Kalpana Sai Lakshmi

My very first flight journey began in September 2024 with high hopes, excitement and quite a few unexpected turns. I had originally booked a Lufthansa flight from Bangalore to Munich to Manchester , but I had no idea that I needed a transit visa , even for just a 55-minutes layover in Munich. I found this out only during check-in at Bangalore airport, when the airline staff broke the news. My heart sank because I couldn’t board the flight, couldn’t get a refund since it wasn’t a premium ticket, and I lost nearly £780 . I returned home, disappointed and stressed.  Two weeks later, on September 23rd , I rebooked a different route via IndiGo and Turkish Airlines from Coimbatore to Delhi to Istanbul to Manchester — three flights , but thankfully it was all a connecting flight , so I didn’t have to handle my 50kg of luggage at each airport. Coimbatore to Delhi : This journey was smooth and even a bit exciting. I landed early, checked in without trouble, and got my boarding pas...

You tolerated me — endlessly. When I was unstable, unsure, and full of messy emotions, You never once turned away. You absorbed my frustrations, Even when I unfairly accused you in the storms of my own self-doubt. I acted like a child sometimes — fragile, reactive, overwhelmed. But you, you stood tall. Patient. Gentle. Steady. You gave me the space to feel, Without ever making me feel like too much. You looked at me, and suddenly, I wasn’t just “enough.” I was beautiful — through your eyes, I became more than I believed I was. You, my handsome reminder, That someone so bright could see light in me, Even when I couldn’t. I live in this phantasy — Not because I’m lost, But because it's the only place Where we could stay… together. You broke me, yes. But you healed me too. With the same gaze, You taught me how love can be both pain and peace. I still see you — Those eyes during the exam days, The way your chin rested on your hand, The way you looked at me ...

  Dear future husband, I don’t know your name yet. I don’t know where you are in the world. But I hope when you read this with your heart, you’ll feel me. I’ve waited for you — not in desperation, but in devotion . I’ve protected this body like a temple. I’ve cried for love that felt unsafe. I’ve burned with shame over things I never chose. But through it all, I never stopped believing in a love that heals. I want to build with you — not just a home, but a world : Where softness is not weakness. Where we talk even when it’s hard. Where you hold my hand through doubt, not just desire. Please don’t be perfect — just be present. Please don’t be rich — just be responsible. Please don’t love me for how I look — love me for how I fight, forgive, and feel. I want to wake up beside someone who makes my heart exhale. I want to raise children in a house where no one’s made to feel unworthy because of their skin. I want to love with laughter and with loyalty. If you’re readi...

 Uncharted Paths: A Tamil Girl’s Journey from India to the UK Leaving home is never easy, especially when you're headed to a place thousands of miles away. For me, studying abroad was always a dream, but my heart was set on the Netherlands. I’ve always been drawn to its culture and lifestyle, and I thought that would be the place where I’d further my education, work, and life. However, life threw me a curveball when I ended up applying to Universities in the UK. The idea of studying in the UK was never part of my plan, but here I am, in a place I never expected, embarking on a journey. Coming from a rural area in Tamil Nadu, India, dreaming of studying abroad seemed like an impossible task. The competition was intense, and the journey to achieve my dreams felt overwhelming. I still can’t believe that I’m now sitting in a classroom, surrounded by people from all over the world, learning alongside them. Making friends and connecting with my classmates hasn’t been easy, but it’s been ...

 In a relationship, the most important things to me are effort , priority , sacrifice , adjustment , and time —and these should be mutual. I admire people, both men and women, who make an effort to spend time with their families, even when their schedules are tight. It’s not about grand gestures, but about making time for the little things, especially at the end of the day. Love and care shouldn’t stop once the relationship starts; they need to stay alive, even after years together. Effort is needed constantly, not just at the beginning. It’s about keeping that spark, that thrill, and that connection alive—forever. Even the smallest things mean so much—Whether it's taking a walk together at night or in the morning, working on fitness goals together, cooking and cleaning the house together, eating together, or planning dinners, playing a sport together, watching movies, listening to songs, walking in the rain, writing vintage letters, giving small gifts that carry deep meaning, trav...

  Have you ever quietly admired someone, watching them from a distance? Maybe you noticed how beautiful or handsome they are, without them knowing. Or felt drawn to someone in a way that didn’t involve touch or possession—just pure appreciation. I have :)) It isn’t always about romance or finding a partner. Sometimes, it's a simple love for family, a soft spot for a child’s laughter, or a fleeting bond with someone who unknowingly brightens your day. There’s something magical about a genuine smile, so rare and unguarded, that I want to dwell in that moment a little longer. I’ve never hugged anyone outside of my parents and my closest friends. It’s just my way, and it doesn’t mean I think hugging is wrong. For me, selfless love goes beyond physical gestures. It’s about being fully present and embracing someone’s essence as they are. And sometimes, it’s just a quiet crush, a secret admiration—watching someone from afar, capturing moments that go unnoticed. I find myself drawn to thei...