Chapter 1
I thought this bookstore, hidden in the small lane, was quite intriguing with its mid-world charm, evident in its dark wooden form, glass windows and doors, and the brass handle with roaring lions' faces at its ends to knock.

Inside, wooden racks filled with books stretched from wall to wall, reaching the high ceiling. The warm lights within cast a magical glow, creating a striking contrast with the exterior.
My feet glided towards it, and my hands tapped the brass handle on the door very lightly.
An old man wearing high-waisted loose pants, a coffee-colored tucked-in shirt, and a dark brown broad-collared checkered coat looked up from his equally impressive table in the corner.
I smiled at him. He slightly nodded his head and started to come to open the door.

"Would you like to come in now, or would you prefer to come in the daytime tomorrow?" he asked from the half-opened door.
Confused, I took a closer look at him. He could be somewhere between fifty-five and sixty years old. His bald crown shone like glass under the bulb.
Smiling cheek to cheek, I asked, "I am going back home early tomorrow morning—so, if you're OK, can I -"
"Oh! Oh, in that case, please come in." Cutting in, he moved aside, giving me space to enter. His eyes twinkled and turned soft and warm
“Pray, take a moment to look about, and should you inform me of the sort of tale that suits your fancy, I daresay I might direct you to it forthwith.” he said, speaking in an outdated fashion—like who’d stepped straight out of a Georgian parlour and into the 21st century.
Looking around with wide eyes and an open mouth, I found myself short of words. I just nodded and then walked the length and breadth of the not-so-big yet charming bookshop. I wondered where this antique shop had been hidden. I hadn't been able to find it on my last trip to this place.
I felt like a lost child in a toy shop, unable to decide what to read or take with me. It was getting late, and I had to narrow down my choices to the one thing I liked the most.
"I would like to read a story full of emotions and feelings. Do you think there is such a book?" I asked.
Hearty and rich laughter burst out of his chest like a fresh breeze of wind. Pointing to a distant corner, which was actually turned into a beautiful nook for people who'd like to spend some time in the company of books, he said, "Whatever you're looking for will find you there." He added, "Go and enjoy your moment in the world you choose," and left me to indulge myself in whatever he had been doing before I knocked at his door.
That nook was something fabricated of the same material as dreams and happiness.
Adjusting myself in that place, I looked at the stack of books on the nearby table and the single shelf.
I had just lifted my hand when a book seemed to stir a little in its place, and with a sudden jolt, it landed in my hand, as if an invisible power had acted.
I had an hour or so to spend before the shop was to close.
With the idea of going through the book to see if it interested me enough to buy it, I opened the deep red hard cover decorated with golden corners and a thin frame. The only design was a golden flower with five petals.
On opening it, there was something written on the page that I couldn't understand because it felt like the page was dissolving into itself and the letters were dancing.
The sight made me uneasy and restless. I stood up from the seat, and with one hand on my forehead and the other holding the book, I walked cautiously towards the shopkeeper.
He refused to take the price . He said something which I didn't pay heed to. "Thank you." I whispered and made my way out.
On reaching my hotel, I went directly to the bed and fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow.
Morning was a lazy affair. For one thing, I woke up late, and by that time, someone had moved the curtains of the window, so the sunlight was now falling on my face. Stretching my hands, I stepped down from the bed.
After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I returned to the room. It was then that I felt there was something off, but what?
I pressed the room service number on the intercom. "Hello! One strong coffee in room number..."
"Sure, ma'am." The lady on the other side didn't let me complete.
The room attendant placed the coffee tray on the table and left with a bright smile.
With the first sip hitting my inner system, the brain machinery started to grind again.
I recalled what the shopkeeper had said while refusing payment.
“You are but a guest, ma'am, and it was not you who chose the book—nay, the book, in its wisdom, saw fit to choose you.”
Wait! Guest? What guest? Am I not a tourist? Mulling this over, I head for a cool shower.
I need to replan my travel now. It is at that very moment that the phone shatters the silence.
"Hello, ma'am! Your travel has been rescheduled. In one hour, a chauffeur will come to pick you up and drop you at the airport."
"Yes..." I said, confused. I replaced the receiver, shaking my head in denial. I was ready to leave any moment, with my luggage waiting eagerly in the hotel lobby.

