by Nikita Singh
‘Yep. We hadn’t even talked or texted since that day, what, eight months ago?’
‘How did it go?’
Maahi thought back to the surprised expression on his face, which had changed into a familiar warm smile in a second, spreading warmth inside her too. ‘Not bad.’ She grinned.
Laila raised an eyebrow at her.
‘Oh God,’ Maahi whispered, watching her parents coming towards the store. ‘This is going to be something, isn’t it?’
‘We’ll get through this. It has the potential to be quite a horror story, but we’ll make it.’ Laila put a hand around Maahi’s shoulder and squeezed her. They burst out laughing.
Acknowledgements
Over the years, writing acknowledgements for my books has become an opportunity for self-reflection. The names in these lists tend to change dramatically each time, some of it is because I live like a friggin’ nomad, relocating every few years, and the rest I attribute to growing up. When I say growing up, I mean losing people on the way, keeping the important ones close and making new friends!
Disclaimer: I’m only naming the people who at least read my books, because the alternative is stupid. I’m not going to thank you for not reading any of my books ever, duh. Unless you’re family—then I’d have to put up with your defiance.
My constants: my parents, for letting me do my thing, even when it included moving 7,000 miles away from home. The rest of my family—my brother, Nishant Malay, and all of my many cousins (and their secret boyfriends/girlfriends—welcome to the family, btw). Deep Bhaiya, Bhabhi, TD, Avi, Shan, Chutru, Mohit, Sumi, Mona, Mili, Shreya and Tutu—I love each and every one of you!
When I finished writing the second draft of this book, I needed feedback. A lot of my dear friends offered to be my test readers and I forced the rest of them. Laura Duarte Gomez, for being my first reader and your not-baseless-anymore support. Robert Tanner, your literary swag continues to shine bright. Ashish Shrestha, I still hate you, but thanks. Tejal Shah, for being the elder sister I never had. David Torrone for, like, being who you are, I guess. Julie Goldberg, for making the book have more Mario Kart – the world will thank you. Alka Singh, for the constant support. Ava Mailloux, for the best-est review ever! Lauren Gary for making me calm the eff down every time I freaked out. Lauren’s mom for being interested enough in that ‘weird Indian girl’ to read my manuscript. You guys are bomb.
My agent extraordinaire Anish Chandy, for staying on this journey with me, as I continue to be a pain in your neck. Ananth Padmanabhan, CEO of HarperCollins India and the sender of beautiful flowers and champagne and good vibes. My editor, Manasi Subramaniam, for putting up with my crazy schedule. This is the first time we’re working together, but you’re already kinda fed up of me, aren’t you? Prerna Gill, for the final cleaning and polishing of the manuscript, which I know couldn’t have been easy at all. Amrita Talwar, my publicist, the superstar. I’m writing this before we start promoting the book, but I’m sure it’ll be awesome!
You, the reader, for being so warm and kind and always pushing me to work harder for you. Your love and support mean everything to me. Yeah, I’m cheesy like that.
And Guruji, Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, for the positivity and faith you offer.
About the Book
Love is a many-flavoured thing: it can go from vanilla to rainbow sprinkles in the blink of an eye.
Four years ago, Maahi’s heart was broken into so many pieces that it looked like she might never put it back together again. Yet time has healed her wounds, and she has found her true calling – and even a dash of romance. But when the past comes knocking on her door, threatening to shatter a life she has carefully rebuilt, her world is turned upside-down.
Emotionally charged and vivid, Like a Love Song is about the sort of love that consumes and sears you … and the healing powers of true passion.
About the Author
Nikita Singh is the bestselling author of eight novels, including After All This Time, The Promise and Someone Like You, as well as a contributing author to books in The Backbenchers series. She is the editor of the collections of short stories 25 Strokes of Kindness and The Turning Point.
Nikita was born in Patna and raised in Indore, where she was brought up in a home of voracious readers. After graduating from college, she worked with publishers in Delhi as an editor and publishing manager. In 2013, she received a Live India Young Achievers Award. She is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at The New School in New York City.
You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (@singh_nikita) or on Facebook.
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First published in India in 2016 by Harlequin
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers India
Copyright © Nikita Singh 2016
P-ISBN: 978-93-5177-803-5
Epub Edition © February 2016 ISBN: 978-93-5177-804-2
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Nikita Singh asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
This is a work of fiction and all characters and incidents described in this book are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under The Copyright Act, 1957. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins Publishers India.
Cover design: Saurabh Garge
Cover images: iStock and Shutterstock
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