It’s Here! The Cover of Milan – A Wedding Story!

Milan-cover (2)Yes! It’s finally Here!

The cover of my next book– MILAN- A Wedding Story 

‘Milan’ in Hindi meaning ‘a coming together’.

As soon as I saw the beautiful cover in red and gold depicting a traditional North Indian wedding procession where the bride in her doli (palanquin) is being transported to her husband’s house, I fell in love with it. And I hope you do too! Not just with the cover but with the story- A real- life fairytale!

SYNOPSIS–

When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do?
Easy. Wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on the door.  Jai Bharadwaj, Madhu’s father and owner of The Serenity Tea estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would’ve probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first.  What would she say?

The book will be out SOON!

Meanwhile you can read the first few chapters HERE!

And get my other books HERE!

Inconvenient Relations Book 2 #Teaser 3 #AmWriting

messy bed

Teaser#2

#3 Messy Bed

Meanwhile at home, Ruhi wasn’t feeling so perky. Her husband had left for work on an empty stomach and without his usual packed lunch.

But it isn’t my fault entirely, she thought while sitting at the dinette table and taking her first sip of the ginger chai. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and let the invigorating aroma seep into her brain and gradually dissipate the dense fog of fatigue that had lodged in there.

“He is to blame equally if not more.” She asserted aloud as her eyes snapped open– alert and gleaming with indignation.

“Why does he wish to be indulged in all the time? Is he not aware that his wife is a very delicate little thing?” She directed the question to the empty chair she was seated across. It didn’t respond with a smart rebuttal, unlike her husband.

She sighed and her head sank to the table.

Sometime in the middle of last night, she had stirred from her sleep and found herself alone. Nervous, her heart fluttering inside her chest like a frightened bunny, she had cocooned herself in a sheet. Then she had padded over to the room across the hall that he used as his office and squealed with delight on finding him there busy on the computer terminal.

Throwing her arms around him, she had nuzzled into his neck. He had responded by groaning aloud and complaining that her presence robbed him of his concentration.

Furious, she had marched out and settled on the couch in the living room with a book she’d blindly swiped from his bookshelf. It turned out to be one of his engineering texts that made no sense to her at all. But she hadn’t gone back to exchange it— her insides still seething with irritation. How could he?

She must have fallen asleep for when she woke, she found herself nestled in his arms. He carried her to bed, where instead of sleeping, they had made love again.

Ruhi blushed red hot as she rinsed her cup. It wouldn’t be easy getting used to his ways, yet it’d be so much better if he didn’t have such an unpredictable work schedule.

She moaned and hugged herself in an attempt to resurrect his presence.

“No Ruhi, wake up! This won’t do! You can’t squander away the rest of your life pining after your spouse like a silly wife. You need to get your act together.”

She nodded, “Yes, I have to find a job and start honoring the promise I made to Sunshine or I won’t be able to rest in peace.”

She dropped a couple of bagel slices into the toaster, “But before any of that, there is something else I need to do.”

-0-

INCONVENIENT RELATIONS Book 2 ‘NOW AND FOREVER’ — #love #passion #suspense #intrigue

GET BOOK 1 HERE

 

‘Being Multicultural’- My first LIVE Radio interview :)

radio_interview

Its always fun to talk about something besides my books. In the below interview I got to talk about breaking down walls and building bridges. Check it out and you’ll get what I mean. 🙂

I had a great time talking to Larry and Robin on WOCA- AM Gainesville/Ocala Florida. It was broadcast LIVE this morning.

InconvenientRelations-web Accidental Wife Book Cover

You can check out my books HERE!

Inconvenient Relations Book 2 #Teaser 2 #AmWriting

computer

Previous EXCERPT

Exasperation

“Damn this work!” Shan almost clobbered the keyboard of his PC. He was furious. “Finally! But at what time?” he grumbled sneaking another peak at his desktop clock.

‘An unforeseen error has caused this algorithm to malfunction. Can you rerun the program?’

Shan was puzzled. He was pretty sure that everything had been working perfectly on initial submission. Then what had come up in the interim? He ran the test again and sure enough it got stuck but without giving him any clue as to what had gone wrong, almost as if a bug had made its way into the system.

He spent the following three hours going over the entire program with a fine tooth comb. Finally his patience paid out when he discovered the culprit—a discrete piece of code that seemed completely out of sequence…

He frowned unable to comprehend that he had let such a trivial error slip by. It was so glaring and obvious that even a half-witted undergrad could fix it. So why hadn’t the rockstars of the testing team?

“Because they are morons. All of them! All talk and zero substance!” He yelled banging the desk with the heel of his palm so hard that it sent flying half of the bric-a-bracs he had managed to accumulate over the years.

