Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mythology, Folklore
Blurb:
The eternal dance of attraction, lust and love has been going on since time immemorial.
The divine apsara Menaka descends to Earth at Indra’s behest to distract the sage Vishwamitra from the penance that would bring him unimaginable powers. Menaka succeeds in bewitching Vishwamitra, but her actions are destined to have dire consequences for both.
Eons later, their story is set to repeat itself.
Poorva has always played by society’s rules and ideas of decorum. But what happens when her own loved ones betray her in the worst way imaginable? Does she still have to remain bound by their rules?
Rudra plays with power and people like they are pieces on a chessboard. He has no qualms about indulging his desires, be it money or women, but is determined not to be bound by either.
What happens when these two diametrically opposite souls are brought together by fate?
In the game of power, lust, greed and betrayal, some win and some lose. But are there any winners or losers in the game of love?
Like Menaka and Vishwamitra, are Poorva and Rudra too destined to see their story end in tragedy? Or will the divine power prevail?
Excerpt:
Mumbling an apology, she sat up straight.
“It’s dinner time. You can sleep in the bedroom after dinner.”
“Bedroom?”
“Yeah, it’s just behind our chairs,” he said stretching his legs.
“No, no. I’m fine here.”
“You are my guest, it’s for you.”
“No, no. I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
The flight attendant brought their dinner putting an end to the debate. She was surprised when the attendant brought another tray that had champagne cooling in a silver container with all the paraphernalia.
“I thought you didn’t take alcohol,” she couldn’t help but comment.
“Sometimes I do. This is an occasion which calls for a toast, don’t you think?”
“When others are doing all the thinking for me, I have stopped applying my brains.”
He chuckled and shook his head, “You know, I sometimes get the feeling you are more angry about my taking control of the events than anything else.”
She spooned the chicken curry on her plate refusing to reply. The food was awesome, and she was hungry.
“Isn’t that so?” he asked goading her again.
“I’m angry about everything. Every damn thing and every damn person.”
“I think you are angry with yourself too.”
“Oh really! Care to elaborate?”
“There are two reasons. You have been a good girl all your life. You thought that was the best thing to do, but you got nothing out of that. And now forbidden things are appealing to you, which goes against your first philosophy, so you are angry all the more.” He opened the champagne with a pop and poured the sparkling liquid into two flute glasses. He had taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
“Forbidden things are appealing to me!” The blood flow accelerated in her veins at the sight of his hands and broad wrist. He had beautiful long fingers like those of an artist.
“Yes, didn’t you enjoy rehearsing and performing for the show?” He handed her the glass and clinked his with hers. “Aren’t you enjoying this meal with me high up in the sky?”
“Hats off for turning the argument around and making it about me and absolving yourself for the entire mess.”
“It is not a mess and I’m just the instigator. In fact, I have done you a favor. I have taken you out of your boring life and given you a chance to enjoy the way you deserve.”
“Wow!” She chuckled, actually enjoying herself.
He went absolutely still, then leaned towards her and said softly, “You deserve the best, Poorva. You are a very nice person and should get everything you want from life.”
The air was thick with undercurrents as she looked into his sincere eyes. The brown specks in his black eyes glowed with goodwill and admiration. He came closer and glanced at her lips, then the spell broke and she turned her attention back to the flute in her not-so-steady hand.
“That was a nice thing to say,” she muttered.
“You are welcome.”
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About the Author
Author of the Amazon bestseller romantic thriller ‘The Bodyguard’, Ruchi Singh is an IT professional and novelist, writing stories under Romance and Suspense genre. She is a bilingual author and writes in both Hindi and English.
Winner of TOI Write India Season 1, Ruchi also publishes romantic short reads under ‘Hearts and Hots’ collection, besides being a contributing author to many anthologies.
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