Memoirs of Love

Publisher: Author’s Ink Publication.

Title of my story: Ankush

Price: Rs. 200.

Blurb:

Experience lost relationships in their most cherished memories. Even when nothing good lasts forever, some stories never cease to be. ‘Memoirs of Love’ is one such collection of tales from the heart for the heart. Exploring a range of emotions, each story enters the world of a unique character. Moving as well as buoyant, this treasure trove of lost love is an indispensable book.

Excerpt:

Ankush had just disappeared from my life. He was gone. I do not know what he felt about me. He was just like a breeze that came in to my life and made me feel good. He was the best thing that had happened to me.

What was Ankush’s story?

Why did he disappear?

Read my story in Memoirs of Love.

Buy the book here on Amazon and Pustak Mandi

A Beginning or an end - part IV

‘Sanket’s behavior was growing weirder day by day. I contacted his friend. He told me something which I did not ever want to hear. Sanket was in another relationship and Tara was the girl’s name. his friend explained to me how Sanket met Tara and about their relationship’

‘You must have been broken! I am so sorry!’ Aditya consoled me.

He is caring.

‘What are you sorry when the person who should be isn’t? I met Sanket the same day and asked him why he did this to me. He told me how lonely he had been and how Tara helped him in my absence. He told me that she was just like me- caring, helpful and that’s the reason why he got attracted to her. I was broken. I rushed home and cried a lot. All my dreams had been shattered. The love of my life had  deceived me, cheated on me. That night I received a message form Sanket. He said that I had no future in my career. He told me that Tara earned a lot more than me. And that was one of the reasons why he chose her over me. I had lost my temper. I texted him to f**k off and deleted him and his number from my life’ I had tears in my eyes.

‘Don’t cry Tara. He does not know that he has lost a diamond. If I was in his place, I would have never let you go’ he consoled me, again.

Why did he say like that?

‘I begged pardon for my mistake from my father. He said that he had already forgiven me! I got a job in Municipal Council in 2011. I am working there for 3 years now’

‘Did Sanket try to contact you?’

‘No Adi! He did not. He never really loved me. He wanted money which I could not  give him. I feel really bad for myself. I gave up my career for him. I gave up my dream. And in return, I did not get anything. He made me feel like a loser. I learnt from his friend that he married Tara in 2012 and has a son. He does not work and is surviving on Tara’s money’

Aditya stared into my eyes.

‘Whatever happens, happens for good Aditya. Otherwise, I would have been in Tara’s place worrying about future. At least, I am happy now, earning for myself, without slightest worry about future’ I smiled.

We finished our coffee. It was 8 o’clock in the evening.

I had never discussed Sanket with anybody. I wonder why I told you about him. But I felt good talking to Adi. Thank You Adi. I think I like you.

‘Its 8’, I announced.

‘Yeah. We need to rush home’ Aditya said.

He cleared the bill and walked towards me.

‘What are you writing?’ he asked.

I handed him a piece of paper and said ‘That’s my phone number. I too like you. Call me. We will meet soon’ I walked towards my bike and rode home. I felt free today, free from Sanket. My heart felt lighter. ‘Was it an end or a beginning?’ I wondered.

Links to previous parts:

Part I

Part II

Part III

A Beginning or An End - Part III

‘Go on’ Aditya said when I looked at him.

‘God pitied me. He understood my sufferings and sent one of my Uncles home. He convinced my father to allow me to learn computers in a Computer Institute. And very soon, I started attending the classes. I completed my course and found a job in a company. I was designated as Office Assistant. I was paid well and that allowed me to buy a cellphone for myself. The year was 2010 then. I got back in touch with my friends and also Sanket. He also, owned a cellphone. Our relationship was re-developing again. We chatted and talked over phone’

He is a good listener.

‘You must have been so happy then!’ he exclaimed.

‘I was very very very happy. My happiness was temporary. Sanket had taken to drinking and worked as a chauffeur for some rich guy. He came drunk to meet me. He used abusive language. Some days later, he started avoiding meeting me. I was really worried for him’

‘Was his unusual behavior the reason for break-up?’, Aditya interrogated.

