Shaan stared at his new wife. She hadn't spoken a word since they arrived in London. He didn't blame her, the girl was barely an adult and was given no choice. He knew most of it but wanted her to speak, to let out the pain she held so deep.

Shaan didn't know but he felt the urge to help this young girl. She looked scared, broken and dead in eyes. He knew it wasn't his job and he didn't sign up for an emotional drama but he felt it as a duty. He was older to her by 7 yrs and pretty matured for his age. He had given her the time to around him but there has been no change in her and now, her silence worried him. He had seen what pent up emotions and grief could do to a human . Shaan had come to care fir Riya and he decided, if she wouldn't , he would take the first step.

''Riya, its an off day for me. Shall we go out.'' He asked, she turned and nodded with a hollow look in her eyes. Shaan nodded requesting her to get ready. He took her around to most scenic places that cloud light up any one's mood but Riya stayed aloof. Shaan had noticed how she kept overlooking the bridge, towards the ice cold water . He had caught her staring down their apartment window, as if trying to figure out what would happen if she jumped. He knew it was time to intervene.

''I know , this marriage isn't your choice.''

She scoffed. ''I don't know the meaning of that word.''

He smiled, this was the first time in a month that she had spoken to him. ''But do you know it isn't my choice either.'' His words halted her steps. ''then why?''

''You want a truth or a lie.''

''Truth.''

''You are beautiful Riya, its  hard for for a guy to reject you.'' Riya watched him blankly. She had been brutally rejected, insulted , being called a low character girl and a personification of shame and here, this guy called her beautiful. ''Are you mocking me?'' He just smiled leading her to a restaurant.

Riya kept staring at he food but she refused to touch it. Shaan could read her pain. ''Riya, tomorrow is always better than today. Whatever is bothering you now, will hurt a little less tomorrow and will gradually turn insignificant. 

''Why did you marry me?''

''You needed an escape, so did I.'' He smiled again, lifting the spoon to her mouth. Riya kept staring at the man opposite to her. He was as calm like a breeze. She had been with him for over a month but not once the man had tried to force his way into her life. All he had done was been patient and supportive.

''Shaan, I feel lost, trapped. It feels all the walls around me are closing and suffocating me. I want to end this pain.'' She whispered sobbing hard. Shaan quickly moved to her side enveloping her in a small hug. Riya pushed her fist into her mouth trying to silence her own sobs as Shaan's shoulder gave her the support she needed. 

When her sobs reduced to hiccups, she moved a little away from him. He offered her small water, ''Crying and letting out is good for emotional health.''

''I am a life without hope.''

''Hope exits till life does. Now, tell me about your best friend.'' Riya smiled her memories filling up with Nirali. ''Her name is Nirali, and she is unique just like her name.'' Her smile suddenly faded. ''But now I won't be able to see or speak to her again.''

''That was when you were at your father's place. Not here.'' She stared at him like a lost child. Shaan let out a breath. ''Let's make a pact, we will be each other's best friends even if this marriage is no more. I will tell you my reasons and you tell me yours. Deal!''

She smiled and nodded. He served a little more on her plate and made her eat. Shaan was determined to bring back he smile on Riya face, whatever it takes

***

Riya grinned wide twirling around  feeling ecstatic about the room allotted to her . She was happy to be here , away from her patriarchal home, breathing in the freedom. She always wanted a career and this was the first step. She had managed o convince her father and now was convinced that her hard work would convince him to let her study further and make something for herself.

Riya le out a content breath falling back on bed when someone yelped. ''Ouch!'' Riya scramcled away  worried about the one she fell on. ''I am sorry!''

A petite girl threw her blanket staring back at Riya. She grinned wide, ''I am Riya''

''Nirali, your room mate.''

''sorry, couldn't make out you were on the bed.''

''Not your fault, it happened an lot.'' Riya giggled and Nirali found herself staring back at her beautiful roommate. Nirali was street smart and never compromised on what she wanted while Riya looked like a Princess from Disney who had no idea how real world functioned. 

That day was he begging of a friendship and Riya's journey. Nirali and Riya bonded , they were opposites and one filled in for what the other lacked . They understood each other and looked after one another. The Only thing Nirali wasn't fine was Riya's fascination with their senior, Varun. He was popular, smart and a rule breaker. He loved attention and went a step ahead to get that. Nirali worried that Riya's one sided affection would break her heart into pieces. 

''weekend are meant to rest.'' Nirali said pulling her duvet over her head.

''No, its for fun. Pls Nirali, lets go.'' Nirali sat up. ''Riya, he is a playboy. I understand your feelings but this attraction will jeopardize your dreams.'' Riya had opened up to Nirali about her family at their strict rules . Nirali knew one mistake would end  all of Riya's dreams . She failed to understand that Riya wasn't just fascinated, she was in love with Varun, deeply and madly. She wasn't expecting anything in return but whenever Varun smiled  at her, she would bloom like a rose.

