The Indian Bride....Who danced In Shackles

Extract from Part 4 - The Indian Bride Who Danced in Shackles

2009-02-13T03:24:00.001-08:00

He had a little smile on his lips almost as though he felt sorry for her. “Don’t be afraid…there is nothing to be afraid of.” He touched her shoulders as she implored him through her eyes, tears of terror scalding down her face.

“Beautiful skin…beautiful face and a beautiful desirable woman, you are also clever and cunning, a very convincing liar, and know the right buttons to press to get what you want…which makes you a potentially lethal woman.” Overcome by shock and horror she found she couldn’t speak. He no longer bore the slightest resemblance to the man who had been entertaining her not long ago.

Instead in front of her now stood a complete different man, a menacing, dark, dangerous stranger with chilling eyes.

Slowly he pulled the blade from inside his zipped boots.

She knew he was going to kill her.

The damp smell of death.

Her heart beat was deafening. He pushed her roughly against her wall, his face wet. Tears or sweat? She couldn’t tell, her own face was drenched with both. The depth of her fear, pain and despair at fate’s timing was so immense that she completely lost the will to scream, speak or protest.

Without removing his eyes from her, he tapped the blade against her glass bangles till one by one they all broke and scattered down on the floor around her feet. She struggled to breathe as he then traced the blade over from her forehead and down to her bottom lips where it rested, before the tip lightly dug into her softness till she could faintly taste her own blood inside her mouth.

“The ripe sweetness from these luscious lips has been drunk by another man.” He lowered the knife in the middle of her cleavage where it once again stopped.

His eyes were ferial. “The fullness of these bosoms has been teased and tasted by another man.”

He rounded the knife around her belly button and her heart lurched, sweat tickled down from her face to her neck.

Oh God he was really going to kill her.

“Your delicious belly button stroked by another man.” The knife slid further over her thighs digging into her flesh dangerously.

“Another man has enjoyed the venom sweetness between your legs.”

At the pain in his words, her heart twitched then protested as unbearable agony tore through it. Her eyes beseeched him but in vain.

As though unable to bear her vision, he shut his eyes momentarily. Oh dear Lord his face was wet and the storm of agony etched in the depth of those eyes as they now bored deep into hers. He saw her pain, the terrible ache and desolation that she knew she had now lost him, steaming out from every feature on her face. His face softened and he touched her face very tenderly and then repulsed pushed her away and threw the knife aside. He put his arm on the wall and rested his face on it. There was no sound from him, she could only see his shoulders shake violently.

He was really crying.

“Kill me,” she begged, unable to bear his agony. Her eyes wild, her body shook with hiccups. “If you won’t forgive me…then kill me please!”

He wiped his face fiercely with his arm and swung around to face her.
“Death is too easy for you – I will give you a punishment which shall be death itself to you every single day of your life.”

She knew what was about to come. She fell in a heap at his feet sobbing hysterically.

“Don’t! Don’t say it! Don’t say those words!”

Copyright Raveena Khan 2008

A strange meeting

2008-10-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

I was in love

insanely in love with another

blind to everyone and everything

around me

nothing mattered or made a difference

except for him

no man could compare to my love

until that night

when I met you

you took my breath right away….
All the while you spoke
I just stared at you ….

Unable to tear my gaze from the demonic incarnate of handsomeness

In front of my eyes
First time in my life I felt this way….
Like some naive, nervous teenager
confused, afraid and overpowered by a stranger

clad in black

Your eyes so disturbing
Your image still burns in my vision
What was it about you that totally

mesmerised me

Your perfect physique
..honey tan complexion
Or
The color of your eyes…

that dark lock on your forehead

matched outside with darkness of the night

Your deep voice so sensual

That genuine slight smile playing often on your lips

Your concern for me deeply touched me
Your honesty

Unbelievable

Or the fact that a stranger

Was going out of his way for me…

We both could feel the growing
Attraction

and

Amidst everything

I reminded myself I belonged to another

Suddenly I was in a rush for our meeting to end

as these emotions were disturbing and alien to me

yet what was it about you

that I still can’t forget

The impression you have left behind
is so hard to forget
I wonder if I ever cross your mind

as every now and then I often think of that night
There is something about you…
This tells me
our paths are destined to cross again
you and me

shall meet once again….

The Indian Bride -- A clip on death

2008-10-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

The shadows fear his presence

as he stands flawlessly created
the angel of death

His purpose?

To take your life away

no matter what you do or say

there is no avoiding him

he'll attend this appointment with you

whether you're sleep or awake

whether you’re in the middle

of an important business seminar

on the road

at work

in the house doing your daily chores

or in the arms of your beloved

No amount of bribes

nor that money you make

can tempt him from performing his daily duty

He won’t show you any mercy

when it's your time to go
You can’t turn back time then

delete any crimes you have done

its too late

The angel of death

will take us all
his mission

to bring back

every soul back to see

to see

who they were

to know they were seen

Seen in this world

for all their deeds

by the greatest of all

our Supreme Being

The angle of death you know not my fate

until my Lord commands

I be dead

My heart Allah

it feels your mercy

from every hardship came ease

I tell you I'm lonely

as I cry on my knees
I raise my hands up towards you my Lord

in a state of fear

I beg of you my Lord

lift me high before I fall
Let my appointment

with angle of death be sweet and of beauty

On my day

let kindness and mercy be his only duty

Essence of The Indian Bride - who danced in Shackles

2008-07-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Betrayal is a conspiracy

I feel nothing but all dead inside

You've already lost my trust

Destroyed my faith in you thus all my feelings are gone

Whenever the shadows of times cast its

darkness around me

It's like repeatedly stabbed by a knife

your razor sharp lies still cuts like a double edge sword

deep into my soul
your betrayal

pushed me to the edge

How could you?

And if I do answer that incessant ringing in my soul

would the old wounds disappear?

can I ever bring myself to trust you again?