‘Tara was’, I sighed.

‘You! How can you be the reason? You love him so much’

‘Listen to me Adi! I have not finished yet’, I rebuked him.

Did I just call him Adi? What is wrong with me?

Stay tuned for the next part!

Links to the previous parts;

Part I

Part II

A Beginning or An End - Part II

He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

‘I mean he does not know that I still love him. Besides, I do not want him back and same was the case four years ago’ I explained.

I do not want to sound a slut to you.

He nodded his head.

‘Tara, Tell me you love story’

‘Why don’t you start with yours?’

He opened his mouth to say ‘Ladies First’ but then swallowed his words.

‘Okay! Her name was Roshni. I liked her the day I saw her. We became great friends. I proposed to her. She said yes and we started dating. A week later, both of us realized that we weren’t in love. It was just infatuation. We broke up. We are friends now and still in contact.’

‘Is that it?’ I looked at him with my eyes wide open.

‘Yes! Now you!’

So short story. It was definitely infatuation.

‘Well. I met Sanket at my aunt’s wedding in 2004. He is my aunt’s neighbor. I was in SSC then. He was handsome and I had a crush on him the moment I saw him that day. He was busy with the marriage preparations. He was my cousin’s friend. He was a college dropout and was not working. We were introduced to each other and became friends. Though the marriage ceremony ended, our friendship did not. H would often come to meet me after my school. My friends teased me a lot. However, I rebuked them and convinced them that we were just friends. I, myself, deep in my heart, wanted it to be true. Yes, I was in love with him. I was in love with the guy who did nothing for living. I was in love with the guy whom my parents would never approve. It was valentine 2004 when he came to meet me at school. He presented a red rose to me and said those magical words. I was in seventh heaven. I was very happy. I thanked God. Valentine was soon followed by my SSC Boards. I did exceptionally well in my exams and scored 72% marks. My parents were happy at my success’ I smiled.

‘What happened next?’ he asked.

‘He, too, was happy for me. I got myself enrolled for Commerce stream. I loved banking. I wanted to make banking as my career. Little did I know that the bad period in my life had started with me entering HSSC. College meant bunking lectures. It was not possible in school, in college it was. I bunked lectures to meet Sanket. We would sit in college canteen and talk for hours. Our relationship was turning into a public one now. It was no longer a secret. Spending time with Sanket became my first priority. I started neglecting my studies. My marks suffered. My parents scolded me. They had not expected less marks from me’ I grew sad.

Aditya placed his hand on mine. We were like that for some time.

Why did I not withdraw my hand?

‘It was January 2008. I and Sanket were sitting in canteen, hand in hand when my brother spotted us’

‘Oh my God! He told your parents about you and Sanket’ he concluded.

‘Yes. He told my parents. My father beat me that day. Throughout my childhood, he had not scolded me. But that day, he was beating the shit out of me. I consumed all the pain happily. My love was put for a test and I wanted to emerge successful. I begged him for Sanket. He did not listen to my plea. He ordered me not to meet him. According to him, he was a spoilt boy. He was but too blind for me to see it. ‘College or no college’ was the options given to me. If I chose college, Sanket would be out of my life. I chose ‘No College’. I was determined. I gave up on my dreams of banking for Sanket. My love was much valuable and dear to  me than my career at that time’

‘Tara, Were you allowed to answer your HSSC boards?’

‘Yes. I answered my exams. I met Sanket during that time. He assured me that he would find some work for him and then talk to my parents. My exams got over in April 2008 and the following month, my results were declared. I scored 69% marks. My father did not talk a word about my graduation. He remembered my decision. He was adamant and so was I. I was at home for about a year. No person at home talked properly to me. I longed to get out of the house, meet my friends, and meet Sanket. But I wasn’t allowed. I was warned that if I tried to sneak out, the doors would be permanently closed. I had no option than to stay indoors’

Stay tuned for the next part!

You can read the first part at here!

A Beginning or An End - Part I

I sat at the coffee table sipping my coffee. He was supposed to arrive an hour ago. There was neither a single message nor a call from him.

