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Welcome to Authorlink, the news, information, and marketing site for editors, agents, writers, producers, publishers and fans. The Writers' Registry provides a comprehensive view of authors, journalists, and freelancers, what they do, their specialties, projects, and how to contact them.

Sangeeta Shah

Recent Projects

'Kindled Lives', a contemporary Romance fiction set in India.

Searchable Keywords

Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

Specialties or Categories of Interest

Writing Fiction & Children's Books

Excerpts from Reviews or References

Says U.T 'This griping book skillfully draws the reader in with vivid and well-developed characters. The author's astute observations reveal life's small, fine and tender moments. A beautiful page-turner that you'll want to devour in one sitting.' 'LovesToRead "DatR" says 'I just couldn't put this book down. The well-defined characters were the highlight of the book. Smart, independent, loving Rhea paired opposite a worldly, cynical Aditya made for interesting chemistry. The Indian culture and feel of the book made it especially dear.'

From The Book

Kindled Lives

By Sangeeta Shah

Synopsis…

From present-day India comes a story of a prideful son, a spirited young orphan, and an ageing patriarch who seeks to fulfill a promise.

‘There will be no more discussion and no surgery till you marry Rhea.’

Aristocratic billionaire, Vijayendra Maurya, laments that his brilliant but arrogant son has missed out on a few home truths in life. A promise apart, he knows in his heart that there is none better to teach him those than the girl who has grown up under his care and guidance. Aditya, returning to his roots after over a decade in the U.S, is baffled and angered by his father’s choice of bride for him—an orphan with dubious parentage, whom he considers to be nothing more than a conniving Cinderella. Unwilling to risk his father’s ill health he gives in. Rhea, now a self-confident young girl, well over her teenage infatuation of the Jr. Maurya, is still smarting from his treatment of her five years back. As layers of prejudice and defenses come off, a love kindles between them. Though, will it remain one when the truth of Rhea’s birth is finally revealed?

Excerpt…

Prologue

The Maurya mansion, located in the opulent neighborhood of Bangalore’s rich and famous, was getting ready to welcome their young master—Aditya Maurya, 27 years old, son of business tycoon Vijayendra and Nicole Maurya. They were the royal descendants of the erstwhile princely state of Bijawer in northern India and one of the few blue-blooded billionaires of the country. Aditya was the sole heir of vast ancestral wealth and the construction empire his father had built. Maurya’s architectures and buildings were renowned all over the world.

Vijayendra sat in his favorite armchair in his study looking through a family album. He looked at a picture of his beautiful American wife and felt a twinge in his heart. He missed her now more than ever.

He had met and fallen in love with blonde, blue-eyed Nicole Rawling when she had been visiting India as part of a touring art school group from the U.S.A. Though Nicole had belonged to one of the wealthiest families of California, she’d had an earthy charm and an open personality that had captivated his heart.

Three weeks later they had decided to get married. Vijayendra had flown to the United States to ask her hand in marriage from her father. After the initial reservations, her parents had happily given their consent. They’d been married in this very house, in a traditional Indian ceremony that Nicole had wanted, attended by all their family and friends. Over the years, Vijayendra and her brother Keith had gone on to become good friends.

Nicole had embraced India the same way that she had life—in its entirety. Her warmth and compassion had complemented his more austere personality. They had been blessed with two beautiful children—daughter Aditi and 10 years later son Aditya. Both children had inherited her crystal blue eyes and his dark hair. While Aditi was a replica of her mother, Aditya had his father’s aristocratic built and features.

Nicole had been diagnosed with leukemia when Aditya was 11 years old. She had fought valiantly with it for three years before succumbing to it. Aditya had never been one to show his feelings, but Vijayendra knew he had taken it hard. A year later Aditi had been married to Sanjay, the son of Dr. Ketan Rai—Vijayendra’s closest and dearest friend. Sanjay, too, had lost his father to a heart attack, the same year that Nicole had taken ill.

Vijayendra had lost his two best friends in a span of a few years. At first, he had been too numb to feel the pain. Later, he had simply shut it out, burying himself in his work instead. Looking back now, he realized he had never really recovered from their loss.

