The darkness crept in like a thief, shrouding the city in an impenetrable veil. The streets, once bustling with life, were now deserted, save for the occasional passing car. Its headlights cast an eerie glow on the empty sidewalks, like a fleeting whisper of the secrets that lay hidden. The city's usual vibrant atmosphere had given way to an unsettling stillness, as if the very night itself was watching and waiting. The trees, once green and lush, now stood like skeletal sentinels, their branches creaking ominously in the wind.

In a grand mansion, nestled in the heart of the city, a sense of unease settled over its occupants. The Goenkas, a family with a reputation for power and wealth, seemed to be waiting for something – or someone. Their lavish lifestyle, once a symbol of their success, now felt suffocating, a constant reminder of the secrets they kept hidden. Manish Goenka, the family's patriarch, paced in his study, his mind consumed by the past. A tragedy had befallen their family years ago, one that had left deep scars. Manish's thoughts were a jumble of guilt, anger, and fear, each emotion warring for dominance. He couldn't shake the feeling that their family's dark past was about to catch up with them.

The wind rustled through the trees, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. It was as if the night itself was watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Manish's pacing grew more agitated, his footsteps echoing through the silent mansion. He felt like a man trapped in a nightmare, with no escape from the darkness that haunted him. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed outside his study. Manish's heart skipped a beat as he wondered who could be visiting at this ungodly hour. He called out, his voice firm but laced with a hint of unease. "Who's there?" The footsteps stopped outside his door, and an eerie silence followed, as if the visitor was deliberating whether to reveal themselves.

Manish's instincts screamed at him to be cautious. Something was off, something that threatened to upend their lives forever. He tried to reassure himself that it was just his imagination playing tricks on him, but the feeling of unease lingered. Manish's eyes darted towards the door, his mind racing with possibilities. Who could be visiting at this hour? And what did they want? The silence outside his door seemed to stretch on forever, until finally, Manish could take it no more. He strode towards the door, his heart pounding in his chest, and flung it open. But to his surprise, there was no one there. The hallway was empty, the only sound the creaking of the old wooden floorboards. Manish's eyes scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of movement, but there was nothing. It was as if the visitor had vanished into thin air.

........

In the heart of London, within the opulent walls of a grand mansion, a young man sat immersed in thought. His eyes, a deep, piercing brown, seemed to hold a thousand secrets, as he stared blankly into the distance. The soft glow of the evening lamps cast a warm ambiance, but his expression remained somber, lost in a world of his own. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by the occasional tick of the grandfather clock in the hallway.

 The young man's thoughts seemed to be a million miles away, consumed by a turmoil that he couldn't shake off. A gentle touch broke the spell, as a girl wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm hug. "What's bothering you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern, as she searched his face for answers. Her eyes, bright and inquisitive, seemed to bore into his very soul, as if trying to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden beneath his somber expression. The girl's touch was warm and comforting, but the young man's thoughts remained elusive, refusing to be drawn out. He seemed to be trapped in a world of his own, a world that was shrouded in secrecy and pain.

The man's gaze remained fixed on some distant point, his eyes clouded with thoughts. The girl's hug didn't seem to register at first, but slowly, his expression softened. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. As he enveloped her in his embrace, his thoughts seemed to begin to unravel, like the gentle unwinding of a thread. His eyes, still clouded with the weight of his thoughts, slowly began to focus on the present moment, on the warmth and comfort of the girl's presence. His breathing slowed, and his tense muscles began to relax, as he let the girl's hug wash over him, calming his troubled mind.

The girl held him tightly, her arms wrapped around his waist, her head buried in his chest. She could feel the tension in his body, the rigid muscles and the rapid heartbeat, and she knew that he was struggling with something. She didn't ask him what was wrong, she simply held him, offering him her presence and her comfort. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of time. The girl's hug was a sanctuary, a safe haven from the storms that raged within him, and he clung to her, grateful for her presence in his life.

