Audio Book

Introduction to the Audiobook by the Producer, Darisi Garg

A Note from the Authors

Welcome! The audio content on this page is accessible only to those readers who have ordered the e-book or the paperback copy of the book. For others, audiobook will be available for purchase at Audible, iTunes and Amazon beginning June 2021.

To start with, we thank all the artists who have provided their voice in making the audio such an entertaining and unique experience. Special thanks to the co-author and producer, Darisi Garg, who produced these audio files at her music studio. We also thank Abhinav Kapoor who helped us conceive the idea of creating an audiobook, taught us the intricacies attached to it, and teamed up with us for a few episodes.

We suggest listening to the episodes in the order listed on this page for the best experience. Don’t forget to listen to the “The Beginning” — as that is where the story starts!

Lastly, all the audio/ sound recording materials on this page are protected by law and cannot be copied, edited or tampered with. Please keep an appropriate volume setup on your device before listening. Some episodes have sound variations.

We will appreciate any likes, ratings and comments below.

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Foreword

A Nightmare on December 23rd – 7,145 Miles and A Million Little Steps (Audio Part I)

No.	Episode Name
	The Beginning
1	Broke the Chain
2	Early Sonatas
3	Free Birds
4	Bickering
5	Sliver of Hope
6	The Ignition
7	Civil Services
8	Accepting Challenges
9	Walking a Line
	End of Part I

Table of Contents (Part I)

The narrator unfolds the plot in this opening episode when he faces a life threatening situation at a New York hospital…

Part I – The Beginning (Week 1)

When a “miracle” child gives up hope to break a long standing myth prevailing in an Indian village…

PART I – EPISODE 1 – BROKE THE CHAIN (WEEK 2)

A local musician of an Indian village, in the 1970s, prepares his grandson for the dream that he himself gave up pursuing….

PART I – EPISODE 2 – EARLY SONATAS (WEEK 3)

Father and son embark on a mischievous journey to eat samosas no matter what the cost is…

PART I – EPISODE 3 – FREE BIRDS (WEEK 4)

With a hope to fulfill his three dollar dream, a naive college teen consults his sister, not knowing that he was inviting a storm.

PART I – EPISODE 4 – BICKERING (WEEK 5)

The narrator finds hope in an unusual friend when he (the narrator) tries to escape the bullies at a traditional middle school — unaware that one day that friend would make him a leader.

PART I – EPISODE 5 – SLIVER OF HOPE (WEEK 6)

After these embarrassing high school incidents attacked his innocence, he became more demanding.

PART I – EPISODE 6 – THE IGNITION (WEEK 7)

Judgement day is here but the jury cannot reach a verdict.

PART I – EPISODE 7 – CIVIL SERVICES (WEEK 8)

He, who almost failed ninth grade, now has a college scholarship!

PART I – EPISODE 8 – ACCEPTING CHALLENGES (WEEK 9)

Indulged in his favorite card game, the narrator flashes forward to where it all began.

PART I – EPISODE 9 – WALKING A LINE (WEEK 10)

End of Part I

Audio Part II

Check-in by the Producer, Darisi Garg

No.	Episode Name
1	Dummy Seat
2	Escape
3	Animal Shelters
4	Bridge
5	Early Marriage
6	Light at the End of Tunnel
7	Odd Man Out
8	Odd Man In
9	My Great Failure
10	North to South
11	Paying a Price

Table of Contents (Part II)

In this prelude to part II, the narrator faces some looming questions that are difficult to answer.

PART II – EPISODE 1 – DUMMY SEAT (WEEK 11)

In this small but gripping episode, the narrator finds a way to escape his village.

PART II – EPISODE 2 – ESCAPE (WEEK 12)

A lion hearted friend takes a poor boy out from the animal shelter in Delhi.

PART II – EPISODE 3 – ANIMAL SHELTERS (WEEK 13)

Mother and son take on this uphill task until they decide to seek help.

