"Hurry up, Reyna. We don't have the whole day. The movie is gonna start in one hour."

"Just a minute! I am almost done."

"Ya, man! Move your butt already. You know na, I have a date later too."

I ignored my friends' complaints who were waiting for me in my bedroom, and cursed at Upasana who was whining about her date since last night. Her crush had finally asked her out and now she was chewing our brains because of him.

"I am ready!" I announced and came out of my walk-in closet.

Keerti and Upasana exchanged a look and twisted their lips in distaste. I knew that look. I narrowed my eyes at them and put my hands on my hips. If they said a single word about my dressing sense, I would murder them.

"How do I look?" I asked.

"Umm... you.... you look.... you look like you do everyday!" Keerti yelled and threw a pillow at me.

It hit me in the face. I glared at her and she rolled her eyes when I said that I liked this dress. What was wrong with it? It was one of my favourite dresses and I wore it whenever I was in a happy mood.

It was a plain scarlet salwar suit with blue and golden coloured dupatta. My wardrobe was filled with such clothes only.

(Reyna's outfit👆)

I checked my appearance in the mirror and turned back to them. They both sighed and gave up. They never understood why I only wore salwars or the clothes which fully covered my body. They thought I was conservative and worried about what others would think if I wore short clothes.

To be honest, they were a little bit of right in that matter but the main reason why I avoided wearing all those cute and pretty clothes was because I wasn't comfortable in my own skin.

Everytime I looked in a reflective surface, I always saw someone else staring back at me. Someone who had the same face and same body as me but a different soul.

A soul which was caged inside itself and was screaming to come out but I had buried it under thousands of layers of insecurities. And it was better if it remained there only. For me and for others too.

"Reyna! Hey! Reyu! Are you even listening to us?" Upasana shook me and brought me out of my thoughts.

"You always zone out, dude. Sometimes I think you are living in a whole another dimension," Keerti voiced out her worry.

"Yes. I am an alien and I have come here to destroy planet Earth. My first two targets are you that's why I befriended you," I replied and Keerti pursed her lips.

I was never good with jokes. I know.

My friends got tired of convincing me to change my clothes but I was stubborn when it came to a few personal choices. I promised them I would try to wear other clothes too but they knew I was just giving them false hope.

Keerti was wearing a white off-shoulder top with bell sleeves and peach coloured mini skirt. Her tan skin was flawless and her big doe eyes were a sight to kill.

(Keerti's outfit👆)

Like Keerti, Upasana was also well updated with latest fashion. She was dressed in a black crop top paired with khakhi pants. Her milky complexion didn't need any makeup and her waist length jet black hair were always set free.

(Upasana's outfit👆)

I admired them as we went downstairs and exited my house. Mom stopped me and told me to be home early. She wanted to tell me something really important. I told her to tell me now but she rushed me out of the house and told my best friends to take care of me.

She didn't need to tell them that. They always took care of me even if they were two years younger to me. And I was twenty three, so I could clearly take care of myself on my own.

But I understood her concern. She was a mother afterall. When has a mother ever been wrong? Right?

I smiled at her and went to sit in Keerti's car. Would you believe that my friend bought this car by herself? She was a rich brat but she never took advantage of it. She worked as an intern during our second year and earned her own money through freelancing.

Upasana turned on the radio and we jammed to one of our favourite rap songs, Tempo by Muhfaad (one of the young Indian rappers). It was released recently and after I heard Arman listening to it on repeat, I added it in my playlist too.

We reached the movie theatre after twenty minutes and Keerti parked her car in the parking lot. We arrived just ten minutes before the movie started and rushed inside the theatre room. I never felt alone whenever I was with them.

How I wished to keep them with me for my whole life.

The movie ended and we went to McDonalds to satisfy our stomachs, now that Upasana was done gushing over Ayushmann Khurana (an Indian actor). He was one of the best and inspiring actors of today's generation. I was his fan too.

We got a table for us and Keerti and I went to place our orders while Upasana sat guard to our belongings. We got our orders after ten minutes and when we returned to our table, Upasana was scrolling through her phone frantically.

"What happened, Uppu?" Keerti asked and Upasana squealed so loudly that everyone turned in our direction.

