Part 1

I Still Remember the Way You Looked at Me
I Still Remember the Way You Looked at Me Some feelings were real… even if we never said them out loud. BY: Khan The first time I noticed the way you looked at me, it wasn’t dramatic. There was no slow motion, no background music, no sudden realization that something had changed. It was just a quiet moment in a crowded room—ordinary, almost forgettable. But somehow, it stayed. We were sitting across from each other at that small café we used to go to after classes. You were talking about something—I don’t even remember what—but I remember your eyes. They weren’t just looking at me. They were seeing me. Like you were trying to memorize something you didn’t want to lose. I laughed it off at the time. I always did. We became close without even realizing when it happened. Late-night calls, random texts, inside jokes no one else understood. You were the person I went to when things felt heavy, and somehow, you always made them lighter. But there was always something unspoken between us. Something in the way you paused before hanging up. Something in the way your voice softened when you said my name. Something in the way you looked at me—like I was more than just a friend. And maybe I knew. Maybe I just didn’t want to admit it. Because admitting it would mean risking everything. And I wasn’t ready to lose you. So I stayed silent. Days turned into months, and months into something deeper—something neither of us dared to define. People around us started noticing. They’d tease us, ask questions, assume things. We always denied it. “It’s not like that.” But the truth was… it was like that. We just didn’t know what to do about it. Then came the night everything almost changed. We were walking back after dinner, the streets quiet, the city lights reflecting in puddles from the earlier rain. You stopped suddenly, and I turned to look at you. That look again. The same one from the café. But stronger this time. Clearer. “I need to tell you something,” you said. My heart started racing, but I forced myself to stay calm. “What is it?” You hesitated. Just for a second. But in that second, I saw everything—fear, hope, uncertainty. And then you smiled. “Never mind,” you said. “It’s not important.” But it was. I knew it was. And I let it go. That was the moment we lost something we never even had. After that night, things started to change. Slowly at first. You became distant, quieter. The calls became shorter. The messages less frequent. I told myself it was normal. People get busy. Life happens. But deep down, I knew. I knew something had shifted. And I had let it. Then one day, you told me you were leaving. It wasn’t sudden—you had been planning it for a while. A new city, a new job, a new life. You sounded excited, hopeful. I smiled and said I was happy for you. But inside, something broke. We met one last time before you left. The same café. The same table. But everything felt different. There was a distance between us now, something invisible but impossible to ignore. We talked about everything except what mattered. Until the silence grew too loud. “I’m going to miss this,” you said softly. “Me too,” I replied. And then it happened again. That look. But this time, it wasn’t just warmth or curiosity. It was something deeper. Something heavier. Something like goodbye. “I wish things were different,” you said. I wanted to ask what you meant. I wanted to say something—anything—to stop you from walking away with all the words we never said. But I didn’t. I just nodded. “Yeah,” I said. “Me too.” You smiled, but it didn’t reach your eyes this time. And just like that, it was over. You left. Days passed, then weeks. We still talked sometimes, but it wasn’t the same. It would never be the same. Eventually, even that faded. And now, all I have are memories. Not the big ones. Not the dramatic moments or the almost-confessions. Just the small ones. The way you used to laugh at my terrible jokes. The way you always knew when something was wrong, even when I said I was fine. And most of all… The way you looked at me. I still think about it sometimes. Late at night, when everything is quiet, and there’s nothing to distract me. I wonder what would have happened if I had said something that night. If I had been brave enough to ask you to stay. If I had told you the truth. That I felt it too. That I was just as scared. That I didn’t want to lose you either. But some moments don’t come back. Some chances don’t repeat. And some people… they leave behind a look you never forget. I still remember the way you looked at me. And maybe that’s the hardest part. Because I know… No one has ever looked at me like that again.