Picking them up one by one from the carpeted floor he tried to console himself– ‘Always keep the inventors on their toes’ was the unspoken mantra at his work place adopted as a holy doctrine by each and every employee.

Perhaps I’m being too ornery, he thought while interpolating the necessary changes into the code then let out a long sigh. But what can I do…haal hi aisa hai!

A fond smile lit his face when he revisited the proceedings from earlier that evening.

***

Inconvenient Relations Book 2, Now and Forever, #AmWriting, the continuing saga of Ruhi and Shan, A tale of #Romance #Passion #Intrigue

Catch up with BOOK 1 at these LINKS!

‘Nothing is Impossible’- Excerpt from ‘The Accidental Wife’

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NYC Skyscrapers. pic credit- Simi K. Rao

The Accidental Wife

Excerpt- Nothing is Impossible.

-0-

How long he walked or how far, he wasn’t aware, just that it was critical for him to keep his body in perpetual motion. When abruptly, amidst an enclosure of several tall shiny buildings, he was forced to come to a standstill. It was as if the looming giants had all ganged up and were hellbent in fencing him in.

Alarmed, he glanced around, searching the faces of his companions, but none appeared to share his uncanny experience. It must be in my head, he thought, closing his eyes and taking in several slow, deep breaths.

Then he looked up warily.

The mammoth structures of concrete and steel, they towered so high it looked as if they were scraping the sky—reflecting man’s eternal quest for the ultimate. And they were all beckoning to him, urging him to join them in their quest. Rihaan responded by drawing his hands out of his pockets, reaching up, craning with every fiber of his being. Yes, if he tried hard enough, he too could touch the sky. Nothing was impossible.

-0-

Accidental Wife Book Cover

BUY LINKS

 

Rhythm and Blues Chap 21: Lights

Lights

Chap 20

21: Lights

“Damn where is she?

“Shan I’m really pissed that you find your watch more attractive than your companion!” Natasha pouted.

You got that right, he mused while shooting off a text to Diva hoping Khanak would be with him.

“Shan I’m talking to you!”

“Where is Ms. Mishra? Wasn’t she supposed to be here tonight?” inquired Rohan Khatri, one of the designer twins who had opted to let his brother organize the entire show tonight, while he watched from the side lines.

“Ms. Mishra? Who is she?” Tashu asked casually.

Shan didn’t care to enlighten her, sure that she knew already, but was putting on an act of ignorance.

“Rohan is talking about Ms. Khanak Mishra, Jhankaar’s new lead dancer, isn’t she Shan?” Tarun drawled directing a sly smile at him.

“Yes she is!” Shan snapped back pretty sure that Tarun had a hand in Khanak’s disappearance tonight. I need to get to the bottom of this! He resolved but didn’t have time to act on his intentions as the show had already started.

Khatri’s summer collection was on display. Tall, thin dead pan models swayed their bony hips down the cat walk sporting various articles of clothing in bright summer colors.

While the women oohed and aahed and their men ogled at the skimpily clad girls, Shan didn’t see anything because Khanak had completely taken over his mind.

Just then…

“Ladies and gentlemen!” A widely beaming Roshan Khatri had taken the mike seemingly unable to contain his excitement. “We are indeed privileged that Jhankaar has chosen our venue to show off their latest acquisition…. their new lead; the gorgeous Ms. Khanak Mishra!”

Shan sat up, his blues abruptly driven away. She’s here! She didn’t let me down!

“I’m so sorry Shan that you have to make do with someone who is well below your usual level of expectations! Hope you’ll forgive me but you see I couldn’t help it..;” Natasha pouted.

“You better reserve your judgment for after you’ve seen the performance! You may be unpleasantly surprised!” He didn’t hear another word.

The curtains on the grand stage drew slowly apart unveiling a scene that resembled an artist’s studio. Canvases, paints and other paraphernalia lay scattered all over.

Shan was surprised when Diva appeared wearing a smock splattered with paint. But he wasn’t acting his usual happy self, instead he seemed in agony as he paced around like a wild man. He trashed the canvas he was working on and pulled at his hair, seeming utterly deranged. He was brilliant, he had captured the audience’s attention.

Appearing unable to handle the situation anymore, he finally went and stood in front of a shrouded canvas that occupied center stage. He pulled away the sheet revealing an unfinished painting of a girl in a veil. He hugged the canvas and broke into tears. It was clear he had fallen in love with his own creation and as a result was suffering the consequences. He collapsed on the floor in misery.

Then perhaps as if by the force of his incredible passion and love, the painting seemed to come to life.

The scene transformed into a dreamscape.

A slim graceful figure emerged slowly from the fog–her face hidden by a veil of gossamer blue.

The audience moved as one, their eyes glued on her, instinctively knowing they were about to witness something extraordinary, as her bell clad feet struck the floor, effortlessly keeping pace with the rhythm.

