Originally posted by: sashashyam
My dear Avantika,
I am not quite sure what I want to say about this chapter.
Thank you, Aunty.. I've realised that I keep looking out for your reviews.. It's just like you need a parent's comment, either criticism or praise on achieving something.. 😃
It is fascinating, in that it reads like something out of the biography of Mata Hari. Your Rosanna has the same deliberate manner of flaunting her sensuous personality for a specific purpose, the same fearless readiness to take risks while exploring the unknown, the same quickwittedness that that legendary lady must have had. Except that Mata Hari was, as far as one knows, not given, as Rosanna is, watching the sand slip thru her fingers in quiet desperation.
Now, this has to be the best compliment I've ever received! Mata Hari was/is/will remain a legend.. I'm soo glad that you could catch a glimpse of her in Rosanna.. Yes, as far as I know, not much was known about her personal life tragedies, except the fact that she had a husband and children.. But Rosy does have something bitter and dreadful in her past..
I am glad you have created an increasingly complex and fully rounded character here, with so many mysterious quirks that it would probably take you, and me, the whole story to unravel them. Especially what it is that drives her to take on a mission that could so easily end in exposure, capture and a very painful end under torture. Being in the regular police is a cakewalk by comparison to being part of the shadowy, vicious world of spies and spymasters. By the way, I do hope you are not thinking of including any torture scenes; I simply cannot stand them, which is why I do not read spy stories, even the slick James Bond ones.
I've come to realise that every word I write, goes under the scanner, not only by the readers but by myself as well.. And hence, I'm being extra cautious while laying out the character sketches.. More on Rosy will be revealed in the upcoming parts..
And, no.. I assure, you that I am not in favour of drafting any torture scenes, simply coz I am too frail-hearted to visualise and write them.. I am not really stirred up by the teaser questions in your precap. I am patient by nature, and it is your characters who interest me more that what happens to them.
Lastly, I was intrigued by two other teasers that you have deliberately thrown out, very likely to check out if your readers are attentive enough. One is more obvious than the other - and I am sure a lot of your readers would be speculating about the link between Ayesha and Roshni, the laal pari - so I have reproduced it below in the second place. The first is very mysterious, and so it comes first. I look forward to its being clarified, but not too soon!
Chapter 1
Police Station, Raigad, Maharashtra.
March 1995.
Inspector Gupte stood behind him with a packet of biscuits and a bottle of water and heard the boy trying to pronounce the engraved words..
"Sadrakshanaya Khalanigrahanaya.."
Arjun spun around and saw the Inspector smiling at him. Gupte saw his forehead crease with confusion and was reminded of someone..
Chapter 2
Warning: Long update!
Kohinoor Banquet Halls, Dadar, Mumbai.
'Oho.. I promise, tumhari shaadi mein chaaron taraf sirf red roses hi honge.. Main khud saari decorations karungi.. Dekh lena.. Meri laal pari..'
Once again, you've left me with a grin.. I knew someone would take the hints.. And I'm glad you've voiced them out.. Yes, those were intentional teasers, open for speculations.. More on them in the future.. 😃
It is just the beginning, of course, but I am sure it will be a long, memorable ride with you and your Lady in Red.
Shyamala Aunty
PS: Incidentally, the lady in red you have used as an illustration does not seem to have the black choker on.
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