the-mirage

Goldenhaze Fiction
THE MIRAGE 1

THE MIRAGE 2
PROLOGUE
Life is an enigma…
For those who understand it, it is an intermission between two births!
For those who try to, it’s an illusion!
For those who fight it …it’s an eluding loop;
For those who question it, it’s a riddle,
But for those who live it,
Its either pure hell or sweet heaven!
For some it’s an open book;
…Yet for many, its a MIRAGE!
Khushi stood staring into oblivion, her eyes showing nothingness in them! Life has never
been easy for her. Not in the past, not then, but it never went the way it was destined to
till then.
A different situation, a different turn, and an absolutely different dimension in her life!
As she stood on the terrace of her ancestral house-her home-the legendary SHEESH
MAHAL, with all its secrets and stories from times unknown, she imagined the first time
her cries echoed in the huge corridors of a house that is actually an old fortress. …After
all, her ancestors were from a royal lineage. Although fallen from wealth, for centuries,
they still preserved their pride and the family honour came to be of paramount
importance.
Now the legend she has grown up listening to, was again going to come true and in a
different way of course, and she would walk towards her own destruction for her family
and its honour.
“Baby saa, amma bulaavath hai.”
(Baby, mother has sent for you)
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 3
DISCLAIMER
All the work on these novels is a work of fiction.
These are novels that are penned by the author Goldenhaze. All the names,
characters, locales, businesses & professions, events and incidents are the
product of the author's imagination.
The religious or cultural rituals or any situations or any scientific or sociological,
legal and super natural assumptions made are to be understood as concocted as
part of the fiction and not otherwise.
Some facts may have been used for authenticity, but it may be understood that
these are used for purely fictional purposes and not for any other reason,
whatsoever.
ABOUT GOLDENHAZE
Goldenhaze is the pen name of the author AnuRam who is a doctorate in
Business management and writes fiction for hobby. Her first novel The Mirage,
was set in the back drop of Rajasthan and highlighted the theme of women
empowerment, woven into romance and intrigue. The sequel of the Miirage, The
Pursuit was again a romantic thriller which was much appreciated. Goldenhaze
has also written several novels including The Masquerade, An Evening with U,
and The WhisperValley and Vaishali.
Known for the variety in her story settings, and the usage of local flavors &
languages Goldenhaze is also known for her blog goldenhazefiction.blogspot.in
which has many ongoing works of her like A Dialogue in the Dark, The
Inexplicable Attraction and the Contrivance.
Currently Goldenhaze is working on the launch of a new stream of intense
romance, under the name Destiny series, with Deepthimaan- a character she
created in Mirage as the lead, who also happens to be the pivotal character in
her much acclaimed novel Destiny U&ME.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 4
13. At the Party
As Arnav wove his way through the guests who have been invited for the
conference, he called Aman.
"Sir, we are at the main reception," Aman informed him.
"Aman, don't! Just come by the rear entrance, and take passes issued by
the hotel security and come to passage 4…" he instructed as he made he
turned towards the entrance of the passage 4.
It was a crucial day. He will have to play his cards right. Khushi, if she just kept
quiet, it was more than enough! He should have spoken to her, and
instructed her but he was so busy, as well as so jumbled up from inside
that he could not muster enough mood to speak to her.
As he reached the base of the staircase that led to passage 4, a hand fell
on his shoulder, and he turned back to see who it was!
"Arnav, my friend a little surprise for the newly wedded couple from my
side! You go first on to the dais with me now, and then I shall call upon
Mrs. Raizada! See, it’s for both of you, but she is the guest of honour
today! Let’s give her a spectacular entry!" Mirchandani said, as Arnav
rolled his eyes up in exasperation at the theatrics of the man, who was
known to be very flashy.
Arnav felt like punching him on his pug face, as he was counting on
briefing Khushi. But there was no time as the Mini starlet hired as the
anchor cum DJ for the party already announced their names.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 5
He walked in through the entrance and turned back once to see if Khushi
reached, and proceeded on to the dais as the anchor announced, "Ladies
and gentlemen, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!"
Khushi turned the other corner and stepped into the passage exactly
when Arnav left the passage, and did not find her husband waiting for her.
Aman saw her face and said," Sir will join you soon," for which she smiled,
even he had a heart! But not her hubby!
