Chapter 2

Khushi sat on a bench in the park lost in her thoughts. The party was over a few hours ago and she wanted some alone time. She kept looking at the moon and her eyes spoke a hundred words that were being conveyed to the moon. She closed her eyes to feel the breeze against her skin. The weather was pleasant, unlike her life. Her thoughts were giving her a headache. She needed a drink.

"One vodka shot, please," Khushi ordered as soon as she reached the bar.

While waiting for her order she glanced at the dance floor crowded with dancing couples. How many of them were faithful to each other? How many were planning to get married? Did they even love each other? What was this feeling that everyone talked about? What was it like to be in love? Was she the unlucky one who would never have felt it? No butterflies in the stomach, no fluttering feeling, nothing. Just a loveless marriage. She thought as she gulped down the drink.

"Are you crying, or trying not to cry?"

"Excuse me?" She said as she looked at the man sitting next to her.

"You know it's easy to share your problems with strangers," He smiled.

Khushi looked at him for a moment and stood up to leave. As she moved past him, her arm slightly brushed his shoulder.

"You can trust me," He called out and her feet stopped on their own accord. "You don't know me, and I will never tell your secret to anyone."

She turned to face him. He had sincerity in his eyes that made her walk back to the chair she had left.

"I am getting married in 2 months," She started and her stranger friend listened to her patiently. "My mother is very happy with this alliance, he is her friend's son. Well behaved, well educated. My mother likes him a lot. But.."

"But you don't love him," he completed her, and she looked at him surprised.

"You know, doing something for others is good, but making decisions for ourselves isn't wrong," He said with a smile.

"So, I shouldn't have agreed?" She asked.

"You still have time," He replied.

"I don't," Khushi laughed at her fate. "We had the engagement ceremony today. And I am surely going to get married."

"You are going to, not already married."

Khushi realized that he was right. It was the biggest decision of her life and she needs to think of herself. She had to talk to her mother soon.

"It's late, I should leave," She excused and got up.

She moved forward and turned.

"Hey!" She called him. "What's your name?"

"Arnav, Arnav Singh Raizada."

"Khushi," She smiled back. "Nice to meet you. Hope we meet again."

He nodded and Khushi left. Arnav kept looking at her till she disappeared from his gaze and let out an evil laugh.

"We'll meet Miss Singhania, we'll meet very soon," He smirked.

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The cafeteria of City Hospital buzzed with the hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Naira, sat at a corner table, busy looking at the reports of her patient. Her long hair pulled back in a messy bun.

She felt it again. Someone's gaze. She looked up and her eyes caught his. A flicker of recognition danced across her face, but it faded away quickly. She let out a sigh. She focused back on her reports when she felt a presence next to her.

"May I help you?"

"Dr. Naira, right?" He asked, half smiling.

"Uh, sorry, do I know you?" Her eyebrows furrow.

He took a step forward, trying to close the gap.

"You always wanted to be a doctor," he smiled. "You used to fight for the apron in Biology lab at school."

Naira looks blankly at him, searching for her memories. She did remember a little but... Damn! She was terrible with names.

"Wait, you’re not the kid who fought me for being the class in charge at school, are you?"

He chuckled, surprised that she remembered that.

"Guilty as charged." He raised his hands defensively, a soft smile on his face.

Naira faked a laugh, but he pushed through, wanting to rekindle their friendship.

"Did you leave school in the middle? I don't remember you at the school farewell."

"Yes, some family emergencies." He said with a sheepish smile. "Oh, do you remember the fancy dress competition we participated in together?"

Naira's eyes light up with a flicker of nostalgia.

"I do remember that! I was dressed up as a tigress. You, a frog, right? "

He nodded, feeling a rush of warmth and connection.

"Oh my god! It's been almost 15 years," Naira laughed. "We were so crazy!"

They both laughed and for a moment, the years melted away.

"You were fierce. Naira Singhania"

Naira looked into his eyes, she tried reading them, but couldn't.

"And you are still crazy, Kartik Goenka!"

_________________________

The sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air as students bustled between classes. In the heart of the campus, the art building stood tall, its modern structure cladding in glass and steel. Inside, the scent of paint and fresh paper waft through the vibrant halls.

A sketchbook clutched tightly to her chest, Nandini walked briskly towards her art class. She had a warm smile that lighted up her face, and her loose curls bounced with each step.

Just as she reached the door, someone collided with her. The sketchbook slipped from her grip and fell to the floor, scattering her art supplies everywhere.

"Hey! Watch where you’re going!"

"Chill out, Picasso. It’s just a sketchbook," he said, pulling out an earbud, and smirking.

Nandini glared at him, her cheeks flushing with anger and embarrassment. She quickly bent down to gather her supplies.

"This isn’t just a sketchbook! Those are my ideas, my art! Why do you always walk around like you own the place?"

He shrugged nonchalantly as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. His gaze drifted over her scattered pages, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Maybe if you didn’t zone out while walking, you wouldn’t drop your precious ideas."

Nandini narrowed her eyes, her patience wearing thin. She stood up, clutching her things tightly.

"Maybe if you took a moment to care about people around you, you wouldn’t be such a jerk."

Manik chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Who knew I had such an… expressive fan?"

Nandini stepped closer.

"I’m not your fan, Mr. Malhotra. To be honest, I can’t even stand you!" She said as she looked fiercely back at him.

He raised an eyebrow, an impressed smile creeping onto his face.

"Well, the feeling’s mutual, Miss Singhania. I’ve never been a fan of uptight art students who can’t take a joke."

They locked eyes for a moment, tension crackling between them. Other students passed by, glancing at the unexpected showdown, some chuckling at the obvious animosity.

"Good to know. Just stay out of my way, will you?" Nandini said in an icy tone.

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of stepping into your precious bubble." He mocked.

With one last glare, he stormed past her, with a smirk still on his face. he slipped his earbud back in.

Nandini watched him go, she took a moment to shake her head at the absurdity.

God! She hated Manik Malhotra!

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I hope that was good :)