***in the present world***

Mira's POV -

" You mean nothing to me! Nothing! "

That was exactly what Braze told me. In the middle of a hall room full of people.

As if that was not embarrassing, it was supposed to be the day he was officially going to announce our relationship.

Ah! Stupid me. I had even done my nails for the occasion. Guess I would just have to work an extra shift to get over that expense.

Hanging around with boys, looking for their attention, those were the last things on my already over saturated mind. I had a dog and two cats to feed, work as many shifts as I could, part-time, to collect my future college fees. I had a mother to take care of who still thought she could climb Mount Everest with severe spondylitis . I am leaving out the part where I had to study and also try to fit in my new environment. It was over a year ago that I changed schools, yet the students never saw me as one of them. Probably because I was a scholarship student and my family did not have a 'respectable' background.

To be honest, all they actually respected was money and honestly we did lack in that aspect.

Braze was the only one who understood me.

Look after me. Protected me from their taunting. That was until that night.

To have him as my best friend was privileged enough. I had never thought he would ever become my boyfriend.

But he did. I had no idea for what reason, back then.

I had known Braze from our art expeditions. Painting was something I really enjoyed. It took me places. And quite influential places to be precise because me and Brake, first met in one such event. From there started our journey. Our friendship.

We played together in the park, made graffiti on the walls together. We participated in many competitions, together as a team and also won a lot of prizes.

I lost touch with him when he left for the ' better' opportunities overseas.

I was back inside my own shell, painting and studying.

It was one of those paintings that got me into my present school.

A prestigious one in the country. And my mother was on top of the moon.

Cunningham High. A school for the elites amongst elites.

But as usual the moment I entered the campus, bullies started taunting me, starting with my hair and going to my bag, shoes and even my innerwear brand.

Braze came as a Messiah in the middle of all that.

I didn't know at that time, but he was the son of the school principal. His parents had got a divorce, so he was back with his mother. And boy, I honestly was so happy at that news.

It was too good to be true, almost like a dream. He came with his shining armor, saving me from the bullies.

I clung onto him henceforth, like butter and a knife. I was the butter everybody wanted to melt, he was the knife that they dreaded.

The year went by with him like a fairytale but like all stories and all dreams, it too had to come to an end.

But I never expected it to be like this. So abrupt.

He had been my boyfriend for nine whole months. And it had been me who had insisted on keeping it a secret , away from all prying eyes.

He was reluctant but he obliged.

" Mira, I can't do this any more. I want to let everybody know. I want to show my girlfriend off. Come one Mira! At the ball, I want to introduce you to my family. I mean they already know and adore you, but I want to make things official. Please babe! "

He looked at me with his ocean blue eyes, melting my insides as I gradually nodded my head.

The rest of it was as follows-

I began counting my savings. Broke my piggy bank. Asked my mother for some money. Borrowed a little from my employers.

Then I went straight shopping. I got the best gown they had in my budget. Got a new pair of shoes. Then headed towards the salon. There I did my hair, my make up and also did my nails , even after going over budget. It was lucky I knew the hairdresser. She agreed to grant me that credit.

And I already mentioned how things went downhill from there.

I had no idea why Braze was being like that. He was a completely changed person. Like, someone I did not know or recognise at all.

I was not even worried about my tears as they were dropping at an alarming rate.

The laughter from the corners of the hall echoed in my head.

It was ringing like a loud alarm bell so I had to close my ears.

Braze did not even stop to look at me after he pushed me away.

No, not just with his words, he literally pushed me off the stairs.

I was just trying to follow him upstairs to sort out if there was any miscommunication.

He cut me off like a knife cuts butter.

Smooth and clear.

So ultimately, that was our relationship. Butter and knife.

His betrayal pierced me like a dagger at the heart.

I stood up, all by myself and started walking again.

I got rid of those newly bought heels. Not because I was angry but because they were uncomfortable. I needed to walk out of there with speed, yet my feet were hardly dragging the weight of my body.

It could not be worse that it was raining when I came out.

Perhaps it was a good thing.

Nobody saw the tears staining my cheeks so made-up with make up.

