Prologue

Anshika Verma a 23-year-old IT professional working in Mumbai getting ready for the office.

“Anshika Hurry up, we will be late.” Shweta, Anshika’s best friend since her school days said looking at her wristwatch.

“I am done I am done … let’s go” Anshika said picking up her laptop bag and hurriedly coming towards her.

Anshika and Shweta both were staying as roomies in the rented flat in suburbs of Mumbai. Both settled in the car with Anshika on the driver’s seat, keeping her laptop bag on the seat behind.

“What time your flight is tomorrow?” Shweta asked tightening her seatbelt.

“It's 6 in the morning, I have to leave home by 4. It will take at least half an hour in the morning to reach the airport.” Anshika said. “I wish we both have gone together… “ Anshika said pouting her lips starting the car.

“ Same here… But my Team lead arranged a meeting tomorrow… well, I will be there tomorrow night and before Anisha di’s Engagement.” Shweta said looking at her phone.

Anisha, Anshika's elder sister was getting engaged in Delhi, their hometown with her long-term boyfriend Vihaan Singh. Anisha and Vihaan both are schooltime sweethearts. The Marriage date is within a month of an engagement. So, Anshika took leaves and also work from home to help with Marriage preparations.

“By the way, this Vihaan Singh, Anisha di’s fiancé is from our school too right?” Shweta asked.

“Ya... An Air Force Pilot, and Group Captain Vihaan Singh and also the son of Diplomat parents. He was one year senior to di…I never met him personally too... I just had a talk with him on the video call. He reminds me of someone… Somehow…” Anshika said.

“Who?” Shweta asked astonishingly. Anshika looked at her, and Shweta understood whom she was talking about.

“Anshika, it’s been years, forget about it. Try to move on. You have your whole life in front of you. Don’t tell me you are still trying to find him.” Shweta asked her in concern.

Anshika paused and her fist was tightened on the steering wheel, her eyes were straight on road but flashbacks of that day were still fresh in her mind.

“ I won’t spare him Shweta. What he and his friend did to me in school, left a permanent mark on my life. My dignity was ruined. My Mom slapped me first time in my life. I will have my revenge… I loved him Shweta, and he just …broke me.” Anshika said and wiped her lone test which escaped from her right eye with the back of her palm.

“Anshu please … okay let’s not talk about it,” Shweta said and changed the topic.

But somehow she couldn’t stop herself asking another question related to him, “ Do you know where he is?” Shweta asked her again.

“Nope…The only thing I came to know was that he is in Army. No one is in much of touch with him. That bastard who was the real culprit is in Delhi and going to fight election for this year from Saharanpur and his two best friends are in Mumbai.” Anshika said gritting her teeth, with her fist tightening on the steering wheels.

“I know what you went through all these years, but time heals every wound. Why do you keep scrapping them up?” Shweta asked.

“I kept scrapping them up so that… it should always remind me of How stupid and foolish I was back then who thought there is a thing like ‘Real Love’ exists. It keeps telling me of Never trust anyone blindly.” Anshika said furiously.

She never trusted boys all throughout her School life and then college life post that Horrible incident. Her belief was badly shaken. She never dated never loved anyone after that dreadful incident at school which made her hate herself to the core. She was a young, extremely beautiful, dusky skin girl with sharp features, with Beautiful Coffee Brown eyes. She has thick long hair which enhances her beauty more. Her seductive smile and doe shaped eyes and long eyelashes made anyone drop to their knees in front of her.

“Anshika, are you never going to fall in love again? It's not the end of the world dear. Don’t you think you should move on forgetting everything and give yourself one chance ?” Shweta asked her.

Anshika twirled the steering wheel and parked the car on side of the road, applying the handbrakes. She looked at Shweta with tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

“Tell me Shweta, How should I do it? I did love him, but he betrayed me so badly. He didn’t even know about my feelings but.. he had a hint of it that I love him, I thank God sometimes, that I never told him about my feelings. I would have been in more deep-neck shit if I would have done that. He deceived me badly, he deceived our friendship. That was his character. I cannot dare to love anyone anymore. My heart shattered that day. I will never ever love anyone in my life rather I will never be able to …. What they did to me, made my life miserable. My own parents didn’t believe me. Anit was bullied in the school. He was just 12 at that time. He picked up fights for me. My life just went upside down. My dignity was compromised.” Anshika said and a lone tear escaped from her eye. Her eyes were burning with rage. A rough storm was raging within her.

“…But it was 9 years ago, Anshika…See yourself… What have you made yourself into? You hardly go home. You hardly talk to anyone not even to your own sister or brother. It's like you just had cut yourself out from the world. You don’t go out, have no social life. The only thing you do is work, and you keep starving for more… No wonder, they sent you to the Onsite twice seeing you working your ass out. Are you going to spend your whole life like this?” Shweta said to her caressing her head.

“I don’t know…I just don’t know...I don’t feel like talking to anyone Shweta. My mom also didn’t support me. She thought I did it on purpose. I always look a little bit elder than my age because of my physic but was it my fault? I am beautiful ..is it my fault too? They were not even ready to send me here. But I want to prove myself that I am worthy and I don’t deserve this …” Anshika said and broke into tears. Shweta looked at her with teary eyes and took her in her embrace.

“Hey….shhhh…Calm down… I know what you are going through? But whatever you do always remember I will never leave your side. No matter what... Whatever decision you take in your life, you will always find me beside you.” Shweta said wiping her tears.

“Thank you, Shweta… I know…”Anshika said and wiped her tears and again started the car and went towards the office.

****

***Characters****

Major Vivaan Singh – Lead Male, young, hot, and handsome Major in Army

Anshika Verma – Lead Female, young extremely beautiful Software Engineer

Nisha Verma – Anshika’s Mother

Anil Verma – Anshika’s Father

Anisha Verma – Anshika’s Elder Sister

Anit Verma – Anshika’s brother

Group Captain Vihaan Singh – Anisha’s Fiancé and Vivaan’s elder brother

Meera Singh – A Diplomat and Vivaan’s mother

Raj Singh – A Diplomat and Vivaan’s father

Shreyas and Aryan – Vivaan’s Best Friends