"What did you see now? Don't tell me you started stalking someone again on social media," I scolded her and she rolled her eyes.

"Guys, he is back," she gushed.

"Who? Voldemort?" I joked and Keerti high-fived with me. Sometimes I found my own jokes funny.

"Hahahaha.... I am dying of laughter here. Someone save me from these fools," Upasana mocked.

Before we started fighting, she moved her phone screen twoards us. Why the hell was she showing us half-naked men? Keerti shook her head at her secretly but I saw that. Upasana got the clue and looked at her phone screen.

She quickly glided her thumbs across the screen multiple times and when she found what she wanted to show us, her phone's battery died. She had just turned the screen towards us but the screen went black and Keerti laughed at her.

"But who were you talking about?" I asked.

"Yuvaan Raichand."

"The Yuvaan Raichand?" Keerti asked in disbelief.

"Yup. One and only."

"Owner of YSR enterprises, right? What about him?" I prodded.

I knew about him. Who wouldn't? He was one of the youngest billionaires in India and had a huge fan following outside the country too. He was really hot and looked like a supermodel. He was no less than a celebrity and was known for his unique style.

I understood why girls were obsessed with him. I also considered him an idol. His backstory was really inspiring and just like him, I also wanted to become an inspiration for others.

"Yes. You know what? He has finally come back to India after three years and is planning to settle here only," Upasana informed.

"Wow! Isn't that amazing? I wish I could meet him," Keerti said dreamily.

"Me too," I chirped in.

We all laughed together and chatted on various topics ranging from boys to men. Amazing right? Heheheheh.

We wasted a lot of time together roaming around, shopping and playing. I checked the timing and it was 4 pm. Keerti told me that she would drop me home while Upasana said that her date was picking her up.

We parted ways and soon, I found myself back at home. Keerti hugged me and drove off. I waved her bye and started climbing the stairs.

I really enjoyed today and mentally kicked myself for refusing Upasana yesterday. I decided to go out more with my friends and increase my social circle.

Just as I reached the top stair, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. I ignored the weird sensation and entered the house. A maid came and took my shopping bags. I thanked her and began going upstairs.

On my way, I noticed dad sitting on the sofa in the hall but I didn't look at him. I knew he was looking at me but it wasn't just him. In my peripheral vision, I saw two more silhouettes but I didn't glance at them.

I ignored them, just like I ignored dad's every guests. I never liked his business meetings or understood why he called his clients to the home.

I increased my speed and ran inside my room before he called out for me. He could keep his guests to himself. I was not interested. Suddenly, I felt my blood boiling and I started sweating. I switched on the AC and sat down on my couch beside the window.

I didn't even notice when mom came inside and sat beside me. She caressed my hair and looked at me lovingly. I leaned in her touch and she patted my cheek.

"Get ready, Reyna," she said and I creased my eyebrows.

"For what?" I asked.

She gave me a huge smile and got up from the couch. She went to my bed and picked up a dress. She turned towards me and handed me the beautiful piece of clothing.

"Wear it and come downstairs. Your dad is waiting for you," she said and told me to hurry up.

"But you know I don't like meeting dad's friends," I complained.

She shot me a glare and fixed me with that 'Mom' look. I flinched and opened my mouth to complain again but she didn't let me have my way.

"You have fifteen minutes. Get ready. Don't give me a reason to scold you."

I nodded and she left my room. I looked at the dress in my hand and cursed. But I knew why mom asked me to meet the guests. It must be a really important deal and Arman must have been told to meet them too.

Or else she wouldn't have bothered to come herself and told me to get ready. I never got why these businessmen liked to meet each other's families.

Whatever. I would just get ready and get over with all the formalities. Better get the task done and then I would return back to my haven, my room.

I got ready and thanked mom for choosing a dress of my choice. It was a middle slit pink kurti with a green salwar; with handiwork on both of them. I liked it.

I exited my room and started going downstairs; my feet feeling heavy and my mind signalling me to return back.

I didn't realise that with every step I took, I was walking towards my own downfall.

That's second chapter done. How was it? Do let me know 💜

Any guesses what is going to happen? I am sure all of you have already guessed it 😉