Nandini Verma was 18 when she penned her first story, a tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge. It was a masterpiece, poised for publication. But on the night she was to share her brilliance with the world, tragedy struck. Her abusive father, a figu...
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I woke up that morning with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Today was the day I would step out from the shadows and meet my readers face to face. I chose a beautiful white saree that draped elegantly around me, pairing it with minimal accessories. My makeup was nude, just a touch of kajal and lip gloss , with my hair left open to cascade down my back. I wanted to present myself simply, yet beautifully, reflecting the person behind Luna.
The fan meet was held at a spacious venue, not enormous but comfortably large enough to accommodate a good number of my readers. The decor was tasteful, with soft lighting and a welcoming atmosphere. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the warm smiles and enthusiastic cheers of my fans. It was overwhelming and heartwarming, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. Meeting my readers, hearing their stories, and seeing the impact my words had on their lives was a surreal experience.
However, the weather took a turn for the worse. Heavy rain began to pour down, and we had to end the fan meet earlier than planned. After saying goodbye to the staff, I hurried outside, hoping to get home before the rain intensified. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side. The rain started to fall in torrents, making it impossible for me to drive. I had refused to take my company car in my haste, and now I regret it.
I found shelter under the awning of a closed shop, watching the rain with a mix of frustration and dread. The memories of that night five years ago resurfaced every time it rained, and I hated it. The rain brought back the trauma, the fear, and the pain. As I stood there, lost in thought, a shiver ran down my spine. It felt like someone was watching me. I casually looked around but saw nothing unusual. The street was mostly deserted due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The thunderclaps grew louder, and instinctively, I took a step back, feeling a wave of unease wash over me. There was a time when I loved the rain and the thunder, but now, they were only reminders of that fateful night.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Nitu. Her worried voice came through the line, asking where I was and telling me she was coming to pick me up. I smiled a little, knowing how much she cared about me. She understood my fear of the rain and always looked out for me.
"I'm at the corner of Maple Street, under a shop awning," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Stay there, Nandini. I'm on my way," Nitu replied, her voice filled with concern.
As I waited, watching the rain continue to pour down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.
Nitu arrived soon after, and I quickly got into the car, grateful to be out of the rain. She drove us to her café, where we could wait for the storm to pass. The warm, inviting aroma of coffee and freshly baked cookies greeted us as we entered. We settled at our favorite table, each with a steaming cup of hot coffee and a plate of chocolate cookies.
Nitu pulled out her phone and began showing me posts and stories from the fan meet. "Look at this, Nandini! People are raving about you. Your popularity has skyrocketed just from this one event," she said, her eyes shining with pride.
