HALF WAY IN LOVE (CHAPTER 1)

Chapter 1

I was keenly observing the young man sitting opposite to me, uncomfortably spread out on the Italian Sofa.

He seemed overwhelmed with emotions.

He was handsome, tall and was a true specimen of the upper class society. Except the unshaven chin. Just above 26 years of age.

Dev. Devanarayan.

He was looking vacantly at the tiny elephant figures placed on the teapoy, which were fine

display of Mahabalipuram craftsmanship. He was holding a cup of coffee with both hands, which Gayathri had given him minutes before.

He was feeling its warmth on his palms.

For me, I had just finished an interview, with a celebrated You tuber.

It was the fourth interview of the day for me.

I was clearly drained out and weary.

Two novels, in last 3 years. Both went on to become best sellers. The second one was now being scripted into a film.

Third book was already announced by my publisher.

Two chapters more, to complete the book. Two chapters more, to relieve me of the pain of creation, which I have been going through, for past 9 months.

Laptop was still open on the teapoy, into which I was furiously typing in, as the plot kept unwinding thick and fast in my mind.

Until this guy intervened. A gentle push at the calling bell, and that brisk and lost walk to my sofa. He said nothing.

He still sat there, as if in a confusion how to start. And I was too moved, to disturb his silence.

Till I could stand no more.

“Dev...”

I had only started when he raised his head to look into my face.

His eyes were wet. And a faint smile appeared on his face.

“She survived...”

He said, rubbing his tears with left hand.

Gayathri walked in quickly to take back the tea cup. She must have been listening to Dev’s words. I could see tears in her eyes too. She turned back towards the kitchen, very quick, may be in an attempt to hide her emotions.

Deep silence. I kept looking at him. I was too happy to speak anything.

Slowly, I stood up, and walked to him, and embraced him in a soft hug.

“Thank god Dev. His blessings are with you.”

My eyes turned quickly to the monitor of the laptop, to the last lines of the chapter I was typing in;

"Dev stooped over Revathy. He watched her bleed through her stomach, pierced by a sharp knife...

her wonderful eyes fixed on him,

.. lifeless."

I patted his shoulder, to comfort him, and walked out of his hug to take my seat beside the

laptop.

And deleted the last word.

I could hear Gayathri breaking out in kitchen.

CHAPTER II ---- CONT .................... ON NEXT WEEK …… 15/03/2024