***

Present

The reception for Nirali Lakshay turned out be a grand party. Celebrities poured in to wish the star and his wife. RIya wanted to leave but Nirali made her stay. Shaan couldn't attend today as his wife Vini needed him and without him, she felt all the walls breaking down. 

Riya sipped her juice, her eyes just focused on her glass, she felt nervous around the crowd and with the eyes on her. She rubbed her neck, her skin seemed to prickle as if she was being poked by many needles. Hair on he back of her neck stood up, her body suddenly went alert , so did her grip on her drink. She felt eyes watching her, familiar eyes, the eyes whose mere glance made her beautiful then but now they felt like slap. Riya took deep breath and decided to face him, she made a turn to confront him but all died in her throat as Varun stood an inch away from her, looking at her as if it was just her in the whole world. 

She tried but some invisible force held eye locked with his. She wanted to walk away but she couldn't. He sill had some power on her. She reminded herself, how she hated him and how he deserved nothing but her hate. He deserved to burn in pain the way she did for years and was still burning, But nothing came out.  Varun watched her as if she was last drop of water while Nirali wondered how would she handle without Shaan being around. The moment felt like eternity, Varun was the first one to break the eye-lock. He stepped aside, giving her the way and she took it walking away swiftly.

Varun watched her till she vanished from his sight, his Riya. She was beautiful then and she looked beautiful now. But her eyes, her big doe like eyes were so empty . He blamed himself for that and now it was time to undo the damage. He decided to start with Shaan. The man who became the pillar of her strength .

''Naksh, pls find Shaan for me. Before he and Riya leave India.'' Naksh nodded punching few messages on his phone. Amisha watched the exchange, ''What if he refuses to help you?''

Varun smiled , ''I am not asking for help.''

''Then?''

''I want to thank him for being there for her, when all betrayed her, including me.'' Amisha smiled giving him a side hug.

Nirali had been watching both her friends for long, she promised to be cordial but couldn't trust Varun. He had broken on of her friends and now she worried for Amisha. She excused herself taking quick steps where all of them stood. Nirali smiled at Amisha and then stood facing Varun. ''I would advice you to stay away from Amisha, you broke one life, I won't tolerate you breaking another one. And this time, I won't care for your friendship with my husband.'' Amisha wanted to retaliate but Varun held her wrist , Nirali glared at his hand holding Amish'a wrist and he let go. 

''I am watching you.'' with that, she walked away to be with her husband leaving all of them a little startled and agitated.

''I will speak to her.'' Amisha offered

''No, until I undo the damage, nothing can convince her. Plus, I don't want Lakshay and her fighting over me anymore. Let them have there share of happiness, they have waited and longed of it.'' Amisha nodded but she wanted to explain Nirali what she could see in Varun's eyes for Riya was beyond anything she had read or experienced . She wished for such love but feared the pain which came along with it.

***

Riya shut the door of her room tight, she quickly latched it making sure it was properly securely. She made her way to the sink, splashing clod water on her face. She kept going as if trying to wash an imprint . He hand't touched her but she felt it, all over her body. Her skin felt hot all over. She pulled out her expensive saree roughly moving under the shower. She wanted to feel free but this water couldn't wash off what she felt.

''I hate you varun and I will hate you till end of time.'' She felt her refection smirking at her, reminding her that he was her first love, her first touch, her first kiss and her first everything. He had he power to urn her into a puddle and he was again doing that.

Riya needed to get away, she wiped her body stepping out. She quickly switched on her laptop booking herself a ticket to london. Shaan and Vinni wanted to stay, she decided to leave next morning leaving her friends a message. She pledged never to look back and step again in the country which took all from her

Riya tossed and turned as sleep eluded her. Her mind going crazy with all kind of thoughts. She thought she was over him , she had kept the charade very well. But being so close to him for so many days she realized he  was still embedded in her so deep, even if it was in form of hate. She shut her eyes , forcing herself to sleep but behind the closed eyes she felt his hand tucking her lose strand behind her ear, Him kissing her cheek, locking their hands together and then embracing her. Why did all felt so real.

Riya wiped the wetness off her face but then broke down. How she wished she would have aken Nirali's advice. What would have been her life if she would have made her parents proud. Would she be happy had she fallen for Shaan, the only man who treated her right. She hated herself for thinking about Shaan, someone's husband in this manner but her wounder mind was throwing all kinds of what if thoughts at her.

Riya stayed her body in a small ball, hoping, wishing for he pain to go away.

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