"Hello is this Ms Preeta Arora...??"

Preeta looked back at the screen, the caller ID was an unknown no... her eyes flashed at the mention of her name.

"Ahh....... yes I am..... how can I help you??"

"This is lawyer, Raj Nankani speaking, I am hired by Mr Abhi Kapoor, to carry out your divorce process..... so I wanted to inform you that tomorrow at 1 pm sharp... your presence is required at the court....."

Preeta sighed, despite the fact that at that moment, her hate for abhi knew no boundaries, but still.. hearing the lawyer say these words.. she felt her heart sank....

"Are you there miss preeta?" When she didn't say anything, the lawyer asked.

"I- uh... okay I'll be there......"

And without saying anything further, she cut the call.

She was trying to get herself together, she had spent the last 3 days trying to convince herself that this is what it is...

The encounter she had with him at the lake last week, made her question her decisions. She wanted to live in these 8 months like she'd always wanted to... with no strings attached, not worrying about the future.

For the first time in her life, she wanted to live in present....

To live for her happiness... even if that means, losing the ones she loved.

♡

"My handsome and daring photographer!!! The pride of our department!!! I can't believe you've finally decided to pay us a visit!!" Katherine chimed as karan entered her cabin with a grin.

He proceeded to hug the lady who was almost in her mid forties and twirled her around, causing her to giggle.

"Stop it...." she laughed, "I am getting dizzy you brat!!" She said hitting him on his shoulder and Karan giggled settling her down.

"I see you are healthier and hotter than the last time I saw you.... looks like I don't have to worry about sending you again so that you can come back even more hotter!!" She told him with a playful smirk.

"Yeah Jessica told me you've found a new mission for me..." he replied, his smile faltering a bit..... slightly feeling off that he'd be separated from his family again.... Despite the differences he has with them, it doesn't change the fact that they are his home... plus he do know that behind those bitter words, there was actually love and care for him.

"Wait wait.... you sound down!!!" Katherine was quick to notice.... "If you don't wanna go it's okay karan, I can ask someone els-"

"So..... you're telling me that there's actually someone who can take my spot that easilyyy!!???" He asked cockily, changing his demeanor.... something he had grown to be good at... though his ego was indeed a tad bit hurt but he didn't want to admit that.

"Ofcourse not... not at all....." Katherine replied defensively, "But Karan you should keep this in mind, there are a lot of people eyeing your position eventhough it's one of the most deadliest job.... one wrong move and you can lose it..."

"Well.... i guess someone IS eyeing my position...." he stated as a matter of fact while she shook her head, settling in her chair... Rummaging through the files placed on her desk, she took an envelope out and handed it to him.

"Your schedule for the next project..." she said as he sat opposite to her.... thorougly reading the details, while katherine eyes him impatiently.... A particular detail made him still and he gasped, eyeing the woman in front...

"You gotta be kidding me....." he looked ar her unbelievably, "a trainer?? After everything I've done and the reputation I hold, you want me to become..... a trainer??"

"Touch some grass, will ya...???" she rolled her eyes, "Remember our initiative last december, to take common people to see the northern lights in Antarctica that was then cancelled?? Well the director called me saying that we have recently recieved some good offers.... so now we are doing that.... we needed a trainer too since two people alone can't handle a group of 20.... plus you'll also have a special mission there..... so I opted you.... killing two birds with one stone....."

"So... is it a mission only I can do???" He asked grinning and leaned closer to her..

"Karan..." she called out deadpanned and karan giggled, raising his hands, "okay okay I'll shut up..."

"Good for you... so as I was saying... do you know mount Erebus???" Her eyes begin to shine with excitement while karan nodded.

"We are predicting it to erupt this year...." she said with an excited whisper while karan slumped back his shoulders in disappointment... rolling his eyes.

"That is what your team predicts every year kat.... but nothing happens.... you got me excited for no reason...."

"Listen to me first, will ya??? every year the chances were 25 to 30 percent... so I never sent you there....." she leaned closer as if telling him a big secret... "but this time the chances are more than 50 percent, that's why I'm sending you.... now go and get some good shots so that our department could win the award again!!"

Karan scoffed looking at her unbelievably, "and what's with the trainer thing..."

"Oh that..... its just for your popularity...." she said swatting a non existent fly from her nose.

