Book Title: Lightning in a Shot Glass
Author: Deepanjana Pal
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Number of Pages: 355
ISBN: 978-9373079868
Date Published: Nov. 18, 2025
Price: INR 337
Book Excerpt
Chapter 1
Pages 8-10
Aalo stared at the mug of cider in front of her and wondered what the hell had happened to her life. She was twenty-four hours away from turning twenty-nine. She was sitting in a pub in London. All of which sounded great until she added the minor details that she couldn’t really afford this drink (but her father could) and neither could she afford the holiday (but her father had paid for the tickets and the stay was free, thanks to her old friend Kekoo) and that she didn’t really have a career despite having an undergraduate degree in law, a master’s in mythology and work experience in three unrelated industries. Also, she was overweight, 5’10” tall, single and practically thirty.
‘Sorry I’m late.’ Kekoo gave her a quick hug and settled into the chair opposite Aalo.
‘It’s fine. I was very busy pondering about how much of a mess my life is.’
Kekoo took a large gulp of Aalo’s drink and made a face. ‘Cider? Hold that thought while I get myself a real drink.’
Aalo watched Kekoo, slim and determined, as he cut a path across the pub, through the crowd at the bar, and caught the attention of the bartender. If that had been Aalo, she would probably have crashed into four tables and spent forty minutes being ignored by the bartender.
Meanwhile, in the time that it had taken her to articulate her self-pity, Kekoo had got himself a whisky and her another cider, both of which he was holding with secure grace.
‘So. What’s this about life being a mess?’ he said, putting the glasses down.
‘I just realized I’m a really good person,’ Aalo said, finishing off the last of her cider and wrapping her hands around the one Kekoo had just deposited on the table.
Kekoo clinked his glass with hers. ‘Agreed, but what brought on this epiphany?’
‘The fact that I love you despite the fact that you’re a walking, talking reminder of what a complete screw-up I am.’
‘I’m sorry, what?’
‘You’re Parsi, you look gay, you can’t do simple addition, you studied mythology in university … and despite all this, you live in London, go on exotic holidays every other week …’
‘Oh please. Hardly …’
‘Where were you last week?’
‘Paris, but …’
‘And when did you go to Dubrovnik?’
‘Three weeks ago, but that was originally for a conference.’
‘Which you extended into a holiday that included a random fling with a ridiculously hot human.’
‘That was just …’
‘Stop interrupting,’ Aalo said in her sternest voice. ‘You have everything. I meanwhile am jobless, clueless and on holiday because I have a rich dad.’ She ran her hand through her hair and groaned. ‘Oh, and all my hair is falling out. But despite the obvious contrast in our circumstances, I love you deeply and not just because you’re letting me stay in your stupidly cute flat. In London. Ergo, I’m a good person.’
‘You’re the best. Also, if you ever need a transplant, the organically-grown hair shirt on my back is at your disposal.’
‘I’m not giving you my chest hair. It gets me action.’
‘Ew. No. Please. No sex talk.’
‘Said the desi internet’s favourite sex educator. Ha!’
Aalo groaned again. ‘What is my life? I have a proper education, a law degree no less, and my claim to fame is that I answer people’s sex questions on Instagram.’
‘That,’ said Kekoo, ‘is not the crazy part. The crazy part is that the last time you had sex, you were practically underage.’
‘Stop exaggerating.’
‘Ok, how long has it been?’
‘Five years.’
‘Wow.’
The two friends sipped their drinks in silence.‘It wasn’t even good sex,’ Aalo said glumly. ‘I think I was just turned on by the fact that he wanted me.’
Kekoo made a face. ‘I need another drink if we’re going to talk about your ex.’ He got up and zipped to the bar.
Check out our Latest Book Reviews
Excerpted with permission from Lightning in a Shot Glass by Deepanjana Pal, published by HarperCollins India.
Get a copy now!
