TITLE : The Puzzle Of My Heart...

OPTIONS.

Male Protagonist - Mr Arrogant.

Female Protagonist - Ms Innocent.

Supporting Role - Ravi Dubey as Siddharth Kukreeja.

Guest Appearance - C'est Moi. Chuchuus

Enjoy The Update

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Abhishek Mehra has always been known to be an arrogant man who cared about no one but himself, he was only known to be a rude, selfish, bastard who only valued money and wealth. No one wanted to get close to him or get to know him because of his arrogant attitude and rude nature, the only people close to him were his family, his grandma, young sister - Disha and best friend - Siddharth.

Abhi was feared by all and that is how he liked it, he wanted power, dominance and respect, but what he did not know was that it was not respect but fear, people never respected him, they feared him, his arrogant attitude and rude nature scared them, it made them bow to his words and apart from being known as a cruel, arrogant, rude selfish bastard, he was also known as a workaholic. Abhishek Mehra was a strong believer in hard work, he believed that hard work was everything, if you wanted something in this big world, you had to work hard for it, nothing came for free, he strongly believed that free things were either fake or stolen and that they could never last long, so to him, hard work was everything. He was cold and rude towards his employees, he would bark orders at them because he wanted them to put all their energy in their work so that everything would turn out well, he would yell at them because he wanted the best, he would always threaten to fire them from their jobs if something was not right and for this reason they feared him more but little did they know, that behind this arrogant, cruel, heartless workaholic was a broken man, he would look tough in front of people, but deep, deep down, in the deepest part of his heart, he was nothing but a broken lonely soul.

Abhishek Mehra had everything a common dreamed of, he had all the wealth people craved for, yet he still felt something was lacking in his life, with all the money, with all the wealth and power he possessed, he still felt like he had nothing. Empty - that was what he felt, nothing but emptiness, he was nothing but an empty shell, business tycoon, CEO of the biggest shipping company in the continent, most successful businessman alive, a person people feared and thought had everything in life to make him happy, someone people envied, a person some people looked up to, a person some people saw as a role model, a person people wished to be or at least wished to possess what he owned had something missing in his life, but sadly no one knew this, only Abhishek Mehra himself, his close family and friends, there was also a story hidden behind all this loneliness and emptiness. It's not always that Abhishek Mehra felt this emptiness, it's not like he was an empty shell before, it's not like he had always lacked something or missed something in his life, there was this one time when Abhishek Mehra felt complete, once upon a time Abhishek Mehra felt like he had it all, there was a time not so long ago when Abhishek Mehra was full of life, not this empty shell, but one incident, one particular incident changed everything, Abhishek Mehra was not always this cold person towards people, he was not always this arrogant cold blooded male - no he wasn't, but one incident changed everything, it changed him, it taught him that caring about others causes you nothing but heartache, since that day, Abhishek Mehra vowed to protect himself from any pain and hurt, and if being cold and ruthless towards people, if hurting other people was the only way, then he was more than willing to take that route.

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Just like every other day, today was no different for Mr. Mehra, he was stuck in the office working, this was his life - sleeping less plus working more equal to earning more, which will lead to becoming richer which is equal to more power, authority and respect, this was his everyday life, he never bothered about going home early because there was nothing rather no one to go home to except his old grandma, not that he didn't love her, he did but he knew that she would only start talking about marriage and commitments which was a touchy and annoying subject for him, the other person was his little sister Disha who he loved and cared for more than his life, the other person(s) was his cousin Raj, his wife Mitali, their kids Bunty and Bubbli, then there was Robin - The butler. This was his family and he loved each and everyone of them even though they would annoy him most of the time.

It was 10:37p.m, everyone had left the building, but Abhi could careless, he was only focused on his work, he scheduled for a meeting with Chinese investors in less than four weeks and that is all he could think about, he knew that his grandma and baby sister would give him a good scolding for overworking himself, but that didn't bother him, if this deal was sealed it would mean more profits, which means more money for him and more money means more power, authority, dominance and respect just the way he liked it.

He was so engrossed in what he was doing he did not see his best friend Siddharth giving him a disapproving look.

"This is not healthy man. " Siddharth also known as Sid said making his presence known.

"What do you want? Go away I am busy. " Abhi replied his eyes still glued to the laptop.

If it was someone else he would have been offended with Abhi's reply, but this was Siddharth Kukreeja, his best friend since middle school, he knew Abhi well, so nothing he said affected him.

"I am here to take you home, your grandma is worried about you. " He said taking a seat.

"I already called Disha telling her I will be late. " He replied, his eyes not leaving the laptop.

Sid heaved a sigh and asked, "for how long have you been working? "

Abhi slightly pushed his laptop forward and clasped his hands together, raising his left eyebrow he said, "since six in the morning, any problem? "

Siddharth looked at the watch on his wrist then looked back at his friend who was currently giving him a bored look.

"Abhi, it's 10:43pm, you have been working for sixteen hours, forty three minutes, this is not normal. " Sid exclaimed.

"So? " Came Abhi's reply as he went back to what he was doing.

