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Dedicated to @romaanjum for being the first voter! Thank you all those who voted for my story in Gold ivory award.Even if I did not win,I have no regrets but I am glad to have seen such great support! Really guys!It means a lot.Next chapter will be dedicated to all those voters(hopefully I will be able to add every voter's name.)

Remember we all face our storms daily?

The most difficult sometimes can be the internal battles that go on inside us.The battles that are not acknowledged by anyone but only you are the one that knows it.

They keep us thinking,frustrates us,brings anguish but all you manage to do is stay silent to your battles.

No one knew the trouble that Nikhil went through.

He was small,probably ten years when he saw his mother leaving the house.

His mother before going out had called Nikhil.

Nikhil came running to his mom.

His mother,whose blue eyes shone from tears looked at him.

Nikhil always wanted to inherit those blue eyes.Alas,he ended up inheriting those brown eyes from his dad.

He frowned as he looked at his mother.She had been crying.

He wanted to ask her why but he didn't.

He knew the reason.

His mother silently handed him her own ring.A ring that had been from generations to generations passed down.

She bent down to his level,opened his closed fist and kept the ring in it.She kissed his forehead and handed him a letter before hugging him.

A commotion was heard.His mother got up suddenly and she exited the house.

And that was the last time.

At least for him.

He wondered if anyone knew about it.

Diya was such small toddler when their mom had left.Diya for years,kept asking about her mother.

Every time,he said a lie,his words itself turned to stab his own heart.

He couldn't trust his own father.He had started losing faith to people around him.

But to teach Diya,sometimes,he himself had to learn some lessons.Both for books as well as for life.

Maybe,that was the result that he had slowly fell in love with his bestfriend Naina.

Naina never asked him the reason on why he is sad.Her smiles,laughter and her talk made him forget his own worried life.

He felt as if his life is complete.

He had proposed her to be his girlfriend when they were 18.They were the cutest couple in whole college as both took care of each other.

But they say,that caring and loving is different.

Maybe Nikhil loved Naina,but Naina deeply cared for him.

It was the last year of college when Naina realized this and spoke to Nikhil.

Naina entered the room where Nikhil sat writing his assignment.

Naina smiled at his nerdy self.She knocked the door.Nikhil turned to look at the intruder before he smiled and said,"Oh!its you!Come Naina."

Naina took cautious steps before stepping in front of him.

Nikhil continued to talk about his day.

Naina looked again at Nikhil.She knew if she didn't say it know then later it would be catastrophic to both sides.

Naina took deep breaths before saying,"Nik,I need to say something."

Nikhil nodded and looked at her expectantly.

She stuttered as she tried to say,"Nikhil....I....err...We...."

And she broke down and cried.

How would she manage to tell him that they are not made for each other?

Nikhil left his assignment to pat her back softly and spoke in a gentle voice,"Naina!What is it?"

She kept crying as she said,"Nik,I....Probably I will.....I just want to say we must break up."

Nikhil stepped back and he looked shocked.

Naina wiped her tears and said,"I..I...know that you will....I mean ....I read your letter to propose me.We...we are two different people Nik.I cannot handle the times when you suddenly go all moody and silent and then next day,you are back to normal. It's difficult..I hope that you are understanding...."

Nikhil was enraged.

How dare she read his letters?His personal letters to his mother?

Nikhil asked in a low voice,"How dare you to read my letters?HOW DARE YOU?And have you ever asked me the reason why I am like this?Why....."

Naina interrupted shouting,"See!SEE!This is why I can't tolerate you at such times.That's it!We are breaking up!My dad anyway didn't want me to have a relation with you!"

Nikhil agaped and stood shocked again at this reveal.It sinked to him that she was breaking up with him.

This wasn't one of those fights.This was the end.

Nikhil didn't care if he sounded desperate but he spoke,"Naina,please!We love each other....Remember the times when I helped you,when you helped me?And why would your dad oppose our relationship?And Naina,leave that aside,you told me that you liked me on 15th ....."

