Notion Press Media Pvt Ltd No. 50, Chettiyar Agaram Main Road, Vanagaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 095 First Published by Notion Press 2021 Copyright © Sohrab Khandelwal 2021 All Rights Reserved. ISBN 978-1-68523-316-7 This book has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. While every effort has been made to avoid any mistake or omission, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that neither the author nor the publishers or printers would be liable in any manner to any person by reason of any mistake or omission in this publication or for any action taken or omitted to be taken or advice rendered or accepted on the basis of this work. For any defect in printing or binding the publishers will be liable only to replace the defective copy by another copy of this work then available.

Blessed is the paper, blessed is the pen, blessed is the ink-pot and blessed is the ink. Blessed is the writer, O Nanak, who writes the True Name of God. – Guru Nanak

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To my mama and papa…

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To love, and the artist in everyone…

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Acknowledgements In 10th standard, I had for the first time shared with people that I wanna be an author. And at that time, most of my friends said you should be an actor, you are a far better actor. I did become an actor and with this book, I’m also an author now. I want to start by thanking my mother, Dr. Kuljeet Kaur, for inculcating in me the habit of reading books very early in my childhood. It planted the seed in me of being a storyteller. I want to thank my father, Gp Capt Ashwani Kumar, for believing in my writing and for continued support. I thank my sister Dr. Nayantara for being my silent cheerleader throughout life. I want to thank one of my best friends, Sanam Sekhon, perhaps the first person to encourage me to write my book. I was still working with Infosys when I had the idea of writing a book. There were some lonely times when I couldn’t find a friend, but I always had you. I can’t thank you enough, for standing by me, and for encouraging me to keep writing whatever I was undergoing in life. 9

I want to thank my uncle Charanjit Singh Jaura who has been like a life coach to me. Through some of the darkest moments in my life, you pushed me on to keep working, keep writing. I thank you most for always being a listener to me. I want to thank Dr.Mandeep my friend and doctor. I was finally able to express myself freely and concentrate on my work. Thank you Khodus Wadia. You have always been a mentor to me in not just voicing and acting but in storytelling. Your invaluable advice made it possible for me to create characters like Kabir and Lucia. Thank you Aanand Mahendroo sir for being the institute you are and for having me as your student and for always appreciating and nurturing the writer in me. Thank you Nithya Shanti, for being both a friend and mentor. Your advise on daily writings formed a crucial foundation for my writing routine later. Thank you Neha Chandok for advising me to write whatever came to me first and in any order. It helped me cross the initial hesitation. Thank you Sundeep Misra sir for your invaluable tips on how to write daily and form a routine. It was only because of that, that I could finish the book. Thank you Ketan Bhagat for sharing your experience as an author and introducing me to my editor Indranil. Thank you, Indranil Mukherjee for your comments and suggestions that made me push to make this book better. 10

Thank you, Alakh Niranjan, aka Jay, for your tips on self-publishing and encouragement to take the plunge with Notion Press. Last but not least, I thank you, Nira Suarez my dearest friend for your belief in me and your unconditional support. Thank you for being my inspiration. You also went on to play beautifully the role of Lucia in the film Que Sera Sera. I also want to thank the Notion Press team especially Hema, my publishing manager for doing an excellent job with the cover and putting this book together. It is the blessings of many people that I have been able to put this story together for you all to read. I might have not been able to take everyone's name but I thank you all for your continued love and support. I give thanks to the muse and all those who have written before me. Thank you Universe, Creation, Life, God for all the moments that led to this moment and for this moment that will lead to many more. Thanks and God bless! Peace, love n joy, – Sohrab khandelwal

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“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” – Dr. Seuss

“Go on. Do the divergent. Paddle upstream and surrender to unfamiliar tributaries” – Nithya Shanti

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One “YEAH, MOST OF the luggage has been sent. I’m gonna pick the stuff later... Well, I’m just gonna spend the time in the city… yeah, yeah I’m okay... I don’t know... No! The new tenant has to move in today... Yeah… So just gave the key and am now heading to the café... Thanks for everything... Achaa, I’m entering the lift... Will call you later...” Kabir disconnected the call as he entered the lift. It was one of those old style lifts that had twin grill doors which had to be closed manually requiring some effort unlike the automatic ones but in exchange, it allowed the passengers a view of the outside. A lot of the older societies in Mumbai had such lifts. The phone call wouldn’t have disconnected in the lift, but Kabir was feeling too emotional to carry on the conversation, not wishing to be probed further. He was leaving the flat to never come back again. So many wonderful memories was all that he had for luggage now and well, also a small knapsack that held a phone charger, a book, a notebook, a pen; all things required to help him through the day. The rest of his stuff, which was a guitar and a rucksack filled to 15

Adapted into a Multiple Award Winning, BAFTA Qualifying Film

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wo strangers, Kabir the poet and Lucia the ballerina meet on their last day in mumbai. In a world that has little time for real conversations the two find comfort in each other’s company as they explore the city. But they also discover that not all is well as it appears to be. Each carries a storm within, hidden under the personas, just like little whirlpools that run beneath the surface of seemingly calm waters. What will become of them? Que Sera Sera… Que Sera Sera is a story about love, set in the fast paced world of hook ups and one night stands. A transformative journey about two lost souls finding their way… just as we all are. Disclaimer: The characters in the book are purely imaginary. And if they find any resemblance to some personality of the reader, then it won’t be merely a coincidence…

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