Chapter 1: Big Reveal
"Miss Aditi, please keep writing stories like this! Every time, your novels are full of suspense. They excite us and inspire us to read more! It doesn't feel like reading stories, it... it feels like living them! You're amazing!" Nisha said to me with a bright smile.
Nisha—one of my regular fans who hasn't missed a single event. She's cheerful and kind, with a personality that makes you feel instantly comfortable. Honestly, she feels more like a little sister to me.
A small chuckle escaped me. "Yes, yes! I'll keep writing more stories," I said warmly, handing her the signed book.
As she was about to leave, I stopped her. "Oh! Wait, I wanted to ask you something."
Nisha paused. Curiously, she asked, "What is it, Miss Aditi?"
"You're heading home now, right?" I asked.
"Yes, I just came to see you and get your autograph. Why do you ask?" she replied.
"Oh, it's nothing—but if you're free, you should stay until the end of the event," I said.
"Hmm… Well, I am free, for sure! But is something special happening at the end?" she asked in a playful tone.
"There is!" I said with the same teasing tone. "But it's a secret."
"What?! That's not fair!" she pouted, then smiled again. "But if it's you, I'll wait."
"Nice! See you later!" I waved as she walked back into the crowd.
The event went on as usual—photos, autographs, laughter. But something special was waiting.
Everyone gathered in a large hall filled with warm, golden lights. I sat on stage next to Ritika, a well-known interviewer. We played fun games, had a quiz, and even hosted a "look-alike" contest. There were also special food stalls serving character-themed snacks inspired by my previous novels.
Everything was full of life, but my heart was still waiting for the right moment.
And then I saw it—that moment had finally come."
I picked up the microphone and said, "Attention, please! My dear readers, there's something special I would like to share."
A soft, unnoticeable chuckle escaped my lips as the entire hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward me. Ritika also looked surprised, the backstage crew paused what they were doing, and even the event manager, Nikhil, froze for a moment.
"There's a surprise for you all." I said, my tone playful. "Can anyone guess what it could be?"
"Huh? This… This wasn't in the script." Ritika thought to herself, shifting slightly in her seat.
Nikhil, standing behind the curtains, frowned. "What is she doing? This wasn't planned." He thought to himself.
Trying to go along with it, Ritika quickly adjusted and smiled. "Umm… is it some kind of limited-edition merchandise you're about to reveal?"
I looked at her and grinned. "Well, not at all, but it's something more than that."
Before Ritika could ask again, someone from the last row shouted, "Are you going to be releasing a new novel?" Everyone's attention turned towards the one who shouted from the back.
"Huh? This… this can't be true. Miss Rathore said that she was on a break." someone in the middle row whispered to himself.
I blinked, my eyes widened in surprise at the accurate guess. A smile formed on my face. "Yes," I said casually, "you're absolutely right."
The entire hall went silent for a beat.
"Wait, what did she just say?" everyone thought to themselves.
The girl who had shouted choked slightly on her drink and said, "Wha—what?! I guessed it as a joke!"
A moment later, the entire hall erupted.
"What?! A new novel?!"
Pause!
You guys must be wondering why they reacted like that? Right? Well... It's because, in a previous interview, I said I was going to take a break from writing novels—but no! Mujhe masti chadh gayi thi! I was the one who got overexcitedNot even a month has passed since that interview, and here I am, announcing a new novel.
Sigh... Ok, now let's continue!
I raised my hand gently to calm the crowd. "Yes, yes, it's true! But let me explain."
Everyone leaned in, the room holding its breath.
"You all know I hadn't planned on writing anything for a while, but…" I paused, letting the silence build, my tone turning thoughtful.
"This novel—its story, its characters, and, most of all, its mysteries—they are the reason I wrote it."
The room was once again filled with murmurs.
Ritika's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She leaned forward slightly and asked, "Tell us more about the novel!"
I glanced at her, a small smile tugging at my lips. "She knows this wasn't in the script. She really wants to know. How cute.
Wait… why does she suddenly look like a dogu waiting for treats?" I thought to myself. The image stuck in my mind.
"Great! Now that I have seen it, I can't unsee it. But I kind of want to pet her–
Nooooooooo!" I shook the thought away and cleared my throat gently. "Focus, Aditi. Focus!"
"Okay, okay," I said with a soft chuckle. "I'll reveal just a little bit."
The room fell still—like someone had hit pause on the world.
I let the silence linger, building up the suspense.
"This novel will be releasing very soon," I said with a warm, gentle smile.
Then, I shifted my tone.
More serious.
More commanding.
I sat up straighter, a smirk appearing on my lips. "But this time… it's not just any story. It's a masterpiece."
Gasps rippled through the audience like a wave crashing against the shore.
I continued, my voice firm, steady, almost like a magician preparing his final trick. "It's filled with mind-bending puzzles. A series of impossible crimes… and a detective unlike any you've ever seen before."
The phones were lifted up to record the videos.
The crowd leaned in closer, eyes wide, breaths held…
"And most importantly…" I paused for letting the moment grow heavier.
"This story will keep you guessing until the very end."
Slowly, I reached into the inside pocket of my coat. My fingers brushed against a card. I pulled out a single card. Soft, almost unnoticeable rustle was made by the fabric.
Rustle…
I placed it on the table, face-up and deliberate.
The card touched the surface with a clean, crisp sound.
Tap…
It was the Ace of Diamonds.
The camera crew reacted instantly, as if they had rehearsed this moment, quickly they zoomed in on the card.
The camera zoomed in smoothly, locking on the card.
Click… whirr…
Everyone's eyes turned to the screen behind us, the screen flickered—and there it was, magnified for all to see. The card was shown there.
With bold black letters stretched across the card's surface it reads:
"Beginning of the Game: Here the Game Starts!"
I again started to speak in the microphone and said, "This is a symbol that you all will recognise soon..."
At first, no one reacted.
Because of this the self-doubls hit me like a storm. "What if they don't like it? What if I made a mistake not waiting longer? Have I made a mistake?–" "Wait!... Stop Aditi!... Don't self-doubt yourself! Be positive! They would absolutely like this." The younger self of mine appeared and said to me.
But as soon as they realised that I had released a new novel the whole hall erupted in joy...
"See... They all did like it! Don't lose hope! Okay?..." The younger self of mine said to me.
"Now, the game had officially begun..."