Chapter 1

The air was filled with the scent of jasmine and roses, and the sound of children bustling through the crowd. It was the night before my cousin's much-anticipated wedding. I wore a red lehenga, embroidered with gold, a thin, bright gold necklace wrapping my neck, and large earrings that hovered just short of my shoulders.

I stood alone amidst the crowd. Among all the people who spoke to me and all those who smiled at me, my eyes searched for a particular someone - the one I barely have a chance to see.

" Oh Dear, It's been so long since I have seen you! How are you?"An elder in a dark blue saree said.

" Fine, Auntie" I replied, my eyes still wandering as my lips returned her smile.

" What are you studying now?"

" I am studying medicine, my final year just ended!"

" Oh, my dear. Still as brilliant and studious as ever. Huh!"

My lips curled into a wide grin just enough to satisfy the complement.

Suddenly my eyes fell upon a pair of brown eyes. His eyes caught mine and held them briefly, before he turned back to greet the elders, leaving my breath uneven.

" Ishaan, Did you complete your studies? " Someone asked him. I longed to hear his voice but it never reached me - only the warmth of his face did, glowing with an 'yes'.

I don't know why but a familiar yet lost feeling wrapped around me. I paced along the direction he was standing.

I was interrupted by another one of my sister's friends, Amaya. She was three years older than me and is a good friend of Ishaan.

I took a few more steps and reached a hand distance to them.

" You are enjoying your time after college, right!" Amaya asked him

" Yeah, I am trying my best." He returned the statement with a smile

" Hello! " I said, my voice piercing through their conversation.

He looked at me with a warm smile.

No, please! Don't smile at me like that

" Oh Nia! Our little doctor how are you doing?" Amaya asked.

" Fine, How are you? "

" Never felt better."

The air fell silent

" It's rare to see you guys meeting and why are you still acting like strangers! Come one guys, talk! you studied together for 5 years and were friends since childhood"

I gave her an awkward smile.

Even though Ishaan and I studied in the same school for a whopping 5 years, our friendship didn't go beyond smiling at each other, when we see or just have a casual talk. Back in school days, we used to fight like ferrets.

*****

It was in eighth grade when I changed my school and shifted to a new one. I have heard from my parents that he will be in my same class. I didn't know that it was going to have a lasting impact on my life.

It was the first few days of school and everyone was just getting to know each other. Then one of the girls in my class came to know that we know each other.

" Anika! You know Ishaan? "

" Yeah" I said and nodded.

" So you've known each other since childhood!" She exclaimed.

" Mmm"

" Then why are you not talking to each other and acting like strangers"

" We are not acting, we are practically strangers. It's just that we happen to know each other. We don't talk much before and I don't plan to do so later either. "

A statement that I said jokingly, came true and scarred my heart, till it bleeds and refuses to heal.

*****

Creators note:

Anika is the female lead's name and Nia( pronounced as Niya) is her pet name.

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