Face: A Journey Beyond Time and Space

By Rucha Joshi

From Invercargill, New Zealand to India to Indraprasth,
FACE takes you to places.

A ghostly face

A mysterious figure

Seven Immortal Sages

An Evil Queen

And a girls quest for love
beyond time and space

A timeless love fable of
Ciya and Avin is a journey
beyond time and space.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jan 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482869378

Rucha Joshi

Rucha Joshi lives in Mumbai, India and has completed education in dentistry. She currently writes novels and poems. Face is her first novel and she is currently working on its spin-off and few other projects.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Rucha Joshi.

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4828-6939-2

      Softcover      978-1-4828-6938-5

      eBook         978-1-4828-6937-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

Contents

Chapter 1 And I Saw You…

Chapter 2 Step Ahead

Chapter 3 The Face

Chapter 4 Prints on Sand

Chapter 5 Linking Threads

Chapter 6 The Unforgettable

Chapter 7 Struck a Chord

Chapter 8 Love

Chapter 9 The Silhouette

Chapter 10 Apple of My Eye

Chapter 11 Bring Me… Destiny…

Chapter 12 Story of My Life…

Chapter 13 Revelations

Chapter 14 Fading Star

Chapter 15 Lost But Not Forgotten…

Chapter 16 Echo

Chapter 17 Is this Real?

Chapter 18 Chasing Butterflies

Chapter 19 Into the Mist

Chapter 20 Take me Nowhere

Chapter 21 Point of No Return

Chapter 22 Middle of Nowhere

Chapter 23 Outlandish

Chapter 24 Nebulous

Chapter 25 Out of Breath

Chapter 26 Quintessence

Chapter 27 The Rising

Chapter 28 The Cave

Chapter 29 The Warrior

Chapter 30 Fire Within

Chapter 31 The Bridge

Chapter 32 Moth to the Flame

Chapter 33 Face to Face

Glossary of Non-English terms

Acknowledgements

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The Self is never born nor does it ever perish: nor having come into existence will it again cease to be. IT is birthless, eternal, changeless, ever-same (unaffected by usual processes associated with time). It is not slain when the body is killed. – God Talks with Arjuna

The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 20

For in the sleep of death

What dreams may come

Hamlet, Scene III, Act I, Line 66

Drenched in the sallow dreams,

For you and for our beloved springs

The night it comes

With dread of ’tmare

Can’t do nothing

But strive or spare…

Barren on the path of despair.

Until the morning

I walk.

And I See You…

Chapter 1

And I Saw You…

Ten years ago, it all started…

Everything was dark, silent and still.

Everything but the stars shining in the night sky, as it would always be till eternity. My mom always told me tales about the stars. Every star in the sky, who knows, may be dead already, yet shines brightly with the glow of a fair maiden, waiting for eternity. Tales of the souls of loved ones, who have departed us. Tales, which were too good to be true.

I never believed stars make our destinies.

I screwed up my eyes and started counting the stars to fall asleep. If what she said was right, then I asked myself, ‘what about the fallen stars?’ I lay there wide awake with my eyes shut, in the dead of night.

As my eyes opened, it was already past midnight. Several minutes ago, grandfather’s clock, down in the hall, struck at midnight. Everyone was fast asleep since there was no sound, or let alone, any casual remote howling of a dog. Dark shadows crept on the wall opposite the window against the bright moonlight cast on it. I squeezed my eyes shut, my knuckles had turned white with the fear of loneliness, though, I was not scared of darkness, but my fingers clutched onto the quilt so tightly. Sleep had no desire to lull me that night. But, at long last, I just lay back, staring at the blue ceiling.

As my eyes got accustomed to the darkness, the room looked clear like a glass wiped out of the fog. The shadows still lurked on all four walls beneath the hanging lamps. I exhaled. I had school the next day, and I had to sleep to rise up early, however my eyes wouldn’t comply to rest.

Darkness never scared me. My friend, Chloe, had told me that she was scared of darkness, nocturnal, and all murky things. Her grandmother narrated to her the stories of monsters, zombies that set out in the wee hour, to prey on little girls, like us, or of vampires who loved sucking blood out of their delicate, pulsating necks. Ew! It disgusted me, but didn’t scare me that much. I’d never tasted blood except for last Sunday, when I cut my finger while cutting carrots for salad and it tasted ferric and pathetic. There were far better, tastier things to consume than blood.

