*11 pm- late night*
Sania steps out of the hospital and slides into her car.
I'm Sania... the girl who wears a different mask for every person she meets. No one knows the real me. No one knows what I truly think or what I'm capable of. Only I do.
I learned this lesson early in life: "In this selfish world, only selfish people survive. The innocent don't belong here."
I've only ever seen the innocent suffer, beg, and break-like my mother. That's why there's only one thing I've ever truly believed in: Money and Power. If you have both, you have happiness.
I've always hated love and relationships-maybe I still do. Because it was love that took my mother away from me. But at a young age, I also realized... love can be a powerful weapon. With it, you can manipulate, gain trust, and get what you want.
I've heard that friendship is just another form of love-and I've used that too. Made 'friends' only when it served a purpose.
My friendship with Anamika? Yeah... that started as a selfish move too. But that was a long time ago. Today, she's the only real part of my life. The only one who's ever seen me without a mask.
And if you're wondering who Anamika is-she's that girl.
Aditya's love.
The girl who turned her obsession with a fictional world into her entire reality.
She's 24 now, working freelance jobs to cover her expenses, all while chasing a dream-to publish her own manga and win the hearts of readers everywhere.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Now, you may ask: Why is she trying to sell manga physically in today's digital world?
Honestly, even I don't know.
But if that's what she wants, I'll make it happen. Even if I have to use Aditya's broken heart to fund her dream.
And yes-if you're still wondering why a selfish girl like me would help someone without getting anything in return... well, like I said-she's the only one who makes me feel human.
Why that is... maybe the writer will tell you someday. Because I'm not ready to.
Sania's car pulls up in front of an apartment building. She steps out and enters.
Inside, the place is a mess. Nothing is in its place.
She sighs and walks through the chaos toward the living room.
There, on the couch, sits a girl with short hair-watching cartoons while slurping instant noodles. Papers with rough sketches are scattered around her.
Sania carefully walks toward her, making sure not to step on any artwork.
The girl glances back and says flatly, "You can step on them, it doesn't matter. It's all trash anyway. Nothing I draw feels good enough."
Sania picks one up. It's a beautifully detailed scene of a boy proposing to a girl.
"This is gorgeous, Anu! What's wrong with it?" Sania says.
Yes, this is Anamika.
My Anu.
The one person I would burn the world down for.
Anamika snatches the paper, tears it, and mutters, "It's pretty, but it's meaningless. There's no story, no future... it won't touch anyone's heart."
Sania raises a brow and says, "Then make one that does. Because I've found a way to get your story into people's hands."
Anamika's eyes light up.
"Wait... what?! You... no way-really?! You found an investor?!"
Sania nods with a proud smile.
Anamika jumps with joy, practically bouncing around in circles.
"Oh God, what do I show them? The summer story? No, no-the one I drafted for that Insta short... or maybe the one I wrote last night?! Ugh! It has to be perfect! I have all night-I'll start something new, something they can't refuse! They won't say no!"
Sania frowns. "Absolutely not. You're not staying up all night. You've got an important meeting in the morning and I don't want you yawning through it! Finish your food and go to bed."
Anamika makes a cute puppy face. "Pleaseeee... I have to give it my best shot! I promise I'll sleep as soon as I'm done-super early, okay? Pinky swear!"
Sania rolls her eyes with a sigh.
"There's no winning against you, is there? Fine. Do what you want. Just... don't overdo it. I believe in you."
Anamika nods, beaming. Sania walks off to her room.
*Meanwhile, at Aniket's house...*
Aniket paces the floor anxiously, mumbling to himself.
"How do I stop this lovesick idiot from making the biggest mistake of his life? I know him. He's the kind of guy who falls in love at first sight-and tomorrow, he'll fall again. He'll forget the past and lose his mind over Anamika all over again.This is all Sania's doing! A setup! I have to talk to Aditya before it's too late."
Without wasting another second, Aniket grabs his car keys and drives off toward Aditya's place.
Now what...?
Will Aditya listen to his best friend?
Or has he already fallen too hard-again-for the girl who once shattered his heart?
What do you think?
What do you want to happen next?
Tell us in the comments!
See you in the next chapter.
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