Its such a shame....who would have thought she would turn out to be like this...
These kids of big families are spoilt, I knew her image was too good to be true, now the truth is out in the open...
But her parents, they are so renowned, have such a good name in the society...

I woke up with a jerk. These nightmares are a regular occurrence. They are as disturbing as they were the first time and You never get used to them, and it doesn't get any better. Why do people dictate our lives so much. What do they think about you, say about you or even the way they look at you; why does it have to matter so much?

Mama (mom) always told me whenever I got self-connscious about what people at school would say if I wore a particular thing or such similar situations,  'Let people think what they want, it will only get to you when you let it. So raise your chin up and look them in the eye, it will definitely shut them up. When you let them affect you, it only proves you are in the wrong place.' I remember it clearly word by word because she would make me repeat it after her when I was younger. I grew up to be just like she wanted me to, I didn't give a damn about what people said and I still don't care what people think or say about me, but when my parents are dragged or spoken ill about because of me I can't take it and that affects me, a lot. Its been 6 years but everything still is as clear as daylight, every little detail. Even if I try to forget, the nightmares won't let me.

I check my phone to see its a little past 4. I decide to wake up as I won't be getting any sleep now. I turn to see him snuggled on the bed beside me peacefully asleep. Well, atleast someone's geeting a good nights sleep. I sigh and get out of bed to the bathroom, brush my teeth and change into my swim wear. Yes, swimming at 4 in the morning in the chilly water not a very good idea, but thats what helps me get through the day without looking like I haven't slept at all.

I take my towel and cover-up and move towards the backyard where the pool is. I check the water by putting my leg into it, yes very chilly.
I do not want to get sick, so I adjust the temperature of the water and start warming up relaxing my muscles till the water heats up a little.

After a few minutes I get in the water and start swimming first slowly and then faster trying to beat my own time. Papa (Dad) always said think of yourself as your competition first. Everyday give your best to get better than you were yesterday and you won't even realize when you've left everyone behind.

I spent good one hour swimming back and forth till my muscles were sore and I couldn't remember anything else, no other pain. I was just about to het out of the pool when I saw him running towards the pool. Before he could reach the pool I threw the ball that was in the pool towards him and he jumped to catch it. I called him near "Dex come on here." and he came running holding the ball.

I got out of the pool and he then threw the ball in the pool again. Looks like he is in no mood to play catch now. He is one lazy brat. He then started pulling me towards the house and I understood he was hungry. "Dex I'll take a bath first and then get you food, lets clean you up too come on. Those puppy eyes ain't working on me buddy."

I only spend time here in this house on weekends, other times I sleep at the office. Why move back and forth when you have a room there. I have no one to back to anyways. Its just me and Dexter and he follows me around.

I take a bath and change into a long tshirt and shorts and move to the kitchen to make some breakfast. We both eat in silence with the television playing news in the background. I check the time and its still 6:30 am. I still have enough time till I have to get to the office, so I decide to get some painting done. Switching off the tv i move tp the painting room and put some music onn. I work on the painting I had started a while back but did not finish it. I think about the day this painting is about and confusion fills me. In so many years I've never let anyone see that part of me, yet somehow he managed to get in. I blame it on alcohol.

I finally finish the painting I started months ago. It depicts that day or rather that evening when I felt like the old me again.

This painting is too personal to be sold. It cannot be keep with the rest of the paintings that I am selling for charity. Painting is just a hobby. I am good at it definitely and love painting things, scenes or people to keep myself busy when I'm not working. Sometimes the painting is about memories. Memories I am running from or memories I want to cherish. Most of the times I cannot even differentiate whether I am trying to run from it or trying to hold it close so I never forget them, maybe like this one.

I cover the painting and go to my room to wash up and get ready for work. I am a Fashion Designer and havey own company under the brand Zainav Fashions. I was so engrossed, didn't even realise it was 9 already. On Mondays I usually start late finish up all the work here and also because I only paint on the weekends.

I choose a white blouse and a grey fitted skirt and quickly get ready applying some eyeliner and a nude lipstick, simple but classy enough. On my way out I check my messages and mails. The office is a good 30-40 minutes away since I stay on the silent side of the town.

