Hi Everyone!
I hope everyone is having a great day today! The sun is shining and summer is approaching us slowly but surely!
I am posting the preview of the novel that I am currently writing. The novel has not been given a title yet as it will be subject to change until it is completed. It is only a preview and is not the final version! It is just an idea of what to expect from me! So please comment on it. If you have read it before, then tell me how it feels reading it again and be honest! So here it is...
___________________________________________
Love is always complicated. It is never easy to find the one that you love. Why is it so difficult to find your true love? Sometimes we find our true love but our true love loves someone else. That someone else also loves our true love. So where do you stand? This is the story of Rahul who loves Naina but Naina loves Nikhil, Nikhil also loves her back. Where does Rahul stand? The story is about one man in life who wants to achieve his love. How he copes with the everyday problems that we may have in our lives. This is a love story but has many social messages behind it. Such events in the story you may not feel is needed but are essential in Rahul’s path of love. Before we get to the story of these three, we are going to ask them a few questions, so you know a little bit about them.
Describe your love to me in one sentence?
Nikhil: My love is amazing, out of this world, she is my best friend.
Naina: My love I do not know who he is, or where he is? Does my make-up set count? (Giggling)
Rahul: My love is beauty personified, she means the world to me and I would sacrifice everything for her.
You described your love. Now what is love?
Nikhil: Love is physical and mental. Like physical, you are always there for the one you love. Mentally by you know being there to support her when she upset or angry.
Naina: Love is friendship. Actually, your best friend is the one you love. The feeling of love is, I can’t explain. You cannot explain love, for everyone it is different.
Rahul: Love is friendship. Your best friend is your love. Love makes you feel great, love makes you sing love songs and love makes you do crazy things.
Now who do you love?
Nikhil: I love Naina.
Naina: I love…... I think I do love Nikhil.
Rahul: Naina, my beautiful Naina. Look I am smiling when I say her name!
So would you sacrifice your love for your true love’s happiness?
All remained silent…...
Rahul: Anyway, let’s leave the questions. By the way, this is my room, as you can tell I love my Bollywood movies.
Naina, Naina, Naina, I want to tell you why I love Naina and how it happened. I have loved her for a long time. We went to university together, I always would help her with her studies and we both did the same course.
She was different from other girls, her long, straight black hair, I used to love it when she would play with her hair. Not only did she love touching her own hair, she loved messing around with my hair. Her smile lights up my day, when she would come to my room for help her fragrance would make my room into a heaven. She is the best. I remember the day I fell in love with her. It was kind of love at first sight. She sat by me in the lectures and she was in my classes. I used to talk to her and I didn’t know she lived near me. One day I saw her walking the same route as me, so I ran to talk to her. We started talking about ourselves and how we finding the course. Then we were by her halls of residence and we said our goodbyes. When she got to her door, she turned around and smiled at me. I got scared; I thought she might be thinking I am crazy or something, you know just staring at her. Just that one sweet smile, I felt a sensation run through my body. I got home and I couldn’t stop smiling. I was feeling great and out of this world.
For some reason, I had a good female following but I wasn’t interested. Why? I was only interested in Naina. Naina always used to pester me saying that this girl likes me or that girl likes me. I just could not see other girls the way I saw Naina. Naina was special to me, she meant a lot to me and I think the girls could see that.
Naina used to have her boyfriends. Her last one was Raj. Whenever she did have a boyfriend, it would hurt me. I really wanted to tell her I love her. Just when I felt I could tell her, she would say she likes this guy or she is now going out with this guy.
Me and Naina were clubbing partners. Naina never liked to be with any other lad at a nightclub. She did not have high opinions on most of the Asian lads there, so Naina always used to dance with me and would only go to the clubs with me unless she had her boyfriend with her. She always liked me for keeping to my roots and she appreciated it. This is where me and Naina got close due to our similar personalities. She likes the same movies and music as me.
I even started dreaming of her. I know this sounds cliché but whenever I saw a Bollywood movie, I imagined the hero and heroine as me and her. I know very cliché. Oh! Naina is here now, the one I love. I might tell her I love her today. Let’s see!
