...Disclaimer:All the characters, places and events mentioned in this novel are fictional. No such places and people exist in real."...

"The sun seems heatless when the heart is frozen."

Month is July and time is morning. The sun, aligned at the corner of the sky was spreading its dazzling light all over the globe.

Shit! The sun is about to reach its peak yet I haven't watered my plants yet. They may die of thirst. As soon as my mind birthed the thought of my plants, I rolled up from my bed and tied my hair in a ponytail. I walked into kitchen and grabbed the sprinkler, filled it with water and rushed to my balcony. ''Oh my poor shrubs! summer is demon for you. Sucking your blood up. Don't worry your savior is here.'' I used my power vessel and gave the power tonic one by one to my little plants.

As my tiny shrubs were soaking up the water ,I was gazing at them.

From my childhood, I always liked decorating my balcony with different seasonal plants as looking at them makes me happy and in this summer, there is turn of yellow marigold, red roses and basil plant but among all the plants here what caught my eyes were some deaddried flowers.

I slightly touched the dried petals of marigold. my lips smirked a little . These flowers make me remind of best memories of my life. My sweet memories with my father. But they also brought back the sight of sour flashbacks. " Dad, my strength is about to die like these flowers " I muttered.

My mind is filled with a sea of thoughts

The ring of the phone reached to my ears making my whole body jerked out of thoughts . Straighten up , i picked the phone from a small stool residing in a corner.

As soon as ,she read the name ,her heart started trying to make its way out of the chest. Eyes which were empty a second ago filled with fear.

Inhaling a deep breath along with the courage, she picked up the call.

" Hello, Doctor Abhay,'' She asked, ''Is everything alright. Did my mom wake up.'' She clenched the cloth of her skirt.

The other side didn't gave a reply for some seconds.

''Aster, please visit me after your shift.''

Her heartrace increased. ''Why, Uncle. Is my Mom okay. ''She cried out, ''Is my Mom alright.'' Legs were about to lose their strength.

''Aster, please calm down. I have already talked to your grandfather. '' The doctor responded, ''But the final decision should be yours.''

''What decision.''

''Just come here.'' The doctor pleaded.

Aster pulled herself together and asked , ''I can't wait that longer. Could I visit now.''

The doctor hesitated. ''Aster I wouldn't be available for 4 to five hours . Atleast visit me after 3'o clock.''

''The spring is about to come....The spring is about to come.... '' While reciting these words , she packed her bag, filled the bucket of Richie ,her dog with food, took her keys and left.

Sitting on a chair besides a hospital bed, Aster patted the wrinkled forehead of a middle-aged woman who was in coma. Her body was pale and thin.

She took the hand of the sleeping lady between the palms of her two hands and pecked it.

''Mom, Please wake up now. It has been four years. Your daughter is so alone.''

''Aster , How are you doing

She rushed inside but what she saw contributed to her fear .

''Mom.'' She screamed.

Her mother was lying on the floor.

She put her hands on her back and slowly supported her to stand up and helped her to lie down on the bed.

''Mom.. '' She patted the old lady's wrinkled forehead like a mother who is worried about her sick child, ''why did you get up from your bed? Don't you know ,you hadn't recovered from fever yet.''

The old lady sighed and laughed.

''I am alright, dear. I just slipped. My fever is long gone.''

''Then, why your body is still burning.''

''My baby doll, it's because I was sleeping with the blanket and it's also hot here. What you expect ,a cold ice.''

''Mom...'' She groaned.

''Baby r

Inside the cafeteria of the college, sitting detached from everyone, Aster took a sip from milk tea and observed the students entering and exiting, sitting and chatting, eating and drinking.... in one word... enjoying the phase of youth.

She unlocked the screen of her phone and scrolled through the hamlet page(an online community).

"Such a wonderful world social media is. Who needs friends at all." She smirked first but after few seconds, her smile shrunk. While taking the last bite of her burger, she checked the time. "Oh! It's almost two. I need to leave now."

She packed her things, got up, holding the cane of milk tea in one hand and bag in other.

She was about to walk, rather a girl whose pear-shaped body was fit in a blue and white striped shirt dress reached to her table.