I find I remind myself again and again

that betrayal is a conspiracy

And then in the darkness once more I hear you cry out my name

its like an echo which slowly fades into the night

an eerie doleful resonance

But is that really you I hear

Or is that yet just another figment of my imagination

Betrayal is indeed a conspiracy

You are good as dead for me now!

Extracts from Part 3

2008-07-10T23:11:00.001-07:00

Time seems to stand still. In the far background, Raza Khan Pahlavi, stunned and livid witnessed the scene playing before him. His fists clenched then unclenched as the other man’s lips traveled over his wife’s throat with such passion that she moaned with deep pleasure and then trembling, she pressed herself hard against him in total surrender. He watched as her lips parted and his mouth descended upon her.
The wavering faint light in some corner of his heart, ignored most of the time yet its existence undoubtedly real ,now flickered one last time before dieing out like a candle in some ferocious wind. His body shook with unrestrained violence.

His wife in the arms of her lover!

His wife?

He swallowed the uncomfortable knots of saliva which gathered at the back of his throat and said tremulously, “Maa there isn’t a day which goes by when I don’t miss you - you are forever in my heart.”

He bend and brushed the dead leaves and earth from his mother’s grave. Then straightening as he turned to leave he felt that recognizable hand clap of reassurance descend slowly down his right shoulder. His eyes shut for a split second.

He’s mother’s touch of support.

Raza then turned back sharply. All he could see was a quiet grave yard and rustling tress in the wind. A wan smile on his lips, he turned back again. A mother held her children’s hands for a while but their hearts forever.

Even death couldn’t break that tie between Mother and Son.

Khalida locked her fingers together and took a deep breath which was audible to everyone in the room and which expressed that she was finding the whole ordeal a struggle.

“Raveena…instead of me explaining it’s best you read this dairy for yourself. She paused then resumed, “Aunt Sakeena gave this dairy to us just before we left for Melbourne. In there she has a lot to say - which involves us and our lives – I suggest you read it immediately.”

The saying is so true – what goes around, comes around. They say writing is a form of therapy, question is, do I need a therapist?

Perhaps I do. Perhaps I don’t. ……………..

The sun’s warm rays streaked from the gap between the hastily drawn drapes, over onto the bed quilt and seem to hit directly upon Sadiya, stirring her awake, as she lay on her side with Raza Khan Pehlvi’s muscular dark arm encircling her waist. Slowly turning on her back, she leaned on her elbow and gazed at the dark, handsome sensual face.

Hmmm…she licked her lips greedily. She could never have enough of him. She had had several discreet flings before meeting him two years ago at the Oxford where she was studying to be a fashion designer, but he was the ultimate.

He was her Lion. Her Lion king. In and out of bed. In a few months he would be her husband. Her husband! Hmmm….Mrs Sadiya Pahlavi, now that sounded perfect.

And incredibly handsome man. His name Raza, perfected his personality. Powerful, handsome and smart with a witty sense of humor but lately, strangely he had become moody and irritable, which lead to a lot of argument and tension between the couple. Then in a few days he would cool off, and show up at her doorstep with roses in his hand apologizing for acting like bear with a sore head and instantly she would find herself forgiving him. Afterwards they would make love for hours end.....

********************************************************************************

“Powel’s man were doing some coverage in Dubai on the late oil baron Adil Dawud, apparently moments ago they also covered the formal wedding of his son, Anwar Dawud …to.Sadiya Sidqi from central London, United Kingdom.”

In the depth of his heart it was there and also present around him in spite of people, his true companion now, silence. He could hear it crying like a dying owl, self-conscious, desolated, desperate and alone, silence.

He coughed slightly as though to clear his throat. He coughed again and then again. Wow…the pain lifting from his chest up to his throat, neither sharp nor stabbing, neither faint nor shallow…how could he describe it? He lifted Geoff’s unfinished scotch from the bar drank it all one gulp as though it was some sort of medicine which would provide him with instant relief. Raza’s whole being seemed to be on raging fire. Yet it was distinct from the conflagration rapidly spreading inside his chest. God help him, how would he saturate that.

Coughing he turned and without a word started towards where the car was parked. The driver quickly held the door open for him with respect. He climbed into his seat at the back at the same pushing his dark sunnies over his eyes.

“Hey dude I am sorry. I’m so sorry?” Geoffrey murmured miserably not knowing what to else to say.

Still coughing Raza wiped the corners of his mouth with his white with blue strips handkerchief on which were engraved his initials.

Depression was a constant visitor now

Pain was unavoidable

Deafening noise swirled around him like gigantic angry ocean waves

Trying to reason a single voice speaking inside his head was like trying to catch a snowflake

His impaired fate suddenly very quiet.

Destruction total and absolute.

Life and love lay in ruins.

Love?

Raveena flopped on her bed over which was strewn her text books and once again stared at his picture taken beside Stephanie inside some Royal Yacht in Mumbai India. He seemed to be enjoying yet his eyes…something about his eyes, they seemed remote as though as something was bothering him. Almost immediately she chided at herself for been silly and over imaginative.

Yet she couldn’t prevent her heart knotting inside her breast. She shut her eyes and rested the newspaper on her breast then stared up at the ceiling and the voice inside her head cried……

♪It’s been a million years since♪

I touched you,

I thought time might help me win this game

But been away from you is slowly driving me insane…♪

*************************************************************************************

“I…see…” She tried to console the other woman not really knowing really what else to say, except empathize with her. Raveena put her arms around the other woman. “I do understand.”

“No!” The woman shrugged her off. “No you don’t understand.” Her face crumbled. Clutching her boy tightly against her heart. she started to weep loudly “You are not the one with a handicapped child!.”

Sometimes humanity and appreciation of every good life bestows no matter how big or small shines brightest under harsh and inhumane conditions.

And that moment Raveena’s whole course of life changed though she realised it much later.

