Events are from before the Epilogue when Dhruv was betrayed by Serra

Dhruv's POV

Fool me once shame on you
Fool me twice shame on me

I chuckled derisively at the caption Silver gave her recent pic on insta she was flashing her middle finger, bright red painted fingernail winking at me. As if sharing the inside joke.

Couldn't be more relatable

Silver was my childhood friend, she was the first person.
I got drawn to and also the first one who broke my trust.

And Just like that, here I was again falling and betrayed along the same line

Someone up there supposed to be called God laughed at my stupidity.

You didn't follow the loop you didn't see the signs, Dhruv, you fall you hurt that is what's written in your life

Ha ha, you are such a fool!!

I punched the steering wheel of my car, then drove it losing all speed limits.

It sped down the track towards the tree in sight breaking and barging into the barren field out of my instincts I swerved it right missing the tree pulling the break instantly.

My lips curled in a big disdainful smile,

Not that stupid enough to die this way crashing to a fucking tree

Taking it back you whatever God up there!

I glanced at my phone forgetting it was on and I pressed a like on Silver's post

Fucking Great

Now she would think I was hung up on her

I rolled my eyes tossing my phone in the backseat.

I held my head tightly, the ache was unbearable but it wasn't my foolish head that gave me trouble but my chest, burned so much from hurt.

I liked her.

Images of Serra's rare smiling face flashed in my memories those memories of her were wrapped in gold paper. But this particular one was just plastered with cement and locked in a titanium safe in the back of my mind.

She was one true person, one genuine person I met and started cherishing the most in my life.

And there she went burning all my hope and trust I have gathered and glued to form

My fault

She just did her work

She just did what she was supposed to do

My fault for liking her

My mistake for turning blind and-

I punched the dashboard the stinging on my knuckles distracted my idiot of a heart's distress for a moment.

I distanced myself from people not because I was superior to them which I am no doubt there or because I was bestowed grandly with jerk qualities as my best friend Sahil would describe me...just another reason for trust issues in my life he was now a sworn enemy.

I feared allowing people too close to me and giving them the power to like yeah go ahead and hurt me like you want to

Just like Serra did.

All the locks and barriers I raised around me from everyone proved to be futile, she just slipped right through them with a precision that of a thief then she stole crushed all my hopes of ever believing anyone, ever caring for anyone to bare myself vulnerable.

When you strip down all your defenses you only make yourself prone to be hurt willingly like giving the damn weapon of your demise.

Do the honor of betraying me because I am a fool but you act smart

Now the fault is not anyone but yours.

Yours solely

•••

"You are leaving the town?" Faisal asked from the other side of the line

"I left the town" I corrected him dumping my trolley bag at the threshold of my childhood bedroom door, the moment I entered.

"Damn Dhruv, I didn't know you were so hurt by Selena's revenge you ran hiding your face.... wait am I intruding on your crying in a-corner episode right now?"

"Shut the f up I couldn't care less about Selena or Justin" I rolled my eyes with a dull pain in my head.

"Sorry big boy I am having a hard time here understanding why in the world you left your house when you were on house arrest oh I forgot the case is over. Serra's mother lifted all the charges now we are free citizens but instead of partying till 6 in the morning you ran to some forest to live like a caveman like you always were?"

"Your nonsense is causing me a headache I am at my grandma's house. Grandma is not keeping well mom is here to see to it by taking care of her. We will probably stay here for some time" I answered with a grimace opening the closet.. my childhood clothes were still stuffed there they came tumbling down towards me I shoved them back in.

Nani being nani.

I opened my study desk drawer and found photo frames of my five/ six years old self.

I rolled my eyes shutting it with a thump, didn't want to walk down the memory lane of my childhood.
The bullying and my gluttony weren't worth remembering.

"What about school? Our last year man We hoped to fulfill it by being the golden gay couple and graduating with flying splashing colors and glitters" he sounded real concern like a falsetto he was.

"You are dropping out to do bucket list shit with Soumya" I stated flatly

"Oops you know it already? I was going to tell you in a gentle breezy way Dhruv my bestie we can't spend time anymore Sorry must be painful for you with all that Selena and Justin's drama going on. So to bring a smile to your face you won't believe Justin also didn't get Selena!"

I didn't let that news get to my head and heart. So Serra played with all of us.

Now that's like Ms. Newton

Gahh. I couldn't care less

"I'll be completing my last year of school here. Now Go eat Soumya's head" I should have asked about her health like a good friend but I wasn't one so I ended the call and tossed my phone on my bed that had power rangers bedsheet on.

I need a new room ASAP.

I bristled out of the room like would catch the plague.