At 18, Aditya had left India to pursue his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University in California, U.S.A. He had continued his education with a Masters in Management Science and Engineering, visiting India almost every other year since then.

However, this visit was going to be different. This time, Vijayendra was going to ask Aditya to return to his roots and take over as CEO of Maurya Architecture & Constructions. He wanted his son home now. He needed his son. Not only to relieve him from the responsibilities of the company, but also to help fulfill a promise. A promise that Vijayendra had made to his dying…

A soft knock on the door brought him out of his reverie. Aditi walked in.

‘Hi, Dad.’ She looked at the album on his lap, smiled and sat on the arm of his chair. ‘Trip down memory lane again?’ She picked it up and flipped through it.

‘Is Rhea here?’ he asked.

Aditi nodded. ‘Dad, promise me you will not push it. Rhea is only 17 years old, still very young, and Aditya has a girlfriend, as usual. This one may not last either, but we don’t even know whether he plans to settle yet or not?’

‘But Rhea is the perfect one for him,’ he persisted.

‘Well, we’ll let them decide that, shall we? Now let’s go out. He should be here any minute.’

Chapter One

The uniformed security guard opened the door of the white limousine as it pulled up on the steps of the mansion. Aditya unfolded his 6’ 1” frame from the limo and looked up. His sister stood there with a puja thali in her hand—a customary Indian reception—along with his father, his niece Sonia, his nephew Anuj, and an assortment of household staff. He hated this fuss but had learnt to grin and bear it.

‘Welcome home,’ Aditi said, putting a crimson mark on his forehead.

‘Good to see you,’ he said, kissing her cheek. He touched his father’s feet in a traditional gesture of respect for one’s elders. Vijayendra blessed and embraced his son.

‘The kids are growing up fast,’ Aditya observed, as they all settled inside.

‘I am eight and Anuj is twelve,’ the little one said primly. Everyone laughed. Aditya pulled her onto his knee and ruffled her hair. ‘You see those two bags there? Go with Anuj and check them out.’

A trolley of tea and snacks was rolled in. ‘You remember Rhea, don’t you?’ his father asked, looking at the girl serving the tea.

‘Yes, of course, thank you,’ he said, taking the cup of tea from her hand, barely glancing at her. How could he not, Aditya thought to himself. She was always around.

An orphan, taken in by his family, she lived at the orphanage—‘Our Abode’, which was founded by a group of entrepreneurs, his father being the largest benefactor. He knew his father funded her private school education. She worked around the house and helped his sister with the kids. She hardly spoke to him or around him, but he had caught her a number of times, on his previous visits, staring at him from a distance. She probably had some sort of crush on him.

He wasn’t vain, but he was well aware that he possessed the lethal combination of good looks, wealth and the royal bloodline that women were drawn to. He enjoyed the attention most of the time. He worked hard and played hard too. However, he drew the line for the latter when it came to hired staff. She might be his family’s favorite charity, but if he caught her doing that this time, he was going to put her in her place.

‘I should get going now,’ Aditi said. ‘Tomorrow night we are all having dinner at my place. My mother-in-law is also here on her annual visit,’ she said, rolling her eyes. Mrs. Rai was a proud, authoritative woman with very high expectations. People rarely met her approval. For some reason, Aditya had but Aditi had not.

‘You two still don’t get along well?’ Aditya asked, grinning.

‘I doubt we ever will. Come on, kids. We are going. Say thank you to Aditya mama ji for all the gifts.’ After a series of thank-yous and goodbyes, they left.

Aditya stretched. ‘Dad, I’ll shower and take a nap. I’ll see you at dinner.’

‘I’ll be in my study,’ his father said.

Sanjay greeted them warmly as they arrived the next evening. He was a little shorter than Aditya with a robust personality. He had a good sense of humor just like his father had had. Aditya’s memories of Ketan Uncle were of a man always laughing and clowning around, much to his wife’s disconcert. Sanjay too, had a knack of putting people at ease immediately. He was one of the few people Aditya liked and respected.

The Rai residence was situated behind their 12-storey private hospital. Sanjay was a reputed heart surgeon. The hospital also had an orthopedic and a general wing. He worked with good doctors and employed an excellent staff.

