Veronika Raichand and Ayaan Singhania have known each other since childhood, growing up in the shadow of their families' close friendship. Once inseparable, their bond begins to crack under the weight of adolescence, family expectations, and their own insecurities. By the time they enter high school, Ayaan has become the charming heartthrob surrounded by admirers, while Veronika, though confident and smart, prefers to keep to the background. The unspoken tension between them simmers, sparked by misunderstandings, jealousy, and a slap heard around the school. When a series of dramatic events force them to confront their shared history and lingering feelings, Veronika and Ayaan's relationship evolves into something more complicated than childhood friendship. But just as they begin to find their footing, life pulls them apart again, taking them on separate journeys toward adulthood. Years later, they meet again, now young adults navigating the chaos of careers, personal growth, and unresolved emotions. This time, the tables have turned: Ayaan is the one chasing Veronika, whose guarded heart has been shaped by the scars of her past. Their connection is undeniable, but they must contend with old wounds, new insecurities, and the challenges of miscommunication and conflicting priorities. Almost Us is a heartfelt story about growing up, falling in love, and learning to rebuild relationships. Veronika and Ayaan's journey is one of discovering who they are as individuals while finding their way back to each other. With themes of resilience, forgiveness, and second chances, their story reminds us that sometimes love is messy, but it's worth fighting for.
Veronika's POV
It was supposed to be a peaceful Sunday morning. At least, that's what I thought until my mom's voice reached an eardrum-shattering pitch, competing with the high-pitched squeal of my alarm. With a groggy stretch, I reached for my phone and nearly dropped it. "Monday?!" I squinted at the date flashing on my screen, realization hitting me like a bucket of ice water. It was 7:35 a.m., and school started in twenty-five minutes.
Panic set in. I was halfway to the bathroom before my brain fully woke up. I threw on my school uniform, the pleated skirt and blazer I'd spent way too long ironing last night now a crumpled mess. My school was one of the most prestigious in the city, all thanks to my family's connections and... resources, let's say. Not that I was the ideal daughter for the role. I kept my distance from my family, navigating the world largely on my own terms. In my family, no news was good news and if I stayed out of trouble, they barely noticed me.
I was halfway out the door, ignoring Mom's complaints about breakfast, when I caught sight of my little sister, Tia. Sweet, doting Tia, who somehow made everyone around her smile just by existing. "I'll see you after school, Tia!" I called, blowing her a kiss. I loved her to bits, even if she made me look bad by comparison.
On the school bus, my best friend Rhea caught my attention. "Ver, please tell me you did the homework," she begged as I slid into the seat beside her.
"Of course, I did. Who do you think I am?" I smirked, handing her my notes. I wasn't exactly the topper kind, but I did good. Studying came naturally to me.
School wasn't exactly thrilling, but I had my friends and the occasional drama to keep things interesting. Speaking of drama, my heart decided to act up the second I spotted him, Ayaan Singhania. He was standing with his group, laughing about something, his smile lighting up his face in an annoyingly magnetic way.
Ayaan and I had history. We'd been friends since childhood. Our families were close. But somewhere along the way, we'd grown apart. Now, he was the school heartthrob, and I was just a girl in the background with an inconvenient crush.
As if on cue, Rhea whispered in my ear, "Did you hear? Ayaan hooked up with that junior last night."
I winced, hiding my disappointment under a neutral expression. "Why am I not surprised?" I muttered, eyes glued to my notebook. Reading the same line over and over again. Focus, Veronika!
Classes blurred by, and soon it was time for break. We usually sat together, eating our packed lunch while gossiping about teachers and movies. But today, as I settled into my seat, Rhea called over, "Hey Ver, come with me to the bathroom?"
"Sure," I shrugged, grabbing my bag. Just as I got off the table, I felt a sharp tug and then a loud rip. I froze, looking down to see my skirt caught on a nail, fabric torn and hanging awkwardly. Mortified, I barely registered Jay, my friend, helping me detach it.
"Relax, Ver," he assured, his voice steady as always. "It's just a skirt. We'll get you a new one from the store."
I nodded, trying to hold back my embarrassment.
It's just a skirt, I reassured myself, ignoring the dull sting on my thigh where the nail had caught me. I bolted out of the room, eager to escape the scene not sparing a single glance in it's direction.
But just as I turned the corner, someone's voice caught my attention. "Nice legs, Raichand," a mocking tone sneered. I didn't have to look to know it was Ayaan. His comment wasn't enough no, his friends had to laugh too, as if he were the king of the universe, and I was the joke of the day. A chill ran down my spine. This was supposed to be a lazy Sunday morning. But here I was, becoming the school's laughingstock, all thanks to him. Without thinking, I spun around, storming up to him. "Keep your filthy comments to yourself, Singhania," I spat, the words barely registering before I raised my hand and slapped him.
The slap stung, but the satisfaction was worth it. Whispers buzzed around us as I stormed off to the bathroom, trying to collect myself. What was I thinking? Slapping Ayaan Singhania? The moment replayed in my head, dread coiling in my stomach at how I'd just escalated things.
The next thing I knew, my vision went hazy, and I felt myself swaying. A steady arm caught me before I could fall, guiding me down the hallway, his voice a low hum against the ringing in my ears before everything faded to black.
Later, in the Nurse's Office
The heavy, antiseptic smell greeted me as I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the bright light. I realized I was lying on one of those cold, vinyl cots in the nurse's office, a bandage around my thigh from where I'd cut myself on that stupid nail.
"For the last time! I didn't hurt her," came a familiar voice.
Ayaan.
I winced, squeezing my eyes shut as if it would make his presence disappear. He was leaning against the wall, looking frustrated. The last time we'd been this close was when we were kids, laughing and sharing secrets. He'd changed so much since then. Or maybe I'd changed. Either way, the distance between us now felt as vast as the ocean.
The nurse came over to me, checking my cut. "Are you alright, dear?"
"I'm fine," I mumbled, my eyes darting to Ayaan, who had an unreadable expression on his face. "Can I go back to class?"
Before she could answer, Ayaan turned to her, exasperated. "Look, can we just confirm I didn't do anything wrong here?"
I turned bright red. "What? Of course not! It was an accident, nothing more."
"Fine, you both can leave. Get a tetanus shot after school, Veronika, and make sure you come back tomorrow," the nurse said, giving me a final once-over before dismissing us.
Ayaan stepped forward to help me up, offering his arm. Reluctantly, I took it, trying to ignore the warmth of his grip as he steadied me. We walked in silence down the hallway, his arm still supporting me as I limped slightly.
Once we were outside the nurse's office, he paused, glancing down with that familiar cocky grin. "Good to know you're alive, Veronika," he teased. "That little slap barely left a mark."
"You deserved it," I muttered, trying to sound braver than I felt.
He laughed, that genuine, unguarded laugh I hadn't heard in years, and for a second, I caught a glimpse of the boy I used to know. But before I could say anything, he added, "Tell you what, to make up for it, how about a peace offering? One kiss, just for old times' sake?"
My jaw dropped. "In your dreams, Singhania."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Suit yourself. See you around, Ver."
As he left, I watched him go, my heart doing a strange, jittery dance. Beneath all the sarcasm and the bad blood, there was something still there, some lingering familiarity that felt impossible to shake.
The complex history between Veronika and Ayaan lingered like a storm cloud, their shared past hovering just beyond reach. They'd grown up together, bound by years of memories that no amount of high school drama could erase. Maybe, just maybe, that connection hadn't faded completely-even if it was buried beneath years of resentment and unspoken words.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”