London, United Kingdom
A lady is driving very fast, through the lanes on London. She glances at her watch for one second and makes a note of the time. She seems frustrated because she had to reach somewhere in the next seven minutes. She continues to over take cars and quickly manages to reach the road of the courthouse. However, as she is about to take her car into the gates, a black car comes from behind and dashes into her car. The owners of both the cars quickly get out of the car and check to see the damage done to each of their cars. Eventhough the cars were not badly affected, the lady looks at the driver of the car in anger. He looks up and smirks at her.
Lady- Oh Hello! Can’t you see where you’re going? I’m already so late so I don’t have time for anything that you may want to tell me.
Saying this she quickly sits inside the car and drives inside the courthouse.
Man- What a mad lady? She was the one who stopped suddenly and is lecturing me! Anyways chal Anurag you’re already late for the hearing.
Anurag sits inside his car and quickly drives into the courthouse too! He parks his car in the designated parking for the lawyers and quickly walks into the meeting room where he is supposed to meet with the company and another lawyer who is going to be working with him during this case, since it’s a very high profile case and they company cannot afford to lose. Anurag walks into the courtroom and meets with the company owner, who then takes him to meet his partner, lawyer Prerna Khanna. The owner taps of Prerna’s back and she turns around, meeting the eyes of someone who she just fought with a few minutes ago
Prerna- You?
Anurag- You?
Client- Do you two already know each other? Anyways this is Prerna and this is Anurag and you two will be working together. Make sure I win because you both know I cannot afford to lose this case. See you around and let my assistant know if you need to fix up any meetings or needs any documents.
Both- Yes Sir!
After the client leaves, they turn to face each other and Prerna sighs, thinking what she has got herself into.
New Delhi, India – MKK Mansion
Abhi- Mr Sahil, is everything alright!
Sahil-Yes absolutely sir! However I found like to bring to your notice that your daughter doesn’t seem to be doing so well and it’s understandable due to all this shock. I strongly suggest that she too sees a mental health professional.
Abhi- Thanks for informing Sahil and thanks for everything! Would you be able to treat Rhea as well
Sahil-No Sir! My apologies, it’s against our rules to treat two members of the same family unless we’re working on a joint relationship. However I know someone who is a great friend of mine as well as a great colleague of mine, shall I bring her here tomorrow?
Abhi- Okay thanks! Here is my managers number, talk to him about the expenses and everything. He will help you out.
Sahil- Okay sir! I’ll stay here for a while incase your wife wakes up
London, United Kingdom
Prerna is driving to her house after a hectic day. It’s almost late evening and she remembers the past two days; being back in Delhi, meeting Prachi, the tiring flight back and the finally the rude man- Mr Anurag Khanna. She wondered if having same surnames was a coincidence or whether it had a deeper meaning? She remembered the parking guy addressing them as Mr and Mrs. Khanna and Anurag correcting them. She also remembered the scene in the meeting just an hour ago, where she was caught staring and Anurag by him. There was something about this man! Something that made her feel drawn to him. She didn’t know what it was but she was too tired to even think about it.
Her mind got diverted when she realized that she had already started driving up the hill, where her house was. It would take her about 10 more minutes of driving to get there, but everything didn’t feel alright. Her car was slowing down and it soon came to a stop. She felt helpless and tried to switch on her phone that had died a few minutes ago. It would take her 20 minutes of trekking to reach the house and she had no energy for that. She couldn’t even call anyone due to her battery dying on her. It was starting to get dark and Prerna was starting to get a little scared, after all she was scared of the dark. Darkness reminded her of the past, her past life, her trauma and her co called loved ones. Tears were flowing down her eyes as she stood leaning on the car lost deep in thought.
Anurag was driving to his mansion, when he saw that a lady was standing against her car. He presumed that her car must have broken down and like a kind gentleman, he got down and went towards the lady. As he moved closer, Prerna became aware of his presence and jerked her head upwards.
Anurag- It’s just me! Ms Khanna. Don’t be afraid.
