Sample chapters of best-selling romantic fiction novel based on hindu-muslim love and marriage. This is a love story that breaks all religious barriers. Amir, a young Muslim once addicted to overnight romances is transformed into a staunch believer in the power of everlasting love, thanks to Ragini, a simple and cultured Hindu girl. Both belong to conservative families. Is their love strong enough to withstand the strong opposing currents that threaten to tear Amir and Ragini apart? 'The Fortune Hunters' is a touching saga about the quest for true love that has been corrupted by the cynicism of modern living. Amir, an MBA, finds that his life is empty in the midst of the alluring but elusive Sofi. He discovers that simplicity and sincerity is far more fulfilling that empty glamour when Ragini enters his life. But will the two families validate Amir's discovery of true love? www.aslamrahaman.com

2. The Fortune Hunters
By
Aslam Rahaman
Prologue
Kolkata-2007
‘Where the heck are you?’ screamed Sid as soon as I accepted his call.
‘What happened?’ I retorted keeping the coffee mug on the table. I had
never noticed Sid scream like that.
‘There is great violence on the streets. The protest march developed into a
riot. The rioters have burnt vehicles at Park Circus connector.’ Sid replied
agitatedly.
‘I am at the adjoining street but could not spot any commotion,’ I replied
instantly.
‘Pinaki’s agency is in that area. Call him and ask him the address. Do not
forget to inform me once you reach safely,’ Sid said.
Siddhant Bali aka Sid handled the eastern region for retail loan products
and happened to be my manager. Pinaki was my colleague during my stint with
the International Bank of Netherlands at Kolkata. He was worried about my
safety when he could not contact me at my work station. A protest march had
been called by Islamic leaders against the decision made by the West Bengal
Government to grant asylum to Taslima Nasrin, the exiled author, columnist
and human rights activist of Bangladesh who was deported due to her hostile
remarks about Islam. All the other states of India did not sanction her entry
keeping in view the sentiments of the minority community and the likely
hullabaloo to the country’s social and political harmony.
It took me no time to locate Pinaki’s phone number in the phonebook and
dial it.
‘Where are you?’ I asked in apprehension as soon as Pinaki answered my
call.
‘I am in the Beckbagan agency,’ Pinaki replied worriedly.
‘Is there some violence in the area?’ I asked with angst.
‘What happened?’ Pinaki asked instantaneously.
‘Sid informed of severe commotion in the city. Please collect some
information and call me. I am also at Park Circus and he has directed me to
contact you and reach the Beckbagan agency as soon as possible,’ I said
rapidly, with bated breath.

3. Pinaki explained the address of the agency to me which was about 200
meters from where I was on the adjoining street. As soon as I reached the end of
the street, the brutish scenario was in front of me. The flyover was jam-packed
and vehicles were at a standstill. A bus was ablaze and encircled by policemen.
Pedestrians were running around to get away but people who were in their
vehicles had no alternative. There was nobody who could stave off the
impending brutality. I thought it wise to not waste a single second and get to
some safe and secure place when Pinaki’s call buzzed on my phone.
‘There is great aggression here, brother. I am coming downstairs and will
try to spot you,’ Pinaki shrieked into the phone.
I had no option but to run as fast as I could. I spotted Pinaki stationed
downstairs and waiting for me. He escorted me upstairs to the office of the
agency where he was sitting with the agency personnel and a friend from some
other bank. I called up Sid and informed him about my safe and sound arrival as
per instructions from him. Most of the agency personnel lived in the vicinity so
they left for home quickly. Five people were left in the office including me,
Pinaki, Pinaki’s friend and two accounts clerks who lived at Barrackpore, about
thirty kilometers from Park circus by train.
‘Please confirm if everybody has arrived home safely,’ I requested one of
the clerks.
‘I have already verified, sir. Everyone has reached unharmed,’ the clerk
replied and entered the kitchen to prepare tea for us.
Pinaki informed us that his mother had called up to update him that a
curfew had been imposed in Kolkata following the riots for an indefinite period.
‘It’s okay,’ I said and reclined on the chair.
‘I think I should tell my wife about what’s happening. She might not be
aware of what is happening,’ Pinaki’s friend said and rushed towards the
balcony to make his phone call in seclusion.
‘Who is he?’ I asked.
‘I have met him here only. He works with India Finance Limited and takes
care of the two wheeler collections. He is new to Kolkata and hails from
Lucknow. This agency works for his company as well,’ Pinaki said.
‘What’s his name?’ I asked.
‘Amir,’ Pinaki replied promptly.
‘Amir Khan?’ I winked.
I changed the topic as I saw Amir re-entering the room. Pinaki got both of
us introduced to each other formally though both of us had known about each
other by then.
‘You hail from which city?’ I enquired.
‘Lucknow,’ he replied instantly.
‘Do you understand Bangla?’ I enquired curiously.
‘I can understand it but can’t speak or write,’ Amir replied.
‘Do you hail from Kolkata?’ Amir asked me.
‘I also hail from Lucknow,’ I told him, as I smiled and winked.
It is an established fact that that when two, even dissimilar inhabitants
from the same place meet at an unusual place, they become best companions.
We talked a lot about Kolkata and Lucknow, the political and economic state of
affairs in these cities; we prepared a comparison chart involuntarily in our

