Chapter 2

Everyday he went to school to sneak a glance of her face. Without realizing he fell deeply for Veronica. Anthony although was aware of the fact that he will never be able to achieve her but still a mere thought and her existence around him made him feel so proud and happy. 

All day he used to watch her play badminton as she never noticed his presence around herself. He cheered for her in every match and started sitting at the same table in cafeteria so he could bless his ears with her voice. He tried to get to know her as much as he could, and everything about her seem to spark his interest. 

He didn't wanted to name it but he was actually in love with her, after all she was the prettiest and most elegant girl in school. The revelation which made him scared was that her family was the most prestigious and reputable family in the city for which she will never batter an eye on him. 

The days passed in a blink of an eye and their exams were about to end. Couldn't able to contain himself anymore, he was afraid that he will lose her after the high school will end. Everyone will go into different college and so does she. He made up his mind that he will confess to her to try out his luck. Either she will deny or if he got lucky, she may accept his feelings too. 

Not able to sleep that night, her thoughts invaded his mind. All week he did several small jobs to collect money because he wanted to propose her just like in movies with red roses. He kept the money in his bag so that nobody will get a glitch or try to steal it. The night was restless because the next day was very important for him. Butterflies kept dancing in his stomach like some young boy who falls in love for the very first time. 

The next day, on his way to school he bought fresh red roses and hid them in his bag. He didn't wanted anybody to know or he knew his classmates will bully him again and will ruin his surprise after making a hell lot of fun. 

He didn't prepare for his exam so he had nothing to write on the paper. He knew he was going to fail, but that's not what bothered him. He was eagerly waiting for the time to pass so he can meet her after school. There was thick tension in air for him that the time was not passing according to him. 

After two hours, the bell finally rand and the students rushed out of the classroom, cheering. After all it was the last exam and everyone one was happy to start their new journey of life. But Anthony had different reasons of happiness. 

As the students got out of the school, he waited for her standing beside the school gate. His hands trembled as he couldn't control his excitement. She was his dream girl and he developed feelings for her. 

Soon she came out walking along with her group of friends and chitchatting along, and then the nervousness started to creep inside his nerves. As soon she reached the gate, he took his chance and called out her name. 

"Veronica!" He said out aloud to Avery her attention to himself. 

Not just Veronica but all the girls with her, turned their faces in his direction. 

She blankly stared at the boy who looked extremely substandard. His uniform was rather yellow and his shoes were worn out. His face was a mess and not even shone like the other boys of his age, which clearly hinted the amount of imbalanced diet he used to had. 

"I need to talk to you about something. I won't take your much time. Please just listen to me" he pleaded with his eyes in hope that she will listen to his confession with interest. 

She stepped out of the girls as the girls also looked extremely surprised at this boy's stunt. She stepped forward in his direction and stood in front of him, granting him, her whole attention and time. 

His heart started to beat fast and cold sweat started to form on his forehead. The feelings, excitement and his overjoyed heart was dancing violently inside him. 

With same trembling hands, he unzipped his bag and took out those red roses he placed before. Her eyes followed his actions but she didn't utter a word. The roses wilted a little and they didn't looked fresh as before. And he was kind of disappointed but after all these mere roses were nothing in front of his feelings. 

"I know I'm not in the place to say this and I might sound ridiculous but trust me what I'm going to say is truth and my sincere feelings. I know I'm not worthy of your standards by believe me Veronica I sincerely love you. Since the day I saw you, my heart couldn't stop beating for you. I love you very much and I will love you till my last breath. I spent this whole year only by watching you all day. Please accept my feelings" he expressed his heart out in front of her, not able to meet her gaze. As he forwarded the roses towards her. A light smile danced on his face as he couldn't believe that he said it all what he was hiding for months. 

Seeing the roses, many students stopped to witness the reaction. Everyone started to gawk at them as Veronica was the most popular girl in school and a beggar looking student was actually proposing her. It was the hottest scene anyone could ever watch. Everyone gaped when Anthony actually said 'iboove you' to her and they eagerly now waited for Veronica's reaction. 

Two seconds after, a harsh slap came landing at his face with which his face landed on his right side. His cheek started to sting but not like his heart who started to wrench now. 

"I will never love you, have you even looked at yourself? People won't even spit on you and here you are asking for my hand?" She despised him. 

His heart was shattered into million pieces but it was not hurt which made his heart ached but the amount of rage which started to surface. 

"I don't give a damn about your feelings. Go home and look at yourself in mirror, you don't look different than a beggar. I'm surprised at your audacity, what a dirty mouth you have to utter my name." She grabbed the roses from him and after throwing them on the ground, she stepped on them, crushing them badly under her shoes. 

"Boys like you disgust me" she seethed and started laughing with her girls as everyone cheered loudly and made fun of him. 

All the boys and girls started mimicking him as they called him disgusting names along. Some even started to throw trash on him. 

"Beggar! Beggar!" They shouted behind his back as he grabbed his back and started to run from there. The amount of anger which started built in inside him was unimaginable. He was not hurt. He was infuriated. 

He ran fast without looking back and not knowing the direction in which he was going in. The red hot tears from his eyes trailed down his cheeks but he didn't seem to care. He only wanted to get away from all of it. The humiliation he just faced shattered all his dreams and expectations and made him disgusted with himself. 

He wanted to rip apart his own body in rage. The flames of that fire were so high that his own body was burning inside it but it didn't hurt more than the mortification he beared. 

Beggar!

 No one will spit on you! 

Disgusting!

 Dirty mouth!

Each and every word uttered from her mouth made him irritated and annoyed with himself. 

He wanted to kill himself so badly. Was it his fault that he was born in a poor family? 

Was it his fault that his heart started to love her? 

Was it his fault that he was not good looking?

Every question only added fuel to his anger. 

But to his bad luck, he only stopped his feet when he realized that he came somewhere which was prohibited. 

He looked around himself and only found gangsters with guns, looking at him with hungry eyes. Without realizing he actually stepped into their territory and now there was no escape. He forgot to read the sign board outside the borderline and ran like a crazy man. 

And now that he was inside, there was only one option, die at their hands. 

The men with dirty tattoos engraved on their bodies and almost naked women in their arms looked at him like he was some prey. 

"Where am I?" He mumbled to himself in confusion. 

They took out their guns and pointed at him. 

"Bad luck boy! Now you'll have to die" a man among them stood up, pushing the girl aside who stick to him like a second skin. He came forward in Anthony's direction and placed the gun on his forehead. 

"Are you ready?" He asked with a mischievous smirk and everyone laughed. 

"Poor boy" a man among them commented and they all laughed more. 

As far as Anthony was aware, they were the gangsters of Manhattan who lived alongside the Hudson river. They were famous for all the crimes and illegal dealing. They were the people who used to rape, gamble, steal and involve in all kinds of prohibited crimes including target Killing and kidnapping. Police didn't had authority over them because it was said that they were controlled under some Italian Mafia. 

"Yes" he whispered to himself and closed his eyes.