Nobody saw me because I was the only one walking down that road with my shoes in my hand, lifting a fancy gown, bare feet.

Only a few cars zoomed past me. I didn't even spare a glance.

Until one bright light came right at me and I screamed out loud.

Mira's POV -

I always had this super power to sleep through my worries.

Have you ever done that? Umm, it's more like hibernation but since I am human, they call it depression.

Anyways, I found myself sleeping. Sleeping always made me feel great.

But then this was no normal sleep. I could feel that something was different.

Was it the bed? Was it much softer than my recliner? Don't be fooled, I am a pauper. My recliner was simply a sofa that doubled as my bed.

I touched around before slowly opening my eyes.

Voila! I was definitely in someone else's bed.

Then the stream of thoughts came rushing back in, the drama, the rejection, the humiliation and then I remembered the pain.

I sat up with a start and caught my head in between my hands.

" Ouch! "

It hurt. It hurt real bad. I could feel the cloth of the bandage wrapped around my head.

" Take it slow girl! You will make your skull crack open again. "

I could barely see his handsome face through my cloudy vision. I rubbed my eyes. It wasn't like I needed glasses. Why did everything look so translucent?

I tried rubbing the fog off.

" Take it slow girl. You hurt your head. It's not a surprise if your vision got bad. Give it some time. The doctor said it will be alright. "

I turned towards him with such a force that my skull wiggled like a jello .

But he grabbed me right on time. His arms were strong and muscular but his grip was gentle.

The moment I breathed in his scent, all my pain washed over. It was a very familiar scent. Was it a very popular perfume?

" You came right in front of my car last night. "

He explained while he helped me lean back.

His breath on my face felt like the virgin air from the mountains. "It was raining cats and dogs and, ummm, honestly, I was out driving my own car but, you know, I don't yet have a license. It doesn't mean I am a bad driver. I drive all the time, " He immediately protested but I hadn't uttered a single objection.

" But since I didn't have the docs, I couldn't take you to a hospital. I didn't know what to do. So I brought you straight over here. "

I tried to look around, for the first time. My vision had cleared a little. It felt like I was in a suit. The room was huge and all white, with a master bed where I was, a side table and a chandelier on top. Had he brought me to a hotel, because he couldn't take me to a hospital?

And then I looked down. My clothes were changed and I was wearing a matching white nightgown.

" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! "

The shriek left my mouth, knowing full well how the intensity would hurt my head.

As if I had summoned them with my shrieking spell, a line of maids and butlers came rushing. They poured in through the entrance.

" What's the matter young master? "

They asked in unison. Their question was directed at the boy though my voice was what had drawn their attention.

" Did you change my clothes and bring me to a hotel, just because you couldn't take me to a hospital? "

I continued with my protest even though they had just ignored my existence. I had just been rejected yesterday,that didn't mean anybody else could have the opportunity to have me , that too, without my consent, no matter how handsome or attractive he was. That was my inner conscience.

" I didn't change your clothes.Mrs.Smith did. " A round woman stepped forward from the line. She bowed and smiled,standing in the front,

"And this isn't a hotel. I brought you back to my house. " He completed the statement,in his defense.

" Your house? " I had to gulp. I might have been a pauper but I had seen what was supposed to be elite homes before. This was different. Different, as in huge.

I looked around once again and this time my face came, dangerously close to his nose.

I gulped once more.

With my vision all cleared up, his beauty struck my heart like a thunderbolt. How could a male be so pretty?

I didn't realize but I was actually glaring at him and he looked kind of flustered.

" Ahem! Young Master. Since the young miss is already awake, we will take it from here. You can go and rest. You have not even taken a nap since last night, young master. We are worried about your health.The young miss looks weathered.I am sure she will be alright and she will be up and running in no time. "

And the ' Great Wall of Mrs. Smith' came right in between his visuals and my sight.

It was like an eclipse over the bright moon, shining in the night sky.

" Are you sure she will be alright? "

I heard his effort at resisting but I knew it was as feeble as his voice.

I fell back on the bed as I saw him being escorted out of the room.