4. minds. We talked for hours about everything from cricket to cinema, politics to
poetry, America to Iraq and India to Pakistan. I found this fellow very candid in
his beliefs and conduct. While we were talking, someone had been calling again
and again on his mobile phone and he would excuse himself several times to
take the call. I was curious to know who it was, but I thought I shouldn’t
meddle into his personal affairs. I gesticulated to Pinaki to enquire who Amir
was talking to each time he went to the balcony but he was also clueless. My
curiosity was now at its peak, I decided to ask him in such a way that he
wouldn’t object to my poking my nose into his personal life.
‘I think your wife is quite worried about your safety,’ I smiled and asked
flippantly.
‘She saw the violence on television and is in great apprehension. She has
come to know about the curfew as well which has increased her anxiety,’ Amir
said with bated breath.
‘She’s also from Lucknow?’ I enquired.
‘Yes,’ Amir replied.
‘Let her know that you have just bonded with someone who’s from
Lucknow and you are with him. She is worried because you are new to this
place,’ I suggested as I sipped the cup of tea.
‘I have already told her,’ Amir replied.
‘You have no choice but to respond to her queries and calm her down till
you reach home,’ I smiled and winked.
‘My mother has just informed me that the situation is under control and no
abysmal incident has been reported,’ Pinaki said with a relieved expression.
‘I hope that the curfew orders would be called off soon,’ Amir said as he
reclined on the chair.
‘Do you have kids?’ I asked.
‘I’ll have one by next month,’ he said with contentment and a grin on his
face.
‘Congratulations! That’s great,’ I said enthusiastically. ‘What’s your
wife’s name?’
‘Ragini,’ Amir replied.
I gulped down the tea and became silent. Pinaki was also astounded after
hearing his wife’s name. There was sudden silence for a few moments as both
of us were taken aback and were at a loss for words.
‘Was it an arranged marriage?’ I enquired, breaking the silence.
‘It was a love marriage and we wedded without consent from our parents,’
Amir replied.
‘When did you marry?’ Pinaki asked curiously.
‘One and a half years ago,’ Amir replied.
‘Did both of you inform your families or are they still unaware of
everything,’ I asked inquisitively.
‘They are aware of everything at the moment,’ Amir replied
‘Have they accepted the relationship?’ Pinaki continued.
‘I don’t think that is of any significance now,’ I replied.
‘My family has accepted her but her parents do not speak to her,’ Amir
replied.

5. ‘What the heck. That’s hypocrisy. They should have been flexible and
should have respected their daughter’s decision. For them religion is more
important than their daughter’s feelings,’ Pinaki reasoned.
‘Let’s stop the interrogation and hear it in detail from Amir,’ I gestured to
Amir to narrate his story.
‘That would be fun. I have watched it in movies only. Let’s hear a real
story,’ Pinaki commented with a grin on his face.
We were able to persuade him to narrate his story. He readily agreed.
‘Where do I begin?’ Amir asked and sat gingerly on the chair.
‘Start from when you met Ragini,’ Pinaki said and requested the accounts
clerk to give him another cup of tea and to see if some snacks were available in
the kitchen or in the refrigerator.
‘Please include the situation and circumstances, under which you met her
in your narration,’ I requested him as I switched off the fan and switched on the
air conditioner.
Amir sipped his cup of tea and began to narrate his story.