After dinner, Vijayendra broached the subject of Aditya returning back to India and taking over.

‘Dad, I know how you feel and someday I will. But right now it’s not possible. I appreciate that I have never had to work to pay for my University. And also, because of yours and Uncle Keith’s generosity, Alex and I were able to form our own company. We are making good progress in our research, but are at a very critical stage right now. Please Dad, I need to make my own fortune before I take over yours. Can you appreciate that?’

His father, obviously moved, nodded but asked, ‘What about getting married?’

Aditya sighed, ‘I am not yet ready for that either.’

‘What about the girl you are with right now?’ Aditi asked.

‘Nothing serious,’ Aditya shrugged, getting uncomfortable with the conversation.

‘Well, whenever you are ready, can you at least give us the pleasure of choosing a bride for you?’ his father persisted.

‘We will only suggest, the decision will be yours,’ Aditi spoke, looking pointedly at her father.

‘And hers’ Sanjay interjected.

‘Seems like you already have someone in mind,’ Aditya said, sounding exasperated. ‘Look, I can’t promise, but if by the time I am ready to come back here and I have not met anyone that I’d like to marry, then and only then will I consider your suggestion. And please don’t hold your breath…or the girl, as it may be a very long time,’ he finished looking at all three of them.

‘Fair enough,’ Sanjay said, steering the conversation to lighter things. The mood lightened, but Aditya did not miss the angry flush on Mrs. Rai’s face. Something had obviously upset her. Again.

The next week flew by quickly. On Sunday, Vijayendra had thrown a party for all of their friends. Aditya was sitting with a group when Rhea came with a tray of drinks. She was apparently assisting the catering staff today. A young lady in the group, who was unhappy with her drink, started yelling at her.

‘I told you I wanted a Martini. What is this stuff? You have been working at our parties for so long and you still don’t know what I drink.’

‘I am sorry. I’ll get you another one,’ Rhea said softly. When she came back with the right one, the woman still wouldn’t let up. Rhea had gone all red and looked like she would burst into tears. Aditya took pity on her.

‘Leave her alone, Anita. It was a mistake and she has apologized. You can go now,’ he turned and told Rhea.

Later that same evening, Aditi’s mom-in-law came over to sit next to him. She was leaving the next day for Delhi, where she preferred to live with her widowed sister.

‘Your sister and father give far too much importance to that girl,’ she said, looking at Rhea, who was clearing away the tables.

‘They just feel a little responsible for her I guess, considering that her mother was Mom’s friend,’ Aditya shrugged.

‘I remember her mother. Never liked that woman. She was always fobbing off favors from Nicole. Did you know that she was not married? Never said who the father was. Probably didn’t know it herself,’ she said.

When Aditya kept a disinterested look on his face, not really caring for the gossip, she continued nevertheless.

‘Like her mother, she is a calculating young thing, always hanging around these rich people in the hope of catching one of them. You had better watch out. She has already charmed your father. If you are smart, which I believe you are, don’t come back here again till you are already married, because if I am not mistaken, she is your father’s choice for you. Though how a bastard can be accepted in our society as your wife baffles me. I, myself, would have to consider severing relations with your father, if that ever happens.’ On that last note, she got up and walked away.

Aditya stared after her in disbelief. That was impossible…wasn’t it? He looked towards Rhea and caught her watching him. She quickly turned away and ran into the kitchen. Aditya gritted his teeth. It couldn’t be true. His father was getting old, not senile. Mrs. Rai had obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion.

To his aggravation, Rhea came over most evenings to the house. Apparently, she was interested in becoming an architect, and his father was helping her prepare for the entrance exams.

Aditya greeted her politely, but always made himself scarce right after. He did notice however that she had a certain grace about her, was taller than average at about 5’ 7”, quite skinny and had a mass of curly short black hair. Her features looked pleasant enough, but he doubted she would ever turn into a beauty.

On his last night in Bangalore, before flying back to California, he was on his way out for dinner with his friends. He could hear animated laughter coming from his father’s study.