Siddharth shook his head in disapproval and in a swift motion he pulled the laptop from his best friend's desk.

"Why did you do that? I was sending an important email. Give me my laptop. " He demanded.

"No I won't, you need to go home, take a bath and take some much needed rest. "

"Siddharth Kukreeja, GIVE ME MY LAPTOP. " He said deadly.

"What if I say I won't, what will you do? " Sid asked as Abhi glared at him, "now get your behind out of that chair, you are going home and I will be driving you. "

Knowing fully well, that Siddharth won't stop, Abhi angrily got up from his chair got a few of his belongings which he needed and walked out of his office, Sid just quietly followed his best friend behind wearing a smirk on his face, yes he missed his old buddy, but he loved annoying this already annoyed Abhi.

The drive to the Mehra mansion was awfully quiet with an annoyed Abhi looking out the window, he was angry at his friend, first he dragged him from the office, then he forcefully took his phone from him, how was he supposed to work now? Siddharth could careless if his best friend was angry at him, all he knew was that he was tired and he needed rest, he was worried about his health and his well-being, even though Abhi would look tough and all, Siddharth knew that it was only on the outside, after the incident that occurred three years ago he has been so cold, distant, arrogant and rude towards everyone excluding his grandma and his baby sister and sometimes his best friend Siddharth - only sometimes, Sid's only prayer and wish was that he would get over it and move on and for God to perform any sort of miracle whatever it was just as long as his best friend is no longer locked up in the dark room he decided to lock himself.

Finally they had arrived at the Mehra Mansion, once Abhi saw his house he never even bothered to say thank you or goodbye to his friend he just angrily got out of the car and made his way towards his house.

"Goodnight, and you are welcome. " Siddharth yelled from his car while Abhi just shut the door ignoring him, "Arrogant Bastard. " An annoyed Siddharth cussed, yes he loved his friend, but sometimes he was just so unbearable.

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Abhi just couldn't understand what Siddharth's problem was, yes they were close friends, they were more like brothers from different mothers, but that didn't mean that he could always poke his nose in his business, why couldn't he just understand that he found solace in is work, work made him forget about his troubles and the cause of it, 'why can't they just understand? ' He questioned himself, heaving a sigh he mentally prepared himself for bed, but before he could reach his room, he saw his little sister Disha seated on the couch looking rather tired and worried.

"Why aren't you in bed? " He asked, Disha quickly stood up from the couch like a military man when she heard her brothers voice, she knew that he would scold her for waiting as he always told her to never wait for him.

"Abhi, you are early today. Welcome. " She said nervously.

"Why aren't you in bed? " He asked again ignoring her like what she said didn't matter. Disha muttered a cuss under her breath, looking everywhere but at her brother, "what did you say? " Abhi asked her.

"Uh.. Nothing, I didn't say anything. " She quickly denied, even though Disha knew that her brother could never do a thing to hurt her, that didn't mean he didn't scare her a little.

"I thought I heard you say something. "

"No, you heard wrong. " She denied shaking her head really fast.

"Stop that, you might injure your brain. " Abhi reprimanded causing her to stop with the head shake, "now tell me, why are you not in bed, it's late. "

"I was waiting for you. " Disha replied nervously playing with her fingers.

"I thought I told you I will be working late, so why are you waiting? " He asked calmly.

"I wanted to tell you that, grandma's nurse and caretaker have both quit today. "

"Incompetent fools. " Abhi mumbled but loud enough for his sister to hear.

"No, it's your fault, you scared them away, if you are not angry all the time, they would still be working here taking care of grandma. " Disha argued.

"How is it my fault if they do not know how to do their job right? If they did their job right, I wouldn't be so controlling. You know you and grandma are all I have left, I would die anything were to happen to you both. " Abhi said truthfully, if they were people he cared about in this huge world it was his grandma and sister, even Siddharth although sometimes he did feel like killing him.

Disha's heart melted when she heard Abhi's words, she didn't care what the world thought of him, to her he was the most loving and caring person in the entire world, even though he could be rude and scary sometimes, he was still the best person she knew.

Giving him a hug she said, "you don't have to worry so much, you know I can take care of myself. "

"Yes, yes, I know, but you are still my sister, it's just normal for me to worry about you. " He said breaking the hug, "now run alone its way past your bed time. " He teased her.

"I am twenty four, I don't have a bed time. I am not a baby. " Disha retorted rolling her eyes.

"You still are to me, now come little lady its time for bed. "

"But there is something I need to tell you. "

"What is it? " Abhi asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Well I know some people who could help with grandma. "

"Mmmmh." Abhi hummed in response.

"Well you see, I have a friend, who happens to be a nurse I could talk to her. "

"Can she start working tomorrow? " He questioned.

Disha nodded her head enthusiastically, her eyes as wide as a saucer.

"Words Disha. " Abhi always hated it if someone didn't reply to him with words, he always loved it if people used words, not silly gestures.