Shan smiled—Khanak was back where she belonged.

Glancing around him, he saw all eyes without exception were trained on the lone figure on stage as if bound by an invisible thread. Even Tash’s curiosity seemed perked.

He too moved to the edge of his seat, his pulse racing. Anxious. He did not want to miss the moment when her face would be revealed.

“Manmohini…”

There was a collective sharp intake of breath as the danseuse, tossed her veil away revealing a visage that was exceptionally beautiful not only due to its exquisitely etched features rather more so for an untouched, untainted quality rarely encountered in showbiz.

Her loveliness was of a substance that dreams are made of. Something remote and unattainable.

She was like an ‘apsara’–a heavenly maiden who held in thrall not just her creator but each and everyone who laid eyes on her. With the allure of her wonderfully expressive face and the smooth elegant movements of her hands that moved seamlessly with her lithe body, she cast her spell.

The memories of the first time Shan had laid eyes on Khanak came flooding back when as Shakuntala, she had enchanted and held him captive. Yet this time the magic was reinforced several fold.

He had fallen head over heels and he fell again. This time quite willingly, offering little resistance as she interpreted the simple yet profound words of the song.

‘’Lat uljhi suljha ja baalam..’’

His eyes followed her in a trance as she danced down the catwalk and catching his gaze smiled mysteriously and motioned to him if he would care to rearrange her wild untamed tresses. He was urged to rush on to the stage and run his fingers through her hair. But was the very next moment he was swamped with envy when she turned toward someone else and asked him to set right the awry vermillion dot on her forehead.

‘’Maathe ki bindiya bikhar gayi hai..apne haath sajaa ja baalam.’’

Such was the power of her ‘abhinaya’ or art of expression that each member of the audience felt that she was personally conversing with him or her.

The rhythmic part of her dance was equally mesmerizing illustrated by her dynamic footwork and lightning quick pirouettes that made her skirt swirl around like a floating galaxy of glittering stars.

There was a pin drop silence in the auditorium when the music ended and Khanak held her finishing position.

Everyone let out a collective sigh. It was followed by a deafening roar as they all stood up to give her a standing ovation and inundated her with flowers.

***

Khanak collapsed into a chair in the green room. Her feet that had been flying across the large stage seemed now unable to hold her up anymore. She trembled with hands clasped over her flushed cheeks and said; “…they appeared to like me Diva.”

“Like you?!” Diva grasped her shoulders; “My dear, they loved you. Theyadored you! Didn’t you hear the clamor?”

“I…I did,” she replied. Her eyes were shining. “…and it was such a relief! I was worried as it was a fashion show with a western theme…would they accept an all Indian number?”

Diva broke into a loud guffaw, “if you are talking about the pretenders, then yes, there is no dearth of the kind. It is laughable when you see how they try to outdo each other trying to exhibit their…” he gestured with his fingers, “…phorenness and look down upon anything even faintly ‘Indian.’ But deep inside they cannot deny their roots and after all art does not have a language nor a country. If you are good at what you do, you’ll have no trouble finding people who will appreciate your work wherever you go, and that’s what it’s all about!”

Khanak nodded seeming relieved.

“You have arrived lady! Ms. Khanak Mishra has arrived! Just beware the likes of Tash, Tarun and co!” He had a broad beam on his face as he removed her new dress from the hanger.

Khanak’s face fell, “I saw her. She was sitting next to him, looking like a doll…so beautiful.”

“Yes. A painted doll! Khanak…!” He exclaimed in apparent frustration, “…how can I explain to you? Please don’t waste time comparing yourself with her or for that matter anyone else! I see it, the audience sees it and most important of all Shan sees it! You are different and hence unique! You’d stand out in any crowd! While most of them out there are engaged in pretending to be what they aren’t, Natasha included, you are comfortable in your own skin! With your abundance of talent and energy, you don’t have to fear anybody, rather they need to fear you! Did you get that?”

“Yes I got it. You don’t have to repeat that again. May I recommend you to anyone who needs a pep talk?” Khanak said giving Diva a tight hug.

“Oh..C’mon don’t make Diva blush!” But he looked pleased.
A loud banging on the door made them both jump.

“Khanak are you there? I need to see you!” They heard Shan yell.

“Diva! What will I do? How will I behave?” Khanak asked anxiously.

“My dear, you don’t have to do anything. Just follow his lead and trust your instincts.” He chuckled and walked over to the door and threw it open.

“What’s going on here?” Shan demanded barging in.

“Girl talk. Now she’s all yours.” Diva said cocking his head sassily to one side. “I think I better say hi to my old friend,” he winked suggestively at Khanak before sashaying out but not before blowing Shan a kiss that made him blush.

