2003

A little girl with two small pigtails was sitting in a garden, crying profusely.  She was intently looking at her fallen icecream with her big brown eyes. She couldn't believe that the icecream she got from her father after so much beggings fell right out of her hand. She was sure that the next time she would get an icecream would probably be ages later.

Suddenly a small boy with messy brown hair and stormy grey eyes appeared out of nowhere and sat right beside her.

"Hey. Why are you crying?" He enquired.

At this the tiny girl started crying more.

"Hey, hey, hey. Stop crying alright. Now tell me whats the matter."

"My... my icecream.. fell..and I..", she couldn't continue any further. Her crying worsened.

"Well, you are crying over an icecream
Tell you what. I have a spare. Why dont I buy you one?"

"You will?" She asked hopefully .

"Yea sure ," he smiled.

The girl then jumped on top of him giving him the tightest hug possible. She was so grateful towards him.

"Thank you so so much. You are my best best friend"

The boy chuckled.

"Well best friend.  What's your name?"

"Sabrina."

He grinned towards her. "And I am Adam."

2008

Sabrina was walking home, disappointed that no one remembered her birthday. She could care less about her family. They never remembered. And even if they did, they never bothered to celebrate. After her sister's death, no one looked the same way towards her. Her father barely talked to her and was extremely distant towards her. She sometimes felt that he cared but most of the time it felt like he didn't. And her mother never forgot to throw hateful words at her. It was only her 2 year old brother, Jay, who seemed to enjoy her company. She was sure that when he grows up he would hate her too and blame her for Shirley's death, just like her parents.

She expected Adam, her best friend from the age of 4, to atleast remember her birthday. He was 2 years elder to her. But that never bothered him and he always hung out with her, and only a few times hung out with his other friends. He meant everything to her. Because he was her only friend.

But even he didn't remember her birthday!

Suddenly someone pulled her hand and dragged her towards a direction. When she looked up, she saw it was Adam. She didnt want to talk to him so she pulled back her hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked

She ignored him and started walking again.

"Bree, is something the matter? Come with me. You promised dad you would come home today after school".

She couldnt ignore this. Mr.Black was like a father to her.  She couldn't break any promises she made to him.

"Okay," she nodded.

Soon they reached Adam's home. Adam pushed open the door. There was complete darkness .

Suddenly some lights went on, and confetti fell on her.

Adam jumped forward and Mr.Black joined him, they both started singing happy birthday for her.

"Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you... happy birthday dear Bree. Happy birthday to you."

Adam walked forward and then whispered

"Happy 9th birthday bestfriend"

Sabrina couldn't hold herself and hugged him.  She was so ecstatic. She couldn't describe her joy at the moment.

"You are the best" she whispered back

2013

Sabrina couldn't sleep. No matter how much she tried she couldn't.  She tossed and turned but only one thought plagued her mind.

The kiss!!

Today she had her first kiss. It was Adam. She didn't know what was happening. Adam suddenly appeared infront of her and gave his million dollars smile. Oh how much she loved his smile. How much she loved him!! But couldn't say it out aloud.

Adam gently cupped her cheeks. And before she could say anything, he slammed his lips to her. Immediately she froze and sparks flew within her. She didn't know how to respond. After all it was her first kiss.

But after a few moments of hesitation she gently kissed him back. She was living in a world of fantasy at that moment, where her biggest dream was being fulfilled.

After a few moments Adam pulled back. Reality seeped in and Sabrina found herself panicking. So she did the one thing that came to her mind.

She ran.

And now she was here trying to sleep. After around millionth toss and turn she finally dropped off.

When she woke up, she thought it would be better not to go to school. But then she remembered that this house was like a hellhole for her. And she definitely  preferred school over home. She never said Adam about her conditions in home. Simply because she didn't want him to pity her.

Dressing up, she walked towards school and reached there soon after. She wanted to avoid Adam, but her plans failed, as as soon as she entered the school gates, Adam was standing infront of her directly looking at her. Oh how could she forget! He always waited for her.

"Hey, Sabrina. How are you?"

"Me... umm... brilliant. You?"

"I am fine. I wanna talk about yesterday. I am..."

"What about yesterday?" Sabrina wanted to play dumb.

"You know about the kiss."

At this her planned failed again.

"So I am sorry that I kissed you out of the blue . I know you are angry with me. I mean you literally ran away after it. And I know its your first kiss. I am sorry again. But the guys gave me a dare and...."

"A DARE" Sabrina was outraged.  How could he. He kissed her only because of a dare. And here she was thinking about her marriage and kids with him.

She was fuming and she lost control over her rational thinking and spoke whatever came in her mind.

"HOW COULD YOU ADAM. HERE I WAS THINKING THAT YOU KISSED ME BECAUSE YOU WANTED IT. I WAS SO HAPPY THAT MY BIGGEST CRUSH FINALLY KISSED ME. BUT YOU DID ALL OF THAT BECAUSE OF A DARE"

Suddenly she realised what she uttered. Tears of humiliation collected in her eyes. She screamed her feelings at him when he only kissed her because of a dare.

Adam was shocked. He didn't know the girl he liked for so long reciprocated his feelings. He was radiant. And without thinking anything else he kissed her again. This time being deeper than the last.

After about a minute of kissing he pulled back and joined their foreheads together. He was panting and so was she.

"I told you the kiss was because of a dare. But I never told you I didnt want it. So bestfriend. What do you say? Will you be my girlfriend?"

Sabrina froze for a moment. Before she joined their lips for the third time.

When they pulled back she whispered a small "yes".

2017

"Do you really have to go?" Sabrina cried, her face buried in Adam's chest, her tiny body wrapped around him.

Adam slowly seperated them, cupped her cheeks and made her look into his eyes .

"Bree, you know I can't stay here. Especially after what happened"

"But",Sabrina wailed, "Adam I love you.  I can't live without you."

"Sweetheart I love you more. But please dont ask me to stay. I cant stay here with all the memories of dad. I have to go and find his killer. But I promise I'll be back. I'll be back for you. I need you to promise me something as well?"

Sabrina cried but nodded nonetheless .

"Promise me that you will always take care of yourself.  And that you will wait for me. And promise that when I return you will marry me"

To say Sabrina was shocked would be an understatement.

Here, standing right infront of her, was the man she loved for so many years. And he was asking to marry her.

Ofcourse she would promise that. She would want nothing more.

"Yes. I will," she answered.

And they both sealed the deal with a kiss ...

I'm currently working on editing and republishing the book