Leave it to destiny

Prolouge / Entranced

Hello!! Again....
All my wonderful reader. Finally😊 my third novella is on. This story has been long in the coming, almost four years....phuh !!!! And that is an understatement. The thing is, I never thought about writing. Poetry! Yes!! But not a novel!! Although I loved to fabricate stories they were just random short stories!! The challenge came when I decided to convert one of them into a novel. Creating plots, envisioning scenes! Well!! Was a whole new ball game. And when I did start writing my first novel..A walk in the clouds... The story started, and I didn't know whether I would be able to complete this story, it seemed a huge challenge. Well! From there to completing two novels and starting a third one has been a revelation.  And the love and support that all of you have given has made my first novel such a success. This particular novel was actually the first one among all the three historical novel that I wanted to write. But I somehow started with A Walk In The Clouds........And now finally I am quite thrilled to come to this ....
LEAVE IT TO DESTINY.......my third novel....
This time round I have gone about writing the novel very differently. Although this too is a short novel, I did not want my readers to wait long gaps of time for every chapter. So I decided to not publish as I started writing. I just kept writing till I completed the novel. Now I plan to publish the entire book in a short span, so all of you can enjoy reading in continuity.......
I hope my dear reader, I will get the same support as I have had earlier..... pls..pls don't forget to vote and am anxiously waiting for your comments...they get me going....and if you have any suggestions I would love to know them.....

That...we will meet one day
That our souls shall unite......
Is a wish I dream of every day
Trying to find you in this
riddle that is life
Wading through the waves of time
I know not what will be
So.....
I leave it to destiny
And wait for you and me to be......

1955....
Independent India......
Delhi......
The Delhi Club
Late in the evening.....

Strands of 'Rock Around The Clock' were streaming through, as he looked around the room he had just entered. It was empty, he sighed, his guest hadn't arrived yet it seems. Taking a breath, he walked over to the high chair standing next to the fireplace. Shrugging off the overcoat, he threw it on the chair and then straightening his clothes he ran his fingers through his hair.
Damn!! the rain. All that bloody water, he hated it. Bloody hell! He needed a drink, but he would wait to have it with his guest. And his guest it seems was not a very punctual man. To be expected from this particular royal!! His kinghood was gone but his attitude was not. Hummm...
He looked around, it was a very masculine room, leather sofas, wooden bookcases, smell of cigars. Typically English! Actually....it was English! The club had been built by the British. Right in the middle of Lutyens Delhi! The Delhi Club....only for the high and mighty....His guest had chosen well! And this...looking around at the room he was standing in...This was one of the finest private sitting room at The Delhi Club. Thank God! It had been available. His guest wouldn't have been too happy otherwise. Fuck! He would have never entertained business with the Rana, had it not been his respect for the other man. The one who was actually the business head. Bhawani Singh. The rana had set so many hurdles that if not for Bhawani ji he, he would have convinced father to back out. Hah!! The Rana was typical of his breed. They wanted the gain without the effort.
The cool breeze coming in from the window across the room, caught his attention. He needed to cool down, take a breather. He wouldn't be able to handle Rana in this state of mind. He removed a thin silver case, and flipping it open, he drew out a cigarette. Pressing it between his lips, he struck a match and lighting the cigarette, drew in a deep puff. Walking over to the window, he looked out, exhaling the smoke slowly. There was a small enclosed porch outside, a single bulb was burning. Throwing mesmerising lights and shades all around. He could even see a bit of the garden beyond. It was still raining but not as heavily as before. A cool breeze wafted in through the window.
He closed his eyes enjoying the cool breeze. The day had been sweltering hot, but the rain had brought a welcome coolness.
He opened his eyes and looked at the door, no one was there. He had heard something! He was sure! A movement caught his attention, he turned and looked out into the balcony. His eyes wide open he kept standing there entranced......
She stood there like a nymph, long wavy wet hair hanging endlessly. Her saree clung to her slim yet just the right type of curvy figure. Her long slender arm held on to the pillar...he couldn't take his eyes off her! He wanted to see her face...was her face as beautiful as her figure.....Turn! Turn..And as though having heard him she did, slightly. She stood there stiff for a moment, then looked out at the driveway, as though she was looking for someone. Seeing no one she relaxed. Stepping in further she came and stood near the window and removing the pallu she twisted it to remove the dripping water. He held his breath as she stood there so beautiful and graceful like a beautiful forest nymph in front of him. Her young taut body, creating undesirable reactions in his body. His breath stuck! He was speechless looking at her. Draping the pallu* around herself again, she bent to the side and ran her slim finger through her hair.
Her face glowed in the over head light of the porch, so angelic and yet so tempting. Was she a dream! or a reality. He had never seen such a contrasting mix of temptingly heavenly beauty. How come he had never met her here before? He..he...!
The loud noise of a running car engine broke through his mesmerising gaze, as he saw her turn to look at the car which had just stopped in front of the porch.
She stood there as an old man walked over an umbrella in one hand and a blanket hung over the other. Putting the umbrella down he opened the blanket and covered her with it......
"Come Betiya!" He spoke and he he stood there speechless as the two walked over to the car and drove off.
He couldn't take his eyes off the spot that she had been standing in.. he wanted to meet her. Who could she be? He wished he had called out to her.....what was her name?...
"Ah!! My young friend, it is my young friend Abhimanyu Singh Chauhan! What has you so glued to the window?" A loud sharp voice broke through his reverie. He looked at the man standing at the door. He didn't like him but that did not matter. This was business and so he would bear up with him, and it would definitely do no good showing any sort of weakness in front of this man. He was a  jackal!! Hiding his distaste behind a forced smile he turned and walked over to the standing man....
"Rana Udaybhaan Singh! Welcome to Delhi!"

***Pallu....the long end of a saree which hangs over the shoulder....