Happiness….a rare blessing to mankind.

Love…the surrogate name for pain.

The lonely walk in the path of life a reality.

She took a very deep breath and then turned her head up towards the sky.

“Since the heart is a place where love comes from, now where does this love go when the heart dies? Back to the dead heart where it came from or turn into blood cascading from the eyes?”

♪

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away♪

I'll always love you
And make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me
To love another
You'll regret it all some day
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away♪

Extracts From Part 2

2008-06-27T01:48:00.001-07:00

Salman closed his eyes briefly then without warning, in one movement with the back of his hand, he swept the dishes off the counter and they scattered onto the floor, shattering to bits.

“You don’t like me touching you because your heart is still with him! I don’t know how much of this I can take anymore!”

Raveena gazed at the pieces of broken plate near her feet, then back at him in bewilderment. She had never seen this side to him.

Violence?

Tonight, those usually gentle green eyes flashed like raging fire.

“I feel like choking you when you take his name, you have no idea what goes inside my chest, when you talk about him, when you gaze at him with your heart in your eyes. Now I’m beginning to wonder how long my so called relationship with you can last under the shadow of the great Raza Khan Pahlavi!”

Outside the night was cool, and strangely quiet. Tress on the nature strip swayed eerily in the gentle northerly gust. The full moon shone brightly in the partially clouded sky.

The streetlight near Raveena’s window blinked twice and then made a buzzing noise before dying out.

A black cat from nowhere crossed the road.

The cat looked straight up at Raveena’s bedroom window, her ears pointy as if on alert. Her eyes were shinning like gems in the darkness; she drew her teeth back into a snarl. She then bounced her way up to Raveena’s windowsill and started to moan softly, followed by deep throaty cries.

Back in her bed, Raveena was in deep sleep when suddenly she started to thrash around in her bed restlessly.

The recurring dream she hadn’t had for sometime returned with an unusual sense of terror. This time acutely, she could hear herself laughing chaotically as she gazed down at the ferocious waves. “Take me,” she whispered, looking into the waves and laughing, while the intense gust of wind pulled her sari tighter around her body.

“Die Raveena Die! Die! Die! Kill yourself now!”

“What time are we expecting to be landing in Mississippi Tom?”

“Tomorrow morning by 8 am local time sir.” Tom lifted his cap in a polite acknowledgment of Raveena then went back inside his cabin

Her heart aching, she turned to Raza as the jet roared to life. He looked at her visibly upset face and a shadow fell across his face. It was almost like he wanted to say something but then once more his profile hardened. A tear escaped from her lashes and slid down her face. She bit her lip to stop it from trembling.

“I love you,” she said, flicking her hair from her face as the wind from the jet pushed it back in her eyes again.

“Take care, I will be in touch.” He touched the side of her face in a tender gesture and disappeared inside the cabin without a backward glance.

She stood there watching the doors roll back with a heavy heart. She stepped back as the jet accumulated the speed required to take off from the ground. She couldn’t stop the tears from running down her face as the jet raced down the runway ready to fly now. The fuselage of the aircraft, sleek and smooth, lifted up, causing the long curved wings to tilt and then powerfully the aircraft rose high into the air heading towards the sunset horizon. Though the sun felt hot on her face, she shivered uncontrollably and hugged herself as a strong gust of wind blew her clothes tightly against her body.

He had left…and once more, she was alone, left with only his memories.

“What do I call you now?” Her eyes glittering akin to something which could only be termed close to insanity run a chill down his spine as she let the rain from the heavens mingle on her face with her tears.

“Bhaiya like Khalida does?”

He shut his eyes very tightly and held his face up against the rain, letting the drops batter onto his face relentlessly. When he finally opened them, they were bloodshot.

“Raza,” he shouted against the roar of the rain, his eyes now smoldering. “Just Raza.”

She stepped closer to him and cried against the roar of the rain, thunder and the wind. “I still see the world in your eyes and your eyes everywhere in this world.”

Brushing the rain back from his face with his hand, he said slowly as the rain grew torrent, “Love is a language spoken by everyone, but understood only by a heart.”

BraveHeart -William Wallace

2008-06-19T02:08:00.000-07:00

Death is the final measure of a man.

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.”

~ William Wallace ~ – the Braveheart

“Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.”

~ Maximus Decimus Meridius~

and thus begins the saga in
The Indian Bride -Who danced in Chains

2008-06-18T00:56:00.000-07:00

2008-06-18T00:55:00.001-07:00

2008-06-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

2008-06-18T00:49:00.001-07:00

2008-06-18T00:47:00.000-07:00

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2008-06-18T00:38:00.002-07:00

2008-06-18T00:38:00.001-07:00

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2008-06-17T22:27:00.001-07:00

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2008-06-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

2008-06-17T22:17:00.001-07:00

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2008-06-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

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2008-06-17T04:16:00.001-07:00

The Indian Bride - Who danced in chains - Melbourne

2008-06-17T04:10:00.000-07:00

The saga begins in Melbourne......

Extracts from The Indian Bride - who danced in chains - Part One

2008-05-18T03:40:00.001-07:00

It was 12:10 pm exactly when Raveena parked her car alongside the street at Riverside Quay South bank and stepped inside the elevator pressing for the 14^th floor. The elevator was jam-packed with people, some who worked there in the building and others who just wanted to tour the building and try out the Eureka’s sky deck. Raveena, scared of heights, couldn’t possibly imagine herself journeying up to the sky deck. Her thoughts drifted back to Yaseer and her heart started to race once more. Only two more days left! Oh she couldn’t wait to see her darling. As the elevator began its ascent, she was pleased to note that her thoughts were as they should be.

The elevator door opened at the 5^th floor and a young tall and handsome man stepped in. He had his arms around a young woman and it was obvious to her they were besotted with each other from they way they held onto each other.

