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VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 1<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 2<br />
PROLOGUE<br />
She was wet…<br />
…her feet were bleeding as dry twigs and thorns ripped through <strong>the</strong>m….<br />
…she couldn’t go back as she was strictly told by <strong>the</strong> AGHORA not to and…<br />
she couldn’t go forward ei<strong>the</strong>r as it meant sure death.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> distance, <strong>the</strong> turrets of Kaadambari faded, no longer visible but for<br />
a scary grey haze in <strong>the</strong> twilight.<br />
What do I do now! Why do I go back in circles and come back to square<br />
one- <strong>the</strong> dead end always?<br />
She mentally cursed herself. There was a twitter followed by rustling<br />
leaves …leaves so dry that <strong>the</strong>y were rustling in-spite of <strong>the</strong> downpour! A<br />
bat swooped over her head scaring her, but she pressed her palm to her<br />
mouth to stifle her own scream.<br />
Her hands had red marks that were <strong>the</strong> result of running dimensionlessly<br />
in <strong>the</strong> wilderness. She closed her eyes, and felt herself falling…falling deep<br />
and fast into a dark tunnel and <strong>the</strong>n suddenly…<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 3<br />
DISCLAIMER<br />
All <strong>the</strong> work on <strong>the</strong>se novels is a work of fiction.<br />
These are novels that are penned by <strong>the</strong> author Goldenhaze. All <strong>the</strong> names,<br />
characters, locales, businesses & professions, events and incidents are <strong>the</strong><br />
product of <strong>the</strong> author's imagination.<br />
The religious or cultural rituals or any situations or any scientific or sociological,<br />
legal and super natural assumptions made are to be understood as concocted as<br />
part of <strong>the</strong> fiction and not o<strong>the</strong>rwise.<br />
Some facts may have been used for au<strong>the</strong>nticity, but it may be understood that<br />
<strong>the</strong>se are used for purely fictional purposes and not for any o<strong>the</strong>r reason,<br />
whatsoever.<br />
ABOUT GOLDENHAZE<br />
Goldenhaze is <strong>the</strong> pen name of <strong>the</strong> author AnuRam who is a doctorate in<br />
Business management and writes fiction for hobby. Her first novel The Mirage,<br />
was set in <strong>the</strong> back drop of Rajasthan and highlighted <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me of women<br />
empowerment, woven into romance and intrigue. The sequel of <strong>the</strong> Miirage, The<br />
Pursuit was again a romantic thriller which was much appreciated. Goldenhaze<br />
has also written several novels including The Masquerade, An Evening with U,<br />
and The WhisperValley and Vaishali.<br />
Known for <strong>the</strong> variety in her story settings, and <strong>the</strong> usage of local flavors &<br />
languages Goldenhaze is also known for her blog goldenhazefiction.blogspot.in<br />
which has many ongoing works of her like A Dialogue in <strong>the</strong> Dark, The<br />
Inexplicable Attraction and <strong>the</strong> Contrivance.<br />
Currently Goldenhaze is working on <strong>the</strong> launch of a new stream of intense<br />
romance, under <strong>the</strong> name Destiny series, with Deepthimaan- a character she<br />
created in Mirage as <strong>the</strong> lead, who also happens to be <strong>the</strong> pivotal character in<br />
her much acclaimed novel Destiny U&ME.<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 4<br />
Vaishali gulped in air and wanted to shout, but her mouth went dry and<br />
she could not say anything! The man held her and she felt repulsive. She<br />
jerked free and closed her eyes and chanted "NEELA KANTHA! NEELA<br />
KANTHA!"<br />
There was a pause and ...<br />
"Hey Li... Its me Ketu!" <strong>the</strong> man said.<br />
Vaishali took a long breath, moved back and inserted <strong>the</strong> key into <strong>the</strong><br />
latch and <strong>the</strong> lights came on.<br />
She could not believe it was Nachiketa!<br />
"Oh My God? Ketu? What in <strong>the</strong> world brought you here!" She exclaimed.<br />