By Khan 6 months ago in Chapters
You Left Without a Warning
You Left Without a Warning Some goodbyes don’t come with words—just silence that echoes forever. ‎BY: Ubaid I still remember the last normal day we had. It was one of those quiet evenings that didn’t feel special at the time—but somehow, it became unforgettable later. We sat across from each other, a small table between us, two cups of tea slowly losing their warmth. You were talking about something random, something I can’t even fully recall now… and yet, I remember the way your eyes softened when you smiled. That smile felt like home. If I had known that would be the last time I’d ever see you like that, I would have paid more attention. I would have memorized every detail—the way you held your cup, the way your voice lowered when you got tired, the way you looked at me like I mattered. But life doesn’t give warnings like that. The next day, you were gone. No message. No explanation. No goodbye. Just… silence. At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought maybe you were busy. Maybe your phone had died. Maybe something unexpected had come up. I tried calling you once… then again… and again. No answer. I sent a message: “Hey, where are you?” Minutes passed. Then hours. Still nothing. Another message: “Are you okay? I’m a little worried.” The longer you didn’t respond, the heavier my chest felt. My thoughts began to spiral into places I couldn’t control. I convinced myself something terrible had happened—because the truth felt too painful to accept. You wouldn’t just leave… right? By the second day, panic had turned into confusion. I checked your social media. You were gone there too—or maybe you had just made yourself invisible to me. That thought hit harder than anything else. Because it meant one thing: This wasn’t an accident. This was a choice. I spent days trying to understand why. Was it something I said? Something I did? Or maybe something I failed to do? I replayed every conversation in my mind, searching for a moment where things shifted—some hidden crack I didn’t notice at the time. But everything felt normal. You were happy. You were present. You stayed… until you didn’t. Time started moving in a strange way after that. The world didn’t stop—but it felt like mine did. Everywhere I went, there was a memory of you waiting for me. The café we loved. The songs you used to play. Even silence reminded me of you. Especially silence. Because that’s all you left behind. People told me to move on. “It happens,” they said. “Maybe they weren’t meant for you.” But those words didn’t help. Because how do you move on from something that never really ended? There was no closure. No final conversation. No explanation to hold onto. Just a story that stopped in the middle, leaving me to guess how it was supposed to end. And those unfinished endings… they stay with you. Weeks turned into months. At some point, I stopped calling. Not because I stopped caring—but because I finally understood something I had been avoiding: If you wanted to stay, you would have. Love doesn’t disappear without a trace overnight. People don’t vanish without a reason. And maybe I’ll never know yours. But I learned that sometimes, not knowing is the answer. Healing didn’t happen all at once. It came slowly—through small, quiet changes. I started spending time with people who showed up, who stayed, who didn’t make me question my worth. I picked up habits that made me feel alive again. I learned how to sit with my own thoughts without letting them break me. And somewhere along the way, I began to see things differently. Your leaving wasn’t about me not being enough. It was about you not being able to stay. One evening, months later, I found myself back at that same café. Same table. Same tea. But a different version of me. I sat there, expecting to feel that old pain again—but it didn’t come. Instead, there was a strange sense of calm. Like I had finally made peace with something that once destroyed me. I thought about you. Not with anger. Not even with sadness. Just… acceptance. Maybe you had your reasons. Maybe you didn’t. But I no longer needed to know. Because I had learned something more important than any explanation you could have given me: Not everyone who walks into your life is meant to stay. Some people come to teach you something—about love, about loss, about yourself. And sometimes, the lesson only makes sense after they’re gone. You taught me how strong I could be. You taught me that silence can hurt more than words. But most importantly, you taught me that I deserve someone who chooses me—not just once, not just when it’s easy—but every single day. So yes… You left without a warning. But I didn’t disappear with you. I stayed. I healed. I grew. And in the end, I found something I didn’t even realize I had lost while loving you— Myself.
By Ubaid 6 months ago in Chapters
Ben Boa’s Life in Pharma
Introduction This is the first episode of a six-part series about a loveable Aussie rogue called Ben Boa. He is working for a pharmaceutical company as a sales rep. He is getting his first real exposure to the finer points of quality, compliance, and ethics through his bungling antics in trying to get together with a girl.
By Calvin London6 months ago in Chapters
The day of silence
When Quiet Speaks Louder Than Words The town of Nandipur was not known for silence. It lived on chatter—vendors calling out prices, children racing through narrow lanes, radios humming behind half-closed doors, and neighbors debating everything from politics to rainfall. Words filled every corner, as if silence were something to be feared.