"Yes. "

"But do you think she can handle two responsibilities as grandmas' personal nurse and caregiver? "

"Ummm... She has a friend, who works in the old aged home, I am sure she can help. "

"Disha you do know that our grandma is not insane and neither is she suffering from dementia, she is only suffering from arthritis due to old age. "

"Yes I know, it's just that she is the best, she can be good company to grandma. "

"Okay fine, give them a call, I want them here at 10a.m exactly, you know I hate when people are late, I can clear my schedule tomorrow. "

"Actually I already spoke to them and they would be here by eight to so they can start. " Disha answered giving him a sheepish smile.

"So you hired them without letting me know first? "

"Yeah. Sorry. "

"It's okay, as long as they do their job right. "

"They will not disappoint. "

"I hope so, but they do know that they will have to live here with us right? "

"Yes, I already told them. "

"Good girl. Now come on little rabbit, it's time for bed. " Abhi said using the nickname he gave her when she was three just to tease her a little.

"Don't call me that, I am a big girl now. No - a mature woman. " Disha said with a pout.

"That I see, but you are still my baby sister, now, now off to bed. " Abhi said pushing her towards her room as Disha kept complaining about him treating her like a baby, giving his sister a good night kiss on the forehead, Abhi went to check on his grandma who was sleeping peacefully, giving her a good night kiss as well he retired to his room.

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'Crap I am late, ' Abhi thought as he jumped out of bed, rushing into the bathroom he quickly brushed his teeth and took a quick shower, grabbing the closest suit he could find he quickly got dressed, getting whatever he needed for work he left his room in a rush.

"Abhi, why are you in such a rush, have some breakfast first. " Disha said when she bumped into her brother who was running down the stairs like a madman.

"Good morning my sweet little sister, I am sorry I can't have breakfast I am running late. " He replied.

"Okay at least have some coffee. " She insisted.

"No time for coffee. "

"But Abhi, it's only 08:30a.m. and you are the boss, so it doesn't matter if you are late. "

"I need to lead by example. " He said in a rush.

"Okay but at least meet Pragya and Chuchuus. "

"Who's that? " Abhi asked, confusion marrying his face.

"My friend and her friend, they will be taking care of grandma, they replaced the nurse and caretaker you scared away. "

"You know them. Are they good people? " He questioned.

"Yes they are. " Disha answered.

"Okay then, I trust you, I don't need to meet them. "

"But- " Disha tried to say something but he cut her by giving her a kiss on the cheek and saying goodbye, leaving an amused and happy Disha.

Disha, Deljeet(grandma) Pragya and Chuchuus were seated in the living room chatting away, Deljeet was getting to know the two, while Disha was slowly getting acquainted with Pragya, she already knew about Chuchuus as they were best of friends in first grade but sadly they separated in fifth grade as Chuchuus left to another state, they lost all contact with each other only to meet five months ago when Disha took Deljeet for her normal check up at the hospital, there they met and Disha learnt that she studied to become a nurse, they later exchanged numbers and they have been talking since then, Pragya on the other hand was a different story, she was Chuchuus' friend, they met in high school and since then they became inseparable, while Chuchuus studied to become a nurse, Pragya studied to become an accountant, but she later discovered it was not for her as she enjoyed taking care of older people, she loved to hear all there stories and experiences in life, so she really enjoyed her work and never regretted quitting accounting.

They were so engrossed in their conversation they did not see an angry Abhi entering the room.

"Robin!!! Robin!!! " Abhi yelled for the Butler, startling everyone.

"Abhi dear, what is the problem? Why are you so angry? " Deljeet asked, while the three young ladies stood quietly feeling a little scared.

"Grandma you know I am late for work and I am in a hurry, I was trying to drive out, but some stupid monkey decided to park their wheelbarrow in front of the gate, how am I supposed to leave? " He asked in anger and exasperation.

"Umm.. Can't you just push the wheelbarrow? " Chuchuus suggested more like asked.

Abhi shot her a glare and asked, "did I ask you to speak? " She shook her head negatively in response, "then next time I demand that you think twice before opening that beak you call a mouth. "

While Deljeet and Disha were embarrassed by Abhi's behavior, Chuchuus and Pragya were shocked by his rude attitude, 'he just indirectly called me a chicken that too on my first day, ' Chuchuus thought her mouth still open due to shock, but she quickly shut it when she saw a glare from Abhi.

"Sir, you called me? " Robin said coming from the kitchen.

"What kind of stupid question is that, didn't you hear me call you or maybe are you suffering from hearing loss? Do you need hearing aids? " He angrily questioned Robin who negativity shook his head in response, "words Robin. " He said snapping his fingers, "or have you suddenly become mute? "

"N.. No.. Si.. Sir. " He stammered in fear.

"Who's wheelbarrow is parked in front of my gate? "

"W.. Wh... Wha... Wha... What- "

"W.. Wh... Wha... Wha... What. " Abhi mimicked him, "can't you just say something sensible, what is it you are trying to say? I can't even understand a thing. " Abhi screamed in anger.

