11."Mahalakshmi Publications"
As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the horizon, I prepared myself for another day at the company. After a hearty breakfast prepared by my mother, I bid farewell to my parents and set out for work. Bheeshma had already left for Chaitra's house, embarking on his own adventure.
Pulling my car out of the driveway, I navigated the familiar streets on my way to the company. The morning traffic was relatively light, allowing me to arrive at the office in good time. As I stepped into the bustling atmosphere of the company, I was greeted by the familiar faces of my employees. Returning their greetings with a warm smile, I made my way towards my cabin.
Upon entering, I spotted Ammu engrossed in her work, seated at her desk. With a friendly greeting, I said, "Good morning, Ammu." She glanced up, returning my smile. "Good morning, Krishna," she replied warmly.
After settling into my chair, I dialed Seenu's number. Within moments, he entered my cabin with his usual cheerful demeanor. "Morning, bro," i greeted him warmly. Returning my greeting, he replied, "Morning, Krishna. So, why did you call me?" Ammu glanced over at us, her curiosity piqued.
With a smile, I addressed them both, "Seenu, Ammu, I have something to share with you." Their interest piqued, they both responded in unison, "What is it?" Returning their smiles, I announced proudly, "I finally completed my novel."
Seenu's face lit up with excitement as he stepped forward. Sensing his enthusiasm, I rose from my seat, and we embraced each other in a congratulatory hug. "Congratulations, bro," Seenu exclaimed genuinely. "Thanks," I replied, feeling a surge of accomplishment.
Ammu joined in, stepping forward to join our embrace. As we hugged, she congratulated me warmly, "Congratulations, Krishna." Grateful for their support, I replied, "Thanks, Ammu," feeling a sense of gratitude for their encouragement and camaraderie.
As Seenu and I discussed the meeting with Mahalakshmi Publications, he posed the crucial question, "So, what about publishing?" Pausing for a moment to consider, I replied, "About that, can you arrange a meeting with Mahalakshmi Publications?" Seenu, always efficient, responded promptly, "Yes, when do you want to meet them?"
Contemplating the timing, I suggested, "Is it possible to meet them within the hour?" Seenu nodded in agreement, assuring me, "Just let me make a call." With a nod of appreciation, I watched as Seenu left my cabin to arrange the meeting.
Turning to Ammu, I requested, "Ammu, can you please take a printout of my novel for me?" Without hesitation, she replied, "Of course, Krishna," and promptly left to fulfill my request.
After a short while, Seenu returned, and Ammu followed, holding the freshly printed copies of my novel. Gratefully accepting them from her, I expressed my thanks, then turned to Seenu, eager for an update. "So, what's the latest?" I inquired.
With a smile, Seenu announced, "The meeting is arranged. We have one hour until it begins." Determined and ready to seize the opportunity, I declared, "Let's go." With that, we made our way to my car, ready to embark on the next step.
As Seenu drove the car, Ammu and I settled into the back seat. Observing our positioning, Seenu couldn't help but jest, "Do you two think I'm your chauffeur or something?" Ammu quickly responded, "No, sir, why would you think that?" Seenu retorted, "Then why are you two sitting in the back? It looks like I'm your driver."
Amused by Seenu's comment, I chuckled and remarked, "Haha, what are you thinking? Don't jump to conclusions. Just focus on the road." Seenu rolled his eyes at my response, and I added, "By the way, Seenu, I'm leaving for Kakinada in a few days, so I'll be off for some time."
Curious, Seenu asked, "Why are you going to Kakinada?" I explained, "Anu's friend is getting married there, so we're attending the wedding. On the way, we plan to stop in Guntur to visit Raji and Ramana." Seenu looked slightly taken aback and cautioned, "Are you sure about going to Guntur with Anu? If Anu and Raji come face to face, there might be a fight. And as for Ramana, he's always looking for trouble with you."
Confidently, I reassured him, "Don't worry, I can handle them." Seenu simply rolled his eyes in response, clearly skeptical about my ability to manage them.
