https://youtu.be/_i1JBP_1Ri8

The wind of loneliness grasped tightly to my body not wanting to let go of it. The sound of angry snow crumpled underneath my heels which slammed themselves loudly wanting to irrigate through it. I wrapped my coat tightly around my waist and stumbled along the never ending path.

My eyes wandered to the beautiful night slowly disappearing under the guise of pitch-black clouds. The shimmering light of my black dress cascaded it's shadow down the sidewalk. I attempted to hide the glitter and glam beneath the beige coat I wore. Taking a sigh of frustration, I pulled down on the transparent, sheath long sleeves of my black dress only to reveal the neckline of it.

Can this week get any worse? Like seriously, how much worse can get it? Not only have I been told likely the worst news any daughter would ever want to hear, but also I am expected to plaster a fake smile and present myself as a pig on a platter at my best friend's wedding. Of course, all of this had to happen in one week. Just my luck. My damned luck.

"CJD is an incurable disease Ms. Anika Malhotra. Unfortunately, after reading the MRI and the clinical symptoms and signs your father has presented with,and the fact he had a corneal transplant which likely carried CJD prion, we have concluded that he has Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease."

My heart stopped it's beats momentarily. The breath from my lungs being sucked out instantly. I sat still unable to process what I had just heard. Dr. Lei's voice becoming faded in the background. My hearing becoming muffled, not desiring to hear what was to come. No not again. It felt like it was a repeat of first grade all over again...the moment mom left us. When she walked out of that door, handing dad the divorce papers, and asking for freedom. That day, was my mother's funeral-she still lived in this world, but for me her existence ended...and today feels like that day again. Me the little girl, lost, scared of the unknown, yet knowing that she has to face it.

"I am sorry Ms. Malhotra. I know this is not what you desire to hear, but I have to be honest with you...CJD is a disease for which we currently do not have the modern technology to treat for. I am really sorry to inform you, but your father at most has 12 months to live."

A tear whisked down my cheek from remembering the very moment the ill news was broken which no child wanted to ever hear. Death is inevitable. It is the saddest truth of humanity, however, still it hurts to know that someone you have loved dearly more than your life is going to pass away ever so soon and you have to watch them slowly fade away not able to do anything.

My lips trembled against the cold New York snow. I clenched my fist tightly against my coat and quickly rushed up the steps of the Ritz Hotel. Fudge, I am so late. I threw a smile beneath my mask to the doorman before proceeding through the huge lobby trying to find my way. A slew of wedding guests swarmed the lobby area, all full of merry and cheer considering it was a Winter wedding admist a week before Christmas. A sort of envy flickered within me as I too desired this happiness and peace the guests carried...the world just seems much more happier than me.

Lost in my thoughts, I quickened my pace, turning my head left and right trying to find the hall where I was supposed to report. Lily is definitely going to be a nightmare right now considering her second and only bridesmaid is missing.

"Where is this stupid hall? Am I just blind?!" I mumbled to myself a bit too loudly. Frustration edging up it's claws within me.

Suddenly, I felt my feet flying up against the marble floor. My body colliding into a brick wall of chaos. I felt myself turn abruptly with my legs entangled within themselves. An energy of warmth shattered the coldness of my skin. My trembling hands meeting his firm ones. His blue, cold, bitter, frigid eyes standing still on my dark brown ones. His feet trapping mine not allowing them to collapse. A pair of arms descended down my fluctuant waist and sent a shiver down my spine. I felt my breath hitch as he leaned forward by the force of gravity. My cheek brushing softly against his only to meet his gaze that carried a beautiful air of mystery that any woman would desire to drown in.

"Are you okay?" His rough husky voice, crumbling my dazed mind. I quickly jumped back only to notice his hands firmly grasped around my waist. My eyes only to drift back and meet his. Without a warning, I felt my heart flip flop and flush a color of deep red on my cheeks.

