No Other Love - Part 4

A Writer Gal Novella

Mahalo,

I’m writing this edition of The Writer Gal Letter listening to The Tenet Soundtrack, which was my edits music for the still TOP 40 BESTSELLER - BURN! YESSSS! My little baby is doing so well, I can’t believe my good fortune in having the BEST. Readers. Ever. Thank you! For everything. The reviews, the bookstagrams, the DMS (so many of you wrote to me telling me you haven’t ever been more excited for a new release by me) the reels…all of it!

I also took my first break of four whole days away from work in what seems like forever. After smashing all the deadlines, the edits, AND release week tasks. Sleep, wonderful glorious sleep has been my elixir, refreshing me so I am low-key becoming obsessed with Blaze.

Speaking of…Did ANYONE see that cliffhanger coming?

Paperback For Burn

LOOK AT THIS PRETTY PAPERBACK COVER for Nihaal and Mili! I am in LOVE! And I can’t wait to hold this one and Claim and Keep in my hands. The delivery is taking forever and I am sooooo eager to see them all!

A request: If you’ve read Burn please do consider rating and reviewing it on Amazon and Goodreads?

Now, onto the NOVELLA!!!!

No Other Love - Chapter Three

Now, without any more fuss, let me share the next chapter of my sweetly angsty, second chance, marriage in trouble, small-town romance novella starring a desperately nerdy doctor and his feisty surgeon wife!

Author’s Note: I’ll be writing down the English translations of the Indian words to this story, as I introduce you to Indian culture :) If you’d like to read the previous chapter, click here.

Fun fact: This novella is actually set in a town founded by one of my oldest friends. I’ve been fascinated with Aronda since I heard her talk about it back when we studied together and wanted to set a story here forever! Vikrant and Anika’s is the one finally. :D

Vikrant touched her thigh and Anika almost jumped out of her skin.

‘You okay?’ he asked.

‘I’m fine.’ She carefully took his hand away in a casual gesture, she hoped. ‘Just very tired and sleepy.’

‘Cool. You can crash for a few hours. Mom and dad won’t be arriving till after lunch anyway.’ Vikrant gave her a small, polite smile. ‘And I’ve told them to behave so you have nothing to worry about.’

Her lips trembled and one tear streaked out before she could stop it. ‘I don’t need protection from anyone.’ She dashed the tear away angrily. ‘Not even your parents.’

‘I know.’ He closed his eyes and an expression of insane hurt crossed his face. ‘That wasn’t what I meant. Let’s just grab some sleep, shall we? I’m tired too.’

Anika nodded shortly. She unclipped her seat belt, her belly burning with repressed emotions.

And somehow, Vikrant was there on her side before she could step out of the vehicle. His hands on her waist, biting into her skin as he plucked her from the seat and slid her length-wise down his legs before she landed on the ground.

She clutched at his forearms, staring at him the whole time. They were so close, one more inch and she’d be in his arms, tight against him.

Hell, she could see it in his eyes. The thing that drove her, drove him too.

Need.

It was debilitating. Soul-destroying.

Vikrant stepped back, taking his hands off her waist, finger by finger. ‘I really didn’t mean to sound defensive, Anika,’ he said softly. ‘Please forgive me.’

He took her bag and trudged up the path to the place he called home, which had no place for her.

~~~~~

Anika was impressed with Vikrant’s home. It was built cottage-style with three floors, a huge terraced roof with actual trees growing through the ground to the top, and a garden that even had a small vegetable patch. She could see construction was on for a marbled fountain and gave a small smile at the sight.

Vikrant had always wanted a marble fountain, ever since he’d seen one in the lobby of a five-star hotel where they’d attended a medical conference as students.

The house was sparsely furnished, with mosquito nets in every window and wide open doors that gave a stunning view of the garden. The wraparound porch had a hammock tied to one side with a free-standing lamp next to it. A half-open book rested on it.

She went to pick it up.

It was a sappy romance. She smiled some more. Some things never changed.

In her down time, she played squash or racquetball and wanted to go out. Vikrant loved staying home and watching a cricket or football match, a good book next to him. They were a classic case of opposites attract.

‘That’s not mine,’ Vikrant said from behind her.

‘I believe you.’ Anika placed the book back where she’d found it. She gave the hammock a gentle tug and it swung in the breeze. ‘This must be heaven, sleeping here.’

‘When I’m not dying of mosquito bites,’ he agreed, hands in pocket.

‘I’ll have to try it sometime then.’

‘Your bed’s ready for you.’ He pointed up. ‘First floor. First door on the left. I kept your bag there too.’ He hesitated. ‘It’s got a balcony and a lovely view.’

‘Awesome.’ She smiled, delighted. ‘Although I’m so tired I can sleep standing up.’

He smiled too, a little boyish. ‘You know I’ll catch you if you fall.’

~~~~~~

They looked away at the same time. Because this…this was something she was afraid of too.

When they weren’t fighting, they were so much in sync, it was scary. Part of it had to do with them both being doctors, a profession that had unique and very specific demands, but it also had to do with them - Vikrant and Anika - and the joy they found in each other.

Remembering that was a blow to her heart.

Anika picked up the book. ‘I think I’ll read a little before napping.’

‘Sure. You do that.’ Vikrant suggested. ‘I’ll go to the hospital and get my morning rounds done before lunch.’

‘Alright. See you then.’ And it was so foolish of her to be so excited about seeing him again, but there you go.

She was a fool when it came to him.

To Be Continued Next Month

I’m a little woozy from the heat and sleeping like a normal person at a normal time (half past midnight) so this letter won’t be as chatty and juicy as TWGL usually is! I know you understand. Because a rested Aarti is a plotting Aarti and a plotting Aarti writes Blaze faster :)

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That is it for today’s edition The Writer Gal Letter. I’ll be back next week with Blaze updates, hopefully, a cover reveal and more!

Till then, stay safe and awesome.

Xx

Aarti