Raveena shut her eyes momentarily and wished with all her heart, that when she opened them a miracle would happen. She would find the man she loved the most in this world beside her. Oh wistful thinking again, she reproached herself silently. There is only two more days left…just two more days, she consoled herself with forced gaiety.

“Now reaching level ten,^” the automated voice on the lift sounded almost musical. She slowly opened her eyes and realised she was staring straight into those dark and now so familiar features.

Oh Lord no, not him!

Raza in his tan business attire, carrying a leather briefcase, stepped into the elevator. If he was surprised to see her that certainly didn’t register on his profile, which left her musing so to how controlled the man’s expression always were. He gave her a brief nod in acknowledgment that she ignored on purpose, instead feigning interest in her fingernails.

She didn’t want to speak to the man. She absolutely resented his arrogant presence. As the last remaining four occupants beside them filtered out on the 11^th floor, Raveena realised she was now alone with him. Her heart was racing so madly against her ribs, that she was almost positive he could hear it. Nervously she coiled a lock of her hair around her finger, wishing with all her heart that they reached the 14^th floor in next to no time.

She couldn’t understand, nor could she explain to herself why she felt such a desperate need to get as far away from him, as humanly possible.

“Relaxxxxx, I don’t touch married women.” His lazy tones cut through the silence.

Her face burned. It was as if this man could actually read her befuddled bundle of thoughts and then map them out for her. Furthermore, he had an uncanny knack of making her understand precisely what it was that really disturbed her.

But today she wasn’t going to give him the contentment of knowing he was right, that would only add to his already over-inflated ego! The doors opened on the 13^th floor and she looked around hoping against all odds that this stop might bring some passengers in, but alas her heartfelt hope remained unanswered. Anyway she reassured herself, just one more floor, not long now.

“What’s that got to do with me?” she couldn’t resist asking him as her chin lifted in impertinence.

His hooded eyes showing suppressed laughter, he replied offhandedly, “Blimey you are acting like an untouched bride whose virginity is under threat by some hungry dog.”

She found herself drawing in a sharp intake of breath. Good Lord this man was too much for her. He was far too worldly with a razor-sharp mind and an equally jagged tongue. Raveena was never easily bullied, nor pressured. Although she was recognised as inherently kind and compassionate among her own circle of friends, she didn’t suffer fools gladly and was also known to have an answer for everything.

However today she found that she didn’t know how to handle this man, whose constant presence increasingly threatened to shatter her securely sheltered world. How and why, she didn’t know. And if she were honest, she was too terrified to probe any deeper into it.

Her heart leaped with relief as the automated lift message announced, “Now reaching level fourteen.” Oh thank God finally! Eagerly she waited for the doors to slide open. When the steel doors remained sealed, she pressed the open door button on the wall.

Nothing.

She tried again, this time pressing it so hard that the mark from the door button imprinted onto her thumb.

Still nothing.

“What is wrong here,” she turned to him in panic. He shrugged effortlessly, seeming not in the least bit concerned. “Dunno, most probably a malfunction.”

She gaped at him wondering how he could manage to appear so calm, and sound so cool and collected when she was already starting to feel suffocated inside the enclosure of the four walls.

“A malfunction? Then what are we going to do about it?”

Why oh why was this happening to her? The more she wanted escape from him, the more she found herself ensnared with this man!

“Just relax, take a deep breath and relax.” He reached for the phone on the wall, dialled the emergency number and then briefed the operator about the status of the elevator. Hanging up he turned to her.

“As I said earlier a malfunction, shouldn’t be too long,” he said briskly running his hand through his hair.

“But how could this be possible?” She started to bite her nails apprehensively.

“And why isn’t a mishap possible?” He inquired calmly, leaning against the wall with a lift of his thick arched eyebrows.

“Because…because…,” she trailed off helplessly not knowing how to reply to him. What could she say to him anyway? There wasn’t much she could say without sounding foolish. Suddenly exasperated she felt like kicking the four walls inside the cramped space. Why was this happening to her?

“Yeah go on because of what ner ner ner?”

“Why don’t you call me Raveena? Why do you always call me ner ner ner!” she fired instead. As though the stupid darn elevator was not enough, the nerve racking effect the man had on her made her plight even worse.

“I don’t call married women.” He prevaricate the question, his eyes and the tone of his voice reflecting that he was finding her anger very amusing.

“Listen you know precisely what I meant,” she grated through her teeth.

“Ner ner,” he suddenly sighed loosening his tie. ”We might have to stay here for a couple of hours if it takes the technicians that long to get us out of here, so please I suggest you calm yourself down and try to relax.”

“But why? Why would it take them that long to get us out of here? This is THE EUREKA we are stuck inside, don’t they keep back up emergency plans for such occurrences? I mean come on I’m sure they would, then why should it take them long to get us out of here?”

His eyes leisurely and almost caressingly traveled the length of her. He shook his head slightly. Good grief, this teenage bride was full of questions. Her temper…those sudden tantrums of hers, her false airs, she seemed a real handful…yet, undoubtedly, she was alluringly innocent. He chuckled.

“Now why are you laughing?” She frowned, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

In such a tense setting how could he afford to express amusement? Very likely he was laughing at her…was there something on her face that she wasn’t aware of? Maybe her lip liner or mascara had been accidentally smudged over her face and he was finding her visage comical.

“What do you mean why? Everything for you ends with a why?” he thundered abruptly. “And how the hell would I know how long it would take the technicians to get us out of here. You sound more persistent then my two year old niece, Why? Why? Why?”

Feeling crushed by the roughness in his tone, she sank down on the floor of the elevator. “You have no manners! Your parents didn’t teach you any manners!” she retorted.

“Kindly do not bring my parents into this conversation, they are no more.”

All at once she found her heart opening up to him in compassion.

“Oh I’m so sorry,” she answered apologetically from deep within her heart.

He frowned. “Why are you sorry?” And then he continued harshly, “You didn’t kill them. Every living soul has to taste death eventually that is promised by Almighty Allah. Death is a harsh reality.”

