Renaming Destiny : Apsara To Myla

The Ride Back And More

Myla's POV

We were on our way back to my home as Ashwin drove us back there in complete silence. I looked out of the window and saw the others right in front of us. I sighed and sunk into my seat. Ashwin's words were still ringing in my ear in the silence making me think back to everything that had happened from day 1. He was my best friend since childhood and he was always there with me whenever I was in need of help. I never thought of him that way as I already had his brother in mind. Looking back now, it was always quite clear that he liked me. 

He was the one who always warned me about his brother. He was my only support that evening when all hell broke loose. He was always with me even after I left India. Even his mother thought I was in love with him. Now, the whole world thinks so too. Suddenly, I realized what the others in India would be thinking about me. I face-palmed myself and tsked. 

"What's wrong?", he asked. I lifted my head up and said, "Ashwin, you coming here might have started a whole new show in India. I feel ashamed about what the others might be thinking. 'She wanted the elder brother but when she couldn't have him, she went for the younger one'. I can't take this anymore!!!", I felt my throat tightening as I said those words. He sighed, "It had already started when we left India", I turned to him. 

"It was Varun. He saw me texting you in Aniket Bhaiyya's wedding and had broken my phone. Then he never spoke to me again. Then in Paris, when they saw us together, we had another fight in the hotel. I left him with a bruised eye and fractured arm", he said in a low voice as if he was ashamed of it. My eyes widened when I heard his words. "His family left Paris and weren't around even for the celebrations at the other hotel", he completed. 

I placed my hand on my head and looked out of the window. "And when you left for here? What did they say?", I saw him grip the wheel tighter when he heard my question. "Nothing", he whispered. I turned to him and said, "Ashwin. I need to know what happened there", he looked annoyed and said, "It doesn't matter. Don't worry-"

"It does, Ashwin. I deserve to know"

"Listen to me, Apsara. It is better if you don't know about it-"

"Ashwin, stop the car", he kept driving the car and I yelled, "STOP THE FUCKING CAR, ASHWIN!", he hit the brakes and we stopped with a jerk on the side of the road. He had his head down all the time I spoke, "All of this is happening because of me and I need to know what exactly is happening there, Ashwin. I have done enough harm to everyone. I do not want to damage everything for everyone anymore".

"Apsara, you are not doing anything wrong. You are not damaging or hurting anyone. That is what I told you that day. That is what I'll tell you all my life. You spoke about how you felt and they made you the villain. And whatever is happening there, they deserve it. All of them. For not understanding you. For not giving you one chance. I was there every single day to hear them speak shit about you when I know the only person who deserved that kind of treatment was my own brother. You want to know what happened that evening and everything after that, right? Listen to me".

I looked at him as he started, "They were all at my house after the party, trying to talk to Akanksha who was crying on how her special day was spoiled by you. They spoke bad about you, blamed your hormones, said that they weren't expecting that from you when the man you thought you were in love with was quiet and kept agreeing with everything they said. I lost control and hit him. Multiple times. Until they had to take us to the hospital. When I came back from the hospital, I came to your house first and that was when I heard that you were leaving. After you left, Aniket Bhaiyya covered up everything about the party and not one word was let out". 

His anger was visible in his voice and I was shocked too. I had never ever seen him angry before. His ears had turned red and his lips were moving too fast as if he just wanted to get over with saying it all to me. "Then they disowned you and that brought another fight. I was the only one who ever said anything against them and their decisions. Everyone else said it was their personal matters and kept quiet. So, if you really are harming someone, it is them and I am glad it is them".

I looked at him quietly as he turned to the road and put his head on the steering wheel. I shifted in my seat and looked out of the window. "I was so stupid", I said. I felt my throat getting tighter and my eyes turning wet. "I thought he actually liked me, Ashwin. I was such an idiot! I destroyed my life", I cried as he scooped me into his arms. I cried in his chest until I felt normal again. It was probably the drinks making me say all that. I pulled away and cupped his cheeks as my vision blurred a little. "You were the only one", I said and he kissed my hand. I let him go and sat back in my seat. 

"Take me home", I said and that was all I remembered before I went into deep sleep and the next time I opened my eyes, it was a bright morning and I was still in the previous night's dress. I took a long shower and walked downstairs to see that everyone had left. It was only my brother in the living room. "Oh! You're up", he said as he scrolled on his phone. I thanked Cheryl for the coffee and sipped on it while feeling suspicious of her big, bright smile. "Where is everyone?", I asked. 

"Luca and the others left. Isabella's wedding is very soon and they had a lot to prepare for. Mom and Dad are at the agency for the press meet regarding the next show in America. And my dear wife is with her parents today", I nodded and asked, "Ashwin...and his family?", he smiled looking at his phone and looked at me teasingly. "They left to India last night. Speaking of last night, don't you remember anything?", worry grew in me. 

"What did I do this time?", he laughed. "Oh! Nothing", I stood up to go sit beside him and asked nicely again. He finally gave up and said, "You, apparently, passed out in the car and he brought you to the house, bridal style", I slapped his shoulder and said, "Why do you make everything so dirty? He was just helping out his friend!".

"Well, it looked like he was helping out his girlfriend. But who am I to judge?!", I looked at him in surprise. "So, if I go out with someone now, you won't be worried for me?", he looked up from his phone and replied, "If you go out with Ashwin, I will not be worried", I lifted my eyes in surprise and said, "Wow! Never thought I would live a day to hear this", and got up to leave to the gym. I had to workout a lot as I had a lot to eat last night. "In fact, I will support you if you decide to marry him. He's a nice guy", I was surprised but just nodded.

After a long workout session, I only came back home when I had no energy left in me to move a finger. I took a long shower and got ready for our journey to the USA. It had been a long time since I had done a show there. I was excited. After a comparatively short journey, we reached our venue and I took a long nap to prepare for the show I had for tomorrow. I checked my phone, first thing in the morning and saw a text from Ashwin. 

I am here to cheer for you, Ms. Myla Moretti!

I smiled at his text and prepared for the day. Like for any other show, my makeup, hair and outfit was perfect. I was wearing a black gown with semi-sweetheart neckline of lace and the rest of the gown until my waist was set like a corset. Satin material was used for the rest of the gown and a huge bow with the red satin fabric was made near my thighs. It had a mermaid cut near my knees where the bow was placed and even though it was difficult for me to walk around a lot in it, I looked like a doll. I remembered my first runway show for which I had worn a gown in the same colors but of a very different pattern. My hair was tied in an elegant bun and diamond jewelry adorned my neck and ears. The bright red lipstick looked good with the red satin material at the end of the gown.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror. For some reason, I felt on alert. I assumed it was because Ashwin was there out in the crowd and his unintentional confession still had an effect on me and brushed it off. I walked out like any other time as soon as it was my turn. The show was a huge one and therefore, we had a really long runway. I was walking in my signature style when I felt a sharp pain in my heel. But I was on the runway in front of countless eyes and flashing cameras. So, I tried to ignore it and continue the show. But, suddenly, I lost control and I fell to the ground. Immediately, some people ran to help me up but a loud sound from the audiences which sounded like a gunshot resonated in the whole place making me cover my ears. All eyes fell on me and then behind me. 

I turned around and saw the model behind me was on the floor as red, thick blood seeped out of a fresh wound in his chest. It took me no time to know that it was aimed for me and looked around to find who it was. The people were running everywhere and another loud boom was heard again but this time, it was louder than the first one and the people started running everywhere in search of the exit. 

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Who expected that?

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