Two-&-A-Half-Stories

By Saumya

About the Book: ‘Two-&-A-Half-Stories’ is a compilation of three short stories. The tales are life's unspoken truths and woven into an endearing web that will catch you in a 'fantastic' world of 'realism'! While 'Escapist & the Beggar Boy' traces the unique relationship that develops between a man who leaves his wife over a misunderstanding and an orphan that he chances upon at a railway station, ‘Some Chik, Our Lily’ is the tale of a precocious but careless girl Lily who is taught a lesson in maturity by destiny. Last, but not the least, ‘Fate Written By Roadside’ is the fictional adaptation of a real incident of an innocent boy turning into a ‘seasoned’ beggar. The stories are guaranteed to leave you amazed and dying for a second read!

About the Author: Born into a family of journalists and writers in Lucknow, the author, Saumya, took to the pen like fish takes to water even before she was formally enrolled into school. Her adolescent scribbling was identified as a future potential by her grandfather, Mr Vijay Kumar Misra, who was himself a highly reputed journalist and author of several Hindi books, and he encouraged her to play with her imagination. While studying at St. Agnes’ Loreto Day School, Saumya regularly contributed short stories, poems and articles to school magazines, various newspapers and even to the All India Radio’s Youth Programme. She completed her Intermediate from the Loreto Convent and then graduated in Economics, Political Science and English from the prestigious Awadh Girls’ Degree College. Throughout her college period, she actively participated in all extra-curricular activities, including sports, dramatics, painting, debate, but writing remained her first love and passion. She then did post-graduation in Foreign Affairs with Proficiency in French language from the Lucknow University and then Management in Travel and Tourism from the one and only ITM, Gwalior. But, fate had already decided that she would enter a field most suited to her interest and she joined The Indian Express group. Even while working on the desk there, she largely contributed news items and features. She later joined The Times Of India, Lucknow and is now the editor of TreeTake, a one-of-its-kind magazine on environment. Her very first novel— a social thriller ‘A Life Less Lived’—went on to become a bestseller in 2014. Her second novel—A Grey Story— was also well-received. Her latest, ‘Three Little Tales’, is a compilation of three short stories and three ‘supporting’ poems that is sure to touch readers’ heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pencil
• Release date: Sep 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9789390266593

Book preview

Two-&-A-Half-Stories

BY

Saumya

---

ISBN 9789390266593

© Saumya 2020

Published in India 2020 by Pencil

A brand of

One Point Six Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

123, Building J2, Shram Seva Premises,

Wadala Truck Terminal, Wadala (E)

Mumbai 400037, Maharashtra, INDIA

E [e-mail]

W www.thepencilapp.com

All rights reserved worldwide

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into 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 Publisher. Any person who commits an unauthorized act in relation to this publication can be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. The opinions expressed in this book do not seek to reflect the views of the Publisher.

Author biography

Born into a family of journalists and writers in Lucknow, the author, Saumya, took to the pen like fish takes to water even before she was formally enrolled into school. Her adolescent scribbling was identified as a future potential by her grandfather, Mr Vijay Kumar Misra, who was himself a highly reputed journalist and author of several Hindi books, and he encouraged her to play with her imagination. While studying at St. Agnes’ Loreto Day School, Saumya regularly contributed short stories, poems and articles to school magazines, various newspapers and even to the All India Radio’s Youth Programme. She completed her Intermediate from the Loreto Convent and then graduated in Economics, Political Science and English from the prestigious Awadh Girls’ Degree College. Throughout her college period, she actively participated in all extra-curricular activities, including sports, dramatics, painting, debate, but writing remained her first love and passion. She then did post-graduation in Foreign Affairs with Proficiency in French language from the Lucknow University and then Management in Travel and Tourism from the one and only ITM, Gwalior. But, fate had already decided that she would enter a field most suited to her interest and she joined The Indian Express group. Even while working on the desk there, she largely contributed news items and features. She later joined The Times Of India, Lucknow and is now the editor of TreeTake, a one-of-its-kind magazine on environment. Her very first novel— a social thriller ‘A Life Less Lived’—went on to become a bestseller in 2014. Her second novel—A Grey Story— was also well-received. Her latest, ‘Three Little Tales’, is a compilation of three short stories and three ‘supporting’ poems that is sure to touch readers’ heart.

Contents

1. ESCAPIST & THE BEGGAR BOY

2. SOME CHIK, OUR LILY

3. FATE WRITTEN BY ROADSIDE

Epigraph

This one is for you my dear Mom. You make my life possible & meaningful. You are amazingly brave. The way you have defeated death & come out a winner is inspirational. You will soon be the back on your feet & just as strong.

Acknowledgements

My sincerest thanks to you Mr Swarup Nanda, proprioter, Leadstart Publishing. Without your help, guidance and motivation, I do not know how smoothly this project would have fared. 

My heartiest thanks to Wordit Art Fund in helping me publish this book.

I must also thank my project manager Miral Bheda, who has been with me each step of the way towards making this project a reality. 

My special thanks to Pranali Naidu, Publishing advisor, BecomeShakesapeare, for welcoming me so heartily into the 'family'.

And, above all, I thank the Lord Almighty and my late grandfather Vijay Kumar Misra for showering blessings on me from up there!

ESCAPIST & THE BEGGAR BOY

I stood outside the Charbagh railway station, viewing the world outside with a disinterested, jaundiced eye, for life held little illusions for me. I had just stepped outside the train and left behind what to some would qualify as a happily married existence. 

As I stepped onto the road, sharp stench of sweat assailed my nostrils and I jumped back hurriedly and reflectively, as if attacked.  In my haste, I almost collided with a boy-- not more than five-- who by appearance, seemed to be a habitant of the road—a 'beggar boy'-- was my first impression. Step back I snarled, taking out my frustration with the 'situation' on him. Bright back eyes looked up at me. I was shocked at the intensity of the gaze, as if the beholder could see right into my soul and invade my innermost thoughts. It was a very unnerving sensation. The 'beggar boy' said calmly. Everyone has his space here sahib. I am only using mine. You must try and find yours. Stunned for a moment, I hastily recovered and muttered: Shut up and get lost. The ‘beggar boy' shook his head as if in despair and promptly ‘got lost’ in the crowd that also moved me a few paces before I managed to elbow myself into an adjoining lane.

I stopped and again took stock - now with some concern!  While leaving home and Rupa, I had not given a thought to where I would go. It was just a spur of the moment act, guided solely by the spur of the moment situation. Why, I had not even stopped to give Jay a last kiss while he slept on peacefully, not  realizing that the next time he woke up, things would no longer be the same. I was not sure whether he would miss the 'I do not see you' behavior of his parents, but he would surely miss the drop to school by his Pa's scooter-- another bane of contention between Rupa and I. She insisted we had enough means to purchase a car-- even a second hand would do for her-- so long as she could flaunt it before her friends as a status symbol... 

Do you want a tour of the city sahib... are you looking for a hotel? I can take you to one in the area... It is cheap and provides meals on order... they will also ensure that you lack in no comfort during your stay... you will be quite happy there.  What say sahib? I mutely shook my head and headed for a dhaba across the road. I could see a couple of such 'restaurants' competing with each other on that side of the road-- that too in