"Excuse me???" His ego was hurt again... "I am already famous for your information..."

"No you're not famous, your name TKL is famous!!! Did anyone recognize you when you entered the building???"

Karan looked away frustrated, he knew she was right.

"See....???" She smiled adoring his tantrum.. that little thing he does only with her, its his way of telling her that he loves her.... "you have no idea how many people want to see the real TKL... how he looks like, how is his personality, what he sounds like!!?"

"Ha.... many people know me by my face too..." he defended, not giving in.

"Ohhh you mean the fashion companies that hire you part time for their models photoshoot??? If you think this is what popularity is, your world is too small... and... If you think those models sleep with you because you're TKL, take out your brain, wash and dry it up.... and if you iron it later that would be helpful too..."

Karan shook his head silently laughing at the metaphor she used before his eyes glanced back at the schedule.... "its quite a journey this time, a challenging one too..." karan said, eyeing the little details of his schedule.

"And I believe, its going to be a life changing one too....." Katherine added, looking at him meaningfully.

"We'll see about that...."

"Acha han...." Katherine stopped it, "about the training part... be. Good. To. The. Ladies!!!"

"Ohhhhh... we'll be having ladies too???" He asked wiggling his eyebrows with a playful smirk...

"We might.... so be in your gentleman mode during the training session!!" She warned.

"Ohh kat..... I'm always in my gentleman mode when I'm with the ladies... don't you know???" He winked.

"Karannnn!!!" She whined, "this training is also about our channel and department's reputation.... plus everyone wants to see 'the photographer TKL' as a good and decent man.... not someone whos flirty and takes women to his bed thrice a day like his meals......"

Karan rolled his eyes..... "Is it being filmed?? Like you know will it be aired on TV???" He asked changing the topic. Lets just say he wasn't so proud of his casanova reputation....

"No its not.... it is to give personal experiences to the people we are taking...."

"And how's the selection process done??"

"Well we have distributed pamphlets all across the city and added posters and announcements to our official pages.... but I think since its done urgently, we may contact the people who were selected last year but couldn't go due to cancellation..."

"Damn that sounds so boringggg!!!! So like you guys will be doing cattle rearing for the next 2 3 days.... do inform me when it's my time to shine... until then... sayonara!!!" Saying he stood up, dusting his jacket off with attitude.

"I'm telling you karan, fix that attitude of yours..." she huffed, "you have 3 days, so pack your stuff and be ready, we'll be leaving this Friday.... plus its gonna be long trip this time, probably 7 to 8 months... so prepare yourself mentally..... till then go on blind dates, give time to your family, enjoy your youth son...."

Karan nodded, immediately switching to his professional mode..... "As you say mom!!!" He said hugging her gently this time... "see you soon.....!!!"

♡

Preeta was busy, unpacking her bags. She had settled into her own apartment that she had bought last year from her own earnings.

She wasn't used to sitting alone and doing nothing... awaiting her death.... but that's exactly what she's been doing from the past week. While taking out her cloths, a red diary fell down... and she frowned picking it up.

It was her childhood diary, tge one she used to write regularly.... a habit she had forgotten ever existed within her. Settling down on the sofa, she opened it... Reading the words written by her fifteen year old self.

The younger her was passionate about her dreams, someone who wanted to do something with her life... someone who had dreams to fulfil, ambitions to achieve....

Reading her diary, she realized how innocent she was back then.... she couldn't help but feel love and care for her younger self... if only that little girl knew she won't be able tk live that far.

She slightly giggled when she saw the last page of her diary, MY BUCKET LIST.... but the rest of the page was empty.... May be she couldn't think of anything at that time..... but it surely gave preeta an idea about what she could do in the next 8 months

She had always wanted to be a writer, it helped her settle her thoughts ever since she was child... pouring your thoughts in words always fascinated her. But now....

That's when something struck her. Grabbing a pen from the drawer, she took out an empty journal... penning her thoughts down.

Preeta's Writing:

For others it was just the regular 24 hrs, but she had seen her world collapsing in less than mere hours...

She was an internatially acclaimed writer,
ready to climb the stairs of the peak of her
success, mentally preparing herself for a
secure future..

for herself and her family.....

Little did she know...

