Boston, USA

Radhica was standing with a plate of food in her hand. On the other hand, the man was just holding a glass of drink. As their words came out at the same time, they looked at each other with more scrutinizing eyes. Each of them was trying to find out the similarities between their old memories. Their partially changed features couldn't hide their age-old known appearances.

A small smile erupted on both of their lips as they looked at each other once more.

"I didn't expect you here, that too with such a lovely change in your appearance." That man's statement played like a childish note to Radhica.

"I didn’t expect you also that too being so well muscled."

Both of them cracked up after the exchange of mocking tones.

"Radhica, what are you doing here?"

"Studying. What else can I do?" She spoke with a big smile on her face.

"And you? Finding new girls here too?" She couldn’t let go of the chance of pulling his leg.

"Oh... It hurts...” The man pointed his chest with his index finger while saying that. He was Radhica's childhood friend Vidyut Mittal. They grew up in the same neighborhood. Vidyut was a chubby rather fat boy who had fewer friends during his childhood days. Radhica was his closest one as both of their parents were quite good friends. With time that chubby Vidyut transformed into a handsome hunk. But Radhica remained the same. As Vidyut mentioned, she hadn't changed much till now and remained the same cute old one, she eventually blushed. Vidyut came towards her and hugged her as Radhica kept the plate aside. Both of them started sharing different news about their life. After high school, Vidyut's father sent him to Germany for higher studies. Completing his graduation and other management courses he had founded his company here in Boston. Jena's husband was Vidyut's friend since he had settled in Boston. They lived in the same neighborhood. As their continuous communication grew interesting Vidyut couldn't help but ask her a question.

"Why did you just vanish after 12th standard? I tried to contact your father; he said you got married to Mr. Awasthi. He was quite senior. And why did you marry so early?"

Radhica kept her lips sealed for some time. Why couldn't her past just leave her? It was not Vidyut's fault that he had asked such questions. A friend with whom she grew up if got to know something weird, definitely question would be raised in his mind. But opening up the dirty secrets of her marriage was not a good choice in that happy moment.

"Long story. Leave it Vidyut." Radhica spoke reluctantly.

"Ok. Fine. So when are you going to introduce your husband to me? Is here with you?"

Radhica looked at Vidyut with a more questionable expression. Didn't he hear about her divorce? Though for the last 5 years there was no communication between them and Vidyut was mostly in Germany. But didn't his parents inform him about her divorce? They would have read the newspaper and got the information. Though Radhica didn't step into her parents’ house that couldn't just stop the news to spread like fire.

"Vidyut are you not aware of anything?"

Now the tables got turned. Vidyut looked at her pale face and noticed something unusual. He hadn't heard from her for long. Every time he tried to contact her he was failed. She wasn't there on social media; even her parents didn't share her contact number. There must be something wrong with her and the marriage. And Radhica looked indifferent now, she was not carrying a married look. Though it was not at all required to carry such things as per his thought process.

"Radhica, could you please tell me what exactly had happened?"

"Vidyut, I got divorced two years back." Her trembling voice reached his ears making him flinch at his place.

"Fuck. What?"

Radhica explained the situation by hiding ninety percent of the story. She stated that the marriage took place under some unexpected situation which led them to a loveless marriage. He didn't stop her from studying further and when she got graduated they decided to part ways for their betterment.

Abhimanyu was always in love with someone else. She hid that fact and also how badly she was treated or humiliated. She hid how she found his affairs and his cold shoulders towards her. She didn't disclose how Abhimanyu divorced her without discussing it with her. Because there was no point in putting someone in the courtroom seeking justice. Everyone had their choice but at least he could have denied the marriage earlier. Instead of hurting her for three years, he could have sacrificed his greed, benefits, and his vengeance. But Radhica tactfully hid them all with her smile.

"Why didn't you go back to your parents' house then?"

Vidyut got her weakest nerve. He smelled something fishy in the entire story. Though he is currently Boston-based that doesn't mean he had never heard of Abhimanyu. Of course, his name came in Forbes too as a successful businessman from India. But he never heard him speaking about his wife in any press meet. It felt like his wife had never existed. He didn't know the reason for the marriage but seeing Radhica in front of him, his eyes held a lot of emotions.

"Because I felt it is better to be independent in life. And if I would have moved into my parents' house things might have turned ugly. You know right constant phone calls of reporters and all."

Radhica lied as much as she could. But deep in her heart, she knew her family wouldn't accept her in that time if she would have barged into their house. Who would accept a divorced daughter that too without any prior intimation? Brushing off her thoughts she spoke again.

"Leave it Vidyut, let's talk about you."

