CHAPTER 1

Nandani's POV

I was sleeping peacefully when my alarm began to ring. I woke up yawning and stretching my arms. I wore my comfy bunny slippers and stood in front of the mirror, tying my messy hair in a bun.

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Nandani Singhania, the daughter of Vikram Singhania who is an owner of the multi-national company - "The Singhania Enterprises". I turned 23 today and last night my friends threw a surprise birthday party at my home.

—

*Flashback*

Time:11:50 Am

I was laying down on the bed looking at the chandelier. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I did not shed any. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. You all might be thinking, why would I weep? I have got everything, money, name, and fame. But that does not matters, my heart always longed for tender, love, and care which I was never given.

My father, Vikram Singhania, the owner of Singhania Enterprises, had always been busy earning more money, and fame. He traveled around the world for his business deals and I met him once in six months.

Money is not everything, seldom we need the person more than their wealth.

My mother Jhanvi Singhania, has always been busy with her kitty parties and shopping. I have never got, love, care, and attention of my parents. Right from my childhood, Mrs. Baker had taken care of me. She works in our mansion, I won't call her servant, she took care of me just like a mother takes care of her children.

You would not believe it, but I am comfortable sharing my life problems with her rather than sharing with my family.

Pranay Pachauri was my best friend and my boyfriend too. I loved him dearly. But we broke up a month back. No melodrama happened during our breakup. He just approached me and told, "Nandani, our relationship is not working anymore, let us break up!" He gave no reason for leaving me, he left me with several unanswered questions.

I pretend, that everything is fine. I pretend that I am happy, but believe me, it gets difficult each day, to tell yourself, you are strong.

The worst thing in your life is to fake your happiness.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe somewhere on the Earth, there would be a person meant for me. He, who would love me and accept me the way I am. Who would hold my hand, and never let me go.

I sat up on the bed and looked at the clock. It was 11:58 am, 2 minutes to go, and I will be turning 23 years old. I took a cigarette & a lighter from the drawer. I lit the cigarette and started to smoke. I kept on looking at the clock and it struck twelve.

The door of my room barged open and came my buddies, Meherzan, Radhika and my ex-boyfriend who is the present boyfriend of Radhika.

"Happy 23rd Birthday Nanz", Meherzan and Radhika shouted in my ears.

These two crazies were most excited about my birthday. I smiled and thanked them & continued smoking.

Meherzan snatched the cigarette from my hand and I looked towards him angrily. But despite returning that cigarette to me, he threw it in the dustbin.

"Meherzan", I was about to yell at him but he interrupted me in between-

"Didn't I tell you Nanz that you won't smoke, consume alcohol nor take drugs? Didn't I tell you this?" He asked angrily.

"My wish, my life, my rule,", I replied in a sassy tone and took another cigarette from the drawer. But before I could light that cigarette Radhika snatched it.

"What the----" I was about to yell at her but instead she shouted at me.

"Yes, Meherzan is right! You are not going to consume alcohol, drugs nor this cigarette. It's going to go in the dustbin"

I was about to open my mouth to speak, but Meherzan lifted me in his arms and took me downstairs to the living room.

To my great astonishment, the entire living room was decorated with balloons.

When did they do all these decorations?

I saw mom, with her friends. She hugged me and said smiling, "Happy Birthday, my baby"

"Thanks, mom, I am glad you remembered", I told forcing a smile.

Dad was nowhere to be seen so I inquired mom where was he.

"Baby he has gone for some important meeting", she replied.

Meeting? That too at midnight. I could not believe what she said.

"Does he even remembers my birthday?", I asked chuckling.

"Yes, my baby he does. I had a word with him. He told me that he is stuck in a meeting and he will be there as soon as the meeting gets over," mom replied smiling.

"Let's cut the cake, till then," Meherzan told.

"No, I will be waiting for dad," I replied.

"Babe, take this," Radhika said giving me shopping bags. "I brought this dress for you. Pranay and I went shopping today."

I looked at Pranay who was already staring at me. I held back my tears and went to my room.

I locked the door and sat on the floor palming my face to stop my sobs and cries. It hurts still to see him with someone else.

I wiped off my tears and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I wore the dress which Radhika gave me, applied light makeup, and left my hair open.

I went downstairs and saw that my dad did not arrive, yet. To pass the time, we clicked ample pictures.

It was 1:30 am. Meherzan said, "Nanz, maybe he might be stuck in the traffic. He will join us sooner or later till then let's cut the cake!"

"We have waited for so long, let's wait for some more time," I pleaded.

Dad's PA, Katherine came.

"Where is dad?" I asked cheerfully.

"Ma'am sir couldn't come but he has given a present to you," Katherine replied handing me the keys to the car.

I went to the parking area with my friends and saw a pink Lamborghini. My friends hooted and congratulated me but there was no happiness on my face. I did not want these costly gifts, I wanted his presence. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Meherzan held my hands and I looked at him. He smiled and said, "Let's cut the cake"

I quickly wiped off my tears and nodded.

We went back to the living room and cut the cake. By 4:00 am, everyone went home.

I went to my room and cried my heart out, I know this would not be a big deal for a few people, but for me it was. I wanted my dad's presence. Was his meeting more important than his daughter's birthday? I dug my face in the pillow and cried. My eyes started dropping and I went into a slumber.

*Flashback Ends*

—

I went downstairs for breakfast after freshening up. I ask the servants where were mom and dad.

"Ma'am, Vikram Sir, and Jhanvi Ma'am have left for India," the servant replied.

"India? When? Didn't they care to inform me?", I asked angrily.

"Ma'am, Vikram Sir had signed a deal recently with 'The Kapoor's, and today is Shanaya Kapoor's birthday," the servant replied.

"Now who the hell is this Shanaya Kapoor," I asked angrily.

"She is the heiress of Kapoor Industries. They had invited Vikram Sir and Jhanvi Ma'am"

After listening to him, tears rolled down my cheeks. Dad went to India to attend Shanaya's birthday but he did not get time to attend his own daughter's birthday.

Meherzan was at the door when he heard the discussion. He looked at my face which was red. I was controlling my anger and tears. I pushed the plate aside and ran to my room while Meherzan followed me.

"Nandani, listen to me," He tried to speak. But I ignored him and went upstairs to my bedroom. I threw myself on the bed and cried hugging my teddy bear.

"Nandani, please stop crying," he said softly.

"How can I stop my tears, Meher? Didn't you hear, dad has gone to India to attend his business partner's daughter's birthday, but he couldn't attend his own daughter's birthday. Sometimes I feel that I am an adopted or illegitimate child," I replied crying.

"Nandani please stop crying. You very well know I cannot see you crying.", Meherzan said.

"I hate my life. I fucking hate my life. I don't mean anything to anyone.", I screamed angrily throwing the pillows and the blanket on the floor.

He held my hands gently and pulled me in a tight hug whispering, "You mean a lot to me and I promise your best friend is always going to be there for you"

I hugged him and cried my heart out. Indeed, I was blessed to have a friend like him.

I stopped crying, after ages it seemed. He wiped off the tears from my cheeks and told, "I have arranged a surprise birthday party for you on the yacht, tonight. All our college friends are invited."

"I am in no mood to attend this party. I just want to sleep tonight," I replied, sniffing.

"Oh you lazy ass, if you are going to stay so much in the house, at one place, spiders are going to spin their webs on you", Meherzan told and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"Better get ready, I'll pick you up by eight", he told and I nodded.