Life is pretty unpredictable, isn't it??? At one moment you're at the mountain top,
and within seconds, before you could
comprehend, you're 6 feet under...

When it's just you and tons
of regret weighing you down.....
not being able to live enough.

Heaving a deep sigh the girl turned to face
the closed window, furious splatters
against the glass were the only thing
breaking the pindrop silence.

A chuckle escaped her lips....
she wasn't even able to cry....
as if all her emotions were dead by now....

Even her eyes seems to give up on her..

(Back to the story.....)

(So basically the above written words is the story preeta is writing, mtlb novel main novel, does it even make any sense???💀)

She read the words again, and her lips tilted into a small smile... satisfied by the way it had turned out for the initial draft......

Her eyes shinned with a newly found passion... a new hope....she's gonna write her story......

her last book....

She might lose her memories, but she wanted everyone else to know what she felt, what she did, how amid losing everything even her life, she found a way to live in the moment....

Even if that time she herself wouldn't be Able recognize her being... or even the time she wouldnt even be present in this world, she wanted to live... even if that means being alive in this book......

♡

At the court, finally being done with the paperwork, they were officially divorced. Neither preeta nor abhi talked to one another, the duo just followed the instructions the lawyer told them to.

"Miss preeta, are you okay with all the clauses mentioned??"

Preeta nodded at the lawyer, throwing a hateful look at abhi, "but, I don't want the alimony.... you can tell this man k apna paisa apne pas rakhey... afterall abhi to isko apni pori zindagi guzarni hy, he can't possibly be giving his money, that he worked so hard for, to his dying wife... oooppssss dying ex wife I mean....."

"Preeta mai-" Abhi started.

"And can you please tell him to stop calling me so informally?? Cuz the last time I check.. Mera is se koi taluq wasta ni hy..."

Abhi sighed nodding a bit... and stepped back. His eyes traced her one last time before he stormed out of the building.

Preeta sighed, holding the table beside her for support.... sometimes acting strong can be tiring too.

"Preeta are you okay???" It was rishab... he had tagged along abhi to the court, but his main point was to see her and make sure she was okay.

Preeta's heart softened a bit, eversince she has been diagnosed with CJB CJD what so ever, no one really asked her how she was....

"I'm trying...." she replied softly.

"About abhi- I... dont why he did what he did preeta, you and I both know he's not that kinda per-"

"Rishab I think it would be better if you don't bring him up.... wo Mera past tha.. and let him remain in my past only...." she cut him off gently, not to come off as rude. Cuz she knew he was only trying to help and be nice, it would be unfair to lash out someone's anger on him.

Rishab nodded, before glancing up at her again, "btw.... you look..... Um... nice...." he said awkwardly, not sure if it was the right thing to say but when preeta laughed out laughed, he eased a bit

"Well.. finally someone said it... or else I was beginning to question my beauty... like I legit spend 2 hours getting ready today....." she giggled before leaning a bit towards him to whisper, "this was the dress I wore when he proposed me... and I know for sure that he remembers it... so... I just wanted to irk him... After all red satin is his favourite...." she told him teasingly... sharing her secret.

Rishab laughed.... eyeing her with care and sympathy..... she was acting way to normal for someone who's life just took a 180 turn...

But a part of him also knew that it was all an act... she was pretending to be okay, to be happy.......

She was just masking her emotions behind that wide smile....

♡

Preets was returning back home when her phone buzzed from an unknown number.

"Hello??"

"Hello... am I speaking to Miss Preeta Arora???"

"Yes...."

"Mam we are calling from the discovery (copyright to ni lgega???💀).... we had your processed application from last year for our 'trip to antarctica' program sponsored by us..."

Her heart dropped as she listened further, "wasn't it cancelled???"

"Yes mam it was, but the program resurfaced again this time so our first priority are the people who were selected last year.... so if you're interested this time too, can you please make it to the discovery office in Mumbai? So that we could discuss this further and we have a NDA to be signed for this..."

"I-...... I can make it....." she said, not knowing what was happening. Last year, she applied for this program as a surprise of their first anniversary... but since it got cancelled, abhi never knew about it and instead they went to simla for holidays...

"Thanks... we have sent you the address and you'll recieve your trip information in a few minutes by an email. When you reach the office, show it at our reception and will be guided from there..."

