I was waiting at the entrance of the ‘GUM’. Time and again I nervously glanced at the clock. It was only ten minutes to the scheduled time for his arrival. The place was tastefully decorated with big posters of the film ‘Birthday’. Out of every picture flashed that brilliant smile I had always adored. His face seemed to beckon me from every side.

There was a red carpet extended to the guests and a big dais with flashlights and cameras ready to capture every moment. Fans clustered around the stage threatening to break the narrow chain fence guarding the stage. Security personnel in the distance kept a vigilance and all were allowed entry only after checking their credentials.
Overall it was a gala event and the crazy fans were enjoying to the fullest. All eyes were waiting eagerly for their favourite stars. I could sense the excitement in the air. I smiled to myself.

I was standing under one of the majestic archways, away from all this humdrum, lonely but hopeful. No one cast a passing glance at me. I was glad. I wanted to just admire him for a distance and go on my way. There was no way I should attract his attention. He should never know I was there. Finally all my heart’s desires were going to be fulfilled. I would see him one last time.

I don’t know why but there was a funny feeling in my chest. My mind wanted to stay away while my heart desired to meet him. To let him know that I care, I love. My mind with all its rational thoughts was having a hard time controlling my heart. My heart was beating fast in anticipation of the moment.

Five years. Five years had passed. So many things changed, so many memories were formed, so many lives joined, so many lives broken, so many babies born, so many lives were snatched away. Five years, the world itself had moved on, but me?

My time had stopped where it was. This event, maybe an hour, was crucial in breaking this time barrier and helping me move on to my future. I would be freed from this time circle in which I was trapped.

Letting out a sigh, I focused my attention on the stage. The fans had managed to get posters to get autographs and stuff. They were nervously babbling about how excited they were to meet the icon, Dmitriy Ivanov.

Nobody knew another lonely girl who craved more than anyone to meet him, a girl who knew him, a girl who loved him, a girl who desired him, was standing some distance away.

I chuckled to myself.

The irony of life. They crave to see him and try desperately to meet him…I had him all for myself, but my life forced me to give him up. This is life. Those who don’t have, and those who have, no one is truly happy. I knew his worth. I never wanted to leave him. But destiny had planned something else for us.

Suddenly I noticed a buzz in the crowd. I looked at the source of excitement and lo behold! There was shining black Mercedes at the entrance of the arcade. Immediately the battery of press photographers surrounded it. A chauffeur got out from the driver’s seat and opened the polished door.

Then stepped out the actress. She looked beautiful. With her waist length copper curls, a doll like face with large eyes, her burgundy mermaid cut gown with peplum front, a bustle backed ruffled lower body and her regal accessories, and she looked like a real queen. The fans cheered in unison.

Waving to all, she started moving towards the stage. But my eyes were glued to the door of the car from which emerged a leg with black leather shoes. This was followed by a hand and then he appeared, full length and all hell broke loose as fans started pushing and jostling to get a glimpse, an autograph. The cheeky ones demanded a photograph. He smiled and accepted the requests of all. I was just frozen to my place, unable to move.

Seeing his 6 feet 5 inch tall frame, his gorgeous hair and the brightest smile in the universe, I was just spellbound. He was absolutely stunning.

My heart longed to just rush up to him and scream out his name with all the strength I had. My body wanted to once hold him close like I always used to, to feel the warmth of my one and only true love, to breathe in his scent, to bask in his happiness. But my mind had chained my heart. Those were nothing more than dreams. A once upon a time fairytale for me.

His co-actress came and linked her hand in his, no doubt trying to grab a little bit of attention. He without having any intention to do so he had grabbed all the limelight.

Leaving his fans and all the attention, he moved to the stage. I stood still taking in each word he spoke. That same voice and my heart was jumping at every word. My thirsted for his voice, a voice which was so soothing that it could put me to sleep. I wanted to just melt into him, to grab him with all my strength and never to let him go.

It was almost time for the show to end. I was so lost in my thoughts that I had not noticed when he had stopped talking and was staring straight ahead. At me!

My heart skipped a beat. I could see him mouth the words, “ROZA!”

Oh no! He had seen me and recognized me. I didn’t know what to do. I stood like an idiot staring at him. Our eyes locked and I could feel his eyes sending me a million signals. I found myself weakening under his stare.

The girl beside him nudged him gently when he realized that he had stopped in the middle of his speech. Tearing his eyes from me he dejectedly continued with it as I took the opportunity to rush out of that place.

Clutching my chest, I ran out into the streets of Moscow and started walking briskly. Finally I had met him. I was free now. My heart knew that I was ready to move on. He was where he deserved to be.

No matter he had seen me. No matter I had run away. I could finally move on with him occupying a permanent place as another memory in my life.

So lost I was in my satisfactions that I never noticed a car blocking the mouth of the alley through which I was walking.

I started backing off when I felt someone grab me in a grip of iron from behind and a gloved hand over my mouth to muffle any cry. I struggled fruitlessly and tried to see my captor, but all I saw was a black mask. I held my breath waiting for the blow.

A/N
Before I proceed one request to my readers. CAN YOU GUESS WHERE THIS STORY WILL GO NOW? CAN YOU GUESS WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND WHAT HAS DESTINY IN STORE? PLEASE MENTION IN COMMENTS WHAT YOU FEEL LIKE WILL HAPPEN.

Thank you for reading this and I as always wait for your valuable views, votes and feedbacks. This was one more tough chapter and I am glad to have made it. This determines the course of the story.

THANKS, MARYFAHEY  FOR SUPPORTING ME ALWAYS. Thanks, Pipigrin, morema_m teamhathaway for reading my work always.
Thanks @nana_gn for supporting me always and being with me forever. Lots of love and wishes to you all...............Yours Masquerade