Chapter 1(a) :- A Dive Into Their Lives.

Thumbing the keys of her laptop hastily, she tried to finish her pending work and have a relaxed weekend, curled up in her bed with her novels.

The current love story she was reading, kept her engaged so much that she couldn't finish her assignment, hence the delay and for that she was working speedily , skipping her lunch.

Submitting her assignment, she packed her belongings to go home and hide herself behind the books.

Entering her home, she saw her friend and sister sitting on the sofa in the living room. Their eyes were dancing in happiness and a face splitting smile was constant while they discussed something, too engrossed to notice her presence.

"Hello girls. What's cooking?" She asked clearing her throat and sat on the sofa with a tired sigh.

"Khwaab , you know what happened?" Sia squealed in excitement and pulled her up.

"What? Have you won a lottery?" She asked totally flummoxed seeing her wild enthusiasm.

"It's bigger than that. It's a jackpot! " Sia exclaimed , her eyes became rounder than before.

"Stop building suspense Sia. Just tell her." Aakriti , Khwaab's cousin said shaking her head at the scene going on.

"’Stardust’ is coming to Bangalore for their 100th concert tomorrow and guess what, I'VE GOT FOUR TICKETS AND WE ARE GOING", told Sia and did a happy dance pulling Aakriti along, who gladly became her partner.

They both were die-heart fans of that band especially the lead singer who had a massive fan following for his soulful voice, a handsome face and not to forget a killer smile and attitude to die for. While Sia had a different liking towards the drummer of the band which she didn't share with anyone yet.

Hearing this news, Khwaab felt earth slipping beneath her feet. Her face lost its colour thinking about what all can happen if he comes in front of her.

She was already aware about the concert tomorrow and why not, she has always kept a track of his concerts and everything that concerned him. But she never dared to meet him, after what all she did in the past.

A thought always crosses her mind when she thinks about him - does he still remembers her the same way she does? Everyday a new memory resurfaces, taking her back in her teenage days .

Their sweet memories.

"Khwaab, where are you lost?" Aakriti asked shaking her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. Gaining her attention Aakriti continued enthusiastically, "we all are going and I've taken permission from mom-dad so I'm not going to listen to any of your excuses." She said the last line stubbornly knowing her sister's way of spending the weekend.

"But I'll be bored there Aakriti. You know I don't like loud music and moreover I want to rest." Khwaab said pleadingly, hoping her sister would understand but looking at the no change in the latter's expressions, she sighed and hesitatingly nodded in yes.

They both grinned and squeezed her in the hug. "Thanks! You’re the best." Aakriti said with a huge smile that reflected on Khwaab's face too.

"So I'll inform Rahul that you're also coming “, said Sia dialling his number. Khwaab didn't pay much attention to her words and excused herself.

Locking the door she rested her back on the door, taking deep breaths. Tomorrow, tomorrow she is going to see him again, though from very far.

It was the same day when her fate connected her to that pure soul, nine years back, unknowingly, in a bond that she wished to cherish her whole life, but did the unexpected .

She sauntered towards her wardrobe and pulled out a maroon blazer from the last slab which she has kept hiding from the prying eyes of her mother and sister.

Embracing it to herself like a second skin , she inhaled the fragrance that still lingered over the cloth and it reminded her of him. It still has the same effect on her. She closed her eyes tightly and drowned herself in the past, when she came to know about the existence of a beautiful soul.

Flashback (Nine years back)

A short girl around fourteen years of age was rushing towards the washroom when she bumped into a tall boy who was coming from the opposite direction.

Apologising to him quickly, she dashed away into the washroom without looking at his face.

The boy frowned looking at her clumsiness but chucked the thought and walked ahead . His blood boiled when he heard two boys laughing and whispering something.

"Yeah, it was a big stain. Can't she handle herself? Dumb girl." One boy said to his two friends.

"Which stain?" The third one asked, unknown to the scenario.

"Why will the girl have a red stain on the skirt? Common sense bro." The third boy understood and chuckled hearing the answer from the second boy.

Hearing all this made the tall boy angry. His nostrils flared and he felt like punching them for being so insensitive but they weren't his priority right now.

The girl locked herself in the washroom and her sobs became louder. She heard two of her classmates laughing at her and she felt embarrassed and humiliated.

Changing her sanitary napkin she washed her hands and face but didn't have the courage to go out and again become a subject of mockery. She was shivering because of the tension and was clueless about her next step.

Composing herself she peeked out of the washroom door to check whether the corridor was vacant or not. She was about to close the door on hearing someone's footsteps becoming louder, when her eyes fell on the maroon blazer lying near the door . She clearly remembered it wasn't there when she entered the washroom.

