The book is here : Page Nine

Page Nine

Chapter Zero

As for me, the seventy thousand after taxes were two offers, one in New York City, the other in Tampa, Florida. I had been a conformist most of my life, the guy who wanted to belong, be liked and did the safe thing till Sarwar decided to play truth and dare. The odyssey that began with his words took us across the Pacific, the Atlantic and back; put us in the board rooms of the third largest bank and the most admired automobile manufacturer on the planet; and made Yahoo and Reuters call us the same day my apartment owner placed an eviction notice outside my door. It also taught me something much more important – the wisdom of walking away – from kingdoms in our minds and each other.

They say God fashioned paradise after California, which is where I left Sarwar a year and a half later for exactly sixty eight thousand four hundred after taxes. I left because it was time to say good bye and this was one thing they had taught well at school – firm handshake and don’t forget to send a thank you note later. There were no cherry trees, sunny afternoons or old friends at the last rites. I went to the gym, swam a few laps and when I came back it was over. I had washed myself clean of the spirit, doubts and heart break. Only debts remained. An awkward conversation with SM and Denise started the disengagement process. He drove me out to Dana point just past the Ritz at Laguna Nigel. Short hop down steep, creeper lined stairs and we were on a beach that was just a shade lighter than the mess we were in. We walked, listened to the sea breeze, enjoyed the sunshine and talked. The Pacific watched us silently as we chatted about why, why not, faith and our place in the lives that we had put on hold beneath the Californian sky. It didn’t help. I didn’t have the answers he needed; he didn’t know the questions I was answering.

This is our story. There are no happy endings at the end of this book.

Avicena was dead; long live Avicena.

(to be continued...)