I flickered opened my eyes. My body felt heavy...numb. Where was I? The smell... it was like medicines, it didn't smell like the slums. I was laying down on something soft. Not the hard floor of my hut. My vision was getting clearer.

Was I in a hospital? So this is what it looks like?!

A man in a white coat stood beside me with a pen and a wooden board. He was writing something.

"Kidhar hai... apun?(where am I)"

"You're in a hospital. You fainted so this man brought you here." The man in the white coat informed impassively.

I looked to my other side and a man seemingly in his early 30s walked in sliding the curtains. He had honey-colored eyes and a warm smile. He was fair and looked like a Sahab(rich man).

"Hello, beta. How are you feeling now? You must be hungry, no? Don't worry...those men chasing you are gone now. The police caught them. My name is Ashfaq Qureshi and I'll take care of you." He smiled in such an assuring way that...after 2 years...for the first time, I smiled too.

######

Inarah's POV,
We were to attend a company party tonight. I chose a designer red laced cocktail dress and high heels to wear. As usual, the Qureshi group's party was the talk of the town. Many hotshot businessmen and celebrities were invited.

I wasn't surprised as most of the eyes were glued to me. I was used to it...and also used to all of their words about me.
Being the young and beautiful corporate heiress of The Qureshi Group! The company belongs to my late Father who was murdered by a mystery man. Yep, I was used to hearing that for the past 12 years now. However, saying that it didn't bother me in the slightest, would be a white lie.

Dad introduced me to one of our major shareholders.
"Hello, Mr Sahai. How are you?" I greeted most formally shaking his hand.

That middle-aged freak eyed me from top to bottom holding my hand tighter than he should. I wanted to roll my eyes but resisted and pulled my hand back.

"Look at how beautiful you've grown up to be." He chuckled.

"Thank you, I hear that a lot." I smiled.

"You do, don't you." He chuckled unnecessarily.

"Such a beautiful girl like you should be a model or an actress. Why waste your beauty and time behind office walls and working? You have all the money in the world. Young girls like you like to spend it all on makeup and fashion. Do you think you'll have time to handle such a huge company with your delicate hands? You should find a rich, good-looking man and get married to him instead of wasting your beauty." He commented slyly. My hands closed in a fist as I tried to put on a smile controlling my temper.

"Our Inarah is not just a pretty face Mr Sahai. She's smart and capable...." Dad, the Chairman began but I interfered.

"Mr Sahai. I don't know what you know about beautiful girls of the past but today's generation is a lot more different than your imagination. We aren't interested to use our beauty to woe rich successful men anymore. We are more than capable of reaching success on our own accord. As for the company, I was born to take over it and no one can be better than me to take it where it should be. Today, Qureshi Group is at the top of Asia... Inarah Qureshi is capable of getting it to the top of the world. And I don't need my beauty to do that, I'm smarter and more capable than any of your good-looking men who lose their composure at the mere sight of a beautiful girl, and put everything to ruin with a snap of a finger.
As for fashion... Inarah Qureshi was born with a Midas touch. Whatever she touches turns to gold. Its value increases and people swarm like bees to it. Don't worry Mr Sahai, I am my father's daughter. When I take over, the company would be at the top of the food chain." I asserted smiling and he was visibly regretting ever saying something to me, as he cleared his throat looking uncomfortable.

"Now if you'll excuse me." I beamed and made my way to the balcony with my chin up high.
You're a Queen Inarah. You cannot fall apart. I reminded myself.

As soon as I was alone. Tears found their way out. I grip the railing shutting my eyes tight as the tears fell on the back of my hands.

Opening my eyes, I look at the starry sky above.
Papa....your baby girl misses you!

Just then I felt a warm coat enveloping my cold shoulders. I smiled slightly. I knew that smell.