Naina came in the room and sat by Rahul, she seemed annoyed with something. Rahul noticed straight away. Naina was always happy to see Rahul but today she looked angry and upset.
“Naina, what’s happened? Are you upset?” asked Rahul. Rahul was very good looking. Most girls fancied him, but he was a quiet guy. Rahul was of average height and had long black hair and brown eyes. His eyes are oval shaped and are his best feature. They showed his innocence and showed his deepest feelings. He didn’t really have any girlfriends and the only girl he was very close to was his best friend Naina. They were both sitting on the floor talking in Rahul’s bedroom.
“Rahul, it’s nothing. Well, you know Nikhil hasn’t phoned me and you know I really like him!” answered Naina. Naina, she was every guys dream. Her problem was that she only liked one person, Nikhil. Nikhil, was not as good looking as Rahul, however the personalities were very similar. At university, Nikhil and Rahul were popular with the girls. Nikhil and Rahul were not as close but they were both close to Naina.
“Don’t worry Naina. He always phones you anyway. You never know, he might be busy at home or something has come up.” Rahul smiled and put his arm around Naina. Naina always spoke to Rahul; she felt at peace whenever she would confide in him. It was a unique friendship. A friendship where there were no secrets only the truth, except for one. One secret, it had to be hidden for the sake of friendship, well for friendship, anything. That is right? Rahul often thought about it. Can you risk your friendship with one secret?
Rahul would look into Naina eyes as she would talk about her problems. She would also say Rahul wasn’t like other guys. Naina gave a lot of respect to Rahul, he had always been good with Naina.
“Rahul, why do you always listen to me? Don’t you find me boring sometimes?” asked Naina, smiling at Rahul. Rahul hesitated at the questions. Naina never asked these questions before.
“You know what, I am sick of listening to you and yeah you are boring. Actually, very boring,” said Rahul, with a cheeky smile. Naina got up and stood by Rahul, then started messing with his hair.
“Hey Naina, that is so unfair. I don’t mess your hair up!” shouted Rahul, getting up to the mirror and sorting his hair out. Rahul didn’t like anyone touching his hair.
“Rahul…I am very sorry. You know you’re the best person in the world. By the way I love messing your hair up. You get so wound up about your hair,” Naina was laughing. Rahul looked at her, his eyes showed he was annoyed.
“You know Naina, I am going to wreck your hair one day. By the way, you don’t need to start sucking up to me by saying I’m the best guy in the world.” Now Rahul was smiling at her.
“So I am forgiven then?” asked Naina.
“Yeah, I guess you are Naina. How can I be angry with you anyway?” Rahul asked Naina, who was anxiously looking at her phone. “Naina, he will phone you don’t worry.” Rahul looked at her and shook his head with a little grin.
“Sorry Rahul, I really want to talk to him. Should I? Like you know, ask him?”
“Naina, if you want to you can. Maybe you should wait for a bit and see how he feels about you. He might not be the right one Naina,” This was the point when Rahul felt something different. He felt as if he said the right thing to Naina.
“Hmmm… you could be right Rahul. He might not be the right one. But why do I always feel safe with him? Why does he always make my day feel good? Rahul, I am not in love with Nikhil am I?” asked Naina, her cheeks had gone red. Rahul’s eyes filled up with tears, he couldn’t look at Naina. He wiped his tears before he faced her.
“Naina….No way! You’re in love with him. That’s so sweet,” said Rahul with a slight smile on his face. Now Naina noticed Rahul’s eyes, which were filled up with tears.
“Rahul are you thinking about your Dad?” asked Naina. Rahul’s Dad had died of cancer a year ago. Rahul was very close to his Dad but he forgot the pain of his loss when he was with Naina. Naina gave Rahul a hug and pulled his cheeks.
“Yeah, I was remembering Dad. Anyway, you love Nikhil. That is good news,” said Rahul, who looked at Naina and smiled.
