Chapter 1 - The Call

•Ahana•

Tears weren't stopping as cheering wasn't stopping, several guests were surrounding the newly engaged couple who are the eye candy of this lavish engagement party. Both of their faces are gracefully shining as they couldn't stop themselves from admiring each other's faces from time to time.

"Congratulations Avi and Riya" Someone shouted beside me.

My teary eyes met Anita's who must have her evil smirk plastered over her face as she raised her glass at the couple, faking it all.

"Aww, Ann. It must be so depressing that you aren't in place of Riya uhh" She quietly whispered while sipping her drink. 

I didn't say a word, gripped the glass harshly and emptied my drink in one gulp, and asked for another one, trying to drown my sorrows that are chewing my already damaged soul now entirely.

If there was a way to explain my pain then I would have said that I knew I could have him but never tried, assuming he'll see my feelings for him and that he'll feel the same but no, it had to be this way. He fell for her who isn't me. He is smiling at her that could have been for me, every time he looks at her, it could have been for me.

"Ann, do you know you have an advantage?"

Her evil laugh irked my ears, don't know why am I even tolerating her.

"And what is that?" I asked, again gulping the drink.

"Dude, you are lucky that you can't see them being happy together. Since you're blind, Ann"

With a crack, the last piece of my heart broke as I stood there numbly staring at the blurred figure of them, unable to glimpse the unity that is now binding them together.

A painful chuckle escaped my lips as I stumbled on my feet, booze is playing with my senses, exhorting me to commit something stupid and absurd to ruin this all for them.

How can they be happy after making me miserable?

"Is being blind make me less, Anita?" I chuckled bitterly, trying to walk but failed miserably.

"At least, do yourself a favor and forget him" Anita advised, assisting me through the guests.

I was whining, groaning, and chiming like a kid that was grabbing everyone's attention which now makes me the guest of honor instead of the newly engaged couple.

"Ann, don't" She warned me but I jerked her away.

"STOP IT" I yelled at the top of my lungs, a hushed falls around.

She left my side as I tried to stand properly, my mind being too cloudy and deterring me, the pain riding through my heart is making it worse than ever.

"Ann," A soft voice soothed my heart, and my teary eyes lifted to see his blurred figure.

"Avi" I whined, throwing my hands around his neck, unaware of my slurry actions.

Peace, I feel everything is fine when he is with me. His slender hands roamed behind my back, trying to soothe me as his cheek was pressed against mine to let me feel his warmth.

No words were exchanged between us as I was at ease, my heart wasn't aching anymore as I am in the arms of my best friend who was always there in my sickness and worse. I am always been adored by him since childhood as everyone pitied me for being blind, I am partially blind since my birth but he never let me feel like one.

He treated me equally and stood by my side just like right now so tell me who wouldn't fall in love with him?

"Let's get you, home" He whispered, rubbing my back.

Loud gasps echoed in my ears as I felt myself floating in the air, unable to grasp the fact that he was carrying me. I tightly clung my hands onto his broad shoulders as he hastily paced somewhere.

"Ann, good night"

I whined, not knowing what time it is and where am I.

My head was hazy, my eyes were too lazy to open and even if they do, all I could see blurred things.

Morning...

Something crashed, forcing me to sit and then I opened my eyes that could only see a blurry vision of someone's room.

Damn, it...

My head ached terribly, all I could do is groan but then I heard him.

"Have this, please" Avi's voice eased my uncertainty.

I hesitantly took whatever he was giving me, dishearten for being unable to glimpse his expressions right now but I could feel, he is smiling at me.

"Thank You" I sipped whatever was in the glass and hummed cause it was lemon juice with a hint of sugar.

"So, why did you decide to get drunk that exclusively?" He asked in concern, "Was it because you were happy or someone hurt you?"

Abruptly I recalled last night and felt ashamed of my actions that weren't right at all, I made a scene yesterday and ruined my best friend's engagement party.

How can I even do that to him? What would have been Riya thinking? I have ruined her special day with my silliness.

"Ann?" His hand softly touched my cheek, I jerked back.

"I need to go" I excused myself, getting off his bed.

My feet tried to find my boots but couldn't since I was so helpless without sight but then something touched my feet. I froze when I felt his manly hands sliding boots up my right leg. My breathing hitched as his hand gently touched my feet, I could still feel those sparks between us, my heart doesn't listen and I again find myself with my best friend, his but then I recalled yesterday he has got engaged with Riya, my younger sister's best friend who is also a very good friend of mine.

I couldn't even move, letting him do what he wanted but then I moved towards the door, ignoring him entirely cause it hurts when I am closer to him. I don't think I am capable of accepting this heartbreak and also don't wish to ruin his happiness just because I am selfish. 

"Ann, did I do something wrong?" His question froze me in the middle and I just touched the door to calm my nerves.

"No, you didn't but I don't think anything will be ever like before between us"

Saying this, I strolled the hall calmly counting my steps and focusing on the distorted image I was seeing, almost stepping out at the porch when I was knocked into a wall.

I don't remember any renovation happening here at Avi's home. And right on the porch?

"Ye diwaar kb bani?" I frowned, rubbed my head, and touched the wall which is breathing.

|When did this wall build?|

Shit, it's a man...

I realized this when my hand went downwards touching his private part that felt warm under my palm. Realizing my mistake, I quickly withdrew my hand and footed back.

My heart started hammering too loudly as I couldn't escape the feeling of embarrassment and excitement that irked my naive feelings. I felt like a pervert being this advanced toward a man.

Damn, What he might be thinking about me?

"Are you blind?"

His deep voice startled me, my senses quivering immediately as if they recognise him somehow and then my eyes focused on his distorted figure which is tall, hovering over me and could feel his sharp gaze piercing mine as his hands are reaching towards me but I stepped back, evading it.

"I am not blind" I lied confidently, daring to look into his harsh eyes. 

"Neither, I was accusing you of being blind, woman" He was annoyed and brushed past me.

My eyes kept staring at his blurry disappearing figure as my hand was shivering still able to feel him, his warmth that I touched accidentally is giving me dirty thoughts of him.

"Eww, Ahana" I made a disgusted face, wiping my hand on my side "Chee, what am I even thinking about?"

Signing, I exited Avi's residence and took an auto-rickshaw to reach my home when abruptly my phone started ringing. I picked it out of my side pocket and answered it.

A distorted voice echoed in my ear, "Ann"

I froze, feeling a lump in my throat as my eyes were getting sodden because I am finally able to hear my younger sister's voice after so many years. I just missed her so much but had no idea where she is and what she is doing but today I have her back at least through a call. 

"Siya, where are you?"

I asked, gripping the phone tightly against my ear so I don't miss a word she says and intrigued to know about her.

"Find me, Ann cause time is sinking"