They both walked into the passage and Aman supplied, checking his
mobile, "Ma'am, he says walk right on to the dais. He is there, and your
name is going to be…" they reached the entrance to the dais by then, and
heard, "And presenting," there was a pause... Mr. Madhav Mirchandani
took the mike and was saying, "Good Evening ladies and gentlemen!"
Khushi tried to adjust her eyes to the dazzling lights.
"Today we are here as an extension of the celebrations at the Raizada
House." Arnav raised an eyebrow at the extent to which Mirchandani was
going to please him and make himself appear as a Raizada well-wisher
and family member.
"The new addition to the Raizada family and my friend Arnav's wonderful
bride," Mirchandani paused and covered the mike and asked Arnav, "I've
heard she is from a royal family should I call her princess or Her
Highness?"
Arnav who was irritated said, "Just call her ‘Khushi’! That'll be fine!"
"Mrs. Khushi Raizada..." Mirchandani continued. "I request her to grace
the dais. "
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 6
There was applause and Arnav looked to his right as everyone was looking
that way, and stood still as the applause broke to loud cheers and even
hoots and then again followed by a big applause.
He Saw…
A lady who walked confidently up the stairs wished the DJ by giving her a
half hug and peck, and then said, “Namasthey and thank you Mr.
Mirchandani!”
She then turned and waved to the press, invitees and the world.
She came and stood by him, and held on to his arm very casually. Arnav
could not make out anything in the beginning, as he had lights glaring into
his eyes, and could see only her silhouette. But when she came and
walked past him to stand by his side, he saw her and just stood without
blinking an eye, as she turned acknowledging him shyly and smiled at him.
His breath hitched in his chest.
She looked gorgeous and very chic. No extra jewellery. Minimum make up!
The clips she wore and whatever she did to her hair made her look young,
fresh and absolutely adorable. But her gait, her jewellery, and her outfit
made her look, …look like a queen! He concluded.
When she turned, the sun shoulder band, which was two layered, and
spread across her shoulders running from one on to the other on her
chest, shone and made her look like a Goddess! As she bent her head
slightly holding on to his left arm, her hair showed highlights suiting her
golden sun theme, and her sun clips with the diamonds in them flared
once on, once off, and gave her the look of a mythical beauty.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 7
Arnav found he was staring at her, and noticed that the rest of the people
on the dais were already smiling at his reaction. His mouth was open
dammit!
Arnav Singh Raizada drooling over a girl like a crazy college kid! But he had
to give it to her. She had a fantastic dress sense. None would select a dark
colour for an evening like that! She chose brown instead of black, which
was the most preferred colour usually, would not have been appropriate
for an after wedding party! And she chose golden theme with the sun! It
was a clever move as in the lights, the tiny mirrors embedded here and
there in her long skirt rippled like the water in a lake reflecting the setting
sun. From a distance, she was all flashes of golden light here and there!
WOW! He thought and couldn't help but feel proud of his wife!
Cameras flashed everywhere, as all the press and media people started
pestering the couple to come forward. Arnav got out of the trance and
they were asking questions:
"Mr. Raizada, Mr. Raizada!"
"When did you plan to get married?"
"Why was the marriage kept a secret?"
"Mr. Raizada, we heard that your wife is from a royal lineage! Can you fill
us in on it?"
"Mr. Raizada, is it a love marriage?"
"Will she work with you?"
"Where did the two of you meet?"
"Now we have a press meet shortly in the conference hall ..." Mirchandani
warded the press off, as Arnav whispered something into his ear.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 8
"... And only ASR will answer all your questions! This would be for a halfhour
and the party shall resume!"
"What about… What about Mrs. Raizada?" Several voices asked, for which
they did not get any reply, only a 'thank you' from Mirchandani.
Mirchandani met Khushi and introduced her to several of his family
members, including his daughter who had aspired to be Mrs. Raizada.
Khushi greeted them politely, and Arnav excused himself for a few
minutes and turned to Khushi. Aman stood at a respectable distance.
"Good! You have good taste or is it Aman's choice?" He waved his hand at
Aman.
"Shukriya!" (Thank you!) Khushi said, but Aman could not let her just be,
without taking any credit. He had begun to like her. He said, "Sir, its
Ma'am's own creation!"