"Sorry sir. " Robin quickly apologised, "wh... What wheelbarrow are you talking about? "

"The excuse of a car which is parked right in front of my gate. " Chuchuus couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips, it was she who had parked the car in front of the gate, Pragya looked from an angry Abhi and gave her clumsy best friend a sympathetic look, 'this poor soul, she will probably die out if fear before her time, ' Pragya thought feeling sorry for her friend.

"Um... I think it belongs to them. " Robin said pointing at Chuchuus and Pragya.

"Not me, but Pragya!!! " Chuchuus shouted pointing at Pragya she was both nervousness and afraid, Pragya looked at her best friend in disbelief, to shocked and afraid to say anything.

"Do you have to scream, your voice is so annoying, its no different from that of a rat, do you want me to suffer from deafness at my age? " An irked Abhi asked a scared Chuchuus, "and you who gave you your drivers license? Or maybe you are so blind you can't see that you parked in front of the gate? " He questioned Pragya who swallowed saliva in fear.

"Well.. I was.. I was. " Pragya struggled with words, she did not want to deny anything as she feared for her friend, but she was still scared nonetheless.

"Just shut your trap and find somewhere else to park that wheelbarrow you call a car, I am already late and listening to your stupid excuse is just a waste of time. " Abhi said and stormed out the room as Pragya quietly followed him behind.

Once they were outside, Abhi gestured a Pragya who was rooted in her place to enter the car, without wasting time, Pragya straggled with the door knob and for the first time she thanked the Lord in heaven for Chuchuus' forgetful nature, Chuchuus had forgotten to lock the doors so Pragya was able to easily enter the car, making herself comfortable in the car seat, she heaved a sigh thankful to the heavens above that she was not anywhere near Abhi.

Abhi waited patiently for Pragya to start the car engine, but to his surprise, she looked like she was saying a prayer he angrily walked towards Pragya who was currently seated in the car and knocked on the window, that seemed to have stopped Pragya from completing her prayer as she turned towards the window only to see an angry looking Abhi who was gesturing for her to drive, 'oh crap, the car keys are with Chuchuus, what do I do? Lord help me, ' Pragya said a short prayer in panic, 'okay, since I was a little girl, I have been taught that only the truth sets free, Pragya, just tell him you left the keys in the house, you can do it, ' she encouraged herself, slowly she opened the car door shocking Abhi a little, 'what is she doing? ' He mentally asked himself.

"Ummm... I forgot the keys in the house. " Pragya said smiling sheepishly, as Abhi gave her a bored look.

"Who do you think I am to you? Your servant? You must be daft to think that I will go back in there and get your keys, now get your skeleton out of this wheelbarrow, go in the house and get the freaking keys, I am running late!! " Abhi exclaimed to a Pragya who was still comfortably seated in the car sit. Pragya quickly rushed into the house afraid of Abhi, "I am surrounded by bloody idiots, " he muttered a cuss under his breath once he saw Pragya disappear into the house.

Pragya rushed into the house, she was running like someone was chasing after her.

"Pragya, are you okay? " Chuchuus asked worriedly.

"You can ask me that later, right now give me the car keys, or else all hell will break loose. " Pragya said panting like a mad dog, Chuchuus checked her purse and tossed Pragya the car keys, without wasting anytime Pragya ran out the house to the wheelbarrow rather the car, saying an apology to Abhi, she got into the car and drove the car from the gate, without even bothering to say a thing, Abhi just shot her one deathly glare, walked to his car and drove to the office.

Taking in deep breaths, Pragya made her way to the house where she found a nervous looking Chuchuus and a Disha who was trying so hard to calm her.

"I can't work here, I don't think I can work here. I don't want to work here. " Chuchuus said pacing back and forth.

"Calm down Chuchuus, my brother may seem cold and rude, but he is nothing like that. You just need to know him better, he is a good guy with a big heart. " Disha explained.

"To you he is!!! " Chuchuus yelled even though she didn't mean to, "did you see him when he got here? I was this close, " She said this by touching her thumb to her ring finger, "to peeing and shitting in my pants, and you are telling me that he is a good guy, I just need to know him better? No way. "

"Let's just give him a chance, maybe Disha is right, let's get to know him. " Pragya said making her presence known.

"Uh.. No missy, I would rather try to get to know the devil better than Godzilla. I mean no offense Disha, but your brother scares me. " Disha nodded in understanding.

"Okay, so we just avoid him, after all we are here for grandma, not him. " Pragya said trying to convince her friend, even though she was also afraid of Abhishek Mehra, she was also curious to know why he behaves so rudely.

"Yes Pragya is right, you are here for me not my grandson, besides Abhi is rarely at home. " Deljeet explained

"Come on Chuchuus, where is my best friend who thinks nothing but positivity, where is my friend who fears nobody but God? " Pragya asked. "And like grandma said, we will rarely see him. Right grandma? " Deljeet nodded in response.

Heaving a sigh, Chuchuus agreed to stay, just as long as she doesn't bump into Abhi.