 ‘He is not punctual’ I said to myself. ‘This will be the last time I am meeting guys’. I was angry. My mother has been organizing such meets since a very long time. This one was the 10^th guy I was meeting this month. The ones I had met seemed over-confident, proud and just wanted to impress me with their wealth. I had seen this one’s picture. He was handsome. I even had a talk with him on phone. I could conclude that he was decent and down to earth. But he was nowhere to be seen in this coffee shop. I loved being punctual. The moment I realized that he is late, I started hating him.

‘I am waiting for 10 more minutes. If he is not here within 10, I am leaving’, I messaged my mother. She kept insisting me to call him. But I was stubborn. I did not call him. In a way, I was happy that he had not turned up. I was happy that I was saved from that awkward talk. ‘I am saved’, I said to myself and then spotted him waking towards my table.

‘Oh! Shit!’ I exclaimed.

‘Was I loud?’ I looked around only to find everyone busy in their own world.

‘Hi’, he said to me.

‘Hey’, I replied.

‘Sorry. I am late. I was caught up with work’, he explained.

‘It’s okay. I finished just 2 coffees’. I was sarcastic.

I hate you already.

He smiled and pulled out a chair to sit. I did not waste any time. I wanted to get out of this mess as early as possible. I started with my usual speech.

‘Umm… Hmmm…’ I cleared my throat. ‘You know very well why both of us are here! Let me tell you that I do not believe in arranged marriages. I am here cause of my parents’

‘Even I am here because of my parents. I too do not want to have an arranged marriage. I prefer love. I did not want to dishearten them and that’s why I thought of meeting you. I liked your picture. My mother also told me some good things about you. I thought you would be a nice girl. Don’t worry. I won’t say yes unless you are ready’ he said.

The color of my face had changed hearing his talks. I felt as if I had been trapped.

‘Why are you appearing so frightened?’ he asked.

‘It’s nothing’, I replied.

How can you like me just like that?

‘So tell me about you’ he said.

‘You start’

‘Ladies first’

‘Do you believe in equal rights for men and women?’ I asked. He appeared puzzled.

‘Yes. I believe’

‘Do you feel any kind of gender discrimination should be made an offence?’

‘Yes. I feel so’

‘Then Why did you say ‘Ladies First’? Don’t think about the ‘Respect’ thing now. Please!’

He appeared a little shocked. ‘Okay. I will start then!’ he smiled.

‘I am Aditya. I work at Crack I.T. I am the only child of my parents. No brother, No sister. I do not know what sibling love is! I never had any serious relationship. I dated a girl during my college days for a week. But it did not end up well. I like Aamir Khan’ he finished.

I smiled at him.

He likes Aamir and so do I. We have one thing: Aamir in common. And he is a good guy. He did not boast about his wealth.

‘I think we should order something’, I suggested.’

He signaled the waiter to take our order.

‘So it’s your turn now!’ he grinned.

‘I am Tara. I work at the town’s Municipal Council. I am not educated like you. I have done my HSSC in Commerce and a computer course. I am deeply in love and I too…’ I looked at him.

‘I too… what?’ he asked.

‘Nothing’

‘You are in love?’

‘Yes. I am and I am not. It’s complicated’

Stay tuned for the next part!

Book Review: Love Beyond Words by Himanshika Sharma.

Author: Himanshika Sharma.

Publisher: Author’s Ink India.

Blurb:

A girl with disability and a guy with perfect life. Nerdy looks of the girl attracted the guy and he requested cupid to do something. Cupid played its role in their lives several times. Will Cupid shower its blessings on them? Will they make it to the end?

Story:

Kriti, a 19 year old, is a very sweet and kind girl. She is suffering from arthritis which is the reason why she is categorized as a girl with physical disability. She is very smart and intelligent and is determined that she won’t let her disability pose as a hurdle on her path to success.

Kunal, a guy from Kriti’s school, is head-over-heels in love with her. He does not have a good boy reputation as he has had several girlfriends in past. The day he fell for Kriti, he realized what true love is and it is from that day that he is planning to confess his feelings.

