Once Upon A Night | ✓

Chapter 1

She took a deep breath getting out of the vehicle. Five years was a lot of time. She ran a hand on her dress, straightened the strap of her long sling purse that hung on her shoulder and looked around. The school ground had been converted into a parking lot for the night. It was flooded with vehicles.

School played a very important role in one's life was a known fact. But for her, her school days defined her future, moulded her personality and restructured her thoughts about herself. She stared at the building that used to house her senior year classes. So many memories came rushing back — some good, some bad.

Up until now, Kashish had been very sure of this. For a heroine to make a comeback after five years into the film industry, would probably be easier than this was for her. Only an year back she had returned home from the States after completing her graduation. Last year she had skipped this annual reunion despite being in the same city, just Iike she had missed the previous four. However, this time around she had made up her mind to attend it and show everyone who laughed at her, made fun of her, pitied her for what her future would be that she had turned out to be just perfect.

She glanced at her phone that vibrated.

"Have a nice time!"

She smiled and quickly moved her fingertips on the screen and reacted to the message with a heart.

Shoving aside her doubts she walked ahead, taking a deep breath. Ready to welcome demons of her past and defeat them once and forever. With careful steps, she covered the distance between her car and the sports complex which housed the assembly hall, where the gathering was held. The entire building was decorated with fairy lights. Even on her farewell the building didn't look so nice.

She was surprised to see the inside of the building. Although the building looked same on the outside, the inside had been renovated so well that she could barely recognize.

She walked towards the hall, looking around, people walking past her. Their was chatter, giggles, laughs around. Weirdly, she felt nice instead of threatened or bored how she usually felt years back whenever there was a gathering.

Her lips curled up as her gaze fell on a similar face. Mrs. K.Ravi her computer ed. teacher stood on the doorway of the hall conversing with a group of guys.

Computer classes used to be her favourite. Sadly for her, they only happened once a week. Mrs.Ravi was a young teacher in her thirties when she had joined the school when the new computer lab was introduced. Now in her forties, the woman looked as energetic and welcoming as she looked back then. Age definitely didn't show on her except the few pounds that were added.

Kashish suddenly had all her memories with the teacher in her mind. She remembered how she had got a straight A always in the subject. Her performance had dipped only in ninth grade when programming was introduced. It took only a year with the teacher's help for her to go from average to class topper. Kashish wondered if the lady would recognize her. For that matter, if anyone would. She caught glimpses of familiar faces, faces that she couldn't put a name on but recognized with house colours they belonged to or by their achievements.

Kashish slowly approached the door of the hall. The old peon was asking people to enter in for the address by the principal. She decided to quietly pass by. She wasn't miss popular at school for all teachers to recognize. Besides she looked very different now.

Her long braided hair was a sharp contrast to her shot, straightened hair that ended at her shoulder blade. Her thin, flat figure had transformed into a generously filled, curvaceous body. Her face had also gone from thin and small to full with cheeks. Glasses replaced by lenses for the night.