She was not ugly... Ugly was the heart which tried to make her look ugly but ended up making her look more elegant.
~Happy Singh

When life becomes unpredictable, you start to lose yourself somewhere in this cruel world. That's what has happened with me right now, how was my life few months back? And what about now? It doesn't take a second for your life to be ruined.

A beautiful, happy go lucky girl! Stand against something wrong and you have to face the consequences and it will spoil your whole freaking life!

Lose your friends, lose your closed ones, only when you are in a problem and when you need help, you realize the value of people in your life, where you stand in their life, some stay through your thick and thin, some just leave you alone when you are in need.

Beauty and looks is all matters in this world?? Am I that unworthy that you would leave me alone if I don't look beautiful? Is the world all about how you look? Is everyone ashamed to be friend with someone whose face-- !

Coming from a middle class family, all I have learnt is stay strong in difficult situations and fight against the wrong! That's what I have been thought, my father, being a single parent, has always thought me to fight against the bad!

'The good will win always, no matter what!' I still remember his words ringing in my head.

"You are here, again?" I looked at the constable who sighed.

"I will be coming here, until I get justice!" I tried to sound bold.

"How many times should I tell you, the case is closed!" He muttered, annoyed.

"Don't keep telling the same thing, sir!" I said "The case will only be closed when you give me justice! How can you close the case just like that?" I questioned.

This isn't the first time Iam questioning him.

"Madam, they are from rich family, you... A middle class girl, go...leave it just like that! Don't get into all this! Go take care of your face" The constable said with ignorance.

"Face!" I mumbled as my mind recollected all the past happenings. I pulled the stole over my face and covered it properly.

"Madam, it would be good if you leave now, our new sir will be joining today and I don't want you to create a fuss over here!" One of them spoke.

"Iam not leaving until and unless Iam getting...ah.. "

Before I could complete, I was pulled out of the station. I tried to fight back but all in vain, I didn't have the strength to fight 2 huge demons.

"Avni beta..."

I turned to look at my dad, standing near the entrance, I sighed.

"Let's go home!" He said

"But dad.. "

"Just come home, I want to have a talk with you!"

I made my way to the my car and drove towards home. Finally we reached and dad got down with a heavy heart followed by me.

He entered the house and each time I enter my house, I remember the happy days of my life, the time I spent playing around with my friends!

Friends? I feel disgusted at the thought of having them as my friends!

"This is the nth time you are going to the station!" Dad spoke as he gave me a glass of water.

"And each time I come back doing nothing!" I let out a sarcastic laugh

I removed the stole from my head and through it away. Dad smiled sadly looking at me.

"Leave it beta... We know we are not going to get justice!" He spoke tears brimming in his eyes and I sat on my knees in front of him.

"If.. If I don't get justice, I will never be able to live the rest of my life peacefully, dad!" I said "However I cannot live in this world peacefully anymore!" I added.

"Hiding yourself from the world like this?" My dad spoke while Tears pricked my eyes

"Iam not even worried about my face dad! It just hurts when you come to know whoever was with you, they all were fake!" I mumbled as tears flowed down my cheeks.

I looked at my face in the mirror which was kept in front of me and closed my eyes. The scar on the left half of my face totally made my face look like a complete, different person! Did I tell everyone that Iam a victim of Acid attack?

"How beautiful my child was... That guy will rot in hell for what he did with you Avni!" Dad carressed my hair and I smiled sadly.

"That beautiful is what kept all the fake friends near me and this ugly is what made them get away from me!" I said

"This is not ugly!" My dad stated "All that matters is you are my daughter, the same avni, the fighter I know!"

"I know... A fighter!" I smiled through my tears "This Avni is stronger than the other Avni I was... Face can be spoiled but the will power I had cannot be!" I said while he nodded with a proud expression.

"I just want to give justice to all the other girls who have suffered from this dad!" I said with a determined expression "No one! Not a single person should face this! No one should dare to spoil someone's life again"

"Iam proud to have you as my daughter!" I heard dad say and I hugged him, smiling.

***

Next day

I signed looking at the mirror and looked at my photo, how the old me looked and how Iam now. I wrapped the stole around my face.

"I need your blessings today again" I smiled at my mom's photo.

My mom passed away when I was born due to postpartum haemorrhage, the things woman go through is painful even though it's a beautiful thing to be born as one. I could never see her but my dad made sure I never miss her, he is my other mom, my family, my life.

As a growing up girl, I have always smiled listening to people telling me, I look exactly like my mom, as beautiful as her. Now maybe I don't, but I still have the strong heart like my mom.

I keep the photo aside and hung my bag on the shoulder. I sigh before walking out of the room.

I reached the station, the constable standing outside the station mumbled something as he looked at me, I completely ignored their gaze and moved inside the station, pushing everyone aside.

"You are here again?" The guy asked, annoyed.