He cleared his throat loudly and lifted his hands immediately off of me appearing apologetic. "Sorry, I was trying to save you from the fall...uhh...my apologies." The mystery man took a step back from me though I noticed his eyes still linger on to me.

They still make 'em? The hot, mystery men who still ooze chivalry and respect. My churning, wild mind thought while I stared at the gorgeous man in front of me. Anika, stop it. Stop. Stop. You are doing it again-stop this habit of yours' for crushing on every random man in this city, yet, failing to even make a move. How many times have you crushed on a man only to realize he is married, taken, or....single, only for you to not make a move on him. STOP IT.

"Umm...it's okay...Thank you for saving me from the fall," I whispered shyly and took another step away from him. Take a step away from Mr. Hot Mystery Eyes Anika. STEP AWAY. My mind screamed not used to the idea of "love, crush, romance" you know the deal.

A faint smile appeared across his lips. He seemed amused by my statement.

"You do know we crashed into each other, you didn't really fall?" He raised his eyebrow trying to understand what 26 year old has dementia-ME, me Anika Malhotra does.

My eyes widened realizing he was correct. Clearly, I was jumping around like a hooman trying to find the wedding hall only to collide into this stranger. Hot stranger.

I let out an awkward laugh and nodded my head. "Of course! Sorry about crashing into you..."

My phone making a quick beep.

Anika!! Where are you?! Lily is freaking out! Hall 7! BE THERE-Ami

Saved by the bell. I flashed the mystery man a smile and waved at him before proceeding to run down the hotel lobby. Seeing a sign leading to hall 7, I ran down towards it knowing I was fashionably late.

"Where is she?! Oh gosh, this is embarrassing, do you know people at their wedding have 6, 7, 10 bridesmaid, but I only have two! And one of them still hasn't shown up!" The familiar shrieking sound of a Bridezilla echoed leading a small hallway behind the large Hall 7.

I noticed an array of white roses and lilies decorated on the large doors before a sign that noted "Welcome to Lily and James' fairytale ending". Cliché, but very much cheesy James and Lilly. I mentally barfed at the cheesiness of it and continue to run down the hall.

"I am here! I made it!" I yelled to the slender white gowned beauty that stood in the hallway. She quickly turned on her heel and gasped in shock, appearing surprised I actually made it.

"Shit! Anika you had me freaked out, on a verge of a freaking panic attack!" Lily exclaimed before bursting into tears and hugging me tightly. I let out a small smile and wrapped my arms around her knowing how much she needed a hug right now. Ami, the dark, purpled haired pixie cut freak smiled towards the both of us before joining our hug.

The three musketeers so they say. That perfectly describes Lily, Ami, and my friendship over the past years. Sticking it together since the age of 5 until now, we have been inseparable. People search for a lifetime for their soulmate, the right partner, the one....but I say if one has soul sisters then that could be enough to fill the void of a soulmate or so they say. Lily and Ami are my soul sisters-the sisters I never had as an only child. Through thick and thin we have been together, whether it has been Lily continuously bouncing home to home as a foster child, never having a place to call home, or Ami having seen both of her parents suffer from the mental wounds after serving in the war. Somehow, we three always have found ourselves together, healing each other, and always making sure the other is smiling.

"Lily, you know I would never miss out on the most special day of your life. No matter what, I will always be here for you...we might not be sisters by blood, but you and Ami are a piece of my soul." Lily and Ami smiled knowing how much truth my words held. We all held tears in our eyes as we looked at Lily dressed as a beautiful bride.

"I am sorry I got late. You know I was tucking dad into bed and then I had a last minute parent conference on zoom...I am so sorry I wasn't here to help you get ready..." I muttered a bit disappointed in my role of being a friend.

"Hey Anika it's fine. I know I have been a bridezilla throughout this entire wedding, but you have been so patient and such a great friend to me despite everything you have been going through. You helped me pick this dress, help with the catering and decorations. So, please don't be sorry." Lily smiled and rubbed my shoulder trying to comfort me like the mommy friend she is.

