"If only you could see how much I loved you. But then, would you still value me?"

∞ ∞ ∞

CHAPTER THREE

THE CRASH

(part 1)

∞ ∞ ∞

ADHIRA'S BREATHS WERE fading quickly. She sobbed- tears drenched the gold blouse at the neckline. There was blood dripping down her arms, maroon blood- dark, stirring like her soul.

She opened her eyes- beautiful, riveting they were but they were slowly losing their spark. The smell of gasoline was strong. The car was upside down on its roof. All the blood was rushing to her head.

The night was burning brightly outside. Her breaths were becoming more forced. She could hear her phone ring somewhere. The hands which were strong and agile had lost their power and lay lifelessly against her chest.

No more fighting. The fight had left her long ago.

She could see her phone blinking in the dark, right beneath the glovebox. If she used her feet, she could reach it. The highway was deserted at this time. No-one would find her unless she reached out.

But what was the point?

It would be so easy to let go. To forget this pain. To forget this heartache. To forget everyone and everything.

∞ ∞ ∞

T H R E E    H O U R S    A G O

Waiting- she stood near the window of her apartment, dressed like an angel. The dress glowed like her eager eyes. If words could have been used to describe her beauty at the time, they would still fall short.

The spark of love was very much alive in her. Cascading like a waterfall, black strands of hair curved around her narrow waist. The skirt glittered, and so did the silver anklets she wore which would jingle pleasantly whenever she shifted.

She was becoming restless. It was already fifteen minutes past six. Fixing her scarf one last time, she strode to the living room and pulled out her phone.

Adhira: Where are you?

Rudra: I'm so sorry, Kapoor. I had to pick up my parents. They didn't have a ride for tonight. Will you be able to drive? I promise I'll have Aditya park your car when you reach the venue.

Aditya was Rudra's younger brother. Adhira didn't understand why all of the sudden his parents had decided to come with Rudra instead of Aditya. It was strange. As much as she knew his parents, she knew that they weren't the type to change plans at the last minute.

Adhira: That's fine.

Rudra: Thank you for understanding.

Adhira: Of-course <3

It's not like she had a choice either. Tossing her heels in a bag, Adhira pulled out a comfy pair shoes to wear while she drove with her blistered feet.

∞ ∞ ∞

Aditya stood in a stiff, blazing fire red coat and an overly sweet smile plastered on his face. The Indian Cultural center was brightly lit behind him. It was a tall building with several floors- a large crowds of colorfully dressed people were walking into it. The entire building was covered with lights shaped like lanterns.

He stood in the parking lot, his arms folded over one another. Like Rudra, he was dark, broody and handsome. Unlike his brother who was quite short, Aditya was tall- towering at six feet. His height made seem a bit gangly and slightly awkward than Rudra who was always put together and sharp-witted.

"Bhabhi jaan,"- (beloved sister-in-law) He called out for Adhira when she exited the car. Even though Rudra and her weren't married yet, Aditya always addressed her as his sister-in-law.

It was nice to have someone by your side when everyone else in the family seemed to hate Adhira.

"Aditya, how are you?" Seeing him automatically put a smile on her face, he was such a pleasant person to be around.

"I'm great!" He replied, without missing a beat. "And you look drop dead gorgeous"

She laughed-Aditya loved showering her compliments whenever they met. It was something he made up for that his brother lacked. Rudra rarely ever complimented her- it was something she had to guess. Whenever she looked nice- he would become flustered. The slightest touch would have him muttering incoherent sentences. Adhira liked to think that it was something that made Rudra genuine. In ways, she loved this shy quality about him.

"Thank you!"

"Bhabhi, can you give me your keys. Bhai (brother) told me to park your car safely. You know how crowded these festivals get."

Adhira placed the keys in his outstretched hand. "Here you go."

He grinned at her- darkness outdoors shaded his eyes. The night was slightly chilly and Adhira was in a rush to get inside to see Rudra. Smiling one last time at Aditya, she strode to the venue.

∞ ∞ ∞

Everything was spinning- the colors, the gowns, the people. It was a big circle of dizziness. Men and women were dancing in pairs the outer circle was made up of men and the inner circle was made up of woman. Men & women were dancing side by side- in pairs.

The golden lights in the ceiling were bright, bursting with glitter. It was like the grand sun outdoors had manifested inside into the glorious mirrored chandelier.

Adhira was so awestruck that she forgot to breathe for several minutes. It was all so bright and vivid. Like she was standing in a forest of lush colors and peacocks. Tropical forests where there were bright oranges, azure blues, tantalizing pinks.