As Ammu listened intently to our conversation, her curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't resist asking, "Krishna, who is Anu and Raji?" Seenu and I exchanged a knowing glance, sensing a hint of jealousy in Ammu's voice. Before I could respond, Seenu flashed a playful smile and teasingly replied to Ammu, "Oh, didn't Krishna tell you?"
Ammu turned her gaze towards me, her curiosity piqued. "What didn't you tell me, Krishna?" she inquired, prompting me to remain silent momentarily.
Seenu took the opportunity to explain, "That Anu, Raji, and Krishna have been friends since childhood, and Anu and Raji both have feelings for Krishna. They often end up in fights because of it." Ammu's smile widened, revealing a tinge of jealousy. Turning to me, she asked, "And what about you, Krishna? Do you love them too?"
Feeling a rush of nervousness, I glanced at Seenu for support, but he seemed to avoid the question. With a nervous smile, I faced Ammu and faltered to respond. Noticing my hesitation, Ammu pressed, "Krishna?"
Summoning up my courage, I replied, "Yes, Ammu." Sensing her jealousy, Ammu declared, "I'm coming with you to Kakinada." Caught off guard, I stammered, "But, but..." Before I could finish my sentence, Ammu leaned in closer, her breath warming my skin, and locked eyes with me. "Krishna, I am coming with you, right?" she whispered softly. Overwhelmed, I nodded nervously, murmuring, "Okay." With a gentle smile, Ammu leaned back, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
As Seenu skillfully navigated the car towards Mahalakshmi Publications, the anticipation in the air was palpable. With each passing mile, the excitement grew, and soon enough, we arrived at our destination. Parking the car, we stepped out and made our way towards the towering office building.
Approaching the receptionist, Seenu inquired, "We have an appointment with Miss Bhandari." The receptionist nodded in acknowledgment and began to check the schedule. After a brief moment of anticipation, she looked up and confirmed, "Yes, sir. Please take a seat. I'll inform ma'am about your arrival."
Grateful for her assistance, Seenu nodded appreciatively, and we proceeded to find seats nearby. As we settled in, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of eagerness and determination. We exchanged glances, silently conveying our shared anticipation for the upcoming meeting. Time seemed to slow as we awaited our chance to pitch my novel to Mahalakshmi Publications.
As we sat in the waiting area, my mind drifted to the significance of meeting Mannu Bhandari, the esteemed owner of Mahalakshmi Publications. Mannu Bhandari's literary prowess and contributions to Hindi literature were unparalleled. Her insightful novels, short stories, and essays resonated with readers across generations, delving into the intricate fabric of Indian society.
One of her most renowned works, "Aapka Banti," offered a poignant glimpse into the lives of middle-class women in urban India, capturing their struggles and aspirations with remarkable depth and sensitivity. Through her writing, Bhandari illuminated the complexities of female identity and societal expectations, earning accolades and admiration from critics and readers alike.
In addition to "Aapka Banti," Bhandari's literary repertoire boasted of other notable works such as "Mahabhoj," "Ek Inch Muskan," and "Beghar," each offering profound insights into marriage, family dynamics, and women's empowerment in post-independence India. Her narratives were marked by a profound understanding of human emotions and a keen observation of societal nuances.
Despite her numerous accolades, she remained grounded in her commitment to addressing pressing social issues through her writing, inspiring readers with her thought-provoking narratives and incisive social commentary.
As I was thinking that Ammu's voice cut through my reverie, bringing me back to the present moment. "Krishna, let's go, they're calling us," she said, her tone pulling me out of my thoughts. I nodded in acknowledgment, feeling a surge of anticipation as we rose from our seats and made our way inside the office. The sound of our footsteps echoed in the hallway, mingling with the hum of activity within the bustling publishing house. With each step, I could feel the weight of expectation and possibility hanging in the air, fueling my excitement for the meeting ahead.
As we stepped into the cozy cabin, the warmth of familiarity enveloped us like a comforting embrace. An old woman sat gracefully on the sofa, her eyes focused intently on the pages of a book. As she noticed our arrival, a gentle smile graced her lips, and she rose from her seat with the grace of a seasoned dancer.