I check my schedule for the day and all the meetings lined up sent by Evelyn my Secretary, she's more like my friend. She is one of the few people who knows and understands me. We met when I was interning at a fashion company named Nadia when I was still in college. She was assistant to Miss Nadia. After a few months I finished college and started my own company. Then one day I got a call from Evelyn that Miss Nadia died of cancer. She had no family to takeover so apparently she sold the company to a charitable organization. Evelyn was left jobless so I called her to work with me and she was one of the few people I trusted.

I reached the company at 10 and directly from the back gate went upto my office. Calling Evelyn I told her to call up the Monday meeting with the designers at 10:30. We had flexible working hours with 10:30 being the latest though and as long as you finished your work you are good.

I got busy organizing my table and everything and led Dexter to the adjoining room to my office where I stayed rest of the times. We had a team of 12 designers who had their specialities. They were all mostly young around my age and one of the bests, fresh out of college. Yes, they didn't have much experience but the right vision and talent is what's important.

Exactly at 10:30 we began with the meeting. I noticed one of my designers was not present. I asked Evelyn "Did Leena call in sick or absent today or even inform that she is going to be late?"

Evelyn checked her mail and replied "No Arayna, I've received no mail from her." I was very annoyed this kind of irresponsible behaviour is not tolerated at all at Zainav Fashions and I made sure everybody understood that. I didn't want to waste time and started with the orders and agendas to be met for the week. We together discussed every detail and plan for the week. I believed planning everything out for the week in advance in detail and following it was the first rule for success. I appreciated Zen for his designs of last week.

After good 30 minutes in the meeting there was a knock at the door in walked Leena breathing hard. I eyed her and motioned her to take a seat and continued to ask about each of thier tasks for the week. I chose to personally keep a tab on each of their works for best performance afterall designers were the core here. After the meeting ended I dismissed everyone and asked Leena to meet me at my office. She knew she was in trouble and she apoligising.

"In my office Leena in exactly 5 minutes." I replied calmly.

When Leena walked in my office I asked her to take a seat and called Evelyn to come in. I asked Leena "Why were you late?"

"I'm really Sorry Miss Oberoi. I assure you, it won't happen again."

I was getting really annoyed I do not understand why can't people just answer what is asked for. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Leena you know that I do not tolerate tardiness. I understand if there's emergency and you may run late sometimes. Least you are expected to do is inform. All of this was made clear in the induction."I told her calmly.

"I understand this Ma'am I really am sorry." Again with that!

"You are late and thats not acceptable. You had a target of 3 designs for this week its 6 now. You either meet your target and prove you're not tardy or you're out. Zainav doesn't need people who do not respect work. If you do finish all the 6 designs and all are approved by Evelyn you get paid double and you will also be on our website as 'Designer of the Week'. You may leave now. I'll not waste your time."

She understood the discussion was over and stood to leave I continued "Also. Next time answer what you are asked. When I ask why you answer why!" She only stares at me " You must hurry."

She nods and leaves the office. Evelyn takes a seat and looks at me thinking something. "What is it Evelyn?"

"I don't understand Arayna why didn't you just tell her this at the meeting in front of everyone. I mean everyone would have got the point and learnt to not be late."

I smiled at her and said "Papa taught me rule of being a good boss 'Appreciate publicly but punish in person'. You should never let your employees lose that respect they have for you but also have some degree of fear in them." I stated remembering the times Papa and I had such chats. His wise and experienced eyed looking at me with such warmth and pride whenever I asked him about his work and how he handles such a big company.

Evelyn looked at me in understanding and said "I'm sure your smartness and the business attitude comes from your father, you miss him a lot don't you?" She stated with a knowing smile.

"I'm sure I'm not half as smart as him." I replied looking at his picture on my desk.

"Arayna, 6 designs that too ball gowns you think she will be able to do it?" She said changing the subject.

"Its difficult but not impossible. I've given her a fair chance not just for being late but more for not informing it shows negligence and disrespect for work." She nodded in understanding.

I got back to work then. I looked up to see Evelyn still sitting there with a thoughtful expression. I raised an eyebrow at her and she spoke "Arayna you know that you can talk to me right? I can see it you are so lost whenever anything reminds you of your family. I worry about you really." She said sincerely. I knew she cared about me and I knew I can trust her and that talking about it will help me or will it really? Its not easy.

"Evelyn you should get back to work."
She sighed and was about to say more then decided against it and left.

Hola!

So this is our female lead. I hope you liked the chapter. Do let me know.
thank you! :)