This man was too complex for her. To the best of her knowledge, she hadn’t said anything offensive; she had merely expressed her genuine sympathy. Why was he so abrupt and rough at times? He really did a great job in making her feel daft.

Bitting back the sharp retort which rose instantaneously to her lips, she told herself firmly that she wasn’t going to let this man get to her.

“Do you miss your parents?” she found herself asking curiously from her corner of the wall.

“Yes I do from time to time.”

“How long has it been since they passed away?”

“Maanji passed away a couple of years ago and my Babajani just a year go.”

“Oh ok…my mother died when giving birth to me,” she said quietly. “Aunt Sara, my mum’s sister, is like my mother. I do love her so much you know, she is my world. But sometimes I feel as though I was robbed of having parents.”

She didn’t know why she was opening up to him and she didn’t particularly care at that moment. Removing his jacket, he sat opposite her on the floor, and stretched his legs out. She couldn’t believe that a man of his status and power sat opposite her on the floors of the elevators like some carefree youth.

“Parents? And your father?”

“I don’t know much about my father, my aunt never speaks of him.”

“I see,” he replied and left it there.

“Would you like one?”

She offered him a bubble gum from the packet inside her bag. She certainly needed her sugar fixes, it always seem to have a calming effect on her. With much reluctance Raveena had ignored her favourite lolly pops inside her bag on purpose, assuming that he would really take her for a child if he saw it in her mouth again.

“Errrrm…ner ner thanks but no.”

Though he declined politely, he seemed openly amused. Then he smiled at her slowly, a smile so captivating that she felt mesmerized by it. A silence pregnant with anticipation suspended between them as he studied her, while she nervously averted her eyes.

The sound of somebody’s cell phone ringing was like a knife slicing through the air between them. She watched as he took out his cell, held it in front of him looked at the screen and then switched it off.

“Girlfriend?”

The instant those words left her bubble gum mouth, she felt really naive. The call could have been from anyone. He must really consider her an utter airhead now.

“Actually more like my woman.” She was stuck by his candour.

His woman? Who was his woman? Stephanie?

Hmmmm…his woman…she felt an uncomfortable sensation inside her heart. Why did his declaration cause her heart to sink? He wasn’t her boyfriend, lover or husband? Who he saw romantically was his business not hers!

“Then why didn’t you answer it?” Her eyes were wide with perplexity.

“When women get too possessive and clingy, to me they lose their appeal. I like everything in moderation, except for sex and for that I have all the stamina in the world.”

“Adultery is a sin in our religion!”

Later on Raveena often marvelled at what had gotten into her during those moments trapped inside the lift with him. Usually a reserved person especially when it came to open discussion about sex, she was instead recklessly outspoken during those moments.

“Being married to one and thinking of another man is also a sin,” he quipped immediately followed by a wink.

Her face flamed. She knew the implication behind his words. Damn him, did he have to constantly throw her earlier stupid infatuation with him right back into her face? But she was over him now! Well and truly over him!

Wasn’t she?

0f course she was!

“Adultery is a grave sin,” she persisted, choosing to ignore his jibe but not for the world could she hide her open curiosity “Why don’t you get married instead?”

“Hmmm…I don’t want to get tied to one particular woman, which is why. Besides, a wife can be a pain at times.”

“How would you know if you were never married…or were you?”

“No I’m not married and never was. Let’s say I ‘m a good observer…and now are you my mum?” he said with a studied smile.

“So mean!”

“I’m sorry if that sounded mean to you. Listen ner ner, I have a few principals which I adhere to. I won’t date a married woman, even if she turns out to be the most beautiful woman on the face of this earth. I don’t drink alcohol; don’t do drugs, neither do I gamble. I love my faith as you do but I’m not perfect. I enjoy women – get that it is as simple as that.”

“I see,” she said somewhat furiously.

“Good and now let’s get back to you – when are you expecting hubby back home?”

“Yaseer,” she took his name lovingly, her eyes lighting up with warmth.

“On Friday.”

His eyes held hers. She didn’t understand why he was watching her with such detailed critical scrutiny. It made her uneasy and breathless.

“How long have you known him for?” His question forced her to look up at him.

“Ever since early childhood, he has been my next door neighbour for as long as I remember.”

“Ohhhh I see! So was he your first boyfriend or was he your first lover?”

She tugged at her wedding ring nervously. Why was he speaking to her so unreservedly? It appeared to her that all his natural sensuality along with his education and wealth must had gone to his head. He was treading on dangerous waters, asking her such intimate questions, which no other man had asked before. Her father-in-law and husband would be outraged, if they ever found out how blatant he had been in all his conversations with her.

But would she tell them?

“Why do you ask me such intimate questions?”

He smiled and crooked his head to an angle. “You’re telling me you have never discussed sex with another man but Yaseer, whom you have experimented with obviously?” There was a hard edge to his tone as he said the last few words.

“I haven’t experimented anything with him or anyone for that matter yet.”

It was out of her mouth before she could hold it back. Oh she was such a stupid woman, why did she have to say that? Her effusive outburst was in direct reaction to the underlying accusation in his tone.

“Forget I said that,” she got to her feet and buried her face in her hands.

“No I won’t.” Slowly he got to his feet. ”So you’re telling me you are a virgin?”

He seemed almost stunned.

Her hands still over her face, she curtained aside her fingers slightly and peeked at him through one eye. He’s eyes twinkling with laughter, he threw his head back and laughed which only made her turn her back on him. This was turning out to be hell embarrassing!

“Ner..ner you aren’t on some stage, stop this shy act of yours and turn around please.”

“I’m not acting ok!” Was this man crazy? How dare he consider what came to her naturally, her modesty, an act?

He sighed rolling his eyes heavenward. “Fine my apologies now turn around.”

