Hoke Juda Khush Ho Agar, Hass Ke Bichhad Jaunga
Keh De Mujhe Dil Se Tere, Khud Hi Utar Jaunga

Kar Faisla Abhi Ke Abhi, Kyun Bewajah Intezaar Hai
Ya Phir Mujhe Tum Rok Lo, Agar Mere Liye Dil Mein Pyar Hai

Phir Aaj Hai Dil Ro Raha, Sab Keh Rahe Barsaat Hai
Phir Aaj Hum Khamosh Hai, Shayad Koi Toh Baat Hai

Tere Liye Irade Mere, Main Na Badal Paunga
Chahe Milo Jitno Se Tum, Sab Mein Nazar Aaunga

Saanson Mein Hai Jo Use Bhoolna, Itna Bhi Kahan Aasan Hai
Karke Dekh Le Sau Koshishein, Namumkin Si Yeh Baat Hai

Phir Aaj Hai Dil Ro Raha, Sab Keh Rahe Barsaat Hai
Phir Aaj Hum Khamosh Hai, Shayad Koi Toh Baat Hai

Phir Aaj Hai Dil Ro Raha, Sab Keh Rahe Barsaat Hai

Stepping out of the airport I found my driver waiting to pick me. We drove towards the Kapoor Mansion to pick my baby from there.

It was 5:30 when I reached there. Walking inside the mansion I found my dear step mother and step sister discussing something with huge smiles on their faces. Ignoring them I asked one of the maid about Bhabhi and the kids.

I walked inside the Kids study room where all three of them were doing their homeworks while telling Bhabhi and each other about their day at school.

"Look who's back?" I asked as I stepped inside the room.

Instantly Ridhaan's face turned towards me. Sliding his chair back he ran to me.

I bend down and liked him up. Hugging him tight in my arms.

"How are you baby?" I asked

"I am good mumma but I missed you sooooo much." he said pushing his face into my open hairs. Parting his head I kissed his shoulder.

"Mumma missed you tooo." I said and kissed his cheek.

I sat down on the couch beside Bhabhi and adjusted Ridhaan on my lap.

I opened my arms towards my niece and nephew Advik and Advika. They smiled and hugged me.

"Buha, did you get chocolates for me?" Advik asked.

"Yes my munchkin I have bought chocolates for all three of you." I said and took out chocolates from my handbag and gave them to the three.

The kids instantly went to dividing the chocolates equally.

"How was the trip?" Bhabhi asked

"It went well. We finalised the deal." I said

"That's great. Congrats." Bhabhi said and patted my head.

I smiled and hugged her.

We started talking about the usual things and after some time me and Ridhaan left from there and came to our home. I cooked dinner for us while Ridhaan filled me up with all the happenings of his school.

We ate dinner together while watching a movie and then we slept.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The whole week passed like a blink of eye and its Saturday today.

The annual meeting of all the major share holders and board members is in 2 hours and in the evening there's charity gala.

I am so freaking excited.
Note the sarcasm.

After a nice bath I entered in my walk in closet. I went through all my formal suits and settled on a white formal suit paired with a black crop top. Quickly getting dressed I started doing makeup so that I can hide the dark circles under my eyes knowing very well that there can be media presence after the meeting. I wore a dainty neckpiece in my neck, simple diamond studs in ears, my regular watch and some rings in my fingers. I love jewellery and styling them. Finally tying my hairs in a simple pony I slid into my black heels.

Having a final glance in the mirror I walked out of the closet and went downstairs to the kitchen. The cook was making breakfast and Ridhaan was eating his breakfast.

As Ridhaan heard the sound of my heels clicking the floor his eyes snapped to me.

"Good morning mumma." he greeted me from his seat.

"Good morning baccha." I said and ran my hands through his hairs playfully.

"You ruined my hairstyle." he whined.

"Make it again." I said and sat down opposite to him. The cook came and served me my breakfast.

He rolled his eyes at me.

"Haww. Are you rolling your eyes at me?" I asked

"Very bad Ridhaan. That's not good manners. I am your mother." I scolded him.

"Sorry mumma." he mumbled.

"It's okay. But never ever do it again." I said he smiled and nodded.

His smile is so beautiful. It's just makes my heart at peace when I see him smile with his eyes twinkling in happiness. His smile always reminds me of so many beautiful moments of the past. The happy memories I shared with someone special. Someone whom I can never forget.

After the breakfast I stood up and after bidding bye to Ridhaan and his caretaker I walked out of my house and drove my car towards the Kapoor Corps.'s headquarters.

Bhai' s PA was waiting for me at the reception.

"Good morning Ma'am." he greeted me.

"Good Morning Mr. Shukla. How are you doing?" I asked him while walking behind him to the elevator.