"What?" Arnav was surprised.
Khushi smiled in reply.
"It’s fabulous!" He said, and as he tried to tell her he appreciated her
coming over at such short notice, he was pulled back into a long
introduction with the invitees, who were people from all over the business
world. He casually draped an arm around Khushi's waist, and spoke to all
of them introducing her.
Khushi looked at her husband. He looked very handsome in the western
outfit. He spoke well, and people were in awe of him. But, most
importantly the warmth of his arm around her was very palpable. His
palm was almost on her tummy as his hand circled her tiny waist to rest
on her waistband. She was surprised at her awareness to his touch! He
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 9
was oblivious of her inner feelings and was chatting away with his friends
and associates.
Hey Devi Mayya! bahut mushkil hai!
(This is going to be very difficult, God!)
She closed her eyes.
"Khushi, you ok?" He enquired.
"Hum theek hain!" ( Yeah) She replied.
Arnav draped his arm around her, as he could not resist doing it and why
not! She was the best-dressed and most beautiful lady at the party. His
wife! Others just faded before her! But he had a new problem on hand!
None of his family members were present, and he had to go to the
conference hall for the press meet. How could she be left alone? He did
not want her to be exposed to the press! That’s what he told Mirchandani
in his ear that he would never allow his wife to face the sharks.
He needed Aman, as the meet would also be addressed by Mirchandani
group, and their new project so ... well! Arnav turned to Khushi and said,
"Khushi, will you be ok? I need to address a press meet." He closed his
eyes.
Dammit! She did not know anyone!
How would she survive in a sea of strangers!
Mr. Mirchandani came, and he provided Khushi with an escort- his wife
Mrs. Mrin Mirchandani much to the relief of Arnav.
Arnav left Khushi reluctantly, and faded into the crowd.
"My husband likes your husband very much! In fact we wanted our Winny
to get married to him" Mrin told Khushi!"
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 10
Khushi smiled and said... "Who would not want such a man for their
daughter?"
Mrin was caustic with Khushi, but the moment she heard Khushi, she
realized that Khushi was very simple and liked her instantly. The rest of
the evening, they got along like a house on fire.
Mrin introduced her to so many people that Khushi started feeling dizzy!
After a while, making sure that Khushi was comfortable in a chair by the
pool where the party had spread with a mocktail in her hand, Mrin went to
check over the dinner preparations.
Khushi missed home! The pool reminded her of Taaravar, and Amma,
Babuji and her room with its mirrored walls, and the ceiling with intricate
paintings, and the jharoka that looked out on to the river Reva.
"Hey Devi Mayya! Humey yeh kahan ley aayi aap! Jaane kya hai humaare
bhagya mein."
(Mother divine! Where have you brought me to! I don’t know what’s in
store for me.)
She sighed inwardly.
"So you are the princess of nowhere who ASR dragged out from the mud!"
A raspy voice croaked. Khushi looked at a pair of long bare and very
brown legs, when she turned towards the voice.
-----THE MIRAGE-----
"What does Mrs. Raizada do Mr. Raizada, that is, apart from taming you?"
A lady reporter asked him on a lighter note! There was laughter
everywhere.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 11
"She will not be so free to pursue anything else other than pursuing me at
the moment! Next?" He winked, and he turned on his charm a thousand
volts more and gave the reporter his smirk. All the others drooled while
the rest laughed.
Question evaded! He thought. But the truth was he did not know! What the
@#$%! He had the Mirchandani history by heart before he even called
them for talks, and he married a lady without knowing what she does!
"Any plans for honeymoon?"
Someone else asked.
"Will send a press release before and after,” he paused deliberately and
said, “I board the flight, complete with pictures! Next?" He smirked again.
The lady reporters blushed, and the men cheered him.
Good another question evaded!
"Would you like her to join you at work?" A senior reporter asked.
-----THE MIRAGE-----
"Ji?" Khushi said.
"Get up!" Ms. Long Bare legs said.
"KYA?" (What?) Khushi gave her a one over.
Whoever she was! She was very rude!
"Just get up? Who are you and what did you do to trap ASR like this?" The
lady asked.
"Aap kaun!" (Who are you?) Khushi enquired but she already could guess
who she was.