Picking it up quickly she closed the door. She opened it's folds when a white chit fell down. It stated,

"Tie it around your waist so that you can walk comfortably and confidently till your room . However there is nothing shameful about it. It's natural and you can walk confidently without this too. Remember you are strong.

Keep smiling :)."

She never expected someone to show this kind gesture without telling his name. She knew it was a boy as the blazer was big and no girl in her class is this tall.

Today was her last exam and ninth standard was the only class that had the exam today. Their seniors are having exams in the coming month and were on preparation leave. So someone from her class helped her, maybe from different section. She wanted to thank that generous person but felt too awkward to ask anyone about it.

Her thoughts were broken by a loud knock on the washroom door.

"Is someone in there?" A male voice asked her and she immediately recognized the owner. It was the watchman. Wiping her tears , she tied the blazer around her waist and opened the door.

"Khwaab, what are you doing here kid? The last bell rang five minutes back. Thankfully that boy informed me that he saw someone going towards this side." The watchman said with a relief.

He immediately recognized her as she loved playing with the rabbits in the back garden of the school during recess and he had his duty at the backside.

"Uncle, I didn't hear the bell. Do you know who was the boy who informed you about me?" Khwaab asked him with a hope that he would be the same boy who helped her and then she will be able to thank him.

"No dear, after informing me he went to the senior boys wing of the hostel. And I don't know his name but yes he was tall and fair." He told her all the details and she became sad. It will be difficult to search for him.

"It's okay. Thankyou uncle." She said softly and silently left to her hostel. She studied in a boarding school in Dehradun from seventh standard.

Reaching her room, she changed her dress after taking a warm bath and cleaning her clothes. There was still time for the lunch.

All her excitement to meet her parents flew out of the window because of the incident happened with her. Today was her last exam and like everyone she was excited to see her parents and enjoy her vacations.

Lying down on the bed she recalled the incident that happened in the school. She never expected anyone to laugh at her when she was in trouble. But then there are other people too who still have goodness in them.

Praying for his well-being and hoping to meet him once, she drifted to sleep, unknown to the fact that destiny has already coupled them in an inseparable bond.

Flashback ends

A loud knock on the door disturbed her thoughts. Hiding the blazer back into the cupboard she opened the door and saw a butler standing.

"Ma’am , everyone is calling you downstairs for evening coffee." He informed and went away.

Freshening up she descended the stairs and saw her family along with her two friends Rahul and Sia sitting and enjoying coffee.

"Good evening everyone." She wished them with a smile and sat near her father who side hugged her.

"What took you so long Khwaab?" Kirti asked as it was one hour before she came from the research centre and has locked herself in the room.

"Must be completing the last chapter of her novel, right Khwaab?" Sia asked teasing her. Khwaab simply shrugged her shoulder not willing to disclose the reason and started sipping her filter coffee.

"So it's final we are going tomorrow." Rahul said gaining everyone's attention and it made Aakriti and Sia excited. Khwaab was neutral and showed no expressions of joy and happiness. From within she was dying to see him but was also fearing the consequences.

She hasn't told anyone that he was the same person once she was best friends' with. What if they all get to know? They will definitely be angry at her on hiding such a thing. But then she didn't want to be a hurdle in his life and come in between his ambitions.

"Aren't you excited Khwaab?" Karan asked with a frown on getting no reaction from his dear daughter. He knew she has always been the silent one but her behaviour drastically changed when she permanently shifted to Bangalore after completing her schooling six years back.

"I wanted to rest dad and.." She replied but was cut off by her sister.

"And complete her pending novels wrapped up in the bed." She stated with a bad face.

"But I enjoy doing that. You guys can go without me right. I'm not the one who is going to entertain you there and moreover I'm not a great company to be with." Khwaab replied with slight irritation in her voice as she likes to be in her own world. She never forces anyone to converse with her and get bored because that's what everyone has said to her considering the fact she is a bookworm since school days.

"You are a great company to be with Talwar. And please no arguments on this. One day you can enjoy with us and then read as much you want on Sunday. No one will disturb you . Is that fine?" Rahul pleaded at the end and she replied in positive with a small smile making everyone sigh.

"And Rahul it's Khwaab not Talwar." Saying this she excused herself and went back to her room.

Rahul's smile faded listening her but he didn't show it on his face. Sia and Aakriti beamed at Rahul and were thankful that he could convince her.

Her parents also liked Rahul and weren't unmindful about his feelings for their daughter but they had left the decision in Khwaab's and Almighty's hand. They didn't wish to force or pressurize her for something she didn't want.

Everyone other than Khwaab were aware about Rahul's feelings as it was evident in his every act. However he couldn't bring himself to confess to her as she never considered him more than a friend. Maybe she couldn't notice his gestures and efforts or her heart and soul were already captured by those intense whiskey colored eyes.