"I am doing good ma'am." he replied I nodded.

As we were walking we heard a voice.

"Mr. Shukla, There's a call for you." we turned back to see the receptionist holding the reciever of the landline. Mr Shukla was looking confused about what to do first. Answer the call or escort me to the meeting.

"Just tell me where the meeting is. I will go myself." I said

"Okay ma'am. The meeting is on 8th floor in Room no. 17."

I nodded and walked towards the elevator. The elevator doors were just about to close but I reached there on time and stopped them from closing.

When they opened again I sighed in relieve.

The door opened completely only to give me a big shock.

There inside was standing Mr. Agastya Sharma. One of the most influential and biggest businessperson in India. Heck. I looked at him and he was looking right back in my eyes. I saw how a wave of recognition passed his eyes. I brought my best professional smiles on my face and stepped inside.

"Mr. Sharma." I said right when he said "Naina." and the doors closed.

His voice is making me nervous. Why why you have to stop the doors from closing. You could have waited for sometime.

But why am I feeling nervous?

Obviously you would feel nervous in front of the biggest businessman of India and the same business man with whose company you want to work with.  My brain replied

Yeah right.

"It's nice to see you after so long Ms. Sharma." his voice brought me back to present.

"Same Mr. Kapoor. Its been so long." I said trying to remember when i saw him last.

It must be in college. During our MBA. He was one year senior to me and Siddhi.

I was feeing awkward now.

I am an introvert. I can't make conversations..

But thank god the elevator stopped at the 8th floor and the doors opened.

I waited for him to walk out but he signalled me to walk out first. "After you." he said

I walked out of the elevator and tried finding the Room no. 17. 8 could feel his stare on the back of my head.

I was walking when Bhai who was standing and talking on phone in the corridor saw me and ended the call while walking towards me..

"Here you are Naina. Come on. You're getting.
We stepped into the elevator and reached the meeting room.

Taking a huge breath in I opened the dorr and walked in.

Most of the board members were there. My father was sitting on the CEO's chair while my brother was sitting on his left side on the chair beside him. The right side chair was empty for me. I looked at my father in the eyes not saying a word.

I greeted the other board members and took a seat on the chair beside my father's.

I looked at my brother sitting opposite to me and greeted him in signs.
With time all the chairs were filled except one.

I checked the meeting room and noticed everyone who attends this meeting every year was here but still one chair was empty.

There's new addition to the share holders.

I looked at the timeon my wrist watch. There are 2 minutes for the meeting to start.

I asked my brother about the missing person in signals.

He signalled that he will tell me later and I nodded.

Some more seconds passed and then the door to the meeting room opened and Mr. Agastya Sharma entered. What the hell is he doing here? When did he became a share holder? Why the f*ck I didn't knew anything about this?

"Good Morning Gentlemen.. " Agastya Sharma greeted while his eyes swept in the whole room and landed on me "and gentlewoman" he extended his greeting on noticing me, the only woman in the whole room and nodded his head at me in respect?

I silently greeted back by nodding my head in return and then turned my head back towards my brother.

He sat on the empty chair after shaking hands with my father and the meeting started.

The meeting took place for more than 1 hour 15 minutes.

After some short talks with some share holders and board members I exited the meeting room and walked inside my brother's office.

I sat on a chair opposite to my brother's behind his table and took out my phone going through the messages I recieved during the meeting.

After some time my brother came into his office and sat on his chair.

"Why didn't you informed me?" I asked him

"Wellllll..... I forgot." he replied.

I stared at him without blinking.

"Don't look at me like that. I am not afraid of you." he said

"Not even trying to scare you. But you shouldn't have forgotten such an important thing." I replied..

"Sorry I guess." he replied making me roll my eyes. Someone give some sense to my brother

We talked for sometime about Agastya and Barkha and I got to know that Agastya is soon going to be my brother in law. Yes he's Barkha's fiance and they are marrying soon. The news was a shock to me but the it again made me realise the distance I have from my family. The news of my step sister's marriage reached the ears of media and relatives first. My whole mood dampened and after talking for some time I left him to his work and drove back to my pent house.

Siddhi was already waiting for me at my house when I entered my house.

She was busy in playing video games with Ridhaan.

Changing in some comfortable clothes and washing my hands and face I walked back to the living room and took Ridhaan in my arms and sat on the couch beside Siddhi. I took the remote controller from Ridhaan and we started playing against Siddhi.

Me and Ridhaan won while Siddhi started sulking. I gave Ridhaan a hi-fi and we did the victory dance together laughing at Siddhi.

"How was the meeting?" she asked me

"It was okay. But guess whom I met in the meeting?"

"Who?" she asked

"I said guess." I replied.