Khanak giggled nervously.

***

“Khanak I…” Shan began but had to stop as he felt an odd sensation of movement, as if he was about to fall. He almost staggered back against the door.

No girl ever before had had this effect on him.

In a halter neck antique rose Versace dress of silk tulle and georgette embroidered entirely in crystal Khanak looked so radiant and ethereal that he feared she’d disappear at any moment.

Her cheeks burned under his gaze. He found his voice at last, “you…”

“Were you pleased?” she asked, her brilliant eyes laced with anxiety.

“Pleased? By what…” He repeated before the implication of her words dawned on him. Damn! Only she can pose such a question! “Khanak! You better wipe off words like that from your dictionary” He continued approaching her, “I don’t know how to say it. You were phenomenal! Perhaps one of the best if not the best dance debuts on the Mumbai stage…” Then he dared to venture further as she shyly lowered her gaze—-“You took my heart and this time I’m not sure if I want it back.”

–0–

Below is my favorite rendering of this beautiful song—

tbc

Liking it so far. Please leave a few words in comment. 🙂

‘Inconvenient Relations’ Book 2- Sneak Peak #AmWriting

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Yes I am writing! INCONVENIENT RELATIONS BOOK 2– the continuing saga of Shan and Ruhi. Expect a lot more Insanity this time around from this sweet and sexy couple.

The Book is tentatively titled Now And Forever. 

Here’s a SNEAK PEAK for my dear readers—- ENJOY!

1: PASSIONS

-0-

Author’s note: Picking up the story from we left off in Book 1. Shaan and Ruhi have just consummated their marriage and it is the morning after—

 The Grand Canyon:

A bright light pierced the eyeball and ambushed the retina, shattering precious sleep from those weary eyes; a more irritating phenomenon couldn’t be conceived nor tolerated.

A graceful arm rose and flung itself across that bewitchingly delightful visage and a command emanated from those bruised and battered ruby red lips…

“Go away!”

Ruhi heard a sharp intake of breath.

Curiosity now gaining the upper hand, she blinked and found herself in direct confrontation with a pair of eyes whose color closely resembled the bark of a Monterey pine, like decadent dark chocolate. The aforementioned creatures were subjecting her figure to a very minute inspection and apparently quite relishing it!

Several moments passed before it dawned on her that it had been no freaking dream.

She stared back, holding his gaze as gentle warming rays of sol slanted their way through the small square opening and bathed her golden. She was lying there stark naked, with barely a stitch on; her body on display for his exclusive amusement!

Her heart skipped several beats and eyes screwed shut in confused panic as she recalled in vivid detail the uninhibited transgressions of the night past. She crossed her arms over her chest attempting in vain to restore some of the lost dignity and winced as she crossed her legs, her nethers complaining having borne the brunt of the uninhibited assault.

Shaan’s lips parted in wonder as he watched a deep pink suffuse her torso and creep up her cheeks. How could the most beautiful creature in the world, his Goddess of love of whose temple he had appointed himself sole guardian, manage to become even more irresistible? And to add to the ambrosial palate her eyes were spitting fire! He could feel his insatiable appetite stir within his groin again. God! I need to have her before she reduces my life to shambles..as if she hasn’t already!

Parking a possessive hand on a dainty hip he squeezed it hard then leaned down close so she could feel his warm breath fan her burning face. She shuddered then writhed in mortification as she sensed desire replace her affected anger. No! I need to stand my lost ground though I have no clue why.

“So?” She inquired.

“So?” His brow arched in amused curiosity.

“Am I taken?”

He stared at her in disbelief for a brief moment before throwing his head back and laughing out loud. “God! How beguilingly innocent can you get? It’s unbelievable!” He wrapped his leg around her pelvis, communicating his need in no uncertain terms and was pleased to witness her skin to pucker with excitement. “Yes my darling. You can consider yourself officially deflowered.”

A quiet ensued as she weighed the information.

“Did you enjoy it?”  He queried.

“What a dumb question to ask!” She retorted.

“Dumb? Now I really want to know. Did you?”

“Absolutely not!” Her eyes flashed. “I’m black and blue both inside and out!”

“It’s only natural,” he said with a tinge of remorse. “Uhm… the more we do it the better it’ll get. And… you made me wait so long that I couldn’t control myself…you are,” he paused to savor the contours of her shoulder that made her let her breath out in a hiss before she turned her face away. “you know you are undeniably ravishing, more so now than ever!”

“You ..you are a brute!” She censured loudly while reaching for her clothes.

“Brute?” He was stunned. Nobody had called him that before.

“You call this..this lovemaking?” She managed to hook her fingers into the back pack.

