It was a cool winter morning. Anaya was walking home from her neighborhood gym. Very few showed their presence on the street. Suddenly, a motorcyclist stopped his bike next to her, removed a bottle from his jacket, and splashed acid on her face. She screamed- the searing pain was unlike anything she had ever experienced. A burning agony had consumed her entire being. The realization of what had happened hit her like a lightning bolt.
As Anaya stumbled, people around rushed towards her, their steps quickening with every anguished cry she let out. One of them called her father, “Come quickly, it’s about Anaya … something terrible has happened to her.” Meanwhile, someone called for an ambulance and the police.
Her father, Mr. Ravi Goswami, raced through the street, his heart pounding with fear. The sight of Anaya crumpled on the ground shattered him. He fell to his knees, his hands shaking as he tried to comfort her, tears streaming down his face. The ambulance arrived immediately and made its way to the nearest hospital. After reaching the hospital, she is immediately admitted to the operating theatre.
Anaya was the only child of her parents. She had lost her mother three years ago in an accident and had shifted to Mumbai when her father got a chief editor job at a newspaper.
Fate had turned Anaya’s dreams into ash. She had recently won the Miss Maharashtra pageant, a milestone that brought her one step closer to her childhood dream of becoming Miss World. She looked forward to the National competition pageant. She would have been the best candidate for Miss India, embodying an extraordinary blend of exquisite beauty, razor-sharp intelligence, unwavering confidence, and a profound commitment to social welfare.
A few days before the disastrous day, Mr. Goswami received a call from a politician demanding that he stop printing the investigative story on the drug mafia racket in the city, or else he would face severe repercussions. Goswami was an honest journalist; always sincere in his work. The drug racket was rapidly spreading in the city’s colleges and the police were working diligently on it, with Goswami regularly updating the public. When the police gathered evidence against the minister, they issued a warrant and arrested him. However, he was released on bail. With elections approaching, the revelations in the newspaper were highly inconvenient for the unscrupulous minister.
Goswami waited outside the operation theatre, praying for his daughter’s life. He was certain the vicious minister’s act had put his innocent daughter in such a situation. After five long hours, the doctors shifted Anaya to the ICU and explained to her father her condition. Several surgeries had been performed, and while she was out of danger, her face was badly burnt, which would permanently alter her appearance.
Her father received another call from an unknown number. “You are lucky your daughter is alive. We warned you not to be a saint of honesty. Now, see your daughter suffering. If you ever try to dig into these matters again or go to the police, we won’t leave her alive”, a harsh voice spoke. Before Goswami could reply, the call was cut off. He tried calling back, but it was switched off. He tried to track the number, but it couldn’t be traced.
Mr. Desilva, the DSP was his close friend and always supported him in high-risk investigations. He was closely supervising the investigation. Nobody could see the biker’s face because of the helmet, and the number plate was blank. Mr. Goswami informed the DSP about the call and the blackmail regarding the drug mafia case. Mr. Desilva assured him of Anaya’s security.
Hours after Anaya came to her senses, Mr. Goswami sat beside her. Her face was bandaged, and she was on IV support. The doctor told her to be strong, but she couldn’t control herself, and tears started rolling. After explaining the necessary precautions, the doctor left. Goswami couldn’t utter a word; his words were stuck in his throat. Only his daughter’s eyes could be seen, rest of the face was bandaged.
Anaya took the courage and spoke, “Dad, don’t worry, we shall deal with this. I know I won’t be able to contest for the Miss India pageant, but I am alive, and that is a lot for me.” Hearing her courageous words, he held her hands and spoke softly, “I am sorry, dear. If I had listened to them and not published those articles, you would not be in these circumstances. Years ago, your mom paid for my social work. You were young, and I didn’t tell you the truth. It was not an accident; it was murder- a result of my actions in objecting to the illegal chemical factory in our village.” Anaya cried silently.
After a month, Anaya was discharged. Her father arranged for a regular nurse to attend to all her medical needs. Anaya shuns the mirror at home, it reminds her of her dreams. She avoids meeting people as she hates narrating the story and feels upset when people pity her. Only her close friends visit her regularly, diverting her attention to movies and online shopping.
Meanwhile, Mr. Goswami considers leaving his job, but Anaya persuades him otherwise, though he fears taking more risks. The police, despite knowing the suspect, lack evidence against the minister. To make matters worse, the minister is re-elected as an MLA, and transfers Mr. Desilva, the DSP, to another state.
Anaya was once the picture of grace and confidence but now struggles with herself. It’s not only about her beauty but the million dreams she had.
