Secrets of Soul is a compelling anthology featuring 12 heartfelt stories by 12 talented authors. Each story explores profound emotions and experiences, offering readers a deep and moving journey through the human soul. From tales of love and loss to stories of hope and resilience, this collection captures the essence of life's most poignant moments. Whether you're looking for inspiration, solace, or simply a good read, Secrets of Soul is a treasure trove of literary gems that will touch your heart and stir your soul.
1. Barkha By Anshuma Sharma
Barkha is a heartrending tale which depicts the feelings of parents’ grief and mental tormentation when a child passes away while they are still young. It describes the memories of the grief stricken parents Sushant and Kavita who remember the days when their child Barkha grew up, just like any toddler – the simple joys and fun she had but falls prey to the dreaded infirmity called Lymphoma (blood cancer). The story also illustrates about the faint ray of hope which is ever existent despite any adverse circumstance.
2. A Significant Turn By Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi
The story is about Avinash Mehra, a businessman who worked till his bones ached. He did it, for he wanted his son, Akhil to see better days in future. Even while Avinash is seated at the dining, he can see about his imaginary dealings without much to promise Akhil that he would be present at his football match. A Significant Turn is Gargi’s attempt to bring out the core feelings instilled in every parent’s heart which is subterfuged by their hardworking nature – a nature which might later give them a sense of recognition, even at the sake of the simple smiles and promises.
3. I Turned Twenty Five By Khushboo Gulrajani
The story ‘I Turned Twenty Five’ speaks about the emotional side of a person which is still a toddler, despite their actual age conveying them to be mature individual when they reach a specific age bar. The story throws light into the emotional turbulance in a girl’s pure and unadulterated heart which is still the same even when she has turned ‘twenty five’.
4. Three Weeks By Shreyan Laha
Three weeks is a story about a first time author, Amit. He gains a fly by night popularity in college and also gets committed with Diya, a girl two years senior to her. However, the relationship begins to turn sour in a matter of days just like any other college-going-couple – the reason being overpossessiveness. Anger and frustration builds up in the mind of Amit, who wants to breakaway. What does Amit do? Does he follow his instincts or listen to his conscience? Three weeks is a story about anger and its ill effects.
5. Khushi By Pooja Purohit
Khushi, ironically, is a name of a woman and the story is that of a woman’s painful journey throughout her life. It raises an outright awareness about the stepmotherly behaviour of children and step-parents who disown responsibility to search for freedom.
6. I Promise You By Akash
‘Himalaya’ Shrivastav Akash’s story ‘I Promise You’ is clearly based on the famous quote ‘The one who smiles outside is the one who cries inside’. The protagonist of the story is Piya, a popular RJ, known for her jovial nature and her bubbly voice. The story shows how she professionally organises the Valentine’s Day offer over the radio and her shockingly devastating love life, which was marred by a bomb blast.
7. Truly, Madly, Yours By Rohan Kachalia
A touch of the grayer side, Truly, Madly, Yours is a story in which characterises the be-all-and-end-all of all feelings – the feeling of love. It is an exciting and passionate tale of Anamika and Arjun, conveying the deep, inner meaning of love and what it means to a life which has been devoid of the beautiful feeling.
8. A Handful of Strength By Ashwati Menon
Anandi found a job in Mumbai but struggled to find any satisfaction, both with the money and with the environment. She had to walk kilometres to avoid transportation fares and keep her body and soul together. She was also upset at the conditions when she came back home for Diwali. Her only way out of the misery was an audition tape which she sent to the Mumbai Musically Open Band days ago but she felt that luck deserted her. The story also conveys the message that whenever we feel we are in the greatest trouble, there is someone who is in a deeper trouble.
9. I Married My First Love By Rohit Bhatia
I Married My First Love is a story based on the mechanical feelings of today’s lifestyle and relationships. It also accentuates about our destiny, something which can never be change and also something which plays a vital role in our lives.
10. The Empty Chair By Shrruti Patole Clarence
The Empty Chair is a tale which emphasises on lack of time for one another and relationships which work adversely and hand in hand in a competitive society like a corporate world. In this story, Sulekha, a career-orieented girl makes a name for herself in her company by leaps and bounds, but everything comes at a price which Sulekha had to pay.
11. A Man in Platform By Sandeep Sharma
This story focuses on the adage ‘Honesty is the best policy’. Sharma ji, a lawyer travels everyday via train and happens to meet an estranged beggar who is unknowingly suffering at his cost. What would Sharma ji do to make things right?
12. Maybe By Rahul Ramesh
Maybe is a school-life story on romance. Love may be an infatuation or may be a true feeling in the school going age. Whatever it is, we cannot deny the fact that it does happen – whatever it may be. In the story, the characters Vishal, the senior and Inchara, a newcomer fall in love with each other.