"I don't like guessing and all. Just tell me." she replied making me roll my eyes at her.

"Agastya Sharma." I replied.

"Oh My God!!! The Agastya Sharma? Biggest businessman of India? Most eligible bachelor of India? The 5th richest person of the world? Most handsome person in the world and the one who was our senior in college?" she asks dme

"The same." I replied.

"OMG! What was he doing there?" she asked me still shocked.

"Apparently he is the one who's going to marry my dearest step sister Barkha." I replied and her expression s were like she has jsut heard the most shocking news of her life.

"No way. This can't be true. He can't marry someone like Barkha. I thought he was smart." she mumbled.

"I thought so too." I said

And the day went in us talking about things and spending time with Ridhaan.

In the evening she left when she got a call from her mother, promising to meet at the charity gala at night.

I started going through some files while Ridhaan was playing with his toys.

At night I made Ridhaan sleep while I got ready for the charity gala. I don't want to live Ridhaan alone but I have no other choice today.

Its an obligation to go. And it's been atleast 2 months I last attended any business party or charity gala.

I asked Seema aunty, care taker of our house to see Ridhaan and take care of him. Seema aunty is a woman in her 50s and she's kind and very trustworthy. She treats me like her daughter and Ridhaan as her grandchild.

I wore a powder blue colour gown by a luxurious clothing brand under my company. The gown was preety and very gorgeous. I made a messy bun and wore a bracelet and my watch in my wrist and some rings in my fingers. Sliding into a pair of nude heels and picking up my clutch I walked out of my closet.

I kissed Ridhaan's forehead before stepping out of my house and sitting in my car.

Soon we reached the hotel in which the Kapoor Inc. have hosted the gala. The driver stopped the car right at the entrance of the hotel. The whole area was surrounded my the reporters and paparazzi on both sides of the red carpet. I started walking on the red carpet and instantly the papz started screaming my name, asking questions and asking to pose for pictures. I ignored the questions and posed for 2 photographs before finally walking inside.

I walked into the hall where the gala was happening. The hall was filled with men dressed in their expensive suits talking and women dressed in their gorgeous and beautiful designer dresses,each trying to be the best looking. Many eyes turned towards me which instantly made my body tense and neck straight, head held high. I could literally feel people's judgemental stares. Trying my best to avoid them I looked directly in front and there I saw Bhabi standing with some of her friends signalling me to come to her. 

I walked to her and hugged her in greeting.

"Damn girl you're literally looking drop dead gorgeous. You're turning heads babaes." Bhabi commented while hugging me.

"Am I? Not more than you." I replied with a genuine small smile. She chuckled and started investigating about my dress.

After almost 45 minutes in the party and after talking to alot of business associates, I excused myself and walked to the bar.

Sitting in the bar stool I ordered a Virgin Mojito. The bar tender was making me my drink when I looked outside the big windows of the hall. The whole sky was covered with dark clouds. There was no sign of moon and stars in the dark night sky. Seems like its going to rain.

Rain.

There was a time when I used to like rain so much. I used to enjoy the rainy season. I have so many beautiful memories of rain but story is changed now. Instead of reminding me of the beautiful memories rain now reminds me of the worst memories of my entire life. I am scared of rains now. Scared that the rain will take away more person from my life.

I was brought away from my thoughts by someone's palm tapping on my shoulder.

I looked behind me and saw Siddhi standing there with a grin on her face.

I gave her one of my well practiced smile and she sat on the stool beside me. I looked at the counter and noticed my drink was already setting there and the bar tender standing right in front of me behind the counter. I guess he just placed it. Thanking him I picked up the glass and started sipping the drink.

"You're looking so pretty. Just like a fairy right out of a fairytale." Siddhi commented.

"Fairytales are not real. But thanks. You're also looking gorgeous" I replied.

"Obviously I am looking gorgeous just like always. You tell me why are you sitting alone here?" she asked me

"I was talking and meeting people few minutes ago. Just came here for a drink and a break." I replied.

She nodded and ordered a drink for herself.

She rotated her chair so that she's facing me and the whole hall now. Soon she started drinking her wine.

Suddenly she whistled looking at someone behind me.

"He looks more handsome now. Still can't believe he's marrying that selfish bitch." Siddhi said

"Who?" I asked

"Who else? Agastya." she replied. I tried to turn my head to look behind me but she stopped me saying "Naa. Don't turn. He's coming here only with your brother." I nodded and continued looking ahead.

"Naina." I heard my brother's voice behind me. I turned my seat and looked at him. There he was standing with Agastya. Agastya was dressed in a light brown/nude coloured tuxedo with white shirt.

I stood up from my seat and looked at them. I hugged my brother because it was the first time i was meeting him since I came to the party.

