Some friendships are meant to happen. On a regular day of her life, Anusha meets Aarohi in the Badminton Court of her apartment complex. There is an instant connection and over some heartfelt chats and the game of Badminton, they develop a beautiful bond of friendship soon. They meet everyday but after a week, Aarohi does not turn up at the court. What happened to Aarohi? What is in store for Anusha? Will Anusha be able to unearth the secrets which are waiting to surface or will the twists and turns lead her to a dead end?
Sexual molestation is shocking, painful and sad. The victim of abuse feels pain and their lives can get shattered. Statistics show almost 1 in 2 Indians have been molested or worse, raped when they were young and innocent. And the most horrifying fact about it is that most perpetrators have no set gender or age. They can be someone's father, somebody else's hero or even a perceived pillar of society. Arohi is a very well written, crisp short story addressing this issue very sensitively. Looking forward to reading the next one from this author.
A hard-hitting short story which highlights an issue which most of the female gender can relate with. I am impressed with the POV that the author has chosen to narrate the tale. Its very rare to find stories narrated from the angle it has been. I'm sorry I can't elaborate more than this without giving out the spoiler.
The language is smooth, and the pace is fluid. A recommended read.
The author has a knack for words and stories. Aarohi is sure a good read and I like how at the end of it, a social message comes out. Am glad when writers pick topics like these and bring about some discussions around the subject. Only when we talk more about it, can we bring change.
A wonderful short read which has a lot of depth. The author starts the story on a light note and gradually increases the graph and at the end, the climax hits hard. A perfect example of saying a lot without actually saying a lot. The writing style is captivating and the pace is perfect. Does not seem like an autonomous first attempt at a novella - a great debut!
Short story e-book on Amazon. Gripping story line. Starts in a gentle manner and one is not sure where this is going with 2 girls meeting to practice badminton. In the middle it seems to be taking a cliched route which many stories have already taken in the past. But then you realize that is not the twist in the tale that the author had been working towards and there is more to come. The real punch comes afterwards and a really relevant social issue gets addressed. Short well paced read not getting over dramatic nor too preachy despite addressing a social issue.
Very beautifully written short story. It is simple story but brings out the sensitivity in characters and highlights one of the kinds of sexual abuses which is most of the times ignored or shunned as baseless and illogical.
Every morning we woke up to bitter news of sexual abuse in many places. This book is about one such incident which shatters lives of the characters in this book. One must be strong,courageous to face and stop this abuse. Anusha is one such character which inspires us to face and stop the sexual abuse. Heart wrenching , fast paced story without unwanted description. Each line,each character is build very well.
The pace and the topic chosen by the author complimented each other. Its a sensitive topic handled well. Its a nice, quick read and I look forward to read more from Anupama.
Aarohi and Anusha strike a bond, over badminton. Anusha’s father is a badminton coach - and he partakes lessons for those interested to play.
Aarohi is good - Anusha, after trying many-a-times, finally managed to defeat her, one fine day. To her immense surprise, Aarohi doesn’t turn up for the next few days. When Anusha embarks in a search for her, what she finds will leaver her bewildered and totally stunned.
To be able to encompass such a poignant tale in so few words, takes commendable passion, focus and literary prowess.
Gut-wrenching, I hope no one ever experiences what Aarohi and Anusha did.
Áarohi´ is a poignant and inspiring story that has sisterhood as its cornerstone. It has an intriguing story-plot that starts on a sweet note, takes sudden detours into unexpected territories, explores and tackles the grey areas and has a victorious ending. At its core, Áarohi´ is a ´good triumphs over evil´ story.
The story flows in a seamless fashion from one subplot to another. Anupama Dalmia ties myriad elements of drama, horror and mystery neatly together to give the readers a satisfying experience.
Aarohi chooses a topic that is still considered difficult to talk about, but the author treats it with sensitivity. The friendship, loss, heartache and denial that form the framework for the story are solid supports and help make it an engaging, emotional and suspenseful plot. I do recommend a proofread to eliminate the few grammatical errors. The buildup to the climax carries well and ties it up together in a neat little package.
The sordid truth about predators living amongst us well depicted by the author...It is a grim reminder to parents and elders to be more approchable and listen to their kids carefully so that kids can share their angst without fear of judgement ..Lack of communication has disastrous consequences
A wonderful read. It started as a take of friendship, taking a sudden turn towards suspense, and a masterful unexpected ending. The language is simple yet engrossing. A quick read which ended too soon. I wished it could have delved into the friendship a little more. A definite recommendation for this one.
Aarohi is a beautiful work of fiction, its a very small read, but one that'll blow your mind. The book was an engrossing read and it's a must must read. You'll take away something from this one by the end of the book. Estimated read time: 20 mins.
Even Though ‘Aarohi’ Happens To Be A Quick Read And Is Just 14 Pages Between The Covers Yet It Reaffirms The Belief That “Big Surprises Come In Small Packages”. Right From The Very Word Go There Is Absolutely No Room For Even A Fleeting Dull Moment As It Is Absolutely Smooth Sailing Right From The Very Word Go Till The Curtain Comes Down. The Suspense Definitely Keeps The Readers Hooked But What Remains Long After The Read Is Completed Is The Trauma & The Poignancy That Touches The Very Soul & How When The Sins Of Parents Return To Haunt The Children From Beyond The Grave. More Than The Eerie Suspense Is The Deep Impact This Paranormal Thriller Surrounds & Embraces The Reader With That Is Not Always Comfortable But Indeed Soul Searching. There Is An Instant Connect When Anusha & Aarohi’s Paths Cross During A Game Of Badminton. Anusha Can Feel It Almost Instantly That The Two Are Soul Sisters Even Though They Never Met Before And Virtually Know Nothing Of Each Other Beyond The Chit-Chat They Share Daily During The Time Spent On The Badminton 🏸 Court. A Week Spent Together And Anusha Starts Feeling An Inseparable Bond Towards Aarohi. So When, As Suddenly As Aarohi Came Into Her Life Out Of The Blue As She Disappears It Leaves Her Terribly Disturbed. What Follows Subsequently Not Only Leaves Her Badly Shaken But Shattered Too. What Follows In The Electrifying Climax Is Not Just Thought Providing Alone But Equally Nerve Shattering Too. How Engrossing This Short Read By Anupama Dalmia Actually Is Can Be Gauged By The Very Fact That How Gripping The Impact Of Aarohi Was On Me As A Reader-That Between The Reading & The Review I Actually Have Two Of Her Books ‘The Value Of Life’ & ‘The Homecoming’ On My TBR Shelf....Am Sure Many More Readers Are Bound To Feel The Same Way After Reading ‘Aarohi’ Especially If This Happens To Be A First Time Introductory Read From ANUPAMA DALMIA!!!