"Sorry! Did I spook you?" He grinned wickedly.<br />
Again Vaishali had that uncanny feeling! His eyes were beautiful, long and<br />
narrow not big and round but beautiful in <strong>the</strong>ir own way, but she always<br />
felt <strong>the</strong>m to have that something in <strong>the</strong>m, that leaped at times like <strong>the</strong>n!<br />
She could not put her finger on something exactly, but something in him<br />
unsettled her.<br />
"Hey? You Ok? Li?" Ketu was asking her.<br />
"Yeah! Yes!" She said and said, "I need to go down."<br />
"Me too! Let's!" Ketu said taking <strong>the</strong> key from her, and locking <strong>the</strong> door<br />
behind <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
"How come you are here?" Vaishali asked him.<br />
"I was stalking you he ha haw haw ha!" He laughed wickedly.<br />
Again Vaishali couldn't help feeling very odd. That slight change in him at<br />
times, sent very bad vibes to her. '<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 5<br />
I think I am being paranoid! She chided herself and said," Ketu please! Tell<br />
me!"<br />
"Ok! Ok! Just came to <strong>the</strong> party, as <strong>the</strong> sets that we did for <strong>the</strong> dance<br />
drama, were liked by one of <strong>the</strong> super store chain owner in <strong>the</strong> US. He<br />
invited me over to <strong>the</strong> party, as <strong>the</strong>y want to come out with a <strong>the</strong>me store<br />
chain all across <strong>the</strong> globe. I saw you when I came out of his room, and did<br />
not know where you went and <strong>the</strong>n realized its this room so I tried to<br />
knock, but <strong>the</strong> door opened and <strong>the</strong> rest you know..." he said grinning.<br />
"Oh!" Vaishali could see Sree now, as <strong>the</strong> lift door opened and he turned<br />
and frowned slightly on seeing Ketu.<br />
God! He was so adorable!<br />
Vaishali liked simplicity. Sree came across to her as a simple human being.<br />
His feelings were written on his face, and she always liked openness in<br />
people. It made her feel normal.<br />
"Sree! Meet Nachiketa Misra our Art Director! He is here with someone<br />
from <strong>the</strong> consortium" she introduced him. She <strong>the</strong>n said, "Meet Srikantha<br />
Agnihothri"<br />
Sree visibly relaxed, and said, "Hey good to meet you!"<br />
Vaishali my people are <strong>the</strong>re! Would you like to meet <strong>the</strong>m?" Sree asked<br />
her.<br />
Vaisali was surprised that he did not have any qualms in making her meet<br />
his mom <strong>the</strong> very first time. Ano<strong>the</strong>r point to him, she thought.<br />
"Ok... You guys carry on... Will see you again.. need to discuss something"<br />
Ketu waved at <strong>the</strong>m and left.<br />
Vaishali looked at Sree and asked," Its ok if you ... uh?"<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 6<br />
"What? Sorry didn't get you" he said smiling at her.<br />
"I ... uh…” she did not know how to tell him. She looked here and <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
"Ok tell me what’s bo<strong>the</strong>ring you. You don't want to meet my mom?" Sree<br />
asked square and straight.<br />
Vaishali gaped at him?<br />
Are men like this still around? She thought.<br />
She shook her head and said," On <strong>the</strong> contrary Sree, I wanted to say that<br />
you need not do all this, coz you are under Suparna Di's oath!"<br />
"C'mon! See,” he showed a group of elderly ladies in <strong>the</strong> hall mingling with<br />
<strong>the</strong> guests. “That’s my family! They are here. So what’s wrong in meeting<br />
<strong>the</strong>m? Come."<br />
He <strong>the</strong>n turned back and said, " And Vaishali... er... just don't mind if my<br />
mom asks you anything, as ...uh... well I never got a partner to any of <strong>the</strong><br />
parties we have had so far! So, she might just be curious." He raised both<br />
his hands and said "sorry" and smiled.<br />
Vaishali smiled and said," That’s ok! And call me Shalu! That’s what my<br />
family calls me.”<br />
"OH?" I am honoured Madame!” He said, making a mock bow, which<br />
turned a few heads <strong>the</strong>ir way, making Vaishali to blush and Sree<br />
