CHAPTER 1 - PROLOGUE: BROKE UP
Avani sat in her two-bedroom hall kitchen flat in Delhi, her heart pounding in her chest as she anxiously waited for Rishabh. The mix of nervousness and excitement made her skin crawl, her eyes glued to the door. It had been 10 years since they had been in a relationship.
A long time? Absolutely!
A year ago, she had moved from Pune to Delhi after landing a job as a Financial Analyst in an MNC. This shift had brought her closer to Rishabh, and her best friend Smriti working in the same MNC which was another reason they met more often.
Their relationship was unique, not the typical lovey-dovey couple. They met only a couple of times a year, but their bond was unbreakable when they were together. Trust was the cornerstone of their relationship.
"Is he planning to propose to me tonight?" Avani wondered. The mere thought sent sparks through her body, and she shivered with nervous excitement. Her palms sweated profusely as she took a quick shower, blow-dried her hair, and slipped into a red floral dress, her long hair cascading down her waist, all while eagerly anticipating his arrival.
Major Rishabh Malhotra, Commanding officer of the Parachute Regiment, Para SF (Special Forces) North Eastern command, was an influential figure closely connected to major government operations across borders. He was not just her boyfriend; he might soon become her husband.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Avani's heart skipped a beat. ‘Ding Dong’
‘Ding Dong’
She rushed to the door and unlocked it. There he stood, Rishabh, after eight long months. Unable to contain her excitement, Avani hugged him tightly at the entrance of her house.
“I missed you so much!” Avani exclaimed, still clinging to him.
However, Rishabh didn't respond to her hug, although he couldn't ignore the familiar scent of strawberries that enveloped him. His palms
were clenched, his jaw twitched, and he closed his eyes. Avani broke the hug and felt a pang of awkwardness; Rishabh hadn't embraced her back. Concern etched her face as she noticed his cold demeanour and empty eyes, where she used to see love.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, her worry was evident in her deep black orbs.
Rishabh entered casually with his hands in his pockets, Avani closed the door behind him.
He turned to face her and said, “Avani…”
He paused for a moment, closing his eyes, and uttered the painful words, “I came to tell you—we need to break up. We cannot be together.”
Avani's eyes widened in shock, and she froze in her place. “Rishabh, if it’s a joke, it’s not funny. You are scaring me,” she said, her eyes filling with tears.
“I’m not joking. I’m serious. I got engaged to another girl yesterday,” he revealed, his words cut through her heart like a knife.
Avani couldn't control her tears. She wiped them away, her eyes welled up again. “I am sorry, if I did or said anything wrong. Please, don’t do this. What will I say to my parents? I already told them, I like someone…” she pleaded, her eyes begging for an explanation.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t love you anymore,” Rishabh said coldly. “It's better, if you forget about me.”
His words echoed in her mind, and anger boiled inside her. Avani took two determined steps closer to him.
Slap!
The sound reverberated in the room as Avani's palm met Rishabh's cheek. Stunned, he felt a sharp pain, while Avani sank to her knees, her hands covering her face. The physical pain of her hand was nothing compared to the agony Rishabh's words had inflicted upon her.
“Why? Tell me why? Did something happen? Are you hiding something from me?” Avani cried between loud sobs and hiccups.
She sobbed uncontrollably, while Rishabh stood there, helpless, his palms clenched, swallowing his own tears. Avani got up and shook him by the shoulders.
“Tell me, please! Why? What will I do without you? You can’t do this… It has been ten long years for crying out loud, and this is what I get for loving you like crazy. Give me one good, valid reason why you're breaking up with me!” she shouted at him.
Rishabh met her gaze. “This is over. Just forget about me,” he said, his tone firm, and he turned to leave.
“I HATE YOU, MAJOR RISHABH MALHOTRA. I HATE YOU,”
she yelled with her broken voice. “You broke my trust. You broke me today. I will never forgive you.” She collapsed on the ground with heart clenching sobs escaping her mouth.
In a very next moment, Smriti and Vikram, their friends, burst into an apartment. Seeing Avani's desperation, Smriti marched up to Rishabh and slapped him hard across the face.
“I warned you. If you break her fragile heart, you'll have to deal with me!” Smriti's voice was cold, her eyes were filled with rage.
Vikram attempted to intervene taking few steps towards Smriti’s direction, but Rishabh gestured for him to stop.
“Get out!” Smriti said, enfolding Avani in her arms, her eyes still glaring at the two men. Rishabh left the apartment immediately, and Vikram followed him giving last glance at duo who were on the ground. In the basement, Rishabh tried to calm himself. Avani's anguished face haunted him. He leaned against his car, closing his eyes to stifle his
pain.
“Are you okay, Rishabh? Do you really have to do this?” Vikram asked, concerned.
“I have to. You know it,” Rishabh said, his voice resolute.
“The first step is done. We need to be extra cautious now; things won't be easy going forward. I must report to the airbase in an hour,” Rishabh said, checking his wristwatch. Vikram embraced him like a brother.
“Promise me, you'll take care of her if I don’t...” He was short of words...but Rishabh pleaded in softened tone to Vikram.
Vikram nodded in affirmation.
Rishabh climbed into the driver’s seat and sped out of the basement, unaware of the twist of fate that awaited both, him, and Avani.
Characters:
Rishabh Malhotra: Major ranked Commander of PARA SF, Indian Army, a Defence Hacker, devilishly handsome 27-year-old Army man. Avani Mehra: A 25-year-old beautiful girl from Pune, Basketball champ, singer-dancer, and Senior Analyst in the Finance department of
MNC in Delhi
Smriti Shah: A best friend from school and an Office colleague of Avani.
Vikram, Rehaan, Kabir: Best Friends of Rishabh since school and also Military Personal along with Rishabh.
Rajeev Malhotra: Deputy General in Indian Army and Rishabh’s Father.
Neetu Malhotra: Rishabh’s Mother Anil Mehra: Avani’s father
Anjali Mehra: Avani’s mother Kriti: Rishabh’s sister
Anish and Shreya: Avani’s elder brother and younger sister