"Yes idiot, don't you dare be upset. You are awesome do you know that for everything you are doing and handling in your life?" Ami giving me a word of encouragement before hugging me. I smiled weakly still disappointed somewhere in myself.

"Okay enough of emotional talk. Snap snap out of it." Ami snapped her fingers and began to fix Lily's blonde locks.

"So, are you ready for your first look with James?" I teased Lily slyly. Lily smiled and fixed her long veil nervously.

"I am scared Anika. Likely really scared...do you think this will work out? I mean...he is blue-blooded...handsome, rich, the perfect man on paper....and then there is me. The orphan. The orphan who was transferred home to home trying to find a family, but never did...the dummy who decided to pursue liberal arts and not science because she wanted to follow her love for literature despite the little amount of money it gave...the girl who is nothing compared to the ones he's dated...I-" Lily's insecurity speaking volumes before I placed my hand on her shoulder and shut that little voice of negativity within her.

"James is home. The home you never had but always wanted. He is perfect for you because...he fits you and you fit him. I am not saying to marry him because he is blue-blooded and has a secure future...I am saying marry him because he is the missing piece to your puzzle called life. He loves you the way you always have wanted to be loved...so when you walk down that aisle tonight, walk for your love...walk for your completion of love..."

My voice faded into silence as my eyes wandered towards a shadow behind me who appeared to have listened to my statement. Lily's insecurity vanished in a moment and she smiled tearfully before giving me a hug. I looked back and encountered the same pair of blue eyes, the mystery man who had just saved me.

What is he doing here? Is he a guest at this wedding? My curiosity catching the best of me as the wedding photographer flashed her camera straight at my eyes making me go blind momentarily. I squinted and jumped back a bit startled, only to hit my back against Mr. Baby Blue Eyes. He flashed me a charming smile that oh so melted any hint of strength my trembling legs carried.

"I am assuming you are quite the butter fingers Miss...." His voice trailed off in an attempt to find out what my name was. I raised my eyebrow at him in confusion wondering why this stranger was standing here and assuming a light flirtation with me.

Butter fingers? What does that even mean? Is that some sort of inuendo I am supposed to know or is he just making fun of my clumsiness? Hell, I don't even care if he is making fun of me because darn this guy is good looking.

"James is coming soon! So, Lily I want your back towards the window here alright? And then James will walk in and see you. Bridesmaid and groomsmen please stand here to against the wall opposite each other. This will make for a perfect shot!" The photographer began to order us around, pointing fingers and signaling where we should stand.

The blue eyed gentlemen smiled and smoothly turned to stand across the wall from me. He is the groomsman? What? And how do I not know that? It's been weeks since I have been helping Lily with this wedding and I not once was introduced to this man, who is so easy on the eyes?

He let out a slick laugh as he conversed to James' brother who was the other groomsman. His rough textured hands flicking in the air to carry a conversation before he placed them in his pockets and eyed me momentarily only to look away. A sense of heat rapidly ascended between the both of us. We leaned against the wall across from each other in the narrow hallway, only to be snatching looks at each other. My eyes admiring how perfectly his body fit in that black tux he wore. His seemingly dropping down the shimmering glittered black dress as I removed my coat and placed it in my arm. Our eyes catching glances at each other only to look away. My heartbeat pounding loudly in my crisp colored reddened ears. I found myself blushing embarrassingly because somehow this man had charmed me within the last 30 minutes since I had encountered him. Running my hands nervously through my long wavy hair, I attempted to distract myself and not make a fool of me.

"Someone is tempted...charmed to be proper." Ami whispered her keen observation into my ear. I snapped her a glare and shook my head fiercely wanting to deny it.

"Oh please. I have a lot going in my life to be charmed." I crossed my arms tightly across my chest to proudly deny the allegation.

