Chapter 1: The Beginning of SomethingUnknown
The first rays of sunlight slipped gently through thecurtains, painting the room in a soft golden glow. The morning felt calm—almosttoo calm—like the world was holding its breath before something changed.
Tring… Tring…
The shrill sound of the alarm shattered the silence.
A hand lazily reached out from under the blanket andsmacked it off.
For a moment, everything went still again.
Then the breeze entered.
Cool. Soft. Whispering.
It slipped in through the slightly open window,brushing against the curtains, making them sway like they were alive. Slowly,the fabric parted…
And there she stood.
Kriya Ghai.
Her eyes were closed, her arms wrapped around herselfas she stood near the window, letting the wind kiss her skin. A faint smilecurved her lips, peaceful and unaware of the storm waiting ahead.
For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.
“KRIYAAA!”
The door burst open with a loud bang, destroying theserenity.
Kriya jumped, turning around. “Yes, Sharon?!”
Sharon Raiprakash stood at the door, slightly out ofbreath, her eyes shining with excitement that was impossible to ignore.
“You won’t believe this!” she exclaimed, rushinginside and grabbing Kriya’s hands.
Kriya frowned, still half asleep. “What happened? Whyare you so hyper this early in the morning?”
Sharon grinned like she had just won the lottery.
“Dance fest! We got selected! A one-month tour!”
Silence.
For one second, Kriya just stared at her.
Then—
“WHAT?!”
Their scream echoed through the room as both girlsjumped in excitement, hugging each other tightly.
“This is insane!” Kriya laughed, her eyes lighting up.“A whole month? Together?”
“Yes! Travel, performances, new places—everything!”Sharon squealed.
Their happiness filled the room like sunshine.
This was their dream.
Their team. Their passion. Their escape.
Rey… Swayam… everyone.
After a few moments of laughter and chaos, Sharonsuddenly gasped.
“Oh my God! I forgot to call Swayam!”
Kriya laughed, sitting on the bed. “Go. Before hedeclares war.”
“Very funny,” Sharon rolled her eyes before rushingout.
The room fell silent again.
Kriya smiled softly… but slowly, that smile faded.
Rey.
Just thinking about him made her heart beat faster.
She shook her head, trying to push the thought away.
“Stop it, Kriya…” she whispered to herself beforewalking toward the bathroom.
But some feelings don’t listen.
Somewhere Else…
The roar of a bike engine sliced through the air.
A black bike sped across an open stretch of land,cutting through the wind with dangerous speed. Dust rose behind it like a trailof fire.
“Reyaaaansh! Reyaaansh!”
Cheers erupted from a group gathered nearby.
The rider leaned forward, accelerating even more.
Faster.
Faster.
The ground ended.
A gap between two rocky cliffs appeared ahead.
And without hesitation—
He jumped.
For a split second, time froze.
The bike flew mid-air, suspended between danger andmadness.
Then—
He landed perfectly on the other side.
The crowd exploded into cheers.
The rider removed his helmet.
Reyansh Singhania.
A confident smirk curved his lips as he ran a handthrough his hair, soaking in the adrenaline.
People surrounded him, cheering, lifting him ontotheir shoulders.
But then—
“Rey.”
The voice was calm.
Sharp.
Familiar.
Rey froze.
He turned.
Swayam stood there, arms crossed, his expressionunreadable but his eyes burning with anger.
The cheering faded into silence.
Rey slowly got down.
“Come with me,” Swayam said coldly, grabbing hiswrist.
Parking Area
Swayam let go of him abruptly.
The air between them felt heavy.
Tense.
Rey looked down.
“Swayam—”
“Stop.” Swayam raised his hand. “Not a word.”
Rey fell silent.
“Why are you doing this?” Swayam snapped. “Are youtrying to prove something? Or are you just trying to die?”
Rey flinched slightly.
“I warned you. This is the third time.”
“I’m sorry…” Rey murmured.
Swayam exhaled sharply, running a hand through hishair. “Why, Rey?”
Rey hesitated.