“I think I do Rahul. Anyway, don’t tell anyone. I had better go now, mom will be making dinner now. You have to come to my house tomorrow, ok? Bye babe,” said Naina hugging Rahul and kissing him on the cheeks.
“Bye Naina.” Rahul smiled at her, his smile was showing the pain in his heart.
“Oh yeah, you are the best.” said Naina laughing as she closed the door behind her.
Rahul was sitting on his bed. Thinking about what Naina had said. It kept playing on in his mind. All his mind kept thinking of was Naina saying “Rahul, I am not in love with Nikhil am I?” Rahul was looking at the picture of Naina on his phone and crying. Rahul was saying his thoughts out loud.
“Why do I love her for? She can’t be mine, she loves Nikhil. What did I do wrong with Naina, that I don’t deserve her love? What has Nikhil done that I haven’t? I am there for her, day or night and I don’t deserve her love? I help her with her problems, don’t I deserve her love? Why does my heart feel happy when I am with her? Why do I smile when I see her beautiful face? Why do I love her messing up my hair? Why do I love her sweet tone when she talking to me? Why do I love her scent? Why does my heart yearn for a hug from her? Why does my heart yearn for her to say ‘I love you Rahul?’ Why do I get butterflies in my stomach when I see her? When I speak to her? When I hear her voice? Naina, why do I love you so much? I love you Naina, I love you very much. If you want Nikhil, I am going to do that for you. I want to see you happy, I want to see you smiling. I will do anything for you, Naina. Even if it means sacrificing my love for you, so you can be someone else’s.”
While Naina was in her bedroom, thinking about Nikhil. Naina was always thinking about Nikhil. She had been close to Nikhil a lot lately but she was always closer to Rahul. Rahul was her best friend and Naina wanted it to remain that way, she wanted him to be there whenever things were not going well. She always looked at him for advice. Rahul was there when she would argue with her family. Rahul was there when she needed help at university. He was always looking out for her. Naina felt so lucky to have Rahul as a friend. Nikhil was different, as much as Rahul did flirt, Nikhil seemed better. Naina felt something different about Nikhil but could not pin point what it was. She always would wonder why Rahul would go for no other girl but just spend time with her. She always wondered how Nikhil would feel for her. Naina wanted Nikhil to know. She got her phone, to text him. But she stopped. She thought again about it.
‘I could tell Rahul to tell Nikhil. He would do it for me. No, Rahul wouldn’t do it. Rahul would be too busy for that. Also Nikhil and Rahul are not that close. Maybe I’ll just go with the flow.”
The night passed. Both thinking about the person they love. One smiling and one crying. Naina was thinking about Nikhil and how life would be with him. While Rahul thought about Naina, the one girl he loves and will always love but will never get.
In the morning, Rahul woke up. He looked at his mobile phone, 10 miss calls of Naina. Rahul looked up at the ceiling, he was not sure whether he wanted to phone her. However he decided to call her back.
Naina looked at her phone. It was Rahul. Naina smiled and picked it up.
“Hello darling! How are you?”
“Hi Naina, I am good thanks. Just had trouble sleeping last night, I don’t know why. How are you anyway?”
“I am good aswell. Rahul I really want you to come over now. I need you. Will you come please?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there in half an hour. Is there anything else?”
“No but come here quick. Ok, bye babe.”
“Bye,” said Rahul. He put his phone down and got ready to see Naina.
As Rahul was about to get into his car, he received a text message.
“It’s probably Naina. To Rahul’s surprise it was an old friend who had sent a text. ‘Hi Rahul. Long time no see. Hope everything is good. I really need to talk to you about something. You want to go for a drink tonight? Text back.’ Just then Rahul realised he was going to be late to get to Naina’s house. Rahul sat in the car and drove to Naina’s house. Before he got out, Rahul remembered about the text he had received earlier and replied back to the text. Naina saw Rahul’s car from her bedroom and ran downstairs to open the door. Rahul got out the car and saw Naina. He suddenly felt warmth in his heart. He smiled and Naina and walked to the front door.