As he knocked and opened the door, Rhea looked up. Aditya was transfixed. For a moment there, he had seen the most amazing smile. She had looked almost beautiful.

Her face had closed again now, and she was looking at the chessboard. She was playing chess with his father! His father had decided never to play again after Ketan Uncle had died. He had been his chess partner, and their game sometimes went on for months.

‘I thought you didn’t play chess anymore.’

Aditya realized he had spoken aloud when his father replied, ‘I play only with Rhea.’ There was an odd expression in his eyes, a kind of sadness. He looked at Aditya, ‘Going out? Again!’

‘Yes. Just for pizza with some friends. Will be back by ten, but don’t wait up. Bye.’ He turned to leave when his father said, ‘Take Rhea along.’

‘What?’ Aditya and Rhea both spoke at the same time.

‘Why not?’ his father asked looking at her. ‘You’ve finished studying and beat me at the game again. Now go, have some fun.’ He got up, pulling her up from her chair.

‘But—’ she started to protest.

‘But nothing. I don’t want to hear anything from either of you. Now off you go.’ He all but pushed them both out of the house.

‘I am sorry about this,’ Rhea said in the car.

‘Somehow I find that hard to believe,’ he replied, giving her a cold look. They drove the rest of the way in silence.

The evening was a disaster. The pizza they were going to eat was at an elegant Italian restaurant. As expected, his friends were appalled at seeing Rhea with him.

‘Have you lost your mind?’ somebody asked Aditya.

‘Sorry. Dad insisted. Just bear with me,’ Aditya shrugged apologetically.

‘Oh…so your dad has lost his mind,’ quipped one as they all laughed.

Throughout dinner the girls sneered and giggled at her. Aditya was too angry to feel sorry for her. He realized it had been his dad’s idea, but he was sure, now more than ever before, her constant presence had been responsible for it in the first place.

What happened a little later could have been funny if he hadn’t been so embarrassed. Rhea’s fork slipped on the floor. She bent to retrieve it. Her sudden movement threw a passing waiter off balance, resulting in a pile of dirty broken dishes on the floor. Rhea stood up suddenly, tipping back her chair. She looked mortified. Apologizing profusely, she bent to help the waiter.

Aditya stood up and pulled her up. ‘It’s all right. He’ll clear it up. Go and sit in your chair,’ he gritted between his teeth. He could barely conceal his anger and felt a headache coming on.

She shook her arm off from his hold. Took a deep breath. Looked straight at him.

‘I want to go home,’ she said softly.

He closed his eyes. ‘Yes. Please. Go. Take a cab back.’ He reached for his wallet.

‘Don’t bother,’ she said, picked up her purse and walked out of the restaurant.

The next day, a few hours before he had to leave for the airport, Aditya found himself pacing Aditi’s living room. He had lain awake all night, thinking, Mrs. Rai’s words haunting him. The only reason he had played along with his family’s ridiculous suggestion of choosing a bride for him was because he had wanted to buy time. But if Rhea was their choice then he had to nip this thing in the bud. He did not want to give anybody—his father or Rhea—false hopes. Mrs. Rai was right. Rhea was charming her way through his family to get to him. Yes, it was time to confront his sister and put an end to this.

Aditi walked in a few minutes later from the kitchen and was surprised to see him.

‘Shouldn’t you be on the way to the airport?’

‘Aditi, there is something I need to know.’ On her questioning look, he continued. ‘Is this girl, Rhea, your choice of bride for me?’

Aditi’s mouth fell open slightly. Her silence told him more than any words could. ‘I can’t believe this.’ He ran his fingers through his hair and paced some more.

‘Aditya…what is the problem in that?’ Aditi asked.

‘Problem? I’ll tell you what the problem is. My whole family puts their heads together to find the perfect mate for me, the woman who will bear my children someday and who do they come up with—a hired help!’ Aditya ranted, finally giving vent to his anger. Seeing his sister’s white face, he calmed down a little.

‘Look, I understand that you give her a little extra attention because she is the daughter of Mom’s friend, but this is as far as it goes. You can’t seriously expect me to marry a girl who can’t hold a simple conversation with me or apparently can’t hold onto her fork at the dinner table. Do you know how much she embarrassed me last night?’

