|PRIYANKA|

I sighed, opened my eyes, and snoozed the alarm for the fifth time. I guess the fifth time's the charm. I ambled to the window and gazed outside. I breathed a satisfied sigh as the sun's rays caressed my face. The warmth of it always reminded me of my mother's caresses and her presence.

Ma passed away three years ago. Just before my 22nd birthday. Papa hired the best doctors from around the world to save her but the cancer was detected late although Ma went through many rounds of chemotherapy., it was pointless.

Her last words always rang in my ears. "Guddu find happiness in every moment of your life. Don't get sucked into the mechanical lifestyle that everyone is living. Take care of your father." Ma and Papa always called me Guddu. A few tears slid down my eyes. I wiped them and smiled.

My mother wanted me to be happy at all times and I am happy. I studied engineering but after Ma's demise, I wanted to do something else. Something meaningful. So I took a photography course and started my own blog.

My blog's name was "Spreading Love". I never revealed my real name. I was an anonymous writer and I liked it that way. I always sign off the blog as Anonymous Love. I had gathered quite a few followers over the past two years. Nearly ten thousand people. I clicked pictures and wrote down whatever I felt. It was the most fulfilling thing ever.

Along with that I took up some freelance writing jobs and ran the charity fund of my father's company Delta Technologies. There are offices across the country and a few in other countries as well. Sharma Foundation Trust was founded by my mother Geetha Sharma. Most of the operations related to the trust fund happened in Pune. She used to run the foundation before she passed away. I occasionally used to volunteer when I was in college but taking complete responsibility for it was life-changing.

However, my father Gopal Sharma wasn't happy about this. Since I was his only child he wanted me to join the company and learn the ropes of it. He wanted me to hire someone else to run the foundation. He always said that I was wasting my degree by taking full control and responsibility for the charity work. That was always what we argued about.

He wasn't happy about my move to Bangalore either. He insisted that once I'm done exploring I should and will come back to handle things in the company but it wasn't like that I hope with time he'll understand me and my dreams. He even made sure to send me money every month but I never used it. I want to live with the money that I have earned.

Since I had moved here I rarely saw him. I tried to talk to him at least twice a week. They were usually monosyllabic words exchanged between us. I missed the easygoing person he used to be before my mother passed.

Ma used to be the glue between us. She was the one who held us all together. But when she passed it completely changed the dynamics between us. Without her, my father was a different person. But I know my father. I know that we'll sort this out.

I walked to the study table that was in the corner of my room. I picked the frame from the table it was a picture of the three of us. I was standing in between Ma and Papa and grinning widely. Ma's eyes were glistening with tears as she grinned widely and Papa was smiling proudly. I traced my fingertips over their faces. I sniffled as tears glistened in my eyes. This was taken on my 12th-grade graduation. I wish I could make him proud of me like that again. I placed it back and took a deep breath. Hope is all I have to keep me going.

I folded the duvet and tidied my bed. I grabbed the book that I had read yesterday before going to bed and arranged it back on the bookshelf that was next to my bed. I pulled the Polaroid picture that I had taken of a building yesterday and stuck it on the wall right above my bed. I smiled at my creation. I stuck all the pictures that I have taken so far here and made a collage of sorts. I even hung some fairy lights around it. My room was painted in a light purple color. This place was my salvation.

I wore the locket that Ma had gifted me on my 20th birthday, it had a picture of the two of us. I tied my wavy shoulder-length hair into a bun. I groaned when I looked at the clock. It was already 7:45 a.m. I guess I have to miss my walking session today. Oh well, that's not a problem. I'll do a quick workout in the evening. The Enclave the apartment that we lived in has three blocks. I live in the C block. The apartment's gym is truly commendable. That's probably why the rent of this flat is a smidge higher than the other ones not to mention all the facilities were top notch.

I'm going to drag my best friend and roommate Nyra Aggrawal with me to the gym this evening. I walked out of my room and went straight to the kitchen. We had an open kitchen and a few steps away from it was a dining table. A decorative wall separated the dining area and the living room. I sat on the stool and glared at Nyra who was humming to herself and making some coffee.

