Bookmarks and Popcorns

She, He and Love - Chapter 3 I don’t understand why long-distance relationships don’t work. The further you go, the more you love, right? I appeared in the gym only a few seconds before he walked in. He was wearing his best dark-blue tee-shirt and black track pants. With a gym bag hanging from a shoulder, black shades on, a heavy key in a hand, he gave an amazing, rich, heroic entry. Only to be disappointed because she was turned to the wall with headphones on. She had no idea about his entry or presence. That was disappointing because he came this way only to impress her with an amazing entrance. But that disappointment was drowned within a fraction of seconds when he saw her. He saw the side of her face in the mirror and almost dropped his gym bag. He did not know when or for how long he had held his breath. But he had a mixture of intense feelings that were complicated or unknown to literature as a heavy breath slowly leaked out of his nose and mouth. It had just been a week. Bu...

Genre: Non-fiction, self-help Author: Héctor García and Francesc Miralles Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ After a long-term debate with myself, I picked up Ikigai because I was not much of a non-fiction person. I had read a self-help book before, but did not feel very satisfied with it. Or helped, for that matter. This was a reason why I kept procrastinating. But after I started to read the book, I realized how wrong I was. In fact, I am happy I read it. The book introduces us to the very concept of “Ikigai” which means the reason for one’s being. All of us will/would have reached a point of time where we wonder “what am I doing in this life?” No. This book does not answer your question. Instead, it discloses to you its significance and paths to arrive at the answer. And this is done through a thesis-like explanation by exploring the lifestyle of many supercentenarians – mainly focusing on the people living in Okinawa. Okinawa is known to be the home of the largest population of centenarians in the w...

I learn new things every day About myself. I learnt that I could hold my breath Without my knowledge When you spoke to me. I learnt that my heart could beat loud Without any intentions When you came close to me. Learning things about you Was automated, Observing you Was a reflex. You became a habit A chap on my lips, A song in my mind, A nail on my finger, A crown on my head. When girls batted their lashes for you, I stared at you obtrusively without remorse Obtuse enough to make you aware Of my parted lips and blinking captivation. You walked to me like you owned this world I stayed there unwaveringly rooted Like I was your world. I learnt you scurried in, callous, Through the cracks of my heart. You ripped it open enough To feel love all the time I was away from you, To feel pain all the time I was with you. Hands intertwined Or fate? Hit with soft kisses Smothered with cuddles Suffocated with touches I learnt I could be drenched. The next stage w...

A tear in an eye A choke in the throat An ache in the heart This is how I saw you. Alive and abounding, Spritely thriving. Virtual glee?  Or emotional gory?  Damp eyes never clashed  With the smile on my lips Love or loss? Or should I say Lost to love. Yours and mine. What hours of silent sobs Could not thaw A smile on your face did.  Nope.  Definitely not a pain of loss Pain of love, probably Because loss is indelible But so are you.

Genre: Romantic Comedy Author: Beth Reekles Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ I admit it. I read this book immediately after watching the movie. I thought this book would be my guilty pleasure just like how the movie was. Is that what I found? Books are usually better than the movies. Was this one? The Kissing Booth is the story of Roch”elle” Evans, Lee Flynn and Noah Flynn. Elle is a popular tom-boyish teen who has never been kissed (this point is given more importance for some reason). Lee is her best friend since childhood. Noah is the fiery, hot elder brother of Lee who excels in picking fights (and chicks), and in being an over-protective boyfriend. With this premise, even a person with no clue about this story could guess it right. Yes. Elle has a crush on Noah. Noah likes her too. They both date secretly. But Lee finds out. Mess. Easy problem, handled badly, is at last solved. Oh, wait. Another Mess. Possible problem handled badly is solved again, slowly. The END. 🌻 Although the plot is clic...

She, He and Love - Chapter 2 I stood in front of the counter, waiting for the Chicken Zingy Parcel that had been misplaced by the staff. Priyanka loved Zingy Parcel. I don’t know why? But then she is a person of weird choices and preferences. She chose me. “What are you smiling at?” Kishore’s voice cut in my flow of thoughts. I could have said something, but I liked where my flow of thoughts were headed to, that I did not want to snap out of it. So I just shook my head to him and jumped into the memory carousal of her weird choices. We met in the most unexpected place – the gym. I was so fat back then that no girl used to voluntarily talk to me and she was the first one to do that. She became my training partner and we both had the same trainer. When most girls would either judge people and be more rude, or dress up for the gym and assume you are eye-balling them when you have just looked their way, she was someone who just wore what she felt comfortable in and was friendly to ever...

She, He and Love - Chapter 1 I waited beside a crowded bus stop. I did not want to stand out. I stood alongside a horde of giggling high school girls. Half-disgusted and half-jealous, I waited as my impatience whirled into a vortex every minute. I started tapping my feet and eating my lips. A few minutes later, my mobile rang. It was him. “I am in the Domino’s opposite to the bus stop. Come over.” I found him seated in the last table by the glass window. I sat opposite to him. “What is wrong with you? Why are you late? You said “No” when I suggested meeting in Domino’s. Why are you here now? If you were changing plans, you could have at least told me, right? I would have waited here for you. I stood in a stupid bus stop for 20 minutes. And you just –” “I am sorry, ma. But let me explain na!” He cut in my raging rant. I pursed my lips and so he continued. “My friends are on their way to meet you. And they informed me only 2 minutes ago. I called you as soon as I reached.” He paused ...