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Four months had passed and somehow both Chuchuus and Pragya had successfully avoided Abhi or Godzilla as Chuchuus preferred to call him, even though Chuchuus was happy about not seeing the human version of Godzilla, Pragya was not happy with it, she was worried about Abhi, his behavior, his arrogant attitude and the way he shut himself from the world, even though she did not know him on a personal level she knew that something might have happened in his past for him to have such an attitude, 'it's like he is trying to protect himself from something, and the only way he knows how is by being rude and cold towards people, the only way he believes he can protect himself is by isolating himself from the world, ' Pragya thought, 'but what could have happened to him? ' She mentally asked herself.

"Hey, what are you thinking of? " Chuchuus asked her friend who was lost in thought.

"Abhi. " Pragya replied without putting much thought to her answer.

"And why would you be thinking about Godzilla stuck in a man's body? "

"Don't call him that. "

"What? Godzilla? Well I am only saying the truth. "

"You don't know why he is like that. "

"And I seriously don't want to know. " Chuchuus replied with a shrug.

"I believe that something happened to him which caused him to become so cold. " Pragya said more to herself.

"Don't tell me you are thinking of playing Sherlock Holmes and discovering the mystery behind the Anaconda's rude behavior? " Chuchuus said eyeing her suspiciously.

"Anaconda? "

"Yes, you said I shouldn't call him Godzilla anymore, so I thought anaconda would suit him. " Chuchuus answered.

"Seriously Chuchuus, instead of coming up with nicknames can't you see the real issue here? " A frustrated Pragya asked.

"What issue? That you want to commit suicide not by your own hand, but someone else's who happens to be Godzilla or anaconda? " She asked seriously.

Taking in deep breaths, Pragya slowly opened and closed her eyes, "why he is behaving so rudely towards people. " She said calmly.

"Maybe it's because he was born grumpy. " Chuchuus replied with a shrug.

"Or maybe it's because something happened in his past, and he is still living in his past. "

"Well it's not my fault if he still wants to live in the stone age. " Chuchuus said rolling her eyes.

"Oh my god, you are a lost cause. What I am saying is that, maybe if we could talk to him and befriend him, we can get to know what it is that is bothering him and why he is so cold towards others. " Pragya explained.

"Sweetie I love heaven, but I love earth as well, and I know that I am not ready to meet my maker, but if you are - you are welcome to get to know him better as for me, I can't, I love my life. "

"Come on Chuchuus, I am sure he is not so bad, I do know he is only like that because of his past experience and for every action there is always an equal or an opposite reaction. " Pragya said quoting Newton's third law of motion.

"And since when did Sir Isaac Newton raise from the dead? " Chuchuus asked sarcastically.

Rolling her eyes Pragya said, "obviously someone did something to him and thus his attitude, someone might have hurt him and the only way he knows to protect himself from hurt is by hurting others. " Pragya explained.

"Well good luck with unfolding the mystery behind Abhishek Mehra, I don't want to be a part of it. " Chuchuus said, "and Pragya, you are just too innocent thinking that there is good in everyone, but let me just warn you, inasmuch as you believe that there is good in every person out there, I am sure as hell that Abhishek Mehra is an exception. " Chuchuus left Pragya alone to drown in her thoughts, no matter how hard she tried, Pragya refused to believe that her friend was right, she had a feeling in her gut that something happened which caused Abhi to have such a rude behaviour and she was going to find out what it was whether Chuchuus liked it or not.

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Abhi was currently seating in his room nursing a wound he got after he angrily punched the wall, he was happy that neither his grandma nor sister saw it as they would make a fuss about his health, he looked at his sore knuckles and tried to add some ointment to it which happened to be a difficult task as he injured his most useful hand, "bloody hell, " he cussed as he threw the first aid kit towards the mirror breaking it, at the same time Pragya happened to be passing by Abhi's room thinking about ways she could start a conversation with Abhi, so when she heard something break she did not think twice about entering his room, she never even bothered to knock, she just barged into the room like she owned it.

Pragya gasped in shock and fear when she saw Abhi's bleeding hand, Abhi was too busy trying to ignore the pain he did not hear anyone enter his room.

"Sir. " Pragya called him softly, "what happened? " She asked worriedly.

Abhi wanted to give a snappy reply but chose not to do that when he saw the tears in her eyes, 'is she crying for me? ' He mentally asked himself, 'why would she cry for you, no one cares for you except your sister and grandma, she is probably crying for some other reason maybe had an argument with her stupid friend, ' he argued with himself.

"What happened? " Pragya asked once again, Abhi wanted to pull his hand away, but the feeling which he had been missing for years - he felt it, he felt it when she touched him, he abruptly removed his hands from her grasp and the empty feeling took over again, 'what is it I am feeling? Could it be? No Abhi, it's just your imagination, ' he argued with himself, it couldn't be, could it be that she was what was missing in his life?

Despite Abhi's protests, Pragya stubbornly cleaned his wound, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying? I am tired of all this emotional drama. " Abhi grumbled, even though he was touched and affected by her tears, his arrogant self was not going to show that.

"You are hurt, and you have lost so much blood, how am I not supposed to cry? " She asked him.