He paused, paced some more and continued. ‘She is taking advantage of you people. Trying to impress Dad with chess games and architecture, in the hope of wheedling her way into the family. She is nothing but a deceptive little opportunist who fancies herself as a Cinderella. It’s either that or she has clearly convinced herself that she is in love with me. I have seen her look at me. Whenever I am here, she is always here—in my face. Frankly, in every way, she offends me,’ he spit out venomously.

‘Stop. Stop it, Aditya. You know nothing about Rhea,’ Aditi grated.

‘Yes. I know nothing about her and nor do you. She is a bastard. We don’t even know who the father is and…apparently nor did her mother.’ As soon as the words were out, Aditya knew he had gone too far. The stinging slap on his cheek confirmed it.

They were both silent for a minute. Aditya was just about to apologize when the gardener came running in.

‘Rhea has had an accident right outside the house.’

‘Oh my God,’ Aditi cried, running out of the house. Aditya followed behind her.

Rhea was sitting on the pavement, a crowd gathering around her. As Aditya pushed the crowd aside he heard her telling the car driver, ‘I am all right, sir. It was my fault. I didn’t see you. Please don’t worry.’

Aditya knelt beside her. ‘Where do you hurt?’ he asked.

She shook her head. ‘Just a little bruised. I’ll be fine in a minute.’

‘Aditya carry her in, please,’ Aditi said. Aditya nodded. Rhea put her arms around his neck as he picked her up.

For just a moment, their eyes met. He found himself staring into the most astounding pair of big black eyes, set in their clear whites, bright with unshed tears. Then she lowered her thick lashes, but not before he’d seen the hurt in the eyes. They’d looked—wounded, he thought, and seemingly questioning him. Her arms around his neck felt soft. He felt his insides tighten.

He quickly but gently laid her down on the couch and moved away. Aditi was beside her in the next instant.

‘Sanjay is coming over. How did this happen, Rhea?’

Rhea explained that she must have missed seeing the car coming round the corner as she was crossing the road to come to the house.

‘Aditya, you should get going or you’ll miss your plane,’ Aditi said.

He looked at his watch and nodded. He came over to kiss Aditi on the cheek. ‘I’ll call you. Take care.’ He spared one last look at Rhea, and then briskly walked out of the house.

He could barely wait to get back to California and lose himself in the sanity of his work.

Chapter Two

5 Years Later …

Rhea finished arranging last of the bouquets in a makeshift vase. She cast a look around the hospital room, satisfied. That should cheer him up a bit, she decided. She pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat. It pained her to see Vijayendra Maurya or Vijay Uncle, as she called him, look so fragile and defeated. He had suffered a mild heart attack two days back. His son had yet again postponed his return to India. She knew that had depressed him.

Two years back, Aditya Maurya, his cousin Alexander Rawling and two other engineers had developed a product that had revolutionized the construction industry. It was an economical lightweight durable alloy that could solve housing problems in poor nations as well as areas prone to natural disasters. Their company, West Alloyed Int., had become known worldwide.

Though she had no interest in his personal life, which the tabloids followed with great dedication, she had kept herself updated with his professional achievements. She knew his father was very proud of him.

Looking at Vijay Uncle now, she felt guilty for not making more of an effort to spend time with him. The Mauryas and the Rais, with one exception in each family, had always been her surrogate family.

She loved Vijay Uncle like the father she’d never known. She had no recollection of Nicole Maurya, but had been told that she was the one who had taken care of Rhea for some months after her own mother, Tanya Verma, had died giving birth to her.

Rhea didn’t know much about her mother, except that she too had been an orphan. Tanya and Nicole had met in an art school and since then had been inseparable. Tanya, who had been of East Indian origin, had always been fascinated by India. So, when Nicole had settled in India, she too had decided to do so. They had always kept in touch, even though Tanya being a sculptor had traveled a lot. She had never married, but at the age of 45 had fallen in love with a married man and become pregnant with Rhea.

Her mother had never revealed his name to any one. Presumably, her father too must have preferred to remain anonymous, as he had never come forward to claim her.