It was the first time that I bled by cutting, given that I wanted to help my mom. She had always said I was too young to be in the kitchen. I detested that word. I wasn’t too young, I was six.

Something happened when I was bleeding, something that cannot be ignored. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone pass down by the stairs that connected our kitchen to the attic. No one was home, except mom and me.

I heaved a sigh. I did not want to think about it, not at this time. When you are alone, when it is ubiquitous darkness and when you have nothing to do but lay back there, such thoughts tend to fog your mind. I felt uneasy out of the blue. It jostled me out of my reverie. My room instantaneously became warm.

It was becoming warmer than summer, while a few moments ago, the air was crisp. The mellow tinkling of the wind chimes played by the autumnal winds was abruptly brought to a halt. I began to sweat as the air turned warmer and warmer. Taking comforter off, it became difficult for me to rest in my cozy bed.

And then in a flash I saw it. I saw him.

Right in front of me was a face. I shuddered at the sudden appearance. I bolted upright. He was farther toward the opposite wall. Subtler than a real person, it had a ghostly feel. Hovering in front of me was his body and face. No feet, just up to the girdle. He stared at me, wide-eyed, as if he was peeping through some invisible window. The whole room was illumined. All the shadows lurking in the walls warded off.

It took me some time to get over my earlier shock. I was not frightened, but I was too astonished to be scared. Enraptured! Squinting eyes, I bent for a closer look. He was older than me and he was looking right at me now. His eyes were dark, like onyx. I tried to get up, but I felt like I was stuck. And he moved. He smiled and drifted toward me. It was a gliding movement as if he was swimming in smooth waves of waters.

With every single moment he was closing toward me, I could feel my heart thudding in my chest. It had become a wild bird that knows nothing but escape from the cage. My knuckles had turned white and my nail-bitten fingers held the blanket. I grasped the lotus locket I was wearing on my neck. His eyes were stuck on the locket before staring back into mine.

He was so close that I could feel his breath; his dark stare was steady on me. As his face neared mine, I saw a mole on the side, right above his upper lip. He said something, but I could not listen to it. For the first time in my life, I experienced what people called fear. His black eyes gazed deeply into mine.

He then smiled at me, with an angelic smile. His eyes were shining as bright as the stars. I was relieved. His hand rose as he wanted to touch my cheek, but as it approached me closer and closer, it went through me as vapors of smoky, cool air. I felt chills where his hand had passed on my face. Tiny goosebumps rose on my skin. His eyebrows furrowed. His eyes were big and wide. He scrutinized me again and shook his head.

His features were stern and handsome. Deep, dark hollows of onyx shade of eyes and high cheekbones, angular jaw. He was in his late teens, much older than me. Like a magnet, he drew me in. I had never felt this way before. In his presence, I felt protected, cared. I shook my head to bring me out of my fantasy. With a last glance at me, he was gone. And I had a hollow feeling in my chest and I swallowed a heavy lump down my throat. All of a sudden, the air in the room was getting back to normal again. I could feel the chill of winter April. I breathed out and realized that I held my breath for a long time. My eyes were heavy as I slumbered into the comforting arms of forty winks.

Six months after that night…

Life couldn’t have been more perfect. I’d school, my friends, and mom. Everything was sheltered in this beautiful world of mine. After that night’s happening, many nights had passed. The air turned sombre with winter teeth chatters and body shivering chills. Time and again, I saw him in different places, but in different situations.

Same face, same eyes. By the Arrow River, when I was sitting in its frozen bank, making a snowman with Amanda and Chloe, I saw him one more time. In his hand was a basketball and he was all sweaty. He smiled at me flashing those alluring pearly whites.

Then, once again, I saw him standing in the museum opposite the glass into which the Maori artifact was preserved. He hovered again, out of the blue. He just appeared out of nowhere and stood ahead of me when everyone sang prayers at the church. Nobody seemed to notice him. Though I could not touch him, I felt the usual warmth of his aura. I’d also seen him in a couple of months, when I was out at a local grocery store with Anaya, I saw him again and he was leaning on the black car. Nobody seemed to notice this but me.

One more time, he was wearing a black shirt and behind him was an electrifying scene, with lights and sizzling and dancing people. He smiled at me, but this time his eyes held a different spark. He would always be with me to accompany me whenever I was alone. I sketched him in my sketchbook, imperfectly at first, but I was able to sketch him better, every time with his frequent visitations, until I was satisfied with the perfect drawing of his features.