immediately caught her hand and said," Hey I am sorry! its just that... just<br />
that..."<br />
"Well well! Who is this?" A baritone voice enquired from behind <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Sree turned and saw, Mr. Ahuja his fa<strong>the</strong>r's best Pal.<br />
*****<br />
Neel looked at Sree. He had come with a Chick! OOPs!<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 7<br />
His little bro<strong>the</strong>r has grown up! And he got a girl to <strong>the</strong> party? HMMMMM!<br />
Time to pull his leg!<br />
But he was stuck between Kim and Sara! Both were being balanced<br />
alternatively so that <strong>the</strong>y do not end up in cat fight right <strong>the</strong>re, although<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were throwing daggers at each o<strong>the</strong>r ever since <strong>the</strong>y trapped him at<br />
<strong>the</strong> elevator, before he escaped to <strong>the</strong> sanctuary of his family suit.<br />
As he twirled <strong>the</strong>m on his finger, he saw her with a man on each arm and<br />
one of <strong>the</strong>m was his bro<strong>the</strong>r!<br />
Of all <strong>the</strong>@#$%! Couldn't he find a better female!<br />
The place where he was…to <strong>the</strong> right corner of <strong>the</strong> main hall, he was very<br />
ill placed to see her, and till now he only saw her back. Two men mostly<br />
hogged her! And <strong>the</strong>n he saw something that made him cough on <strong>the</strong><br />
drink he was having. His bro<strong>the</strong>r bowed to her, and she said or did<br />
something that made him catch her hand and say something very loveydovey,<br />
as he made out from Sree's expression coz he was facing Neel.<br />
"Sir! Everything done!" Tejas walked to him.<br />
"Oh! Just one more thing! Just go and find out if my bro needs any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
issues sorted out" Neel said. It was just an excuse to go after him, and<br />
extricate that girl from his bro.<br />
Neel tried to get a better view of <strong>the</strong> girl as he wondered...<br />
Sree never did such things! This girl was making him dance to her tunes and<br />
he needs to protect his bro before he makes a complete fool of himselves<br />
before half of Delhi!<br />
That chap never ever looked at anyone leave alone dating! How did she find<br />
him and better still latched on to him?<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 8<br />
Tejas walked to <strong>the</strong>m and holy smokes! Neel observed...Whatever was this<br />
girl made of! Tejas was at ease with her as if he knew her for ages, and<br />
she had her hand on his arm all <strong>the</strong> time. She seemed fast! Too fast for his<br />
simple and very soft hearted Sree!<br />
Neel's protective instinct grew! He excused himself and walked towards<br />
<strong>the</strong>m...<br />
"Oh Uncle this is ..." Sree tried to introduce Vaishali.<br />
‘Who ever she is… son, she looks like a fresh daisy amongst dried<br />
flowers”… and he guffawed and Vaishali blushed fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Sree looked at her appreciatively and said," You are right uncle. That she<br />
is! A breath of fresh air!"<br />
"Carry on son," …and Ahuja was gone. He took her to meet his mo<strong>the</strong>r!<br />
“Katchyayani Agnihothri saw <strong>the</strong> girl first when she walked in and smiled.<br />
Her Sree was a perfect son. And a thorough gentleman, and <strong>the</strong> girl he<br />
brought to <strong>the</strong> party was flawless. She was so elegant and so beautiful<br />
that she was eager to meet her. When he introduced her, She very shyly<br />
said, “Namas<strong>the</strong>y!” 1<br />
After preliminaries, she gave a wink to Sree that said she was good and<br />
said," Hey Sree papa was asking for <strong>the</strong> dinner to be served on <strong>the</strong> roof<br />
garden, and got some dance floor prepared for <strong>the</strong> foreign delegates.<br />
There would be fire works first as its nearing to be nine, and we do not<br />
want to disturb anyone after ten as per <strong>the</strong> government rules, so just<br />
check everything and report to him."<br />