Unwillingly she yielded to his request, or was that an order? Winding a strand of her hair around her finger, she averted her eyes from his.

“Yaseer’s friend met with an accident on the night of our wedding so he had to leave me that night to be with his friend and his family.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to elucidate, but strangely she felt she had to. Yaseer’s bride had no idea how alluringly innocent she appeared at that moment.

“I see…ummm I thought virgins were extinct in this day and age.” His eyes narrowed, he seemed lost in thought before he said in clipped tones, “Anyway I bet you can’t wait for your wedding night.”

“Can we change the topic please?” she requested uneasily. He must be truly out of his mind if he, for one moment, considered she was going to discuss intimacy with him.

“No, answer me, you can’t wait to share his bed right?” What was wrong with this man? Why was his face suddenly so thunderous? Enough was enough! He had not a bit of honour left in him. Utterly shameless man!

“Just because you were born with that silver spoon in your mouth doesn’t mean that you have the rights to say what you like when you like and to whom you like. I do not appreciate your bloody intimate questions!”

Raza knew her reservations and understood her tight lipped furious approach perfectly. Yet he found himself enjoying her luscious innocence together with the tantrums of hers. She was quite a revitalising change from the chic and completely uninhabited women he was accustomed to. They were not only candid about their sexuality but also knew the right buttons to press in order to please a man.

He knew the power he had over women. If only it had been some other women, married, or not married, in her place, trapped alone with him she wouldn’t have lost an instant in trying to entice him. But here this red blooded naive young bride of Yaseer Malik,’s was causing him an aching headache with her constant “oh but why?”

Considering the status of the darn elevator and the fact they had no idea when the problem would be remedied, Raza had to admit conversation with her wasn’t that bad, in fact till the elevators were up and running it was good way to pass the time.

“Ner ner ner please, stop with your lectures, you’re giving me a headache. Tell me something honestly, you must be desperately anxious for your hubs to take you in his arms and show you the stars, then bring you back to the world if I may put that mildly with modesty, something you obviously believe I lack in.”

Her temper flared ninety nine degrees and automatically her chin went up in resistance. She flashed him a chilly look. He was a rude, arrogant man, not to mention only interested in conversation revolving around sex!

Well she was fed up with his sex reference conversation. She wasn’t going to answer that, it was as simple as that. Her eyes narrowed as an idea struck her agile mind. She should ask him what his horoscope was! Now that would be the most perfect way to manoeuvrer the topic away from his rude, intrusive and very personal questions.

Once she got him embroiled in discussions about horoscopes, he might forget all about about intimacy.

“What’s your horoscope?” she asked blowing on her bubble gum till it exploded on her face, the pink gum stuck all around her nose.

Oh shit! Oh shit! Her face burned.

What an absurd picture she was painting, with the sticky elastic mess covering her nose. He looked at her and slowly shook his head, his eyes glimmering with laughter.

“My what?” He was sure he had heard her wrong. Good Grief was this woman for real, with her absurd questions and that ridiculous gum over her nose?

“You haven’t asked me my star sign yet,” she frowned rubbing the chew off her nose and mouth. What a looser she was, that she had blown the wretched gum all over her nose. Blowing gums was just a habit, how was she to know that it would get stuck up on her nose, it had never happened before today.

“Oh am I supposed to?” And then he laughed.

“No, “she retorted. “You’re not supposed to, but trapped inside this damn lift, what else we are going to talk about? I’m telling you anyway, I’m a Virgo and now what’s your horoscope?”

“I don’t believe in that crap.” He took the cell out of his pocket.

“Fine at least tell me which month you were born in and from that I shall figure it out myself?”

“November 1st^,”he murmured absentmindedly after punching some numbers into his cell, he held it to his ear and then spoke.

“Geoffrey well done dude! ...Yeah I’m fine just a bit tired…..no I’m running late for the meeting.......dude believe me you don’t wanna know where I’m right now.” And then he laughed with a wink at Raveena, who by now was past caring what he thought of her, as she popped a lolly pop into her mouth. She was stressed and she wasn’t risking another bubble gum bubble bursting on her nose. Raveena smiled back at him, thinking how incredibly handsome he looked when he smiled or laughed.

“Anyway dude,” he continued, “I was going through the Wall Street figures this morning and the trading to the volume of shares in foreign exchange was awesome. Aside from the stock markets overall performance of our trading everywhere is simply thriving; thrice what it did last year. And this is because of the entire teams hard effort, especially yours. You deserve a vacation…which starts from now! No ifs or buts........listen save your breath you aren’t getting out of it this easy...officially you are on leave which starts now! Take some time out for the family and take them on a vacation any place in the world – I don’t have to tell you that all expenses shall be taken care of…….listen dude relax, unwind, enjoy, and stop arguing with me on this – my love to Emma and the girls…ciao.”

Slipping his cell back into pocket, he turned to Raveena who had curiosity written all over face.

“Who was that?”

Holding his hands at the back of his neck, he stretched and his eyes racked over her as though he was trying to drive a point home.

“Now why so many, many questions? Listen missy it’s not as though you are my bride or the way people put it, ‘your other half,’ that you just have to know every little thing about me.”

His bride... other half?”

Those words completely muted her as she thought how it would feel to be his bride. To be married to him, to a man with immense sensuality and power and then to be loved by him.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue...Mrs Yaseer?”

Mrs Yaseer?

Why did he take her husband’s name so coldly? Maybe he didn’t like Yaseer. But why wouldn’t he like Yaseer? That was one of the most insane suggestions that had ever entertained her mind!

“I don’t feel like speaking to you anymore and you can’t force me to!” Suddenly for some unknown reason she sensed danger in the conversation ahead and felt very disconcerted.

“Force…hmmm…speaking of force, many woman love that, actually they get addicted to it, are you one of them too?

