His Forbidden Love

The Awards Night

The next day, Alisha wakes up early in excitement and goes to the kitchen to meet her mother. She hugs her and begins –

"Mother, can I buy a new dress for the function tonight?"

Her dad shows his happiness and kisses her forehead. Ramesh says, “Please get her a new dress and it should be the best amongst all."

"Oh! Daddy. I am the luckiest daughter in the world. Saying so, Alisha hugs her dad tightly."

"I am also lucky to have you, my child. Now let me go. I have to get ready for the office. Rama, please give me my breakfast."

"Sure."

Alisha rejoices thinking about the new dress and readily helps her mother in preparing the breakfast.

Rama says -"It is your day. You need not help."

"I want to share your work so that we leave early for shopping. When are we leaving for the shop in Burabazar?"

"Let me give the breakfast to your father. I will take you there after that." "Till then, why don’t you call Seema and ask her to join us there for shopping?"

"Thanks, Mother. It would be great."

Alisha immediately rushes to the room to call Seema, who feels excited about the idea of shopping. She immediately agrees to it.

Rama intervenes and speaks over the phone -

“Seema can you meet us at the shop in burabazar. The address will be messaged to you. We will message you the time after some time.

Saying so, Rama hurries up with the breakfast while Alisha continues talking to Seema.

It is 2 pm. The trio meets at a well-known shop “Dayarams” situated in the center of burabazar near Haldirams sweet shop.

“I like the clothes here,” says Rama. "We often come here for a purchase." "It is the best for cotton embroidered suits and sarees."

"Yes. Mother. I agree."

"Uncle, can you please show that dress over there," Alisha says to the shopkeeper

"Look at this, Seema. Look at the work done on the cotton fabric and the admixture of colors."

"Can you show me the other one also? Alisha requests the shopkeeper

The shopkeeper shows four to five varieties of suits.

"Alisha, I think the red one will suit you more for the occasion?"

"But I wanted the white one."

"Why are you girls fighting? You can go with all the suits."

"Bhaiyaji, please pack all the four suits. I will take all of them," said Rama

The girls become happy and rejoice over the idea of looking good for the function.

"Both of you must be tired by now. Do you want to eat anything?" asked Rama

"Oh yes, aunty. Can we go to the nearby shop of Haldirams? What say, Alisha?"

"Yes. Mother, can we go to eat there?" asked Alisha

"Okay, we shall go there but we have to be back home by 5pm. All of us have to get ready for the function."

"But mother, we are loving it here."

"No arguments Alisha. Don't you want to attend your award function? Let us quickly get inside and eat."

At the counter, Rama stands in the cue to place an order and asks "What do you girls want to eat?

"Mother, I will take samosas and Seema wants to eat Dosa."

"Okay, I will order till then you enjoy the surroundings and take a seat.

The trio enjoy their food at the sweet shop. Bereft of time, the trio indulge in merrymaking when Rama sees her wristwatch.

"We are getting late. Let us leave now."

"Mother, let me get the sweets packed for Dad."

"Okay, but make it fast."

"Till then I am going out to hire a cab for us. Come, Seema. Let us stop that taxi."

"Yes aunty"

"That taxi seems to be full of passengers. Here’s another one coming."

In the meantime, Alisha joins them. Rama gets scared to see the crowd around and tries to stop a taxi.

She asks, “Will you go to Park Street?”

The taxi driver replies "Madam, You will not get any taxi for park street from this side and you will have to cross the road to get a taxi from there."

They thank the taxi driver and Rama holds their hand to cross the main road. In the hustle and bustle of the crowd, Alisha’s hand slips from that of her mother’s. Rama asks her to stand in the middle of the road waiting for the vehicles to pass. Few others also wait around. Suddenly, a tram is seen coming from a distance. Alisha takes a step forward to go when her bag falls. A man standing nearby picks up her bag and gives it to her. They look at each other and forget that a tram is nearing them. The man pushes Alisha forward and gets bruised in the hand due to the iron nail at the edge of the taxi that was waiting outside the shop “Himalaya Opticals”.

Both Alisha and Jamie look at each other while Rama and Seema ask them if they are alright.

