Home Blog Page 18

Chance

Moya Solomia…

She walked through the dim lights of the foyer, her sneakers dampening the sounds of her arrival. Her heart pulsated beneath her crisp loose white blouse worn over her see-through capris. She was a pro at what she set to do today, but this time it was different.

She sighed and was immediately startled at the loud boom of a bomb miles away, the sound accompanying the cacophony of the shelling in progress. The sanguine dusky sky seemed kaleidoscopic with the mixture of explosions. But nothing compared to the volcano boiling within her core waiting to erupt. Years of training helped her hold her resolve as the minutes to her mission’s finale arrived in this mansion amidst the war-torn Mariupol in Ukraine.

This was her chance towards her retribution.

She clutched at the frills above her chest, trying to control her thundering heart, and made her way to the designated bedroom. The only standing bedroom in the dilapidated mansion…  all planned for a clear view.

The door to the bedroom opened with a cringe-worthy creak, and she wondered if it would collapse anytime soon like the rest of the house.

“Laskavo prosymo… welcome Solomia…  I was waiting… As you see. This is the last time we meet. I don’t know when I will get to see you next. Pryydy moya lyubov…  come, my love. I brought this chair for you from that exhibition… Sadly we will have to let it go here….”  Fedir stood to his six feet, a soft smile spreading across his salt and pepper beard.

He was impeccably dressed in the finest attire; she knew it was his wedding suit. He had strangled his wife, her sister years ago. She was a little girl then and later found he had abducted her sister, and violated her. The press got wind of the situation and he was pressurised to tie the knot since he was an army general. The moment things settled he got rid of the ‘wife’.

 

She shivered within and gyrated her body, knowing what it did to him. The room was dark, and the staccato lights from the bombarding outside the city perimeters lit up his majestic face, the bullet mark on his forehead from eons ago shining to make him look ferocious. But she knew this man who now ran the largest drug cartel in and around Ukraine and was wanted by Interpol for years, loved her. They had been together for six months before Russia launched its attack. But she knew that already… she was sent to infiltrate his cartel.

She had grabbed the chance with open arms. She had since lived for this day ever since she had escaped to Russia after her sister died.

She was, after all, the femme fatale of the KGB, which eyed the moolah Fedir had to offer. Today was the last night of their rendezvous. He had needed time to accumulate his assets in a safe place and was now all set to disappear to some corner of Sweden. He had insisted she accompany him and she promised to join him soon after tying loose ends back home.

He hugged her, his hard embrace threatening to crush her ribs. She worried he would feel her pounding heart.

“Oh… moya Solomia…” he whispered into her ear, his warm breath making her want to throw up. He kissed her behind her ear and gripped her through her thick pants. She gasped and he silenced her as he crushed his mouth to hers.

Her hands snaked around his neck, and all her training now coming into action. She knew how he thought as she placed a palm on his heart. It raced like never before, and before she knew it, she found him seated on that chair with her straddling him. Moving her face away, she gripped at his hair just like she knew he loved and spoke. “Where is my parting gift? Moya podarunok?”

He chuckled.

“Moya lyubov, My love… go pick it up. It’s in that special safe. The password is your name. My bank passbook… I have a separate personal account in Swiss…Nominated you. I leave tonight forever, darling… Promise to join me…”

She nodded and jiggled her hips. He gripped her harder as he kissed her. She reveled in the final moments watching his so-called passion as her keen vision saw the red dot dancing on the dark cupboard above his head. It was her signal to move.

She had indicated by jiggling her hips… she had got the password to the safe.

She had already tried her hand to open it twice before but had failed and one more wrong attempt would cause the safe to destroy itself. She now had the access… the safe contained all his dealings too… all details of his clientele and various sources of funds. The KGB needed the intel and the funds.

For the last few years, they had tried, and nothing happened. Fedir was too cautious and had an entourage of the best bodyguards money could buy. But as the Russian-Ukranian relationships soured, they knew this was the time for their ace. Svetlana Volkov, operative name Solomia….

Svetlana, alais Solomia moved away, even as he smiled, caressing her head. The red dot loomed as their sniper held the fort; she was the only one between life and death for Fedir.

She looked out of the window, to see the power plant blown to smithereens and knew Fedir was a hopeless case too… She moved away abruptly, and before he could get his bearings, the deed was done.

She was wired today, so she knew her handlers had the password and must have stormed the safe by now.

She walked out to a waiting unmarked vehicle leaving her role behind, and now she was back to being Svetlana after yet another successful mission.