6. Chapter -1
Lucknow-2001
I was doing an MBA from the Institute of Management, Bareilly, and had
to go back to Lucknow to undergo a summer training project with B.E. Limited
after completion of the second semester. I preferred B.E. Limited over other
companies because this company was offering me training at my home town.
The AGM of the company had agreed to pay the operating expenses incurred
while I traveled to secluded spots where a few of the vendors spoke to me,
filling me with energy, enthusiasm, passion and commitment. I was involved in
a survey wherein I had to evaluate the services offered by B.E. Limited and
compare it with the services offered by the competition. I had worked hard for
almost more than a month and prepared a report on the topic allotted to me.
Apart from working on the project, I was also trying to cultivate the
affinity that I had developed while I was pursuing a graduation degree in
science from the University of Lucknow. I never wanted to lose my old friends
so I always tried to make my way to the university campus as a practice. I
always received my friends with open arms whenever I met them. It was one of
those warm afternoons when I was sitting alone in the corridor of the chemistry
department, when I saw an ex-batch mate, Tabassum, heading towards me.
There was no love lost between us as we were not on intimate terms.
‘Where have you been since the last one year?’ she asked me casually.
‘Career aspirations make one vanish with time,’ I replied equally casually
while I leaned on the tall pillar behind me.
‘It is indeed surprising to hear that you have turned over into a new leaf,’
she commented.
‘I have strained every nerve to cherish my career and personal relations,’ I
replied instantaneously.
‘You have become serious now in your career; what will happen to your
hunt for true love?’ she smirked wickedly.
‘It is all one to me. I have it at my fingertips,’ I countered rapidly.
‘I have to rush home now. Please drop in at my residence tonight and have
dinner with my family. We will once again talk about it at home,’ she said,
with a hint of a fake smile.
There was no reason for me to turn this invitation down. I was delighted as
I’d never had the privilege of dining with a girl and that too at her residence. I
tried, however, to sound busy and came up with some reckless excuses. She
insisted that I turn up and I was highly pleased.
‘Where do you stay?’ I asked
‘Gomtinagar, with my uncle and a cousin,’ she replied instantly.
‘The house belongs to you or your uncle?’ I asked, acting bored.
‘It belongs to my Uncle,’ she replied.
‘If it was your house, it would be fine but I think your uncle will not like
it,’ I remarked.
‘I’m not from an orthodox family,’ she smiled and said.
‘Okay, when should I reach there?’ I asked.
‘Where are you going now?’ she asked abruptly.
‘Home,’ I replied.

7. ‘Do you have anything important to do at the moment?’ she asked and
started to walk out of the corridor.
‘No,’ I replied and followed her.
‘Why don’t you accompany me to my home?’ she asked. I was elated but
tried to turn her off.
‘What will I do there till dinner?’ I asked.
‘We will try to discover your true love for you on the internet,’ she
smiled.‘I don’t think an internet connection is required at home at a time when
cyber cafes offer such low prices for internet surfing,’ I said as I kick-started
my father’s Enfield India motorbike. The motorbike belonged to my father who
had bought the bike when he had started his career as a police officer. In that
sense, the motorbike and I were of the same age group. We managed to reach
Tabassum’s home in 20 minutes.
I reclined on an antique chair in the corner of the hall. A dining table was
kept in the centre of the huge hall, which was decorated with lavish paintings
and glass balls. I was wondering what to do when unexpectedly an adorable and
jovial face emerged in front of me holding a big glass full of milkshake. The
girl standing in front of me was wearing a long silky kurta and a pair of blue
jeans with lots of artificial pearls embroidered on it.
‘Is it for me?’ I asked the pretty lass who was now stationed in front of me.
‘No, it’s for me,’ she chuckled. ‘Tabassum will join you in ten minutes,’
she said.
‘Where has she gone?’ I asked lazily as I sipped the milkshake.
‘Ask her when she returns.’
‘What’s your name?’ I asked.
‘Tabassum didn’t tell you!’ she exclaimed with a grin.
‘I didn’t ask!’ I replied.
‘Then ask her when she is back,’ she replied and entered the adjoining
room.
I could hear nothing as pin drop silence prevailed in the house. I saw a
photograph of the girl whom I had just met lying on the dining table half
covered with a newspaper. She appeared immensely roguish in that photograph.
I kept the photograph in my pocket. I felt drowsy but somehow managed to
keep my eyelids open till Tabassum arrived. The essence of jasmine hitting my
nostrils and her wet hair made me apprehend that Tabassum had just had a
shower.
‘Who was she?’ I asked curiously.
‘My cousin, Sofi,’ she replied.
‘She is full of arrogance,’ I winked and sipped the milk shake.
Tabassum smiled as she switched on the TV and flipped between channels
with the remote.
‘Sofi is busy with some project so we will not be able to access the
internet,’ Tabassum said.
‘What does she do?’ I asked.
‘She is doing B.Tech. from IIT, K,’ she said.
‘That sounds great. IIT Kanpur,’ I exclaimed as I wondered if she was
really that intelligent.