With Nicole’s failing health, and in the absence of any living relatives on Tanya’s side, Rhea had been put in the orphanage. But not before Vijay Uncle had promised his wife that he would keep a special eye on her. And he had. So had Sanjay and Aditi.

These were the answers she had got for all her questions over the years. At some point Rhea had stopped questioning, simply accepted and returned their love. Her most treasured possession till date was a photo album of her mother that Vijay Uncle had gifted to her on her 12th birthday.

‘Our Abode’ was more than an ordinary orphanage. It provided everything for the all round development of the children. Though it included schooling, Rhea had been awarded a scholarship to a prestigious private school as she had proved to be a gifted child.

It also allowed children over the age of 15, to work part-time and earn an allowance. So, at 15, Rhea had joined a small co-operative that offered a host of services to people including catering, house cleaning, running errands etc. When Sanjay had found out, he’d hit the roof.

‘Why do you need to work? Just concentrate on your studies. If you need the money all you have to do is ask,’ he’d yelled.

‘That’s just it, I don’t want to ask, I want to earn. I am physically able to, and I know better than to compromise my studies,’ she’d replied. They had gone back and forth on it for some time, until they’d made a deal. Rhea would cater only in their parties, help Aditi with the kids, and do some filing for Vijay Uncle at his home office once a week.

Rhea sighed now; everything had worked out fine…until that summer, five years back.

Rhea stood up and placed a kiss on Vijay Uncle’s cheek. She just wanted this dear old man to get well. He stirred and opened his eyes.

‘Hey,’ she smiled, ‘how do you feel?’

‘Not too good,’ his voice was barely a whisper. She gave him a drink of water.

‘You’ll be fine. You’re just trying to get some attention, aren’t you?’ she joked, trying to cheer him up. But he just smiled feebly, looking away.

Just then Aditi walked in. She was breathless, as if she’d run a marathon.

‘Dad,’ she said trying to get her breath back. ‘Now, don’t excite yourself,’ she warned. ‘Aditya called…he is coming home, he is coming back…forever,’ she said softly, squeezing his hand. Vijayendra closed his eyes tight and a tear escaped.

‘Shh…’ Aditi said, wiping it away. ‘It’ll take him a few days to wrap up everything. He said to tell you that he loves you and to not worry about anything.’

‘Umm…I should get going now,’ Rhea said. She kissed Vijay Uncle on the forehead. ‘Now cheer up and rest…I’ll see you later.’

Aditi followed her outside the room. ‘Rhea…’ she started to say something and then stopped, as if not sure how to say it.

Rhea did not pretend to not understand. She smiled. ‘It’s all right. It was a long time ago,’ she said with a calmness she was far from feeling. On an impulse, she gave Aditi a reassuring hug and left.

In minutes though, she was seething with an inner rage as she stood waiting for the bus. Deep buried memories of that fateful summer came rushing back. Her face burned with remembered humiliation.

Those two weeks had been a revelation for Rhea. She had finally seen Aditya for the man he was and not what her girlish fantasy had made him out to be.

Wealthy, brilliant and devastatingly handsome, Aditya Maurya was every female’s dream, and Rhea had been no exception. Since probably the age of 13, she had looked forward to his all too brief visits, and had treasured every brooding glance, gesture or remark he had directed at her. She suspected that his family had been aware of her feelings for him. They always spoke highly of him—Aditya could do no wrong. As a result she herself had put him on a pedestal. She had been so intimidated by his persona that her own normally exuberant self had evaporated, leaving her tongue-tied in his presence.

The Aditya of her dreams was a warm, caring man who loved her passionately. Her friends at the orphanage had often caught her daydreaming and teased her endlessly. Since her closeness with the Maurya–Rai family was a known fact; they had mistakenly assumed it included Aditya too. Rhea had made only a half-hearted effort to correct them.

That summer, however, his haughty aloofness and cold disdain had finally started to register with Rhea. He either dismissed her politely or tolerated her with an ill-concealed irritation. She didn’t blame him entirely as she turned into a mumbling idiot in front of him. But his attitude still hurt her. She had finally managed to find some backbone in the restaurant that day, when sick with humiliation, she had decided enough was enough, and had walked out on him and the snooty bunch.