"It's funny, isn't it? No matter what I do or how hard I try, to the world, I'm just a pretty-faced doll who was lucky to be born as a daughter of a billionaire. Who has everything beneath her feet without even trying. No one sees how I stay up all night to study and top my class, when kids my age went to parties and movies, I sat in my study learning about the stock market, and finance, studying the company files, and making plans for the new projects.
I'm just a beautiful Barbie born with a golden spoon in her mouth." I chuckled but failed miserably and was crying again.

I felt his thumb wiping my cheeks. When I opened my eyes to look up at him, my breath hitched in my throat at the site of his inhuman aura. He looked soo divinely handsome as the moonlight shone on his face and his deep black eyes bore into mine. The top button of his white shirt was open and his hair was a bit messy. I forgot how to breathe.

"You're not just a pretty doll. You're more capable and smart than any man in this party. You might look fragile, but you're an iron lady. You're not a weak princess... you're a powerful Queen. That's what you're gonna show them someday. I believe in you."
He said in his deep voice with his hand resting on the crook of my neck caressing my cheek.

"And that's enough for me Zayaan. Your belief in me gives me strength." I smiled. He smiled too...his rare heartbreakingly beautiful smile.

"I can only show my tears in front of you and Heena. Guess I'm not the iron lady in front of you guys huh." I giggled.
"What do you think...do I look pretty today?" I asked him.

He shook his head.
"No, you look so ugly that my eyes hurt."

I gasped offended and hit his chest.
"You big meany!"

He chuckled.

***
Heena was visiting her granny again so I was without a partner in crime today in College. Though I wasn't alone. Saloni and her two minions were following me around all day. That girl was another pain in the ass Diva. Daughter of some politician. I said nothing and let her do all the blabbing and pointless giggling to attract the boys' attention.

After lectures, I made my way to the stairs to go to the parking lot when she came behind me swaying her hips.

"Oh Inarah~" she sang. I rolled my eyes before turning to her.

"Yeah, Saloni?"

"Are you really gonna take the stairs to the parking lot?" She giggled dramatically looking at her girls with a hand on her mouth.

"Yeah. It's a good exercise." I smiled turning to leave.

"Oh come on! Why do we go to the gym then? We can work out there. You'd have to go down 3 floors in your high heels. Let's take the lift."

My heart skipped at the mention of the lift and I physically panicked a little trying my best not to show.

"What's wrong Inarah? Don't tell me you're scared of lifts now. Hehehe...."
Her minions joined her in laughing.

I scoffed.
"Why would I be scared of a stupid lift?"

"Then let's go!" She was challenging me with her eyes and the tone of her voice.

My feet were glued to the ground. Just the thought of being in the lift was making my throat feel like it was closing.

"Sure." I managed to say confidently and smiled.

"Great!" She chirped and waltzed towards the lift with her minions following behind like her tail. I took a deep breath making my way with them.

She got in waiting for me. I looked around at the enclosed space and my mouth went dry.

"Come on Inarah." She said with her hand on the button.

"Oh...yeah!" I breathed getting out of my trance and... stepped in.

The doors were closing and my heart was palpitating making me feel a bit dizzy. Finally, it closed and my throat felt like someone has sealed it. I couldn't breathe!

I couldn't show that either. I counted the alphabet backward to distract myself, my eyes glued to the floor numbering screen.

1 floor down and suddenly the door opened.
"We're getting out here. See you tomorrow Sweety. Muah!" She cooed and hastily got out with her girls. Before I could say or do anything else, she pressed the button and the door closed as I saw them giggling from outside. I panicked. They did it on purpose...those witches!

My throat was choking and I couldn't bear to stand on my two feet anymore. Just a few more seconds. But those seconds felt like an eternity.

Another floor down. Thank God.... however, just then I felt a jerk and had to hold on to the railing behind me to maintain my balance. A scream escaped my throat.

The lift was stuck! Oh, God!!!

I desperately tried pressing the buttons but it was no use. I pressed the bell for help with shaky hands but it was no use. Oh God!
I was all alone...again!!!!!
It's happening again!!!!