"It's good to see you, Mr. Prasad," she greeted, her voice carrying a hint of warmth and wisdom earned through years of experience.
Returning her smile, I approached her respectfully and bowed slightly, a gesture ingrained in me from childhood. "It's a pleasure to see you too, Miss Bhandari," I replied, before gently touching her feet in a traditional sign of respect.
Miss Bhandari's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise at my gesture, but then a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "What are you doing, Mr. Prasad?" she questioned, amusement dancing in her eyes.
With a grin, I straightened up, meeting her gaze with sincerity. "What I am doing is asking for blessings from elders, Miss Bhandari," I explained, my voice laced with sincerity. "And you can't deny me that right. Besides, please, just call me Krishna. I haven't reached that level of importance yet to be addressed as 'Mr.' from someone as esteemed as you."
Her smile widened, and a twinkle of admiration shimmered in her eyes. "I thought when people become big and rich, they forget their teachings and roots," she mused. "But it seems you're not one of them. It's refreshing to see young people like you who remember our traditions. It's what our society truly needs."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at her words, grateful for her acknowledgment of my values and upbringing. "Thank you, Miss Bhandari," I replied sincerely, taking a seat on the sofa as she gestured for me to join her. Seenu and Ammu, settled in beside me.
As we settled into the conversation, the atmosphere seemed to crackle with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of possibility and opportunity. Miss Bhandari, with her keen eyes and discerning gaze, wasted no time delving into the heart of the matter.
"So, Krishna, I heard that you want to publish your novel," she began, her voice carrying a tone of genuine interest and curiosity.
I nodded eagerly, a spark of excitement igniting within me. "Yes, I've been working on my first novel titled 'The Guide,' and I have a deep desire for it to be published by Mahalakshmi Publications," I affirmed, my voice tinged with conviction and hope.
Miss Bhandari's eyes gleamed with interest as she absorbed my words. "It's commendable that you have a specific vision for your debut novel," she remarked, nodding in understanding. "May I have a look at the manuscript?"
With a nod, I turned to Ammu and she handed over the manuscript to Miss Bhandari. As she began to peruse its pages, a sense of anticipation coiled within me, my heart pounding with nervous excitement.
Half an hour passed, each minute feeling like an eternity as Miss Bhandari immersed herself in the world I had created. Finally, she returned the manuscript to Ammu, her expression thoughtful and contemplative.
"Krishna, this novel has the potential to become a masterpiece," she declared, her voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "It beautifully captures the essence of human nature and society through the captivating journey of Raju. Your storytelling is vivid and insightful, making it impossible to put the book down. It truly deserves all the praise it receives!"
A surge of pride and gratitude washed over me at her words, my heart swelling with validation and joy. "Thank you," I replied earnestly, a sense of accomplishment coursing through my veins.
Miss Bhandari's eyes twinkled with excitement as she leaned forward, her gaze locking with mine. "So, can we make a contract?" she inquired, her tone tinged with anticipation.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I nodded eagerly. "Yes, of course, please," I replied, my voice brimming with enthusiasm and gratitude.
As I enthusiastically agreed to the contract, Miss Bhandari wasted no time in taking action. With a swift motion, she picked up her phone and dialed a number and said "send Anasuya in my cabin" then
she ended the call and turned her attention back to me.
"Krishna, this girl Anasuya Ramalingam is going to be your editor," she announced, her voice carrying an air of authority and confidence.I nodded in acknowledgment after sometime the door to the cabin swung open, revealing a young girl around age of twenty or twenty two.
(A/N:Mannu Bhandari was a real character she was an Indian author, screenplay writer, teacher, and playwright. Primarily known for her two Hindi novels Her work tackles themes of family, relationships, gender equality, and caste discrimination in India.)
(A/N:My novel is nothing to do with reality and story might not show things exactly as they are in real life. If some characters act differently from how they are in real life, please don't take it personally.)
(Words count:2265)