"Meet Agastya, the Ceo and the founder of Sharma Corps. and Agastya she's Naina Kapoor, my younger sister and Ceo and founder of S&N Inc. And this is Siddhi Mehra CFO of S&N Inc. as well as Naina's best friend." Bhai introduced us.

I forwarded my hand towards Agastya which he took and we did the handshake.

"They don't need introduction Dhruv." he said

"Do you three know each other?" Bhai asked looking at us.

"Agastya was our junior during our MBA, Dhruv." Siddhi replied to Bhai.

"Oh that's great. But I just wanted you guys to meet Barkha's fiance. Agastya is the one Barkha is marrying." Bhai said

"Congratulations Mr. Sharma for the engagement." I congratulated him with my usual fake smile.

"Thanks but I didn't saw you at the engagement ceremony two days ago." he said

"Oh. Yeah I am sorry I couldn't attend it. I was actually not in India." I lied because I couldn't just tell that I was not invited.

"Oh. That's okay. No need to say sorry." he replied.

We were discussing some business related things when we heard Barkha's voice.

"Agastya. You're here baby. I was looking for you everywhere." Barkha said as she wrapped her both arms on Mr. Sharma's left arm

"I was just talking with Ms. Sharma, Ms. Mehra and Dhruv." he replied in an emotionless tone.

"Oh. Naina is also here. I am sorry naina I didn't noticed you." Barkha said with a smirk on her face.

"It's okay Barkha no need to say sorry. I can understand that you have some eyesight problems. No worries I can recommend you some good doctors whom you can meet for your issue." I replied with a fake sweet smile.

"No need for your recommendations dear sister. My eyes are completely well. I just ignore the presence of people who ruins my good mood." she replied.

"If Naina started ignoring presence of such people then I am sure she would never know how naturally beautiful you look Barkha cause she would have never seen your face." Siddhi replied to Barkha's statement, sarcasm dripping from the word 'Naturally beautiful'

But Barkha's next words made me froze on my place.

"Atleast I am beautiful. Unlike someone who is fat and whom nobody likes. I have so many friends and look at her. Everybody hates her. That's why she's alone with a 5 year old kid to take care of. A single mother. Nobody can live with her. Nobody likes her. Nobody loves her. Not even her parents. Her mother left her. Her father hates her. Even her h...... ." she was cutted by Bhai's angry words

"Wait who's beautiful? You? Please tell me how many plastic surgeries have you gone through? And who's ugly? Naina? Then let me state a fact to you Naina is the most beautiful woman both internally and externally in this whole room. She's the one who's naturally beautiful not a plastic doll like you. And who said nobody loves her? I do, Dhruv does, my parents does, Ridhaan does, and many more people are there who loves her genuinely. Real love. Not like in your case. Your friends likes you just because you have money. Fake love. And lastly what is wrong in being a single mother? She has the power and courage to take care of a child on her own. She is the reason behind the living of thousands of family. She's the richest woman of Asia. What about you? Last time I checked you didn't had any job. You still live on your step father's income and money. Look at yourself in mirror before commenting on others." Siddhi said.

I was numb. I was literally having flashbacks of the worst memories of my life.

I came out of my thoughts when I felt Siddhi's palm holding mine.

I looked at her. Her eyes and face covered with worry. I looked at Bhai who was frozen just like me. Then I turned my neck and looked at Agastya who was looking at me with emotionless eyes. Barkha was not there anymore. Then my eyes landed on my father who was standing some foot away alone. His full attention on us. He heard everything. He did.

I slid my plam out of the grip of Siddhi.

"I have to go." I said and walked out of the hall.

"Naina." I heard Bhai and Siddhi calling my name but I ignored them

I stepped out of the backdoor of the hotel into the open parking. It was raining badly. Cloud were thundering. Lightning was occuring. I was getting soaked in the rain slowly. My whole face was covered with rain water..

I looked up at the sky and that was the moment I lost control on my tears.

I stood there for many seconds. Nobody can tell the difference between my tears and the rain water.

"Hey, Are you okay? " I heard a voice behind me.

I turned around and looked at Agastya. He was standing there looking directly at me.

"Naina, Are you crying?"he asked me

"No. It's just rain." I replied

"Why are you standing in the rain? Come inside." he said.

"No i have to go." I replied and right that moment I saw my car driven by the driver standing right in front of me to pick me up.

"Okay." he said

"Can you please inform Siddhi and Dhruv that I have left for my home?" I asked him.

"Yeah. Yeah I will." he said

I nodded at him and climbed into the backset of my car.

Soon the driver started the car driving away from the hotel.

Phir Aaj Hai Dil Ro Raha, Sab Keh Rahe Barsaat Hai

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Byee.
Good Night.
Love you all❤️

Signing out
-Meera