Note: 

*If the chapter are named Aakrithi and Aatharva then the chapters are in present.

*If they are named as Krithi and Vishwa they are flashbacks.  

Krithi's pov:

(Before 6 years – First time Aakrithi and Aatharva met)

I wish I was one of those people who watch ted talks before bed, wake up at dawn tryout a new yoga pose drink chamomile tea for inner peace and be punctual to the work next day.

But sadly no. I am a Tidsoptimist.

It was 8.30 am Monday morning and I was already late by 30 minutes. Oh by the way the blame is on the assignment, the deadline has been moved forward just to scotch my ass.

I haul myself a cab knowing I am going to get a mouthful from Dr.Sunitha my in-charge /senior doctor. I sipped the hot coffee I made and packed in a hip flask hoping it clears my sleep deprived brain.

My phone started to vibrate somewhere in the depths of my handbag.

I groaned having no patience and flipped the bag upside down leading to all the things fall on the cab seat. The Driver gave me an deadly look.

'Why the f*ck you are still not here?' It was a text from Grace.

'Be there in 20'

I replied back and looked at the traffic jam before me. Why does cities have such a huge traffic anyway? I groaned again.

'The meeting starts in 15 minutes if you not here for that may the lord help you'

Grace texted me again. Looks like I have to take an urgent 'unplanned morning walk'. I pay the money the cab driver asked without complaining since I made his backseat a disaster. Uncapped lotion bottle end of story.

It was pouring outrageous. Let me tell you before you sigh, I didn't pack an umbrella.

I reached the medical camp in record time. I entered the room where the meeting is to start exactly in 30 seconds.

Every head turned in my direction. Just so you know I just had no time to brush my hair or put some makeup.

It was first day of the medical camp so I was dressed in a traditional costume a dull red saree mismatched it with a bright yellow jacket over it. To add it up was I was soaked from top of my head to my toes. I looked like an imbecile. A Ugly duckling.

"It is nice of you to grace us with your presence Aakrithi. Come take the front row..."

It was Sunitha. She pointed to the first seat with a devil smile.

Talk about walk of shame.

Punishment for being late: I was assigned to overlook a team of junior medical students.

"She was brutal inside. Thank god she is not assigned as a my mentor for the thesis!"

Grace said to me as soon as we walked out of the meeting room. I immediately removed the yellow jacket and put it in a plastic cover and then into my bag.

"Well I deserved it. Consider yourself lucky Grace."

I said and she laughed seeing me.

"Well how far are you?"

Grace asked referring to the assignment.

"Nearly finished just need some final touches. Will submit to her tomorrow on time!" I said and smiled.

"Did you choose a title finally?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

"Yes. ' Inevitable miscarriage : A combined retrospective and longitudinal follow-up study' How is it?"

"Sounds awesome. Now that you nearly finished with your assignment can you help with mine?"

Grace asked and I playfully kicked her ass. She has 2 more weeks to work on it and her mentor was really cool not like mine. The great Sunitha Maleficent.

"I am going to get some coffee you tagging along?"

Grace asked.

"Nah I have to go and keep an eye on the juniors"

"Well then best of luck. Will meet you later."

Grace said and walked towards the cafeteria.

I walked into the tent where the juniors were and saw them all talking in groups. The gossip of the town : the return of famous heir of Vardan family. The owner of Sunshine hospital and medical colleges. The great Aatharva Vardan.

"Guys can I have your attention for a minute?"

I said loud standing on the little podium in the middle of the tent. Their heads turned towards me. I smiled anxious.

Quick question : Have you tried to relax when you know dozens of people watching you like hawk?

I can do this.

Dozen people lips curled into smirks seeing me struggle.

"Good morning guys. I am your coordinator for the day, fine for those who don't know me I am Aakrithi Prakash a 3rd medical student in SIMS (Sunshine Institute of Medical Science)."

"Quick question raise of hands please How many people had cup of coffee today morning? Come on"

Almost most of them raised their hands in the group of 16.

"Ever heard it 'Never trust anyone who doesn't drink coffee?' Looks like we are a effective team then. Shall we start now?"

"First on the list - you people can each select a table for yourself and then I would need you all to go up to the storage tent in the south side collect- one GREEN vaccine box which contains 20 shots and required vials. I want all that to be documented so don't forget sign in the space against your name in this sheet" I said and pointed out the name-list I am holding.

And then the whispers started.

'Shit man look at her sexy waist. I would love to trail my fingers over it.' The guy standing in corner said and two guys behind him smiled.

"Second I would assign you each a twenty-patients so dig up their records and keep it in hand."

'Is that bra visible? She is such a slut man' It was his friend this time. I tried to control my tone not to show any weakness. I continued not paying any heed.

"Thirdly if some patient notify you about any allergy make sure you check with me before vaccinating them is that clear? Other than if any need arises feel free to knock on my cabin door!"

I said.

"Well I have some very personal needs will you able to satisfy mam?"

It was the same guy who passed a comment a while before.

"Oh definitely. I am certain I have a pair of scissors in my cabin so feel free to ask for help"

I said and he smirked back.

"Please start the work we have to start exactly by 11am, which gives us 60 minutes people!"

I gushed and walked towards cafeteria I was in desperate need of another coffee. The streets were dirty and my sandals immediately sank in the mud.

"Can I know today's reason for your overindulgence in caffeine?"

Grace said and eyed my third coffee cup.

"I am pissed off!"

I said and she sat beside me in the bench. I continued working on the assignment.

"About what exactly?"

"You know about our junior- Bharath right? He passed few nasty comments about me "

I said and she immediately gave me a hug.

"You want to report it to Sunitha huh?"

"No, I think I can handle it for now"

I said and she gave me a nod.

"If this happens again then I am reporting it"

She said and got the Ipad from my hands. I nodded my head.

"I have to go"

I said and picked up my bag in the same foul mood. Grace and I were back on our way to the tents that when we heard of a commotion. We both rushed to see two guys fighting more like one guy going hulk over another...

Wait is that Bharath receiving a punch from the other guy?

"Take it easy man!"

It was Bharath his nose was already bleeding. Might be broken.

"You are f*cking kidding me right?" The black shirt guy said.

"Krithi this is the guy"

Grace whispered in my ears.

"Which guy?"

I asked getting more anxious each second. Violence does that to me.

"The only heir of Vardan family"

She said and my eyes bulged. The rumours said he was a sin faced but nothing about being heartless and merciless. He looked more frightening than attractive.

Back to the fight Aatharva Vardan landed punches left and right like a machine programmed to kill without providing any time for the opponent to defend.

I felt the bile rise in my throat.

Bharath was not longer able to stand, he fell into the ground hard. His cheeks were split open he looked like a bloody mess.

Aatharva was still not finished. He was searching. Searching for something. He then walked to his left and picked a big hard rock.

He is not going to do, what I think right?

He aimed the rock for Bharath's head. He was ready to hurl.

NO.NO.NO.

"Ayoo kadavula! (Oh God!) Stop it!"

I screamed not ready to witness a murder.

But Aatharva threw the rock exactly right of Bharath's head, a direct hit on his camera exploding into million-minute pieces.

"This is for playing peep and tom in the girl's washroom. If this occurs next time I will not miss my actual target – your bloody head"

Aatharva said and walked back a few steps.

I left a big breath out and then it happened he looked at me with his emotionless eyes for a tiny miny second. My breath hitched. Aatharva turned his back and left the place.

Heard later that Bharath – that scumbag was caught filming a girl in her private space.

***

I can't wait for you guys to read the third chapter tomorrow. In the new version Aatharva is too cute to resist.