At the same time,

A woman's figure emerged from the darkness of the night, illuminated only by the flashes of lightning that streaked across the sky. The raging storm outside seemed to mirror the turmoil within her soul.

In a state of confusion, she found herself on the floor, clutching a cherished photo frame tightly against her chest.

She fixated her gaze on the image captured within, her bloodshot, puffy eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and longing. As she traced the picture lightly, a teardrop fell on the frame.

Looking at the smiley face of her husband, tears streamed down her cheeks. A ghostly reminder of the happy moments they shared.

"Karan," her voice barely above a whisper. "How could you leave me, knowing how lost I'm without you? ". Her words hung heavy in the air, while grief and remorse filled the entire room.

"I need you," her voice cracking.

"I can't do this by myself anymore, Karan. I need you, we need you, please." The weight of grief seemed to crush her as she lay on the floor.

Her body trembled now and then, curled up on the floor, hugging the photo frame of her late husband close to her chest, remembering about that day when everything crashed.

She's Prerna Singh Ranawat, the five-time consecutive business icon winner, known for her flawless appearance and unwavering composure, the powerful pharmaceutical tycoon, now appeared uncharacteristically vulnerable and broken.

The commanding strength that once radiated from her icy gaze had faded, replaced by profound grief. The titan of industry, who could silence a room with a mere gesture, was now a woman consumed by inconsolable anguish as this day marked the fifth anniversary of her devastating loss.

With each ragged breath she took, her body trembled, mirroring the intensity of her inconsolable weeping.

Alone in the dark, the formidable leader surrendered to inconsolable weeping. Though she had recently sealed the biggest tender in Ranawat history. No professional feat could eclipse the pain of this personal tragedy.

Five years ago,

In the kitchen, Prerna can be visibly noticed preparing kheer. She had a visible smile on her face, glowing like a fairy under the direct shine of the lights.

Just then, Khana, the head chief of their security, bursts into the house. His steps were hurried and fine lines were clearly visible on his face.

Khana had been working along with them since they started their company 20 years ago.

Knowing the man very well, who doesn't get anxious or worried even in most dangerous condition, his quick footsteps and his worried look were the clear sign of some mishap.

Fine lines appeared on her face as she saw Khana's hasty footsteps. "what happened? " Her voice was anxious as she rushed out of the kitchen.

"Ma'am, we need to go." Khana's voice cracked, causing her eyes twitch with concern. Khana isn't a man who showed much of his emotion and his cracking voice was enough of a evidence to proof her thoughts right.

Deciding to remain quiet, she simply nodded, and as they hurried out, Khana drove the car like a maniac scaring prerna to the core.

Khana isn't a man who does rash driving, especially when she's there, too. Khana's rash driving was clear sign of on coming blizzard.

Closing her eyes she tried to calm herself as she suddenly started feeling amiss her heartbeat increased as something close to her was going to be snatched away.

The car stopped near their hospital.

With furrowed brows, she looked at him. "What are we doing here?"

Khana remained quiet, as he did not have the courage to tell her.

Her hands shivered, "Please,tell me". Her voice a pitch higher and tensed. Worry was clearly visible on her face. Her heart was beating violently as she felt a strange sensation in her heart that something worst has happened.

Taking a deep breath, without making eye contact, he spoke, his voice not above a whisper but prerna heard it clearly, sending her into a frenzy as she rushed out of the car. "it's Ranawat"

She sprinted inside the hospital without a delay and ran towards their personal ward. It's their own hospital, and she knows where to find her husband.

Her footsteps echoed in the hallway as the staff looked at her with teary eyes, it's the first time they had seen their kind and graceful boss lady in this condition. They prayed in their hearts to give her strength.

Guards were already present outside the hospital room. They bowed and moved aside as they saw Prerna coming.

She stood outside the door for a minute, composing herself. She knew if Karan saw her like this, he would get more worried, but even in her worst nightmares she hadn't imagined anything like that which she was about to see.

A gasp escapes her mouth. Her hands immediately covered her mouth as tears slide down her cheeks freely, seeing the condition of her husband.

Bandages covered his entire body, a mask was placed over his nose to administer oxygen. He appeared pale, and the only indication of his life was the slow beating of the heart monitor.

A doctor was present inside the room. Seeing her inside, he walked to her and looked at her sympathetically. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but... Sir has only a few hours".

He was unable to say anything as he was being glared upon. "What do you mean by this, doctor? My husband is perfectly fine, nothing will happen to him. He must recover for us," she said strongly,

"Ma'am, we have tried everything". The doctor stated, looking at her distraught state. He didn't say anything and went out of the room, giving them privacy.

Prerna looked at her husband and slowly went to him and caressed his forehead. "Karan. " Her voice wasn't above a whisper, her voice was thick with emotions.