"Aster... Could we talk?" She said while placing some high-lighted strands of her hair behind the ears.

She was Roshni, the representative of her class.

Aster agreed.

They both grabbed chairs and sat facing each other.

Roshni was drop-head gorgeous. Her brown hair was long and curly, giving best match to her fair skin tone and dark brown iris. She gave poker face for a while, constantly biting and licking her lips, resulting in, Aster to take the initiative to speak first.

"I am pretty sure you didn't sit here to chat with me. We are not that close,"She asked in a low voice gulping her drink,"Looks like you want to talk about something really important. Go on, I am all ears.", continuing sipping from the cane.

Roshni turned away her glares to the other side, breathed a sigh wondering how to continue yet she mustered her courage up and spoke.

"Umm, yes, I want to talk to you about.... I really don't know how to say it."

Aster rolled her eyeballs and heaved a sigh. "As far as I can tell, you want to say something really offensive,"

While broadening a sad smile, "Great! Go on. You won't be the first one. But sadly I am in a hurry now so better make it short."

Roshni seemed shocked to hear this. How could she be so cool about it. Doesn't she afraid I might say something I shouldn't. -she thought.

May be her heart felt the agony of the girl whose heart she was going to shatter, but if it did, she didn't let it overpower her utterance.

"Aster, our project in charge is very impressed with your project. We all are aware, you are a genius when it comes to computers but you know, your face.... I don't want to insult you but......''

Unable to go ahead, so again her oval-face became expressionless.

"But what..." Aster hawked at her, "Just complete it." Her voice expressed bitterness.

"See, you know, this project is very important for our college. I am aware that you worked very hard for this project. But it is true that what appears is sold. And our cruel eyes only want to see beauty."

Roshni softly put her right hand over Aster's hand which she had placed on the table. However her hand, instead of supporting her, gave spiking in her stomach. She understood what was coming ahead was surely not good yet she let it come.

"I know this is harsh but this is the reality of our society. But I assure you that that you will get full credit and money if it gets selected by Cherry Blossom Modelling Enterprises. It is integral to all of us so please..." She paused for a second, exhaled and continued," please let Nina represent it. It will support you too, as I know, your family crisis because of... "

"Enough!" said Aster as she stood up. "You have no right to include my family to prove your point."

Her voice captured the stares of people over there.

"Please don't create a mess here. Sit down so we can talk." Roshni pleaded in a hushed voice.

"I am sorry but I am in a hurry now."

She picked up her black bag and walked away without giving a second look to Roshni. Roshni tried to stop her by holding her hand but she freed her hand with force and ran away leaving Roshni staring at her until she was out of sight.

Roshni puffed out. She took out her phone and called someone.

"Hey! Listen up. She is not agreeing and I am not going to convince her anymore. Please ask someone else to do this." She said to the person on the phone.

She had a feeling of resentment in her voice.

"Only you can do this. I trust your capability and skills." The person on the other line replied in a strict and commanding voice.

"But this is unfair to her."

"We are not here to talk about fair and unfair. Just do your work and let others do theirs."

"But how. What if she complain about us as we both know this is against the rule!"

"Just trigger her weak point."

"I tried that too but it was of no use."

"Then press it more cruelly without any sympathy."

"Hey! That's insane. Stop it. I am not doing it."

"You are! And you know this why."

That person disconnected the phone without giving Roshni any further chance to refuse.

"Apparently, I have to try one more time." She said to herself. She picked up her bag and walked out of the cafeteria.

..........

Aster was a second year IT student in Mount college. She was a genius in developing software applications and websites. But her qualities faded away as soon as someone saw her face. Her face was half-burned, the area of her left cheek to the neck had ugly blotches making everyone feel nauseated whenever they saw her face.

But nature had not been completely unfair to her. Nature had given her long - black wavy hair which, whenever opened, fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders and back, and her deep sparkling orbit shaped eyes which were both black and shiny at the same time like a full moon night.

With agony in her shinny eyes, and running without any destination, Somehow, she crossed the gate of the college. It didn't take long for her pain to make its way from her center to her eyes.

Her eyes became watery and in an instance, tears were running from her eyes to her cheeks. She was running without giving as much as a glance to her surrounding.

