S RISHTI P UBLISHERS & D ISTRIBUTORS
N-16, C. R. Park
New Delhi 110 019
First published by Srishti Publishers & Distributors in 2011
Ritwik Mallik, 2011
This is entirely a work of fiction. All characters and events are totally imaginary.
Typeset in AGaramond 11pt. by Suresh Kumar Sharma at Srishti
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.
This book is dedicated:
To both my grandfathers, for their blessings, love and those memories of being pampered,
And to Daksha, for everything
Angels have no philosophy but love
~ Adeline Cullen Ray
You make me smile like sun
Fall out of bed, Sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head, Spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile
Uncle Kracker
Acknowledgments
I missed out a few people last time around, so it is time I made amends. Firstly, Id like to thank my greatest support system and my biggest bunch of well wishers i.e my family. Id like to send a very big hug to my parents for being the best in the world and my grandparents and all those whom I have mentioned previously or even missed out. I am sorry for thateveryone in my entire family has a huge role to play behind every word I write. Id also like to use this page to tell my youngest family member, my little niece, Megha that I love her a lot and that maybe someday her uncle will be able to write books that she loves reading.
My family friends in Noida (a big part of it constitutes my neighbours) deserve a huge round of applause for being my immediate family even when I am far away from home. In this case, Samir uncle and Shivani aunty and their two devils Meher and Dhruv need a special mention. Also, Rashmi aunty, Rachna aunty and Nidhi aunty for being the mothers I needed whenever my own wasnt around. I just cant forget their contribution when I was hospitalized ill.
A few of my most important friends, Akanksha, Shriya, Aashna, Piyush, Viral, Apramit, Vartika, Disha, Shreyas, Sarthak, Bonisha, Nandini, Swati, Brij, Sanjay and Antra who have always chipped in with their suggestions.
A big thank you and lots of love to Ashwini for finding time to go through my chapters and approving the content. I could never have done anything without you.
Any acknowledgement wouldnt be complete without mentioning Daksha. By far she has had the greatest influence on my life. Shes always there to correct me when Im going wrong and also there to pat my back when I am doing the right thing. Her words never run short of encouragement and her presence makes me feel so-myself. She is special, she is importantshe is the best thing that could ever happen to me.
Srishti (Srish) girl you rock! Ive never seen someone as amazing as Srishti. She is someone who you cant afford to miss talking to even by mistake. Her views are always an enriching experience and it makes you think beyond the limits of your perception. And her perception has always come in handy whenever I needed to back up the philo content in the story. Thank You so much!
Also, thanks to a certain Poppy (who wishes not to be named)who has been the sole reason behind initiating the process of writing this book. And I promised her that I will not divulge any more details.
My readers have helped me grow a lot. I need to thank people like Vasu, Radhika, Poonam, Jeet, Ekta, Nabiah, Yash, Dia, Baabusha, Reema and all those who picked up my book and read it and enjoyed it when I wanted the most. I would never have been capable of writing another work of fiction if it wasnt for your constant pestering and nagging and making me believe that I was fit enough to write again.
Kudos to the entire team at Srishti Publishers for helping me out at most difficult stages of my life and for showing confidence in my work when no one did. I am indebted to you all for life.
Salaam to Sid Sinha and Karan Singh Sawhney for being nice buddies when I needed them to help me tackle criticism. And just not care a &%$@ to what people felt about me.
I need to thank my school-mates Himanil, Mayank, Uday, Saral, Mihir (dada), Karan Malik, Riddhi, Akash, Ritu, Radhika, Mridul, Mimansa, Nayantara, Amartya, Sahil, Tanya, Samad, Navya, Aditya and Sajili (I remember what you asked for).
My evergreen teachers need to be thanked for my evolution of a C-grader in writing to a guy good enough to get published. A new inclusion to the list of teachers whove had a positive impact on my life is Gurleena Maam. Thank you very much.
Tejinder Maam also needs mention for those brain storming sessions of Eco classes at the end of which I find my knowledge to be at a level higher than before.
Id like to end by thanking everyone in the beautiful city of Noida (and Gr.Noida) who have done so much for me in the past four years. From the rickshaw waale bhaiyyas to the one at the cyber caf who gets me print outs for freeevery one of them need to be credited. I must mention my auto driver ji, Shamsher Singh who waits for me for long hours, not complaining and not charging a penny extra and helps me cover small distances without taking any pay.
And last but not the least, I thank the entire family of Delhi Public School NoidaI love you all!
Friends Meet
th October, 2016.
Ritesh Garg entered the elevator of the Centre Stage Mall, Noida. He pressed the 3 rd glowing button from the top and the elevator started rising. Third floor, the recorded voice said. Ritesh stepped out. Impeccably dressed in casual attire, Ritesh gave the impression of being a high school dropout. His ruffled hair and rim less spectacles added to his persona of what was deemed to be attractive but not so handsome .
Entering the Ruby Tuesday, it took him minutes to locate his best childhood buddy, Pallvinder Pandey .
Oye Pallu! he raised a hand and shouted .
Abbey O Ritu! Pallvinder excitedly reacted .
With the energy of a fifteen year old, Ritesh quickly took a seat next to Pallu. On his other side, sat Pallus girl friend, Saniya .
Meet Saniya, Pallu said proudly .
And you must be the one and onlyRITESH GARG! The one who redefined love! Saniya made an expression close to that of fainting .
Yes, I am indeed that foolish idiot. Ritesh smiled meekly .
Not at all! Saniya gazed at Ritesh. He felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but later on things fell into place .
So how come you have remembered me? Ritesh sipped some water .
Dont ask! For the last 4 months Saniya has made my life impossible Pallu said .
she wakes up and takes your name, goes to sleep and takesyour nameshes crazy over your book. He added .
My book? You mean the one I wrote eight years back?
Pallu nodded. Saniya kept on gazing .
So thats why we met? Cool! You sounded desperate when you wanted me to come from Gurgaon immediately! Ritesh signaled for the waiter .
Yes, yes! And we are planning to get married she wont marry me unless she finds out what happened. Pallu seemed paranoid .
What happened? Erm sorry didnt get you .