Naina stopped his speaking and said,"Nik,there is difference between caring and loving.And I have realized it.What I felt for you this any years was that I deeply cared for you.And why wouldn't dad oppose our relationship Nik?We all know that your family's company is deteriorating with losses....Let's not forget even your mother...."

Nikhil shouted this time,"Get lost Naina!Get lost!Don't even show me your face!Go away!"

He no longer cared if Naina felt bad or if she was crying,

She had insulted his mother,even after knowing that his love towards Mother was above everything.

The whole college knew about it.

Everyone expected that Nikhik would take a leave or something after such a bad breakup.After all their relationship had been from years.

But everyone stood shocked as Nikhil came up the next day with his finished assignment.

And everyone noticed how drastically the sweet ,smiling,caring Nikhil had vanished to become the cold,glaring man who only minded his own business.

Afterall,he had to make and establish the new Malhotra company.

His internal battles unknown to many.

But why he told Saira that he wanted to marry Naina?No one knew except him.

****************************************************************************************************

Everyone watched news to keep themselves updated.Right?

Wrong.

Saira glared at the receptionist as she shook her head,not allowing Saira to enter Nikhil's office.

The Brunette with her black eyes looked gorgeous,but her makeup overdone,she looked horrific.The badge read her name as "Jenny Jenkins".

Jenny in her high shrill voice spoke,"I am sorry ma'am.But you don't have an appointment.And as for you saying that you are his wife,I assure you that number of those actresses and women come up here and say that they are his wife."

Saira asked her,"Don't you read any magazines or news?"

Jenny shook her head and said,"No!We don't have time for news.Nikhil sir gives us enough work to not gossip around.Now,if you would excuse me!"

Saira wanted to whine but that would have made Jenny sure that Saira is mad.

So,she said,"Atleast ask him.I am sure he is expecting me."

Jenny wanting to get rid of Saira quick enough so as to do her work,she sighed and said,"Fine.But if he says no,You would have to leave."

Saira nodded enthusiastically.

Jenny rang up and said in a professional tone,"Good evening Sir.This is Jenny from the Reception area.A lady here named Ms Saira Kapoor or as she calls herself Mrs Saira Malhotra claims to be called your wife and has said that you requested for her.What should I do?"

There was a brief silence.

Finally,they heard the deep voice of Nikhil saying,"No,I don't know any Mrs Saira Malhotra or Ms Kapoor.Kindly escort her out."

Saira's mouth opened and closed.

How dare he!

As Jenny turned to say her politely,Saira spoke,"I know.I am going.Thanks for your time Jenny."

Jenny felt a bit bad.Saira actually looked a genuine person so Jenny gave her a sympathetic smile.

But they soon heard Nikhil's voice again,this time laughing,"hahhaa....Jenny,meet my wife Saira Malhotra.I am sure she must have opened and closed her mouth in shocked.Hahhaha...Send her to my office.Over."

Jenny looked embarrassed to not identify her boss's wife.She ducked her head down as she spoke,"Apologies Mrs Malhotra...I..."

Saira shook her head and gave her a smile,"Its fine Jenny.I must say you are efficient worker."

Jenny blushed at her compliment and spoke,"That's kind of you ma'am.Now let me escort you to Mr Malhotra's office."

Jenny escorted Saira to Nikhil's office.Jenny had been surprised to hear him laughing,it was a rare thing.

They entered the private elevator and as the elevator zoomed to its designated floor,Saira asked,"How is Nikhil as a boss?"

Jenny smiled and said,"Ma'am,he really gives his employees a lot of reimbursements and benefits.Wonderful salary,good boss and reimbursements,what else can we employees ask?Of course though,he expects us to punctual,hardworking and not to plagiarise other ideas."

Saira nodded at her,pleased that he did care for his employees.

Jenny asked Saira with a polite smile,"Ma'am,so did you both have arranged or love marriage?"

She wanted to say,"Neither.We have a contract marriage." But instead she said,"Both."

Jenny looked confused and before she could ask,the elevator dinged to indicate they were at the CEO's floor.

As Jenny guided Saira,she spoke,"Ma'am stay alert from Pinku.She literally has been trying to seduce Malhotra sir from months...Its just weird...Oh!Please don't get offended...I just ..."