I woke up one morning and my sketchbook was gone. I kept it beside my bed, every night. I got up and went downstairs. Anaya was applying her mascara, I happened to push her as I ran toward the corridor. I didn’t mean to ruin her makeup. She screamed at me. I didn’t care. I went and hugged my mom who was reading. Sobbing, I told her about my sketchbook.

The sketchbook had the face of my treasured memory.

Chloe ambushed me from behind the shelf. Both mom and her were laughing furiously. I went to her and snatched the sketchbook from her. In the evening, they asked me what was so important about a mere sketchbook. My mom even promised to buy me a new one just in case I lost it. Chloe apologized for getting on my nerves.

Now I had a story to tell Chloe, of fright and delight. Anaya had concluded that he was my imaginary friend that every child of my age has had. I knew for better that he was too real to be a mere figment of my imagination overwhelming my brain.

As the seasons flipped, the frequency of his visits had reduced, and one night it was to be over, what seemed now and forever. It was the twenty-first of September, my seventh birthday.

All were partying inside, a party thrown by Uncle Kedar. My friends, and our neighbours had gathered up, and I just came out in the backyard to feel the summer breeze.

Invercargill was so little, everyone knew everybody here. It was strange when the whole world had the fall season; Invercargill celebrated its blossoming spring.

I loved the pink frock mom bought for me; it was hard for me to walk with all the frills, ruched sleeves and heaviness. I was so uncomfortable and hot.

I saw a bright shooting star. It’s been said, if you make a wish from your heart to a shooting star, your wish gets fulfilled. I closed my eyes and wished,

Dear Star, they say love is heavenly. Love is life and I want to live, and I want to be loved, for eternity, like the prince in Snow White and the seven dwarves.

Also protect me, forever and always…

Right after I opened my eyes, he was there. His eyes were red and teary. I somehow knew he would go and never come back. I felt sick in a pit of my stomach. I swallowed a lump in my throat. Suddenly, I was feeling very gloomy. I looked at him, his head was hung low. He looked up, startled. Smiling at me, he vanished, for what seemed forever.

Life had not changed ever since he was gone. And it did not take much time for me to forget him. His face was locked in my closet of memory, hidden and never to show up again.

Back to the present day…

The fire was burning vivacious and open-mouthed, it was ready to consume me. My heart was pounding in my chest and I knew somehow that this was it. I was happy to do it for him. I was on the bridge of life and death. Now it didn’t even matter whether I survived this or died as a sacrifice to the holy fire. Nothing mattered to me anymore. Nothing but him.

It was Lady Gaga singing "Born This Way". Startled, I got up from my bed. Again, a dream. I would call it a nightmare. As for these days, I had been having recurrent dreams. What bothered me about it was not the images I saw, but it was something more subtle than the image itself. That’s the feeling I’m talking about. Strange feeling that I’d never experienced in my life. The feelings of dying for someone who was close to your heart. Finding a treasure I had lost due to my carelessness. Dream of a journey I never meant to take.

I shook my head off the sleep and resisted a yawn. Outside the window, I saw the bright morning sunlight and the rays of the sun passed through the curtains and lit my room that was painted plain ivory-white. I loved plain things, nothing too dramatic or flamboyant.

Ciya! Aunt Trisha called from downstairs. It was time for the breakfast. I was reluctant to get out of my comforter. It was September and here in Invercargill, summer had already started setting in as spring was short-lived.

Morning, I hugged her as I got into the kitchen. Aunt Trisha, whom I called Mami, on her insistence, was a middle-aged lady, a couple years older than my mom. She was winsome with long black hair and very good at cooking delicious cuisines all thanks to her Bengali background. My uncle was, on the other hand, a tall and a happy-go-lucky man who might have aged physically, but mentally was still a youth. I wondered how these two met, fell in love, and married. I had asked them to retell their wedding story so many times when I was little.

Uncle Kedar, who insisted me calling him by his name Kedar, was sitting across a chair reading the New Zealand Herald. He looked just like my mom, just that he was a bit older than her. I could see where I got my eyes from and that straight nose. We had the same set of caramel brown eyes except that Kedar’s were cheery and playful, and mom’s eyes were sad and gloomy. Mine, they said, were dreamy. Quite ironic.