PART II – EPISODE 4 – BRIDGE (WEEK 14)

After being rejected by a rich family, a desperate 22-year-old boy sets up a plan to impress a local girl on December 23rd.

PART II – EPISODE 5 – EARLY MARRIAGE (WEEK 15)

A newly wedded couple embark on an embarrassing yet rewarding academic journey, together.

PART II – EPISODE 6 – LIGHT AT THE END OF TUNNEL (WEEK 16)

In this episode, meet Mr. Gupta, the writer of the Foreword.

PART II – EPISODE 7 – ODD MAN OUT (WEEK 17)

When the narrator was learning basic etiquettes of polished society at his new workplace, he received a surprise call from America.

PART II – EPISODE 8 – ODD MAN IN (WEEK 18)

The joy of another daughter overshadowed the sadness of foul play at work.

PART II – EPISODE 9 – MY GREAT FAILURE (WEEK 19)

Riveting family drama threatens to tear apart a flourishing career.

PART II – EPISODE 10 – NORTH TO SOUTH (WEEK 20)

In this concluding episode of part II, the narrator broke ties with many back home as he mourns the loss of his beloved mother.

PART II – EPISODE 11 – PAYING A PRICE (WEEK 21)

End of Part II

Audio Part III

Check-in by the Producer, Darisi Garg

No.	Episode Name
1	East to West
2	First Week
3	Early Days in America
4	Plant a Social Seed
5	Back to School Days
6	Much Needed Push
7	Visiting Bathinda
8	Plan B
9	Roller Coaster
10	Positivity during Stress
	End of Part III

Table of Contents (Part III)

After a stressful conversation with the mailroom clerk, the narrator and his family finally board an eventful flight to JFK airport.

Part III – Episode 1 – East to West (Week 22)

The narrator started getting rid of his anxiety during the first week in America; his bucket load of papers was all but garbage when he visited the DMV office.

Part III – Episode 2 – First Week (Week 23)

Fresh vegetables and fruits at farmer’s market in America took a family from agriculturally dominant India by surprise.

Part III – Episode 3 – Early Days in America (Week 24)

An American well-wisher helps the narrator break a social stigma with an ice-breaker prompt. The narrator relives his childhood during a trip to Anaheim, CA.

Part III – Episode 4 – Plant a Social Seed (Week 25)

The narrator learns sixth grade science in the United States. He once again flashes forward to the hospital where it all began.

Part III – Episode 5 – Back to School Days (Week 26)

Honest advice from friends and family help him speak with his employer to extend his stay in the United States.

Part III – Episode 6 – Much Needed Push (Week 27)

The narrator breaks the promise he made with himself to not return to his hometown, in this emotion filled episode.

Part III – Episode 7 – Visiting Bathinda (Week 28)

The narrator lands on no-man’s land.

Part III – Episode 8 – Plan B (Week 29)

The story shifts back to the present time, as the title of the book comes to surface. The narrator discusses the darkest moments of his life, the events that occurred on the evening of December 23rd, in this multi-character episode.

Part III – Episode 9 – Roller Coaster (Week 30)

During a relaxing week in Hawaii, the narrator finally faces his fear of water when he travels down the depths of the ocean. The happy ending leaves the reader wondering what happens next.

Part III – Episode 10 – Positivity during Stress (Week 31)

End of Part III

Audio Part IV

Check-in by the Producer, Darisi Garg

No.	Episode Name
1	Messenger of God
2	Breaking the Stereotype
3	Following the Passion
4	Conquering the Unthinkable
5	Back to Bathinda
	End of Part IV

Table of Contents (Part IV)

The narrator’s long journey from Bathinda to New York was in jeopardy, until a long tele-conversation with a messenger of god.

Part IV – Episode 1 – Messenger of God

The narrator’s struggle to find like-minded people in his community continues. He lives a dream of attending a top-American school through his daughter.