Not Always a Happy Ending: Part I: The Cast

By Shriyut Kumar Srivastava

“Soul mates,” the word seems so common. We use it in our everyday life without even knowing the true meaning of it. One does not simply find their soul mate in this bizarre world so easily.
Estella did not care about the world’s practicality and opinions. All she knew was that like the Estella in ‘Great Expectations’ she would also find her Pip. And then one fine evening, she does meet the perfect guy. Like every fairy tale, they fall in love and decide to get married. Everything was going perfectly. But of course this isn’t the whole story.
Professor Jay Malhotra has been the best in his job and most loved teacher in SAU. His words would make every single being sway in the wind of love. But why was he the way he was? Why did he look like someone had taken out his soul? Does love really matter to him as much as he stated and taught?
Join the inexplicable respective journeys of Estella Hudson and Jay Malhotra in the first installment of the epic romantic trilogy. Get a peek inside the world of love, drama and tragedy. This is not a love story; it’s the procedure of creating love and the science behind the word “Soul mate.” And most importantly, understand the concept that in every story, there is ‘not always a HAPPY ENDING.’

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notion Press
• Release date: Jan 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9789352066193

Book preview

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Introduction

Here I am, presenting another creation of mine to you. After I was done with YOU Are The ONE For SOMEONE, I had almost lost all hopes that there will ever be an another book. Then one fine day I realized that I shouldn’t be so stressed about it. I always believe if something has to happen, it will, and as we can see, Not Always a Happy Ending was meant to happen.

I don’t feel any shame in admitting the fact that writing a book which is good enough to read is an extremely hard job and luckily I was able to do it. But now I have a huge responsibility to continue doing good work or else be tagged as a one hit wonder. Well, I have left it all to you. Let’s see your reaction at the end of the book. *fingers crossed*

Not Always a Happy Ending Part 1: The Cast is the introduction of the trilogy. It’s in a way incomplete; it’s not like other series that has a proper end, so that if the readers don’t like the book, they could start working on another story. I have written it, assuming the readers will surely love it. You will be left with a number of questions and honestly, nothing is more exciting for me. But by the end of the trilogy, you will be contented and will have a nice understanding about love, soul mates and destiny.

Let us now keep the ‘series’ aside and talk about this book. It’s about a simple girl named Estella Hudson who, like most girls, has dreamt a lot about her prince charming. She is what every guy craves for but she is not interested in just ‘any guy.’ She wants her soul mate and she’s ready to wait for as long as she has to.

This story is also about Professor Jay Malhotra, a guy who shows he worships love. But no one knows why he looks like something died inside him. The sudden transformation of him from a depressed and quiet man to the most charismaticprofessor stunned everyone, but none of them were interested to know about him from himself.

If I have to give my honest opinion on this book then I would say that it is an enigmatic, heartwarming, confusing and devastating tale about love and its dark side. I understand that some people may have a different opinion on love and destiny than I do but I would suggest while reading the book, put your beliefs aside and embrace the character’s, because the best way to enjoy a book is to assume yourself as the character, and not propose arguments (at least not before its end).

Story of Not Always a Happy Ending is very close to my heart. I don’t know why, but my heart starts humming an unrecognizable but effective tune when I close my eyes and think about the instances from the book. The places, characters, feelings and events; all of it moves me. This is the primary reason why after a ton of obstacles, I did not give up writing this book. It took me a year and two months to finally complete it and I still wasn’t satisfied. It felt like the words should be read as they are played in my mind. It also took so much time because I am a huge procrastinator. Wasting time is one of my most favorite hobbies along with not sleeping and watching TV shows.

In the end I would just like to say that this book is unique in its own way. I have tried to keep it as real as possible. Try to see my point of view and understand the words; if you don’t, then contact me. I’m on almost all social networking sites I’ll be happy to answer all your questions. And I really hope you love as much as I loved writing it. And the second part is waiting for you.