Hello, young man, I patted Kedar on his forehand, bringing him out of his musing. He seemed to be engrossed, but he quickly gained his composure.Oh hey little princess!

Trisha served some cooked hot Kadhi with boiled rice on my plate and some on Kedar’s. We relished the sour and spicy curry with the rice and munched on the salad. She had taken out the fourth plate and before I could ask, she said, Yes, Karuna is coming. She has been on leave for a few days and she is coming before you leave for Auckland.

What? Really? Mom’s coming home! I said with my mouth wide open.

No. She has already arrived when you were still asleep! It was my mom at the kitchen door. I stood up and hugged her.

When did you come home? And why didn’t you tell me? I couldn’t stop the tears from my eyes. Oh, why things had to get so soppy all the times?

Just a few hours ago,

How are you? I put my hand on her cheek. She was my mother, but I cared for her as if she was my daughter. My mother would never tell how things would affect her. In her life, she had very well learned to bury her feelings. All that mattered to her was my upbringing. But I knew very well what a lonely life she had been living. It made me feel more protective of her.

Perfect. Just a bit tired though, just woke up. Seven hours driving in the night from Christchurch, without sleep.

The sun glared through the curtains of the lazy siesta. As the sun rose higher, it was camouflaged by the white, cottony clouds. I was sitting in my room with my head on my mom’s shoulder.

So this is it, then? You decided for Auckland?

I already told you so many times, Mom. I’m interested in genetics and the nearest university to offer me the majors in Biological Science is in Auckland.

But you can try Queenstown… it’s at least nearer… she pleaded.

I want Auckland, they offered me first.

My mom took in a deep breath, Fine then. All I say is…

—Take care of yourself and don’t shift the focus from your study at any cost’ I know it, Mom. It’s been so many times that you have said the same thing. My mother nodded.

I know you are a seventeen year old, Ciya, and you can make your own decisions. I just care for you, a mother’s heart…

My phone rang and I took the call. It was Chloe from the other side and like always she was super excited.

I’ve got it! I HAVE GOT IT!

Wait! Breathe, Chloe. Now say what?

Yes! My name came out in the third round and they decided that I could be one of the country’s potent fashion designers! Chloe rejoiced. Her dreamy voice was so full of energy.

Now that deserves a big ‘C’ word! Mere congratulations were not enough for my best friend. She had done lots of hard work and she was passionate in her calling.

"Yeah! Let’s meet today! For Victoria’s Secret’s new summer haul!

Sure. Why not? Hey Chloe, Mom’s home. I said.

Tell her I said hi.

Shopping sprees with Chloe was an adventure. It was a warm, breezy day in Otago and we bought ample of stuff we needed and more stuff that we didn’t. Apart from shopping. I loved hanging out with my best friend, ever in the whole wide world.

Since childhood, Chloe and I have been inseparable. My mom always said that in some past life, that we could’ve been twins. She believed in all those new age stuff. But I was rather an old school girl. I don’t know about past life, but in this life, I was happy and I needed no one to make me happy rather than myself. Chloe was, indeed, my twin only that she was born of another mother and her positive optimism, sometimes overwhelmed me.

Berry red or cherry red? Chloe asked me swatching the shades on her ivory hand.

Both seem to be same. I said.

Still, given a choice, she pushed.

Oh, Chloe, you know I cannot make choices. Whatever you pick, get one for me too. Makeup was not my cup of tea. It was vanity being superfluous. But Chloe, being a Fashionista, insisted that it would suit my olive face the best. I knew better. I was the plain-faced Ciya and it never bothered me.

So it’s Mac’s lipsticks in both berries and cherries and Victoria’s Secret latest perfume and this new CD on yoga… Chloe was saying as she recounted on all that we bought.

What? The last thing you said? I interrupted.

The Yoga CD

When did you get that one?

When I excused myself two minutes ago, remember? She said with raised eyebrows.

Uh, okay was all I said.

Ciya, what’s wrong with you? Chloe fumbled few dollars into her handbag. There was a hint of worry in her voice.

What’s wrong with me? I countered.

You’re from India, but nothing from there seems to attract you.

I was taken aback. I told you Chloe, I’ve nothing to do with India. I’ve never been there… My family settled here after my birth. Everyone, but my father.

Even I haven’t been there… she argued.

Well, let’s just move on, okay? I said.

Something kept me from talking about my origin. It reminded me of something, someone in particular. My father. I’ve never seen him before, don’t even know what he looks like.