Kriti had a very bad experience with love in the past and believes that Kunal, too, would use her as a toy to pass his time. She accepts his proposal in order to teach him a lesson and eventually falls in love with him. Kriti and Kunal face a lot many problems.

Which family would accept a physically challenged girl as a daughter-in-law?

Will Kriti be able to break up with Kunal?

Will their love boat ultimately find its shore?

Love beyond words is a story of love, understanding and care. It is a journey of marriage. It is a story of selfless love.

There is something really sweet about this story. A one-time read! The only drawback is the editing. It has not been done properly. If it’s been taken care of in the subsequent editions, then this book will survive for long.

I rate:

Cover: 3/5

Story: 3/5

Characters: 3.5/5

I rate this book with 3/5 stars.

You can buy this book here!

Book Review: S.O.A.R – Success Over Adversity Reigns By Abir Mukherjee

Author: Abir Mukherjee

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Price: Rs. 125.

Blurb:

Frustated with their current jobs, Uday, Adhyayan and Rajasekaran team u to start an innovative business, non-existent in India until then. Ignoring all pragmatic aspects of life, they chase their dreams with immense pleasure. However, their journey is no cake walk, as they confront financial crisis and rejections soon. Uday plays a business trick to triumph over that uninfluenced market; it works initially, but soon boomerangs, blowing the team apart. The police arrests Uday accusing him of illegal activity by his organization.

Were there any blemishes in their plan or was it just a typical Indian market, reluctant to accept an un-experimented concept? Will they be successful in implementing their innovation, staking their hard-earned money, stable jobs, relationships and life?

S.O.A.R is the story of chasing a dream, quandary between desire and responsibility, friendship and love.

Join the gutsy journey of these entrepreneurs.

The story- as I could comprehend it-

Adyayan, Uday and Rajasekaran work for the same I.T organization.

Uday is a single guy and has a sick mother staying at his native place. His heart is burdened with a great secret which he never choses to share. He wants to prove himself as a business man. Adhyayan is married to Shristi. He does not find time out if his busy schedule for Shristi and that’s one of the reasons why their relationship is heading towards a failure. Rajasekaran is a simple guy. He falls in love with Sneha but is not courageous enough to confess his love for Sneha to his parents.

Life had been normal for all three until that black day dawns.

Kevin Systrom, the founder of Instagram says

‘If you have got an idea, start today. There’s no better time than now to get going. That does not mean quit your job and jump into your idea 100% from day one, but there’s always small progress that can be made to start the movement.’

Uday’s mind is lit up with an idea of an online business. He shares it with Adhyayan who also foresees a bright future. They take Rajasekaran on board and also hire a few college students and march on their business journey. Managing their business after office hours becomes difficult. Hence, all three quit their stable jobs one after another. They do this so as to devote their 100% attention to their dream project.

Life is not always a bed of roses. They face financial crisis. To overcome it, Adhyayan invests all his savings in their business and saves it from falling apart. Uday, too, sells off his ancestral property (after a lot of emotional melodrama by his mother) and manages to arrange some funds. Their business takes another shape. They are happy that their business is doing well.

And one fine day, it happens. The black day dawns bringing darkness in everybody’s lives. Adhyayan loses his baby and he attributes it to karma. A fight breaks out between the three and Adhyayan walks out on business and moves abroad.

One day, after almost one long year, Adhyayan receives a voice message from Rajasekaran that Uday has been arrested. Without wasting time, Adhyayan packs his bags to come to India to help his friend.

Why is Uday arrested?

Is Shristi fine with Adhyayan returning to India? Does she not have problems with it cause he never gave in to her requests of returning back to her?

How has Uday’s , Adhyayan’s and Rajasekaran’s life changed over this one year?

Will their friendship that had received a blow sometime ago, blossom into a stronger one now?

Read S.O.A.R! This is surely going to give you an exciting and enthralling read.

I come from an I.T background and hence, could relate to most of the incidents in this story. I had an excellent time reading it.

I rate:

Cover: 3.5/5

Story: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

My overall rating for this book is 4/5.

