കാല്പനികതയും ഞാനും

  Maneesh had been living in Dubai for three years, quietly and purposefully. An introvert by nature, he had built his life around routine and responsibility. Far from the buzzing social life of the city, he found solace in his work, evenings alone, and the occasional phone call back home to Kerala. The silence of bachelorhood suited him—mostly because it left no space for the echoes of his past. His college years in Kerala were brightened by a long and deep relationship with Diya, a bond that had felt eternal until life took them down separate paths. It wasn’t an ugly ending, just a necessary one—dreams, family decisions, and opportunities pulling them apart. It had taken him years to fully let go, years spent burying himself in work, thousands of miles away. But time, as it always does, moved on. After three years in Dubai, Maneesh returned to Kerala—not to revisit the past, but to start a new chapter. He got married to Anju, a gentle and thoughtful woman chosen through his f...

  The Arrival The first thing that hit Arjun as he stepped off the Emirates flight was the dry, warm breeze curling in through the jet bridge — a stark contrast to the sticky humidity of Kochi he had left behind just hours ago. His ears still buzzed slightly from the cabin pressure, but his eyes were wide open, soaking in everything — the sleek architecture of Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 , the polished floors that reflected overhead lights, the hum of dozens of different languages blending into a low, busy symphony. His heart beat faster. This is it, he thought. My new life begins now. Dressed in a checked shirt, jeans, and sneakers that had seen better days, Arjun clutched his worn-out suitcase — stuffed with clothes, a laptop, and a steel tiffin box full of homemade snacks. He felt like a small dot in a massive, moving universe of people. There were men in suits rushing past, women in abayas moving gracefully, airport staff in every direction — all so organiz...

It was just past 8 PM at the ever-bustling Dubai International Airport. Amid the noise of rolling trolleys, muffled flight announcements, and the hum of lives in motion, Aji stepped out of the taxi. He clutched his handbag a little tighter than usual and stood still for a moment, watching the crowd swirl around him. Then he exhaled and slowly began to walk toward the check-in counter. This trip wasn’t scheduled on a calendar or marked with reminders. It was one of those heart-pulled decisions. Aji’s wife had gently insisted, “Please be there when we come back… the kids will be happy.” She had taken them home early for school vacation. He had resisted, arguing about work and logistics, but in the silence of the apartment, her voice echoed more loudly than the reasons not to go. So here he was—with a last-minute ticket to Mangalore. Kannur was fully booked. He'd have to take a train from Mangalore in the morning. Not ideal. But Aji was always the kind of man who figured it out. ...

A Silent Love That Spoke Volumes Jithu, 21, was a quiet soul with a heart full of dreams. Hailing from a modest middle-class family in Kerala, he had always been the boy who spoke softly but carried the weight of his aspirations with quiet determination. His world was simple—studies, family, and the occasional cricket match with friends—until  she  walked into his life. Jina. Bright, vivacious, and effortlessly radiant, Jina had been his college mate since their undergrad days. She was the kind of person who could turn the dullest lecture hall into a place of warmth with just her laughter. And somehow, without either of them realizing it, she became the light in Jithu’s otherwise ordinary days. Their bond was unspoken, built on shared glances, stolen smiles, and the comfort of silence. Every lunch break, Jina would pack extra food—just for him. Jithu, in turn, never forgot to bring her favourite tea biscuits during exams. They never said the words  "I love you," ...