To my horror, I saw a person dressed in a crisply tailored suit and polished shoes that caught the light, with a matching cap and black shades, giving him an air of professionalism, coming towards me. Me! What is this? Before I could understand, in a few swift strides, he stood by me.

Bending slightly, on reaching my ear level, he said, "Shall we proceed, ma'am?" in a crisp but gentle voice meant to be heard by me alone.
Blinking my eyes and staring at my luggage and then back at him, I nodded slightly, shaking my head as I took slow and small steps.
He took care of whatever little luggage I had and opened the car door for me. In five minutes, we were driving on the London city roads towards Heathrow.
"By what name should I call you?" I asked him, still lost.
"Rajbir," came his monosyllabic reply.
"So, Rajbir... um... how should I put it? Why are you here to pick me up? I certainly didn't call for you. Did the hotel give you a call?" I tried to make sense of the situation I was in when my mind totally failed.
"No, ma'am, your fiancé Vikramjit called me," he replied in a very dignified manner.
Ok! So Vikram babu was of such a high personality, which he very successfully hid from me. I tried to make sense of the complicated situation.
"Rajbir, you know both our families, right?" I asked in a dilemma.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied.
"Then tell me why it—" Before I could complete my sentence, he cut in,
"Ma'am, you really need rest. Mr. Natrajan was right in sending you here for a break, but... well, it's not my place to say anymore."
"Ugh! I am losing my mind. Give me a break. Since morning, everything has been chaotic," I screamed in despair.
"Ma'am, Vikram sir is on the phone." He passed the phone to me as if I hadn't said anything.
"Oh God! It's maddening," I blurted, noticing Rajbir's confused look in the rearview mirror as he held the phone towards me. Maybe I was thinking out loud, so he heard.
Taking the phone, I signalled him to stop the car by the wayside and get down.
"Vikram, babu, what's all this? I can't take it anymore," I said in a childish way.
"Nothing is wrong, baby. You just need to relax. Let the worries about our wedding arrangements go. I'll look..." I cut his soothingly calm voice.
"Babu, what is all this 'tashan' about? You having a chauffeur here in London?" Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Since morning, everything is disturbing. Are you playing pranks on me, babu?"
"No, baby. You're my precious, how could I? But why have you been behaving strangely since you woke up?" he asked, a little worried.
"Me? Seriously?" I ended the call, feeling irritated.
Right, since morning, everything has felt different. After the visit to the book shop last night. I was analysing the situation while getting back in the car.
"Rajbir, how much time do we have?" I enquired.
"Ma'am, fifteen minutes more. Why? Should I reschedule the flight again?" He looked a little tensed.
"Yes, please. Can you?" I urged him pleadingly.
He took out his phone and dialled to speak to someone. Meanwhile, I was wondering how well-connected Vikramjit was. Strange. He never showed this side back in India.
I was jerked out of my deep thoughts by Rajbir asking me, "Ma'am, is tonight OK or..."
"Can we tell them a little while later?" I asked in a hurry.
"Rajbir, have the duo, Vikramjit and my father, Mr. Natrajan, started a new venture here?" I ask, unsure of what was going on.
Rajbir, giving me a suspicious look, calls Vikram. "Hello! Vikram Sir, I just wanted to inform you that Tiya Ma'am has requested to reschedule the flight."
"Thank you, Rajbir. Please take me to Blackheath. I need to see someone there," I requested.
It was ten minutes past eleven when we reached there. I got down from the car and started to run madly towards the shop, i visited last night.
On reaching the spot, the darkness started to engulf my vision, and a muffled whistling sound pierced my ears. I could see the world around me swinging before the total blackout.
I don't know for how long I lay unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, two curious faces were zooming in on me.

Vikramjit

Mr. Natrajan
Source: Pinterest/Mariana Moura