She shuddered as she looked at the burning scenery passing across, wiping away tears that streamed nonstop meandering their way through her makeup patches.

She had avenged her sister and many other young women whose honor the man had tarnished ruining families, much before the war did.

It wasn’t retribution…it was justice.

©priyagole

 

 

Book Review : I am lying to you

0

Author: Shantanu Sharma

The story plot revolves around a RAW agent Ombir who is assigned to apprehend the dreaded terrorist Haji Suleiman. Everything is planned to the T as per protocols that the agents follow except, Om falls in love with Shazia.

Shazia is visually impaired post a traumatic past in Rawalpindi and is currently based in Argentina. Falling in love with a complete stranger, Om was never on her card as well. However, they are unable to avoid succumbing to the fierce attraction between them as they plan on being official soulmates.

Fate however has different plans and Om and his team are caught in a web of betrayal, and deceit that will end with only bloodshed.

Does Om succeed in preventing a terror catastrophe and have his happily ever after with Shazia?

The author has managed to bring out beautifully, Om’s RAW unexpected emotions for Shazia, as well as Shazia’a vulnerability after knowing Om’s real identity. I was left wanting more of the two!!!

 

Book review: Murder in the Bylanes

0

Authors: Aloke Lal and Maanas Lal

The book chronicles former DIG Aloke Lal’s journey when posted in a communally tumulous Kanpur in the backdrop of the Babri Masjid demolition (1992). The then largest state Uttar Pradesh was on tenterhooks in every way where a sudden disturbance could create unfathomable ripples throughout the law and order circles. Not to mention the state was a political hot potato.

The Author recounts the horrific times when he had to face the city on the brink of riots. All this after the gruesome murder of a prominent local political muscle, ‘Kala Bachcha’ 

What followed was the dance of political aspirations amongst the parties and later between the ruling party and the opposition. It was a Herculean task for the Author to handle the sensitive balance between the two religious factions.

The author takes us through a heart-wrenching sojourn of a demoralized police force in the aftermath of violence and political pressures. The book speaks volumes about how the force was forced to be a bystander watching the criminals unravel the political and law and order pictures in the localities they controlled.

The Author had to sacrifice a lot at a personal level to stick to his virtues and convictions. he sums it all in the statement towards the end, “An inescapable reality of a busy job is being deprived of life’s greatest pleasure- spending time with loved ones” 

 

The Secret ripples

0

Here comes the next story in the Bodyguard series.

THE SECRET RIPPLES

(This story can be read in the continuation or as a standalone)

Blurb:

The Arabian Sea was calm as ever.
But was it the lull before the storm?
Then one fine day, there were ripples… massive ones. Was it some kind of a missile underwater? No one guessed it—neither the satellites nor the defense machinery.
In the corner of Mumbai, though, one boy caught it all with evidence.
Nitya could do nothing despite all her training. Her little brother, the sole living relative, was in grave danger.
SPS was commissioned, and Maanav ‘Bullet’ Deshmukh rose to the occasion. But this was beyond his realm of duty as a bodyguard. The plot was far more sinister, involving international waters!!
Add to it the strong attraction towards the beautiful Nitya, the forbidden fruit. Could his resolve sustain it and protect Nitya and her brother?
Or will the ripples of passion and malice drown them all?

Book Review: The Maid

0

Author: Nita Prose

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined someone writing about a maid. No offense or ridicule, but whenever we go to a high-end hotel, we rarely look at the employees who clean up after us. However, the author takes us through a sojourn. Through the maid’s life in the Regency Grand Hotel.

Molly the maid, as the protagonist is known, is a simpleton with an obsession for cleanliness (pun intended). She is all alone in this world and had worked hard to sustain her position in the hotel. At the same time, she has amazing observational skills that could put the highest level of law enforcement to shame as she watches the guests passing through the hotel. She cleans after them, figuratively and literally.

Molly loved her job and prefers remaining a fly on the wall.

However all that goes for a toss and massive ripples created in her otherwise mundane life when she discovers Mr. Black’s dead body in his hotel suite. Mr. Black is a VIP guest and his demise sends the law enforcement, hotel staff, and media into a frenzy. Add to that Molly’s special ‘friendship’ with the second Mrs. Black doesn’t end her troubles. She gets embroiled in the mess called homicide and a lot more than she had ever imagined, not to mention betrayal from trusted sources.

However, in her quest for truth, Molly discovers she is far from the weakling weirdo and way beyond the whispers in the hallway.

How does Molly acquit herself?