What had brought her world crashing down was his verbal assault of her the next day. Yes, oh yes! She had overheard every single word of that conversation. She had just walked into the house and sensing a confrontation between brother and sister, had turned to walk out again. She had been rooted to the spot when she’d heard her name. With his every word after that, Aditya Maurya had slowly pierced a knife through her heart and finally twisted it when he’d attacked her mother. Blindly, she had run out, barely avoiding an accident.

Ironically, Aditya had carried her back into the house. For a brief moment, when their eyes had met, all she had wanted was to ask him what her crime was, for which he had judged and condemned her without a trial.

Rhea realized she had reached home on autopilot. Home, now was a two-bedroom cottage in central Bangalore’s more modest neighborhoods. Her friends, Noel and Rati Fernandes owned it, and Rhea rented a room with them. Rati, five years older to Rhea, had also grown up at ‘Our Abode’. She had met Noel, a computer consultant, at a nature camp. They’d been married for four years now.

Rhea went to her room, dropped her bags on the study table, and went straight to the en suite bathroom for a shower. Half-hour later she felt a lot calmer. With a cup of tea in her hands, she went in the living room and switched on the TV.

As a result of having lived in a communal setting all her life, Rhea found silence very unnerving. She liked being around people. Rhea looked at the clock. It was 4 O’ clock. Rati, who worked as a dress designer with a local fashion house, would be home in an hour.

She cast a glance around the cozy little cottage. There were two bedrooms, one on each side of the living room that extended into the dining area, leading off into the kitchen. Each bedroom had a bathroom. There was also a small powder room and a den. She’d been living here for more than two years now and loved it.

At 20, she had been itching to leave the confines of the orphanage, but was not quite ready to live totally alone. So when Rati had suggested she rent a room with them, it had been the perfect solution. Rati and Rhea had always been close. In fact, she was the only one Rhea had ever confided in about the overheard conversation.

That day, Rhea had gone back to the orphanage after Sanjay had bandaged her bruises, refusing to rest at their house. She had gone straight to Rati’s room and burst out crying. When they had found a place to be alone, Rhea had poured her heart out—her unrequited feelings, his attitude, the restaurant incident and finally the conversation. She had felt totally drained out.

‘Why does he hate me so much? Am I really that offensive? Am I going to be held responsible all my life for my mother’s choices?’ she had asked.

Rati had held her by the shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. ‘Rhea, every person on this earth has an opinion, and they have a right to it. But fortunately opinions do not make a person. There is nothing anybody can ever say or think that will change what you are, inside you. For all his wealth and brains, Aditya Maurya is a narrow-minded, superficial snob. You maybe hurting now, but believe me, you are better off without him.

‘You are not responsible for the choices your parents made. But don’t judge them either. Your mother loved you enough to gift you with a life, despite the risk to her health. Also, not caring for the stigma that society would have surely attached to her had she lived. It is up to you now to realize your true potential. Take this experience as a lesson learnt and move on,’ she had said, sternly but kindly.

Once Rhea had realized that she had actually been smitten with the Aditya of her dreams, who in reality did not exist, there had been no looking back.

Soon she had secured admission in Bachelors of Architecture in the Bangalore Institute of Technology. Rhea had known that there was a trust fund she would inherit when she turned 18 on July 12th. It was setup by Vijay Uncle of the money her mother had left her. It was enough for a good college education and some more.

She had pursued various hobbies including rock climbing. She was one of the first batches of volunteers to graduate from the ‘First Mountain Rescue’ program, a program that taught rock climbers emergency first-aid and rescue methods. It was initiated by the armed forces in the state to help with accidents around the mountainous regions of Bangalore. She was still an active member, one of their best. It gave her a sense of achievement every time she went on a rescue mission. She also volunteered at the orphanage regularly.

Rhea had maintained her relationship with Vijay Uncle and the Rais. Aditi had heard the details of the disastrous restaurant incident and the insults preceding it, probably from one of the snooty bunch. She had been distressed on Rhea’s behalf and had apologized for her brother’s insensitivity towards her. Since then, by some unspoken agreement, any discussions about Aditya were kept to a minimum. Rhea loved the kids, Anuj and Sonia. They were good kids, but sometimes she’d had to intervene in Anuj’s adolescent troubles.