He regained his cool. Madam was trying to ditch her beloved. Hitching a sturdy arm around her waist he pulled her back. “Because it is love making…” He said kissing the back of her bare shoulder, running the tips of his fingers over her nude arm, causing her to purr and stretch luxuriously like a satisfied cat.

“You are so mean!” She insisted.

“I am not. And your body is telling an entire different story!” He forced her to turn on her back trying to overpower her will. His lips reached for her mouth, knowing that to be a failsafe method of breaking her resolve.

She struggled her mind resisting the temptations of her body, upsetting his effort to have her at all costs, until finally he let go baffled beyond belief.

He watched silently as she turned her back on him and swiftly covered herself with some random attire. “Where are you off to?”

She turned back, her face all flushed from their exertions. “Uh…I’m going to try to get a quick wash before everybody gets up.”

“And then…?”

“Then…? Don’t you remember, we are supposed to go white water rafting today?”

“Uhmmm..yes. But there aren’t any compulsions.” He said lying back and cushioning his head on his arms, a wide grin settling on his face when he saw her turn away in chagrin at his body’s flagrant display.

“But ..I want to go. Don’t you?”

“I wanted to earlier..but not now..not after last night. You know what I want…what you want.”

She shivered when she felt his fingers slip inside her blouse. “No..I can’t lose this opportunity. I..I’m going even if you don’t want to come.”

“Ruhi…!”

Emitting a wretched cry, she wrenched herself from his grasp and slipped outside the confines of the tent. After pausing for a fraction she ran, no… hobbled to the river while the lower half of her body screamed in protest.

She found a small secluded spot behind a large boulder where a shallow pool of water had lodged. Without a second thought she waded in, feet skimming over the river rock worn smooth by eons of erosion, deeper and deeper till her waist was submerged letting the cool wetness seep inside her skin, numbing the burning pain which was making her brain run amok. Standing there, waiting for her harried breath to calm, she ran her gaze far and wide absorbing the early morning light as it bounced off the rippling waves as they rushed in their endless quest, in all the brilliant colors of the rainbow. Her hands tried to catch them but failed, her fingers acting like a sieve.

Then she saw a face in the water, but failed to recognize it. Confused she splashed before realizing it was none other than of her own.

She had changed. Ruhi Sharma had changed. She didn’t belong to herself anymore, instead she bore his indelible stamp and it frightened her, bewildered her, urging her to make a run for it, so to take a breath that wasn’t enmeshed with his. For he influenced her every notion, manipulated every idea that occurred in her mind causing her to invariably sway to his tune.

But wasn’t that the way it was supposed to be? Isn’t this the day, the moment she had been waiting for all along?

Yes.

Then why do I want to resist?

She thought for a moment before proclaiming aloud– “because I’m me… I cannot not be me, even though I am his.” The constant churn in her mind, appeared to slow down some.

Sensing a flurry of activity upstream she glanced in the direction and spied the Andys preparing for the upcoming adventure.

 

“Do I really want to battle the seething river? Hell no!..But…” Her lips curved into a wicked smile as she plotted. Her brain’s naturally hewn abilities still very much intact. It was very hard for her to disregard the distinct pleasure she felt while perceiving her spouse’s irritated face.
***

Shaan on the other hand was experiencing a plethora of emotions. What have I done to make Ruhi run away from me? Did I really hurt her? God forgive me if I did, for then I’m a rogue indeed! Why in hell couldn’t I control myself instead of pouncing upon her like a hungry wolf!

He sat up, legs crossed and berated himself over and over. “And the gall I had to ask her how she felt! F***! I’m sick indeed!”

Then he recalled the way her delicate fingers had fluttered over his back, how she had whispered his name, saying she loved him, dearly with no reservations. And those very words had driven him insane with what he felt was boundless love, prompting him to take liberties with her body. Not for one moment had he paused to think how she’d feel. And she had borne the assault silently.

“How I wish she had said no, but then, would I have paid heed? No, because I was in heaven, all at the expense of my lovely wife.”

‘There are no accidents. Everything happens for a reason. Let it flow….’

“Let it flow?” He asked himself. “Like hell I will! I can’t! I simply can’t! I need to find out what she’s up to!”

Hurriedly throwing on what he had worn yesterday, not caring in the least for the wildly unkempt picture he painted, Shaan thundered out of the tent. Then, after casting a quick look around, he strode rapidly toward where saw a hubbub of activity.

He stopped a few paces away, observing young Andy help Ruhi put on her life jacket. He must have said something funny, for she broke into a smile then burst out laughing and her voice like sweet poison stabbed at his heart.

How could she allow it? He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth in blind fury when he saw the handsome guide’s fingers graze her bare arms.

“Hey bud! Wanna rock and roll? Your pretty friend seems all set for the ride!”

