Exploring the Heartfelt Pages of “Perhaps, Somebody is Late” with Bhavna Nath: A Journey of Words and Emotions

Bhavna Nath, an inspiring educator and emerging author, has made her debut in the literary world with her novel Perhaps, Somebody is Late, published in November 2024. Known for her passion for storytelling, Bhavna draws inspiration from her love for music, reading, and painting. She admires the works of renowned authors Ajay Kumar Pandey and Anuradha Sharma Pujari, whose impactful writing has shaped her own literary aspirations. Though she has yet to receive any formal awards, her journey as an author is one of promise and dedication, marking the beginning of what could be an extraordinary writing career. In this interview, Bhavna will share her thoughts on her book, her writing process, and the path that led her to become a published author.

Bhavna, your debut novel Perhaps, Somebody is Late was released in November 2024. Can you tell us a little about the story and what inspired you to write it?
Ans: Well, the book is very dear to me,as it holds the title of my first literary creation. The story has three main characters named Drishti, Nikhil and Purab, where we find sweet descriptions of the digital world, fun in college days and the true value of friendship. In addition, from my childhood, I was fond of reading novels written by Sir Chetan Bhagat and very gradually the desire of writing kept increasing inside me. “Perhaps, Somebody is Late” is the result of that unstoppable temptation.

As an educator, how do your experiences in the classroom influence your writing?
Ans: Gaining knowledge is a never ending journey. The more you teach, the more you learn. Directly or indirectly, my students always keep pushing me to present my best version only. This is how I never want to stop learning and writing.

You mentioned that you’re inspired by authors like Ajay Kumar Pandey and Anuradha Sharma Pujari. How have their works shaped your approach to writing?
Ans: The names of Ajay Kumar Pandey Sir and Anuradha Sharma Pujari Ma’am are like shining stars in the world of English and Assamese Literature respectively. Although their way of presentation is quite different, but, most of their books hold special messages on the topics like: Transgender, Secularism, Conflicts between Human and Mother Nature etc. Their thoughtful words influence me to set up something more creative in the near future.

What was the process like for you when you were writing Perhaps, Somebody is Late? Did the plot come to you easily, or was it more of a struggle?
Ans: I always wanted my first book to be very simple yet significant. To be honest, the plot actually came to my mind very easily, because it was related to the use of gadgets, its addiction and the impact of long distance friendship.

You’re also passionate about music, reading, and painting. How do these hobbies intersect with your writing, and do they provide inspiration for your stories?
Ans: The lyrics of music, the fabulous stories of various books and the visual representation of my paintings keep me alive in this ever changing world. Through them, I can connect myself to the world of imaginations and find absolute solace.

Your book seems to explore themes of timing and destiny. How do you think readers will connect with these themes in the context of today’s world?
Ans: In today’s world, the most unavoidable thing is mobile and internet. Through these, today’s ultra modern generation is able to connect with the whole world and meet new people. In addition, I firmly believe that, no matter how much we keep planning our life to be, in the end it is only the destined things that come to us as ‘Reality’.

What challenges did you face during the writing and publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
Ans: Now this is a very nice question to be asked. Well, we all start from somewhere and the world of literature was very unknown to me. At first, I had no idea where I should go or which publication house should be chosen by me! But gradually, things started getting clearer with the help of my parents, close friends and of course with the help of Ajay Kumar Pandey Sir. He was the one who used to guide me during confusions and anxiety. Only because of him, I escaped from a few minor problems.

What message would you like your readers to take away from Perhaps, Somebody is Late?
Ans: The message I would like to convey through my book is that life itself is a cinema. We are just actors performing our roles but the director is Almighty. No matter what kind of desires we hold in our heart, we should be gentle enough to accept the opposite situations also.

For those who haven’t read your book yet, what would you say to convince them to pick up a copy of Perhaps, Somebody is Late.
Ans: Life gives us many golden opportunities that actually lead to peace and smiles. But, knowingly or unknowingly, we don’t take such roads being too ignorant. So, be it in friendship or relationship, we should be mindful in taking decisions rather than regretting later. If someone is looking for a story related to “Silent Sacrifice” then ‘Perhaps Somebody is Late’ would be the best choice. And as a beginner I am truly looking forward to the love and support from people. Thank you.