••

Neel and Lucas waited for me outside on their bikes just a few of the people I was acquainted with when I came to my grandma's place

"Dhruv! What ya doing here man? Missed us" Lucas asked cocking his head back he had a black bandana wrapped around it. He was in some gang or shit.

I sauntered towards them scoffing

"He is ignoring us right now also. I thought you have this hard-to-get attitude only on insta" Neel said regarding the numerous messages I left on read.

"Small talks bore me" I answered stomping on the cigarette he offered me with my black boot.

"Care for a death race?" Neel challenged with a bitter smile.

Still not over losing last time.

"Always," I said getting on my bike strapping the helmet, and focusing ahead I pulled the visor down. My hands clenched in the leather gloves adrenaline pumping in bringing my body alive from this haze and dullness that was weighing me down this past week. The moment I placed them on the handles, I felt this instant calmness and relief.

I was home.

•••

"I think you are here because of Silver you want to show off your tall muscular body on her face," Lucas said as we moved down the corridor of my new school. I couldn't care less. I increased the volume of my headset save your tears playing.

"You could have asked me why I broke your heart
You could have told me that you fell apart
But you walked past me like I wasn't there...

" lemme tell you you might be a gorgeous runway model type but our Silver also ain't less she has her own fans you see that line" he pointed to the right

I didn't bother to turn he turned me to make me see.

I stifled a cuss.

Class 12- C

A long line of boys was waiting outside with flowers and shit.

"They are there for Silver the queen of this villa. You have to up your game man if you want to be noticed by her-

I took off my headphones with a huge sigh dropping them on my neck Lucas was starting to piss me off. I saved my breath from rudely telling him to shut up. I am not here for Silver or Platinum. I am trying to nurse my stupid heart. I am on a vacation, a getaway can he just calm down?

And what the f is with the girls of this school buzzing around me like bees in the hive?

Ms. Newton would never behave like one of them

Now, why would I be thinking about her?

I cursed running my hand in my hair and sped my walk toward the class. I didn't pay heed to the girl clattering on her heels in a short red skirt with books clutched to her chest by her arm around them in the other hand she held a Starbucks coffee cup.

She was sashaying from the opposite side with a big smile as if posing for cameras, her ponytail waving held by a big silver bow.

How garish.

I walked right passed her my shoulder brushing hers. I don't know how she was walking maybe with the gravity of a ping pong ball. She stumbled back splashing the coffee on herself. I scoffed and continued my way to the class with no concern.

"You freaking oaf" she shouted from behind

•••

Neel being 19 something has been in 12th class for three years this would be four and counting ...seeing he wants to continue his record of never passing out.

He was dozing off at the back of the class and told me to wake him up when school gets over.

Yeah

Like I would

I would myself lock his sleeping ass in the classroom

I looked at my mobile while some class some teacher went on about something I couldn't bother to lift my head and see what was going on in front of the class.

Divyanshi messaged me

Serra left something for you

I chose to keep it on read but my fingers worked on their on accord seeing her name

Yeah a pile of shit to stamp my face on it like a fool I am

Haha so funny I am even imagining it
But bhaiya stop being so hard on her you deserved it

Thank you that's very comforting

Think from your heart brother

I don't have a heart

Then think from your head or you don't have that also? Srsly talking to boys is so tiring here Sahil bhaiya is acting like a workaholic and there you being extra mean. Serra really liked you yk

Yeah for sure. I rolled my eyes turning my phone off. When I heard something was happening in front of the class, I felt this sudden change in the air. The class grew silent when the clicked of heels sound announced someone's entry.

Involuntarily

I looked up, curiously.

A girl entered with her hand on her hip eyes scanning the class. Even the teacher didn't continue the lesson all watched her like a besotted audience.

I focused properly on her she was Silver.

Yep the first girl I trusted and she also

Yeah right answer you won 1 crore!!

she betrayed me

Anyway, it was a long time back. I was fat and she was a mean queen

Fast forward to 9 years

Now I am mean king she is well not fat... still the prettiest girl I have ever seen. But if appearance was all about it then Bassanio wouldn't have chosen the lead casket. Yep, I read Shakespeare I know gold casket contains deadly worms.

I turned my eyes away but she pointed her finger at me

"You!"

I raised my brow. Did she recognize me? Or something...

Nah why will she remember little nah big fat Dhruv?

"You ruined my dress and walked away like it's nothing" she made it sound like it was a heinous crime and I would be hung for it.

The bell rang indicating the class ended.

People still sat there staring at me as if I would start doing some Acrobat or some shit.

Even the teacher couldn't seem to understand the class was over so just stop being part of the damn drama you are too old for that with a degree and profession.

I sighed getting up learn from me now people. Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, and putting on the headphones I sauntered out of the class brushing past Silver and her gaping mouth

••••

"Dhruv you have been awfully quiet for sometime" my mom's worried gaze followed me as I helped her prepare soup for Nani.