Holding his hand, she stared at his sleeping form and wiped her tears and tried to smile. "Karan, these doctors don't know anything. How dare they say something like this? I know my Karan is very strong? He knows how much his Prerna and Kanha loves him. He won't leave us alone. You are our pillar of strength. Karan without you we would break down, so please get well soon kanu, your Prerna would die without you please." At the end, she broke down crying while clutching her husband's hand as warm tears fell on his hand.

Her shoulders shook violently as loud sobs wrecked her body.

Karan opened his eyes hearing the crying sound, but quickly shut them, slowly adjusting to the lights he opens his eyes, but his eyes widened in shock as he saw his Pre crying like an inconsolable child.

"Pre," he called out softly, but prerna was too into her grief that she didn't see her husband was awake and was calling her.

Seeing his wife who was too dazed, he slowly lifted his hand, every fibre of his body protesting against his movements but biting his lips he endured and lightly patted his wife's head, calling her softly "Prerna, baby, shh, listen to me".

Prerna looked up at her husband, her eyes glistening with tears, eyes puffy and red while tears streamed down her cheeks looking at her husband with a broken look gone was the lady who's eyes shone with mischievousness and love, the graceful, strong lady who always maintained to look beautiful now appeared so fragile.

Karan closed his eyes, unable to see her broken look, but he had to be strong. He knew he won't be able to her protect her anymore, he could feel himself slipping.

Opening his eyes, he beckoned his wife to come close to her, the love of her life, the mother of his child, his queen. He couldn't see a single tear in her eyes, but now she was crying because of him.

He hugged his wife close and removed the oxygen mask. "Pre, shhh baby, don't cry anymore. You would make yourself sick, shh. You know na I don't like to see tears in your eyes and my love, would you say goodbye to your husband with tears".

Hearing his words, prerna jerked out of the hug and looked at her husband pitifully, "please don't talk like this Karan, you will get better, please don't leave us".

"Prerna, I won't lie, I. can feel myself slipping, with each breath I could feel my life cutting short, shhh don't say anything".

"When I leave, there may be many problems. Don't trust anyone except our trusted ones. Many eyes are watching our company and our family with ill intentions. You need to become strong and fight our battle. I'm sorry for leaving you alone to face this challenge." As tears slid down his cheek, he joined his hands, remembering the beautiful moments they had shared.

Prerna had tears streaming down her cheeks. She was unable to say anything, knowing her husband was right. All those times she was reassuring herself, but the words of her husband made her face the naked truth.

"Prerna," her husband called out softly, making her look at him.

"Promise me pre you would take care of yourself and our baby, you won't allow anyone to snatch our dream, promise me," Karan's breath hitched at the end and looked at his wife urging her.

Noticing his husband's deteriorating condition, she massaged his chest lightly, "calm down Karan, don't exert yourself".

"Promise me, prerna," Karan spoke again as he started huffing slightly while his heart rate increased.

Just then, a smaller hand held his hand. "I promise papa" a kid of 8 years appeared out of nowhere.

Karan smiled as he looked at his son, gently caressing the little one's face and wiping away his tears. "Papa loves you, baby," he whispered, his voice filled with love and pride. "You are your father's pride, and never let anyone tell you otherwise." He then motioned for his wife to come closer, taking her hand in his and gazing at his beautiful family, a smile of pure happiness lit on his face.

His hand slowly slipped down, as the heart monitor flat lined.

"Karannnn" prerna shout rang as the doctors rushed inside and checked him again and shook his head. "We're sorry" saying this he walked out giving the family privacy to grief.

PRESENT TIME

"KARANNNN" a terrified loud scream rang out in the dead night, the voice was filled with anguish.

Her chest heaved with ragged breaths, and through her blurred vision, she could make out someone's hurried footsteps approaching her.

She was pulled into a warm embrace, but in her disoriented state, she couldn't fully comprehend the comfort it offered.

With misty eyes, she gazed at her hands, which had once clasped Karan's hand. She remembers his face remained serene, a faint smile lingering as he released his final breath. Slowly, his hand slipped from hers and fell lifeless.

A warm embrace enveloped Prerna, a young hand patting her back and gently stroking her arms while whispering sweet words into her ear

He's Krishav Singh Ranawat, mature beyond his age. After the death of his father, his mother was inconsolable.

The 8 year child had to step in, suppressing his own emotions. Otherwise, he would have lost his mother too, becoming an orphan at a tender age.

He hoped that was just a nightmare. The next moment he would wake up and find himself resting in his dad's warm embrace. But that never happened. His father's demise flipped their world upside. Which was once a nightmare has now become their new reality.

Finally the first chapter has been uploaded.

What are your thoughts about the first chapter?

Any suggestions???

What are your expectations from the next chapter??

How's everyone doing??? Hope you all are doing well.

Have a good day/night.

Take care ❤️