All Shaan wanted to do was wipe that smug smile off that face and shove it up his ass! But he had an audience and she was watching very closely. He accepted the deep orange jacket reluctantly.

Fortunately their group was small enough to fit into one craft. They were four men including himself, the Andys (father and son), a middle aged heavy set man called Steve and two women including Ruhi and Steve’s girlfriend Stella whose conspicuous accent betrayed her Down Under origin.

Stella was obviously very fond of the great outdoors as evidenced by her deep sun tan displayed to great advantage by a ridiculously miniscule bikini. And she obviously had a thing for men for she quite openly flirted with Andy Jr. then switching over to Shaan, subjected him to a frankly appreciative look which escaped her very loud and boisterous boyfriend’s attention but not Ruhi’s, who looked ready to drive her Swiss army into the woman’s gut given the slightest chance. Seeing her thus, Shaan chose to play it up some more. He began by giving Stella his most brilliant smile and offered her a hand aboard, which she accepted gladly, then settled herself down next to him in the aft—apparently the most stable part of the boat— saying she was afraid of becoming river sick. “This is my first rafting trip you see!”

He knew she was fibbing but didn’t care because it served his plan perfectly well. He then added flame to fire by making conversation which basically amounted to nodding at appropriate intervals as Stella jabbered nonstop, and appearing intrigued when she acquainted him with her adventures while skinny dipping near the Great Barrier reef.

“Care if I buy you a beer sometime handsome?”

“Huh?” He turned to her with a start; his attention distracted by the antics of his wife, who had brazenly chosen to take her place at the bow and was behaving like he didn’t exist.

“You’ve got a brave lass there my fellow!” Andy Sr. muttered.

“Brave my foot! I wonder if she even knows how to swim properly!” Shaan replied curtly but his expression betrayed his anxiety.

“Don’t worry lad. My son, he’ll take care of her.”

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, Shaan thought.

But soon the frazzled nerves and injured egos were set aside as their trip began with the towering red sandstone walls hemming them on both sides and the sounds of the Colorado filling the air.

It began at a sedate pace, the gentle current carrying the raft forward offering them vistas they’d never come across before. As the Andys took turns extolling the history of the river and the canyon, the passengers stared around in awe, watching as the walls came closer then drifted apart playing hide and seek with the sun.

“OMG! A waterfall!” Ruhi jumped up squealing in glee and sure enough when Shaan followed her gaze he spotted it too–a narrow jet of water cascading down sheer rock into a spectacular turquoise pool below.

He smiled, at least she’s enjoying herself. So am I, though I wish so bad it was just the two of us.

And then all of a sudden, the mood of the river changed.

“Hold on folks! Rapids!” Andy Jr’s excited voice rang out.

Shaan felt Stella’s hand pulling on his arm, as the raft dipped. And then, when it felt almost certain the thing was going to capsize, it came right up again to the collective relief of everyone abroad.

Ruhi’s sure to have had enough of the excitement, she will want to come back to me now, Shaan thought with confidence.

But Ruhi was Ruhi. There was now a predictability to her impulsiveness and it seemed to get worse as he got to know her better. She was riding on a high, having for once escaped unscathed from the rapids, and at the same time was bristling with righteous indignation too.

What does he think of himself, coochie cooing with that big chested bimbo? He thinks I can’t take care of myself? That I will disintegrate without his lordship’s benevolence! I’ll show him and that bitch what Ruhi Sharma is made of! She doesn’t balk in the face of danger, rather she takes it head on! Lifting her chin up and squaring her delicate shoulders, Ruhi looked straight ahead and prepared to face the unknown.

Just then she felt a hand clamp down on her elbow. It was Shaan’s and he was glowering down at her with undisguised ferocity.

She tried to shrug him off but his grip only grew stronger. He grunted in a low threatening tone. “Enough daredevilry for one day. You’ve proved whatever you needed to prove. Now come to the back with me.”

“Never!” Tossing her pigtail to one side, she shot back with unparalleled tenacity. “Not while you have that piece of white trash practically sitting on your lap! Or have you forgotten what happened not so long ago?”

Her arm dropped to her side.

“Ruhi! How can you?”

Her chutzpah wound down a few notches when she realized what she’d just said but it wasn’t enough to make her back down.

“To your places please everybody, Hang on tight! This one is the mother of them all!” Andy Sr. yelled out sharply and he meant business.

Shaan sat stunned unable to digest what his wife had just told him when the powerful river decided to display its might again but this time to an unbelievable degree.

“Hold on tight y’all!” Rang out another warning, just as the water began to churn turning from muddy brown to frothy white in an instant. They heard a massive roar as the raft bucked and rode the waves not unlike a helpless rider at a rodeo who hangs on precariously for dear life hoping the bull tires before he falls and gets trampled to death.