He found himself inching closer to her, and she found herself backing away, until she felt her back pressing against the cold steel interior of the elevator. The atmosphere around them was thick with electricity. She swallowed hard, her heart racing insanely against her breast. He positioned his arms on either side of her, trapping her inside his enclosure. His face was only inches away from hers, and his lips in line with her quivering ones. His hypnotic gaze held hers a prisoner, yet he made no attempt to touch her. Raza’s face contorted with emotions she could never have understood at her young age, but which she would learn about in years to come. She was shocked at herself. Dazed by the deep, deep burning desire to touch his face, to tip toe and kiss him on his forehead, on the tip of that proud nose, then further down on his lips.

At that moment, the world and everybody in it came to a standstill.

His face, his eyes, and his whole being sparked a range of conflicting tumult inside her. This wasn’t only physical attraction, this went deeper, and this was something else. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Yet she could feel it mounting from the core of her being, to such a height that it left her aching to bury her head in his chest and feel his arms around her.

Passion for Writing

2008-05-08T19:18:00.001-07:00

Book worm’ was what I was often called by friends and family. I’ve always been an avid reader. Even today I recall the day years back, when my dearest mother asked me to pack my expensive new saris (I WAS SIXTEEN THEN and thought I was just sooooooo kooooool, stupid more like it :$) in a suitcase and bring them down onto the second floor.

Let me expand on this, before migrating to Australia, I was living with my folks in Fiji - my homeland. Our exotic Fiji was going through a terrible tropical hurricane. We resided on the top floor of our three story commercial property and the gales were supposed to come at a certain time of the night, tearing at us. Now imagine my mother’s dismay, when much later that night, (as we sat huddle in the darkness on the second floor lit by lanterns - power failure - sipping hot teas) she asked me again, whether I had packed all my silk saris…(which one day of course were going to be part of my wedding dowry).

My mother cast one glance at the suitcase next to my feet and the saying is so true…mothers know best! She opened the suitcase and the altering expressions on her face, (when instead of neatly packed saris; she saw dozens of Mills and Boon, Perry Mason, Denise Robins, Barbara Cartland, Alfred Hitchcock, Sydney Sheldon, Harold Robbins, Nancy Drew, a copy of Treasure Island (LOL!) and a lecture pad with my scribbled thoughts or lets say my first attempt to write and then romance book with steamy covers). I just wanted to crawl beneath the bed.

Now to be very honest those books and my thoughts were more precious then those saris worth a couple of grand.

I had done my packing as Mom asked me to, but sari's featured no where inside my suitcase.

Perry Mason, the main character of detective fiction authored by Erle Stanley Gardner was my hero, all night I would lay awake reading his courtroom drama's.

I announced to my parents that I wanted to follow into my father's footstep, which was to become a lawyer, my beloved dad was convinced that one day I become a top notch lawyer. But I was very laid back and books were my only passion, and aside that the other was to play pranks on my friends at school and some teachers, end result...to become a barrister remind a dream! Much later I swapped that for Information Technology.

I can vividly recall those days, when I used to pretend I was revising school work, under the watchful eyes of my parents, but instead used to stuff a story book inside my text book and read that instead. My dear uncle who was the principal of my college was becoming fast fed up by my fixation for novels. He was concerned about my future and he use to lecture me at lengths, but out it went the other ear.

With much fondness and love I recall those words from my biology teacher the late Mr Jaleel Buksh whom we fondly used to call 'mama'. He asked me to stand up in the class, which I promptly did, with a bored grin on my face, for I knew what was coming. His words to me were; "Your results are appalling! You should be so ashamed of yourself! You happen to come from a very well known, highly respected and educated family. Look at you...look at your marks. What do you intend to do when you grow older? Any career in mind? If not you are going to be planting cassava with the natives in the plantation."

In response I turned around and asked him, whether it was confirmed we were going on inter school sports competition that week on Friday. I can still picture the disbelieve on his face. Soccer and novels - cheering for the boys when they played soccer against a rival school, or reading novels were my only passion!

When visiting cousins, the first thing I would ask them, (the moment I would step into their house) was that, "Do you guys have any story books?" And I remember one day my cousin handing me a very thick volume titled "Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi, without me even asking for it (for a change!)...the moment I stepped into their house. It's story about Manson family murders...though it was gruesome, I found it very interesting.

I even broke boundaries! At thirteen or was it twelve (at that inquisitive age), I read “The Roman Woman” I think that was my uncle’s book, it was quite spicy. After my parents found out, of course I couldn’t face them as I felt so ashamed. But that didn’t stop me, I used to bribe my maid and ask her to buy me paper back romance novels. Frankly I didn’t have the guts to buy those books from the bookshop, the owner of the book shop happened to be our family friend. And if my mother found out…all hell would break loose.

One day my English teacher Ms Gursharan Kaur Singh, read an essay of mine out to the class, and predicated, “you will one day become a very good author.” Lets see….;)

At school I used to search the library for the thickest book, only because I hated abrupt short endings. I enjoyed heavy volume book which would take me at least a couple of days to complete. One day I was so hungry for a book and I couldn't find any, therefore I read one of my dad’s masterpiece from Alex Harley, The Roots, and at that time I was a very YOUNG teenager - about 13!

Then I took to reading my dad's Time Magazine, but the politics barely made any sense to me at that age, I ended up falling over Muammar Gaddif's pic LOL! I reckoned he looked extremely dashing in a military uniform back then. Why I even took it a step further and asked my younger sister to ask my dad, Gaddif's, age. :$ LOL!

What in heavens was I thinking. Frankly I could never see myself putting such a question forward to my dad, because of our strict upbringing and the fact that I had too much respect for him. My younger sister did pose that question to my dad but the girl didn't hesitate to say that it was me who wanted the information. I couldn't bring myself to look my dad in the eye, I was so embarrassed!!! I wanted to crawl in a corner and never rise from there. But my beloved dad, a man of few words now coming to think of it, I think somewhere in his heart, he understood me.