We have been best friends since our first year of college. She's a coder by the day and a painter by the night. She has an Instagram account for her paintings, they are quite popular. She even takes painting classes twice a week for the kids in our apartment. Between the two of us, the house was always a colorful mess with my pictures and her paintings scattered around.

She chuckled and placed a cup of coffee in front of me. "Aww are you recalling about your date last night?" I groaned and sipped my coffee. I hadn't dated anyone since I had broken up with my college boyfriend. This was the first time I went on a date after almost two years.

Nyra insisted that I needed to let loose and enjoy so I agreed to go on this blind date. It was an app where they matched opposites to prove that opposites attract. Nyra learned about this app from one of her colleagues and decided that I was the perfect scapegoat to try it on.

Ugh, it was more like we did a coin flip and I lost. " Nyra! Stop! I'm trying to drink my coffee!"

Nyra bit her lip trying to control her laughter but within seconds she was laughing loudly. "Shut up!" I slapped her hand and walked away to the living room. But couldn't stop myself from smiling.

The beginning of the date was decent. We talked about things in general. I guess something about the app's algorithms must have been right because we were total opposites when it came to our tastes.

I was starting to enjoy myself. To my surprise, he checked all the boxes. He was a gentleman, he smelled good not amazing but good. I know I'm weird, but something is alluring about scents. Maybe that's my fetish. Anyway, he wasn't creepy, he made jokes and it was comfortable to talk to him.

But at the end of the date he looked at me and said that I needed to lose some weight only then would I be desirable enough for him to introduce me to his family. I can't believe he dared to say that. Besides who talks about introducing to their families on the first date? From there on everything went downhill. He also mentioned that I needed a real career and that taking pictures and writing was a waste of time.

The only gentlemanly thing he did after throwing those atrocious statements was to drive me home, but throughout the way, I had to listen to him brag about himself. I couldn't take it. This guy thought the world revolved around him and everyone else should bow down to him. It was hilarious how fast my opinion of him changed.

I wanted to teach this guy a lesson. So I quickly texted Nyra to be ready with some water balloons, some special water balloons. I made sure to ask him to walk with me and he obliged with a smirk on his face, the man assumed that he was going to get a kiss or probably more than that. Poor him only if he knew what was going to hit him. I abruptly stopped right below our balcony. She fired the water balloons on top of his head. They were not normal water balloons. I gasped and played my part well. Nyra had mixed acrylic colors in it. Mr. Ankur who knew how to invest right screamed and left. Too embarrassed to even say goodbye.

"That was amazing!!!!" I exclaimed and we high-fived. "I guess now Mr. Ankur has to spend some extra money at the salon to get rid of the pretty colors on his hair." I laughed and shook my head.

"Hey, at least we gave him a splash of colors and a kick start for his hair coloring journey." Nyra chuckled. We clinked our coffee cups together and gulped down the coffee.

"So, what's on your schedule today?" Nyra asked me and began gathering all the vegetables. I started mixing some dough for chapati while Nyra cut the vegetables for the curry.

"I'm going to Church Street today. I have to place an order for some books. We need to deliver it to the orphanages by next week. Maybe I'll explore a few places over there and take some pictures for my blog." Nyra smiled and nodded.

Bangalore was still new to us. The city was beautiful and chaotic at the same time. The best part about the city was its weather. It was unpredictable and that's why I liked it. Nyra and I are originally from Pune. When Nyra was offered a job here about five months ago she asked me if I wanted to come here with her. I agreed as I could do my work from anywhere since I was a freelance writer.

Her parents were hesitant to send her but once they knew that I would be shifting along with her they were more than happy to go along with her decision.

As for the foundation trust and the charity work, I had to commute to Pune once in a while but it wasn't a problem for me. Most of the meetings could be done online.

"Hey, why don't you join me for lunch?" Nyra mixed the curry while I made the chapattis. "That's a good idea. My office is only a few minutes away from that area. Just text me when and where I'll come to meet you." I nodded. We had our breakfast together. Nyra was the first one to leave. I had a few things to write. I quickly typed them and left the house.

I made sure that I had my DSLR camera at all times. I carried a Polaroid too. It's always fun to capture some nice pictures and get the print immediately not to mention they were vintage and classic.