I felt like the walls were getting closer to me...they were going to crush me. I felt nauseated... I was hyperventilating.

I don't wanna die! Please help somebody!!!

"H...help... somebody...p... please...help...help..." I cried out. No one was coming.

I banged at the door desperately... madly! My entire body was shaking with panic and anxiety...my brain had stopped working.

Phone...my phone!

I took it out with shaky hands. There was no signal!!!!

Oh God please...just once...save me...

At that moment, I could only think about one person... Zayaan!

I tried to call him... it wasn't working... beads of sweat were covering my whole body...my eyes were blinded with tears... I cried and wailed desperately! Praying but...no one was coming.

Just then, like a miracle, I heard the ring across the phone.

"Hello."

I felt as if his voice gave me a new life.

Zayaan's POV,
"Get the files ready in an hour," I told and my phone buzzed. It was Inarah. I gestured for her to leave.

"Yes sir." The employee left.

Why is she calling at such an odd hour?

"Hello"

I heard her crying and my senses went on alert. Her voice was breaking...the connection was bad.

"Inarah what's wrong..." I questioned agitated.

"Z... Zayaan...s...save me..." She was gasping more than speaking. I leaned forward on my chair.

"Where are you?"

She was crying...
"It's soo...suff..o...cating. Zayaan... I don't... wanna...die."

My eyes widened. Suffocating? Is she locked up somewhere? She's claustrophobic!

"Inarah... breath... please try to breathe. Just tell me where you are. Are you in college?" I jumped off my chair.

"L...lift... I... can't...I can't br... breathe...help me... Zayaan!"

I moved my fingers through my hair frustrated.

"I'm coming Inarah... don't worry.... I'll save you....." I said never disconnecting the call and ran out of my cabin making my way to the parking lot and hoping in my car.

"Inarah... Inarah...keep talking to me..." I panicked as I made my way to her college breaking the fucking traffic and speed rules.

"Zayaan..." Her voice was a whisper.
"Come quickly... I can't...any longer..."

"I'm coming Inarah! Please hold on... please..." I begged her.

"Zayaan... Zayaan... Papa...no..."

I froze.... is she remembering?! No please no!

I pressed down the accelerator. The college building was in vision.

"I'm scared...help..."

"I'm right there Inarah!"

***
We found the lift and the security forced it open. My soul almost left my body as I saw Inarah unconscious inside covered in sweat, her hair disheveled. I ran to her getting on my knees and pulled her limp form in my arms.
I shook her face holding it closer to my racing heart.
"Inarah... Inarah wake up!"

She slightly opened her eyes before closing them again. Her face was strained with tears. I carried her in my arms and took her out immediately.

***
She was still unconscious on her bed with the IV drip attached. It wasn't necessary, but I insisted. The doctors examined her. Mrs Malik, Inarah's mother sat there holding her daughter's hand crying. It turned out that some of her classmates played a prank on her by getting her stuck in the lift.

I told Raghav to find out about them and he told me there were 3 girls. So I told him to send the twins from our gang to deal with them. Those 2 girls would make those stupid bitches pay for what they did to my Inarah.

The way she was desperately calling my name... crying...my blood fumed just thinking about how scared she must've been. What I was more worried about was ...the way she called Papa! If she recalled something from that time then...

She was opening her eyes. Her tired, swollen eyes stopped at her mother and then at me as her mother held her daughter crying.

"I'm fine Mom. Please don't cry." Her tone was monotonously.

I knew she wanted to burst out crying, but she wouldn't do that in front of her mother. Her face was straight, but her eyes were looking at me desperately.

"Aunty, you should bring something for her to eat I think," I told her.

"The maid is preparing it." Mrs Malik answered sniffing.

"No Mom. Please... I want something made by you." Inarah insisted innocently. Her mother caressed her face.