I shook my head as if doing so would get me out of the whole thing.

Um, how was your date with Jeff last weekend? I asked her.

Why shifting gear? Anyway, it was horrendous. He’s a mamma’s boy. She swore.

Yooo! The wind started whooshing wildly making the tree bend. The summer sky was blanketed by the dark clouds. The wind started picking up, threatening to blow us away. Chloe clasped the bags in her hand and my hand tighter with her other. We were not that close to our homes. Chloe lived a few blocks ahead of me. I closed my eyes and just whispered, Please, please I want to go back… and as abruptly it had started, it stopped. One moment it was windy, not quite long, it was sunny again.

Whoa! I heard Chloe exclaim.

We speeded up. Maybe Mother Nature would change her mind once again, we never knew. I heard a crack behind me. As I turned, the road was vacant except a Red Matipo tree. I felt a hand on my back and suddenly everything was spinning and diminished into a bright blurry haze.

Chapter 2

Step Ahead

My eyes jolted open, my body was heavy. I felt pins and needles pricking my feet. I was lying down on my bed as I opened my eyes. It was the blue ceiling. Familiar, I relaxed, it was my room. My mom was sitting cross-legged beside me. Her eyes were in tears.

That’s why Kedar, that’s why I’ve been saying, there was no need for her to go to the University, and living there by her own.

Mom. I tried getting up, We’ve been on this so many times. I want to go there. I said. I want life, mom. The tingling sensation in my feet had somewhat receded, though I still felt my body numb.

But,

No if, and no buts. I faked a scolding. The choice was made.

And who said I’m alone? Chloe will be there with me. We will share our campuses and our apartments are close too, okay? I interceded. I could see Kedar trying to maintain a straight face. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

The worry lines faded off her face, for a moment. Now you all go, I’m fine here. I pretended a yawn. As soon as they got out of my room, I picked up my iPhone and called Chloe.

Hey, how are you? Sorry, it was getting darker and your mom pushed me out of the house. She started, I’m home alone, as mamma, papa and Lil teddies are attending an evening mass. Should I come there now? she bellowed.

Chloe, don’t panic, okay. I’m fine. Now tell me what happened?

You turned and fainted. Period. I let out a breath. I was anticipating for some drama. Well, at least chloroform.

Anything else? Something had to be more to it. People don’t faint like that, out of the blue.

Um, yeah, pretty that much. Wait, there was this salesperson who came to return back your locket you forgot at the store. You turned to face him and fainted. I took the locket with me. I gave it to your mom.

My hand went to my neck. The locket was back on my neck. Mom must have put it on while I was unconscious.

Are you sure that was all? Are you hiding anything from me? I inquired.

Was I knocked unconscious for nothing?

Well, why would I hide anything from you? Yeah, that’s pretty much all that has happened.

Whatever Chloe had said, I didn’t remember any salesperson giving me a locket. I took in a deep breath and brushed aside the hair from my face.

It was dark outside with incandescent stars blinking in the moonless sky.

Sitting by the porch at this hour of the night, had always enticed me. It was so calm and serene at this time.

Want some coffee, dear? Kedar said as he sat beside me on the steps. I smiled and took the mug from him. It was hot cappuccino and its strong taste ensured it was of his making.

So got the clothes and stuff packed? He asked me as he took a sip from his mug, simmering coffee.

"Yeah, your Mami helped me with it."

Kedar nodded. For a long time we sat discerning the trees Kedar himself had planted when he bought this small villa around the time I was born. Kedar, Trisha, and their daughter, Anaya had moved here seventeen years ago, with mom and me. It still puzzles me at times as why he shifted to this little corner of Invercargill leaving their lavish flat in India and the job there at the general hospital. Dr Kedar Devdhar was one of the most proficient Cardiologist I had ever known.

Invercargill was such a tiny place that we knew almost all the locals. The closest to us were Chloe and her parents, Mr And Mrs Gallagher and their younger twins, John Beau and Matthew Eden. Those two were ‘Lil teddies’ as Chloe called them. Mr Gallagher, the local pastor, often told me about God and love. Two things, I knew didn’t exist and even if they did, they were not meant for me.

This is for you. He handed me a little parcel wrapped haphazardly in a cute pink paper. It somehow managed to bring a smile on my face. I opened it in haste. Inside was a sparkling rose-gold Michael Kors watch. Its hands were delicate, showing the time in roman numerals, seven-thirty.