Anika stop it. You should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking about romance. It's not right. Your father is sick...he is dying. You have so many responsibilities including caring for your father. It's selfish to even think about this. My morality spoke to me. It's wrong to even be at this wedding today and enjoy it considering your father is sick. I tried to forget the thought though knew somewhere it was right.

I ignored my overthinking brain as I noticed James making his way towards Lily. Both of them had their hands on their eyes and backs to each other. I let out a small giggle and placed my hand around Lilly while noticing Mr. Blue Eyes slowly turning James toward Lily.

Lily and James removed their hands from their eyes only to wrap themselves into each other's arms immediately. James awestruck by Lily's beauty while Lily shocked from the fact that after all these years she finally found a person who she could call home.

"You look so beautiful! Gosh, I am speechless...I am lucky...I am lucky to find you love." James simple statement brought a wide smile on Lily's face. She smiled and kissed his nose lightly. Their hands on each other's cheek. In that moment, they only saw each other...no one existed for them except each other. And gosh I would do anything to feel that way for someone too...to have that much love for someone too.

My gaze met the stranger's who seemingly had me charmed. His blue eyes danced their way on to my face appearing to admire it. We looked at each other quietly somewhere holding the same thought...how good it would be to find a love like the way others do....to find that forever that seems nonexistent.

"I was worried about tonight...walking down the aisle...but then Anika told me something that has sticked with me...that you are home James. Home. A home I never had, but finally got it...and I love you...and will always love you-" Lily's words sealed shut by James kiss.

All of us breaking into cheers surrounding both of them and celebrating them. The groomsmen and us girls breaking open the confetti around them as the photographer got the perfect shot.

Love seemingly was in the air and surrounded all of us. A sense of happiness engorged within us that at least someone has found love in this wretched place called Earth. Love is seen as something not palpable these days....not something that is encaptured easily, so to find it succeed when it does, which is rare, it feels good...to have some hope that I too may find it one day.

"Anika...and Shivaay...such a coincidence..." His soft whisper sending a wave of chills throughout me. I immediately looked back and saw the mysterious groomsman standing right next to me barely an inch away. My feet curled up upon smelling his Armani perfume that filled my senses and enthralled me.

"I don't understand?" I looked at him confusion. He let out a light chuckle and leaned in closer towards me. I led my head backwards as I felt the heat of his mouth tickle the edge of my ear.

"My name and your name. Your name is Anika and mine is Shivaay..." I twitched from realizing the coincidence-how our names perfectly fit with each other...Shivaay and Anika...Shivaay and Parvati...a beautiful coincidence for seemingly imperfect people...who were nowhere close to the Lord and Goddess.

"Your name and my name...fitting like perfect little puzzle pieces..." He spoke an innocent flirtation. I gulped nervously and ran a shaky hand through my hair only to wave it accidentally again his lips. My waves lingering on his mouth for a second only to be pulled away by me. The heat of his body warming every single inch of my skin. I felt his back loosely move towards mine.

"Home is love...very interesting thought. Where did you read about it?" Shivaay questioned curiously.

I weakly smiled and looked back at him finding my tongue tied in a loop, but forcing myself to speak.

"It's a personal thought...a belief. Home is found in people you love, not a lifeless wooden structure...if love can be found in inanimate objects, then...people wouldn't crave it who can buy possibly anything they desire...because then they would be able to buy love in objects, but unfortunately even if they can buy everything they still feel..."

"Empty." He completed my statement. His gaze fixated on me though appearing dazed and lost in his own trail of thought.

"Empty to the point they find loneliness as a friend...so they search for a home...a miracle...called love..." I looked into his eyes in an attempt to hypnotize him into believing it. For a moment, feeling a connection, that he too had a friend, named "lonely" and "empty" just like me. Somewhere, my heart felt a part of him that he appeared to hide-a dark, shadowed part that was devoid of happiness, but craved to be wanted.

He let out a small laugh, breaking the silence between us, and appearing to find the statement foolish. I softly smiled and leaned in closer towards him. His laugh stopped momentarily.