She turned to Vaishali and said, "Why don't you join him?”<br />
1 The Indian way of greeting each o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 9<br />
"Sure Aunty!" Vaishali said. She liked Sree's Mom very much, and as Sree<br />
looked back, Katchyayani gave thumbs up signal to him.<br />
*****<br />
Damnit! They left before he could tear himself away from that Japanese<br />
businessman! Neel went and asked Katchyayani," Choti maa 2 where is<br />
Sree?”<br />
"Oh he has gone to check dinner arrangements! You just chill!" She said.<br />
Over my dead body! He thought and made for <strong>the</strong> top floor.<br />
Vaishali gazed around <strong>the</strong> entire place...it was lit up with tiny lights that<br />
resembled jewels! And <strong>the</strong>re was a dance floor decorated complete with<br />
staircase in between that gave a ballroom appearance! She liked it very<br />
much!<br />
"Oops! Shalu I need to catch Dad and get <strong>the</strong> mess sorted out! ...<strong>the</strong>re is a<br />
small glitch... I am sorry Shalu... today of all <strong>the</strong> days I am like this.” Sree<br />
apologized.<br />
"Hey thats ok! I understand... " Vaishali said. Actually she didn't!<br />
She did not know that Sree Kantha Agnihothri was 'The Agnihothri' and<br />
belonged to India's leading business family, till Tejas addressed him as his<br />
boss, and <strong>the</strong>n he explained everything to her! She really was floored by<br />
his humility.<br />
Sree <strong>the</strong>n called someone and said, “Come fast.”<br />
He <strong>the</strong>n said, “My sister Shivani, will be here to give you company, and I<br />
shall be back after <strong>the</strong> fire works as what happened at <strong>the</strong> Taj made my<br />
2 Aunt<br />
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VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 10<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r insist I be <strong>the</strong>re for <strong>the</strong> fireworks! The delegates are already<br />
paranoid!”<br />
She nodded and saw a slim and beautiful lady of almost her age walk to<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. She was very elegantly dressed, and resembled Sree so much that<br />
Vaishali herself said "Shivani? Hi! I am Vaishali!"<br />
Sree beamed at his sister and Shivani winked at him and said," That’s why<br />
my bro<strong>the</strong>r is not interested in any of my friends. He has an angel tucked<br />
away somewhere. I like her bro!"<br />
"Shibu... "Sree chided her and was about to apologize to Vaishali, when<br />
Vaishali said, "That's ok!"<br />
After a minute, Sree left and Shivani introduced Vaishali to her friends as a<br />
dancer and <strong>the</strong>y were excited.<br />
One of <strong>the</strong>m said, "Why don't we quickly plan for a dance here to open<br />
<strong>the</strong> floor for dance?"<br />
"But that’s after dinner!" Someone exclaimed.<br />
"But we can plan something like an entry, and <strong>the</strong>n you know <strong>the</strong> music<br />
goes and we start!" someone suggested.<br />
"Hey Shivani why don't you lead us all?" Vaishali smiled at <strong>the</strong>ir banter,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>y all went to <strong>the</strong> dance floor and planned for a sequence. Later,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y all went for dinner, and Vaishali waited for Sree, although Shivani<br />
asked her to join <strong>the</strong>m. He invited her for dinner and dinner it shall be!<br />
She wandered along and was lured by <strong>the</strong> staircase with lights. It had a<br />
central stairway that deviated into two directions on top, and Vaishali<br />
oblivious of <strong>the</strong> fact that on <strong>the</strong> left side it was still being done, and <strong>the</strong><br />
workers had gone for a short break walked up <strong>the</strong> stairs slowly holding<br />
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VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 11<br />
her gown. The dinner team was busy at <strong>the</strong> far end in <strong>the</strong> lawns. The<br />
lights were on but <strong>the</strong> focus lights were not lit yet, casting strange<br />
shadows and lights across <strong>the</strong> area, making it look very e<strong>the</strong>real and<br />