8. ‘No, International Institute of Technology, Kursi Road,’ she smiled. I
could not hide my mirth and started laughing. Sofi felt disturbed and requested
us to maintain decorum. I felt as if I was a Member of Parliament and had to
obey the chairman of the house to maintain decorum in Parliament. I had
apprehended that Sofi was full of conceit and had been giving herself fancy airs
and graces. I wanted to talk to her, but could not work out how to kick off the
conversation. Tabassum had persuaded me for dinner with the entire family but
the family that I dined with constituted only of two people: Tabassum and me.
Tabassum introduced me to her uncle whom I looked upon as my ‘prospective’
father-in-law.
I thanked him for the splendid dinner although he was not even in the
scene when I had feasted. I wanted to thank and see Sofi but could not find her
to fulfill my desires. I was fascinated by her adorable, enigmatic persona.
I felt very indolent and distressed as I kick-started my motorbike. I had to
rush to Bhootnath market where my friends were waiting for me. We followed
the normal convention of meeting every day at Bhootnath market in the
suburban ambience of Indira Nagar. Indira Nagar is considered one of the best
places to stay, in Lucknow. The place is full of decent, educated and rich
people. Bhootnath market is the biggest market of Indira Nagar.. The best
people of the area would hang around there. The place always had a fair-like
atmosphere with the best girls of the vicinity roamed around in high spirits.
This was the ‘charm’ factor that pushed the boys, especially teenagers even
from distant places to this market. Our group consisted of my MBA
batchmates, Rakshit and Akshay, and a number of their childhood and school
friends along with me. There was a tea stall in the centre of the Bhootnath
market where all of us assembled and gossiped everyday in the evening. The
objects of attraction for all of us were obviously the enchanting girls who
walked around; apart from that, the subjects we discussed included our daily
activities, career, politics and girlfriends. If we would have cared to count, then
each one of us would have kissed thousands of girls, India would not have lost a
single cricket match if only the players would have taken tips about the nitty-
gritties of cricket from us, U.P. would have seen more than 100 chief ministers
and India more than 50 Prime Ministers. It is said that Lucknow is the centre of
country politics and inhabitants of U.P. and Bihar have politics running in their
veins; we were born to validate the proverb.
None of us had mobile phones in those days. We had adopted a very
innovative mechanism of eve-teasing and flirting. We made eye contact with a
particular girl and waited for a positive response from her. Once a nod was
received, we stuck our e-mail ids to the vehicle that the girl had ridden upon.
Hence, it can be assumed that our target were the girls who already had
personal vehicles to commute on.
Those were days when mobile phones were too expensive and call making
charges were exorbitant. None of us could afford mobile phones and e-mails
were the most economical and affordable way to nurture relations. I had signed
up on yahoo with a very unique username, feelme_imagine. I had taken the
identity of a fake name, Aryan, to build associations. Perhaps, I was scared of
the fact that my actions might one day, land me into great trouble. Though I
enjoyed corresponding through mails and made a number of chat friends, I was
still afraid. Then, one day turned out to be a dark day making me feel out of

9. spirits. I neither made eye-contact with any girl nor did I stick my e-mail id to
the vehicle of any lass. I wanted to reach my home as soon as possible. I left
from there with an excuse that I was not feeling well.
I reached home at around 9:30 p.m. and went directly to bed. I could not
sleep the whole night, anticipating the next morning. I had decided that I would
call up Sofi and speak to her. I had intended to make a telephone call to
Tabassum’s home and would pretend as if I had called up Tabassum for some
vital advice. I had jotted down a number of items that Tabassum could talk to
me about. I woke up early in the morning and left for my office. I parked the
motorbike in front of a public telephone booth and dialed Tabassum’s phone
number.
‘Hello! Who’s that?’ a very high-pitched female voice resonated my
eardrums.
‘Amir,’ I responded instantly.
‘How are you?’ the girl on the phone asked.
‘I am fit and fine. Who’s that?’ I asked.
‘Sofi,’ she replied.
‘Hi! How are you?’ I asked in an informal tone.
‘I am fine. Tabassum has already left for the University. Do you have any
message to pass on to her?’ she asked.
‘I have to prepare a project report and Tabassum told me that she would
help me in preparing my report.’
‘How can she help you? Has she ever seen a project report? What exactly
do you want? Maybe I can help you.’
‘I have already prepared the report. I just need the same to be typed using MS-
Word and I also need printouts,’ I said.
‘How many pages is the report?’ she asked.
‘About 150 pages.’
‘What will I get?’ she asked. This question was mine to exploit. I was fully
prepared to grab this opportunity.
‘I’ll take you to Munchy Bites,’ I replied after a pause. Munchy Bites is an
expensive restaurant in Gomtinagar where couples dine to avoid being noticed
by their parents and relatives.
‘Okay. You shall get the report in three days provided I get the material
latest by tomorrow because tomorrow is Friday and I don’t have classes on
Saturday. I will prepare the report by Sunday night so that I hand over a
prepared project report to you on Monday at Munchy Bites,’ she asserted.
‘I am ready for that. Shall I drop in to your residence and give you the
material?’ I asked. I wanted to grab another opportunity to meet her. I had an
obvious excuse in the form of the project report material.
‘I have to rush to my engineering college. I have to attend some very
important lectures on tool designing. Why don’t you hand over the papers to
Tabassum? You can find her in the social works department of the university.
You give me a call in the evening at around 8 p.m. We will discuss the fonts,
pictures, etc to be used once I get possession of the report from Tabassum,’ she
explained.
I had no option but to give in. I kept down the receiver of the phone after
giving in to her wishes and thought of rushing to the university to hand over the
report to Tabassum. I would proceed to office from there in time. I wanted to

