ASHA (आशा) – Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6 LEARNING THE ROPES Asha’s mind raced as she processed what had just been said. She weighed the matter and considered the possible dangers in such a meeting. She quickly reached a decision and turned to say no, then glancing at his face she saw eager anticipation of the small boy in a man’s business suit and hesitated. Perhaps he’d be a useful advisor … Continue reading ASHA (आशा) – Chapter 6

ASHA (आशा: CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4 – OFF WITH THE OLD, ON WITH THE NEW Asha almost addressed Tad as Sir then remembered comments in the dossier in front of him. Finally, she got it out as directed and addressed him by his personal name. She felt strange doing that. She gave him a quick history of the arranged marriage, the long delay with the visa, how she’d contacted … Continue reading ASHA (आशा: CHAPTER 4

ASHA (आशा) Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3 – PICKING UP THE PIECES Jane had been furious when Anil confessed he was married after receiving the surprise phone call from NY airport when Asha arrived in the US. Up to this time she’d thought this Asha he was always communicating with was his sister. He’d blamed his parents for arranging a marriage he hadn’t wanted in the first place but eventually … Continue reading ASHA (आशा) Chapter 3

ASHA (आशा: (Hindi name meaning “hope”).” Chapter 2

THE WAKE-UP CALL CHAPTER 2 The response shocked her. “You should have told me, I’m travelling so you’ll have to find a hotel then tell me where you settle so I can pick you up when I get back. You should not keep secrets from me Asha, this is embarrassing. Contact me tomorrow, so I’ll know where to find you.” Asha wept. Then she emailed … Continue reading ASHA (आशा: (Hindi name meaning “hope”).” Chapter 2

The Christmas Spirit – Chapter 3

Giving Intelligently Annabel was waiting anxiously at the door when Shawn arrived home. He checked the car carefully on arrival home but there’d been no incident with the car on inspection. Probably because he’d found their guard watching it when he emerged with the one in charge he thought. “Shawn you’re very late, the dinner has gone cold and children are ready for bed. Say … Continue reading The Christmas Spirit – Chapter 3

The Christmas Spirit – Chapter 2

The Spirit of Giving It was a month before Christmas and Shawn had been mulling over the doom and gloom served up on cable and free to air stations. He’d been particularly moved by videos of millions of people on the move around the world looking for freedom, safety and economic opportunity and was rather surprised that in his own country with it’s evidence of … Continue reading The Christmas Spirit – Chapter 2

GOPAL गोपाल – Chapter 2

Restitution Gopal was aware of the route to Dhaka but had little comprehension of how long it would take to make it to the Hindu homeland, India. Travelling ten hours a day by foot would take a week to get to the border, that is assuming they could get help with food along the way. He was tempted to return to his home and dig … Continue reading GOPAL गोपाल – Chapter 2

GOPAL गोपाल – Chapter 1

(GOPAL. From the Sanskrit word go “cow” and pala “protector” and taken to mean “cowherd”.) Slaughter on the Ganges. Gopal sat on the banks of the river and watched as his herd fossicked among grassland and then carefully made their way down the slippery path to a shallow portion of the waterway to drink. He lived in the village of Deviganj and among his brothers … Continue reading GOPAL गोपाल – Chapter 1

Katie’s Wedding – Scene 5

Reality Check Thomas devoured his bean burrito with enthusiasm pausing now and then to glance at his intended bride. He was glad Aunt Naomi had introduced him to this place and it had become the favourite haunt of them both now. The more he thought about Kate the more obsessed he was about making her a lifetime commitment. His feelings for her were strong. Kate … Continue reading Katie’s Wedding – Scene 5

Katie’s Wedding

Scene 4 – Wedding Plans The story in brief to date, see Chapters 1-3 for further background. Katie and Thomas were childhood friends whose parents were very close. Naomi and Ricky Renaldo and their next-door neighbours Stella and Calvin Campbell had been friends during those childhood years, but as work opportunities changed they drifted apart until one day Naomi discovered Thomas at the local mall … Continue reading Katie’s Wedding