I took the metro to reach my destination. While waiting at the station I clicked a few pictures of the train. The tracks, the sun rays touching the glass, and the buildings.

A scene caught my eye. A teenage couple in love hugged each other. I sighed looking at them. Oh to feel that kind of warmth and love. I wouldn't mind feeling that way. I thought I was in love but it wasn't love it was just attraction.

The girl jumped in excitement when she saw me clicking their pictures. They ran to me and asked me to show the pictures. "These pictures look so good! Can I get a copy of these pictures?" The girl asked. I smiled and nodded

"Sure. Give me your email address. I'll mail it to you." She nodded and shared her email. They thanked me for clicking their pictures and once again hugged each other.

Only if I can find someone. The question is will I find someone like that? I shook my head. It might sound silly and cheesy for some people but I think love has the power to heal anything.

Love is a complicated feeling for most of them. But I think love is easy. The world already has enough pain. We should all show love and care. We should try to spread more love.

I looked at the screen that displayed the timings for the train arrival. Five more minutes and the next train should be here. I tapped my feet and leaned against the slab.

Someone tapped my elbow. I turned to find the most adorable girl standing and smiling at me. "That camera looks so cool. Can you take a picture of me with it ?"

"Sure." I smiled and clicked a few of her pictures. She posed cutely and giggled. I continued taking her pictures.

She gasped and turned behind when someone called for her. I noticed two tall, well-built men standing a few feet away from us and calling for her.

"Oh no, my brothers will scold me." I laughed at her cute expressions.

"Ehh it's okay, I will just make the puppy face they'll melt right away." She cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered. I chuckled and shook my head.

One of her brothers walked towards us. He was wearing aviators. Huh, he looked kind of familiar. Where have I seen him before? "Cupcake, I told you not to let go of our hands, and you know that it's not safe to talk to strangers right?"

"Aarav Bhai, I'm fine. I was talking to this nice lady. She has kind eyes." She pointed towards me while I laughed lightly at her observation. She's the cutest.

My head whipped when I heard a husky voice call out the girl's name. "Sana come here."

I drew in a breath and glanced at who must be her other brother. He was wearing a cap. I couldn't make out his complete face but he had a 5 'o' clock shadow on his face.

I tilted my head trying to catch a better glimpse of his face. He adjusted his cap further as if he knew I was looking at him. Although I couldn't see his entire face. He looked intimidating as hell. I gulped and turned the other way.

"I'm so sorry about her." Aarav apologized. "Oh no, that's okay. I'm always looking for beautiful things to capture with my camera."

"This young lady's click was the prettiest one of all." I tapped Sana's nose and she giggled.

"See I told you she was kind." Sana dragged her words as if she were emphasizing her point.

She ran towards the other tall man wearing the cap and held his hand. "Anurag Bhai! I'm sorry to let go of your hand. From now on, I will hold your hand and Aarav Bhai's hand at all times."

He had perfect lips that tilted slightly. Huh? Is that supposed to be a smile? That can't be a smile. Why isn't he smiling fully? Anurag, that's a nice name. I like that name. What am I even thinking? Before my thoughts could go haywire the train arrived.

Oh! Thank god for small miracles. People crowded around the entrance of the train doors. I waved at Sana who smiled at me in return and walked away to the other side of the platform with her brothers. I resisted but couldn't stop glancing at Anurag one last time. I wish I could have taken a picture of him then.

I sat down when I found a seat and looked outside. The buildings passed they were amazing views I clicked the pictures but something was amiss. I was curious about Anurag. There's something about him. I zoomed into Sana's picture. I could make out his silhouette. I traced it with my finger. Who is Anurag?

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A/N: Who is Anurag? Lol I too wonder haha. Honestly the things Priyanka does and will do in the future always crack me up.

Also life is short! Many of us forget that and get stuck in this weird messed up loop where we question everything. Enjoy the moment! Have fun!

Okay people I have seen a good amount of reads but no votes. The last chapter barely got any votes. It really takes a lot to write. That kind of hurts. Just give me 30 votes and I'll update the next chapter once the target is completed.

Hope you liked this chapter! Please do vote and comment! I would love to know what you guys think!