Tortuous Love

Chapter 1

Life is a gift

life can be cruel

life can be kind

life can be hard

life can be tough.

life is mysterious

life is strange

life is complex

life is weird.

life has twists

life has turns

life has ups

life has downs.

life for good

life for bad

life for war

life for peace.

life and love

life and hate

life and growth

life and death. 

- Kevin Halls

Life has been kind to me , has given me a multitude of opportunities. A small town girl with a typical Indian family, close knit as well as nosy. My dad owned a grocery store in our town and my mom was a school teacher. Both her and my elder sister Tanya taught me that independence academic and financial was crucial. Tanya has always been an inspiration to me, she was the first one to venture out and headed to New York in search for a better life . We weren't scraping to get through but neither were we affluent. Dad wanted her to settle down after college, marry his friend's son in Denver.

 She started out with doing odd Jobs of a waitress at a few cafes and continued to study literature from NYU  with full scholarship . My dad has never spoken to her again since the day she stepped out of the house . After completing her course she took up a job of a elementary school teacher . While studying she met Jai Puri who was studying to be a lawyer . They fell in love and got married in two years but sadly my dad refused to attend her wedding . So it was just me and my mum along with a few chosen relatives and Jai's family . 

So just like her , I enrolled into college and completed my Bachelors in Economics. And much to my parent's dismay here I was in New York ready to start a new chapter in life. She and Jai were kind enough to offer me a home to stay till I could find a place of my own . And this is how I landed at her doorstep with two huge bags. After settling into Tanya's apartment I began my endeavour to find a decent job .  I applied to about five organisations in a span of 2 days and got a call from two and fortunately Anand and sons was one of them . Jai recommended it , a couple of his friends worked in their legal department there and they treated their employees well.

So here I was standing in front of one of the tallest buildings in downtown New York hoping and praying that my interview would go well . I was a bundle of nerves as I entered the foyer  of the building  and after the security check headed to the 22nd floor which housed the Anand and sons office . I took a deep calming breath and was even more nervous when I saw the group of people already sitting waiting for their chance . I was told to be seated and await my turn.

 I patiently waited for half an hour before my name was called and I entered the interview hall with a confident smile on my face but numerous butterflies in my gut . The interview panel was thorough in their questioning and I was prompt and clear with my answers . After my interview concluded I shook hands with them and headed out with content . 

I was busy texting Tanya and power walking when I collided with a huge wall. Well it was a human wall who grabbed me before I hit the floor . His touch was warm and electrifying and I was staring at the most beautiful dark brown eyes . 

Quickly snapping out of my haze  "I'm really sorry . I wasn't watching where I was heading ",I said trying my luck at humor . He just gazed at me and after giving him my strongest smile I headed my way . But boy oh boy that man was definitely a looker . I reprimanded myself and tried to concentrate on the task at hand . I had another interview to get to and I had to rush as it was at the other end of town. 

A week almost flew by and I hadn't heard  from anyone yet , but Friday was my day when my inbox was  graced by an email from Anand and sons HR department. I had gotten in , they expected me to start on Monday. I couldn't wait to tell Tanya and my mom. I waited for Monday with baited breath.