"The thought appears foolish, but it is true...you will find it true one day Shivaay." My voice carried a strong belief that this statement held truth, though, it appeared like a lie on its surface.

He formed a winsome smile that brought on a small innocent smile of my own. "I like the sound of my name from your mouth...has anyone told you how charming your voice is...to the point you could make a non-believer like me want to believe in foolish philosophy?" I flushed a shade of pink not knowing what to say to his bold compliment considering they are rare for me.

"It's not my voice. You want to believe, but you are just scared of doing that." I replied in attempt to thrown down his flirtation knowing quite well I should keep my distance from him or any man of that matter...I am too complicated...it's better to keep away.

However, Shivaay was more dazzled and his smile broadened having liked my reply.

We held each other's gaze for a moment

. Just for a second, we seemed to be lost in each other's presence. His hand brushed tenderly against mine, loosely lingering against the tips of my fingers. A small heave slipped from me. I felt my chest tighten since the feeling of man's touch was foreign to me. Everything was foreign right now. The fact, I had just flirted myself with a handsome gentleman. The fact, this man was somehow surprisingly interested in me even though he shouldn't be. All of this felt like I was in some fantasy that my imagination had chalked up, but it wasn't. It was real.

"Perfect couple!" Our moment only to be disrupted by the sound of the camera that appeared to capture our moment. We looked back at the photographer who appeared pleased by our portrait before walking off.

Shivaay and I exchanged a brief smile as I turned and made my way to Lily to help fix her gown. Shivaay wandered behind James in an attempted conversation only to look back at me.

And that was the moment I knew, that this stranger was here to stay. That Shivaay was here to stay in my life and change everything that was a part of me. He came into my life like a storm, but he was actually the light I needed in the midst of a lifelong storm I had always been in. And yes, we were different in every aspect, but somehow, in this moment our hearts leaned forward and began to tie the thread of love.

***

Preview:

***

"Who is she?" Shivaay pointed towards the beauty who had captured his attention throughout the night.

"Shivaay what kind of question is that? She is Anika,Lily's friend, the bridesmaid who stood with at the altar today. Are you sure the alcohol is not getting to you?" William joked. Shivaay rolled his eyes and shook his head in annoyance.

"No. I mean who is she as in what does she do? And what is her background like?" Shivaay questioned with curiousity.

"Ohh that. Well, nothing much honestly. She is in her late twenties and just being a normal 20 year old...A teacher to be specific for school aged children. Well, she was a doctor actually but then...she quit."

Shivaay snapped his head back at William. "Quit medicine? Why?" William shrugged his shoulders.

"Well not everyone finds medicine appealing as you do Mr. Interventional Cardiologist Shivaay Singh Oberoi..." William joked with his physician friend.

"Are you interested in her Shivaay? She is single in case you wanted to..."

Shivaay cut off William's suggestion immediately. "No thank you. You know I am not interested in that way...after everything that has happened and the responsibilities I carry...there is no time to divulge into these things that I know will only cause..." Shivaay paused not wanting to speak more considering he is not the type of dwell on his past and ruminate on the emotions that come with it.

"Shivaay that was two years ago, let it go now. You and her are divorced and last thing I heard is she is set to be married, so I think you should move on to-"

"I have moved on." Shivaay grunted through his teeth before taking a large gulp of his drink and walking away on to the dance floor of the reception.

***

Shivaay's arms wrapped around Anika's waist. Both of their bodies moved in a perfect rhythm against the sound of the music on the dance floor. They were enamored by each other. He grabbed her hand and twirled her before pulling her back into his arms. She let out a childlike laugh and threw her head on his shoulder. And the night led it's course...

***********

Hi everyone, I hope all of you are doing well. Sorry I am writing after quite a long time, 2 years, so I am rusty on my writing, but trying to just write for fun. Thank you for reading :). I might post a preview of this book later on and there is a summary outline available. Thank you.