HAJAR (abandoned)

Hajar peeped out through a door crack in the hut she was being held in. She was beginning to respond to that name now though was aware it hadn’t been the name her mother called her. She didn’t know how old she was or the circumstances in which she’d been herded into a truck with these other women as her mother screamed while being dragged … Continue reading HAJAR (abandoned)

ASHA (आशा) – Conclusion

CHAPTER 7 – WAR IN THE CAMP The corporation was a conglomerate with tentacles reaching into different countries industries and services. Tad worked at the holding company level but to further their overall interests and those of their clients much of the work done at his level was government lobbying and overall problem solving including international affairs. All the interlocking parts of the conglomerate were … Continue reading ASHA (आशा) – Conclusion

ASHA (आशा ) – Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5 – LEARNING THE ROPES Asha sat in the plane watching as Tad made notes and worked on his computer after their trip to Singapore. It had been a long and exhausting trip over the Pacific. New York to LA had been a learning experience as they transited through Chicago and had to change gates. Sue had done what she could to make it … Continue reading ASHA (आशा ) – Chapter 5

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 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 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