Secrets And Lies [Completed]

01. a writer's dilemma

Song of the chapter is
Jealous by Labrinth

-01-
-Himanshu Arora-
-Present-

____________

Lion's Gate Lounge, New Delhi
7 November, 2030
2:05 pm

" ....and perhaps we were all the architects of our own demise."

I finished reading the last line of my book and looked up at the audience in front of me. The familiar static faces greeted me like an old friend. My publisher, Riddhima beamed at me from a distance.

I shut the book close and said my thank you's and goodbye's in my always-polite voice and breathed a sigh as everyone left. Just as I was about to sit back down on my not-so-comfortable chair, Riddhima walked up to me.

"You did amazing out there." She said chirpily. "The audience was totally captivated."

"Thanks, Rids." I said, non-enthusiastically.

She nodded, smiling. "So where do you wanna head next? I have heard that Kolkata is really good at this time of the year."

"I'll think about it." I said, picking up my bag from the side of the stage. "Plus, we still have three more months to cover for this book tour. And only a few cities are left anyway."

"Yeah, I guess." Riddhima said, and then immediately added, "Ooo then what about taking a little vacation? I'm sure Dhrashti is already breathing down your neck for it."

"Tell me about it." I uttered, my words dipped in sarcasm.

"Well then why don't you take her? I can stall the book tour for three weeks." She suggested. "Even Goa's pretty good this time of the year."

The mention of the city left a rancid taste in my mouth. I blink twice before answering, "Um...I don't really like Goa that much."

"Why not?" She asked in a tone insinuating 'who doesn't like Goa?' .

"I grew up there." I stated in a matter-of-fact way. "And to be honest, I think I've had pretty much enough of that place to last a lifetime."

I had met Ridhima two years ago when I had struggled to get my first book published. Writing, rewriting, drafting --- was all I knew back then. I had been rejected ten times before my story had found it's ultimate goal. Ridhima Nayek, the leading publisher of Nayek and Sons Publishers had contacted me, saying she wanted to give my book a shot. And in the span of the next few weeks, I had gotten a hold of my life once again.

The book was about the traumatic experience that I and my friends had had to go through back in the fall of 2019.

The ruthless killings.

The unhinged stalking.

The infamous murder of Alishka Malhotra.

The book had been a great hit. And needless to say, I was to thank her for it.