It’s a beautiful, cloudy morning. It’s only 5:45 a.m., and we’re already on our way to coaching class. We laugh at our stupid jokes, trying to catch up with each other’s cycles. This is my favourite time of the day—a quiet road, soft air, and my best friend, Noor, beside…

She sat on the couch, holding a glass of wine, lost in thought about her next story. The party was almost over when someone called her name from behind. “Vartika?” It was her friend, Alisha. “Why are you sitting here alone? And where’s your man?” Alisha asked. Vartika smiled and…

It was almost midnight when she parked her car by the roadside and stepped out. “Come out, Noor. It’s not that cold. We’re in Jaipur, not Kashmir,” Kanak teased. “I hope you know you’re insane. It’s February! I still don’t know what the hell we’re doing here,” Noor complained, shivering….

I’m crying… crying hard. I’ve broken everything in my room. I shout, I scream, and I don’t even know why. In anger, I slam my hand against the wall. For a second, the pain in my hand feels stronger than the pain in my heart. And then… I just get…

I’ve been living here for five months now. It’s a nice place — warm and safe. My tiny body is growing well. My nose, mouth, and ears are taking shape. My skeleton is hardening. I can even make different expressions. I can sense light. I can hear sounds. Yes, I…

That was the first time he shouted at her — because she wore a dress that was, according to him, too short. After the party, he dropped her off at home. Outside the gate, he said sorry. She was upset, but she said okay. She thought he cared about her….