“Hello Naina.” Rahul said with a smile on his face.
“Hey Rahul. Come inside.” said Naina. Rahul stepped into the house. The scent of the house, reminded him of the scent that Naina brought to his room. She smiled at Rahul and gave him a hug. They both then went upstairs to Naina’s bedroom.
“Rahul. I can’t keep this in for longer. I absolutely adore Nikhil. I really love him Rahul. I can’t stop thinking about him. When I think of him, I start smiling and I get a loving sensation in my body. You never guess what, I was having breakfast with mom and I was thinking of Nikhil and smiling randomly. Mom thinks there is something wrong with me. Well there is, I’m in love with Nikhil. Isn’t this amazing Rahul?” Naina was smiling, she was happy. Rahul could see her happiness. While she was speaking, he just kept looking into her eyes. Her eyes were big, nice brown eyes, full of love and warmth. Rahul smiled at her.
“Naina, you love him so much don’t you. He is so lucky. Well is this why you called me then?” asked Rahul, who just wanted to hear Naina voice. Even though the words she was saying were the equivalent of being stabbed in the heart continuously.
“Yeah, Rahul you are seriously the best friend anyone would love to have. You are so special to me. I don’t know what I would do without you. You always listen to me. You are so cute,” said Naina, who started pulling Rahul's cheeks. Rahul laughed and so did Naina. “You know Rahul you are great. The girl that you will love will be the luckiest person in the world. You are so special,” said Naina and Rahul was smiling.
“She is. She is very lucky and very special.”
“What you like someone. Tell me Rahul. Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I love my mom, Naina. She is my first and only love.”
“But who is your second love. Rahul tell me please.”
“She is like you. Sweet and innocent. Actually she is just like you.”
“Rahul you are so sweet. How can any girl not love you? Whoever doesn’t is crazy. You are so cute. I am sure you are going to tell me who this girl is?
“No the thing is….You know I….I….don’t know her name” said Rahul laughing. Naina just looked at Rahul with disbelief.
“Fine. Don’t tell me. Who am I to you anyway?” shouted Naina. She was angry with Rahul.
“When I know her name, the first person I am going to tell, is you Naina!”
“Very good. I wish Nikhil will tell me who he likes. You know like if he doesn’t like me then I can move on.”
“I am sure he likes you Naina. Plus, your beautiful and smart, what more does a guy want?”
“Thank you. Rahul, I love him, you know? I can’t stop thinking about him. I love him. Honestly Rahul, you are the only person that is always listening to me moaning. You are the best friend everyone wants and wishes for. I am so lucky to have you. I know I keep saying it but Rahul you are.” Naina smiled at Rahul. Rahul eyes were filling up with tears. The pain of hearing Naina say she loved Nikhil, was killing Rahul. It was like a slow poison that was travelling through his blood and had reached his heart, to give the most powerful pain, he had ever felt.
“Naina can I have a hug please?” asked Rahul. Naina didn’t even say anything and hugged him. Naina and Rahul hugged each other more tightly than usual. Rahul felt the warmth of her body. It was soothing the pain in his heart. He know felt ready to get Nikhil and Naina together. He felt more determined. He could feel the happiness that Naina was feeling; her heart was beating really fast.
“Anyway Naina, I better go now. I got to go to work for a while,” said Rahul, who was putting his jacket on.
“Alright then, Rahul you are coming back here later on?” asked Naina.
“Let’s see, I think I should be able to. I phone you later,” replied Rahul hugging Naina. He looked back at her as he opened the door and smiled. His eyes showing his love for her. She smiled back at him and he closed the door behind him.
Soon as he left the house, Rahul went to his car and sat in there for five minutes, thinking about what Naina had said.
‘How can I tell you Naina, but you are that lucky girl.” The words of what Naina said were playing in his mind. He started the car and drove off to his house. On the way all he could think about Naina saying ‘The girl that you will love will be the luckiest person in the world.’ Rahul felt upset that he couldn’t tell Naina he loves her. He didn’t know why he didn’t have the strength to tell her. He had let himself down. He didn’t want to cause uneasiness in the friendship. He would rather have Naina in his life than not have her at all.