The smiling face of Mrs. Smith zoomed in on me, " Are you hungry young miss? "

Her question kind of resonated like a threat.

" No, thanks! "

I tried to sit up but was brutally pushed back on the pillow,

" Rest! " Mrs. Smith ordered with a stern smile." Rest till you have fully recovered. We don't want any trouble later. You will be given full compensation for the accident and after you leave this mansion, you will not know any of us or our young master. "

I moved back as she leaned in. It was a terrifying site. I wanted to run away in that instance but my body would not catch that rhyme. I was still too weak.

Her hands came towards me as I ducked in fright. Was that about to land in a slap?

Phew! It didn't. Instead, she patted my head.

" You look like a clever child. I wish you all the best in your life. Rest assured that you will be able to do things that you never tried in your entire life with the money that you will carry out of this place, in your bag. "

This time I didn't miss the sparkle from her golden tooth as she tucked me in like a little child.

Mira's POV -

" Mira, do it properly. I should be able to see my face in each of them. They should be shining. "

I rolled my eyes . She should have all her mirrors replaced with these pots. She was obsessed with her utensils. She was the latest inclusion in my woe list.

This was my fifth day, working in that corner motel.

The pay wasn't that good but I wanted to work because only that way would I be able to be somewhere till my school got over.

I couldn't kill my mother by telling her that I had made up my mind to not go to that school anymore. Not after the humiliation that Braze made me suffer.

I had no idea how I would react if I saw him again. Would I break down crying again or would I kick his balls?

I had to make up very spicy excuses to satiate my mother. Luckily, she was out of town when I was knocked out in that handsome boy's house.

The offer was very tempting but somehow, I managed to trigger my stupid morality and ended up not taking the money.

Let me correct myself. I was just being stupid, there was no morality involved. That was compensation money, you idiot Mira. That lad wanted to cover his crime up.

But my main regret was not rejecting the money, it was, not even knowing his name.

I kept looking at the clock, waiting for my shift to get over and finally when it did, I ran straight inside the restroom, to change back into my school uniform.

I did that everyday, for five days straight.

I left home with my school bag , dress and shoe on. And I came back home the same way. What I did in between, I was successfully able to hide for the time being.

But being successful consecutively was suspicious for someone as unlucky as me.

The thunder clouds clapped right above me as soon as I tried getting out of the place.

I had seen people cowering here and there when they saw a lighting or heard a loud clap. For me, however, it was like a romantic ballet.

I loved the scent of the rain and the electric charge in the air when it thundered.

It felt like they talked to me , on a personal level. It felt like they knew me very well, to the level of my goosebumps.

So I just spared a glance at the sky and darted out, soaking once more.

There was another thing. It always rained when I cried or maybe, I cried when it rained.

I was walking straight up ahead, my bag tucked between my hands, pressed tightly over my chest.

I was walking straight ahead when I heard loud honking.

At first I didn't pay much attention.

But then they came closer. Their bikes splashed muddy water all over my dress. As I looked at them from the corner of my eyes, I realized the mess that I was in.

It was a gang.

I could see the one-eyed symbol on all their jackets. They reeked of alcohol and their laughs were sending a shiver down my spine.

The gangs were basically individual groups that belonged to the underworld. But unlike the mafia system, they had no principles or morals. They were so savage that even the police kept themselves aloof.

They usually didn't bother the local population. They raced, they drank, they kept themselves high on weed most of the time.

However, they sometimes went hunting.

It was like a game to them.

They did it when they were bored.

Nobody wanted to be hunted by them. We had all heard stories about the bodies that were retrieved , after they were done.

I tried keeping my head low and kept walking straight up ahead as if I didn't even know that I was being watched.

My legs were unsteady but I kept pushing.

I, even, broke into a full run. That might have been a mistake.

One of the engines roared as the bike came right in front of me, blocking my walk.

I fell a couple of steps back, but I bumped right into some of them.

I was surrounded.

This time, I looked up. I looked around.

There were half a dozen of them. The road was completely empty. There was no hope for help.

I was like a timid, helpless calf, surrounded by wild wolves, who were drooling with lust, their fangs bared, ready to attack.