Thank you, I hugged him. He rubbed his teary eyes. I had never seen my father, but Uncle Kedar was as much of a father figure for me. Time is precious, Ciya. Time is a player and we are her pawns. Maybe, this was the time.

So tell me, Kedar, why did you shift here when I was born? I mumbled, running the tip of my finger on the brim of the mug. Kedar didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes were darting off somewhere far away, lost in his thoughts.

I know, you wanted me and my mom to be safe from him—my father. I sighed, I took in a deep breath and crossed my arms hugging my body.

Kedar seemed to be taken out of his thoughts. "Your mom convinced me that with you she wanted to become independent. She is my only younger sister and I being her only family member left in this world after our father passed away, your Mami and I decided to live with her." He pondered.

But that could be done in some other city. Why here in New Zealand? Why Invercargill? I took a sip. Kedar made a good coffee.

My life right now was restricted to a small box. It suffocated me. I wanted to breathe. To live and not just survive.

You’re too curious for your age, Ciya. Believe me, seventeen is the age when people believe, not question. He got up and patted on my shoulder. I faked a smile, although my insides were boiling rage.

This was it. I knew Kedar won’t answer me any further. Kedar might be the most joyous person I ever knew, but when it comes to keeping secrets, no one could do it as good as he would.

Mom’s asleep? I traced the blooming lotus locket, something I would do when lost in a thought. The lotus locket had become part of me and I never felt as if I was wearing it.

Yeah, she was a little bit neurotic, but now she’s relaxed. I thought she would need some tranquilizers, but she is fine without them. He said and sat by my side.

Why is she always scared so much?

Oh Ciya, you are her only child. She worries for you. He sighed, I know the pain of losing a child, Ciya, when it is your only child… he tried to wipe off the tear from the corner of his eye. I wrapped my arm around him and put my head on his arm.

"Oh Mama! I’m sorry Kedar I’m sorry for Anaya."

I’m fine, dearie… he said, looking away from me.

My cousin, Anaya had succumbed to the fatal accident or so as people were convinced it was, seven years ago. She was found mutilated on the Dee Street. They had figured out that it was a hit-and-run case. I thought of it otherwise. Well, I had a reason. Invercargill is a very small town for people to drive, kill, and hide in without being recognized. And secondly, she was talking to me when she was killed and I heard her say, Ciya, I fear, they are coming… the large ones… before the phone got cut. Obviously, nobody believed me, an eleven year old, and they thought I was too shocked and making up stories. The case was closed for lack of evidence.

So, you want to get a life? I was brought out of my trance.

Yeah, pretty much. The limited life here bores me. I let out a breath.

Why? The scenery out here is captivating. Tourists come here for relaxation.

Kedar, relaxation is not what I want. See those tourists; they need it because they live in big, buzzing cities.

Oh! Now I get it. You’re a young girl and you need a guy? I admit that big cities have a bunch of hunks. His face was lit.

What? No Kedar, please… this was outrageous.

Oh, come on. You can share it with me. He winked.

Kedar, you know. I won’t, like ever, love. I said, gritting my teeth. The word disgusted me. The word had taken from me the most valuable things from my life. It was not like I was some ‘love-hater’ of sorts from the beginning. When I was little, I believed in love and fairy tales and happy endings. It all changed when I was eleven. When I lost Anaya, she was murdered by her boyfriend. My mother had lived her whole life deceived by the ones she loved. I grew up to disdain it. Kedar was taken aback.

Ciya, please. Don’t be so bitter about life. Life is not always one-sided. There can be another side of the moon that exists in the dark, undiscovered. He pointed his finger to the moon rising up in the evening sky.

"No, Kedar. Anaya

Reviews for Face

[danaburkey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I bought this book this morning to enjoy on a rainy day at home, and it was perfect! It gave me something to dive into a really sink my teeth into all day.

I don't think I have really read anything like this book before, and I think that speaks to the talent of the author. There was so much packed into each chapter and page that it was hard to put it down to even do basic things like eat lunch! I want to say more, but I feel like I am still reeling with the enormity of it all that I will give away spoilers if I get started.

Speaking of getting started, as the authors first novel I am excited to see what is to come. If this is where she starts, then I can only image where she will be a few books from now. I look forward to reading more and enjoying this author for many books to come!