A few hours later Rahul was at a bar. He was waiting for someone. All around him he could see couples having drinks together. He could see the happiness in the girlfriends/wives eyes. He wanted Naina to have them very eyes and that only can be achieved if Nikhil and Naina got together. Rahul’s guest had arrived. Wearing a dark suit, with sunglasses and also clean-shaven. His guest is a little taller than him. He came and sat by Rahul.
“Hi Rahul. Is everything fine?” asked his guest.
“Yeah all is well. I heard about your new job. Congratulations.” said Rahul. Who was clearly trying to keep things going smoothly.
“Thanks. Anyway I am not here to drink anything. I just want to tell you something. I know Naina is really close to you. She always goes to you for advice Rahul, you are her best friend. I don’t know how to say this to you Rahul. But I know you can help me. I know we are not on good terms and I can understand if you decide not to help me. I have not treated you well in the past, I am sorry for that. The thing is Rahul, how can I say this. Well….I…I love Naina.” declared the guest, who was smiling. Rahul looked at him. Rahul was looking at the clock as he had to go and see Naina.
“Yeah, that is fine. I will tell her. Are you sure you want me to tell her?” asked Rahul.
“Yeah, if you tell her, she will understand it more. Plus I am too shy and she will think I am joking.”
“That is fine. I will tell her, but text her, she wants to hear from you.” Rahul kept looking at Nikhil. Rahul’s face had no emotion.
“Cheers Rahul. You are really a good man. I am sorry for the past, it was so wrong of me. You know you said the right thing to me at university. Don’t treat people badly otherwise later on in life, you might need them more than anything. But because you treated them bad, they do not want to help you. However I didn’t know you were this good. I always have been jealous of you. Naina always puts you first.”
“Yeah, I know Nikhil. Anyway I better go and remember to text Naina. Take care and I will see you soon. I know you will get her Nikhil. It takes a strong man to apologise and realise they were wrong,” said Rahul, shaking Nikhil hand. Nikhil smiled and nodded his head in appreciation. Between the two, you could tell, they both had similar personalities but Rahul was the more handsome one, even though Nikhil was better-looking. Rahul’s charisma is what won the people, his smile would get others to smile.
“Rahul do you like any girl? Like you know have anyone in mind?” asked Nikhil.
“No. I don’t believe in love,” replied Rahul who didn’t like telling lies. “Nikhil, please have a drink, we can talk about things.”
“I would honestly but I am running late and also you have to tell Naina.”
“I see, well I be off then, I will be seeing more of you now then.”
“Yeah, I will be seeing you more often. You still are looking after your dad’s company?”
“Me and my brother are looking after it.” Rahul did not like people mentioning his Dad.
“That’s really good. I just want to apologise for not going to your Dad’s funeral, Naina told me, I am really sorry.” Nikhil didn’t even phone or text when Rahul’s Dad died. Rahul hated Nikhil even more after that. Nikhil had always tried to compete with Rahul to win Naina. Obviously Nikhil did win Naina in the end.
“Yeah I better go. Bye.” Rahul could not stand to stay there for longer. He felt used and disgusted with Nikhil.
Rahul left the bar alone. Rahul had now found his job made easier. Although Rahul found it hard to see and hear Nikhil declare his love for Naina. Rahul knew he had to be strong and although his heart was crying in pain, hearing the two of them declare their love for each other to him, it was one of the hardest things Rahul had faced in his life. Now Rahul had to go to Naina and tell her the news she had been waiting for. Now he was about to experience pain in its most rawest of forms. Will Rahul be able to cope with the pain? Will he be able to see the love of his life with another man? Will he tell Naina the truth about his feelings or will he tell her about Nikhil’s feelings for her? Will Rahul sacrifice his love for Naina for her and Nikhil’s happiness?
Thanks for reading!
Please comment below!
Rahul