They see Jamie’s bruises and take him to a nearby doctor. Rama thanks Jamie before he leaves for his home.

In the evening, the ladies take more time to get ready. Both Seema and Rama are busy with their makeup. Alisha and Ramesh mock them that they take unusually a longer time.

"How did you get ready so fast Alisha?" cried Seema. "You haven't even applied makeup."

"Just help her with the makeup," commanded Rama.

"She hasn’t applied any makeup on her face till now in her life, Aunty."

"But today is her big day and she will have to look the most beautiful."

Alisha refuses at first but then allows Seema to apply a light lipstick on her lips.

"It is due to the awards function that I am allowing you to do all this," cried Alisha

Seema smiled and said “Whatever you say, Mam. It is your day.”

At the venue of the function, Alisha moves ahead in the crowd that is trying to get inside the garden to the hall through the biggest opening. The board outside the Garden reads “Welcome to the AutHer literary Awards 2021. Venue - Aristro Club, Joka, Diamond Harbour Road, next to the Vivekananda Mission School.”

Alisha begins to enjoy the surroundings and gets mesmerized by the decorations. "Wow, this place is so beautiful. Adorned with intricate embellishments, vibrant hues and chic decor, each of the banquet halls exude a sense of charm and wonder. The lawn, on the other hand, is well-maintained and dons lush green covers. This place renders a pleasant visual as well as experiential treat.

"I am going in. Look Seema, I am moving ahead of you”, said Alisha. Alisha and Seema compete with each other to reach at the entrance to the garden.

In a bid to reach first, Alisha falls on her heels when she is saved by a man.

She thanks him and looks at his face. They see each other. She realizes she has seen the same man somewhere else also.

"Have we met before?"

The man bows his head and then looks at her in awe and admiration.

Alisha continues – "I think we have met each other. Oh no. My shoes broke. I need to get it mended. What will I do now?"

She looks at the man who wanted to tender an apology but is mesmerized by her beauty.

"Hi. I am Jamie Pereira." He continues to look at her.

Alisha ignores the conversation midway and hurries to the car to get her spare shoes.

The man smiled and goes inside to meet other guests at the function.

Ankush who is waiting inside the hall for Jamie introduces him to another one of the writers, Mr. Lokesh Agarwal.

"Sir, he is Jamie Pereira. He has to come to Kolkata from Delhi for the award function."

"That’s great. So you are a writer as well? spoke Mr. Lokesh"

"Yes Sir. But he is also the owner of an Institute, ‘Chavan Institute of Legal Studies’ in Delhi teaching law students and has been an accomplished writer for the last 2 years. He has also been nominated for the awards."

"Your friend…uhmmm…Jamie..right....is very impressive. Shaking hands with Jamie the bank manager asks about his works.

"I would be very happy to read your books, Jamie." he continued

"Call me, James" replied Jamie. It is my pen name. I write books under that name."

"So, you are Mr. James. Oh…wow...I have been searching for you. Glad to meet you. I am a big fan of your writing. I have read many books written by you. He continues, "I am very happy to meet you, Mr. James. I have read your book “In lust and love” which is the third book in the romantic series. The other two are “Love is attraction” and “My true love”. I am waiting for the next one. When is it likely to come?

"It will be out soon for publication."

In all this conversation, Jamie’s eyes move around in search of the girl whom he recently saw at the entrance of the garden surrounding the hall.

"Whom are you searching for, Mr. James?"

"Nothing Sir. I was just looking at the surroundings. It is a very nice decoration."

Jamie begins to feel a little restless in the crowd. Ankush finds something different in him and asks him - Are you feeling well? Do you want to go home?

He replies, "Oh Yes. I am fine. Can I sit at that place in that corner?"

"Yes. We will go there in a minute," replied Ankush. He turns to Mr. Lokesh and begins, "Sir, kindly excuse us but I think Jamie isn’t feeling well. Can we take your leave?"

Mr. Lokesh replies, "Oh don’t worry. Give him a nimbu paani. He will feel better."

"Sure Sir. I will take him there. Thanks for your time. Can I have your number please? Ankush requests on behalf of Jamie.

"Here, this is my number."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Come let us leave for the drinks corner," cried Jamie who looked little perturbed than before.

