She Too!

By A E Spencer and Shrimant

Widow with an adult son. Her community holds terrifying power over her. But if she dares to have a sweet romance dream of her own, will she make her way in an unforgiving world?

Read She Too! to accompany Savita in her journey in a slow changing world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bliss Publishing Pty Ltd blisspublishing
• Release date: Aug 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005000172

Book preview

A E Spencer & Shri

She Too!

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organisations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Text copyright ©2020 Shrimant Acharya

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may be given away to other people. If you have received a free copy, please, as matter of courtesy, provide an honest review with a disclosure that the book has not been purchased by you but is gifted. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Published by Bliss Publishing, Sydney

www.blisspublishing.com.au

Bliss Publishing, the Bliss Publishing logo are the trademarks of Bliss Publishing Pty Ltd.

CONTENTS

Chapter_1

Chapter_2

Chapter_3

Chapter_4

Chapter_5

SNEAK_PEEK_The_Pink_Mutiny_Chapter_1

SNEAK_PEEK_The_Pink_Mutiny_Chapter_2

SNEAK_PEEK_The_Pink_Mutiny_Chapter_3

SNEAK_PEEK_The_Pink_Mutiny_Chapter_4

Chapter 1

I’m L… Lis…, Lisa scanned around. Correct floor and the apartment number were also right. Should she take out the slip from the handbag and check again? No. The lady was watching her, standing on her door frame.

Her gracious look engulfed Lisa’s whole being.

I am Lisa. She forced a smile. The photo she had seen was that of a beautiful and healthy woman. Beautiful, all right. But how did a healthy female become so weak?

Aunty, are you… she stopped before finishing the sentence. Why am I so nervous? Who addresses the mum-in-law as ‘auntie’ and asks the name? So gross?

I am Lisa.

Another charming smile from the woman made her a statue. You have already said that. Please come inside. She wrapped her arm around Lisa and guided her inside.

What a soft and loving touch? Goosebumps chased down her arm.

‘Calm down, Lisa, and think. What would happen if this woman were not Savita? You have seen the face in a group photo only. Why Vikash never has a single picture of his own mother? Which man in this world hates a woman who had given birth to him?’

You wanted to see me? the lady showed her the only chair that was in the room.

Just one bed and one chair. She had never seen such a tiny living place her whole life. A light bulb clicked inside her brain, ‘Oh, this is a one-room flat.’

I am… she remembered not to address her aunty anymore. Isn’t it an Indian tradition to address the mother-in-law as ‘mum’? I am Vikash’s… she swallowed, I mean Vikash has married me.

The woman chuckled. Lisa gazed at her. Then she circled a quick glance around. Vikash was smiling at her from the only family photo placed on the side table. Vikash, his father and his mother. Same woman. Savita. A bolt of current passed through her vein.

She jumped off the chair and bent to touch Savita’s feet. How could she overlook the customary greeting to an elder?

Sorry. I am so… can I call you ‘mum’?

Savita took her into a quick hug and then kissed her on her forehead. Her eyes welled up with tears. You are so beautiful. I don’t have a daughter. Sure, I would love if you call me ‘mum’. When did you come from Bangalore?

Lisa’s heartbeat softened. So, Savita knew her son works and lives in Bangalore!

My parents also live there. For almost the past fifteen years. They moved out of Bhubaneswar when I was in the school.

Savita smiled. Lisa was sure her eyes were looking for more information. Which mother wouldn’t ask for how her only son is doing?

You met Vikash in the college?

No, in the office. I also work in IT sector. Same company when I met him. Now we both are working in different companies.

Again, Lisa’s heart went to back of her throat. How would she say Vikash had lied to her in the very first meeting that both his parents died of a car accident? Why didn’t she ask him when she found out only his dad had died? What stopped her?

My grandma was dying, and it was her last wish to see my wedding. And dad also got a massive heart attack. So everything happened in a haste.

Was this enough reason an only son wouldn’t even inform his mother that he was about to get married?

A faint grin curved Savita’s lip. God only knew how much agony was hiding beneath that pale smile.

You have someone here in Bhubaneswar?

My uncle. He lives alone. Wife died ages ago. But I was in a hotel.

Hotel?

Yes, came here for some work-related issues and the company is paying for that.

How long you would be here?

I will go back this afternoon. Got your address only today. Guilt kicked her nerves. What was the explanation with her? Didn’t it imply she came to meet her mother-in-law without Vikash’s knowledge?

See, I am such a dumb. You came here the first time and I’m almost interrogating you. I will get you something to eat. She got up and walked into the kitchen.

Lisa’s guilt-mixed thoughts whirled around her conscious. How could she forget that day? It was the first annual death ritual of Vikash’s parents after her wedding. The brahmin priest also arrived in time. Only his dad’s photo