Thursday 31 July 2014

The Mysterious Basement of Summer City - Chapter 1 An Excerpt



                                                        
                    
        Dwarka Charan had just set foot into his 500 sq. ft. office on the 5th floor, on the very first day, after the complex had been formally inaugurated by the Mayor, in a glittering function.  He had arrived in his luxurious Ford Icon and alighted at the door-step of the complex, while his driver had smoothly driven his car into the basement for parking.
         
        His office was sparkling with gleaming cabinets, racks, muted lighting, a huge desk and a push-back executive chair for himself and 5 chairs for his clients.  The AC, water-cooler and dustbin were in place.  The wall to wall floor-carpet was plush and sunk below his leather-booted steps.  His lap-top lay on the table. 
        He was going to be an investment consultant.  He prided himself on his knowledge about economics, the stock market, the insurance sector, banking and other such activities.  He had been operating from his cramped office at his house itself.  Today, he had fulfilled his life-long dream of 30 years to own his personal office.  A real, proper office, where he could meet his clients in peace without having his home members intruding into his office space from morning to night.
       
        Suddenly he longed for human company.  He missed his family; his wife, his son and daughter-in-law and his noisy, yet adorable, three grandchildren.  He had never been parted from them!  Now he couldn’t see their faces throughout his working hours.  What a pity!  He decided that he’d frame a family photo and place it prominently on his desk.  He instantly felt happy.              
         
       Then he looked at the wall-clock in front of his desk.  It was 10.30 a.m. His family would be here, any moment now.  They were having a small puja.  Their family priest would consecrate his office and all of them would enjoy some home-made delicacies.  He had invited only 2 of his closest friends for the ceremony. 
      
        
To be continued....... 
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The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan. 

This debut novel of mine, was adjudged as the second prize-winner, in a novel-writing contest organized by Vishwakarma Publications, Pune.

Intrigued? Kindly read this novel on Kindle and Paperback at www.amazon.com.