10. share some terrific and magnificent moments with Sofi whenever she met me. I
reached the social works department and started searching for Tabassum. I saw
Tabassum sitting in the hallway with a group of at least 20 classmates. None of
them seemed to have anything important to do in life other than wasting
precious time, chatting. Tabassum noticed me and started walking towards me.
‘Hi! How are you?’ she said merrily.
‘I am fine. What about you?’ I asked.
‘I am also fine. What happened? Why did you come so early?’ she asked
suspiciously.
‘Actually, I came to give you my project report material so that you may
pass it on to Sofi.’
‘What will Sofi do with this?’ she asked in surprise.
‘She will prepare the report for me before Monday.’ I responded smugly.
‘Did you speak to her about it?’ she asked with some irritation and
jealousy.
‘Yes,’ I replied.
‘When?’ she asked.
‘Today,’ I narrated the situation and summarized the conversation I had
with Sofi to Tabassum.
‘You are my only friend for whom Sofi has agreed to do special favors.
It’s because both of you are from the same school.’
‘She has done her schooling from C.M.S,’ Tabassum revealed. I was
pleased. I had also completed my high school from City Montessori School that
is popularly known as C.M.S. Lucknow. It is one of the best schools in India
with lots of recognition and celebrated awards. It’s mentioned in the Guinness
Book of World Records.
‘Which year? Which branch?’ I asked.
‘She passed her class 12 with science in the year 1997. She is from the the
Mahanagar branch,’ she revealed. I was immensely happy because I discovered
more things we had in common, apart from our religion. All these common
points would help me to cultivate a strong emotional bond with Sofi.
‘Please keep the papers safely and hand them over to Sofi. I am getting
late for office. I will give you a call in the evening,’ I said, entrusting a bundle
of handwritten papers to Tabassum.
I was in high spirits throughout the day and waited impatiently for the
day's end. I went to the Bhootnath market to meet my friends but did not make
eye contact with any girl or affix my email id to any girl’s vehicle. Perhaps, this
time I had discovered true love in Sofi and wanted to be loyal to her. I spent
some quality time with my friends and rushed home as I had to call Sofi at 8
p.m. I called her up at exactly 8 o’clock in order to avoid any false perceptions
about me and I was ready to strain every nerve to get her. I spoke to Sofi for
fifteen to twenty minutes and discussed our school, personal life, professional
aspirations of course, the project report. I informed her that I had picked up her
photograph the first day I met her. I felt contentment from the core of my heart.
I desired to continue talking to her for the rest of my life.
I now started calling her four to five times a day without hesitation and
without the need of any excuses. Everything was going well. The day came
when Sofi informed me that she had completed the project report and I had to

11. give her a treat at Munchy Bites the next day. I was keen to meet her and see
her again. I liked her personality.
I had to meet Sofi at 11:15 a.m in front of Moti Mahal, a very famous
sweets shop at Hazratganj. She was to go to with me on my motorbike. I had
heard from my friends about their first dates when their beloveds sat behind
them on motorbikes. They used the brakes as many times as possible to feel the
hard and pointed protrusions on their backs.
I reached Moti Mahal in time and waited for Sofi in front of the shop.
Suddenly, I saw Sofi sitting in a Fiat car that was owned by her old-fashioned
father. I called out to her. She indicated to me to occupy the seat besides her in
the wretched car that she was driving herself. I was not ready to face this
situation. I was dreaming of Sofi sitting behind me on my motorbike and both
of us enjoying the jerks on the narrow roads, but now I had to sit beside her in
her father’s pitiable car.
I had imagined a vacuum between me and her on the motorbike but now
there was only a space between us. I advised her to sell the Fiat and buy a
Ladybird bicycle. I had to park my motorbike at the parking space in front of
the Hazratganj police station. She drove me to the restaurant where I had
already called my friends, Rakshit and Akshay, to see her. I had directed them
not to speak to me or to make any gestures that they knew me.
They only had to see her so that they may form their opinions about her
and tell me about them later. We took a corner seat near the air conditioner as I
wanted to recover the cost of every penny I was going to spend. I saw Rakshit
playing foul as he along with Akshay occupied the table next to me. I started
feeling uncomfortable while talking to Sofi as it was my first meeting alone
with her. I did not want my friends to hear anything. I made eye contact with
Akshay and signaled him to make their way out. Akshay is very decent and
sincere unlike Rakshit who is open-hearted, extroverted but wayward. Akshay
understood the situation and my discomfort and somehow managed to take
Rakshit away.
We had a great lunch that day and I wanted to open out my heart to Sofi
but did not say anything.
‘When are you going back to Bareilly?’ Sofi asked.
‘First week of July,’ I replied.
‘What are your plans after that?’ she asked.
‘I’ll search for a lucrative job by hook or by crook once I complete the
final semester,’ I replied.
‘Not about that. What about your much-desired true-love hunt?’ she asked,
grinning.
‘I don’t need to look for it now,’ I responded as I got an opportunity to
open out my heart to her.
‘Why?’ she asked anxiously.
‘I have found that in you. I think I am in love with you,’ I said and closed
my eyes.
‘Are you ashamed of saying that?’ she asked innocently.
‘No,’ I retorted.
‘Why did you close your eyes then?’ she asked.
‘I have written something for you. Please keep it in your wallet and read it
at home when you are alone. Love cannot be thought or expressed, it is felt. I

