Chapter 1

Tere sath Zindagi Bitani

Khwaish thi meri

Par Mujhe kya pata tha

Meri ye khwahish mere

Jazbatton ka hi qatl Kar degi

~Ankita Ghosh

(living my life with you was my wish but little did I know that my this wish will kill my emotions)

"Ridhu, what are you thinking?" Maya asked Ridhima who is sitting alone

"Nothing Maya, I was just thinking about my ill fate, today I saw Mehek with Rocky. They are dating I guess" Ridhima said, her eyes twinkling with undesirable emotions.

"Not yet but they will if you don't confess your feelings, yaar you love him for a long time.  Why can't you just confess this to him? He won't eat you alive now will he?" Maya said in a dramatic way placing her hands on her hips.

"Maya you know I can't. He is my friend and I'm afraid my confession will cost our friendship" Ridhima whispered as her eyes went to stare at the ground.

"For how long you're going to hide? One day or another he will date someone else then what? You just can't cry over it then" Maya said softly this time, trying her best to console and advise her friend.

"I'm scared. I love him but--"

"No ifs no buts, you're going to tell him and today only" Maya cut off Ridhima in the middle.

Ridhima and Maya's parents were best friends thus knowing each other since childhood and became best friends henceforth.

Ridhima met Rocky in high school. He came from another city as his father got transferred. They are friends but Ridhima liked him from the day her eyes laid upon him. With time the liking developed in deep feelings.

Ridhima knows that she has no chance with him. He is so handsome and popular and she? Well, her skin tone is dark while having a chubby appearance. She is no match for him.

"Ohk fine I will tell him today but if he broke our friendship then I won't be able to control myself" Ridhima determined as she rose from her seat.

"That's like my girl, if he breaks friendship then it will be good for you only because he is a big distraction in your life. If he lets you go then you will be able to move on freely and if he agrees then congratulations in advance" Maya tried to assure her friend with positive thoughts.

Ridhima sighed and took deep breaths to calm herself. She decided to find Rocky and tell him finally.

She found him talking with Mehek.

"You can do this Ridhu," She told herself

"um, Rocky can we talk?" Ridhima asked him

Rocky gave her a questioning look.

"Yeah?" Rocky said but it sounded more like a question

"Mehek can you excuse us please" Ridhima requested Mehek at which she responded with a shrug before leaving to a nearby side.

"Tell me, what do you want to talk about?" Rocky asked her a little bit impatiently

"Rocky I wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I was scared. Today I gathered the courage to tell you. I liked you from the first day we met in school. You're my friend but I like you more than a friend at first then with time my feelings developed for you. I love you, Rocky, I really do" Ridhima said in one breath.

She looked at Rocky to find him rooted at the spot, dumbstruck. His mouth was hanging in a shock.

After a good five minutes of silence, Rocky finally composed himself and said "Was it a Joke? If yes then it was the funniest joke ever"

His words brought a surge of pain in her heart. "It's not a joke Rocky. I'm serious"

"You can't be Ridhima. It just doesn't make sense. You and me? Love? No Ridhima no it's impossible. Have you ever looked at yourself? You're not worthy of my friendship. I'm with you because you're good at studies and do my work. How can you think that fat and ugly girl like you can be with me? I know you belong to a rich family but that doesn't change anything. Do you want to know who is worthy of my love?" Rocky gritted his teeth, disgust clearly evident in his eyes. It's like her mere presence disgusts him.

Ridhima's heart broke in pieces with his every word.

"Mehek come here" Rocky called her.

Mehek came there and he wrapped his hand around her waist.

"See, she deserves to be my girlfriend. She is beautiful and sexy just like the way I want my girl to be. She isn't shy or fat or an introvert like you. In this world, only beauty matters, Ridhima. Without it, love doesn't happen. Go and find someone who is ugly like you who will love a girl like you. "Rocky spat harshly and left Ridhima with her broken heart.

As soon as Rocky left, Maya came there. She was watching everything from the side.

"I'm sorry Ridhu, it's my fault that I pressured you to confess. Forgive me" Maya felt sorry for her bestie.

"No Maya it's not your fault. I needed it. The reality check that love does not exist without good looks. True love that people talk about is a lie. Rocky is right. Without looks and confidence, love can't happen" Ridhima said as she wiped her tears that are flowing continuously.

Maya didn't say anything because she knew her friend was hurt very much. She needs time to adjust.

After reaching her home Ridhima went straight to her room ignoring her mother who is worried about her. She is aware of her daughter's feelings but she isn’t sure about whom she loves.

She knocked on her door but Ridhima didn't open it.

"Ridhu beta, open the door," her mother said

"Mom please go away I don't want to talk about anything" Ridhima replied

"Ridhima Khanna opens the door before I call your dad and you know he will ask a good explanation about this stunt" Her mother threatened her.

Ridhima huffs in anger and opens the door. Her mother came inside and saw Ridhima's red and puffy eyes.

"What happened Ridhu? Tell me what is bothering my princess" Her mother said sitting beside Ridhima

"Why am I not a beautiful mom? Why am I like this? You know mom you're wrong. True love that doesn't bother for beauty or perfection does not exist. Only perfection and beauty matters" Ridhima said as more tears slipped from her eyes

Her mother understood that something concerning her love life has happened.

"Ridhu, I didn't lie to you about love that doesn't care about perfection or beauty. When love happens nothing matters if your partner is perfect or not. Let me tell you a story then you will get what true love is" Her mother said