"I just wonder Radhica, what kind of asshole a person can be to leave a girl or woman like you. Believe me, he would regret it."

"I don't want any of us to regret. Let's just be happy in our individual lives." A charming smile on Radhica’s face made Vidyut believes how strong she had become."

"By the way, you could have at least told me or called me during all these days."

"Sorry. I lost all contacts." Again another lie left her mouth. How could she tell the reality to Vidyut? She was not given a phone at the beginning after her marriage. Abhimanyu destroyed her old phones and made her cut ties with all of her friends. She was later given a phone but one single contact of any unknown person and she had to undergo a tremendous interrogation type procedure. He manipulated her by saying that being the wife of a billionaire she couldn't just give her contact no to random people. She must not keep in communication with others to avoid leaking any information that the media could mold for their TRP. Being an 18 year naive she believed them but with time she understood it was just his game plan to isolate her. He made her feel claustrophobic. His ego came in between to allow her to have freedom. She had to fight a lot for her admission to Delhi University. In that situation, even the idea of calling Vidyut might bring another storm in her life. Even once he had doubted her with her professor too. But at this moment she would prefer not to remember those dark days.

"Fine. Now give me your contact number and for god's sake don't hesitate to call me for anything."

Vidyut's words touched her heart. Some friendships are worth remembering and so does the bond.

“Vidyut, I have a single request. Please never inform any of my parents or your parents about me. Don’t let them know about my existence.”

Her pleading was more painful than her spoken words. He looked at her carefully. What made her cut all her ties like this? What made her stay away from her family and other loved ones? But whatever the reason was he understood one thing for sure that her decision should be respected no matter what.

“Fine. Apart from me, no one would know about you. But promise me you wouldn’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.” He knew no matter how far India has reached still a divorcee is always looked at differently, especially if it is a girl.

Radhica nodded with a big smile.

Exchanging the contact number they started having the dinner together when Miley arrived at that venue.

"Was watching you from a distant girl, but didn’t want to interfere in your long conversation." Miley's words were always straightforward. Looking at Miley Radhica replied,

"I know, I will be always under your watch. My protector. By the way, meet Vidyut Mittal, he is my childhood friend."

Vidyut extended his hand with a "Hi" word. Miley greeted by shaking his hand and asked one more question.

"Is your friend is born nerd?"

"Miley....." Radhica shouted when Vidyut replied.

"Yes. And she got hurt on her head too in her childhood. Sometimes you might find her crying over nothing or something."

As they both laughed together Liam joined too and introduced himself to Vidyut. After seeing Vidyut once Miley already doubted his appearance. She was continuously thinking about where exactly she had seen him. All of a sudden a picture flashed in front of her. His photo came in a business magazine where a list of emerging businessmen was published a month back. Vidyut Mittal's name was in the top 10 list.

"Are you the man whose picture came in Boston Business magazine?" Miley couldn't suppress her excitement.

"I think yes." Vidyut chuckled.

"Radhica you didn't tell me you have such a handsome rich friend." Hearing that statement Radhica's cheek got red. This girl would never have any filter in her mouth.

"Miley. How would I know the chubby kid from my childhood would become like this one day? That too a handsome hunk. You should see his old pictures once."

"Don't you dare Radhica? I would bring out your old pictures too where your nose was running and you were running behind me to clean it on my shirt." One mocked anger and his words made Radhica silent.

"You never told that you had such a bad habit."

Liam couldn't stop his laugh as he spoke his words.

"You know Liam, forget about my actions. He was such a foodie that all the time my entire tiffin box used to be emptied by him only."

Radhica felt an unknown satisfaction after gaining a point. She had patted her shoulder for such a lovely winning point. Seeing Vidyut and his well-built current figure nobody can understand how foodie he was during his childhood days. They were in the same school so Radhica had to bear his little notorious acts. Miley and Liam were happy seeing Radhica with Vidyut. At least someone from her country is here now. During the conversation, Vidyut no more uttered any words about Radhica's marriage, but he was mentally cursing Abhimanyu for his impulsive decision.

The night grew old with their memories and happiness. Radhica felt a different peace in her mind. Why all such good things are happening now? Just after leaving her toxic marriage? Will it last? What if something comes again to snatch away whatever she has? Ian, Austin, Vidyut, Miley, and Liam can't lose any of them. Especially Ian. No matter what, that's the closest one to her heart. No way could she even bear the thought of losing Ian.

But at the back of her mind, she was anticipating something else too. Something was knocking her subconscious mind thoroughly. Anxiety was building in her mind. What if she meets him again? But he must not know about her and as per her knowledge, he wouldn't bother about her. What if he pops up like a comet again in her life? Will she survive this time?