Free Book Of Two Short Stories...

Hi All,

I will soon be publishing a book of two short stories.

1. Is This Love 
2. Autumn - The Last Leaf ( this story has already been published on the blog. Read here)

and would be distributing it free of cost.

The reason for publishing Is This Love and distributing this book free of cost can be found here

Those who are interested in the free copy please leave a comment. And, use the contact form to mail me the shipping address or shoot a mail to contact@artihonrao.net .

Of course, the shipping would be free, too and it does not matter where you stay (provided you are in this world!)

The synopsis of "Is This Love" as written by Deepa Govind

Excerpt:

Returning home after a tiring day at work was something Vishaal looked forward to because he knew there was someone waiting for him. Someone with whom he could share the happenings of the day and talk about how busy his schedule was without being shouted at for being late or being accused for not paying attention on the personal front. He knew Sheetal would be waiting for him when he returned home, ready to offer a massage in case he was too tired. He knew she would get him a glass of water and listen to all that he had to say.

He had grown used to the fact that he would never need to use the extra key they kept under the pot outside their apartment. He had grown used to the fact that the door would be opened without having to press the doorbell because Sheetal would be waiting at the balcony, and the moment he parked his car she would rush to open the door. The first thing he would smell on entering would be the aroma of snacks she would have made for him, knowing he would be hungry. Somehow, all this had changed

Today as Vishaal drove into the parking lot he involuntarily looked up at the balcony. Like he had half expected, the door of the balcony was closed. Suddenly, he felt tired at the thought of the next few things he would have to do after reaching his apartment, starting from picking up the key from under the pot to cooking his own snacks. Apart from this there were things he would not be able to do like sharing the most important event at the office. Though it was good news, it had lost its charm the moment Vishaal realized that Sheetal was not at home. Even today he was going to be lonely, like he had been for the past few weeks. Though he knew he had no control over what was happening and there was nothing he could do to change it… why did he feel the urge to change all this? Did he have the right to interfere in Sheetal’s life?

Pushing thoughts aside, he got out of the car and walked to the elevator. A few people greeted him on the way and though he was unwilling to return their greetings he still smiled back, because this was one thing Sheetal had taught him. He learned from her not to let his own frustration or tiredness reflect on his behavior. In spite of all the good things he had learned, he was thankful that he was alone in the elevator. He knew he would not be able to handle more smiles and hellos on the way to his apartment where no one was waiting for him. Why had he become so used to Sheetal? He did not know.

As he reached the apartment the closed door was anything but welcoming. Instead of reaching for the key he got back into the elevator and pressed the button for the topmost floor of the building. On reaching the top floor he exited the elevator and walked a flight of stairs to the terrace. As the evening air brushed against his skin he longed for Sheetal’s touch on his shoulders, slowly massaging his aching body. The massages not only made him feel rejuvenated but also made him feel as if he belonged to someone. He kept his bag on the bench and walked to the edge. He loosened his tie, took a deep breath and tried to relax. He spent some time on the terrace, silently savoring the calmness around. His society was away from the main road and hence the sound of vehicles was almost obliterated by the dense plantation.