Anika's POV:

I looked at the girl before me. She wasn’t the girl I knew years ago. She was totally transformed. She slowly trained plastering a fake smile over her face while holding a dozen scars inside her. She had faced and struggled with her battles.

And finally she had learnt supressing her pain beneath her smile as if she was alright. And I was proud that she grasped it so early because happiness was never meant for her. Never. I inhaled deeply and the girl did the same.

I wore a pink Georgette saree for a sequined dark blue blouse with a minimal make up on, just perfect for the occasion. Yet I felt imperfect.

The ‘missing piece' clicked my mind when I scanned myself in the mirror  again. I sighed, pulling out the stone studded sindhoor box from my desk, before putting a pinch of it in my hairline. That completed me.

I had started doing the ‘married woman’ things again for my little girl. Because she had a million dollar question 'Why wasn’t her mom wearing them? While she had seen her friends mothers wearing mangalsutra and sindhoor.

I somehow escaped the situation saying that I had forgotten. Because I can’t tell her exactly what was between me and her dad. She was too little to handle this.

I turned around and stared at her, her face so quiet and calm. She was the only one I have in this huge world. The only one with whom I could live not bothering about my sorrows. She was the only reason of my existence here.

Suddenly, Karthik’s voice boomed in the whole mansion which pulled me out of this never ending thoughts. I quickly kissed her and ran out of the room.

As I reached, I saw Mom and Dad already waiting in the car for me.

“Kitna der lagati yaar?” Karthik said impatiently, his engine roaring.

“Sorry,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat beside him. “Let’s go”
..................................

As soon as we reached the venue, my mouth fell open and my eyes widened at that breath taking sight. I was rooted at the entrance grasping every inch of the beauty. It was all decorated with roses, tulips and lavenders.

There were hundreds of lamps hanging from the ceiling illuminating the centre of the stage.  That was where we would soon dance with our bride and groom. It just appeared as a fairy land. I never imagined I could see something like this in my life.

Sweet music hit my ears when I slowly took my steps. Nandu would surely love this. Why not! Every girl would certainly dream for such a moment in her life. It’s just that you should find a guy who could make your dreams come true.

My heart swelled when Nandu hugged Karthik and thanked him a million times for this amazing surprise.

Behind the stage, there was a big banner on which “Karthik Weds Nandini” was scribbled. I was so glad that they were together. They were meant to be.

Suddenly I went back to the days when I had done all these rituals for my wedding. There were the few days of my life, I lived happily. After that major misunderstanding between us, I felt fortunate only when I first touched my baby, when I first kissed her.

My stomach churned and I felt nauseating at the mere remembrance  of the past. My eyes prickled and I comforted myself. I don’t want to think about this anymore.

I glanced around when I sensed someone’s gaze on me and found Karthik staring at me. He raised his eyebrows with a 'what-happened' expression. I shook my head vigorously and ran up to them.

The event started by 8:30pm. Random noises filled up the hall when hundreds of guests arrived. There were friends, relatives and also many business delegates were invited.

Suddenly silence hushed when the voice of the host boomed across the speaker. There was a ball room dance for the evening and all our family, friends would participate in it.

As we occupied our seats, we saw some dancers performing. I smiled watching Mallika-Siddharth, Tia- Robin, already on the dance floor immersed in their own world.

Just then, someone knelt before me and my head snapped to see him. His lips twitched when our gaze met.

“What are you doing?” I whispered smiling back.

“One dance??” he spread out his arm for me.

“How have you been, Adi?” I didn’t answer his question.

“Am fine” he quickly sat beside me. “Don’t change the topic, Anika”

“Adi...” I was interrupted by my mom.

“Anika, It’s alright beta. Just a dance.” She gently nudged my elbow.

I could never deny what she says.

Woh meri sagi maa nahi hain. Na hi unhone mujhe bada kiya. But she was more than that. She supported me when there was no one with me. She stood beside me when I needed my family, my husband the most.

I nodded. He hugged my mom instantly and thanked her.

Along with me, Adithya pulled whole family to the dance floor, also Nandini and Karthik. We danced for all the recent wedding tracks.

That was a grand Punjabi wedding. I was happy after a long time with my new found family. I watched everyone in amusement when they crazily danced to the beat. I had never seen my family like this.

Kisi ki nazar na lage mere parivaar par, I thought. Few seconds later, I excused myself when my mobile buzzed and screen flashed the name 'Daima'.