Her father, once the proud and fearless editor who fought against corruption and crime, was forced to abandon his job for her safety. She saw the guilt and helplessness in his eyes, knowing he blamed himself for her suffering. He had always been a pillar of strength, and now he was crumbling under the pressure of protecting her.
Mr. Goswami’s sister, Arundhati, who was settled in the United States urged them to continue Anaya’s medical treatment there for better facilities. One year after the catastrophic event, Anaya and her father moved to the United States. With her aunt’s help, Anaya opted for skin grafting, a process that spanned two years. While it didn’t restore her old, alluring face, it gave her more confidence than the face she had seen in the mirror one month after the incident.
After this, Anaya resolves to find a new purpose. She tells her father, “Dad, I have decided, I will continue my studies in mass communication in India. But I no longer want to go back to Mumbai, that city has many dark colors to remind me. We shall go to Darjeeling, one of my friends stays there, she says it’s a beautiful place, with a more relaxed pace of life, which can be a refreshing change”.
Goswami agreed to Anaya and moved to Darjeeling. Indeed, Darjeeling won both their hearts with its magnificent mountains and breathtaking scenery.
Anaya’s college mates noticed her grafted skin, slightly uneven in texture and tone, but she told them it was due to an accidental spill of boiling water. She didn’t want her past to follow her to the new place. She liked her college; her eyes shone with new hope. She studied passionately.
The days blurred into months and years, and finally, Anaya achieved her Mass communication degree. She felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and renewed hope.
Now, she stands proudly at the local radio station, conducting live interviews. Anaya’s skills are exceptional; her ability to ask insightful questions with a pinch of humor excites her audience. She actively listens to her guests, making them feel comfortable and valued. Her calm demeanor and genuine interest in her subjects enable her to craft compelling stories.
One fine day, she is assigned to interview Mr. Rohit Gupta, the famous entrepreneur, who is holidaying at the hill station. As usual, she thoroughly researches him and prepares the questionnaire. The interview proceeds smoothly, showcasing Rohit’s inspiring journey. After the interview, something unusual happens- Rohit asks her for coffee. She becomes confused, as no guy has asked her for coffee in a long time.
She accepts his invitation and meets him at a nearby coffee shop. Rohit appears polite and unpretentious, and she finds herself drawn to his presence from the first meeting. Yet one question lingers in her mind: why did he want to go out with her?
Rohit extends his vacation in Darjeeling. They meet regularly now and develop a strong friendship.
She reveals her past to him. She had not shared it with anyone in Darjeeling, but with him, she finds herself comfortable and at ease. Rohit understands and tells her softly, “Anaya, hearing about your past only deepens my admiration for you. It’s incredible how you’ve progressed, turning your life into a testament of strength and resilience. Remember, the past is just a chapter of your story. Physical beauty is but a fleeting trait, what truly makes you beautiful is your attitude, your unwavering spirit, and the kindness you exude. Your personality shines brilliantly, and that is what truly captivates and inspires those around you.”
Anaya’s heart swells with an unexpected warmth as she listens to Rohit. A radiant smile spreads across her face, and a delicate blush colors her cheeks. She feels her spirit lift, and a newfound confidence glows in her eyes, reflecting the beauty he so eloquently described.
Finally, the inevitable moment arrived when Rohit was compelled to journey back to Mumbai, resuming the rhythmic cadence of his profession.
Anaya goes to meet Rohit at his hotel to bid him farewell. On her way there, she feels something unfamiliar yet unmistakable stirring in her heart- special feelings for Rohit, feelings that transcend friendship. She hopes against hope that he might extend his stay or that something will occur to prevent his departure.
At the hotel, Rohit waits for her. When she arrives, he expresses how special she is to him, and they share a heartfelt moment. As his vehicle arrives, Rohit gives her a warm hug and hands her a bouquet of red roses.
Back home, when Anaya tells her dad about Rohit, he feels happy for her, but a vague fear also lingers in his mind. He sees his daughter smiling with joy and decides to keep his little fears to himself, sharing her happiness instead.
Talking daily has become part of the routine for Anaya and Rohit. Each conversation deepens their bond, revealing the intense, compassionate connection blossoming between them. Their fondness for each other grows with each passing day, and the understanding they show is profound. Eventually, they confess their love for each other.
Image source: Photo by Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash.
After a few days, Rohit visits Darjeeling and meets Anaya. Rohit starts the conversation, “Anaya, I wanted to confess something to you.” Anaya feels a mixture of curiosity and slight nervousness. However, she replies with a gentle nod, “Yes, Rohit, I’m here for you. You can share whatever is on your mind, I’m ready to listen”.