Prologue

L ove, destiny and life-these all are interrelated to one another in one way or another. For example, say you ‘love’ someone with all your heart, but unfortunately, it is written in your ‘destiny’ to be apart from them, then you would have to learn to live your ‘life’ without their presence. It would be very hard; it would feel like you were being stabbed in the heart hundreds of times every single moment; but you can’t just be curled up in your bed for the rest of your, in your words, ‘empty and miserable’ life. You need to get up and try to wait for the right person to knock on the door of your life. Go on, ask them to come in and decorate it like a Christmas tree. You have to try your best to convert that ‘empty and miserable’ life into a ‘beautiful and full of love’ one. Keep your faith in love because it will make everything better. And you never know, maybe one day you would find someone perfect to hold on to. That perfect person may be someone new or the person you got away from. If it could happen with Pip and Estella, it can happen with anyone." Professor Jay Malhotra told his class with a smile, as he completed the last chapter of ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens. He was very young and decent looking man, but his ten days old stubble, dark circles beneath the eyes and messed up hair worked against the allure of his words. It made him look like he was extremely tired or hung-over. Usually everyone picked either of the two conclusions; but not even that stopped his students from loving him enormously.

Sir, how will I know that someone is made to be with me? Aaron asked him shyly. This was not one of the questions a guy would ask his teacher in front of about hundred students. But the desperation of converting the single status compelled him to.

Jay laughed softly, This question does not have a specific answer Mr. Lee. There is no mechanism that would tell you who is made to be with you or who you would end up with eventually. But I wish there was some kind of software or application in our phones. Everyone laughed for a second then stopped; everyone was curious to know the answer from him. See, there may be hundreds of opportunities when you would think that a girl is the one for you, but you have to remember something, He put on his glasses and looked at his class with pride. There are a few moments in life when your heart and mind agree on some themes. But, when your soul puts its stamp as well in agreement, you would know you’re in love.At that point of time you will hear symphonies as they will be playing the sweet melody of love together. And yes, that may happen more than once, so you would have to trust your instincts. But do not worry; you’ll know when you’ll know. The whole class, including Aaron, was more than satisfied with Jay’s answer.

Every girl in the class started gasping and going ‘Aawww.’ All of them wanted to marry him and spend their whole lives listening to his beautiful words. He was everything they all secretly craved for: a rugged, good looking man with words like roses. He was their ultimate fantasy, the prince of their dreams.

Sir, I have a fascinating question for you. Kathryn raised her hand and started biting the pen she had in her hand in hopes that Jay would be enticed.

Yes Ms. Smith, go on. He didn’t even notice her properly.

Has it ever happened with you, sir? She asked him with a smile.

The whole class fell silent with excitement to hear Jay’s answer. They first looked at Kathryn for asking such a question and then looked at their professor, eagerly waiting for his answer.

Jay had no idea what to say; sometimes words hurt even if they are not intentional. She had made him angry and she didn’t even know about it. In his mind, her cheeks were bleeding from where he had slapped her multiple times, but fortunately, in reality, he clenched his fists and calmed himself down. He had taken a bit too much time to answer and suddenly whispers about what he might answer filled the class with a buzz.

Ms. Smith, I would’ve answered this question very happily, but I don’t think I’ve come here to share my past or my love life with you. You’re my student and I’ll be pleased to answer any of your questions, as long as it is not related to my personal life. This applies to every single one of the student sitting in this classroom. He said firmly. Everyone seemed a little scared. Few minutes ago he had been making them swoon with his words and now he was shouting at them.

A second later he realized that he shouldn’t have spoken so rudely. I apologize for my hurtful words, Kathryn. I didn’t mean to be rude. He paused for a minute, realizing that he had messed up. Class dismissed. Kathryn felt a little better after his apology, but it was still awkward. Jay looked at his students as they left the class with stroppy expressions.

Jay Malhotra was the most loved teacher in the whole S.A. University, and why wouldn’t he be? He was the reason that the university had one of the best English departments in the whole world. He had become popular everywhere soon after his recruitment, and since then, about fifty thousandstudents from all over the globe try their luck, every year, to get admission there and learn from the superlative in this subject. But there were only hundred seats. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that even at just the age of 28, he was better than an average professor with twenty years of experience. He got offers from almost all the universities with English departments, but he refused every single one of them as he loved his present stipulation in SAU and wasn’t ready for any change.

But professional success is not something that makes a person satisfied for a