He merely smiled, shook his head and resumed reading The Time Magazine.

My parents went on a world tour trip and I thought ahaa freedom at long last! So I had borrowed novels from my next door neighbor and was reading with relish when one night my Nan sauntered into my bedroom. I tried to hide it but she snatched it from me and Lord knows where it went. Anyway the next day I put a brown paper cover over the romance book and wrote in big letters on the cover, “The last place God made.” Oh even today I can’t stop laughing when I think of that title. But I couldn’t fool her, the look on her face when she saw me reading, very clearly informed me that she knew what I was up too. Anyway this time, she didn’t take the book from me.

Over the years I have developed a certain taste for books, I don't know whether its a good think or not, but today I don't just pick up any novel. The books I read must be worthy my time and they have to be full of substance, certainly the content must have a lot of drama and challenges in the way of life......Wideacre by Philippa Gregory is my favorite book and till to date remains one.

The Indian Bride…is nothing like the books which I have read.....The Indian Bride is NOT some light paper back romance, having said that, there isn't anything wrong reading light paper back romances or crime fiction..., I suppose it's just a matter of taste.

The Indian bride is a novel which I classify a world apart from the books I've read….this novel shall linger on the mind of the readers for a long time, because that is precisely the effect I want to leave behind.

I'm very, very passionate about writing, and those who have read some chapters from The Indian Bride are absolutely hooked onto the book...I've been told by many that I posses a 'Gift.’ And I've received very encouraging and positive feedbacks from many people all over the world , but let me say just one little thing here...The Greatest Writer is GOD and pride only suits Him.

Humbleness and compassion for your fellow human beings and for the unprivileged goes a long way in life. Please don't take this as a piece of lecture, but we have a responsibility towards the society, in particularly towards the poorest countries in the nation that can't afford to nourish or cloth their people. If you can make a difference to one person's life...or ease someone’s grief, you are very lucky.

Remember Almighty God paves away for those who make way for others.

Synopsis

2008-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Indian Bride - Who danced in Shackles

♪ And my heart still aches for you ♪

♪ And my heart still aches for you ♪

The epic tale is about life and destiny – a young woman’s battle between her morals and her obsessive incestuous love… between her profound love for her religion and the conflict of what is right and wrong in the fulfilment of her body's needs.

Eighteen year old Raveena Shah’s fairy tale life dramatically changes and her innocence shatters on what should be the happiest moment of any young woman’s life - her wedding day. But as fate would have it, this is also the day she first lays eyes on the most powerful man in the world, Raza Khan Pahlavi. As her lovely dark eyes innocently lock with his intense russet ones amidst the heavy traffic, a powerful premonition flashes incomprehensible images before Raveena’s eyes, and hence the mesmerising saga slowly unfolds.

From that moment onward, this young woman’s life spirals horrendously out of control.

She must come face to face with the astonishing truth about her beloved husband only to find that truth too painful and reprehensible to acknowledge. As though that horrific discovery is not enough, Raveena must try to uncover the dark secret behind her paternity, which when unveiled at long last, will tear her world to shreds. Her second chance in life with the one man she loves most in the world lasts only until the wedding vows are over, her wedding bed once more remaining untouched. Raveena's callous wake up call to the hideous world of drugs, bankruptcy and homosexuality embarks her on a journey fuelled by her single-handed determination to make it in the world as a single mother. Her undying compassion for the poor and frail struggles to survive amongst a world of revenge, greed, jealousy and betrayal entangled with mental illness and adultery…. a life where there is NO room for forgiveness and where pride wins it’s battle against the most powerful love of all time.

The Indian Bride explores in depth and in truth the yearnings of two hearts…two different paths… together, yet always apart.

This contemporary novel, divided into five parts, is set in Melbourne Australia but will pilot the reader all the way to the exotic Turtle Island in Fiji then on a roller coaster ride to London, to the dizzy heights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and then finally lead them to the burning sands of Rajasthan. This magical, mysterious land of colossal forts, shimmering lakes, innumerable temples, fortresses, grand palaces, endless desert sands and dense forests, a land that promises laughter and happiness…yet nothing on this earth could have equipped Raveena for the surging horrors that lay ahead waiting for her, like a lethal snake ready to strike.

Just when Raveena is certain that she has endured more then her share of life's cruel and unjust trails and tribulations, just when it appears that finally destiny is smiling down upon her, fate ruthlessly delivers to her.....the final blow!

Posted by Raveena Khan at 10:00 PM

Labels: The Indian Bride

8 comments:

Tauqeer said...

Im sure it will be a good read, all the prayers for you raveena ji ;)

May 1, 2008 4:23 AM

Prasad said...

Raveena you will surely succeed the path u have chosen. Can't wait to read. All the very best to you and thumbs up!

May 1, 2008 4:47 AM

noofe said...

hmm over view seems to b gud :Pbest of luck

May 1, 2008 7:47 AM

Sam said...

Raveena.once again.ur vibrant, imaginative mind awakens in its glorious splendour.

Best wishes,

Sam

May 1, 2008 11:08 AM

Panna said...

Absolute mind blowing synopsis - can't wait to read the whole novel!! You are doing a superb work Raveena, keep it up!

May 1, 2008 2:00 PM

hendrix said...

You sound so mature and seasoned for a rookie writer. I see huge potential. Keep on working on it

Hendrix

May 2, 2008 9:43 PM

Terrence said...

Imaginative and daring - taking chances with so many of life's issues - BRILLIANT!. The images of what you write are in front of me as I read. You will succeed - it is only a matter of time. KEEP THE FAITH.

May 4, 2008 4:36 AM

zovada said...

wow Raveena! your book is phenomenal. It is the reflection of your strength and character, b proud of all u have accomplished it is time 2 make ur mark on the WORLD!Looking 4ward 2 seeing ur prosperous future unfold INSHALLAH.

May 5, 2008 12:49 AM