"Can't I file a case again?" I banged my hand on the table while he rolled his eyes

"How many ever time you come, whatever you are filing!" He kept a file aside "You are going to lose! Money! Money is what matters!" He said

I looked at him with pure disgust.

"Stop wasting your time and also our time madam!" He gestured his constables to throw me out.

I rolled my fist into a ball "Don't even try to touch me!" I gritted my teeth while they pulled me out.

I lost my balance and was about to fall and someone held me, I closed my eyes and was relieved.

"Are you okay?" Came his deep voice and I moved away, nodding "What's going on over here?" He looked at everyone.

"Sir... " Everyone shuttered.

I have never seen this guy here, maybe he was the new Inspector who joined yesterday and they pushed me out of the station.

"Sir, this madam is just irritating us even after the case is closed!" One of them spoke.

"Don't lie!" I glared at him "You greedy morons!"

"Listen..."

"No! You listen! You people just can't stoop so low for money! Is there any humanity even left? What for are you even considered to serve people!" I yelled as tears made their way out of my eyes.

The guy held my hand firmly and pulled me inside his cabin, I had no strength to even resist his pull. I was broken, at some point of time you just burst out all your emotions which you are hiding inside you, may it be in front of a close one or in front of a complete stranger.

I sat on the chair while he passed a glass of water, I was about to take it but backed off.

"I think you should have some water to calm yourself first!" He said while I smiled sarcastically.

"So that I give a chance for you to make fun of my face?" I stated.

He frowned looking into my eyes whole I tore my gaze to look elsewhere.

"Why are you here and what is the problem?" He questioned as he rested his hands on the table as he sat on his seat.

"This ain't the first time Iam here..."

I stopped and my eyes made its way to read his name on the name plate he had pinned to his shirt.

"Neil khanna" The words left my mouth as I read his name.

Haven't I seen his interviews on YouTube, the very punctual and intelligent officer who gives justice to anyone and everyone.

"Can I have her case files?" Neil's eyes hardened as he looked at a constable who entered the cabin.

"Y.. Yes sir!" The fellow ran outside.

"Will you explain what the exact problem is and why are you wearing the stole?" He shooted a question and I shook my head

"Not as beautiful as all the girls out there, sir!" I said, as the matter of fact.

"Beauty lies in your eyes" He smiled slightly "It doesn't matter how you look!"

"I wish.. Everyone out there could tell that!" I laughed out as tears pricked my eyes.

The constable got the file in and Neil looked through the file, his eyes widened and he didn't utter a word as he went through the file.

"Avni!" He looked at me, asking me if my name was that and I nodded.

He sighed and shook his head in disappointment.

"It's very sad.. What happened with you but why is the case closed?" He questioned in a calm voice

"Money!" I stated "When money is there... All the social workers like you will forget about justice!"

I spill out my pure hatred towards these people.

"I know many of them are like that but Iam not one of them!" He said in a serious tone.

And I nodded because I knew he wasn't lying, it didn't even seem like he was lying.

"Can you tell me what exactly happened between you and this Rohan guy?" He questioned.

Sweat beads made their way on my forehead and my throat went dry as all the incidents ran in front of my eyes. I got up from the place and moved towards a corner. He waited for me to speak.

"Rohan was my class mate..." I started after taking a deep breath, I leaned into the wall.

"A guy from a rich family, a spoilt brat, he always used girls, once he tried to behave badly with one of my close friend... I mean" I shuttered "She was my friend..." I smiled sadly as tears made their way out of my eyes.

Neil was no more siting he stood in front of me his eyes having the genuine honest look. No wonder why this stranger looked like a close one to me.

"Then..." he said

"I raised my voice against it, I couldn't handle the fact that Rohan tried to abuse Riya..." I said with blood shot eyes "I complained about this to out college principal and he took no action! Rohan was completely alright with that... Usually he would...he would not spare any of the student who goes against him, in fact no one would dare to go against him!"

"Avni Iam so guilty for what I had been doing till now!" Rohan said with a sad expression while Avni frowned and then smiled again.

"You are sorry for what you did?" She questioned while he nodded his head.

"I have never seen a brave girl like you... You know even Iam very brave like you, how can someone not fall for a beatiful girl like you!" He said while Avni shook her head

"Iam sorry but what do you mean?" She questioned

"I mean who would not love to have a beautiful girl like you as his girlfriend!" He said eyeing her from top to bottom.

"What rubbish! Riya let's leave!" Avni tried to leave but Rohan held her hand while she glared at him.

"Leave my hand!" Avni said as she pulled away from his grip.

"Then why do you come in between when Iam doing my job?" Rohan asked, annoyed. "Now you have to face the consequences"

He said as his index finger ran through her face while she looked on with disgust.

She slapped one across his face and left from there not before warning him.

While going home, avni made her way to her car by the time she could pull the door open she closed her face with her palms as she let out a scream. She could feel her skin peeling out and tears made their way out of her eyes and all she could hear was Rohan's voice.

"You try to act smart because of this beauty of yours? You just rejected me? Now let me see how much you show off!"

