ANNA

Chapter 1- ANNA

The city of Colombo was alive with excitement of the new year. Streets were lined with decorations, and the scent of milk rice and sweet meats filled the air.

But for Anna, the new year didn't feel all that exciting.

Instead of celebrating, she was stuck in her room surrounded by schoolbooks and notebooks, preparing for another year of endless studies.

She sighed, tapping her pen against the table.

"Mom, do I really have to study every day this year too?" She groaned, walking into the living room where her mother was sipping her evening tea.

"Anna, your exams are coming up. You need to focus," her mother replied without looking up from her laptop.

Anna rolled her eyes.

She was eighteen (18), studying at one of the top international mix schools in Colombo. She wasn't just a good student, she was also a talented dancer, an active member of the literature club, and even helped in school drama productions. But her parents always pushed her to do more.

Her father, a senior manager at a private bank, was just as strict. Both her parents worked long hours, leaving home early and returning late.

The only real company she had at home was her grandmother, Mrs. Perera, who took care of her. But the best thing about her grandma was her love for books.

" Achchi, did you bring me a new book? " Anna asked as she entered her grandma's room.

The old woman smiled, pulling out a novel from her bag.

"Of course, darling. This one is a love story. You might like it."

Anna laughed.

" You know I don't believe in love, right? "

Her grandmother just smiled knowingly.

"One day, you will."

Anna took the book and walked back to her room, throwing herself into the bed.

She had never been in love before, and honestly, she didn't think she ever would be. Anna had spent the first ten years of her life in America, surrounded by the hum of city life and the comfort of familiarly. But when her father, a strict and ambitious bank manager, was transferred to Sri Lanka, everything changed.

Her Sri Lankan mother, just as career driven, saw the move as an opportunity, but for Anna, it felt like being uprooted from everything she knew. Their new life was filled with grand offices and business meetings that kept her parents away more than they were home. Left to adjust on her own, Anna found herself caught between two cultures, half American and half Sri Lankan by blood, yet never quit belonging to either.

Even though she grew up in America, she doesn't believe in love because she was never seen it. She has never felt warmth from her parents, so how could she know what love is?

Her only company, Mrs. Perera, tried to show her love, but despite her efforts, there was no progress.

The next day, Anna walked into her school, her bag filled with books, her mind already focused on her upcoming lessons.

"Anna! You got another letter!"

Her best friend, Jihu ran up to her, holding her a small folded chit.

Anna groaned.

"Who is it this time?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

" Someone from your econ class, " Jihu teased.

Anna rolled her eyes and unfolded the note. " I think you are the most beautiful girl in school. Will you go out with me? " No name, no signature.

Just another random confession.

"Ugh, why do people keep doing this?" Anna complained.

Jihu laughed. "Maybe because you're pretty and smart? Oh, not prettier than me by the way."

Both laughed.

''Oh, the best dancer in school too,'' Jihu looked at Anna. Anna sighed.

She didn't care about relationships.

She had no interest in boys. '' Love was just a distraction.'' Both Jihu and Anna's mind full with this sentence.

''Did you meet with Shehan today?'' Jihu's smile faded when she asks it from Anna.

'' No, let's not talk about that bullshit'' Anna replied.

Shehan, the star football player at school, was adored by every girl. Well, almost every girl expects Anna. Shehan's main target is Anna's love, but everyone knows what he's like — playing with every girl's heart and discarding it like trash.

Every time he confesses, Anna rejects his love without a blink of her eye. Because of this rejection in front of everyone, he seems determined to win her over, unwilling to give up until she says yes. Jihu has tried to help Anna, but what can she do?

It was Anna's dancing period, and she waited for Jihu to tell her that she was heading to the dance room.

'' Hey, girl, What's up?'' Jihu called out as she jogged over, holding her drama books.

'' I'm heading to my dance class, so I'll catch up with you after,'' Anna said hurriedly, glancing at the clock.

'' Alright Anna, bye!'' Jihu waved, and they parted ways for their classes.

As usual, Anna gave her best performance in the dance class, but when she looked out the window, she saw Shehan staring at her from across the hall. Her blood boiled with anger.

''This jackass never listens to me. Ugh, I'm so angry'' Anna thought to herself, griping her books tightly.

As she exited the dance class, Shehan appeared out of nowhere, a cocky grin on his face.

''Hi, sweetheart. I love it when you're angry,'' Shehan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

'' Go away you jerk. How many times do I need to tell you that I'm not interested in a boy like you, someone who's just trash?'' Anna blurred out the words slipping out in front of a few students.

Shehan's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, grabbing her hand tightly with a smirk.

