Sunaina's POV
'Yours,
The Author Ayu'- These words seemed to have got stuck inside my head. It's still hard for me to believe that I am trapped inside my favourite book. A day ago I was just busy in my life, getting codes, developing different softwares and trying to fulfill the different requirements given by our clients, go home, take care of my parents and go to sleep. That was my daily routine. I was used to the screaming of my supervisor or the mocking laughs of my colleagues because of the way I presented myself. I was also used to the frequent praises I received from my project managers at the end of every venture. Infact, I was lucky enough to lead multiple projects by myself. To be honest, despite being surrounded by so many people, I always used to feel lonely. My only ray of sunshine was Preeti and Abhisekh with whom I seemed more comfortable. These days Abhisekh has started creating a distance with me. Maybe it's my fault but I am really tired of being ignored. Ever since I was a child, I was afraid to be alone and ironically as an adult I feel that tinge of loneliness- every day, every night! I was finally brought back to my so called reality when Nandini exclaimed, "Oh my god!! You look stunning after just a little application of make up!" Suprised, I looked at myself in the mirror and it was my turn to be shocked. In front of me sat a maiden draped in a peacock blue coloured saree touched up with a silver border. Her usually short frizzy hair has now been straightened up to look more like tiny waves of the sea. Her lips coloured with crimson lipstick while her eyes had the perfect lining of mascara, something she could never imagine. She realised that the maiden in front of her started to smile.
"You look incredible when you smile." Nandini was ecstatic probably because she herself did this miracle on me. Wait? She said smile? I thought to myself and smiled again. This time bitterly. Except Preeti, hardly anyone ever said that to me. Usually it's either 'you are so plain' or 'your friend's so pretty'. Never was I complimented like that and it felt good. Nandini made sure I looked my best even in my nerdy glasses. I turned my gaze at her.
"Thank you so much Nandini." My voice was heavy with emotions. She seemed to be confused at my sudden declaration of gratitude. I hugged her tightly and smiled. She reminded me of my best friend. I was sure, Nandini was dumbfounded because no one ever hugged a maid here before. Atleast that's how these fictional books work right? Well it wasn't like Nandini was one of the characters about whom I read in the book. When we broke the hug, I saw her eyes were moist, probably with all the dejection, she didn't expect that someone can hug her- a maid. Just what I expected! We smiled at each other. Just then Gayathri Devi entered our room. Seeing her, Nandini bowed her head and left the room. I smiled at her and touched her feet showing her my respect. She blessed me by saying, "Always be happy my dear." That seemed such an ironical blessing for a girl like me. I controlled myself from sighing and got up.
"Thank you for this dress. Honestly, this is too beautiful to be worn by me." I smiled.
"Don't speak like that my dear. You deserve nothing less than this." She smiled back. Seeing her so gentle towards me, I wanted to tell her the truth right away. In her, I was seeing my late grandmother. I felt it was necessary for her to know the truth. But it started to bother me now if it was really okay. Should I keep everything a secret from her about me coming from another world? Should I tell her that the world she is living in is actually a world of fiction? How will she take it? What if she thinks I am a lunatic afterall our encounter wasn't that much of a great one. What if she thinks I am an imposter trying to hurt her family? In the book, she was a very scary lady. I remember how she used to dominate Abhay and how she was strict towards Arjun. Why will she trust someone whom she met a few hours ago.
"Shall we go then?" She asked. I pulled myself out of these thoughts and decided on not telling her anything since after today, we won't be meeting again. I smiled and nodded and left the room with her.
Arjun's POV
I finally took a hot shower and was drying myself. My brain was playing tricks with me again. I remembered her in that towel. Her eyes showed shock and humiliation or maybe embarrassment. I really didn't want to decode that and I really don't want that to happen ever again. Ugh! I need to get those thoughts out of my head. Probably she is also one of our guests for today's event. I won't be able to face her in the party if I keep remembering that incident. It was just an accident. Anyways, I have bigger problems to deal with. I sighed remembering what is about to happen today.
