My Work in Progress
As I mentioned last week, the final chapter of Ultimate Escalation was completed. I'm currently working my way through the myriad of reviews from the two online subscription writing sites I use.
My manuscript received another forty-one reviews this week, bringing the total to 765.
Here's another snippet:
The sounds of heavy traffic woke Mishka. He glanced out the window, watching a motorcycle with a family of five passing by. "You forgot to wake me."
Bikram shook his head. "We have not yet reached Amritsar, sahib. Perhaps ten more minutes. Do you want to stop by the Golden Temple? It is the most important shrine for the Sikhs."
"Perhaps another time. I think—" Mishka grabbed onto the door handle to steady himself as the truck rocked while passing a cluster of people on bicycles.
"Yes, sahib?"
"I think we might have to leave India in a hurry after we complete our mission."
"Many things to visit in India, sahib. I will be happy to be your guide—for a small fee."
Mishka laughed. "We shall see."
Bikram turned onto a side street, packed with trucks, cars, and rickshaws. Dozens of pedestrians scooted between the vehicles, tempting fate as they headed toward their destinations. Three and four-story buildings, with stores on the ground floors, hugged both sides of the street, display stands erected on the sidewalks to attract buyers. Multi-colored signs covered the storefronts, beckoning consumers inside. Vehicle horns, people shouting and laughing, and the scent of cooking food wafted through Mishka's window.
"One day, sahib, a ring road around Amritsar will be completed. For now, we must work our way through the outskirts of the city until we reach the road leading to Vedant's property. From there, it is only a few kilometers."
Twenty minutes later, Bikram made another turn onto a divided highway. Traffic heading into Amritsar was heavy, but few vehicles traveled in the outbound direction.
Bikram blew his horn and swerved to miss another motorbike bearing multiple passengers. "We will soon arrive, sahib."
"Excellent." Mishka studied the family clutching to one another as they sped by. "How often do those overloaded motorcycles end up in accidents."
"Many times each day. They are a hazard but no worse than stray livestock on the streets."
Buildings gave way to farmland as they continued out of Amritsar. Bikram pointed to the right. "See those buildings in the distance? That is where we are going."
"Did I catch a glimpse of a sign for a business?"
"Yes, sahib. The farm is used as a getaway for people who want to escape from city life. It is closed right now, so we could use it for our purposes." Bikram chuckled. "I am aware you will be paying the fee for all of the buildings. Did you not know this?"
Mishka pursed his lips. "Vedant did mention something about it, but we'll take care of the finances later."
Bikram slowed and turned onto a narrow lane. The second truck followed. "We are here, sahib. First, I will take you to one of the stone cottages where you and your men will stay. Our supporters will use two of them to make signs and banners, and those not from this area will sleep in the other two."
"What about the big house?"
"That is where we will eat out meals and meet to discuss whatever you think is of importance." Bikram gestured to the first cottage. "You will be in this one. In the evening, when there is a slight breeze, it is very pleasant on the rooftop terrace to enjoy a sunrise or sunset."
Mishka laughed. "You sound like an advertising man."
"It is my duty, sahib, to support the family." Bikram stopped in front of the building. We shall unload your equipment before going for something to eat."
Another snippet next week.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you'd like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