By Ibrahim Shah 6 months ago in Chapters
Fall From Grace
Slipping my hand to separate olive brown curtains but a fraction, enough only for a sliver of sunlight to penetrate a corner of my self imposed prison. My eyes rest upon needlepoint as a pang of loss stabs, as if I was plucked from my old life and discarded into my present life. My amber eyes trace my stitchwork, 'Amelia' stitched lovingly in calligraphy with gold embroidery thread. A pattern, once so proud of designing, now lay forgotten on my favorite sitting chair. My name floated above a beautifully shaped feminine hand done in a satin stitch, with viny morning glories wrapping around each digit. Vines transitioning nonchalantly into dangling gold chains dripping with small teardrop emeralds, as though the stem weeps through the Victorian French filigree, magically transforming into precious stones. Sighing, with a heavy heart, as my eyes sweep my beloved hand carved walnut Victorian antique chair, upholstered in gold and gingerly sprinkled with ivory flowers, yet awaiting my return as though shaming me for being away so long. Grandmother's Edwardian cut crystal lamp's beauty hides under a dusty layer, the lone survivor of a set, she purchased as a newlywed, rest upon a vintage walnut end table on top a champagne crocheted doily.
By Kami R. Taylons6 months ago in Chapters
Trump’s Historic Speech Signals Turning Point
Trump’s Historic Speech Signals Turning Point In a dramatic address that captured global attention, Donald Trump delivered remarks suggesting that the United States may soon move toward ending its conflict with Iran. The speech, filled with a mix of confidence and caution, has left analysts debating whether it represents the start of a genuine de-escalation or merely a strategic maneuver.
By Wings of Time 6 months ago in Chapters
Maya Part 1
Maya - Part- 1 I saw them with my own eyes my husband Naeem and my younger sister Prithu, together in a way they never should have been.
By Amir Husen6 months ago in Chapters
Middle East Power Realignment
Middle East Power Realignment The Middle East is undergoing a major geopolitical transformation. Energy routes, nuclear tensions, and shifting alliances are changing the balance of power in ways that could influence global politics for decades. Countries in the region are not only competing for influence but also redefining strategic partnerships, security frameworks, and economic priorities.
By Wings of Time 6 months ago in Chapters
Iran Nuclear Tensions and the Global Power Shift
Iran Nuclear Tensions and the Global Power Shift The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East is entering a new and dangerous phase as concerns grow over Iran’s nuclear program, potential military escalation, and shifting global alliances. Discussions among diplomats, military analysts, and international media increasingly revolve around one critical question: Is the world moving toward a new confrontation centered on Iran’s nuclear ambitions?
By Wings of Time 6 months ago in Chapters
We Said Forever… But Meant Goodbye
Some promises feel eternal… until they quietly fall apart. BY: Ubaid We used to say “forever” like it was something we could hold in our hands. Like it was real. Like it was ours. I still remember the first time you said it. We were sitting on that quiet rooftop, the city lights flickering below us like distant stars. You looked at me with that soft smile—the one that always made me feel like I was home—and you whispered, “No matter what happens, it’s you and me. Forever.” And I believed you. God, I believed you with everything I had. At first, it felt easy. Love always does in the beginning. Late-night calls, endless laughter, shared dreams about a future we hadn’t even built yet. We talked about everything—where we’d live, what our house would look like, even the names of kids we didn’t have. It felt so real. But somewhere along the way, things started to change. Not suddenly. Not loudly. Just… quietly. The calls became shorter. The texts less frequent. The laughter faded into silence that neither of us knew how to fill. I noticed it before you did—or maybe before you admitted it. I kept trying. I tried to hold on to the “forever” we promised. I reminded you of our dreams, our plans, the way we used to be. But every time I reached out, it felt like you were already slipping away. And the hardest part? You didn’t leave all at once. You left slowly. Piece by piece. Until one day, I realized I was the only one still holding on. I remember the night everything finally broke. We were sitting together again, just like that first time—but this time, the silence was heavy. Uncomfortable. The kind that presses on your chest and makes it hard to breathe. I looked at you, searching for something—anything—that reminded me of who we used to be. But your eyes… They didn’t look at me the same way anymore. “I think we’ve changed,” you said quietly. Changed. Such a simple word for something that felt like destruction. I wanted to argue. I wanted to fight for us, for everything we had built. I wanted to remind you of the promises we made—the “forever” we once believed in. But deep down, I already knew the truth. We didn’t mean forever. We just didn’t know it yet. Tears filled my eyes, but I forced a small smile. “Yeah,” I whispered. “Maybe we have.” And just like that, it was over. No dramatic goodbye. No shouting. No chaos. Just two people sitting side by side, pretending they were okay with losing everything they once called home. After you left, the silence became louder than anything I had ever known. Every place reminded me of you. Every song felt like a memory. Even the smallest things—the way you used to say my name, the way you laughed at your own jokes—haunted me. I kept asking myself the same question over and over: How can something that felt so right end like this? But the truth is, not all love stories are meant to last. Some are meant to teach you. And you… you taught me everything. You taught me how deeply I could love. How much I could give. How strong I could be, even when my heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. But you also taught me something else. Something I didn’t want to learn. That sometimes, people say “forever” when they really mean “for now.” And that doesn’t make the love any less real. It just means it wasn’t meant to stay. It’s been a while since that night. I won’t lie and say I don’t miss you. I do. Sometimes more than I should. But I’ve started to understand something I couldn’t see back then. Loving you wasn’t a mistake. Believing in us wasn’t foolish. It was just… a chapter. A beautiful, painful, unforgettable chapter. And even though we said “forever”… What we really meant was goodbye.
