C20 STRUGGLE FOR PUBLISHING MY NOVEL

Winters had started in Delhi. I had been chasing Publication houses for over two months, but had got no positive reply. Many Publications directly said ‘No’ on my face, while others asked me to come after a few months. I knew this was their way of saying no. Some people refuse in such a manner that you really feel insulted. I didn’t have money, and I didn’t want to ask Rihana. Anyways, she also didn’t have a source to financially help me. She also appreciated the fact that I wanted to become something on my own.

From many Publications, I had been turned away from the gate itself, because I neither had reference of any influential person, nor money. I just had a good Novel, which was as useless in the absence of these two, as a thirsty man is without water. No matter what your talent or effort, people weigh you on the basis of your wealth and reach.

…….

Rihana’s birthday was two days away. She told me that she was going to Nainital with her friends, and also wanted me to come along. I was financially broke as I had spent a lot of money chasing Publications. But she was not the one to take no for an answer. She told me she had some savings, which she would give to me. Personally, I didn’t like the idea of celebrating her birthday in Nainital, with her own money. She said that I could take the money as loan and return it later. I agreed. In my heart, I also did not want to miss the chance of being with her. Plus the running around for publishing Novel had made me very tense. I also needed a break.

I made all the arrangements to go. Rihana had already booked a ticket for me. We were going to Nainital by a Volvo. When I reached the bus stop, I was surprised to see Rihana waiting for me alone. It was night and a bit chilly. She had covered herself with a beautiful jacket, and was wearing a cap on her head. I was wearing the only jacket I had. I looked around for her friends, but couldn’t see anyone.

“You friends haven’t come till now?” I asked.

“No. And they won’t even come.” She said with a faint smile.

“Why?” I was surprised.

“Because only you and me are going to Nainital. I wanted to surprise you, so didn’t tell you.”

This was really a wonderful surprise. What else does a boy want? Going alone to Nainital with his girlfriend! I was very happy, but also had a doubt. What had she told her family members? She had always been very particular about reaching home on time, which means her family was very strict.

“What have you told at home?” I asked.

“I am going to Nainital with friends.”

“Means you lied to them?”

“Yes. But I have lied for you, Aarav. I wanted to celebrate my birthday with you alone. And, don’t worry – no one will know about our plan. It is all secret.”

She kept talking and I kept listening. Internally I was very happy. We would be spending our first night in each other’s arms.

We took our seats in the last row of the bus, and it started. The bus driver switched off the lights. It was pretty dark now. Rihana had put her head on my shoulder and was talking to me. I was caressing her hair with my fingers. We could feel our warm breaths. Using the cover of darkness, we started kissing each other passionately. After about 10 minutes, someone’s phone rang and the light disturbed us. Luckily no one had noticed us. We again kissed and went to sleep.

After a few hours when I woke up, I found the bus had stopped. There was no one around our seats. I thought maybe we had reached Nainital. But the bus had stopped at a Punjabi roadside restaurant for meals. I woke up Rihana and asked her if she wanted to go to wash room. She was still in her sleep, and said ‘no’. I came out and saw that it was a big restaurant. Several buses were parked and there was a big crowd. I visited the toilet first. Then I had tea, and came back in the bus. The bus started and I again slept.

After a few hours Rihana woke me up.

“Get up Aarav, we have reached Nainital.”

I opened my eyes to see the beautiful face of Rihana. This was the first time I was seeing her without make-up, but she looked pretty as ever. We got down from the bus. Rihana had been to Nainital earlier too, but this was my first visit. I loved the place with Naini lake in the middle of tall mountains – as if I was in heaven. It seems we were all a part of a beautiful painting. It was a very calming experience. As we were soaking in the beauty of nature, an old man approached us. He must have been around 70 years old, wearing an old jacket, yet, was shivering due to cold.

“Saheb, do you need a hotel room?” he asked.

“Yes. We need a good room. Could you please suggest a good hotel?” Rihana said, looking at me.

“Why not? I can show you several rooms, come with me.” He said, picking up Rihana’s bag.

I took back the bag from him.

“You are old. Let me carry the bag. You just show us a nice room.”

“Ok. Please come with me.”

He started walking on a road uphill. We started following him. Soon we were in front of a hotel, with the name “Anand Hotel”. We went to the reception where a boy, about my age, was sitting. He very politely asked us,

“Do you need a room, Sir?”

“Yes, please show us a nice room.” I said.

“Sir, we have one very good room available, which has a rent of 3000 rupees per day. Should I show you that?”

Before I could say anything, Rihana answered,

“Yes. But the room should be good.”

“Come with me, I will show it.” He said.

“Aarav, why don’t you go and see the room? I will wait here.” Rihana said.

“Ok. You rest here, I will see the room.” I left with the boy to see the room.

“This is the room. Do you like it?” He said, opening the door of the room.

The room was really nice, with a huge bed, comfortable mattress, a TV, table with chairs. Even the color of the walls was very soothing. It didn’t appear costly for the rent in a place like Nainital.

“I like it.” I said.

I returned to the reception and told Rihana that the room was pretty good. I gave my Identity card, and booked the room. The old man who had brought us here was still standing there, perhaps expecting a commission.

Rihana asked me to give him hundred rupees, which I promptly gave. He left.