By Mehek Bassi. Grade A+
All of nineteen years, Mehek Bassi has come out with a sensitive novel that the youth of today can identify with. ‘Chained’ aptly portrays the restless aspirations, burning desires and possessive love of modern day youngsters. While some may perceive the story setting to be a normal part of modern living, Mehek describes the darker side of it all where one is pursued and tormented for wanting to dream, love and aspire for more. Mehek in this novel brings to light the fact that while wanting something in life is in our hands, bringing it to a happy all izz well kind of ending is certainly not!
The protagonists of the novel are Shiya Mathur and Arjun Singh who step into college and consequently into each other’s lives in filmy ishtyle. What follows is an intense story about stormy emotions, soaring ambitions and wild passions that go haywire.
The plot of the story revolves around Shiya who is an aspiring singer and spends the best part of her life working hard to fulfill her dream. This she does amidst the indifferent behavior of her step mother, younger stepsister and a father who is far away unable to help her face her problems or even share life with her. Her hard work, sacrifice and focused goals eventually pay off amidst all odds but the price she pays for it all is deadly, something unimaginable even to the reader!
What makes ‘Chained’ interesting is that every time you think that a conflict is solved, that a solution is in sight, the author steps into accelerator mode and you are caught once again in another storm. ‘Chained’ is basically about the chains of name, fame, status and unchained emotion that tightly grasp the minds and hearts of people caught in a fast moving and materialistic world where the goal is in sight but the journey isn’t, where the destination is pursued with determination but the road to the goal as well as the emotions are unequipped!
(extract)
“Arjun…why am I in this mess? Why me? Can’t I be free? Can’t everything just end? In this ruckus of life, nothing had I gained, I just want freedom now, no more do I want to be chained…”
Shiya’s conflict between her family, love life and her professional life is aptly described, something which many a youngster faces today. Arjun’s inability to handle his overpowering and possessive love for Shiya is too much for him to bear. The mourning of his grief even when all is not over as yet is sensitively portrayed. The author seems to live in the hearts of the two protagonists as they edge on in life, sometimes, tripping over self-made problems, sometimes, helplessly caught as victims of unrelenting circumstance. The narrative is inviting. The chapters written date-wise, making it easier for the reader to delve into the past and then jump back into the present lives of the characters. Flashbacking into time, the love story of a passionate couple is made to go through innumerable twists and turns, testing patience, love and loyalty.
The denouement is unexpected. Good work by a teenage author. Looking forward to reading more stuff like this.
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