"Are you really ok?" She asked Inarah who nodded with a fake smile.

"Ok then. Stay with her, Zayaan. She patted my arm. As soon as Aunty left Inarah gasped shakily about to break and I sat down beside her pulling her to my chest as she burst into tears. She fisted my shirt in her small palms.
"Zayaan... I was...so scared...so scared..."

"Shhhh... I know..." I whispered kissing her head and trying to placate her by rubbing her back.
I let out a sigh of relief. She was ok...and she was in my arms.

****
I rubbed my eyes with my fingers pressing the bridge of my nose, shutting the laptop. It was past midnight. I checked my phone. There was no call or text from Inarah.
Is she really ok sleeping alone tonight after today's incident?

There was a knock at my study door. Asad walked in.
"Bhai, Dilshad fled the country."

I smirked.
"I expected that much from him. Let him relax for some time. We'll deal with him later. Did the twins deal with those girls?"

"Yes, they did. Meena said those girls were soo scared they won't even step foot in the college for months." He informed monotonously.

"Good," I said and he left.

I looked at my phone again.
Should I call her to ask?

I did.

"Hello," she sounded normal.

"You aren't sleeping yet?" I asked.

"Nope..." She was eating something

"Uh...will you be ok...alone," I asked hesitantly. I thought she'd tease me by taking the wrong meaning but...

"Oh, I'm not alone. Heenu's back. We're watching a movie on our girls' night." She sounded chirpy.

"Hi, Zayaan..m..bye Zayaan..." I heard Heena across the phone.

I felt a bit disheartened.

"Oh...then... that's good. At least you are not alone...so, uh, what movie are you watching?" I wanted to hear her voice a bit longer. I lifted my coffee mug to drink.

"Fifty Shades... we're doing a marathon of all 3 parts." She said and I almost choked on my coffee.

"You're watching what?!"

She giggled. "Hey, he's taking her to the red room, Inarah!" I heard Heena say.

"Oh my! Look at his yummy abs!" I heard Inarah. My eyebrows shot up.
She had completely forgotten that I was still on line.

I shook my head disconnecting the call. This girl! She sees all this dirty stuff and poisons her head, and that Heena too. She keeps on spoiling her.

I stormed back to my seat and opened my laptop again. Tsk! Yummy abs?! He looks like a matchstick in that movie... he's nothing compared to Me!

Has this girl ever seen real abs?! I huffed touching the perfect 6 blocks on my torso. Tsk...these are what you call abs.

Inarah's POV,
Zayaan cut the call abruptly. Was he jealous? Aww, my cutie!

We got lost in the sexy scene feeling weird all over as I could imagine myself and Zayaan in it when...

"Inarah...baby..." Mom knocked from outside.

Oh fuck! Heena and I both panicked.

"Yes, Mom," I answered. Heena ran towards the projector to change the movie.

"I'm coming in," Mom said.

"Hurry" I mouthed her.

And the door flung open. Heena barely reached the bed as she sank resting her elbows on the bed and resting her face on her palms smiling innocently at Mom.
"Hi, Aunty!"

Mom looked at the projector screen as Elsa was singing let it goooo, building her snow castle and then looked at us both with suspicious eyes.

"Let it go~~let it go~~ain't holding back anymore ~~~" we both sang.

"Aww... I love this movie no matter how many times I see it." I smiled showing my teeth innocently.

"Hm. I just came to check on you two. Go to sleep as soon as the movie ends. Don't stay up all night to get dark circles." She warned sweetly.

"Yes, Mom. Love ya."

"Love ya, Aunty."

"Love you both too." She smiled and closed the door behind her leaving.

We both sank on the bed relieved recovering from our mini heart attack.

"Should we bring our sexy Christian Gray back?" Heena wriggled her eyebrows at me grinning wickedly.

"You just read my mind." I returned the wicked grin and I ran to the door to lock it as she ran towards the projector...