I left the place and came a little far to answer the call as the sound was too loud to talk. It was the time when my daughter usually have dinner. I told everything she needed.

I saw the venue from here. I could have a entire view of it. It shone under the moon light. That was beautiful. I stood there for a few seconds before joining the event.

I saw everyone taking their positions in a circle, wearing different masks for the ball room dance which was about to start. We couldn’t see their face except for their eyes and lips.

The theme was such that, we would keep switching our partners clock-wise, once the music begins. And when the music stops, the person standing with you would be the ‘partner tonight'. So that would be a dance with an unknown guy.

I sauntered beside Nandini putting on my mask, waiting for the event. Not that I was so anxious. It’s just for my family as they were all much excited about this theme. I was grabbed into Adithya's arms when the music began.

“You will be my partner tonight” he whispered near my ear with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Will see” I smiled, dancing along with him.

I knew he liked me. Even I like him so much, but not in the same way he did. The day I caught his feelings, I started pushing him away from me. But he was too stubborn to accept.

Partners switched.

Now, I was with Karthik. We talked as we danced. I could recognise them, even after we put on our masks.

“Anika,” he smiled sadly. “I wish Nandu would be my partner tonight”

I laughed at his cuteness. “All the very best” I wished him.

“How’s your Adithya?” he asked, teasing me.

“Shut up,” I faked anger. We instantly broke into a laugh and he winked. It was now time to shift the partner.

Later, I tried my moves with Siddharth and Robin too.

There were some random dancers in between before I swapped once again. This time, Dad as my partner. I was awed at his dancing skills. He spinned and lifted me  twice before perfectly landing me in my place.

“Adithya ke sath dance kar lo na!” he requested.

“Dad...!! I am okay with it.” I said when he twirled me again. “Par music should stop when I m with him, right?”

Before he could say something, he was replaced with my new partner.
The music stopped and a loud cheer filled the hall.

I turned back when I heard the host's voice again. “So, Ladies and gentlemen, Got your partners right?  . Enjoy this wonderful night.” Everyone applauded once again.

I watched my surroundings and all of them were so busy in guessing the faces behind their masks. I didn’t bother looking back at my partner though.

I wasn’t so eager to know him because I am not at all excited for this. I am okay with anyone and everyone. I sighed peacefully when I saw Karthik and Nandu together.

As I was so familiar with them, I easily identified everyone.

No one got their original better halves. Mom was with Adithya, dad with Mallika and so on. Adi passed on a sad look to me. Even I felt sad for him because he was building up his hopes without any base. He could never get what he wants. He deserves more, much better than me.

The music began once more. The track played was 'Tere Sang Yaara'.
I felt something squeeze in my chest. I deeply exhaled and inhaled before whirling back to my partner. I didn’t want to remind myself anything related to that past.

It frustrated me. How much ever I tried ignoring this feelings, I always end up in them.

I couldn’t see anything other than his eyes and lips. I didn’t pay much attention on him as I was engrossed in my pathetic life. I somehow managed to put my arms around his shoulder, my eyes meeting his occasionally.

He was irked by my reaction, I guess. Yeah! Anyone would be right? That was a ball room dance and here I was, ignoring my partner of this night completely.

Suddenly, I was pulled in to his strong arms. I felt a acquainted warmth when he pressed his palms on my waist. I could sense his piercing gaze on me. 

My look shifted to him. His touch was  familiar still I couldn’t recall him. I scanned him slowly, only to meet a pair of electrifying blue eyes.

I stopped breathing. My eyes searched something in those icy blue orbs. They were deep like an ocean and cold as a hail storm yet emotionless.

“I knew them” my heart screamed and my ears pounded. I stood like a statue in his arms.

A/N: Hey guys, I know it's too late but cant help it.
Here you go the second chapter, presenting in Anika's POV. To write and potray her feelings perfectly was the toughest job for me. Hope I atleast reached 50% .

I would like to write most of the chapters in her Pov only. This book will be from the girl's side. She will be our hero. Her feelings, her emotions are my things.

Sorry guys, I had exams and I don't know when I would update the next. But please don't be angry with me. I will try my best to reach you soon.

Here are your questions:

Who could be that mask man?
Does she know him really?
Keep guessing.

Love you all so much.

Yours
Trushnamallipudi