DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES...

Chapter 1.

Riddhi Harshad Panchal

Dear Miss Panchal,

Congratulations!

You have been selected for Thakersey scholarship...... We are sure that this scholarship will help you live your dreams, study well and achieve all of your goals.......

Riddhi caresses her fingers on the printed paper for the third time this morning to make herself believe that her hardwork and prayers have finally been answered. Two more years and she will live her dreams with her flesh and soul. Her only dream is to be an English Literature Proffesor. To become another like Mrs. Pramila Kulkarni, who inspired and supported her on each and every step she took to follow her dreams. It was easy for Mrs. Kulkarni to help her as she is indeed hardworking and a smart girl. She has to be. She is the oldest kid in her family and her father doesn't earn much money to bare the education expenses of two children. She is proud to have a father like him who puts aside his dreams to be with his family and do what he can to make their dreams come true.

" Riddhi...."

"Coming MAA!" She yells back hurriedly, putting the letter back in its cover. Her mother's urgent voice indicates that she will be late for work. She works in a bookshop which helps her in two ways. First, to cope with financial issues and second, to serve as her only hobby. After tossing a diary in her hand bag she hangs it over her shoulder so it rests her waist. Leaving her room she grows excited as she is looking forward to what this new day will teach her.

Her father is already having his cup of tea accompanied with a newspaper. When he sees his daughter his eyes widen with delight.

" Hey dear! Ready for the new day?" he cheerfully asks his only daughter.

"Yessss! What about my dear father?" She greets back, emphasizing her answer.

"Riddhi, you remember how I promised you a gift for when you get the scholarship?" Her Father places the question with delight and pride in his eyes.

"Oh Come on Dad, You don't have to buy me anything, I have everything if I have you people." She honestly appreciates her father's generosity but knowing that they don't have much money she denies the idea of a gift.

"Stop being all goody-goody OK? Look there's a sale for Mobile phones and you really need new one. So tell me what you think?"

Mr. Panchaal moves the open newspaper to her daughter and points towards the advertisement. Riddhi follows the pointing finger and is really impressed by the ad. Suddenly some bold letters caught her attention on the opposite page.

"An Accountant Murdered His Employer For The Prize Money Offered By His Competitor"

What is so significant about these headlines? After all, these things are really very common in the competitive world. You know, murdering people and especially for earning big amounts of money. But two names catch her eyes and they are "SURAT" and "ANUJ JARIWALA". There is something about those names which make her curious so she decides to read the whole article.

" Riddhi? What happened baby? Don't you like it???" Her Father's question breaks her reverie.

"Ya dad its... its amazing." Her stuttering gives her father a feeling of trouble.

" Are you Ok? Sure you want this?"

" Ya Dad, I am fine and honestly I love it. You should buy it as soon as possible." She hurriedly hides her feelings and wears her 'Perfect Daughter' facade. Mr. Panchaal smiles and kissed his daughters forehead.