His Forbidden Love

My lady luck

Alisha Sharma receives the award with pride in her heart and tears in her eyes. They ask her to give a speech to the gathering of esteemed dignitaries, friends, and relatives. When asked about her inspiration behind such a work, Alisha begins with a quote from Paulo Coelho’s, The Alchemist.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

The hall echoes with the sounds of clapping hands as Alisha ends with a line,

"May God bless everyone…"

Alisha shows her prize, a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs, a memento, and a publication contract of her novel to her parents who bless her with prosperity and success.

After the speech gets over, one of the lady organizers, Ms. Melina Gonsalves calls her to the snacks corner. She introduces her to Jamie.

“Ms. Alisha Jamie, I want you to meet, Mr. Jamie. He is one of the oldest writers to have been associated with us and is a major contributor to creative writing.

"Hello, Sir, " greets Alisha

"You can call me Jamie."

"I think I have heard this name before."

"You must have heard about him," continued Meliana. "He is known for his romantic novels."

Their eyes meet each other. While Alisha pushes her hand forward for a hands shake, he keeps on staring at her and forgets the surroundings.

Ankush joins the group and is amused at the sight of Jamie.

He begins - "Jamie, Ms. Alisha is putting her hand forward for a handshake."

"Oh! Okay. Jamie moves his hand forward and presses her hand. He doesn’t want this time to pass."

"Jamie’s looks at Alisha in her eyes. He feels heavy with emotions and tears swell in his eyes when suddenly someone calls his name -

"Mr. Jamie, this is my hand." Ms. Alisha is waiting for a handshake.

While Ankush giggles at his condition, he immediately holds Alisha’s hands for a handshake.

"So, we are friends now," Jamie spoke lovingly

“Yes,” replied Alisha.

He continued, "Your speech was wonderful especially the quote from Paulo Coehlo. "

"Thanks for the compliment." Alisha smiles in shyness. He begins again, "so you believe in Lord Krishna."

"Why don’t you believe in God?"

"I believe in you," he murmurs

"What did you just say?"

"I said that I am an atheist and don’t believe in God."

"Oh. But Jamie Sir is a gem of a heart," interrupted Ms. Melina Gonsalves.

Listening to the compliment, Jamie bows his head in reverence to Alisha.

Ms. Melina continues, "so Jamie Sir this time also your book is on the list of the nominations."

"Yes. Mam."

"What is the name of the book?"

Jamie looks at Alisha and replies, “In Lust and Love”.

Alisha feels the warmth and gives her best wishes to him for the award.

Jamie is overwhelmed by her intelligence, wit, and humor but it was her humility that brought him down to her knees.

Both look at each other forgetting about the surroundings when suddenly a name is announced.

The organizers at the podium announce Jamie’s name.

Mr. Anand Gupta announces “The award for the best novel of the year goes to Mr. Jamie Pereira”.

Jamie smiles to glory while Alisha asks him to go to the stage.

Mr. Anand Gupta requests him to deliver a speech for the guests, to which he humbly replies “Sir, what can I say?”

Everybody shouts, “We want a speech”

He comes back to the platform and begins –

"Thank you so much for this honor. I am truly humbled to be in the company of people who have inspired me, who have helped shape my thinking, and who have helped me realize the potential of our profession to truly make a difference. I dedicate this award to all the people who have supported me throughout, my parents, and to all the ladies in my life.

He goes down the stage looking at his parents and then at Alisha who is seen clapping for him.

Ankush joins Jamie and says -

"So the ladies are your inspiration. I am unhappy. You didn’t take my name. Am I not your inspiration?"

"Are you a lady or what? and Jamie laughs as his face glows in the light.

"May I know which lady in your life is your inspiration? I think I know someone. Isn’t the girl we just met lucky for you? What is her name?

Jamie gives a bashful smile and replies– "Alisha"

"Isn’t she lucky for you?" asked Ankush

"It is all fated to have met her," Jamie says. I have found my lady luck it seems.

The celebration begins after the award ceremony gets over and all enjoy in the company of friends and relatives.

Jamie and Alisha meet each other again.

Jamie begins, "Hi again. I wanted you to meet my best friend, Mr. Ankush

"Hello Ankush," she replies. I am Alisha Sharma.

"I know. I have heard a lot about you from him."

Alisha smiled and said, "This is my friend, Seema"

"Hello, Seema. Nice to meet you" said Jamie. He looked excited while Ankush kept on staring at his face.

"You are glowing in happiness, boy. Curb your excitement," said Ankush

"Your feelings shouldn’t be visible to everyone in the crowd here. Don’t lose yourself. All present in the hall wants a piece of you, he murmured.

In all this, Alisha interrupts and asks, "Mr. Jamie. What is your profession?"

"I am an owner of an Institute in Delhi."

You must have heard of the Chavan Institute of Legal Studies, smiled Ankush

"Oh yes. I have known about it through various mediums. I am happy to meet you, sirs", replied Alisha

"Don’t call me Sir," murmured Jamie

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing important."

"And what do you do Alisha?" asked Jamie curbing his excitement

"Oh me."

"Yes. You. Jamie looked at Seema who smiled at him. He continued - I mean what do both of you do?"

"We are lawyers working at the bankshall courts, lower courts in Kolkata."

"Here, this is my business card." Seema gives her card to Jamie.

"May I ask you for your phone number, Alisha?"

Ankush intervenes in between and murmurs – Boy, you are moving too fast. Not now. Calm down."

Alisha readily agrees to it and is about to share her number when she is asked to report to her mother, Rama who is standing at the entrance of the hall.

"Come girl," she says. "We have to leave for home. Hurry up. It is getting late."

"I am coming, Mother."

Jamie repeats - “Your number, please”.

Alisha says, “Try and find it out Yourself”. She laughs and runs towards the entrance towards her parents. Seema joins her. They leave for their home.

Ankush looks at Jamie who feels low and a little disturbed. He speaks to Ms. Melina who gives him a piece of paper.

"Here take it, Jamie, began Ankush.

"What is it?"

"It is a love letter from that girl, Alisha, joked Ankush.

"You must be kidding," he blushes.

"Relax boy. It is her phone number and other contact details"

Jamie gets overjoyed

"How did you manage to get it?"

"It is my magic", laughed Ankush

Both of them laugh and hug each other.