12. have felt it for you. It is up to you whether you accept my love or discard my
feelings. You are free and mature enough to take decisions on your own,’ I said
with bated breath.
‘These decisions cannot be taken in seconds. I have developed a soft
corner for you but I am confused whether it’s love or infatuation. Please give
me some time so that I may know you more. It would be the decision of a
lifetime. I think we should not be hasty,’ she replied.
‘I didn’t ask you whether you love me or not. I told you that my heart
beats for you. It’s your life and you have to decide for yourself. Please let me
know your decision whenever you feel like it,’ I said.
I was very relaxed after confessing my feelings to Sofi and I felt as if I had
got rid of heaps of burdens weighing heavy on my head and heart. We
discussed many things starting from school to college to her parents to Indian
politics to the future of cricket and everything that we could think of. Sofi
forgot to bring a soft copy of the project report and told me that she would hand
it over to Tabassum and requested me to collect it from her. Sofi dropped me at
the Hazratganj police station and we departed with a smile.
While returning from office in the evening I felt perturbed and thought of
making a call to Sofi. I had an obvious reason to call her. I had to confirm
whether she had given the project report floppy to Tabassum. Tabassum picked
up the phone as it rang. I talked to her about trivial stuff but could not dare to
ask her to hand over the receiver to Sofi. I came to know from her that Sofi had
handed over the floppy to Tabassum and Tabassum requested me to collect it
from her at Bhootnath market in the evening next day. She finally handed over
the receiver to Sofi. Sofi informed me that she had discussed my love
confession with Tabassum and Tabassum, in turn projected me with all kinds of
negative traits and adjectives such as playboy, Casanova, etc. She also told her
that I had a crush on many more girls and projected herself as a sister-savior.
For the next one hour I could not convince her that I was honest to her and her
sister was misguiding her for some unidentified cause. She just stuck to one
point that Tabassum was her sister and would not misguide her and that
Tabassum was my friend who knew me more than her. I felt irritated and
disconnected the phone line. I thought I would discuss the matter with
Tabassum when I would visit her to collect the floppy the next day.
I was to meet Tabassum the next day at Bhootnath market near Babian
restaurant at 4:30 p.m. I was disturbed, distressed and depressed so I discussed
the whole matter with Rakshit and Akshay who suggested me to ask Tabassum
why she spoilt everything. I, along with Rakshit and Akshay waited for
Tabassum who arrived at 4:50 p.m. She was accompanied by one of her friends
whom she introduced as Ragini. I introduced Rakshit and Akshay to Tabassum
and Ragini. Before I could start investigating Tabassum, Akshay asked her,
‘What have you told Sofi about Amir?’
‘Nothing,’ Tabassum responded with an annoyed tone.
‘Amir is very distressed. Sofi told him that you have given only negative
feedback about him,’ Akshay retorted.
‘She is not fit for you. I know both of you. Both of you are opposite ends
of the same pole. She is very ruthless and full of arrogance,’ Tabassum
remarked instantly.