"You are crying.... For me? " Abhi asked in disbelief as Pragya innocently nodded and continued dressing his wounds.

"How did it happen? " She asked, "you can tell me whenever you feel free, you can tell me anything. " She added after she saw him looking slightly nervous and uncomfortable.

"Okay. " He replied in a whisper.

"Sleep now, you need rest. " Pragya told him and tucked him into bed like a little boy, giving him a small smile and a peck on the forehead she said goodnight and left the room, leaving a stunned Abhi, he wasn't stunned by what she did, but by his behavior, how did he allow that? He couldn't believe himself and what shocked him more is that he did not regret a thing and that for the first time he felt genuinely happy and complete, the emptiness was gone with just one touch by Pragya, Pragya somehow managed to reignite a fire which died three years ago. With these feelings, Abhi drifted off to sleep.

Pragya couldn't believe what she just did, and more than that she just couldn't understand what she felt, yes she has seen a hurt man before, but seeing Abhi hurt and in pain made her feel some type of way, seeing him hissing in pain made her want to heal him, she didn't know what the feeling was but all she knew was that seeing Abhi in pain hurt her as well, seeing him in pain made her want to take all the pain away, she even wished that she was the one to feel the pain, she wished that the wound was on her hand and not his, all she wanted to do was to kiss all his pain and hurt goodbye, but she not only wanted to kiss the physical wounds which could be seen by all goodbye, she also wanted to kiss all the pain that he was keeping in his heart goodbye, she did not know what the name of the feeling was, but she was sure to follow this feeling she felt in her heart and right now it was telling her to heal Abhi, and that is exactly what she was going to do, bring him so much joy he would forget about all the sorrow and the pain of the past.

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THE NEXT DAY...

Abhi was currently in his office thinking of the events that occured last night, for the first time in three years he was able to sleep like a baby, for the first time in three years he was able to feel peace, for the first time in three years he was able to feel anything but pain and heartache and for the first time in three years he never wanted to leave his home, he only left because he knew that his grandma would suspect something when she saw a small change in his behavior, so right now he was stuck in his office still thinking about Pragya and her bewitching touch, that touch brought something, it was like it made him alive, because of that touch, he could feel again, stone hearted Abhishek Mehra could feel again because of one particular touch, 'what have you done to me Pragya? ' Abhi questioned himself running his fingers through his hair.

"May I come in? " Siddharth asked bringing Abhi out of his thoughts.

"Why are you asking when you are already inside? " Abhi retorted.

"Because. " He replied, "why did you call, it sounded urgent and what happened to your hand? "

"How the hell am I supposed to answer all your questions at once? " He asked in annoyance.

"Okay, goodbye, I am leaving. " Siddharth said and turned to leave.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait Sid. " Abhi said stopping him, but what he said next came as a shocker not only to Sid, but to Abhi as well. "I am sorry. " He said in a whisper.

"Did you just say sorry? " Sid asked incredulously.

"I can't believe I said that. " Abhi mumbled.

"Me neither. " Sid replied still in a shocked state.

"Have a seat, I need your help. "

"Okay, looks like the world is about to end, first you say sorry and now you are asking for my help? " Sid asked in excitement.

"I believe I just did. " Abhi replied monotonously.

"What's the problem? Siddharth's here, he will sort it out in a heartbeat. " He bragged.

"Something happened last night. "

"I can see. " Sid retorted looking at his hand.

"It's not about my hand, it's about a girl - a girl who has managed to bring out all these feelings in me. "

"And what feelings could those be. " Siddharth asked his curiosity taking the best of him.

"For the first time, I feel so alive, I feel so happy, I don't feel empty anymore, I feel, " He paused and remembered Pragya's touch, "loved. " He said in a whisper.

"You grandma and your sister love you. " Siddharth told him, he was saying this deliberately because he wanted Abhi to understand the feeling.

"No, it's not the love that siblings share or the parental type of love, it's some different kind of love. It's inexplicable. " He explained looking dreamily at nothing in particular.

"Is it the type of love you felt three years ago before- "

"No. " Abhi quickly replied cutting Sid, "and please let's not talk about three years ago. " He said becoming defensive.

"Abhi for you to move ahead you need to forget the past, you can't let it hunt you forever. "

"And by not talking about it, I will forget it. "

"For how long are you going to pretend that everything is okay? For how long are you going to lock yourself up in this dark room? And for how long are you going to pretend like it doesn't affect you? "

"It doesn't, it never did, it never will. " Abhi denied even though deep down in his heart he knew it was a lie.

"This is my piece of advice, if you want to build something with this girl who made you feel, let go of all the pain, because if you don't, it will ruin your future with her. I am leaving now, but please think about what I said. " Sid said and left Abhi's office, leaving him confused.

"Aaaah!!! " Abhi shouted in anger and frustration, he wanted to punch in the wall again but he remembered that he has only one good hand to depend on.