Then, she tripped over a stone and fell down. Her hands were on the floor and her whole body was trembling. She was crying without uttering any sound but years of pain and sufferings were visible in her eyes.

A man who was nearby saw her on the ground, came to her and said, "Are you all right, miss? Do you need any help?"

"No, I don't.. don't ... need any help. You can go..go.. now." Her voice was shaking.

"But miss...."

She gathered her strength and held both her fists and stood up. She arranged her hair by placing them behind her ears making her ugly scars visible and as soon as the man looked at them, he wrinkled his nose bridge and raised his cheeks. It was obvious by the changes in his facial expressions that he felt repulsed what he looked.

It didn't take Aster any time to understand the meaning of his expressions as she had seen this look many times. She widened her lips to give a fake but grim smile.

"It's okay, I am well, you should leave now."

The man hesitated to leave her at first but then he went away. He was helpful only until he saw her face.

"Ahh! I know what he feels by looking at my face. I am not fresh to these wounds."

Aster laughed in an agonising way.

"I am fed up. I am really fed up."

She took a bus and sat near the window side, glaring and observing the lives of others. Some shopkeepers on the side road who were trying to sell their products. Some couples holding each other's hands with extreme passion. But her eyes locked the view of some cheerful and bubbly children whose heart were as light as a string of feather.

I wish! I could live as carefree as those juveniles. At least for a single day.

Questions for readers:

What are the traits of beauty?

What do you think about this kind of discrimination?

Why was Roshni doing this?

4.Who was the other person on the phone? Did that person have any bad intentions towards Aster? If so, why?

...In order to get all answers, subscribe to my novel and read it and please give me your valuable feedback....

The bus reached Krishnagali, the stop from where the journey of her feet begun. She bent her arm and checked her watch which showed 2'O clock. It took 20 to 25 minutes to reach her home from college and vice-versa. The building where she lived was in the middle of the city whereas Mount College located in the lap of a small mountain surrounded by a variety of forestal trees.

The sun hid behind the clouds, making a little comfort to the people travelling in such a warm weather of July.

Immerged in thoughts, She even forgot that she had to buy cheese and bread for the other day, as making sandwiches for the breakfast was an easy option.

Why is this happening to me...

She kicked a garbage water bottle lying on the road, resulted in gaining the attention and stares of the people walking around. She also observed them but continued to be on her way.

From her childhood, she was a nerd. When she was ten years, she had developed interest in computer related stuff like hardware, programming, gaming. Years passed and she chose computer science as her career option.

She did her high school in her hometown, 'Lavender Hills' and ranked first in entire town, later, got scholarship and a chance to study in her dream college, Mount college which is also referred to as 'the college of dreams'.

Here appeared the main gate of the 'Sein Diza' building.

She was living here, with her family, in a small apartment from almost one and a half year. This apartment had been bought by her grandfather especially for Aster and her brother so they could study in a good college in 'Amber city'.

"Good evening, Mr. Rohan." She greeted the Watchman of the building who was reading a newspaper.

Mr. Rohan looked up, stared at her for a second and put down his eyes on the paper again. "Good evening." He rapidly said, while grasping the paper with force.

Aster smiled tiredly and went inside the building. Her apartment was on the third floor. She checked the elevator. It was empty so she stepped into it and pushed the 3 button with her forefinger.

There were some people outside Mr. Sharma, her neighbour's door discussing some matters regarding the electricity problem of the building. And seeing her coming made them stopped talking and glaring at her. Some' eyes were filled with loathing and some' with sympathy.

She thought of greeting them but stopped.

She unlocked the door and entered into her home. Her brown and white furry dog, Richie jumped at her and she held him back by placing her arms around his back and kissed him.

Dogs are stupid creatures. How could Richie even hug a girl with such a hideous face. Doesn't he feel repulsive like other people does.

"Richie, my baby, did you eat anything or were you waiting for me?" She asked in a loving tone.

Richie licked her hands and wagged his tail.

She placed him on his couch and, herself bumped on sofa. She leaned her head backwards to support her heavy-head, closed her eyes and dropped off to sleep.

It was a little after four when she woke up. She checked the time.