Soaking the passengers to the bone, the water like thousands of sharp barbs raining on the flesh, the raft went under a massive wave and then after what felt like ages of relentless struggle surfaced again.

“Someone’s overboard!”

His breath caught in his throat, Shaan sprang up scanning the heads desperately and just as feared, she was missing. He tried to think, stay calm, praying silently while his eyes skimmed the waters.

“It’s ok! These guys are experts! She’ll be fine!” Stella shouted above the din grinning reassuringly.

“She won’t! Because she’s my bloody wife who always does what she wants! Goddamnit!” He hollered back, then spying the unmistakable orange jacket not too far away, dived in.

***

Ruhi’s lungs were bursting for air as she was tossed around mercilessly like a helpless toy. Sharp jagged rock cut in to her exposed skin. Fear was overcome by the need to survive, to see his face again. She tried to hang on, to whatever solid surface she could find. But her fingers, numb from the icy cold slipped, tearing her nails off their beds. Yet she didn’t feel a thing because she had to make it. She needed make it.

I love him God. Please let me see him one last time. Please? She prayed fervently, just as her mind began its descent into unconsciousness.

Then a miracle—she was grabbed from behind and as sure as can be was carried to safety.

Strong hands reached down and she was hauled back onto the raft.

Panting for air, thanking God for answering her prayers, she waited patiently for his arms to hold her again. But she waited in vain.

She looked around in panic, eyes wild and desperate. For the briefest moment she thought she saw him looking directly at her, his face rife with hurt, before his head disappeared under the water.
“Shaaaaaannnnnnn!” She screamed. But the river swallowed the sound.

-0-

What happens next? —- AM WRITING!

MEANWHILE GET BOOK 1 at these LINKS!

Rhythm & Blues Chap 20: A Special Night

special night

Picking up from where I left off after a long time—-

chap 19

20: A Special Night

-0-

A blinding flash of light followed by another and yet another then several in succession.

Shiny limos plying equally shiny bodies that disembarked and gave the paparazzi their much needed glamour and gossip fix.

But Shaan didn’t realize that he too was one among them—a willing player expected to read his lines from a script repeated and rehashed so many times that it had become second nature. So much that sometimes it was hard to distinguish the real from the put on.

But this acting and role playing had become boring and stale. He wished he could fling the cloak away and scream—This is not me!

And that urge was particularly pressing today as he stood there all alone on the red carpet acutely missing his new associate and partner.

He wasn’t flashing his usual heartbreak smile nor paying heed to the earsplitting screams of jostling fans leaning over the fences with their arms and bodies stretched out, wanting to touch, to get a piece of him.

He appeared totally unaware of it all and that infused his persona with a uniquely mystic and attractive aura.

Where is she? Should be here by now. Not a peep from her since she left in a hurry this afternoon! Is she not coming? She said she would be here well in time. Khanak isn’t one to shirk from her professional duties. He racked his brains; Did she take that blabbermouth Trish seriously…or did something happen between her and that loser?

A voice hailed him from behind—“Someone is looking wickedly distracting tonight!”

He didn’t have to turn around to figure who it was. He cringed; “Natasha…you here?”

She was checking him out in her usual pose—perfectly coiffed head slightly tilted to one side, a slightly amused smile playing on voluptuous red lips and a svelte figure wrapped in deep sea green that perfectly offset her eyes. She had mastered the art of snaring attention.

Yet it did nothing for him. He stared blankly at her.

“Are you so overwhelmed with happiness that you are struck speechless?”

“Huh..?”

He heard one of the Khatri brothers’ high pitched laughter in the background. It was their show and she was the guest of honor.

He flashed her his usual smile; “think what you will Tash.”

“Won’t you walk with your dear old friend? Or have you forgotten your manners?”

Shan offered her his arm though he’d have preferred to seem uncouth and walk away. The news hounds didn’t need any more scoops that night.

***

Earlier at Diva’s–

Khanak had rushed over following the prompts of her instinct knowing that he was probably the only one most likely to provide the peace and comfort she so desperately desired.

“Now look at yourself!” Diva said turning her around to face the mirror.

Khanak’s stared at her image wide eyed, “Do I look okay?”

“Okay? OMG girl! Get real!” Diva exclaimed in exaggerated surprise. Today he had on a purple do with sweats to match.

“You look sensational! Stupendous! Kya kehte hain usko… Item! Yes you look like an item! And in that shade of blue you are bound to send the whole audience to the hospital–the men with hearts attacks and the women in a raging jealous hysteria!”

Khanak laughed; “Oh please leave it Diva! Don’t flatter me! Tell me the truth!”

“You hurt my heart!” he looked woebegone.

“Oh I didn’t mean that! I’m so sorry!” She jumped up to console him; “You are so sweet. I’m just not used to so much praise.”

