"Baby, You look happier without me"

You know sometimes our dreams becomes our greatest enemies. They reminds us of the things we want to forget, keeps on bringing the memories we want to suppress. Dreams doesn't let us forget who we have been and the same is happening with Aaina.

She wants to forget Shivanya. She wants to kill Shivanya but her own memories aren't letting Shivanya die. 

For the world might have forgotten who Shivanya Oberoi was but how can Aaina forget herself. Even though she acts as Shivanya and Aaina are two different persons. Even though she acts like Shivanya is a total stranger to her but the truth can't be changed because of what she acts like or desires.

And when something triggers a single memory of past, the rest follow like a waterfall. And Aaina disappears under the memories of Shivanya. Under the memories that keeps on playing in her mind. 

A 16 year-old Shivanya was sitting on a swing. She was feeling really gloomy and sad, not in the mood to let the breeze play with her hairs and swing like she is on the top of the world. 

"What happened Shivu? Why are you sitting here alone?" A handsome and extremely worried guy asks her as he kneels before her, not caring his school pant is getting dirty because of the soil.

"Nothing," Shivanya looked away sadly, she couldn't make herself look at his oh-so perfectly beautiful face right now. She was afraid, she'll start crying if she did.

"No, it's not nothing. What's making my dear Shivu sad? Tell me. Won't you share it with your boyfriend, Shivu? Am I that bad boyfriend?" The guy pestered not giving up watching her sad.

"IT's not like that, Orno," 

"Then what is it??"

"DAD called, He wants me back home. I'll continue my future studies in the imperial college with my cousins." Shivanya said looking conflicted and watching Orno's confused expression she continued sighing sadly "IT's not like I don't want to go, I want too. I want to be there but what about us, Orno. The colleges we decided to go to together. The colleges we selected. I don't want to be away from you."

"Bs itni si baat (just this thing) and my Shivu is sitting here looking all gloomy," The guy smiled pulling her cheeks lightly

"But it's not just a little thing na Orno, it's our dreams," Shivanya exclaimed implying how important it is for her.

"Areey baba, I'll follow you too Mumbai na. I know I can get easily in Imperial college with scholarship and we will be there together," The guy said shaking his head as he lightly patted her head.

"Really," Shivu exclaimed her eyes sparkling with joy

"Really" he affirmed swinging her high as she squealed in happiness, her laughter echoing around them.

"I can do anything for your happiness my Shivu," it was a promise and she knew it.

She was so happy. Everything was going in the direction she wants. She was in Mumbai back with her family. Ma was as cold and as distant as ever. She just greeted her with a nod. Papa was thrilled to have her back. He took leave from office and they visited Essel world, Water kingdom and Snow world together. IT was so fun.

Bapi taught her how to play with paints. Bapi was impressed with her paintings and it meant the world to her though Omisha, Omav, Shivika and Ritisha were distant. They were polite and cold. There was an indestructible wall between them.

But she was happy. She was home.

Bapi, Papa, Mammam were there with her. She was happy and Orno will be there soon. The first day of college was like a dream come true to her.

No bullies, No ragging for no one wanted to get in the bad books of the Oberoi's. And Orno declined recognising her. He said they were in the same boarding school and he doesn't know her beyond that.

What happened to Orno? She didn't know but he was so distant, so cold and so indifferent. He wasn't her best friend, he wasn't her boy friend from school. He came home but not as her friend but as Omav's bestie.

What happened to them? What happened to their dreams?????

Shivanya didn't no the exact moment she come to the conclusion. The exact moment she realized that her little thirteen-year-old sister was enthralled by her 17-year-old boyfriend. Shivanya didn't know the exact moment she realized that even Orno was aware of those feelings and encouraging them.

Was it by the way she always noticed him around Shivi when he was in their home? Was it when he agreed to give tuitions to Shivi? Was it the moment Shivi closed the door on her face when Orno was teaching her? Was it the moment she saw Orno taking Shivi for ice-cream dates?

She didn't exactly know but she know the end product, the end product was her humiliation and heartbreak.

"You're not doing right. She is a kid." Shivanya didn't ever know that she could talk to him this coldly but she realized that moment her heart could actually talk to someone coldly.

"And what I'm doing wrong, Miss Oberoi, please enlighten me" When did he became so arrogant and cold? She didn't know.

"You're leading on my little sister when you're My boyfriend. She is a kid, don't play with her feelings." She didn't know why she was pleading him of this. Was she trying to confirm that she is mistaken?

"When did I became your boyfriend Miss Oberoi and she is just my student. Don't go spectaculating such nasty rumors about your own sister, Miss Oberoi. You maybe rich but that doesn't mean you owe me," And now, he was blaming her. Where did her sweet companion and friend from school disappear?

Who is this devil in her friend's skin?

"What happened?" She didn't realize their private confrontation had attracted a large crowd until she heard the question from Omav.