The book is very interesting, with lucid language and a good pace. I was personally intrigued by Molly’s character, which keeps unfolding till the very end!

A well-recommended read!

Book Review: Wicked Trap

0

Author: M. V Kasi

This story has Kasi’s signature style throughout.
Right from the time the arrogant stranger zoomed into her life by forcing her to share her taxi, Tanvi begins a love-hate relationship. Before she knows she falls for the enigmatic Arjun. However, the spunky activist isn’t aware of the truth behind Arjun’s closeness, not even when they share a fiery passion together.
Arjun is a man on a mission and all set to avenge the betrayal faced by his family. Tanvi is a mere pawn… at least that’s what she was meant to be. The casanova doesn’t imagine falling for the woman whose mere looks turn him to mush.
A very interesting tale of passion and betrayal…

 

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

0

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

The story begins with the reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo reaching out to an unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant to give out an exclusive. It is meant to be a memoir detailing her glamorous life with all its shenanigans, scandals, and the lows.

Monique, who is still reeling with the shock of getting a stepping stone that would jump-start her sluggish career, begins to listen to the almost 80-year-old woman.

Evelyn bares her soul recounting her journey from Hell’s Kitchen to LA in the 1950s to leaving it all in the 1980s. The highlight of it was the seven husbands in the sojourn. She unravels the truth behind each relationship and more. Her story gives an insight into her colorful and eventful life filled with romance, betrayal, struggles, and her tryst with bisexuality. At a time when being queer was considered blasphemous, the narrative brings out the quest for survival by those in the realm. It also brings forth the reality of the casting couch we shun talking about.

But as a reader, I was in awe of the woman who had no regrets despite what she did. Whether baring it all for a hit or sleeping around for getting a part in a movie. She also lost everyone she loved, but her resilience won in the end, to tell the tale.

The finale of the book points towards the intersection of Evelyn’s life with Monique’s past. Though this was meant to be a hard-hitting turning point, as a reader, I was a bit disappointed. It wasn’t that impactful. Especially after an intrigue-filled narrative till that part.

However, I would still recommend this one for an interesting read!

 

Book Review: Unhooked and Unbooked

0

Author: Dr. Aditya R Nighhot

The book traverses through the lives of four characters and their sojourn through the challenges life throws at them.

Two stories run parallel. The first is of KD, an egoistic superstar bordering along narcisstic who is also an alcoholic with anger issues. He loves Tia, a struggling model, and goes all the way to uplift her career. However, his ego gets the better of him so does his addiction to the bottle and uncontrollable rage, and Tia, who loves him back, is forced to leave him.

Parallelly, Sameer is in love with his best friend Isha. Sameer is a nerd, while Isha is a hot outspoken girl who doesn’t shy away from flaunting her good looks on social media. She is of a modern outlook and doesn’t believe in love after a past betrayal. However, she falls into a trap laid by a suitor. Sameer stands by her every step of the way and eventually, as they emerge from the chasm of turmoil, life throws yet another curve ball.

The author has, towards the end made the stories merge together. So do they all have their happily ever after?

As a reader, I found traces of the Bollywood flick Ashiqui 2 in KD’s story and the way his character arc was penned. However, the emotions were well portrayed, whether its a relationship between friends or lovers.

Being a writer myself, I can’t help but view the story with a critical eye.

The author could do away with colloquialism infringing upon the narrative. Similarly, there were many redundant phrases that interfere with the reading continuity. Erotica could have been worded better as well. And finally, the merger of the stories appears rushed and forced. I wish the author could have elaborated on the same. Probably the word count limitations may have been a hindrance.

Overall an interesting read.

My Mystifying Rendezvous

2

(My flash fiction entry for the theme: Face to Face on the Arttoons Writer’s room)

word count: 1000

prompt: the main character takes a journey to meet his online friend… and then?

 

My mystifying rendezvous

 

The Uber breezed along Marine Drive as the dusky sanguine hues spread their grace on my pounding heart. It wasn’t every day that an almost thirty-five-year-old single woman rushed from one corner of Mumbai to the other to meet her online ‘date’ in person.

Despite having an excellent career to boast about, my acne-scarred face and plus-sized contours made me stick out like a sore thumb in our Tam-Bram social circles. Christopher Gomes accidentally entered my life when I hit rock bottom post a broken engagement.

Actively blogging about financial market trends, I connected with like-minded tribes like Chris. His CV flaunted his footing as a freelancer in the entertainment industry. A Goan native, he was in Mumbai for the past decade.