You can buy this book online by clicking on this link.

Book Review: Hidden Husband by Shikha Kaul

Author: Shikha Kaul

Publisher: Gargi Publisher

Price: Rs. 195.

Blurb:

Aisha is trapped in her own secret which makes her life hell. Her love for Raghav is true. But hailing from two very different cultures is the basis of their continued friction. Aisha is a Punjabi girl from Gurgaon and Raghav, a Bihari from Ranchi. Raghav’s family will certainly not accept a girl from outside their community. And yet, he continues giving her false hopes through his efforts and promises.

And then they take a step which entangles her life further. Will she manage to come out of this quandary or must she continue to live in her self-created web? Explore her journey that makes her realize that atrocities being committed on women in the Indian society and the tough decisions she must take, keeping her most loved ones oblivious to everything happening in her life.

Story:

Aisha, a Punjabi girl, is the HR head of the company she works for. It is said that love does not arrive in your life with any prior notice. It does not care for caste/ religion. Similar things happen with Aisha too. Raghav, a Bihari boy, enters her life. In no time, they become good friends and ends up in falling in love with each other.

Aisha and Raghav are totally in love. Life, for them, is running smoothly until Aisha gets a marriage proposal. Aisha is in dilemma whether she should tell her parents about her relationship with Raghav. After numerous conflicts between heart and mind, heart wins and Aisha confesses her feelings for Raghav to her mother. Aisha’s parents want to meet Raghav and their meet is arranged. Raghav manages to please Aisha’s parents successfully. Now, another hurdle is placed on to their path- Raghav’s orthodox and strict parents.

Will Raghav’s parents accept Aisha, a Punjabi, as their daughter-in-law?

Will Aisha and Raghav’s relationship remain strong in this ordeal?

What are the secrets that Aisha is carrying with her?

Hidden Husband is a story of love, care, understanding and risks. It’s about lover’s helplessness. It’s about dreams and wishes of a married girl. It’s about a mother who lost her baby. It’s keeping your parents happy. It’s about loving a person who loves you unconditionally.

What did I like the most?

• Sameer’s unconditional love for Aisha.
• Aisha’s effort in keeping her relationship  with Raghav strong and intact.
• Aisha and Piyali’s friendship.

What I did not like?

• Raghav’s delay in announcing about his marriage to Aisha (I know, he had genuine reasons. But, somewhere deep inside, I feel that he should have acknowledged it. He should have put in more efforts in convincing his family.)
• Aisha’s miscarriage.
• Aisha and Raghav’s divorce (They were so much perfect for each other yet they could not be together. A universal truth is revealed here- we are slaves to our fate, not the masters!)

The author has done a commendable job. I congratulate her for her debut which is surely going to be a best seller. The plot, the characters is just perfect. The style of narration is also very good. It’s simple and I loved reading Hidden Husband.

I have a question for the author.

‘How is Aisha going to react when she is going to meet Raghav again?’

‘Can we expect a sequel to Hidden Husband?’

I rate:

Cover- 4.5/5

Story- 4/5

Characters- 4/5

My overall rating for Hidden Husband is 4/5.

You can order your copies  here!

Pain... will be gone forever...

I am standing at the door of the elevator. I can hear it coming to the upper ground floor. I swallow all the saliva that has been collected in my mouth.

A young girl comes out from no where (no where cause I did not see her coming) and stands beside me. Sweat beads are shining like diamonds on my forehead. I fetch my handkerchief out from my pocket and wipe them. I look at her. She is an ordinary girl with not-so-distinct features. She smiles at me. I ,too, smile back at her.

“Isn’t it taking a long time?” She questions me.

“Hmmm… Yeah!” I reply.

“I should better take the stairs. Care to join me?”

“I… I…” I stammer.

“It’s alright! I shall go on my own. Bye. Take care.” She says and disappears.

There is no sign of the elevator. I am sweating.

“I should better come after some time.” I say to myself and leave.

***

I have found myself standing in front of the elevator, yet again. This time, it’s working and has 2 persons on board already. They are staring at me. I feel uncomfortable with their gaze. I wipe my face with handkerchief. I put my step forward to get in to the elevator but stop.