"Yes... thankyou..."

The line went off but she stood there, gapping at her phone....

Her heart fluttered and she looked up at the heavens... her heart swelled thinking how something that was cancelled last year resurfaced at a time when she needed it the most....

But a part of her felt off... something in her told her that she doesn't deserve this.... shouldn't someone who would be able to cherish these memories till their old age deserves to avail this chance?

Fighting her inner thoughts, she glanced back at the screen that showed the emails...

I'll just go there and tell them I don't want to be a part of it.... she told herself before hailing a cab.

♡

The receptionist gave her a weird look, looking at her dress but said nothing.

"Take this right, and the last conference room on the left..." she told her and indulged back in her work.

"Thankyou...."

Knocking twice, she opened the door wide, stepping in when a hush fell in the conference room.

Blood rushed to her cheeks when she felt everyone eyeing her from top to bottom... preeta took a deep sigh... ofcourse she knew she was overdressed... but still she had her justification.

Her eyes fell down in embarrassment but wait.. there's nothing to be embarassed of preeta... and no... no more lowering your gaze for anyone and anything...

She raised her eyes and looked at a women in her mid forties who stood in the middle, looking at her with her mouth open.

Her shock and silent appreciation gave her a new hope. Smiling at everyone she bowed gently and walked towards the only empty seat in the conference room. The boy beside her gave her a friendly smile.

"Sameer.... Sameer khurrana" he introduced.

"Preeta arora.." she shook hands with him and looked at others, nervously smiling at everyone.

"Hmm well so... looks like everyone is here.... welcome to the discovery, trip to antarctica, program... I'm Katherine.. and I'm the organiser of this event... Nice to meet you all."

Preeta smiled at her while her eyes examined her one more time before turning towards others.

"Am I standing out too much??" Preeta whispered to Sameer next to her, while he chuckled.

"You're just pretty... dont mind others..." he whispered back, not taking his eyes off Katherine.

And I like him already.

"I had a situation..." Preeta mumbled.

"Everyone has..." he turned towards her smiling.... "don't overthink this... just enjoy...."

"So everyone..." Katherine called out, "thankyou so much for joining us... within the next few minutes, your trainers will be here.. till then... get to know each other..."

She glanced at everyone again, her gaze stilling on preeta, staring her a bit longer.... which she felt was quite unsettling.

The door flung open and two people entered the room with absolute grace and charisma.. the conference fell into complete silence.

"Hi this is Josh... and this is my companion Emma..... we'll be your trainers for this trip....."

The two of them bowed respectfully but the People around her got engaged in disappointed whispers which caused her frown to her brows, knowing nothing at all.

"I was told that Mr TKL will also be a part of this program..." the man sitting in front voiced out, his voice laced with disappointment, the rest of the people complaining along with him... causing the three hosts to snicker.

"Well you see Mr TKL is-"

"Oh yes, I am indeed a part of this trip...."

Everyone turned around towards the door while Preeta felt her hands going cold... goose bumps arising all over again.... she didn't even need to turn to know whom that voice belonged to.

That voice.... the same voice that had her heart skipping a beat at the hospital.... the same man who made fun of her by the lake, but also showed her what she really want.

Her eyes slowly lifted, grazing the man, who looked like he had just arrived from a runway model shoot.... he smiled a childish dimple grin, which was exactly opposite to the man she knew from the last two encounters.

He walked towards the infront, his each step screaming absolute confidence..... there was an bright auro around him.

Everyone's mouth fell open as they all stared at him with unbound excitement.

"Hi everyone... your third trainer for the trip.... Karan Luthra... aka the photographer TKL...."

Undefinable gasps were heard all around and she looked at everyone confused... everyone was so excited and were looking at him with so much respect.

She turned towards Sameer who reflected the same expressions as others but she had no idea why...

Who was he?

"Looks like everyone accepted this offer since you're the trainer karan..... aww that hurtsss" Emma pouted, teasingly.

Everyone chuckled at her while the guy named karan just shook his head.... "its not something I can manage by myself Emma... and you two are way more experienced in this field than I can ever be... so I have no right to be compared with you...."

Liar... Preeta thought, I had seen his eyes which were epitome of confidence and challenge. I bet if he was offered to take this trip by himself to manage all 20 people alone, he would have taken it gladly.