Mansi...I wonder what will she wear today. Will she keep her hair open or tie it in a bun? Arjun! Snap out of it. She is your sister in law now. You need to remember that and maintain your character. Remembering this, I smiled bitterly.
"If only I confessed to you before him." I looked at myself in the mirror and decided then.
"I, Arjun Saxena, will never fall in love again." I seemed like a child who was taking a silly oath but it all seemed worth it. From now on, I shall never be the kind hearted guy people knew anymore. Being cold felt better than to entangle myself in something that will eventually hurt me. That was the correct decision for me right? Without giving a second thought, I looked at the blue tuxedo that I was supposed to wear for today's event. I looked at it and kept it back in my wardrobe. I picked out the black tuxedo that was lying there for a long time. To be honest, I despised the colour black. But now it seemed my colour. So lifeless and so quiet. For now, let's just try to make others happy and keep my happiness aside. I got ready in my black tux and finally went downstairs.
Preeti's POV
I was exasperated this time. I really didn't know how much time has passed. Everything has come to a pause. Neither the sun is rising nor the moon is setting. I went outside to look for food. Fortunately some super markets opened for the entire night which made it possible for me to not starve for the entire span of this episode. Honestly, I didn't know when will things get back to normal. It was better if I was also frozen like everyone else. Hungry, I opened the doors of the super market nearest to my house. Looking, at the clock, I sighed louder, 3AM it is! Just like before. I went in and grabbed a big packet of Maggie. I went to the cashier and opened my phone to scan the QR code to pay him the money. I found it really weird when I realised that my money transactions weren't messing up because of this whole time freeze. Remember to appreciate the bank once all this is over. After the payment transaction was successful, I took out a piece of paper and wrote '1 packet of Maggie family pack. Payment done' on the paper and kept it on the table along with the other notes that I have left on his table every time I came here and bought something from here. I left the store and returned home only to cook the noodles and eat it peacefully. To be honest, I didn't hate it. Being the only one able to move freely. There must be a reason why all this is happening. Not only was I able to live my way but I was also free of all the responsibilities that was bestowed upon me and now I can do anything I wanted to. But I did miss my best friend Sunaina. It would have been fun if she was here. I was busy slurring down my noodles when I heard the computer type again. The last thing I read was Sunaina getting ready in her blue saree and Arjun getting ready in her black tux. Man! I never wanted him to turn out to be a cold dominating person. And he hated the colour black. This computer is ruining my very own character. Why the hell is everything going out of my hand. I can't do anything for now except reading what was going on. On the other hand, I was kinda happy for the way things were turning out for Sunaina. She never really dressed up and didn't even bother to learn any make up skills. Sometimes, I really wondered if she was really a girl. But on times, seeing her crying like a baby, I realise how hard everything must be for her. So if she is getting a few memories and some happiness, what harm can it do? That was before I went to the supermarket. I looked at the computer and the words brought a chill down my spine.
'Suddenly a man draped in a black robe, came inside Gayathri villa. I was unable to recognise his face, but his eyes seemed scary.
"Who are you?" I asked. He didn't speak to me but instead kept a note on my table and went away. I chased him down but it was all in vain. I returned to my room and found the note. Opening the note, I shivered to the core.
"We finally met my love. I will kill him for you and then finally you will be mine." The note was written in blood. Who was he? How did he know me. That's only possible if he...'
"If he belonged to the real world and went inside the story first." I didn't had to read what the computer was typing because that's what struck her and me both together- at the same time. Now everything seems clearer to me now. Someone entered the story before Sunaina to kill off Arjun. Maybe that's why the story pulled Sunaina in to give both of them a second chance and catch this imposter from the real world. But can that be really possible?
She has so much in mind but she knew she can only wait for her computer to type. But one thing is for sure, she believed in her best friend and in destiny.
Hi everyone. So I released another chapter. Honestly, I never expected that so many of you will actually like this plot of mine. I never wrote it for the sake of getting views or anything so when I found that I am receiving more views than expected, I was elated. It is an humble request of mine that you guys leave your crucial comments for this book. This will help me make this story better for you all.
Thank you for loving this book. ❤️