"What is it, boy? Why are you dragging me to a corner place? What is wrong with you?"

"There are many guests here who want to meet us, especially you and you don’t seem to pay attention to anything. What is the matter?"

"I saw that girl."

"Which girl?"

"The girl of my dreams. Remember we visited Rohit yesterday."

"Yes. What about that?"

"We saw a girl running towards us.'

'Oh yes. I remember the incident now. You liked her beauty. But what about the girl? Did you see her again?'

"I didn’t tell you I saw her twice today. First when I was crossing the road at Barabazar and got bruised."

"Bruised?"

"Are you okay?"

"Little bit. Not so much"

"You anyways don’t look sound." Ankush laughed

"Don’t laugh at me."

"Okay. Tell me when was the second time you met that girl today.

"Here, in the garden"

"In this garden? What was she doing? Plucking flowers?

Jamie gives a stare to him and says, “I couldn’t apologize to her.“

"Apologize? For what?"

"I was seeing her with rapt attention. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. "In that, we dashed against each other and I broke off her shoes."

"Oh! I see. So that is why you are feeling sorry?" laughed Ankush

"I wanted to say to her that she is very beautiful. I haven't seen such beauty throughout my life till now."

"And how many beautiful ladies have you seen till now?" He laughed

“Not many,” Jamie bows his head and says “but this one I will never forget”.

"So that is the reason for your aloofness."

Ankush laughs and adds “I cannot believe your words. But since it’s you I will have to do that as well.”

"I have never seen you like that before, bro. What special did you find in her?"

"She looked like an angel to me. I cannot it describe further as my heart is overwhelmed with emotions whenever I think about her. I want to meet her earnestly and know more about her"

"Can you arrange a meeting with her?"

"Bro, even I don’t know her. But I will try for my friend? You said she is present here in this hall.

"Yes, I just saw her."

"Do you want me to approach her?"

"No. Leave it."

"Why should I leave it? Look at you. Your condition is worsening." Ankush giggled

"Wait. Let me think of an alternative."

"Okay. I will speak to the organizers and try to find out about the girl."

"Can you show me who the girl is?"

"Yes. Look she is standing there with a group of girls at the snacks corner."

"She is beautiful. Your choice is good."

Jamie gives him a stare. Ankush laughs at him and says, "Don’t get jealous. I won’t steal her away from you."

"I will be back and join you after some time till then you sit here and see her. Don’t do anything. I will be back."

Ankush leaves the corner and goes to meet an organizer, Mr. Anand Gutpta who was standing on the stage. He wanted to listen to Ankush but their conversation got interrupted by the noise in the hall.

Anand asks Ankush to repeat what he wanted to say when suddenly the organizers ask those present in the hall to remain seated for the awards will be announced shortly.

Mr. Anand Gupta is asked to come on the stage and make important announcements.

Everyone’s eyes are fixed on the stage. Alisha looks worried but is excited about the announcement.

While she looks at the stage and the people around, Jamie constantly stares at her.

Mr. Anand declares that this time the winner is not one but many. We have introduced many categories of awards in which we will be giving the award.

We begin with various categories of awards one of which is the best debut novel of the Year. And the best debut novel of the Year goes to -

Ms. Alisha Sharma…for her book “Chosen by Fate”…

May I request Ms. Alisha Sharma to come on the stage to receive her award?

Alisha goes to the stage while Jamie looks at her in awe and surprise

Mr. Anand announces her name, Ms. Alisha Sharma, and claps his hand when she climbs the stairs to the platform.

'So, her name is Ms. Alisha Sharma,' smiled Jamie. A warm gush of emotions fill his heart. He looks on with pride.

“She is climbing stairs,” murmured Jamie, who stood there clapping hands along with Ankush in the award function.

“Why? Are you perturbed? Do you want to stop her or what?” laughed Ankush.

“You know what I desire”, Jamie looks at Ankush. Jamie’s shyness was visible to everyone including Ankush, who understood his feelings for the girl.

“I like her. I don’t mind her in my arms.”

“She doesn’t seem to be like that kind of a girl who is easily available to anyone.”

But Jamie persists “She is the one for me”