A memoir of a victim turned victor — “Hi,” I whispered. I felt dizzy with apprehension. I fidgeted with my fingers while I looked at the blue shoe on my left leg, missing the silver bow its other pair proudly boasted. No matter how hard I tried, I could not meet her eyes. When I received no response…

Because Urdu is more than just a language — “Listen: my father speaks Urdu language of dancing peacocks rosewater fountains even its curses are beautiful.” — (Shailja Patel, Migritude) No image could justify the emotion I wanted to convey while describing my mother tongue. Maybe it’s the woman on the left that reminded me of all those days I…

Yet I can’t seem to break away from this toxic cycle — My fingers ran through the edges of the envelope for the umpteenth time that day. My legs pushed my body to take another turn on my chair, and the empty office came into my view. Apart from my cubicle, everything else was clean, spotless, and silent. For once, no telephones…

They were pretty badass: Our ancestors lived near some of the biggest volcanoes — This story is behind Medium’s membership paywall. To become a Medium member, click here. Your membership fee will directly support me and other writers you read. You’ll also get full access to every story on Medium. Once upon a time, a long time ago, the Earth was inhabited by nine…

The SS Ourang Medan — Before social media came into our lives, there weren't many ways to help you gain fame. However, if there was any way to help you become famous for sure, it was to die under mysterious circumstances on an eerie ship in the middle of the ocean. This is how people…

Meet Aristides de Sousa Mendes — In 1940, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat stationed in Bordeaux, France, faced a difficult decision amidst the escalating war. …

The rise and fall of some of the greatest empires in the historical world — Throughout history, the world has seen uncountable empires and kingdoms rise and fall. Some mighty power survived the tide of time, while many fell immediately. Though the reasons behind their falls variea, their power and influence over the people captivated the world in a somewhat similar fashion. …

They were surely more than ‘just virgins’ — The ancient Romans were superpowers of the world once. There are many reasons behind their dominance — they fought well, provided well, and ruled well. Despite that, they held beliefs and practices that wouldn’t make much sense now. One of the many such insane beliefs was that in Vestal Virgins. …

#1 Anthony Johnson — The slave who became the slave trader — If there is anybody to be blamed for the gruesome history we know today, then we can all agree on one word: traitors. Throughout the past and across cultures, some people were hypocrites of the worst kind. They never felt uncomfortable selling out their people in exchange for money and…