"Shut up! I ask, uuu answer..." She swooned forward.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 12
Khushi realised that the lady she was talking to was drunk so early in the
evening!
"Oh! Stop playing the innocent! I know your types very well!" Ms. Long
Bare legs spat at her.
Khushi ignored her and kept sipping her drink.
"La! La! When did you land?" A male voice greeted her, followed by the
man who was very stylishly dressed and was visibly happy to see La.
La! So she guessed it right! She happens to be her husband's girlfriend!
Khushi thought.
"Yes waheee! Bburp!" La hiccupped.
"Oh you are done already my dear!" He said eying Khushi.
"Not yet! Wahid! Not before I scratch her eyes out of their sockets!" La
replied, spewing venom.
"Tch Tch Tch! What a pity! She has lovely eyes! ...and sockets too!" He
complimented Khushi sarcastically that made La laugh and giggle
wickedly.
Khushi got up and turned to them, as everyone nearby was staring at
them and it began to grow embarrassing.
-----THE MIRAGE-----
"Well! The decision is for her to take - If she wishes to, then why not?
Next!" ASR successfully answered the query.
"Why did you marry in haste ASR?" A very young lady reporter asked.
Arnav was expecting this question but not put in this way. He gave the
lady a very boyishly wicked stare and said, "So that I can repent in leisure.”
Everyone laughed but the lady persisted, "Sir please we want to know!"
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 13
Pat came the reply from Arnav...
-----THE MIRAGE-----
Khushi thought the better of it and walked past them, but La caught her
left arm and whirled her around.
"Chodiye humey!"
(Leave me alone)
Khushi insisted.
"Awwwe! Not possible sweetie, you see I have a score to settle!" La
said viciously.
"Dekhiye hum aapko jaanthey bhi nahi! Sab yahan humey dekhrahein hain."
(Listen! I don't even know you and everyone is staring at us!)
Khushi tried to hush her, while the others were enjoying the show.
"I don't care! You are a bitch! What did you do to my poor baby? He didn't
even know you two days prior to the wedding. Did you get married or is it
a deal by the deal Master?" Lavanya was so drunk that she did not know
what she was doing or saying!
"Excuse me!" Khushi tried to leave. Lavanya did not let her go.
"You are a princess? Of which kingdom? Where is your crown?" She tried
to pull at Khushi's hair.
Khushi realised how drunk she was, and just moved back and La fell
forward on to the couch. She got infuriated and she spread her hand to
catch hold of Khushi.
Aman stood in between Khushi and La saying, "La, back off before the
boss comes and throws you out!"
"Let him! I don't care for that arrogant son of a #$%^&! Tell that…"
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 14
"Enough!" ASRs voice boomed making everyone but Khushi turn.
"Hi! Welcome!" Lavanya giggled.
ASR found everyone enjoying the entire drama! He coolly looked at Aman,
and Aman moved back.
Then he looked at Khushi. But she was not looking at him. She just stood
gazing nowhere.
Somehow it pricked him that just she stood there unaffected. She should
feel something! Anger at least! How can she just act as if she is not affected at
all!
Although he didn't listen to the entire conversation, he listened to most of
it, as he walked down the huge hall as La was quite audible. He just rushed
out having got Aman's timely text message.
He found Khushi to be surprisingly a better handler of the situation.
Women! Otherwise he was expecting a catfight! At least he knew La very
well.
"Khushi?" He called.
Khushi was very embarrassed! The way she was brought up was entirely
different, and she really felt sad to be in such a fix on her first ever public
appearance.
"Khushi, you ok?"
She looked at him then.
ASR was again taken by the expressions conveyed by her eyes. They were
red at the corners. He knew now. It meant anger and they gleamed. That
meant absolute control over self, and they shone…that indicated tears
that wouldn't be shed.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 15
"ASR How can you leave me for this...$%^!" La lamented.
“Mind your language La!” He raised his hand, and said in a low menacing
voice.
"Ye hosh mein nai hain! Aap inse baath kijiye aur samjhayiye!
(She is drunk! Handle her with care!)
And saying, "Excuse me," Khushi left the place to Mrin who was helplessly
staring at them.
Aman beamed at his favourite lady! What a lady, he thought. She just
brushed the boss off and gave him a tip too saying, La was drunk so he
should be softer on her! How generous and classy!