The young people who had enough energy to match the drums and Bollywood songs were dancing in the center of the hall while the children and adults were by the food stalls along the walls.

She spotted Rudra's parents standing near the food stalls. They were a couple who liked to carry an air of sophistication even though they were nothing of that sorts. Adhira knew them enough to know that liked to appear more prominent than they really were.

Mr. and Mrs. Shah were both short and round. Mrs. Shah wore a sliver sari-it was draped around her shoulder elegantly while her sharp eyes watched the youngsters dance while Mr. Shah wore a black suit and chatted amiably with another couple. The second couple seemed to be from an influential family. They were close to the age Mr. Shah and Mrs. Shah.

The lady wore an elegant statin gown and ruby pendant. She was tall and slender, resembling a fox and the man resembled a pig with his belly that was too big for the suit he wore. The way the other guests were looking this pair was like as though they were the kings- the respect and awe in their eyes was tangible.

Adhira would have approached his parents but she was too scared to do so without Rudra. She scanned the busy hall and in the dazzling gowns and costumes, she still could not see Rudra.

Biting her lips, she stood awkwardly at the entrance. It had always been like this- whenever Adhira came to events where Rudra and his family were involved. The barriers in their lives made it almost impossible for Adhira to fit in. Anywhere to be honest. Sometimes she felt as though she was a part of his life that was better left out.

Left in the shadows.

She watched the couples dance, how enviously she watched their steps match and them twirl around.

She stood here along the sides- beautiful, isolated. The steps were etched in her mind. She could at any moment join the crowd and be whirled away. But she didn't. Not without Rudra. She was this doing for him. She hated big crowds, dancing, socializing yet she did it all. For him, she had changed herself so much.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she found herself face to face with Dr. Raj Kapoor. He was Rudra's mentor- a prodigy emergency specialist. Though Rudra and Raj were the same age, Raj had completed his residency before Rudra and was now his senior.

"Hey there, fellow Kapoor." Raj smiled at Adhira. He was leaning against the wall, dressed in a fitted black suit. From his face, the subtle beard and hooded eyes- he looked awfully tired. His honey colored eyes assessed Adhira- not in a manner that made her cringe, he scanned her outfit and smiled.

"Indian suits you."

"Thanks." Adhira felt color rush to her face as she tucked away a strand.

"You still stuck on that Gujarati." By Gujarati, he was talking about Rudra. He was smiling slightly- cringing to be exact. Rudra and Raj weren't particularly on good terms. Adhira didn't know the reason for this animosity but she didn't care either. Knowing how silent and arrogant Rudra could be sometimes, it wasn't a surprise he didn't get along with his mentor.

"By stuck, you mean we're still together. I'd say yes."

"Ah... well too bad." He exhaled, closing his eyes momentarily. Adhira's heart was taken but her eyes still knew how to spot a handsome man. He was tall, fair, handsome- broad jaw, Greek god like features- the complete opposite of Rudra. Rudra was a short, dark- broody Indian. Someone you wouldn't glance at twice yet he was the only one who could make her heartbeat wildly, insanely.

"If we got married," Raj stepped closer to hold her wrist- the silver bracelets she wore chimed pleasantly. Adhira felt strangely drowsy from the strong smell of his cologne. It was the kind which won't wear off your clothes after numerous washes. "You wouldn't have to even change your last name."

There was an understanding light in his eyes- Adhira clearly understood the implication. She wouldn't have to change at all to be with him. Though it was said in teasing manner, she couldn't help feeling a bitter taste enter her mouth.

"Tempting offer."

"Indeed." His phone suddenly buzzed- furrowing his brows together, he sighed. "Looks like duty calls."

"On a Sunday?"

"A doctor is never off duty."

She smiled as Raj shifted to the left. "Good Luc-"The words were tore from her mouth when she saw Rudra dancing with a slender woman dressed in fiery red. They were the center of attention as he and the woman twirled around. The way he was smiling at her made her feel sick to the stomach.

Suddenly, he grabbed the woman's hand who looked far too pleased by the gesture and pulled her away from the crowd. Rudra deftly led her through the rush of bodies.

Like in her dream.

Except this time, she had been replaced. 

I've been asked by few readers about the people CRASH is based on. Honestly, it doesn't really matter who this story is based on or if it is a true story. I mean it won't have an impact on the story-line itself and the emotion it will convey.  Also, I plan to change the update schedule to every three days instead of every other day. It will give me more time to edit these chapters and re-read them. I just want to make sure everything is orderly before we proceed. I hope you understand.  Much love <3