"Nothing Omie boy, Miss Oberoi here was claiming I'm her boyfriend and accusing me of having a relationship with her sister. I didn't realize she is this dirty minded and poisonous person. I heard she had a crush on me in school days but never thought much on that and now she is claiming she is my girlfriend. She is even jealous of her own sister. She is sick mate" He just scoffed as he wrapped his arm around Omav's shoulder and left from there.

The crowd gathered around them ganging against her, loud whispers insulting her. No one, heard her pov again. She was deemed what he said. A rich heiress showing off her money. A rich spoiled, obnoxious, poisonous heiress.

She didn't even realize they were near canteen until the angry students started throwing trash food on her. Angry on the behalf of their dear CS. And she stood their shocked, defeated, heartbroken.

Until an arm wrapped around her and dragged her away from there. They left the college. She didn't realize she was brought to a park until he asked her "Are you okay, Shivanya??"

"Yeah, thanks for the help" She mumbled trying her best to not start wailing right there.

"It's fine, I know you're not the one at fault," And maybe she needed to hear just those words as she turned to the guy who brought her here.

He was another member of Omav's group. What was his name Nihar, no, yeah Nikhil? He helped her. She was touched.

"Hey, drink this it'll help drowning the pain," He gave her a bottle looking at her concerned.

"What's is it??"

"Just drink this, you'll feel better" She didn't know what was it. The concerned look, the caring smile, the prospect of feeling better that she drank the bitter liquid without further questions.

The drink was bitter, it burned her throat and made her feel more miserable but he said it'll make her feel better. So, she drank and just drank until she didn't know the difference between earth and sky.

She drank because finally something was more bitter and burning than her life.

She didn't know how long she drank, she didn't know how long she was there in the park, sitting on the swing.

Until she heard Nikhil offer to take her home as it was night.

And heard her Bapi call for her at the same time.

Her Bapi was there looking at her confused and concerned. 

She got up and fall down on the dirty ground and it hurt, hurt very much.

And then Bapi was steadying her, picking her up and she cried. She cried the whole night.

Aaina knows one thing about dream is that they can be controlled. They can be controlled once you realize it's a dream.

So, she buried the crying Shivanya with her dream.

She woke up as Aaina. 

"Aaina, you alright??" She heard Ro's concerned voice as soon as she was up. She didn't realize her sudden waking up has startled Ro and Ranvi who were playing chess.

"Yeah, water" She asked them raspily 

"Here," Ranvi handed her the water, drinking the cold water washed away the bitter traces of alcohol remaining in her system from the dream.

"I'm Aaina Randhawa not Shivanya Oberoi." She reminded her mind, repeating the words until her soul knew not to turn when someone called Shivanya. I'm Aaina, Aaina doesn't know any Orno or any Shivika. 

Aaina Randhawa has never studied in imperial college. She studied in National Law university. She repeated until she knew she won't ever forget. But watching her Bapi in her dreams, she missed her Bapi most. Watching him, hearing his voice. She wants to tell him, she is fine. She finally has learnt the fine art of  picking up her fallen pieces.

But She can't, she is in exile and she'll properly follow the rules of her exile.

She doesn't know why, but his words after that drunk morning ring in her mind now.

Agar Zakhm Ko Yaad Karti Rahogi Toh Dosti Sirf Dard Se Hogi ( if you keep on remembering the wounds than you'll have friendship with pain only)"

"Where is Vi and Savvy??" Aaina asked Ro realizing those two were missing from the room.

"Cooking," Ro answered again totally invested in his game with Ranvi

"Savvy's cooking??" Now, Aaina was shocked. She couldn't even in her wildest dreams imagine Savvy cooking eagerly or voluntarily.

"Yeah, Viaan's brain," Ro deadpanned.

Okay, now that makes perfect sense. No, need to panic Aaina. Savvy is cooking Viaan's brain like always.

"Only If, I could meet you now Bapi. I'll tell you that I've broken my friendship with wounds. I've now done friendship with madness so there is only complete madness in my life now. Though, I think you'll be greatly disappointed learning I stopped painting but it was necessary in breaking up with my wounds. I miss you, Bapi" She thought sadly keeping her glass of water back on the bedside table.

Aaina thought about his glimpse she got today. He seemed really happy without her.

"Bapi, my heart is in the right place too now" Aaina decided as she got up from the bed, watching the little rag-tag family she has made. Rohan Sharma-the unloved, Ranvit Randhawa-the burdened, Swadhin Raizada- The shattered, Viaan Kundra- the guilty and Lastly, she- the numb. Her little family of lonely souls, joining together. Players yet broken what a merry little group the made, all depressed souls joined together. But they were family nonetheless and her heart revolved around them. Her unloved, scared, love and care craving boys.

Deciding that she can't help Ro or Ranvi in their chess game without both of them shouting cheating and doing moral policing. She decided to check on Vi and Savvy. Hopefully, they didn't fully manage to burn down her kitchen.

Yeah, her heart is in the right place for now she can really laugh after remembering the past.

_To be continued_