13. ‘Yesterday, you told her that I am not fit for her and today you are saying
that she is not fit for me. What do you want? Why are you doing this to me?’ I
pleaded.
‘I just want everybody to be happy. Moreover, are in control of my home
only to accomplish your desires. It will be a face-off situation for me. I would
be blamed for everything. I regret introducing her to you,’ Tabassum mumbled.
‘You just listen to me. You won’t be blamed for anything, but please don’t
play with my heart,’ I requested.
‘She is too rigid and you are too simple. You will not be happy with her
and she would not be able to adjust. If you don’t trust me you may ask Ragini
about her,’ Tabassum said.
‘You know her?’ I asked Ragini.
‘Yes. She is a very good friend of mine but please don’t include me in all
this nonsense. I am out of it,’ Ragini responded ambiguously.
‘But you can at least guide Amir about what he should do? He doesn’t
know Sofi much but you being her friend obviously know her more than
everyone else,’ Rakshit requested with a wicked smirk.
‘I will not comment. Please excuse me,’ Ragini retorted and went to sit on
the front seat of her scooty.
‘Do whatever you want to do. Don’t blame me when anything goes wrong.
I had come down to give away the floppy to you. Please take it and let us go,’
Tabassum said irately.
‘Won’t you help me?’ I asked Tabassum calmly.
‘No,’ she retorted.
‘Don’t spoil everything then,’ I pleaded Tabassum.
‘Tell her not to take my opinion. Bye. Take care.’ Tabassum said and
departed with her friend.
‘I think Ragini is better than Sofi. Why don’t you try Ragini?’ Rakshit
winked.
‘Don’t fart from your mouth and fuck off,’ I yelled at Rakshit.
My life had completely changed. I would call Sofi everyday at around 8
p.m. and waste as many as two hours giving testimony and evidence about my
honesty and loyalty towards her and that my intent was not time-pass but that I
sought to marry her. The chemical reactions taking place in my mind had
caused me to start behaving in an unusual manner. Love had gradually started
altering into hatred. I didn’t feel like talking to her and getting distressed. I tried
to make myself busy in other activities and tried not to think of Sofi. I started
calling her once in two days and the gap constantly widened with calls every
three to four days. Sofi usually tried to behave well when our conversations
started but they ended in blame games. I also came to know that Tabassum had
constantly been throwing cold water on my schemes. I had realized that these
lacunae could never be bridged seeing the harsh and rigid attitude of Sofi. She
always tried to get at me with illogical reasons. One day, Sofi directed me to
return the photograph that I had taken from her home when I visited her home
for the first time. She was put out when I refused her request for the photo. I
tried to convince her to meet me so that we may sit together and discuss about
what went wrong between us. If she wanted to breakup, I would return her
photograph but she rigidly refused to meet me claiming that I had hurt her

14. feelings and that she did not want to continue the relationship with me. It was
very difficult in bringing her round to my views.
I had to take Ragini’s help to return the photograph of Sofi who initially
resisted meddling into our affair but later agreed to give away Sofi’s
photographs to her. The days passed and I became busy with my friends and my
much desired true-love hunt. My summer vacations ended and I returned to
Bareilly to complete the last two semesters. Meanwhile, I had started speaking
to Ragini whom I used to call up once in a month or fortnightly. I regarded her
as a good friend and enjoyed talking to her. I came to know from Ragini that
Sofi had agreed to marry and her father had started hunting for a groom. A few
months later I heard that Sofi had got married and shifted to Mumbai with her
husband who worked with a telecommunications company at some senior
position. I was much cast down by this loss. I never contacted Tabassum or Sofi
after that but I was in touch with Ragini.
‘You had the same group to explore within. You tried Sofi and settled with
Ragini,’ Pinaki interrupted and laughed.
‘Did you try Tabassum also before getting married to Ragini?’ I asked
with a wink.
‘I tried for Sofi only. It’s mere luck that I am married to Ragini,’ Amir
said.
‘How many barriers did you cross before reaching Ragini?’ Pinaki asked
with a wink.
‘Let’s hear it from him. Please don’t disturb,’ I commented and requested
Pinaki to order for another cup of tea.
Pinaki reduced the speed of the fan and requested one of the clerks sitting
in the other room to prepare tea for us. Amir sipped the cup that he could not
finish and continued to narrate.

15. Chapter -2
New Delhi-2002
I had shifted to New Delhi with my friends after completing our MBA’s to
set us up for better careers. We lived at South Extension-II, one of the posh
locations of Delhi. I stayed with three of my friends, Devesh, Rohit and Abhi.
Devesh and Abhi had girls in their lives but Rohit and I were still single.
Devesh and Abhi had 3C’s, Lajpat Nagar and PVR Saket as weekend
destinations while Rohit and I enjoyed watching movies in theatres like
Chanakya, Chanakyapuri and Sapna, Nehru Place. Rohit and I had instructions
from Devesh and Abhi not to be at home on Sundays and other holidays; so we
had to take shelter at a neighboring public park at Neeti Bagh. It meant to us
that we were not supposed to be at home during the day on any of the days
because on weekdays we had to be at office and on Sundays in the public park.
Devesh was dating Manjari and Abhi was involved with Manjari’s elder sister
Sarika; fortunately or unfortunately.
I used the term fortunately because both the girls needed no excuse to
move out of their house if they were together and were easily accessible to our
friends. I used the term unfortunately because if Sarika went through some
trouble with Abhi then Devesh had to put up with a good deal of discomfort and
if Manjari had some problems with Devesh then Abhi would be in trouble with
Sarika. We had to count the condom packets kept in the cupboard to decide
whether the day was fortunate for them or they had to eat humble pie. Both of
them had clear cut instructions from us to carry the used condoms along with
them when they leave. So, the girls had to keep their share of used condoms
wrapped in newspapers to dispose of them outside.
The girls were hi-fi Delhiites and dominated their boys. I never understood
their relationships. I heard from Devesh and Abhi that both girls detested Rohit
and me and saw us as low profile guys with rural upbringings, perhaps because
we had no girls. I pulled together because I was aware of the fact that the guys
did not love them and had no intention to marry them. We planned to throw a
new year’s party at our home to welcome 2003. All our MBA batch mates were
invited. Sarika and Manjari were also invited and Devesh and Abhi had
convinced them to stay at our home that night. There were only two rooms in
the apartment so it was decided that both the couples will share one room and
Rohit and I would restrict ourselves in the other room. Devesh and Abhi did not
resist because they thought the room would be dark enough and the quilts
would set apart them to enjoy sex with their partners without any hindrance.
They were also amused because they were getting the whole night with their
partners who would be equally drunk. The party started after all our friends had
arrived. There were drinks and cigarettes, non-vegetarian food from Nizam’s, a
very famous restaurant in Delhi and cold drinks as well. We danced hard to the
rocking numbers of Bollywood. There was pleasure all around; people drinking
hard and partying harder.
‘Don’t you drink?’ Manjari asked viciously as she sipped the glass in her
hands.
‘No,’ I retorted and bent down to change the song.