By Ubaid 6 months ago in Chapters
I Loved You More Than I Loved Myself
The day I chose myself was the day I finally stopped breaking ‎BY: Khan I didn’t notice when it started. Loving you more than I loved myself wasn’t a decision—it was something that quietly grew inside me, like a habit I never questioned. At first, it felt beautiful. Natural. Like this was what love was supposed to be. I gave you my time, my energy, my patience. I made space for you in every corner of my life. Slowly, without realizing it, I began removing pieces of myself just to make you comfortable. You liked things a certain way, so I changed. You needed space, so I waited. You were distant, so I tried harder. And every time I felt something was wrong, I told myself, “This is love. This is what people do when they care.” But love isn’t supposed to feel like losing yourself. I just didn’t know that yet. There were signs—so many of them. The way you stopped asking how my day was. The way your replies became shorter, colder. The way I always seemed to care more. But I ignored them. I convinced myself that you were just busy, just tired, just going through something. So I stayed. I stayed when you canceled plans without explanation. I stayed when you forgot things that mattered to me. I stayed even when your silence hurt more than your words ever could. Because I loved you. And somewhere deep inside, I believed that if I loved you enough, you would love me the same way back. But love doesn’t work like that. No matter how much you pour into someone, you can’t force them to feel the same. You can’t make them value you the way you deserve. And slowly, I began to feel it—the emptiness. I started questioning myself. “Am I not enough?” “What am I doing wrong?” “Why do I feel so alone, even when I have you?” The truth was painful, but simple: I wasn’t the problem. I was just loving someone who didn’t know how to love me back. The breaking point didn’t come all at once. It came in small moments. Like the night I waited for your call that never came. Or the time I shared something important, and you barely listened. Or the quiet realization that I was the only one trying to keep us together. And then one day, it hit me. I was exhausted. Not physically—but emotionally, mentally, completely drained. I had given you everything. And I had nothing left for myself. That’s when I finally asked myself a question I had been avoiding: “When was the last time I chose me?” I didn’t have an answer. Because I hadn’t. For so long, my happiness depended on you—your mood, your attention, your presence. I had built my world around someone who barely noticed I was falling apart. And in that moment, something inside me shifted. Not anger. Not hatred. Just clarity. I realized that loving you shouldn’t mean losing me. I realized that I deserved the same effort, the same care, the same love I was giving. And most importantly, I realized that staying was hurting me more than leaving ever could. Walking away wasn’t easy. It felt like tearing apart something I had spent so long building. It felt like letting go of hope, of memories, of the version of you I kept believing in. But I did it. Not because I stopped loving you. But because I finally started loving myself. The first few days were the hardest. I missed you in the quiet moments. I missed the routine, the familiarity. I missed the version of us that only existed in my heart. But slowly, things began to change. I started sleeping better. I started smiling again—real smiles, not forced ones. I started feeling… lighter. Like I could breathe again. And then one day, I looked at myself and didn’t feel broken anymore. I felt proud. Proud that I walked away. Proud that I chose myself. Proud that I didn’t settle for a love that made me feel small. Now, when I think about you, I don’t feel anger. I feel understanding. You were a lesson I needed to learn. You showed me what it feels like to lose myself—and more importantly, how strong I am when I decide to find myself again. I loved you more than I loved myself. But not anymore. Now, I choose me. Every single time.
By Khan 6 months ago in Chapters
World War 3 Current Affairs (2026)
World on Edge: The US‑Iran Conflict and the Looming Threat of Global War Middle East Tensions, Pakistan Diplomacy, and the Geopolitical Chessboard That Could Trigger World War 3
By Wings of Time 6 months ago in Chapters