"Oh! It's almost four and a half. Richie must be starving." Her stomach groaned. "So I am."

She got up and went to kitchen, took out the leftover cooked-cauliflower of last night from refrigerator, put it in the microwave. She had already prepared rice in the morning. Now she only had to warm it.

The microwave stopped and she filled her plate with rice and vegetable and some salad. It's time for Richie to eat too, so she also brought dog food for Richie.

She placed Richie's food in front of his couch and he jumped from sofa in order to eat it.

Aster turned on the TV, sat on the sofa and began eating her food. On the TV, she was watching her favourite drama, 'The Emperor's choice'. She was enjoying two of her favorite things: food and drama.

It had been a terrible day for Aster, so a little warmth by Richie and enjoyment of her favourite drama brought a smile on her face. When she was smiling, her beautiful eyes were sparkling like stars. She was really exhausted so she went to sleep and Richie also fell asleep on the couch.

...............

The next day at college, Aster was sitting alone in her class. She was reading a programming book. She didn't have any friends whom she could talk to or sit with. So she always used to pass her free time in College by reading books.

"Looks like I am not late, the class is not started yet." said Roshni while entering the class.

Aster turned her head to look at Roshni but didn't say anything.

"Are you okay?" Roshni asked while putting her brown zig-zag designed bag on her bench. This time, her face was not poker instead she gave a warm smile by broadening her beautiful lips.

"Ya, I am fine but I am not in the mood to talk about that project and Nina. Please leave me alone." Aster replied in a cold voice and then she again started concentrating on her book.

"Umm, ok, I am leaving but you should understand..."

She couldn't complete her sentence because, out of the blue, some ear-splitting sounds started to come.

"What is that noise ?" asked Aster.

"Ummmm, I don't know."

"You are the CR yet you aren't aware of this." Aster taunted her and giggled.

"Being a CR doesn't mean I should have knowledge of all the matters." Roshni said while smiling.

"I am here from almost half an hour but you just came from outside. Didn't you see anything?"

"I was in the cabin of Miss Spacie, discussing with her some matters. And I thought I am late to class, so I rushed here without even noticing the outdoors."

"O-okay." Aster bent her head to read her book.

"Come with me to see what is happening outside. You are always engaged in studies. You should indulge yourself in other activities too." Roshni grabbed her hand.

"No, I don't want to. You should go."

"You are always like this. Come on lets go."

"Alright! Alright! Lets go then." She got up half-heartedly, just so Roshni would stop pestering her.

Aster along with Roshni, went to the place from where those noises were coming. Those sounds were coming from the main ground of the college.

"It is looking like people are cheering for someone." said Aster.

"Umm, you are right but for whom."

"Who is coming?" Roshni asked from a girl standing there.

"You don't know, who is coming?" that girl replied, "Oh my God, How is this possible that someone doesn't know that Dev Raichand is coming. I think, you are not his fan."

Her voice was full of excitement.

"OMG, Dev Raichand, OMG, OMG, I am going to pass out. Please somebody hold me." Roshni couldn't stabilize her tingles.

"Dev Raichand, that supermodel who is a student of Physical education and sports in Mount college." asked Aster.

"Yes, you dumb," said Roshni, "Let's go ahead, I want to see him. He is coming to college after two months."

"Two months." Aster said, her eyes were wide open as her mind couldn't grasp such a head-scratching disclosure."

" A student can vanish for two months, suddenly come to college and people cheer for him. What kind of hypocrisy is this?" Aster asked from Roshni.

" Hypocrisy, Aster! He is not an ordinary student. He is the face of 'The Fine Florent' perfume. He is the hunkiest boy in the entire Amber city. And moreover this Mount College belongs to his family. So he will never get into any problems because of his absence in the college instead it generates great will among the students and teachers to see him. You are here from almost one and half year. You didn't even know this."

How can I know? I am always busy in my studies so how can I have time to research on someone even if he is Dev Raichand and moreover, I don't even have any friends who can tell me. Aster said in her mind.

"Let's go near the gate. He is coming." Roshni said and dragged Aster along with her to the main gate's area.

Questions for readers:

Why was Roshni so nice to Aster? What is her real intention?

