Sunshine Town (Paperback - 2020)

Shlok, a lanky teenager and a daydreamer, doesn’t want much from his life. He dreams about making his parents happy and winning the affection of a neighbourhood sweetheart, Natasha. Though both are poles apart, their interests bring them close. Together, they experience new emotions. But, just when they are ready to acknowledge their feelings, it is too late.

The rapids of life set Shlok on an unexpected journey, where he realizes that one can’t always be in control of one’s own circumstances. Unable to crack an important entrance exam and because of the geographical difficulties affecting his love life, Shlok’s life goes through turbulent times.

All the while, his faith in God ebbs and flows, but like a wave, it ends up breaking on the shore before returning to the sea. He is confronted with a perennial question—am I good enough for anything? Holding a mirror to himself, he is faced with the decision to give up on everything he thought was right for him.

Set in Varanasi, a city in North India, during the late 90s, before the pervasiveness of technology, Sunshine Town is about the aspirations and emotional turmoil of being a teenager. The story deals with the themes of love, career, and personal fulfilment.

MANIISSH ARORAA is a published author and IT professional, living in Bangalore. His short story ‘Purple Diary’ was published in a prestigious transnational journal, Illuminati. Being born and brought up in Allahabad, he has a special interest in the people and culture of North of India and his stories include day to day characters from the region.

Write to him: [email protected]