ASR was shocked, and he noticed how royal Khushi's behaviour was! No
tantrums! No clinging! No name-calling! No complaints! She left the scene
created by La ... what they call… Royally! Head high, back stiff as if she has
admonished two squabbling subjects of her court for an out of court
settlement. This lady is ...Different!
He turned to la and told her, "You didn't take any of my calls! We were
finished long back and I told you so. Still I texted you! You did not
respond."
He paused and gave a glare to Wahid. Wahid backed off!
"Anyway, your contract ends with the AR group! I have recommended you
to the Mirchandani project, so all the best for that!" He said.
"And remember once and for all, the lady you spoke rubbish to, is my wife!
Next time you even try to look at her, just remember that I will wipe you
and your pups off the face of this planet." He said very sternly.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 16
"I accept we did not have a proper formal goodbye. So, here it is from me!
Good Bye La!" He said with a sense of finality.
He turned and his eyes searched for Khushi, who was being made to drink
a glass of water by Mrin. Darling Mrin! He should send her a gift the next
day for all the help!
Mirchandani prevailed and said, “Let’s start dinner!”
Arnav walked and was joined by Mrin and Khushi! He tried to talk, but
guests surrounded Khushi, and she refused to acknowledge him. He
seethed! ASR did that to others! Not others to ASR!
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Mirchandani announced, "Lets congratulate this
wonderful couple and I request all of you to proceed with dinner and then
dance!" He said amidst applause and cheers.
"Let me toast for the couple!" He called Arnav and Khushi and Mrin on to
the embankment.
"Let the bride do that this time!" Wahid cheered, and Lavanya snidely
smiled at ASR. Now what will you do? She raised her eyebrows at him.
People clapped and chanted, "Kooshi! Khooshi! Khooshi!"
ASR was infuriated and he was also feeling extremely embarrassed before
Khushi. She must be thinking the worst of him. Hell! La! You will pay for this!
He thought.
Mr. Mirchandani looked at Khushi expectantly, and as ASR tried to ward
him off, Khushi stepped forward and took the mike.
There was pin drop silence suddenly…
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 17
"Not here on the dais Ma'am, lighting problem. Please Ma'am, please!" The
reporters pestered... And ASR realised now things have gone out of hand.
He would screw Mirchandani! Idiot should have planned properly!
Khushi did not even look at Arnav. She walked down the embankment,
and went up to the dais. The dais was an elevated plank that was erected
in the center of the dinner tables set for four guests at a time, and was
well lit from the sides by special lights as well as a huge chandelier that
hung from the ceiling.
Khushi walked up and stood and turned to face Mr. & Mrs. Mirchandani
and Arnav.
She held a flute with a mocktail in one hand and said in perfect English,
"Good Evening everybody! I bear gifts of love, harmony and a promise of
absolute trust from my land and its people, to the beautiful friends of this
great city! Mr. and Mrs. Mirchandani, I thank you for presenting me to this
wonderful world. I come from the land of sun, and hope my life would be
as dazzling here!"
Then she raised her flute and looked at Arnav, who was stunned with his
mouth open for the second time that evening, square into his eyes and
said, "I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections, and
the truth of the imagination!"
She quoted Keats and said, "I would like to propose a toast to my
husband, Arnavji!"
"Arnavji, we married in haste, but we shall cherish each other in leisure!
May I tell you that!"
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 18
Then she quoted the famous words from the Breaking Dawn, "No
measure of time with you would be long enough, but we'll start with
forever!"
Silence!
One min!
Two!
Three!
Khushi turned to the reporters and then the applause began, and it went
on and on... and people cheered genuinely...
…In awe!
…In wonder!
…In adoration and...
…In admiration!
Arnav just could not believe his eyes, or his ears. She was perfection
personified! And he felt as if he was slapped! What did he say? ...Repent in
leisure and she...? Cherish!
And he looked at her waving! And noticed something odd! Good God! The
chandelier was falling!
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE MIRAGE 19
He started running towards the dais already!
And then it happened. CCCRRRAAASHHH!
The chandelier atop Khushi's head fell with a crash, and just before it hit
her a pair of strong hands seized her and whirled her from under it!
Goldenhaze Fiction

Goldenhaze Fiction
THE MIRAGE 20