~Three years later

Heartbreak is a part of love.

It's been exactly five years, seven months, three weeks and six days since my heart got broke.

And exactly three years, seven months, four weeks and two days since I saw her face.

It's not like I am counting days.

I am not.

That was just a rough guess.

I have already forgotten about the past and have started a new life here in California, USA.

After graduating with my bachelor's degree, I started working as a web developer and programmer in the Meta headquarters located in Gurugram.

Simultaneously I was pursuing my MBA too. And after completing my masters, my company offered me a job in abroad as they were really impressed with my work and skills.

I accepted their offer and shifted here in Menlo Park, California to join my new office which was the headquarters of Instagram.

It's been already one and a half year of me working as a digital marketer in the Instagram headquarters.

I keep myself busy in work. I think I have got married to my work. I really don't find time to do parties like I used to during my school days.

Sometimes, when I am in need of escape, I read books.

Yes! Can you believe that?

I, the Aryan Malhotra has become a bookworm. I have this huge bookshelf in my bedroom filled with fictional books related to all the genre except romance.

I don't do romance. I hate that. My colleagues do encourage me to go on dates and make a girlfriend. But I don't agree and keep myself far away from those girls who intend to flirt with me or make a chance with me.

I really don't have time for this. Or should I say that I don't want this.

I don't want any other girl in my life.

Books and alcohol are enough for me. On weekends I do visit the bars and clubs of the town just to drink alcohol.

It has become my addiction. But I do keep myself in control. I can't risk my life. I have my loved ones, my family who live in India.

It's just, I drink sometimes just to forget my past.

Wait! But I have already forgotten my past. Right? Then why do I still drink to forget my past.

I have moved on. Haven't I?

I groan and nod aggressively while looking at my reflection on the rear view mirror.

"I have moved on." I say to myself. "Yes! I have."

I sigh then park my car in the parking area. Pulling out the car keys, I step down my car along with my bag and coffee.

After locking my car, I walk inside my office building and make my way towards the elevator. Many of my colleagues from different departments were already there, waiting for the elevator.

I greet them and step into the elevator along with them, going up to the 3rd floor which was my department.

As we reach the third floor, I walk out of the elevator and make my way towards my cubicle.

"Hello there!"

I look up at the cubicle beside mine, where my colleague and friend Leo Anderson was sitting, waving at me.

"Hey! How are you?" I pass him a small smile before sitting on my chair.

"I'm good. What about you?" He asks.

"I am fine." I mumble and take out my laptop out of my bag.

Leo has been my friend and companion since the day I joined here. His family is basically from Spain but they reside here, in California. He has light brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Inspite of being so good looking, he doesn't have a girlfriend.

He does wanna make a girlfriend and also want me to make a girlfriend. Just because he wanna go on a double date.

He has gone on many dates but they never worked out. He even insists me to go on a blind date but I always say that that's the worst idea for me.

Once he even thought that I was gay that's why I don't show any interest in girls. I had to make him understand for continues five days that I am not gay.

Finally, I told him about my story. I told him what happened with me, how my heart got broke. That's the reason I don't wanna get into relationships and talk to girls or talk about girls with him.

Leo isn't a manwhore. He is just desperate to get a girlfriend. Every single day, he tells me about this new found crush of his.

I do get bore listening to him talking about his crushes all day, but I still do listen to him as he has become one of my bestest friend.

Leo is a great friend. He supports me whenever I am in need of help.

Apart from him, I have another friend who was my roommate also. William. He belongs from an african family and works in an architecture firm.

We were living as roommates since past one and a half year before he moved into his boyfriend's house last month.

Now, they both are in a live-in relationship. Even I wanted to try this once. But now I don't want to.

"Hey! I have a great news to share." Leo says excitedly.

"What news?" I shrug and take a sip of coffee while working on my laptop.

"There's a new employee joining our department tomorrow." He chuckles.

"And that employee is a girl." I sigh.

"Yes! How do you know?" He widens his eyes in amazement.

"Your excitement tells it all." I sigh again.

"Yeah, I know. I am so excited." He grins. "Maybe I can ask her out. She must be beautiful as she is from India, you know."

"Leo," I turn to him and sigh again. "We are here to work and not to find a life partner for ourself."

"Listen buddy, I know about your love experience."

I sigh again and turn back to my laptop. Now he will say the same things he says everyday just to motivate me and move on from my past.

"But you know, we get only one life. So, better not waste it and enjoy it instead." He says. "I am telling you. Make a profile on tinder. Or if you want I can introduce you to a girl and plan a blind date for you."

"No," I say sternly.

"Come on Aryan, you are turning twenty-six in two months and you are still a virgin."

"So what if I am a virgin?" I shrug and glance at him. "It's my choice whether I wanna lose it or not."

"I can say, you are planning not to lose it ever." He scoffs. "Don't your parents dream to see your wedding in future? You know, all Indian parents want that."

I sigh deeply and finish up my coffee before glancing back at him. "I don't care. I can agree with them at everything but my personal decisions are mine only. I can't fulfill all their expectations."

He laughs and lean back on his chair. "Dude, you are such a serious man. You should learn something from Adrian." He says and glances in front.