queer.<br />
Neel walked in and looked around, and halted at <strong>the</strong> sight of her. Oh! She<br />
was wearing white and was walking up <strong>the</strong> stairs. Wait a minute! What did<br />
she think she was doing! He rushed to <strong>the</strong> stairs...<br />
As she walked up, Vaishali had a strange sensation. A vision floated before<br />
her eyes...<br />
A warrior walking up <strong>the</strong> stairs, and he pierced his thumb with a sword<br />
and showed <strong>the</strong> blood to everyone assembled. Ano<strong>the</strong>r waited down for<br />
combat. And as he turned, she had a strange feeling she had seen his<br />
face before.<br />
Then came <strong>the</strong> memory of <strong>the</strong> first poem by <strong>the</strong> Aghora!<br />
When <strong>the</strong> stars spread <strong>the</strong>ir magic on <strong>the</strong> sun,<br />
… as <strong>the</strong> day paves way to night...<br />
It was nine thirty!<br />
She climbed ano<strong>the</strong>r step;<br />
In highest of <strong>the</strong> heavens: Where <strong>the</strong> doors are decorated with strings of<br />
lusture...<br />
She was on <strong>the</strong> top floor, she didn't know which floor it was of a hotel. She<br />
looked around.<br />
There were arches arranged all across, as a part of <strong>the</strong> decoration and<br />
since it was gems and jewelry consortium, <strong>the</strong>y chose a <strong>the</strong>me were lights<br />
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VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 12<br />
were like tiny beads and diamonds adorning <strong>the</strong> arches apart from <strong>the</strong><br />
potted plants.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> day of <strong>the</strong> moon,<br />
It was a Monday...<br />
Vaishali climbed to <strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> stairs unmindful of what she was<br />
doing...<br />
The true jowhari (jeweler) fails to notice <strong>the</strong> gem;<br />
What did this mean!<br />
All those who came were in fact related to jewelry ... and who did not<br />
notice <strong>the</strong> gem?<br />
Was he a human being?<br />
Gem meant good person also?<br />
She thought... She turned left on her own and walked...<br />
The vine shall seek its stalk ...from <strong>the</strong> fires of hell<br />
Vaishali thought... fire of hell... <strong>the</strong> accident came before her eyes... Was<br />
she <strong>the</strong> vine?<br />
Yes ancient scriptures always described a beautiful lady as a vine. Seeking<br />
stalk? The stranger... oops!<br />
<strong>the</strong> one who drank venom to save <strong>the</strong> world shall be saved ...<br />
Lord Shiva drank <strong>the</strong> venom and was called Neela Kantha.<br />
Why Lord Shiva should be saved... for what?<br />
only to be lost in <strong>the</strong> depths of <strong>the</strong> impending doom!<br />
But <strong>the</strong> deed done <strong>the</strong> fate's seal shall haunt destiny...<br />
Now what was <strong>the</strong> meaning of <strong>the</strong>se three lines? Something is going to<br />
happen at that place right <strong>the</strong>n, but what?<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction
VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 13<br />
As she was about to step on <strong>the</strong> lame plank... "Shaalu! STOP!"<br />
A voice boomed in <strong>the</strong> semi darkness, and she jerked out of <strong>the</strong> trans and<br />
looked back.<br />
Sree was standing at <strong>the</strong> foot of <strong>the</strong> stairs with Tejas and few o<strong>the</strong>rs. It<br />
was Tejas, who called her and he said," Just come back you will fall. That<br />
plank is not fixed yet!"<br />
... and as she turned back she felt <strong>the</strong> whole ramp move, and she knew it<br />
was going to collapse! She ran and <strong>the</strong> sky suddenly was aglow with <strong>the</strong><br />
fire crackers bursting, and Vaishali ran with her might oblivious of herself,<br />
as <strong>the</strong> set started to collapse and her wrap now was fluttering behind her.<br />
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VAISHALI THE BEGINNING 14<br />
Goldenhaze Fiction