An Offbeat Path: A Story About the Labour of Love by Ruchira Khanna

Blurb (as on Goodreads):

Megha, a recent economics graduate, is tasked with being a chief of staff, fulfilling her late mother’s dying wishes, instead of working in a corporate office. While trying to lead her staff, she is offered a deal with lucrative pay. As the opportunity would grant her freedom to live her life on her terms and a bank account full of cash, she accepts it. Though this helps her climb the social ladder, she begins to feel guilty for breaking societal norms and taking an unusual direction. She longs to fit in with society but finds herself alone and miserable, fearing people’s judgments until she meets Dipti, who shows her the path to happiness. She embraces her profession and finds the courage to walk the unconventional route, cutting ties with unwanted people. Megha finds strength in her work and gives two families the love of her sweet labour. An Offbeat Path is a story of finding strength within oneself while taking an unconventional approach.

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 218
Format: eBook
Price (as on Amazon): ₹199/$3.99

My rating: 4.2/5

Megha has just graduated with an economics degree and at the top of her batch. Her career prospects seem bright and yet she accepts a job as chief of staff at a rich household; something much below her potential. Another unconventional prospect comes up from her now mistress almost immediately after joining this job. Though the proposition comes with obvious cons, it provides Megha a chance to leave behind her poverty-stricken days. Will she accept it? If yes, will she be able to live with the repercussions of her choice?

What I liked about the book:

• Megha’s story serves as a reminder that embracing one’s uniqueness and charting out an individual journey is not just acceptable but empowering. Megha’s transformation from feeling lost to discovering her inner strength is authentically inspiring.
• Themes of self-discovery, independence, and resilience, resonate throughout the narrative, echoing with readers who have faced similar struggles. The tone varies from contemplative to hopeful, capturing the ups and downs of Megha’s journey with authenticity and depth.

What I did not like about the book:

• Some bits are rushed or fast forwarded without delving details. In fact, a lot of chapters and scenes lack dialogue which makes the story lack depth.
• While it’s obvious that this is Megha’s story through and through, I couldn’t help feeling let down by how much less space is given to Arjun, and to Arjun and Megha’s story. I wish their relationship was given more pages/chapters, especially because the relationship was also important in Megha’s journey of self-acceptance.

Quotable quotes:

• She had nowhere to dump her grief and realised the turmoil of being emotionally dependent on someone. That day, she promised to stand firm to the ground whenever life threw her curveballs. She vowed never to be emotionally dependent on anybody or lend anybody’s ear to let out her grief.
• Rain is as unpredictable as finding a soulmate in Mumbai.
• Dreams only come true for those who dare to imagine a life beyond their means
• Whatever energy you throw at the universe, the universe throws that same kind at you albeit with higher vibrations!
• It’s difficult to be lonely.
• Experiences in life can teach anyone without a fee.
• When we work hard and dream big, success has to follow.
• Society only favours the one who is thriving
• Embrace the fear, or else it will eat you up!
• I wish they would be less curious about people and more curious about work.
• It’s comforting to know that the universe can be benevolent; only a little patience is required.
• Being indifferent but with a smile is the key to happiness
• Freedom always comes at a cost.
• Strive to be independent in all aspects of life, so that you never have to rely on anyone else, whether it’s in time of need or for emotional support.
• It’s amazing how we, human beings are. We need to share both our positive and negative emotions with others to feel validated or relieved.
• Talking can be a form of therapy
• A change in perception is all it takes for the universe to be kind. Or the universe is always kind, but our mind is so turbulent that we don’t see it. Remember that a slight shift in thinking can significantly impact our lives.
• Lives are becoming increasingly busy, making it difficult for individuals to take a pause in life even for important aspects.
• Love becomes fonder with distance.
• Days always seem to go by like a breeze if happy.
• Some relations are good at a distance.
• Although science has proven that DNA is just a fingerprint for existence, it does not establish any family heritage. It’s the quality time spent marinating them with culture and values which makes them honour their traditions.
• Taking an unconventional path is like sailing on a rough sea. It can be nerve-wracking due to the pressure of society, but you can reach your destination with perseverance. Just like a sailor knows they’ll make it back to the shore, taking risks can lead to great success.

Check out the book:

Author’s social media links:

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