The Broken Soul- A Tragic Love Story

CHAPTER 1

Andria's POV

A day like any other. Sitting at the last bench and listening to the professors; at least trying to. I'm never absent as there's no reason to be at home but my mind keeps wandering in the past. The incidents that changed me; my life; my existence.

Coming back to the unwanted present...I was again lost in my thoughts when Mrs. Claire called my name I guess thrice. I came back to my senses and stood up hurriedly dropping my books on the floor and in an attempt to lift them hit my head on the desk and like always the whole class was laughing at my stupidity.

Nobody actually cared, even I didn't. Ours was the coolest batch in the whole college and I was the only exception so this behavior was quite obvious...moreover I didn't complain, why would I and even if I would; why would anyone listen.

"Hey Ria" a voice came from the right side, I turned my head and saw Kyle smirking.

I hated it, no not the way he was smirking, nor that he's going to tease me, these things didn't matter, what mattered was the name. Ria. She used to call me that. It ended with her.

I looked at him irritated and he seemed to enjoy that look on my face. It's the 1000th time that I'll have to remind him.

"It's Andria" and before he could reply a chirpy voice interrupted.

"Kyle, what are you doing with Ria?" It was Emerald.

I felt like stabbing these lovebirds right here but of course, I didn't have the courage to do so. So instead of correcting, I preferred to keep my mouth shut.

"Hey love, I was just asking about her well-being, you know," he said and winked and the GEM started laughing.

Emerald Rainford was the prettiest girl in our class, adored by everyone so there was no point arguing with her as I didn't want to get noticed by a bunch of all-rounders.

They continued their love talks for a while; right over my head but were soon interrupted by Mr. Brown. I can't tell how much I hated this class. Why? Because of this.

" Andria Twirling get up" I did "please give the class a brief about what we studied yesterday"

I stood numb though I remembered each and everything but didn't have the courage to speak. I was again lost when chalk hit my head. "Ouch" I cried.

"Oh, so you do have a voice" Mr. Brown roared

"Then why don't you speak, either explain what we studied yesterday or get out of the class."

Everyone was looking at my face and that only made me more vulnerable. I wish you were here. To support me; to provide me courage and confidence that my family took away from me... I surely couldn't speak and my stupid legs weren't helping either.

Mr. Brown had lost his temper by now so he came to my desk. "Ms. Twirling either you get out yourself or I'll have to throw you" I kept my head down, he held my arm and dragged me till the classroom door and then pushed me out.

" Don't you dare enter my class for the next whole week" and the door was shut on my face. The only thing I heard was sheer laughter.

I went to the library in the hope to find Ms. Kristein. She was always supporting though even she had no idea about my past.

I found her arranging the books on their respective shelves. “Can I help?" She looked at me and a beautiful smile spread over her face

"Andria, I'm so happy to see you; but you look sad; Mr. Brown again" I gave a small smile almost invisible.

"Indeed, it's alright darling; you know I'm always there for you" I picked a pile, she smiled "A5".

I have spent hours here either reading or helping so I was very much known to the place. I started arranging the books.

Once I finished Ms. Kristein insisted on me having lunch with her. I rarely had lunch, I was never really hungry. Maybe even hunger didn't want to get close to me.

After lunch I just had one class to attend and much to my surprise I wasn't pointed out. The day ended and I was forced to go back to my so-called home.

Despite the torches I had in college; I loved it. I loved it because it helped me stay away from my HOME. But it was too going to finish in a couple of weeks.

***********

It was the 3rd time I was ringing the doorbell. The door opened and an irritated face of Ales appeared.

Alessandra Twirling is my cute, beautiful, intelligent, and lovable step sister who hated me. Everyone did so it wasn't a big deal.

"It's father's daughter" she shouted to her mom I suppose. She gave me an angry look and walked inside and I followed closing the door behind. As I stepped inside a very cold and unwelcoming atmosphere touched my skin.

It wasn't always this. Things changed; priorities change only because she changed. I went straight to my room.

My family was a well-known member of the society and dads’ company "The Twirling industries" was doing quite well too so my room was a nice one. I opened the door and shut it back as I was least interested in hearing the grudges Alessandra and her mother held against me.

I kept my bag on the table and took out her photograph; the only one I had as Karol had burned the rest of them. I remember the day she did that and I cried for hours but in vain.

I looked at her photo; she was smiling; wind blowing her hair. There was a time when she appeared the most beautiful woman to me but now the smile appeared evil. She could have changed the situation. Maybe things could have been different, maybe better or at least not as bad as they were now.

A drop feels on her cheeks and I realized they belonged to me. I wiped and kept the photo back in the drawer and locked it.

I heard Miley calling my name. Miley according to the family was a maid but to me, she was like my elder sister. Few of the only people who knew my past as she had seen it through her eyes.

I heard steps approaching my door and I knew it was her. Before she could knock, I opened the door.

"Hey sugarplum preparing for exams" her nicknames were as sweet as her.

"Yeah at least trying to". My finals are going to take place in a week and that would be an end to college. I'm 20 and soon going to have my degree of bachelor in business administration.

I don't know what to do after that but I guess my father has decided something as he kept asking about when my college's going to end and stuff.

I guess I should give you a quick introduction about myself. I'm Andria Twirling a 20-year-old. My dad's William and mother's Ashleen; stepmother Karol and step sister Alessandra. I have never had a boyfriend. My dad married Karol 10 years back and Alessandra was 12 then yeah, she's my elder sister and dad's stepdaughter.

I'm my dad's only biological daughter. I didn't have many friends but the once I have been the most reliable ones. The four of them are out for a 3 months’ vacation. I couldn't join because of college. I miss them a lot. Miley has been my caretaker since I was 7 so we share a really strong bond.

Coming back to the present. In spite of my constant denial, Miley went to fetch me some snacks and I went back to my books. Just a few more days and then something would happen. What! Even I don't know.

***********

Today was my last exam. Yeah, the college's finally over and now that unknown event is going to take place. My dad had asked me to come to his office directly after the exam so it means it's something big.

I knocked at his door. "come in" he said in his business tone. I opened the door slowly, somewhere I wanted to escape as I had a feeling that what's inside isn't something, I'm wishing for but as it's my dad's decision I'll have to follow it blindly.

I kept my right foot inside and my dad looked at me and then his attention shifted back to the file he was reading. I sighed and sat on a chair in front of him. "Dad" he stopped me and I understood that he wants me to wait so I did. After 15 mins he finally shut the file.

"I'm sorry sweetheart; how was your exam?" I smiled "No problem dad and it was good."

That's it and there was complete silence which was broken by my father's commanding voice "Andria I have something important to tell you" okay so there it was "I'm listening to dad" he got up and when I was about to follow he stopped me and continued" Andria you know; your mother and I...argh just forget it and let's come straight to the point; you are 20 now and finished with your course too so I want you to get MARRIED"

F*CK! S*IT! I knew this was why he called me here. No!!!!!!! I wanted to scream but like always no words came out of my mouth. He continued "I have found you a perfect match. Your engagement is on 20th that is 5 days from today; I hope you are happy with my decision and will respect it. The designers would be coming home today at 5. You can leave now."

That's it, it was like always IMPOSED. He didn't even bother asking me once whether I wanted to get married or not...... like I didn't matter. I didn't exist. That's not fair. Is it?? I hate myself so fu*king much. Why am I not dead?