Rohit takes a deep breath and says, “Eight years ago, a massive storm hit my life. My dad’s business went through a sudden downfall, my mom’s cancer treatment was ongoing, and many of my dad’s clients had pending payments. My younger brother and I were still in school, and although relatives helped, more funds were needed. With no other options, Dad took a loan, mortgaging our house and property. The loan covered my mom’s treatment and some client payments. Mom’s condition was deteriorating, and doctors said she needed to be hospitalized, which required a lot of money. My dad couldn’t take it and committed suicide.
I didn’t know what to do, I tried applying for part-time jobs, but they required a minimum of twelfth standard education. I came across a gang of boys involved in pickpocketing and joined them in the hope of saving my mom. But the little money I was getting didn’t help. I asked those boys if they could arrange more money for Mom, promising to return it in due course. The head of the gang took me to a man whose face was masked. He asked me to do a very shameful act, for which I’m dying inside to this day. I don’t know how to tell you.”
Anaya listened patiently, “Go on, Rohit. I’m listening.”
Rohit continued, looking away from Anaya’s eyes, “He gave me a photograph of a beautiful girl with her address and handed me a bottle of acid, asking me to throw it on her. He gave me half the money in advance and promised the rest once the job was done. I came home with the money and acid, but my conscience was totally against it. I decided I would inform the girl and return the money. The next morning, I got a call from the same person. Before I could say anything, he blackmailed me, saying that if the job wasn’t done within two hours, they would kill my younger brother. There was no chance I could inform the police or anyone, they had an eye on me.
I was in a total dilemma, my hands were shaking and my mind wasn’t working, I checked the address on the photograph, took my dad’s bike, and splashed the acid on her.”
He started crying and covered his face. Anaya’s eyes filled with tears, and she desperately hoped it wasn’t true.
“It was you, Anaya. It was I, the devil, who ruined your future. I came home that day but had lost my soul. I hospitalized my mom and got the remaining money, but couldn’t breathe freely after that day. That money was dirty; it didn’t help my mom. She died after one month.”
Anaya tried to speak through her sobs, “Rohit, I can’t believe all this. So, all this love, everything was a drama?”
“No Anaya, it wasn’t. I was overwhelmed with guilt all these years, but I couldn’t do anything for you. When I met you during the interview, I gathered the courage to confess and called you for coffee. But I was getting impressed with your personality and didn’t want to remind you of the old wounds. Our closeness and friendship bloomed into love.”
Anaya replied furiously, “I don’t want to have any relationship with you in the future. Please leave me alone and never try to contact me again. Your face will only dig into my wounds again. Please leave.”
“Anaya, I don’t expect anything from you, but I’ll have peace of mind for confessing the truth to you. Sorry is a small word. Tell me if there’s any way I can repent.”
“Nothing, Rohit. There is nothing you can do for me now. Please go from here.”
Rohit, with his head bent, leaves the place in sorrow.
After returning home from meeting Rohit, Anaya sits with her father and recounts the emotional turmoil of her encounter. Listening intently, her father gently asks, “Can you find it in your heart to forgive him, knowing the reasons behind his actions? Perhaps you should give some time to the relationship; his love is honest.”
Anaya, with tears welling up in her eyes, replies, “Dad, it’s not about forgiveness. I forgave him long before I even knew who the culprit was, as I learned to during my self-healing sessions in the US. The issue isn’t about forgiveness; it’s about all the memories that came flooding back with his confession and the fact that I love him. That’s what I can’t face.”
On the other hand, Rohit returns to Mumbai, his heart lightened by the revelation, yet burdened by the pain he caused Anaya with the truth. He wonders if she will ever want to see him again, grappling with the hope that their paths might cross once more despite the scars left by his confession.
A year later, Anaya visits Delhi for a seminar, coincidentally on the same day Rohit has a business meeting there. As fate would have it, they see each other at the airport.
Their hearts gleamed with joy; the love that had always resided in their hearts was undeterred by distance and silence.
As they walk toward each other, the anticipation builds until they finally stand face-to-face, momentarily speechless. Despite the past hurt, Anaya couldn’t deny the flutter of happiness seeing Rohit again.
Anaya breaks the silence with a warm smile, “How are you, Rohit?”
“I’m doing well. How is your dad?” he asks, his voice tinged with genuine concern.
“He’s good,” she replies.
Rohit, struggling to find the right words, blurts out, “How is that coffee shop we visited last year?”
Anaya chuckles softly, “They have turned it into a restaurant, everybody loves the food there.” Gathering his courage, Rohit asks, “I’m visiting Darjeeling this weekend. Would you like to join me for dinner at that restaurant?”
Anaya’s eyes light up, and she answers with a heartfelt, “Yes, of course”.