This story is a three-part narrative based on the real-life experiences of a young Indian man born and raised in the UAE. This semi-autobiographical journey spans over two decades, tracing the protagonist's emotional growth through three significant relationships, academic struggles, and his eventual return to the place where it all began.

The story draws from the author's personal experiences as a Keralite born in the UAE in 1999 and raised in the cultural intersection of Indian heritage and Middle Eastern surroundings. As readers follow his journey from Sharjah to Kerala and back again, they witness how unrequited feelings, missed opportunities, and personal failures ultimately lead to self-discovery and redemption.

For Readers:

- The narrative finds its way to a unique perspective of a third-culture child – born to Indian parents in the UAE, educated in an Indian school abroad, and later returning to his ancestral homeland for higher education.

Throughout the story, the protagonist struggles with communication and expressing his feelings, leading to unresolved relationships that haunt him throughout different phases of his life.

- The story is structured as a coming-of-age tale where romantic disappointments catalyse personal growth rather than endpoints.

- The setting shifts between the arid, modernized landscape of the UAE and the lush, traditional environment of Kerala, reflecting the protagonist's internal conflict between different aspects of his identity.

- While based on true events, certain elements have been fictionalized to enhance the narrative flow, and names and specific details have been altered to protect privacy.

"Dreams of Sand" ultimately speaks to anyone who has felt caught between worlds, struggled to find their voice, or learned that sometimes the most important relationship to develop is the one with oneself.

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The idea for "The Doctrine" came to me while reading about the early days of public anatomical theaters in Europe. I was fascinated by the intersection of science and religion during the 17th century, when medical knowledge was advancing but still heavily restricted by Church doctrine.

What struck me most was how women were completely excluded from this scientific revolution. I wondered: What if a determined young woman found a way to participate? The character of Clara emerged from this question—a butcher's daughter with practical knowledge of anatomy who yearns for something more than her predetermined future.

Setting the story in Leiden in 1612 felt perfect. During its Golden Age, the Dutch Republic was experiencing both religious tensions and scientific advancement. The city's famous university was attracting scholars from across Europe, creating an environment where new ideas could flourish—albeit cautiously.

At its heart, this is a story about a young woman who disguises herself as a man to attend Europe's first public dissection, only to discover her mentor is hiding revolutionary medical knowledge that challenges the Church's teaching. As Clara navigates the dangerous world of scientific discovery, gender barriers, and religious scrutiny, she must make difficult choices about truth, loyalty, and her own future.

The Lost Patriot follows Professor Harshad Mehta, a devoted Indian independence activist who seizes an unexpected opportunity to fake his death in 1946 when authorities close in on his underground network. Assuming the identity of Ahmed Khan, he builds a quiet new life in what he doesn't realize has become Pakistan after partition.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Indian subcontinent's division, this poignant historical drama explores the profound irony of a freedom fighter who misses witnessing the very independence he fought for. As Ahmed establishes himself as a respected bookkeeper in a small Pakistani village, his rescue of a stray cat leads to a meaningful connection with Fatima, a local widow, and her children.

His carefully constructed world unravels when he gradually discovers the stunning truth: India achieved independence in 1947, but was partitioned into two nations along religious lines—the very division he and his fellow activists had fought against. Faced with the choice to reclaim his true identity or embrace his new life, Harshad/Ahmed must reconcile his revolutionary past with his peaceful present.

The Lost Patriot is a moving exploration of identity, purpose, and belonging that asks whether a person's significance lies in their name and achievements or in the quiet dignity of the life they build and the connections they forge.