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Like everyday Abhi left the office after 11p.m, he was excited to go home in the morning, but after his conversation with Siddharth, he thought it was best if he went home late and not forgetting his bandaged hand - he needed to hide that from his sister and grandma and he was also trying to avoid Pragya.

Abhi quickly made it to his room and readied himself for bed, but before his head could hit the pillow, he heard a faint knock on his door, "now who could that be? " He questioned, in frustration he go out of his bed and went to check who was at the door, only to see Pragya holding a tray of food in her hands.

"I brought you some food, it's not healthy for you to go to bed on an empty stomach. " She said wearing a warm smile.

"And who told you I am hungry? I am not hungry. " Abhi said trying to get rid of her.

Heaving a sigh Pragya asked, "have you eaten anything? "

"No I haven't, but- "

"Then you must eat something. " Pragya insisted and welcomed herself to his room, "come sit. " She said tapping the bed.

"Why are you doing this? " He asked in exasperation.

"You haven't eaten anything. " She replied still wearing a smile. "Now come sit, I just warmed your food, I went through so much trouble for this. "

"Do I look like I care? Now get out leave me alone. "

"This food will go to waste. "

"I don't care, if you care too much, you can eat it. "

"But I made it for you. " She said with a cute pout giving him the puppy eyes.

"Why are you being stubborn? " He asked.

"You haven't eaten yet. "

"Why do you care? "

"Well because. " She replied, "now stop being stubborn and come sit, I am not leaving your room until you finish eating everything on this plate. "

Heaving a sigh Abhi walked towards the bed and made himself comfortable making Pragya happy, but what Abhi did not expect was for Pragya to feed him.

"Hey. " He said pushing the spoon away from his mouth, "I am not a child I can definitely feed myself. " An irked Abhi said.

"How will you do that? You are injured remember. " Pragya told him looking at his hand.

"Fine. " Abhi grumbled.

Pragya happily fed Abhi, who did not object, he was just surprised by her attitude and nature, no one except his grandma and sister has ever cared for him. Once she was done feeding him, she placed all the utensils on the tray, saying goodnight she walked to the door but stopped in her tracks when she heard Abhi's voice.

"Three years ago, I was stood up. " He said and let out a bitter chuckle. Pragya slowly turned only to see a pained look on his handsome face. "I thought she loved me, but I was so wrong, she just thought it was best to dump me on our wedding day, since then I was hurt, but I learnt something - you never get anything but pain when you love someone and when you believe that someone loves you, love is a useless feeling that brings you nothing but pain. " He said bitterly.

"No you are wrong. " Pragya argued as she made a way to him, "love can never cause anyone pain, it can only bring them happiness and unbound joy. " She said softly smiling at him.

"Look at me, I loved and it ruined me. " He scoffed.

"Yes you loved, but love didn't ruin you. "

"Then what did? If I had not loved I wouldn't be like this today. Love ruins everything. "

"No it didn't, trust did. "

"What? "

"Trust did, you loved, but made the mistake to trust. Love, but don't trust. Putting to much trust in humans will end up hurting you, we humans are prone to mistakes, so trusting us is not the wisest thing to do. " She said with a smile.

"So don't you trust anyone? " He asked.

"Nope. Like that I won't get hurt, because I know that they might hurt me in one way or another.
"

"Not even your crazy friend? "

"Especially her. " She said with a chuckle remembering Chuchuus, "and it's high time you forget about everything and leave it behind you, let go of all the offense, by holding a grudge towards your ex, you are causing yourself more pain, just let it go and free yourself from this prison of pain and heartache. "

"It's hard. " He confessed.

"I know it is, but I also know that you can do it. " She said this by holding his hand and all of the sudden, the feelings he felt the first time she touched him came back again.

"Can I give you a hug? " He asked shocking her, but she happily accepted. "Thank you, I can't promise anything, but I will try. " He said breaking the hug.

"That's a start. I think I should go to bed now. "

"Yeah, right, goodnight, and it was really nice talking to you. " He said opening the door for her.

"Goodnight. " She said.

Abhi thought about his little chat with Pragya and the talk he had with Sid, he knew that both where right, his been leaving in the dark for three years and it was high time he got out of this place he locked himself, before he knew it, sleep took over.

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For the first time ever, Abhishek Mehra happily got out of bed, his chat with Pragya had brought something positive out of him, deciding not to go for work, he dressed casually in a plain black T-shirt and a pair of jeans, taking one last look in the mirror he happily made his way to the dinning Hall where everyone was have breakfast.

"Good morning everyone. " He said in unusual happy tone shocking everyone except Pragya.

"Morning? " Disha replied.

"Is that a question or an answer? "

"You are not going for work today? " Deljeet asked.

"Yes, I thought I should spend sometime with my family today, I think Pragya and Chuchuus need a day off. " He said.

"What crawled up his derriérè(behind) " Chuchuus whispered in Pragya's ear.

"I heard you Chuchuus. " Abhi said.

"Sorry. " She quickly apologised.

They all ate in silence, this new side if Abbi shocked them, they never thought they would ever see this side if him, yes he was not as rude, but that didn't mean that he was totally reformed, he still did insult his workers or get angry if something was not done right, but this was a start after all bad habits die hard.

