The Stars Of Torment

By Tabish Khan

This is a coming of age short novel by Tabish Khan. It is also his debut novel. It is a romantic fiction, not the fairy tales or sagas. It talks about pain and love. Neil, reconnects to his high school crush who was in a problem. Neil helps her along and their love grows.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tabish Khan
• Release date: Oct 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463804650

Tabish Khan

Tabish Khan is a 17 year old student, currently in senior year of high school. He is going to graduate in 2020, prayers welcome. He plays cricket. He also loves reading and enjoys music.

Book preview

The Stars Of Torment

TABISH KHAN

copyright © 2019 by Tabish Khan

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in India

First Printing, 2019

ISBN 978-1-7023686-2-9

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A, writing a fiction is not a cakewalk. I started it when I was 16. I’m 17 now, when it is being published. And I don’t think that I might have made it to the list of most youngest writers in history, because 17 is enough.

B, No one knew that I was writing this book except my family. So, there are no special blokes who helped me writing it. Hence, I would continue with the people who have been there for me always and motivated me at times.

I can’t start it with the name of anyone else other than my grandfather, Daddu as I call him. He was my first teacher, mentor, friend and everything. I remember how he when he forced me to study and I didn’t like it, today I regret it.

My mum and Dad, I read out a few chapters to my mom and she would lend her ears everytime. Dad, who always had my back since I was a child. The one who motivated me towards cricket. India’s matches won’t be the same without us watching.

My brother, Rameez Khan, he deserves a mention. SM Tabrez , with whom I spent my whole childhood. He taught me everything. Although he’s my cousin but I never felt that. He’s also the author of the book 18 Years Old Me.

Also, SM Altamush, who have been throughout. His to-be-betterhalf, Fatima Zabeen. She has been there and I wish these two a very happy life as they are getting engaged later this Diwali. His father, Md. Yunus, who is one of the best people around. He taught me certain aspects of life.

Fardeen, who’s also a cousin cum friend. I can’t forget watching every Netflix original together.

My aunts Shabnum, Tabassum and Tarannum. My other cousin sisters, Sania and Nausheen.

My friends, dumbfucks who are hanging around now, Rishav and Amarjeet. Abhishek and guys from school, Aatif, Azher, Harsh, Saurav, Aakash and everyone. I can’t name all of you.

My teachers, Miss Jessy, our English teacher. I have been connected with her since 5th grade. She always motivated me at times and taught me a lot f things.

Mumtaz Sir, who is also one of the best motivators. He taught me many things about life.

The book is self published so I don’t have any publishing company to give credits.

My inspirations, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Kl Rahul and Hasan Minhaj, whose lives have inspired me.

And last but not the least, positive people whom I have met over the internet. A big thanks to all of you.

To the readers, thank you for dedicating your time and money. I would like to apologize for any typing mistakes as it is self published.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It is a coming of age short novel, which circles around the story of a guy, Neil. It covers his high school journey as well as college.

In the course of it, he learns a lot about life, about pain, torment. He realizes life could bring the worst challenges. And, it doesn’t demoralize you but motivates you to get up the eighth time after falling seven times.

He realizes that the first time you fall in love, it changes you forever, and no matter how hard you try, the feeling just never goes away.

When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

PROLOGUE

It is the 7th of November. The day Neil can’t forget. The important moments of his life are marked by this date.

He is sitting by the riverside, an abandoned one in the southern city of India, Bengaluru. It is not much freezing at this point of year but it is cold. He pulls up his cap on the hoodie. He has a book in hand, it is as old as the Megalithic Temples of Malta.

It is an orange evening but there are some dark clouds turning it black.

The yellow pages of the book get a drop of rain. The spot becomes dark yellow. Neil quickly takes out a handkerchief to remove it.

Another drop falls as he closes it but it is not from the mighty clouds but it is the liquid form of human emotions.

The rain drops start falling at a better rate now. He takes shelter nearby under a old shed, might be used earlier for cows as there’s cow dung on the non-plastered walls.

He makes a call.

THIS IS HOW IT BEGINS

Rahul drives Neil home. He has been a good friend to him. He doesn’t live too far. Neil started working here in Bengaluru, after his college placed him here. Rahul has too found a decent workplace and is paid enough. They both know each other since sophomore year in high school and it’s been 10 years.

How’s your writing going? asks Rahul.

Yeah, it’s fine. I said. Look, don’t lie to me bro, I checked your laptop today and it was totally blank.

Do you think it’s a wise thing to do, disturbing someone’s privacy.

We have talked about it earlier, you should write about it. It’ll make you feel better.

Will it?

Rahul’s cell phone beeps.

Chaaya: Hey! Where have you been? I’m trying to call you for a while.

No, I was just hanging out with Neil. says Rahul

Come pick me up, I need to go Chickpet to buy some stuffs.

Rahul looks towards Neil who nods his head affirmatively.

Okay, I’m coming.

Hangs up.

Man duties you know. Rahul says and smiles.

You have been on duty since high school, for multiple girls.

Piss off man, those were just hookups. I love Chaaya.

You better do.

Rahul drops him. He reaches home, unlocks the door and lies down on the couch. He thinks about what Rahul said earlier. He thinks he can do it. He gets up and goes to the kitchen, there is no cooked meal. He makes himself a coffee, toasts some slices and rests down on the couch again. He picks up his laptop.

Before typing anything he takes out a small diary out of the drawer behind him and cuts the words OUR STORY written in bold capital letters with a black ink marker. He puts it back in the drawer and starts typing.

He starts,

This is how it begins …

THE CAN OF WORMS OPENS

It was November, apparently the mid of our junior year, 9 years from today. It was the 7th of the month when my friend, Rishika was celebrating her birth day. She had this party thing and asked me to visit. I knew her since fifth grade.

I reached there at 6 p.m. before anyone else, I guess. It was some café around East Boring Road, Patna. There’s not much traffic round there. So, it didn’t take my scooter too long to reach there.

I saw a familiar face soon. She was a girl from my school, I had seen her often in the English class.

Hey, I said.

Hey

If my assumption game is strong, then you’re here for Rishika’s birthday.

Yes, I am. Precise and accurate. And if you’re too, then I guess we are quite early here.

Wait! I think I might have seen you, maybe. she added.

"Um..Yeah, We