We hit it off instantly, and our conversations surpassed financial barriers in the next three months. I began to fall for this non-judgemental Adonis. But did I bite more than I could chew?

Last week, I was horrified when he sent me a few links unraveling the details of his profession. But my infomania won over prudent discernment, and tonight I stood outside the elite La’ Della café. My galloping heart could give a thoroughbred a run for his money.

“Miss Padmavathi?” My reverie was broken and the patron guided me towards a unit reserved for two. A huge cabin, secluded from the rest of the café.

My fear quotient raged on a bull run, and with good reason.

Chris was a professional pornstar.

I edgily halted in my tracks when I heard a deep voice behind me.

“Penny for your thoughts, Pads?”

I turned around, startled at Chris’s usual endearment, and thought my jaw would hit the pristine floor. If sensuality had a name, it was Chris. His pictures failed to do him justice.

He towered over by over a foot, as his sparkling brown orbs held me captive. The Almighty had taken time to chisel this man. I had seen his videos and knew what was underneath as my eyes undressed him.

“Shall we…?” He nudged my shuddering back as we moved towards the cabin. “…I hope you like the ambiance.”

I was on autopilot, trying vainly to calm my fluttering nerves as he held out my chair. I was never physically attracted to a man with such intensity, and right then, from across the table, Chris was piercing my veneer with his mere look.

“So, Chris… You aren’t working today?” I wanted to shoot myself for asking that, but my estrogenic levels comminated to break the ceiling tonight.

Chris chuckled.

“No dear, I took an off today… I had to make this date right. And… I ordered the starters….”

As if on cue, the server got us a plate of paneer tikka, my favorite dish. My heart soared at his gallant move. But right then, my subconscious reared its ugly head.

“Look, Chris… I have… questions” I looked away, my palms clasped on my lap.

Leaning back, he crossed his hands at his chest.

“Chris… since when … I mean, you were born and brought up…” My verbal diarrhea saw no end.

“Pads, I wasn’t made in a Petri dish….” He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.

“But… you are… Handsome, educated… hot…” I clamped my mouth shut.

He stood and held out his hand. “Let’s go for a walk. The poolside is beautiful.”

When I stood, I saw roses and marigolds strewn at the end of the table, and a pouch with my favourite toon painted over it was placed on them.

He remembered every detail I had mentioned in passing.

“All this is for you… but let’s take that walk first…” Chris smiled, and I placed my cold palm in his warmth, engulfing my soul.

“Pads, what I do, is strictly professional with all precautions. There are no emotions involved. I have been doing it for the last eight years.” He spoke after we walked for a while.

I halted and looked into his eyes as the poolside light simmered in their depths.

“Why do this, Chris? You are well educated…”

“It’s by choice, Pads. I did it part-time for extra bucks initially. But now I like it. It gives me space, and rakes in the moolah.”

“But as a profession?” I wasn’t able to get my head around this.

He held my shoulders.

“Pads, this isn’t easy. I am almost forty but have maintained my physique well. I work arduously, following strict fitness protocols, diets, etc. These aren’t surreptitious videos but professionally shot consensual and scripted acts….”

“So do you … escort?” Someone please shoot me.

“No, dear, neither am I a whore. I have no attachments to any of those women and vice versa. We are hard-core professionals. But you … I like you…earnestly. I know, it’s difficult for you to accept …” He sighed and looked away.

“Isn’t this illegal?” I had read a bit after he dropped the bombshell.

Chris smiled. “The laws here are debatable. The videos we make are usually for overseas channels. Every paperwork is in place. There is no child abuse or violence against any individual. Our videos are scientific….”

“…This is… overwhelming, Chris.” I shivered, trying to absorb the information overload.

We returned to the cabin and resumed chatting on our favorite topics and movies, followed by dinner. Every moment there opened a chasm of tender adulation, drawing me deeper.

It was past 1 AM. As we waited for my Uber, he pulled me into a hug. I was taken aback but realized that’s what I craved as well.

He kissed my head as we stood in silence.

As he set me free, he said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but… Pads, can we meet again? Maybe, after a while…”  Was the ever-confident Chris hesitating?

Under the flickering lights of the café canopy, he looked like a kid asking permission to have his favorite candy.

Without a word said, I got into the waiting cab, smiling.

The date was enthralling indeed!