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Six Months Later....

It's been six months after Pragya's talk with Abhi and he has been showing so many signs of improvement, he still loved his work, but now he would work like a normal human, he would at least take some days off to spend with his family, he became less harsh and a little more friendly to his employees, his relationship with Pragya had developed into a healthy one, yes she was officially his girlfriend which freaked Chuchuus out, she feared for her friends life but decided to give there relationship a chance, they might have not have confessed their love to each other, but no words about what they felt for each other needed to be said, their love for each other was evident in their eyes, no questions needed to be asked, but today Abhi had different plans, he was going to tell her what he felt right from the depth of his heart, so he prepared a romantic dinner for them both.

Pragya was currently in her room preparing herself for Abhi, he said he wanted to take her somewhere tonight, it's not like it's the first time he has taken her out, it's just that this time she had a feeling in her gut that something big was going to happen, she happily got dressed in a beautiful blue gown that Abhi had purchased for her, she did her own hair and makeup as her best friend was a total failure when it came to that.

"Can I come in? " Chuchuus asked standing outside the door.

"Yes, I am done. " Pragya replied.

"Wow, you look great, I might not have any knowledge in fashion and stuff, but Godzilla sure does know your body well. " She said wiggling her eyebrows.

"Shut up and don't call him Godzilla. "

"To you he is not to me he still is. " She replied with a shrug, "if you are done, your chauffeur is waiting for you. You don't want to be late. " Pragya smiled at her friend and went out of the room to the chauffeur who was waiting outside for her.

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Pragya couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips when she saw Abhi's surprise, he had surprised her by preparing a dinner date for them at the beach, it was completely isolated, no one was around the only things she could see were the decorations and the dim lights from the candles, Abhi happily opened the car door for her like a gentleman he was, taking her hand in his he pulled her for a hug and gave her a small kiss on her lips making her blush, he handed her a bouquet of red roses he had bought for her which she happily accepted, slowly they walked to their table where their food had already been served, making themselves comfortable they began to eat their food making small talk here and there, finally they were done with their dinner and they decided to take a straw on the beach, 'okay, this is the right time Abhi, it's now or never, ' he mentally told himself.

"Pragya. " He called her softly, "there is something I would love you to know. " He said causing her heart to beat ten times faster than it already was. "I am not good at this, and I don't know how to tell it to you, but I will still try. " Clearing his throat he continued speaking saying, "my life was full of nothing but darkness, I was nothing but an empty shell, I thought I was something, but now I realized I was nothing, my life was meaningless, it was full of loneliness till you entered into it, never in my life had I thought that I would be so lucky to meet someone like you, Pragya you brought me out of the dark into the light, what am I am I saying - you are my light, without you I am as good as nothing, in fact I am nothing, your my missing piece, the one who completes me, Pragya Arora, you are THE PUZZLE OF MY HEART, I have never been so sure of something as I am now, I felt it the first time you touched me when you were treating my injured arm. " Pragya was a crying mess, she couldn't help but cry when she heard him speak and that wasn't all as he still continued, "that day you touched me for the first time, you completed me, not only that, you slowly healed my wounds, Pragya because you are with me, I am able to forget all the pain I felt because I have you with me, I love you Pragya, I have for a long time now, but I just couldn't bring myself to tell it to you and to prove it to you, " He said and got down on one knee and removed a small velvet box from his pocket, Pragya covered her mouth in shock and surprise she expected anything but this, "Pragya, please complete me completely, you are the missing piece to my heart, the puzzle of my heart and only you fit perfectly with me, would you please make me the happiest man alive by accepting to be my wife, only you can make me happy, it's you, just you, no one else but you, you are just the very one for me. " He said feeling nervous on the inside even if he didn't show it, Pragya was such an emotional mess she couldn't trust her voice to say anything right, so she just nodded her head in agreement, even though Abhi hated this, he understood and he was way too happy to even care, without wasting much time he put the ring on her finger, got up from the ground and gave her a bone crushing hug, planting kisses on her beautiful face, he kept telling her how much he loved her.

"I love you too. " She said giggling like a little girl.

"I know baby, I can see it in your actions. " He said and sealed his proposal with a kiss, it was a promise of a life filled with nothing but happiness.

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Three months later, Abhi and Pragya tied the knot, Pragya wearing the traditional white wedding dress which was worn in every normal Christian wedding while Abhi was dressed in a charcoal grey tux, they promised each other a life full of love together forever with God as there witness.

After being stood up on his wedding day Abhishek Mehra, never thought he would find something rather someone that completes him, but looks like the good Lord above had other plans for him, as he sent him an angel who not only brought light to his world, but who also fixed him, both on the outside and in the inside, Pragya was the missing piece in his life, his life would have never been complete without Pragya Arora rather Mehra, and now the incomplete puzzle was finally complete, Pragya Abhishek Mehra was the one thing that was missing in his heart, she was THE PUZZLE OF HIS HEART.

THE END..

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