Apulki Chapter 1 - Weekends & Other Dangerous Ideas
- Hansa
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Welcome to the first chapter of my new novella, Apulki — a Marathi word for apnapan, or “one’s own.” A feel-good romcom, it’s stitched together from memories of my friends and me, and all the madness of our early twenties. At its heart, it celebrates friendship, love, and belonging.
A lazy Saturday afternoon in Chimboli, a small town on the outskirts of Mumbai, the sort of afternoon when even the crows seem to flap slower. Yamini Kadam sat on a chair outside their favourite coffee shop, Bean There Spilled That, filing her nails with the precision of a jeweller inspecting diamonds. She taught Kathak for a living, but her ultimate ambition was to be in front of the camera, preferably with the camera’s full attention. After all, she was madly in love... with herself.
She glanced at Akash, who was doing what he did best: nothing. Sprawled, eyes half-closed, he looked like a man who had mastered the fine art of napping. His real calling was sleeping, followed closely by running late for everything. He worked for Right On Time Couriers. Their tagline — 'We Live by the Clock.'
A Pink Scooty and a Kawasaki Ninja Walk into a Cafe…
Yamini looked up as the familiar whine of a Scooty Pep announced Neerav Banerjee’s arrival. Neerav and only Neerav could ride a Scooty Pep, and that too an eye-searing pink model, without blushing. Isha was damn lucky to have him for a boyfriend, Yamini thought with a sigh. Scooty Pep or not, he was a domestic god.
“Hero’s here,” said Akash opening one eye.
Yamini chuckled as she caught Neerav flashing a smile, pulling up his collar, and running a hand through his hair—only to realise she and Akash weren’t even looking at him. Their eyes were on someone else...
ISHA SHARMA. She had just pulled up on her Kawasaki Ninja. Smart, self-assured, and with a touch of tomboy in her stride, she was a furniture designer who could tell a dovetail joint from a dowel rod, faster than a dancer doing a pirouette. Yamini looked at her bestie with a twinge of pride, as she braked smoothly outside the cafe, took off her helmet, and waved.
“Finally, weekend’s here,” said Isha, sinking into a chair. “Let’s do something exciting, guys.”
“Yeah, Ishu, let’s go for a movie,” Yamini suggested.
“No, something really exciting. Like the beach.”
“Alibagh?” Neerav offered.
“It’s too hot,” Yamini declared. “I’d melt.”
“You could sunbathe.”
“No thanks. I was born with a tan.”
“Khandala?”
“Too many taporis.”
“Matheran?”
“Hate horses.”
“Mahabaleshwar?”
“Too far,” Isha cut in.
“Lonavla?”
“Chikki and fudge are fattening,” Yamini sniffed.
“You girls!” Neerav clutched his chest and mimed stabbing himself.
Akash yawned. "Don’t waste your energy, man. Just stay home and sleep. Remember — it’s not the destination, it’s the company that counts… Oh shoot!" He jolted upright. "I was supposed to dispatch those parcels before three. Dragonosaurus will kill me.”
And with that, he bolted down the road, leaving the others staring at his retreating figure.
Nails, Naps, and Planks of Wood
Yamini stopped painting her nails to admire them. Midnight Temptation – nice shade. As she waited for them to dry, she scanned the tiny flat on the 5th floor she shared with Isha. Technically. But with Akash and Neerav drifting in and out as if they owned the place, the girls should’ve been charging them rent.
Thanks to her industrious and talented bestie, the furnishings, though modest, were stylish, reflecting Isha’s knack for making a space look like it belonged in a catalogue — a very budget-friendly catalogue. Even at this moment she was hard at work, sawing a wooden board at her work table, surrounded by the holy trinity of her profession — tools, paint pots, and planks. While Akash lay in front of the telly, his arms and legs dangling, half-asleep, the human version of a 'Do Not Disturb' sign.
Just then, Isha’s tummy let out a loud growl. She glanced up, a little embarrassed, only to find Yamini grinning at her. “You know, Ishu,” Yamini said, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we keep skipping it. Not good.”
“True.”
“At least a glass of milk every morning. I’ll ask the milkman.”
Isha wandered to the window. “Such a beautiful day. We should’ve gone for a picnic.” She tossed a cushion at Akash, who didn’t so much as twitch. “But you guys are so lazy.”
“It’s good we didn’t,” Yamini replied. “My smooth, silky skin would’ve got scorched.”
Isha rolled her eyes.
Yamini finished applying a second coat of varnish to her nails, blowing on them like they were fragile works of art.
“Akash, stop sleeping. Why can’t you do my photoshoot? I have an audition in two weeks,”
said Yamini.
“No portraits. I only do landscapes.”
“You mean sleepscapes?” Isha said.
Akash grinned without opening his eyes.
“Where’s Neerav?” Yamini asked.
“Pampering his mum. His dad’s out of town, so he’s cooking her a three-course meal,” replied Isha.
“Aww, so sweet.”
“He’s just practising for MasterChef.”
“Killing two birds with one stone? Not bad. I better get dressed or I’ll be late…”
Yamini did a few steps - dha dhin na, dha tin na.
“You’re teaching on Sunday too?”
“I need the money for my portfolio.”
“Sell your khatara gaadi.”
Yamini gasped as if Isha had suggested she auction off a kidney. “And travel by local train or auto? Do you know what that would do to my complexion?”
Isha chuckled and went back to her sawing.
The Facebook Scream Heard Round Chimboli (Louder than the 8:15 Local)
That night, the girls were lounging in their beds. Yamini was hammering her phone while Isha pored over some blueprints.
“OMG! OMG! OMG!” shrieked Yamini. “Sunil Waghmare’s on Facebook.”
“Sunil Waghmare? The film star Sunil Waghmare?”
“Yes, the one and only.”
“Must be a fake ID.”
“No, it isn’t. I checked. Just sent him a message…”
“You think he’ll reply?”
“ Dunno. Lemme refresh the page.”
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Subsequent Chapters:
Keep smiling friends. Life is beautiful. Cherish each moment.
© 2025 Hansa Writer. All Rights Reserved.
Wow, it's such a refreshing read! How did I miss this? Will definitely read next ones too
This is just my speculation of whats gonna be next.
So it must be something actor must be in trouble , possibly that he must hafte vala problem , and thats why he is asking help or something an this grp is dragged in this it will lead to chaos and fun and some love triangle also , they will help prolly bcz humanity or love or fame or whatever
So cliche prediction i hope im wrong.
I dont wanna ruin the story, and i dont criticizing as well , but just couldn't control thinking on this 😁
You are great at conveying things literally and a great story teller . You are strong with your pen. I really enjoyed reading it.
Waiting for chapter 2. 😍
I really enjoyed the first chapter....some bits were way too funny like the "human do not disturb sign" 🤣
Waiting for chapter two , please update soon
Ah!! Great start....Curious to see what's in-store, .especially with ' Waghamare' in..😁...keep it coming,pal💓💓