I sigh and lift up my gaze too. There I see 'the handsome hunk' of our department, Adrian. Fair skin, blonde hair and light green eyes. All the woman in our office drool over him.

But they are unaware of the fact, that this guy is a playboy. He will flirt with girls and will try to impress them with his looks and pick up lines.

And after banging them, he would leave them as if he don't know them.

He's a bad news for girls.

Even now also he was surrounded between the young women of our department. He is sitting on his chair while the ladies are standing around him, smiling and giggling like a crazy fan of his.

While he smirks at them and winks his eye, making all the young females go crazy.

I cringe at the sight and make a disgust expression.

While Leo beside me starts laughing looking at my face.

"I'll vomit, man. I can't see this everyday." I say and rise from my chair to get another coffee for myself.

This is my life now. This city is my new life now which I have been living since one year.

The day went by like that with Leo blabbering about all the gossips going around the office and me trying my best to get engross in my work.

Soon, the office hours end and we drive back to our houses.

I park my car in the garage and then walk inside my house.

My house was not too big. It was just like the simple houses you see in America and other english countries.

White exterior with black rooftop. Even the interior was white and black theme with wooden furniture.

The living room was cozy enough with a kitchen on one side and a small garden on the other side with glass doors and windows.

There were two bedrooms on the first floor. One was mine and the another one was of William which was now empty.

Well, I live in this house on rent. The owner of this house lives just next door. His name is Balwinder Sahni and he owns many Indian restaurant in California.

He and his wife, they both are really sweet to me. They both consider me as their son as our hometown is same that is Chandigarh.

The people around me never let me feel alone. Even though I am in a foreign country, I feel home.

Before it was a person who I used to consider my home but now this place is my new home.

As I enter my house, I take off my shoes in the foyer and make my way upstairs to my room.

I take a shower and change my clothes before going down to prepare dinner for myself.

My cooking skills are better now. I have learnt to cook many international cuisines. My mummy says, this proves that I have become self reliant.

I know how to take care of myself.

As my dinner was ready now, I sit on a chair and keep my plate on the counter which was in middle of the kitchen.

As I eat, I feel this silence and loneliness.

Ironic right? Just now, I was saying I don't feel alone here. But that was about the outside of my house.

I am all alone inside my house.

After eating my dinner, I wash the plate, glass and all the cooking utensils. Then I switch off the kitchen lights and walk back to my room.

As I enter, I glance at my wall clock to see the time which was 8:45 PM.

Well, I have time. I can go out for a night walk. Or I can also visit the bookstore which was on the next street.

That place is one of my favourite place. I buy all my books from that bookstore. The store is small but cozy and aesthetic.

I finally decide to go to the bookstore and wear a black hoodie as it was cold outside.

I put on my hood above my head then walk out of the house. After locking my house, I walk down the street which was almost empty.

Getting on the next street, I see the bookstore which stays open till ten at night.

I smile softly and quickly enter inside the store where I see Miss Stella sitting on the counter with a book in her hand.

She is a middle aged woman and the owner of this shop. I greet her with a smile and she greets me back.

Along with Mr and Mrs Sahni, Miss Stella also considers me her son.

The fresh smell of books fill up my nostrils as I start walking around the aisles. There were many new books. I take them out one by one to read their summary. If I find something interesting, I'll buy them.

But unfortunately, I didn't find something exciting.

I pout then glance behind me.

♡A/N: Listen to 'Kya tujhe ab yeh dil bataye' by Falak Shabbir while reading this scene.♡

My expressions numb as I see the romance section behind me.

I have never been there. That's the only section I have never explored which is at the corner of the store.

I blow up my cheeks and hide my hands inside my hoodie pocket.

I slowly make my way towards the romance section and walk through the aisle.

I sigh as I see the books which she used to love. The books which she used to read me. I take a deep breath while remembering those moments.

Those were my happy moments when I used to lay my head either on her shoulder or her lap while she reads me romantic stories and poetries.

As I walk ahead I see the twisted series books. I frown sadly and graze the books. I sigh deeply then take out the 'twisted love' book.

After grazing the cover page, I open a random page of the book. That's where I see the word, 'Sunshine' written on it.

'You are my sunshine.'

Her voice echos in my mind and I immediately close the book.

I can't do this. I have to forget everything. I can't let my heart and mind remind me about her every single time.

All of a sudden, my breath fastens along with my heartbeat. I gulp and place my palm over my chest.

What's happening? Why is it beating so fast?

And that's when I hear soft footsteps behind me.

My chest heaves up & down while I inhale the familiar scent behind me.

That scent. That fragrance. I know it.

I gulp hard and slowly tilt my face to look behind.

There I see a girl in simple outfit walking behind me while looking at the books in the shelf across.

Only her back was visible to me. Even she was wearing a black hoodie like mine. But that hoodie was actually mine which I used to own during my school days.

I gulp again and tilt my head a little just to see her face while my heart still won't stop beating fast. As if it has awaken again.

The girl stops in front of the bookshelf while I was still watching her back. My breathing fastens even more when she tucks her hair strands behind her ear which enables me to see her face.

My heart stops then & there when I see her face.

"Vini" I whisper.

~♡♡♡~