'' Let go of me! If you don’t, I'll report you to the head office,'' Anna shouted, trying to pull her hand away, but he wasn't letting go.

'' Let her go, Shehan!'' Jihu's voice rang through the corridor, full of authority.

Seeing the attention he was drawing from students, Shehan reluctantly released Anna's hand, his pride wounded but not showing it.

He walked off; his smirk replaced with a look of embarrassment.

Jihu rushed to Anna's side, her face full of concern.

''Anna, are you okay?''

'' Yeah, Jihu '' Anna said with an angry face.

'' Let's go for lunch, It's break time'' Jihu took Anna's hand and walked away.

It was during lunch when Anna overheard the gossip that had been circulating around school. She had been chatting with Jihu, unaware of the conversation happening nearby.

'' I heard Shehan made a bet.'' one of the girls whispered to her friend. '' He's betting on who can make Anna fall for them first.''

Anna barely flinched at the information. It didn't matter to her — Shehan could bet on whatever he wanted, but she wasn't interested. In fact, the more she heard about it, the more she felt disgusted. Shehan was playing games with people's emotions, and she wasn't going to be one of them.

''Honestly, he thinks everyone's going to fall for this charm, but not Anna,''

Another girl added with a laugh.

'' She's way too smart for that.''

Anna didn't even bother acknowledging the conversation, she kept her focus on Jihu, pretending she hadn't heard a word.

It wasn't worth her time. She had better things to do than to care about some guy's childish bet.

The next day, Anna walked into the cafeteria, not giving Shehan a second thought. She was more focused on her lunch and talking with her friends. But then, her gaze flickered over to the corner where Shehan was sitting, and she couldn't help but notice that he was with another girl.

The girl was pretty, and they looked perfectly comfortable together. Anna rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her friends. Shehan was probably just playing his usual games. He could sit with whoever he wanted. It didn't bother her one bit.

What really annoyed her, though, was the fact that Shehan noticed her looking in his direction. He gave her a quick, cocky wink, clearly trying to provoke some kind of reaction.

Anna didn't give him the satisfaction. She didn't care enough to play in his little games. She wasn't going to let him get under her skin. Instead, she kept talking to Jihu, completely ignoring him.

After lunch, Anna was walking down the hallway when Shehan appeared out of nowhere. He leaned against a locker, grinning as if he'd just won some kind of victory.

'' Hey, Anna,'' Shehan called out casually.

'' Did you see me with the new girl? Huh?''

Anna didn't even break her stride. She kept walking, her eyes straight ahead, and responded without looking at him.

'' I don't care Shehan''

His grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, trying to act unfazed.

'' You'll care when I win the bet.''

But Anna wasn't listening. She had no time for Shehan's childish behavior, especially when he didn't even care enough to be real with any girl. He was just playing games, and she wasn't interested in being a pawn.

'' I'm not interested in your games, Shehan,''

Anna said coolly.

'' So, maybe you should stop trying.''

With that, she walked away with Jihu leaving Shehan standing there, his smirk fading as he watched her disappear into the crowd.

'Despite all the disturbing things happening, the term test will be held next week. Anna and Jihu studied together, and they were very interested in facing this test because they prepared well.

After the exam, it's vacation without any more tests, so everyone is excited except for Anna.

Because she'll be home alone with her grandma. Jihu understood Anna's situation and promised to visit her.

….....................................................

It's the day of exams. Anna did well in the previous three, and this one is no problem for her and Jihu either. After the test, everyone started celebrating the last day of school before vacation. They sang, danced, ate and had fun. But that wasn't all.

Shehan walked up to Anna.

'' Hey sweetheart, don't think I'll leave you alone. I'll be watching you after vacation, baby, so bye for now,'' he said.

'' Don't expect a good reaction from me, Shehan. Have a great vacation — maybe your next school days will be the worst of your life,'' Anna said loudly, making sure everyone heard.

Shehan smirked and walked away with his friends.

'' You did a great job, Anna. Wow, he's so embarrassed!'' Jihu laughed lightly, feeling proud.

Everyone started hugging and saying goodbye until next term.

'' Happy vacation, Bestie! Have fun,'' Jihu said to Anna.

'' Same to you, Jihu!'' Anna replied.

After school, Anna came home feeling a little lazy.

'' How was your day, Anna?'' grandma asked as she walked toward the main door.

''It was fine. By the way, Achchi, I finished the book you gave me — the love story one'' Anna said as she entered her room.

''Really, Anna? So what do you think?'' Grandma asked excitedly.

''It was good, but love isn't real Achchi. By the way, I hate boys.'' Anna said, remembering Shehan.

Grandma's face fell slightly, but she understood that time would bring better days for Anna. She chuckled and walked away from the room.