Plus she didn't miss the way Katherine was looking at karan with widen eyes and an amused smirk, confirming her theory.

He's a person who knew how to talk sweetly and when to attack... bet he must be popular with girls.

And definitely a person I have to maintain my distance from.... her inner voice called out...

The whispers died, the chitchat ended, placed infront of them were the NDA forms and Preeta found herself accepting her fate.

The way they explained the trip, the pictures they've shown... it had all made her want to be a part of it... to experience this all personally.... isnt that what she wanted to do in these 8 months?

Plus these people looking at her like she was companion, a friend... rather than a person who's going to die a gruesome death in such a young age.... made her want to spend more time with them.

To forget about the death that was waiting for her.

And to give the life a chance to show... what it has for her.

Preeta smiled signing all the forms they had offered with her heart racing against her chest. Something told her that she wasn't gonna regret this decision.

"So this is the plan guys... hope everything is clear..." Karan announced looking at everyone briefly..... "Now why don't you guys introduce yourself to us... so that we trainer's would know you better..."

They all nodded.

"So lets start from you and it goes this way..." he pointed out the first person seated before him

They all begin to introduce themselves...... karan chuckled shaking his head.. these people were good and friendly... the guy named Sameer made everyone laugh so hard.... might be a good experience for me too.... he thought.

"Next plea-" his words stopped midway looking at the person next to him.

Isn't she......... she's the one from that night.....

"Hi I'm Preeta Arora..." she introduced and it confirmed my suspicion, indeed it was her.

"I worked with publishing company but recently I've resigned to focus on myself more......" she stopped, trying to find something more to tell, "I guess that's it....."

Smiling sheepishly she sat down in her seat, her eyes glancing at his for once but once she saw him already eyeing her, she immediately lowered her gaze, making him chuckle.

"It was nice getting to know people from all around.... and this is what our moto is... bringing cultures together and spreading positivity and love....." Katherine said smiling gently at everyone.

"Yeah and to remain alive...." karan added, while everyone paused, looking at him quizically... he didn't miss the way her eyes shoot daggers at him..... "I mean... alive by heart.... people these days are just breathing, not living.... ya know.... hehe...."

Ignoring him, Katherine continued with the instructions.... while his eyes never left preeta... who seemed intrigued by all this.

Now it was his turn to wind up with some last words....

"Okay so everyone... Kindly be thoroughly prepared.. carry light weighted cloths and......" he paused, glancing at preeta... while all others looked at the two of them confused... karan cleared his throat..... "and there is absolutely no need to be overdressed or over makeuped for the trip..... we don't want to scare the poor penguins there now, do we??"

The room fell into silence and the words left his mouth before thinking. He was supposed to be on his best behaviour, but let's just say old habits die hard.

"Exactly this trip is for personal and once in a life experience... there's absolutely no need to be cocky and a jerk just because you're famous....." she replied back with the same tone.

Karan raised a brow at her while her red lips lifted into a dangerous smirk, giving him a back blow....

She moved her eyes away from him to everyone, gently smiling and placed her hands in the centre of the table.

"Let's do a group cheers..." she said while everyone kept their hand over hers. Her eyes lifted to the 4 hosts expectantly.. 'what??? Is she asking us to join her after that arrogant reply of hers?? No frickin way!!!'

But much to his dismay, the other two trainers smiled and joined her while karan looked at them unbelievably.. kat on the other hand pinched his back secretly, urging him to also place his hand....

'Alright miss preeta arora... if that's how you want to play.. then let's do it....'

'No more nice guy....'

So pulling his sexiest smirk he placed his hands over hers, giving her a smug expression... while she scoffed rolling her eyes

Josh: Let this trip be a safe one.

Emma: An adventurios one

Sameer: A mind blowing one

Preeta: And let's enjoy every moment like its our last.....

They all cheered while she lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting his for the umpteenth time today.... and gave him a lazy, cocky smile....

Karan chuckled, shaking his head... he began to collect their NDA and headed towards the door.... mot before pausing and stealing one last look at her.

All of sudden, let's just say, he was looking forward to this trip....

genuinely curious to know where they would stand by the end of it

Not having even the slightest idea of what the fate has decided for them.

🥀

S

o.... Ready to go on another journey with me??? ;)