Because of her.
Because no matter where he went… he saw Kriya.
Her smile. Her laughter.
Her absence.
And the fact that he couldn’t tell her how he felt—itwas slowly destroying him.
“This isn’t the way,” Swayam said, his voicesoftening. “Talk to me. Or better—talk to her.”
Rey looked away.
Some things were easier to risk your life for than tosay out loud.
After a long pause, Swayam sighed. “Let’s go. We’realready late.”
College
The classroom buzzed with chatter.
“Hey Sharon! Hi Kriya!” the gang greeted as the twoentered.
“Hi guys!” they replied together.
But their eyes searched for someone.
And everyone noticed.
Giggles spread through the group.
Before anything could happen—
Thud!
A girl collided into Kriya.
She lost her balance—
But before she could fall, strong arms caught her.
Her hands instinctively grabbed his collar.
“Universe ji… save me…” she whispered, eyes shut.
“You’re saved,” Vishakha teased, “but not by theuniverse… by your line-cutter.”
Laughter erupted.
Kriya slowly opened her eyes.
And froze.
Rey.
He was holding her.
Looking at her like nothing else existed.
Their eyes locked.
The world disappeared.
No sound.
No people.
Just them.
“Ahem.”
Nothing.
“AHEM!”
Still nothing.
“MR. REYANSH!”
“MISS KRIYA!”
They both jumped apart, reality crashing back in asthe professor glared at them.
The class burst into suppressed laughter as theyhurried to their seats, embarrassed.
After Class
The gang surrounded the girl.
“What was that running race about?” Vishakha asked.
The girl blushed. “I… I wanted to meet Rey.”
Silence.
Then—
All eyes turned to Kriya.
Her smile faded.
Without saying a word, she walked away.
“Swayam…” Rey said quietly.
“I’ll handle it,” Swayam replied, already followingher.
Corridor
Kriya sat on a bench, staring ahead.
Maybe… she wasn’t enough.
Maybe someone like Antara was better for him.
“Kriya.”
She looked up.
Swayam sat beside her.
“Don’t even think about it,” he said firmly.
“But Swayam—”
“You love him. She just has a crush.”
Kriya looked down. “It still hurts…”
Swayam’s expression softened. “He loves you too.Anyone can see it.”
A small smile appeared through her tears.
Before the moment could deepen—
“Oh wow. Sister creates drama and brother apologizes?”
Sharon’s voice broke in, followed by their usualbanter that turned tension into laughter.
But Sharon’s eyes hardened when Antara’s name came up.
“She needs a lesson,” she muttered.
The Journey Begins
The next day, excitement filled the air as the teamgathered near the bus.
Everyone boarded.
Except—
“Kriya?” Rey frowned.
“Not here yet,” Sharon said.
Minutes passed.
Then finally—she arrived.
Rey let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
But just as she approached—
Antara sat beside him.
Kriya froze.
Her smile disappeared.
Silently, she walked to another seat.
Throughout the journey, their eyes kept meeting…
But neither moved.
Evening – The Unknown Begins
The bus suddenly jerked to a stop.
“What happened?” Bharat asked.
“Bus problem,” the driver said. “We can’t go furthertonight.”
With no other option, they stepped out.
Dusk had fallen.
The surroundings were unfamiliar.
Too quiet.
They walked ahead, searching for shelter.
And then—
They saw it.
A cottage.
Isolated.
Beautiful.
And yet…
Something about it felt wrong.
As they approached—
The gate creaked open on its own.
They froze.
“Wind,” someone said casually.
But no wind was blowing.
They stepped inside.
The door behind them—
SLAM.
Shut.
Kriya felt it instantly.
A chill ran down her spine.
Sharon glanced at her.
They both knew.
Something wasn’t right.
But no one said it.
“Let’s find rooms,” Swayam said.
Everyone scattered.
Footsteps echoed through the silent house.
And upstairs…
In the shadows…
A figure stood.
Watching.
Waiting.
For them.
Edited by Mystic_Muse - 2 months ago
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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