16. ‘Cigarette?’ Manjari gestured at the lightened cigarette that she was
smoking.
‘I don’t smoke. Sorry ma’am,’ I replied instantly.
‘Why do you live then?’ Sarika commented whilst approaching me,
accompanied by Abhi.
‘Enjoy life. Have fun,’ I said and sipped the glass filled with Coca-Cola.
‘I don’t know why these people come to places like Delhi and spoil the
atmosphere. Bloody backward people,’ Manjari murmured and started walking
away.
‘Behave yourself,’ Devesh shouted at Manjari.
‘Why are you shouting? I am not your slave. Get lost!’ Manjari yelled.
‘When will Delhiites like you learn moral values and etiquettes?’ I gazed
at Manjari and walked towards the exit door.
‘What happened? Where are you going?’ Devesh followed me out of the
house.
‘How do you tolerate such girls who drink to their nose and misbehave?’ I
asked as I sat on the pavement gingerly.
‘She is drunk. I’ll speak to her in the morning and tell her to express
regret,’ Devesh replied persuasively.
‘What will you do if she turns against your parents and misbehaves with
them after marriage?’ I asked blatantly.
‘I will not marry her. I keep her for my cock,’ Devesh replied cheerfully.
‘Let me have her for my cock tonight,’ I replied.
‘What do you mean?’ Devesh asked.
‘Let me sleep with her tonight,’ I requested.
‘Have you gone nuts? Behave yourself!’ Devesh said rudely.
‘What’s the harm? You are not going to marry her. Let me show her what
low standard people can do to her if they want to. You are my friend and belong
to a similar background. How can you tolerate such comments from a bitch?’ I
said to persuade him.
‘What will happen even if I agree with you? She hates you and you are
longing for her?’ Devesh asked.
‘Nobody will know. It will remain between you and me. Even she
wouldn’t know,’ I said.
‘Are you mad? Have you gone nuts?’ Devesh responded.
‘She is drunk. You make her drink beer as much as she can. We’ll be
through with dinner by midnight and everybody would go back home. You
would take her to bed along with Abhi and Sarika; Rohit and I would go to the
other room. Everybody would be badly drunk and I am sure that Rohit would
sleep as soon as he hits the bed. Once I am sure that Rohit has slept, I would go
to the toilet. Your task would be to seduce Manjari in the meantime and make
sure that she is without her clothes. You will meet me in the toilet taking
advantage of the darkness and would go and sleep besides Rohit and I will go to
be with your lady. I promise you that it will be between you and me. Now, you
go back and see how the party is going. I would be back in another 10 minutes,’
I elucidated.
I was delighted because I had hatched a plan which would enable me to
lose my virginity. I was very keen to grab the opportunity. Everything went in
line with the plan. I went to the toilet and Devesh met me as planned when

17. everyone was asleep. I gave my shirt to Devesh who went to sleep besides
Rohit. I, in only an underwear went to grab the opportunity. As I lay down
besides Manjari, I embraced her. My feelings at that moment can never be
expressed in words.
‘How many times do you go to the toilet?’ Manjari asked. Her voice was
quivering as she had swallowed six bottles of beer.
I did not say anything as I knew that everything would be spoilt if I opened
my mouth. So, I kept my lips over her lips and gave no way to air. I entered her
firmly and enjoyed every moment and every posture. She was badly drunk and
the room was dark enough for her to realize that the intercourse happened
without using a condom.
‘You are too hot in bed, Amir,’ Manjari whispered in my ears with a
quivering voice as she had just felt the orgasm.
‘How did you recognize me?’ I whispered and pushed myself hard as I lay
on top and her legs were on my shoulders.
‘Perhaps, I did not want you to live with the feeling that you raped me.
Don’t question, just rock. Enter me hard,’ Manjari whispered and embraced me
forcefully, making me feel out of breath.