Prerna-Oh
Anurag- Are you crying? This isn’t such a big deal! Where do you stay? I could drop you home
Prerna- My society is just up the hill
Anurag- You live in Hidden Hills? {shocked}
Prerna- Yeah! Why do you look so shocked?
Anurag- Oh! Because I live there too, funny I’ve never seen you around. Anyways let’s go, you can send your driver to pick up this car once you’re home.
Prerna- Thank you! Mr Khanna
Anurag{whispers}-Oh she says thank you also
Prerna- Did you say something?
Anurag- No No, what would I say
New Delhi, India- MKK Mansion
Pragya is seen topsing and turning in her bed. This disturbance wakes Rhea up and she stares at her mother, admiring her features and comparing her similarities with her. Suddenly, out of the blue, Pragya wakes up and feels suffocated. She signals for water and Rhea gives that to her from the bedside. However, when Pragya sees the hand behind the water glass, she grows enraged and without drinking the glass of water she throws it down.
Pragya- What are you doing here huh? Next to me, offering me water? Why are you making a fool out of yourself Rhea? I loved you like my own daughter, but what did you do Rhea?Why did you do this? And how do you have the audacity to sit here and offer me water? Why don’t you mix poison with it? You’ll be happier then right? Why are you crying crocodile tears now? You’re not so innocent like you look. I used to be very proud of you, but look at you. What a disappointment. It’s not even your fault actually, it’s your father’s. He raised you to be so difficult, so insensitive. No wonder his wife left him and went a way. How would that poor lady be able to deal with two versions of her husband.
Rhea- Please don’t say anything about my dad! Please
Pragya- Why not? When you and your family can question Prachi’s upbringing then why I can’t I? Are the rules different for you and me? Do you believe that middle class people don’t have feelings? That they don’t get a say in anything. You know Rhea, you remind me of someone, someone who used to have the same disgusting thoughts as you, my sister in law- she was exactly like you. She used to hate middle class people and did anything to ruin them. You could easily pass of as her daughter HAHAH! Anyways darling, let me break your bubble darling! My Prachi, is rich probably richer than you are. But she has had a good upbringing, a more grounded one. Where she respects people even if they do her bad. You may be wondering why we were living a middle class life then? It’s because of people like you, who change their faces depending on the social status of a person. I’m right, Aren’t I? I’m really ashamed I know you and that I ever loved you! You’re just a narcissist, spoilt brat living of her daddy’s money!
Someone has been hearing this conversation and has had enough with what was being said. The door opens and someone walks in.
Someone- Pragya Enough!
London, United Kingdom- Khanna Mansion
Ragini- Oh! look who’s here
Neil- Prerna darling! we were just talking about you, with Prachi.
Prachi- Ya di! and we’ve been waiting for over an hour for you! where were you?
Ragini- Okay Okay! You two, stop attacking my daughter
Prerna- Thanks Ma
Neil- Why do you look so upset honey? Is everything alright
Prerna- Yes Dad! Don’t worry everything’s alright. Just got a little bit caught up in the new case that I’m working on
Ragini- Tell us more about it Gudiya
Prerna- Later Ma, I promise and if you don’t mind can I eat in my room?
Neil- Go ahead! We’ll send the food. Good Night! Prachi!! Where are you lost?
Prachi {breaks out of her thoughts} – Nothing Uncle! Anyways let’s carry on with our conversation about cricket.
Neil- Okay tell me, who’s your favourite?
Prachi- Virat Kohli obviously!!
Neil- Same here buddy! Can’t wait to watch the test series with you
Ragini- No one asked about my favourite?
Prachi-Tell us Ragini aunty! Tell us
Ragini- Jos Butler
Neil- Prachi, why don’t you ask aunty why he likes him the most?
Ragini- Because he’s so cute! Anyways let’s finish dinner quickly, I need to show you around our area and then you can explore whatever you want too!
Prachi- Yes Aunty! Thank you so much!
a/n: thank you so much for reading:) so don’t forget to vote and comment and add this story to your private reading lists!!