried to call for him, but my mouth wouldn't open, my lips stuck together. I have had this nightmare before, in the in-between moments when sleep refuses to loosen its grip on me. That's all this is….
By A. J. Schoenfeldabout a year ago in Chapters