Who is Dev Raichand? Why is so special?

How would his arrival effect Aster's life?

Would he make Aster's life more miserable ?

...In order to get all answers, subscribe to my novel and read it and please give me your feedback....

The college Principal, Mr. Kiyaan and other staff members were also present there in order to welcome Dev Raichand, highlighting his importance in the college. By now Aster had no doubt that he was not some ordinary student. Five to six bodyguards were also standing near the gate, ready to receive him.

After a while, a white mercedes swiftly drove inside the college gate.

One of the bodyguards opened its door and a tall and attractive boy appeared out of it.

He was wearing a plain black T-Shirt and ripped jeans of denim.

He was Dev Raichand , the heartbeat of entire Amber City.

The whole campus was filled with the words, "Dev! Dev ! We love you, Dev. Dev! Dev!"

He took off his glasses and now everyone could see his captivating crystal blue eyes, which were as bombastic as blue sea star.

"My love to all my admirers" said Dev while raising his left hand in the air.

Everyone was looking at him with great love and passion.

Aster also took a glance at Dev's beautiful clean-shaven face. Even from a distance of ten meters, she could feel his charm. He is really a debonair. No wonder, people are so crazy about him.

Mr. Kiyaan applauded for everyone's attention. "Everybody, go back to your classes."

He ordered everyone including students and teachers.

"And you Dev, Miss Samantha wants to meet you in her office. So, make sure to pay a visit to her."

"Alright Mr. Kiyaan, I will visit her."

Dev walked towards the crowd of his fans and said, ''It seems, I need to go now, but I will meet you guys soon.''

He gave flying kisses to his fans.

"Roshni, will you follow him to Miss Samantha's office too." Aster asked in order to pull her leg.

"Only if Aster would come along with me." Roshni raised her eyebrows and giggled.

Then both of them started to laugh.

Looks like, It was a fresh start of their true friendship in which there is no crookery and fakery, only purity of both hearts. Roshni was really a kind-hearted girl. She was chatting and giggling with Aster, whose face can scare anyone. Ummmm! kind-hearted, Really?

In the office of Miss Samantha Raichand :

"Sister, why did you call me? I was interacting with my fans." Dev was flumping on a chair with his hands on the table, facing Miss Samantha and both his tone and face expresses that how annoyed he was while talking with his sister.

"Now, tell me, what is the issue? Why did you bother me?"

"Don't you know, why?" Miss Samantha frowned her right eyebrow.

"Nope."He nodded his head.

Samantha gasped and she was tickling her fingers against the table. She stood up from her chair and went near Dev, patted her hand over his head with great love and affection.

"Dev, my baby, I know, you still haven't completely forgotten the incidents from five years ago, but you should...."

"If that is all that you wanted to talk about, I am afraid I don't have any time for that and I have to leave." Dev stood up in anger and he turned to leave.

"Dev, why can't you forgive me? I am your sister." Samantha said in a gentle voice trying to calm him down but failed miserably.

Dev was shaking in anger. His spotless-glowing face turned red due to increase heart rate. He closed his fists and punched hard on the side wall.

"Dev!" she yelled.

"I hate you Sam, I really hate you. Everytime I see your face, it reminds me of what you have done." Dev closed his eyes and groaned in pain, both physical and emotional.

He started walking towards the exit and when he reached near the doorway, he twisted back and growled in rage,

"You were responsible for everything that happened five years ago and no one can change it."

Samantha just kept staring at her brother's face without uttering any word. Her distraught and disturbed mind couldn't allot her any solution that how she should handle her brother.

Then he slammed the door and walked out of the office.

Samantha was standing there all alone. She closed her eyes and recalled some memories of her past in which a girl, whose face was covered with a white cloth, was crying for help. Blood was flowing from her both breasts. She was screaming in pain. She was lurching here and there and was bawling for help.

On the spur of the moment, she shook herself out of her memories. She put both her hands on the table to get support, both physical and emotional, and tears started streaming from her eyes.

Questions for readers:

Are Aster and Roshni becoming friends?

What do you think about Dev?

Who was the girl in Samantha's memory?

Why does Dev hate his own sister?