I liked helping my mom in the kitchen she is a chatty woman and also the only woman I love hearing her nonsense in return she demanded a reply from me for everything whether the curtains color are fine or the soap opera's unfairness towards the lead role, she wanted my opinion no matter how rude or mean I sounded

"I am always quiet mom," I said chopping the veggies

"But you have been extra quiet, I know it has to do with that Sahil boy he was never good"

I hummed, she waited for my reply.

"I know mom I regret befriending him," told me honestly.

"He always brings trouble"

"Right, sometimes they even have a name"

"Dhruv.... listen Honey why don't you hang out with your old friends they know you better I can't watch you this lonely and quiet driving that death vehicle. You remember Silver?"

"No" I grimaced. Why everyone's been throwing Silver in my face since the morning?

"You don't? How astonishing! You were obsessed with that girl you would follow around her like a puppy-.

"Mom please" I covered my face so damn frustrated

"Oh stop blushing my boy I called her she's been missing you too she said, she is eager to meet her chubby roll" mom laughed like it was a lovely thing to be called chubby roll

Before I yelled at the top of my lungs I hated that girl. The doorbell rang..

"That must be her she came and I thought she won't come considering she is so busy with her work and all, but she came for you now go open the door don't stand here like a chubby roll"

I glared

She only laughed shooing me out of the kitchen

Huffing, I answered the door. There stood on the doorstep in a pink skirt and white top with a silver glittery purse and her trademark silver bow atop her pony. Her big greeting smile faltered seeing me, yep I have that impression

"you!"

I mocked, "ah so this is how you normally greet I feared something was wrong with me"

I turned back without bothering to check if she was behind or not.

"What are you doing here? Is this the wrong address?"

"Yes very wrong address now skitter away in your little skirt" I muttered

"Silver honey, after such a long time" my mom cooed coming out and hugging her. My mom... generous caring woman could hug a roadside beggar also.
"And here I thought you can't be more beautiful"

I tried to slip away to my bedroom during their boring talk

"You met Dhruv? That's my boy doesn't he look different now?"

"That's chubby roll-

I glared at her, folding my arms my leather jacket's sleeves scrunching up my biceps.

Silver's big eyes traveled down my body for the first time seeing me properly, she corrected herself good for her, "Dhruv?" She gasped in disbelief

"You kids talk I must go and water the plants in the garden" mom took the cue to leave out.

The garden was barren what was she talking about?

Silver didn't cease her checking me out she walked where I stood and then blatantly observed me from all sides moving around me.

"You are making me uncomfortable now," I said

Her cheeks turned red like redder over the blush, "sorry-" she stopped herself seeing my mocking expression

"You are a completely different person now, Hit the gyms?"

"One of the many things"

She stared at me deep into my eyes as if searching for something or someone.

"Where is that sweet chubby boy I knew?"

"You mean that weak pathetic being you bullied"

she flushed, mortified

"I am different now"

"Pigs fly" I mocked. She looked as flashy and vain as before.

"Excuse me who are you to judge me? You don't even know me!" She defended looking hurt

My eyes twitched, and hurting her ignited something within me.

I moved towards her she eyed me nervously but didn't step back.

My eyes traveled all over her small face narrowed eyes like that of a cat so different from her, her small button nose and big red pouty mouth weren't even near to what she looked like forget about looks their obvious height difference was a big factor, she was taller than her. But there was this defiant and challenging attitude that matched exactly hers. I wanted to crush and crumpled all of it and hurt her as she had

Heck, I never remembered Silver I never cared about her. I forgot her during these years if not for Lucas sharing her status on insta I would've never knew about her existence. But now that I was near her, I felt so much hatred like I always wanted to ruin her. I would have but I wasn't Sahil. I don't go around wrecking people left and right. So I warned her,
"A word of advice Golden, Don't cross my path I'll destroy you and your little bow I hate superficial things like you"

She should have stepped back if she cared about herself but she only smirked in response hazel eyes glimmering evilly, "are the tables turned now? Are you going to torment me, Dhruv? My chubby roll? Bring it on dear I might have changed but I can make anyone bow to me even the proudest ones with my little Silver bow on"

She whirled around giving the whiff of her vanilla perfume and hitting me with her silver purse in the process. She sashayed her way out those pink heels making an annoying clicking sound. I gritted my teeth. Before walking out of the door. She waved her hand without turning back," until next time, chubby roll"

Nope, Ms. Newton would have never done that she wasn't this theatrical type this lively like I just didn't threaten that girl, nevertheless Silver irked me so much tenfold than Ms. Newton ever had.

••••

Well if you want to read more about Silver and Dhruv's story stay tuned I may be posting it soon on my profile! Lemme know if u r interested?