 

Author note:

This story was an attempt to get a little insight into the life of a professional pornstar. Here is an article for further information regarding the legalities.

https://blog.ipleaders.in/is-watching-porn-a-crime-in-india-an-insight/

 

 

Prison

0

(Short story on the given word: Prison. For the facebook platform, Did you write today, Kuch toh likho)

 

Prison

 

The clash of cymbals pierced through his ears.The tympanitic pulsation of the assembled percussions and the cacophonic indulgence of the humbled ‘tutari’ set his heart pacing. The throbbing inside his head was a time bomb ticking both figuratively and literally. Kartik Deshmukh was sullen on his big day.

The Pandit began to chant the ritualistic mantras trying to bellow over the existing discordance, and Kartik tried to zone out. The tight pheta adorning his head with the floral mundavalya thankfully obstructed his vision. Everyone assembled would otherwise know how dismayed he was. He was the groom… the man of the day, the lone heir to the Deshmukh conglomerate. His bride-to-be Namita was not only from a family equating to his social status but also his best friend since childhood.

He couldn’t understand why Namita had agreed for this. She knew him… everything about him. Why was she so determined to ruin her life and his in the process, to fulfill archaic norms? She knew he was shackled to tradition, to patriarchal beliefs, and he had accepted his destiny. Yet, she sounded excited about her future with him….especially when she had purchased the bright vermillion material embroidered with the golden thread for her trousseau. Was she insane?

The glimpse of the holy matrimonial fire through the fragrant mogra armoring his face resembled his turmoil. He was burning too… a slow burn. Expectations from all spheres encumbered him. Would marriage with Namita liberate him? Would it change mindsets? He knew Namita would understand, and that was the only silver lining.

But then what about Rajat? What about the two years of coital and emotional bliss he experienced with the guy? What about the promises they made to each other?

His father had threatened to harm Rajat if he were to revisit him. Hot tears cascaded down his cheeks as he inwardly moaned over his helplessness. His chest constricted, and he feared an anxiety attack before the entire taluka who had gathered to witness the wedding of the year. No… he couldn’t create a scene today. At least Namita deserved better. She was an IPS officer and had an image to keep too. He couldn’t do that to his bestie, the only soul who understood him, his paradigm shift, his preference… and Rajat.

He inhaled deeply and tightened his fist in an attempt to calm his heart.

“the bride may now be escorted to the dias…” The Pandit declared, and Kartik’s heart skipped a beat.

No… no… no… Despite his rationalization, Kartik felt the walls of the massive auditorium closing in on him. No defense mechanism today was proving its worth. Instead, the metaphorical prison had him completely in its clutches.

The musical notes reached their strident crescendo amidst the populous din.

Suddenly there was silence… pin drop silence.

What? What was happening… he wondered.

He moved the floral strands and stared wide-eyed at the sight ahead. Rajat stood resplendent in a bright Vermillon Sherwani… it was the same material Namita had shown him, a perfect contrast to Kartik’s off-white. Rajat was flanked by Namita and a group of their common friends. The blinding clicks of the assembled photographers provided the right strobe effects to soar Kartik’s emotions and hopes.

But his heart resumed its plundering when his father bellowed.

“What on earth is going on…?” The man stood to his burly form with eyes blazing in rage. “… what is that wretch doing here…? I had warned you, hadn’t I?”

Before Rajat could speak, Namita walked ahead, and Kartik watched in awe as she stood up to his father.

“Kaka, with due respect, keep everything aside and just think like a father… your son’s happiness lies with Rajat and not with me or any other woman. Why don’t you accept that Kartik’s orientation is different from yours? I hope you disenthrall not only him but also your own imprisoned mind that refuses to accept him the way he is. I hope better sense prevails….” She then turned towards the gathered crowd. “…Does anyone have an objection to this union? If you do, then please leave….”

Kartik was stunned by her demeanor. At that moment, she was not only his friend but a thorough police officer in every sense of the word. He knew she was going beyond the realms of her duty since same-sex marriage was still debatable in the court of law.

No one moved. Kartik’s father tried to object but was restrained by his mother and Namita’s parents.

The ceremony proceeded without any further obstacles amidst murmurs and gossip. As Kartik began the traditional circumambulation holding Rajat’s hand in his as the latter followed him, he blinked back tears of joy.

He knew there would be gossip and ridicule, and probably, he would be abandoned and disinherited by his father. But nothing mattered anymore. Not only was he united with the love of his life forever, but he was liberated.

He was set free…

Author note:

Disclaimer: this story is only meant to increase awareness of the ‘right to live’ for the LTBG community.

https://theleaflet.in/do-same-sex-couples-have-the-right-to-marry/