“Are you coming with us?” The old man asks.

“Ummm… Is Dr. Patil’s Clinic in this building?” I ask. I do not know what is happening to me. I do not know why I am interrogating about Dr. Patil’s Clinic when I know very well that it is located in the adjacent building.

“Son, it’s not here. It’s in the adjacent building.” He answers.

“Okay Uncle! Thanks a lot! Please bless me!” I blurt out.

I am surprised. And so is the old man and the other fellow.

“What is wrong with me? Why am I making a fool out of myself?” I wonder.

“Sure son! May God bless you and fulfill all your wishes.” He says and places his hand over my head. I feel divine. He smiles and leaves. I am, for the third time, standing at the door of the elevator.

***

“This time, I am surely going to do it!” I am determined.

I press the button with shivering hands and feet. I am sweating. My heart has started beating loud and fast. I feel as if it’s going to explode. I have started feeling scared. Numerous questions are running in my mind.

“Should I be doing this?”

“Is it going to be painful?”

“How will my parents react to this?”

Yes! I am having second thoughts. But then, I think about my life, my miserable life, my failure at my exams. I think of all those gloomy moments. I think of those embarrassing moments. I think of today, the result day. I can remember the expressions on the faces of all students when teacher declared that I had failed for the fourth time. These thoughts make me feel bad. They make me feel like a loser.

I haven’t been able to accomplish a single dream that my parents saw. I feel useless. I feel helpless. And that’s the reason why I am taking this step. Yes! I am committing suicide. I want this pain to be gone as early as possible.

I make up my mind and step in to the elevator. My heart beats fast as the elevator approaches the topmost floor.

“I can do it!” I say as I get out of the elevator.

Step by step, I walk towards the small wall of the terrace. It’s height is about 4 feet.

“Should I climb this?” I ask myself.

I peep from over the wall. The sight is scary. I am feeling giddy. I completely give up on jumping. I need to quickly think of some other option.

An idea lights up in my mind. I quickly run towards other end of the terrace and come running. I lift myself up and throw my body down. I am flying. I can feel the air kiss my cheeks. I can feel the pain which is lessening with each passing second. I am approaching the ground. A last portion of pain and it will be gone forever.

“God bless me!” I utter and close my eyes.

Cupid Calls

Publisher: Immortal Doon Publication

Title of my story: I wish to have a love like yours.

Price: Rs. 250

Excerpt:

“You miss him. Don’t you? I noticed your moist eyes, Granny.”

“Yes Pia. I miss him. I miss him a lot. Every single breath I take reminds me of his absence. The day he died, exactly one month after Preeti’s marriage, I felt like my life had come to a standstill. I did not find any reason to live.”

Whom is the narrator missing in her life?

What made her think about him?

Read the story and find out!

You can order the book online here!

The Incredible Indian Short Stories

Publisher: Airavat Publishing.

Title of my story: Mario- The Toddy Tapper.

Price: Rs. 199.


Blurb:

The word India came from the river Indus where as the word Hindustan is a mix of the words Indus and Hindu. India contributed to the world, Algebra and Trigonometry. Sadly, today's India is different from the Satyayuga (golden age) that India had then. Black clouds encircle the Indian sky now. Rape, corruption and riots are the common identification marks of India at present. The Incredible Indian Short Stories is a short story anthology that brings out the History, Culture, Religion and various shades of India and life in India.


Excerpt:

Mario had accomplished his goal. Not only Clara and his mother, but the entire Goan population was proud of him. No person ever dreamt that this man with no education would achieve such a great feat. He had proved to the alien government that Goan businessman still existed in Goa and that they had not conquered the entire state of Goa, yet. He became famous as 'Mario- The Toddy Tapper' amongst the Portuguese. Mario had, indeed, etched his name in the history of Portuguese rule in Goa.

What was Mario's goal?

Why was the entire Goan population proud of Mario?

Find out all the answers in my story- Mario- The Toddy Tapper.


You can buy this book here!

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