Unable to concentrate on the TV program, she switched it off, put some music on and went into her room. She sat on her study table and picked up a book. In three months she had her final year exams. She would be getting her degree in Architecture. She had topped the class for four years, but it was even more important for her to do so this year.

She picked up the framed picture of her mother on her desk. It was one of Tanya, about seven months pregnant with Rhea. Hand on her tummy she seemed contented. All of Rhea’s troubles and self-doubt vanished whenever she looked into her mother’s serene yet confident eyes. The picture was Rhea’s sole connection to the only parent she knew. For Rhea, it was the source of strength, inspiration and…identity. She kissed it before carefully placing it back.

At dinner that night Noel asked, ‘How’s Mr. Maurya doing?’

Rhea nodded. ‘Getting better. It wasn’t a bad one, but he has to take care now. Sanjay says he’ll need a bypass surgery. Anyway, he got some good news today.’ She looked at Rati, ‘Guess who’s coming back to town…permanently?’

Rati’s brows creased as if thinking. Then as it dawned on her, her expression changed to worry. She said, ‘Rhea…’ and stopped. Just like Aditi had done.

‘Oh for God’s sake, not you too,’ Rhea said, getting up, taking her plate to the kitchen. Rati was still looking worried when she came back. She sighed, ‘I’ll be fine. Aditya Maurya is a closed chapter of my life. He is just an embarrassing reminder that I didn’t get through my teens as gracefully as I would have liked. You gave me good advice and I have followed it to the T.’

Rati smiled softly, ‘I know you did, and I am very proud of you.’

Noel cleared his throat, ‘Umm…is there something I should know about?’

‘No,’ Rhea said, firmly. ‘Now if you two are finished, go put your feet up and watch some TV. It’s my turn to clear up.’

As Rati lay in bed that night, she thought about Rhea. Now, a self-confident young girl, Rhea had come a long way. People were automatically drawn to her magnetic personality, funny charm and open friendliness. She was quite demonstrative with her affections but backed off at any kind of intimacy. Also, Rati thought with a smile, she was an over achiever. Boys her age found her to be quite a handful.

But if Rhea had succeeded in her own little world, Aditya Maurya had succeeded in the big world. He had become a known face internationally and was easily the most eligible bachelor in the country. She just hoped that Rhea’s backbone was now strong enough to withstand him.

At the same time, in a different part of the city, some one else was having similar thoughts. Vijayendra Maurya lay in his hospital bed, his thoughts on the day a few years back, when Aditi had told him to forget about Rhea ever becoming his daughter-in-law. He had noticed Aditya’s aloof manner towards Rhea, but had put it down to his naturally reserved nature.

He had been aghast to hear about the horrible confrontation between brother and sister. For the first time in his life, Vijayendra had been ashamed of his son. He had later blamed himself for Aditya not learning, what he and his wife had considered one of the most fundamental values in life—humility. Vijayendra had become all the more determined to get Aditya and Rhea together.

His son was a good man at heart; he just needed to learn a few home truths. He would learn and learn it from Rhea. He would also learn the fact about Rhea’s birth, but not before he acknowledged that it is not who you are that matters but what you are.

Vijayendra had started to despair, when despite the fact that he had accomplished what he had wanted to, Aditya had kept postponing his return. Finally, the row they’d had over the phone, last week, had been too much for him to bear. He had suffered a mild attack. Well, it had at least got Aditya to come home.

A promise apart, in his heart he knew, Rhea and Aditya were the perfect match in every sense of the world—each other’s better halves. 17-year-old Rhea may not have been up to the challenge then, but the 22-year-old one sure was now. And he was not past a little emotional blackmail.

Read on to find that in life, it is not who you are that matters but what you are.

About The Author

I was born and raised in India. An avid reader of romance novels, ‘Kindled Lives’, is the kind of love story that I have always wanted to read.

Copyright 2008-2009, Sangeeta Shah (Expires January 12, 2009)

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