Saira spoke,"That's okay.Thanks Jenny.It was wonderful meeting you."

Jenny said ,"Likewise ma'am" and she went back to her reception.

Saira straightened herself,adjusted her watch while straightening her hair.

Suddenly she had the thought,"What am I supposed to do if she is actually seducing?"

Her mind could only think of following :

1. Slap Pinku and shout at her.Fire her.

2.Start crying and shouting,kicking and start saying nonsensical about herself like if she wasn't good enough....blah blah..

3. Look at both,blink countless times and then run out of the door.

4.Start laughing maniacally and then Start cat fight.

5.Do nothing.

Ha!Fifth one sounded more appropriate but third option sounded good too.She was in dilemma.

So,she shrugged and entered the CEO's office.

As the door creaked,she could hear some shuffling.

She peeked into the room to see Pinku sitting comfortably on the chair and cooing loudly,"Come on Nik.Just come outside.I swear your wife knows nothing."

Saira silently scoffed and gasped.

As she stood peaking,she felt tingling sensation as someone's hot breath touched her neck.She felt herself stiffening as she heard the familiar deep voice,"Why are we spying in my own office?"

She turned to look at the person.As she turned,her hair swayed touching his face,her eyes widened.

It was Mr freaking Nikhil Malhotra.

She gasped in a low voice,"Oh my!You are here!So is Pinku hallucinating?I mean I heard her saying you Nik baby."

Nikhil frowned and said,"Go and confront her like a wife."

Saira scoffed visibly and said,"Really Nikhil?As if I was going to confront like a bestfriend."

Nikhil snorted as he spoke,"Who said you are my bestfriend?"

Saira snorted this time to say,"Who said that I referred you as my bestfriend?"

Nikhil spoke,"Yes you did."

"Nope."

"Yes."

"Nope"

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"You are an idiot?"

"Yes! Oh wait..No no...This is wrong."

Saira stuck her tongue out and said,"Ha!Caught you!"

Nikhil glared at her as Saira jumped up in joy.

In response,Nikhil literally pushed Saira into his office.

Saira glared at Nikhil as he gave her innocent smile.

"Oh,Hi!Hmm...Satan is it?" Pinku asked Saira giving her a sly smile.

Saira gave her a cheeky smile and said,"Oh no!I don't think I can achieve that name when you are the heiress of that title."

Saira expected her to glare but instead she was met with her calm demeanour as she spoke,"Saira...Saira...Sarcasm game Isn't for you,Ms Kapoor!"

Saira said with her unfazed confidence,"Correction.I am Mrs Saira Kapoor Malhotra."

Saira had never spoken her full name with that much pride as she spoke today.

Pinku shook her head as she gave her a sly smile,"Really?"

Saira asked,"Why run after Nikhil?"

And she laughed with that unmistaken icy tone.Saira flinched as she recognised this voice.

But her mind could not place where she had heard that icy tone.

Pinku spoke with her calm demeanour,"Saira,for some people like us,we know where to follow so as to walk comfortably than run after some moron."

As Pinku started walking away,she leaned near Saira and whispered,"Tell Nikhil to stop hiding. Next time,Atleast fight with a low tone."

And she walked away clinking her heels loudly,

As Nikhil entered Saira asked,"She knew you were standing.And wait,how did you know she was going to seduce you?You were not even in the office."

Nikhil shrugged and said,"I got a note reading that' Mr Malhotra ,be ready to be seduced."And her name was written.I called you to avoid some ugly situation."

Saira thought about Pinku.Something was unusual.Her instincts were telling her.

But what?She didn't know.

********************************************************************************

Author note:

Wattpad should stop crashing randomly!I wrote almost half of the

chapter when it crashed and bam!Everything disappeared!Seriously I was pissed off.

Anyways,Remember Pinku?Ah!Even she is now a suspicious character!

Saw that aesthetic I created?How was it?I am trying to be more creative in my work!

Thank you everyone who are silent readers as well as those who vote!Our book has reached 87k!!!!Yippee!

Anyways,remember to read,comment(pleaseeeee!!!!!) and vote!

Ciao!

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