"I don't know, Ishu... Is my decision to go back to India the right one?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. Ishika's grip on him tightened, as if she sensed the turmoil brewing inside him. He pulled back, his eyes searching hers for answers. "What if I'm making a mistake? What if going back is not what I'm supposed to do?" His words tumbled out in a rush, as if he'd been holding them back for too long. Ishika's expression softened, her eyes filled with a deep understanding. She reached out, her hand brushing against his cheek, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him.

Her lips brushed against his, a soft, gentle kiss that sent shivers down his spine. "Abhi, running away from the past is not what you're supposed to do," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. Her words were like a balm to his soul, soothing the raw edges of his emotions. He felt a sense of calm wash over him.

"We are going to India," she declared, her voice firm and resolute. He looked at her, his eyes widening in surprise, as if he hadn't expected her to take charge like that. His gaze searched hers, seeking answers to the questions that were no doubt racing through his mind. Ishika's expression remained steadfast, her jaw set in determination. She seemed to sense his hesitation, his uncertainty, and she reached out, her hand closing around his. "We'll face whatever is waiting for us there, together," she said, her voice filled with a quiet conviction.

"Abhir Birla, you aren't going to let fear of your past control you, not anymore!" Ishika's voice echoed in his mind, her words a fierce declaration of defiance. Abhir felt a surge of determination course through his veins, as if Ishika's words had awakened a part of him that he thought was long dormant. He felt his shoulders square, his jaw set in resolve, as he steeled himself to face the demons of his past. Ishika's voice continued to resonate within him, a steady drumbeat of encouragement, urging him to confront his fears head-on. "You are stronger than your past, Abhir," she whispered in his mind. "It's time to take back control."

'............

As I stand at the threshold of my return to India, I'm reminded of the name that has become synonymous with success - Abhir Birla. The name Abhir Birla is a label that commands respect in the business world.  My company, AbhiRa Industries, a name that's a poignant blend of my parents', Abhimanyu and Akshara, proudly holds the number one position in Europe.

But there's another side to me, one that's just as passionate and driven - my music. As a singer, I've had the privilege of performing for fans all around the world, and it's a rush like no other. Music runs deep in my veins, a legacy passed down from my mother, a singer whose voice was like honey - sweet and soothing. Mumma... the mere thought of her brings a pang to my heart. I don't know where she is, how she is... the uncertainty has haunted me for years. And now, as I prepare to return to India, the country that took everything from me, I'm filled with a mix of emotions. Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty all swirl together in a toxic cocktail, threatening to overwhelm me. But I know I have to do this. I have to face my past, no matter how painful it may be. For myself, for my mother, and for the sake of closure, I'm ready to take the first step towards healing and redemption.

And with Ishika by my side, I know I can conquer all the demons that have haunted me for so long. Ishika Raichand, the girl who stood by me when I had nothing, when I was nothing. A man with no money, no house, no name to call my own. She was the one who saw beyond the brokenness, beyond the shattered remains of my soul. She was the one who believed in me, who pushed me to get back up, to fight for my place in the sun. And now, she's the one who's still standing by me, a rock-solid pillar of strength and support. She's exactly like my mumma, with a heart full of love and kindness, and a spirit that's as fierce as it is gentle. Just like my mumma, Ishika has a way of making me feel seen and heard, of making me feel like I'm home. And with her by my side, I know I can face anything that comes my way.

The name Goenka is one that evokes a deep-seated hatred within me. They're supposed to be my mother's family, but their actions were anything but familial. They turned their backs on her when she needed them the most, callously abandoning her based on a lie. They believed she had murdered Aarohi massi, and that was all the proof they needed to disown her. But what they conveniently ignored was that my mother was pregnant at the time, vulnerable and in need of their support. My father and I had stood by her, but fate had other plans. We met with an accident, and my father... my father didn't survive. I was the only one who got saved, left to pick up the pieces of a shattered life. The Goenkas' betrayal still burns within me, a constant reminder of the pain and suffering they inflicted upon my family.