“The Bubblegum Boy” is the story of a young boy who discovers magic in the unlikeliest alleys of a shopping mall and his journey thereafter into enchanting worlds and magical lands . . . till he comes back to the real world, but not without a mission to gain the superpowers of the fantasy world, forever.
The book is written by the author of a child-adult fiction novella titled 'The White Crow', now being made into movie.
A postgraduate in English Literature for Bombay University, I began my career as a creative professional in advertising, Lintas (now Lowe), then moved on to senior creative roles in Saatchi and Saatchi , followed by the Times Group. Having pioneered the creative start-up cell there, I moved on to assume the role of Creative Head in a renowned film production house. Earning accolades and awards for creativity, I continued to hone my creative talents and expanding my base of creative expressions, gaining academic and practical knowledge in screenwriting and creative writing.
Author’s Note
Introduction/Preface
The Great Trip
Buy Me
Boredom Meets Sweet Nothings
Adventures of Candyland
The Enchanting Bubbledom
Reunion
More Bubble Magic
The Grand Bubble Finale
The Bubble Hero
Epilogue
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2. Buy me
Entrance tickets, all purchased. Now the Roys were officially eligible to enter the mall. A lot of sacrifices went into it – Dad’s SUNDAY, Mom’s putting up with dad’s impatience, Sam and Janie’s forced obedience and Bob’s Red Tee! Besides, the rain, the traffic, the squabbles. However, their brush with stardom somewhat dissipated their lofty sacrifices. And of course, Bob’s brief encounter with the Oak tree and a brief glimpse of magic that he stomached with the mature composure of an adult.
Large, swanky glass doors opened automatically as they stepped afoot into Funderland. There were more people in there than any of the railway stations. Bustling with excited crowd, even more excited children, this was a gateway to the world of desires. Mom held my hand but as soon as we entered and she came face-to-face with glittering shops and brands, her hand left Bob’s with the ease Bob had always prayed for. So was it Wishland? Sam and Janie floated around till Dad issued a loud warning amidst the maddening din “Hold on, stay together. Sheena, be with them.” Mom was far away from complying.
She was bitten already by the shopping bug. While Dad busied himself to understand the mall’s navigation map at the reception to ensure he wouldn’t lose any of his kids, mom’s creativity flourished. “I have an idea. Arup you take Sam, I will take Janie and Bob, we’ll be in touch on the phone.”
For the first time in Roy history, dad agreed. This was the perfect example of shared responsibility or rather cravings.
And so they parted after the shopping treaty was signed and sealed.
Split into three levels, the mall was divided into four zones: North, South, East and West. Mom chose the South and dad the West for obvious vested interests. South housed all the fashion brand clothes, shoes, jewellery, accessories, etc., and west was the men’s domain – music, electronics, book stores. Man and the machine – inseparable like woman and fashion. East was the Food Court section and North was dotted with home stores. Surprisingly, mom was ready to forego home for herself. After all, six days a week was enough for that-now was her “Me-time”: Indulgence lay round the corner.
Janie nodded in prompt approval of mom’s choice. She had to entice the idiot Chetan after all, and what better way than the latest so-and-so. It was style all the way. Substance could wait for a few more years.
What was Bob’s direction? Probably back home. But mom dragged his reluctant hand as they marched to the limelight of designer wear and jewels. They barely started walking when they were literally accosted by a group of three girls, clad in short blue skirts and white blouses, their faces evenly made over. With leaflets and brochures right below Bob’s nose, they made every second of their interruption count. With a quick apology, they pressed the button: Switch on mode. And there was no stopping them from airing out the private airline’s ticket promotion for the season on non-stop mode.
Bob stared at their guts. Janie of course at their skirts. Mom grabbed the junk promotional material and smiled the goodbye smile as she pulled both Bob and Janie to more exciting enclaves. Janie of course had started dreaming of a similar blue skirt, even imagined herself in it and Chetan’s ‘drool’ reaction. It’s amazing how fast the mind can run, given a tiny stimulus. The girls had no choice but to make way. Tough business – diverting people’s minds from other larger-than-life attractions. Bob turned behind several times to see the reaction of the girls who were far from angry. In fact they waved at Bob in a warm gesture.
Bright, sparkling floors, with zippy escalators, garish kiosks – the mall’s every corner was lit like it was Christmas. It was the age of bling, in-your-face bling. Tiny metallic stars glittered, bright neon lights shining from every store front with the designer labels boldly displayed as per the label’s capacity to show off. And yes, they did manage to get Janie all hooked.
“Mom, can we stop here, I love those headbands with bling ... please, please” That was Janie’s first demand. Mom gave in, knowing she had her share of indulgences too. They walked in before Janie could browse around, the salesgirl handed her a bunch of four! “Here, take four, for the price of two”. Janie’s eyes literally popped out. She drew mom’s attention to the super deal that had just come their way. “Mom, this is cool!” Mom tried to be logical, “But Janie, do you really need four?”
“Oh come on, this is cheap.”
“That’s not the point. What will you do with four?”
“I will wear them, wake up with them, sleep with them, play with them.”
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