“Girl get this straight!” he said tapping her shoulder lightly with his beautifully manicured fingers. “What Diva says Diva does! He speaks his mind–showering praise or critiquing when and where it is deserved. I don’t believe in keeping people in the dark!”

She nodded waiting expectantly.

“All right,” he smiled gently holding the point of her chin between his thumb and forefinger; “Let me put it simply. You possess a special kind of beauty, a rare hypnotic mix of innocence and charm. It is so powerful that it can even make a gay man wish he was straight.”

Her cheeks grew warm when she noticed that he was quite serious.

He then laughed and blushed himself, “But if that were to happen my Shaan wouldn’t like it at all! And Diva cannot afford to infuriate one of his best customers can he? Uske biceps dekhe tumne? Did you see his biceps? Mein toh mar hi jaoonga! I’ll be dead for sure!”

“That’s where you are wrong,” Khanak said solemnly turning back to the mirror.

“Diva wrong? Never! And that Shan is an open book for me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you sweetheart! Haven’t you?” His face wore a fond smile.

Khanak pursed her lips and shook her head not wanting to acknowledge what her heart so eagerly wished to believe.

“Eyes speak a lot…and I know exactly what Shan’s say.”

Khanak made a valiant attempt to steel herself, “He is a very nice man, kind and generous. It’s just his compassion that you see.”

“Okay. So be it. But why should you let that bother you?” Diva asked watching her closely for her response.

Khanak dropped her gaze; “I…I…”

Diva chuckled; “There! So the flame burns equally on both ends! Wonderful! I can’t wait to dress you up for the wedding!”

“Diva please don’t!” Khanak exploded in anguish. “… that can never happen!”

“But why?”

“Shan is meant for Natasha. They complement each other perfectly. They are the eternal couple!’”

“What utter rubbish! Who has filled your head with such bakwas?” Diva appeared genuinely surprised.

“I see it everywhere…in the news….magazines…even Tarun…”

“Tarun!” Diva spat out, “…that slimy SOB! His only job is to create malevolent mischief! Don’t you believe a single word he says! As for the magazines, Khanak hon… I didn’t think you were so naive! Don’t you know the only way the media keeps itself in business is by feeding the frenzy and fanning the rumors?”

She wasn’t convinced; “Yes you may be right. But I believe it in my heart to be true. She has been Shan’s friend and partner for a long time and he has relied on her. The only reason I came into the picture is due to the accident.”

Diva nodded, “Some of what you say is true but not everything. These eyes have seen a lot.” He laughed, “You can call me a walking behind the scenes encyclopedia! If I get my memoirs published I’ll become an instant millionaire! But then who’ll trust in me?” He said wryly.

Khanak gave his hand a tight squeeze; “I do Diva…”

He smiled, “I know you do darling. That’s why I love you. You are pure of heart and you don’t pass judgments just because…”

He paused before going on; “…as far as Natasha is concerned… she too used to be like you at one time… fresh, talented, hardworking, eager to make a mark. But then she changed, she became a victim to fame. She became self-centered. She couldn’t tolerate anyone better or even as good herself…she couldn’t let independent talent thrive. So instead of working on improving herself she began to resort to crooked and devious ways. She made herself indispensable to Shan; started producing his shows… took on some of the hiring and firing in the pretense of helping him out. It was a way of making sure that nobody in Jhankaar could challenge her position and then even got him to give her an exclusive contract.”

Diva looked at Khanak, “I could see Shan’s frustration build. He wanted to break free from her. But she had accumulated a lot of powerful ‘friends’ in the industry who always managed to convince him otherwise. Then all of a sudden out of the blue, I don’t know what occurred in that twisted mind of hers that she decided to break her ankle…”

Khanak broke in, “Break her ankle? What do you mean? Which dancer would want to do such a thing on purpose? You must be mistaken!”

“Exactly, no dancer in her right mind, but Tash isn’t sane! When she saw Shan unwilling to toe the line, she took it upon herself to teach him a lesson. So just before the new season began she faked an accident and broke her ankl, sure that he won’t find anyone else good enough to take her place thereby making him undergo a major loss and ultimately enslave him for the rest of his life. But…” Diva smiled, “…she made a mistake. She failed to figure you in to her calculations.”

Khanak stared unblinkingly at Diva, stunned at the revelation.

“Unbelievable isn’t it? But this is how showbiz works…talent isn’t enough anymore. You need a mentor…and fortunately you’ve found the best one in Shan.”

Khanak was at a loss for words; all this information was too much to absorb. It was difficult to fathom that evil could reside behind such a beautiful face.

Then—

Diva glanced at his phone and cried out, “OMG! Talk of the devil! You have been summoned!”

Khanak eyes twinkled, “Then we should get going!”

tbc