"I still remember... That day...when I was going back home after college, I was attacked" I breathed out heavily. "So much..it burned so much... You can't even imagine how much it pained!" I cried

His eyes softened as he looked on.

"I still feel the same pain! But it hurts here! When friends and the people whom you trust on leave you... It so very hurts, Neil!" I said as my lips trembled "No one is a true friend in this world!"

He passed a hand kerchief which he pulled out from his pocket, I looked at him for sometime before taking it from him and muttering a thank you.

"Trust me! I will help you get the justice and that's a promise from me as your new friend!" He smiled slightly while I let out a sarcastic laugh.

"My so called friends, spoke against me in the case because they bribed them, money is all matters!" I said.

"Iam not one of them!" He said, I nodded and kept quite, I couldn't talk against him, because as usual his eyes reflected the same honesty.

It took 2 weeks exactly for Neil to collect all the proofs against Rohan! I never did anything, everything was done by this very dedicated officer, a stranger, who had promised to give me justice.

Soon the proofs were placed in front of the judge in the court. There was a lawyer, who kept refusing to fight the case from my side from so many months, agreed to fight the case and we won.

"Thank you so much!" Tears brimmed in my dads eyes as he held Neil's hand. "I don't know how I will return the favour..."

"It's not a favour sir!" Neil cut him in between "It was just a help from a friend, what are friends for!"

I couldn't help but smile through my tears.

"Thank you!" I said, genuinely while he shook his head.

"It was my duty, Avni" He said "Iam so proud that I have a strong girl like you in my life!" He said

I shook my eyes as tears pricked my eyes and I hugged him and he reciprocated smiling.

We broke the hug and I gasped at once as my stole got stuck in his shirt, completely revealing my face.

I felt everyone's gaze on my face, they started to whisper something among themselves, before someone could even react I ran out of there ignoring my dad and Neil's call.

"Avni, wait!" I heard Neil shout.

Right now Iam least bothered about wining the case. I ran to one corner of the court where no-one can even find me, probably.

Tears made their way out of my eyes. I looked at the glass piece fallen in front of me which showed the reflection of my face and I started to wrap the stole around my face and stopped as I felt someone hold my wrist.

"Leave me, Neil!" My voice cracked I heard stood in front of me holding my hand.

He shook his head slowly and pulled away the stole from my face and I closed it with my palms letting out a sob.

"Don't hide" He said softly

"I look terrible! You will also leave me if you look at my face!" I said, truthfully.

That was the truth of my life.

"You seriously think I would?" He questioned.

"I didn't say that.. I just mean..." I cried "People are ashamed to call me their friend when I look so horrible, they are s... Scared of me!"

"No one is Avni and why do you care about the world? This is not the strong Avni I have seen!" He said while tears never took a chance to stop.

"I...am strong! But I don't have the strength to lose anymore people... I don't have the strength to get my heart broken again, I don't have the strength to listen to people's comments on how I look!" I cried.

He held my hand firmly and tried to pull it away from my face but I refused to do so.

"Trust.. Me Avni.." He said softly and I melted, I let him pull away my hand revealing my face while I didn't want to, not even in my deadliest nightmare.

I refused to look at his face, I can't bear the disgust he must be having looking at my face.

"Do you know how beautiful you look!" I couldn't help out but look at him. He had a small smile painted on his face while he wiped away my tears.

"I know... I know how I look!" I sobbed "You can leave if you are also ashamed to call me as your friend"

"Iam not ashamed, Iam proud and lucky!" He smiled as he took the piece of glass and kept it in front of my face while I looked on.

"There is no need for you to close your face and hide it... The person who did this to will will and he is! You proved how strong you are Avni!" He said while I drank my tears back.

"Your beauty isnt define by how beautiful you look, it's about how beautiful you are here!" He pointed towards my chest "And you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen! I mean it!" He held my hand while I bit my inner cheeks controlling myself.

"You are a survivor! A fighter!" He continued "A inspiration to so many girls out there! They must be Proud of you too!" He smiled.

"This mark..." I looked back in the glass "It is not my weakness, it's my recognition and the sign to show how strong Iam!" I say nodding my head while his lips curve upwards into a smile.

"Good!" He smiled while I nodded as I wiped away my tears.

"Thank you again... " I said "You are right, I should not care about the rest of the world when I know what Iam! Beauty doesn't define the person you are and moreover I have you and dad with me..." I threw the stole away while he smiled at me as we made our way out to my dad who hug me in happiness.

I was proud of myself today, I was proud of how I look and I don't care about anyone.

______________________________________

She was someone's everyday love but you chose to!

She was someone's faith and dream but you chose to!

She was about to leave her life but you chose to!

She was wearing smile on her face but you chose to!

She was a lady of pride and joy but you chose to!

To burn her, to destroy her!
-Ali ameer

But she chose to still live her life and fight back!

Stay strong, stay safe and stay happy.

Lots of love
Aanya ❤