"It was a wonderful experience interacting with you and appreciate the way you have planned and executed the whole publication process within the agreed timelines.”
Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
“Jack, that is not even the point! How can they get me engaged to someone I barely know without my consent? I am an adult, a grown-up. I can decide on my life-partner," Aashi said, with finality in her voice. “And I have decided who that is going to be…"
Young, naïve, Zakie lands a job at the National Oil & Gas Corporation of India, a dream placement for many, and falls in love with the petite, bubbly Aashi, a girl from Delhi. Amidst threats from Aashi’s family and jealous batchmates, who are against their ‘inter-caste’ relationship, Jack, as everyone calls Zakie now, decides to propose Aashi at the end of their training. When they are sent to Gujarat, Jack faces a double tragedy. Aashi’s parents, unbeknownst to her, has got her engaged to a stranger. And almost at the same time Jack’s beloved grandmother passes away. Jack finds comfort in Aashi’s arms and is temporarily reassured that all is well with them. But on their way back to Dehradun to complete their probation, Aashi disappears. Jack wonders if he was living a nightmare; and if he would ever see Aashi again…
Kezhakielie Whiso
Kezhakielie Whiso holds a PhD in Geology and worked for the Oil & National Gas Corporation Ltd., where he specialized in micro-fossils. He is a life member of the Palaeontological Society of India and the Association of Petroleum Geologists, India, and has published two-dozen scientific papers in Indian and international/foreign journals. Fifteen years to the day since he joined ONGC, he quit his increasingly bureaucratic, corporate job in search of solitude, peace of mind, and freedom to write, and experiment with life. He continues to research and educate on his beloved microfossils and rocks, which he loves almost as much as people. Half-Time a novel is his debut novel, based on his first few months of experiencing ONGC. Whiso has previously published with Penthrill Publications (Nagaland) and on Amazon KDP. His short stories and poems have featured in several volumes including Room No. 312 and other stories, Sharing Stories, Homegrown, and others. He currently makes his home in Dehradun with his wife, a former ONGCian turned entrepreneur herself, and a spirited, young daughter.
