(A/N: refer prologue)

Flashback 4 years ago

"Do you wish your mother to die!

Go back to US. This is all your fault. You're mother's condition, our reputation....all this is your fault. If you don't want to cause any further damage...just leave and never come back. Just stay as if you're dead." Dad said and went in the ICU to Mom.

With a heavy heart I came out of the hospital.

"Excuse me sir." I turned back wiping my tears at the male voice. It took me second to realise it was one of the bodyguards.

He walked up to me.

"Sir, can I talk to you for a minute."

###

"Changed her medication?" I said shocked as we stood in the parking lot.

"Yes sir. One of the maids in house had a suspicion that maybe someone changed her anti depression pills. Probably because of that her BP increased causing for the heart attack." He said.

"But who would do such a thing? Did you investigate?"

"Yes sir, but we couldn't find the maid who gave her the medicines that day. It's like she disappeared like the wind. I'm sorry Kaif sir, I didn't dare to say anything to Mr Alam. I was afraid he might fire us all. But I promise we'll be extra careful and nothing like that will happen ever again." He said frightened.

I sighed. "Fine. But anything like that happens again, if you ever detect that there's any threat to Mom and Dad, you'll report to me too and be alert 24/7. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

###

I got an anonymous call later.

"Did you get my surprise?" The female voice over the phone said.

"Why are you doing this? What do you want?" I grunted, my blood fuming.

"How can you disappear like that without telling me? It made me mad."

"You know why! And after all that you did ...why are you calling me?"

"Because I missed you baby."

"Don't call me that!" I yelled.

She was laughing.

"You're laughing right now?! What if something would've happened to my mom?!"

"Relax, I won't kill her. Hmm, you sound so mad. Why don't you come to me? I can relieve your stress.....just like old times." She said in a seductive tone.

My blood boiled.

"Why? So that u can tell the world again that I raped u?"

"Ouch, you really are mad. You know I had no choice. My husband caught us, what could I do?"

"So you decided to ruin my life instead to save yourself? Go to hell you bitch! Don't ever try to contact me again and if u even dare to harm my family again.... I'll kill u!" I warned her.

"Oooo. I love it when you're soo fired up. It's just soo sexy. But don't act like you don't love me anymore. Your Maasi loves you soo much."

"Love, don't insult that word. You cannot love anyone but yourself. I'm going back to America now. Don't you dare pull any tricks or else.... I'll tell everyone the truth."

I almost hung up....

"Then what do you think you're mom will be safe? If you're really adamant to tell the truth baby, then I'll really have to get rid of her. I won't let any other women in your life be more important to you than me. I'll get rid of anyone who tries to get in between us."

I hung up ignoring her warning.

∆∆∆∆

Present time

The security went through the CCTV footage but nothing was caught on camera. Someone must've tempered with them. Everyone is convinced that it was a mistake on part of the interior decorating team, but I know that's not the case. Shit! My suspicions were raising and landing on just one person. No one is capable of doing such a thing than her.

First Mom and now Naila? How far will this woman go? The minute I saw her in our house that day, I knew she was upto something. I don't have any solid evidence to accuse her either. Do I need to increase security around Naila too?

Mom had taken Naila to the guest house and was with her the whole time till I got there. She must've been soo scared today.

I was still shaking as I sat on my bed. The incident just kept flashing through my eyes. If it wasn't for Kaif, I would have..... Ya Allah.... Thank you....

Mom held my hands never leaving my side even for a minute and I felt better. I had some minor scratches here and there. A nurse was specially called to tend to me.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us tonight at our home?" Mom asked.

I nodded.

"I'll be...f...fine." I was still shaking.

"Oh, my baby." She carased my face almost crying and hugged me.

Kaif entered the room sheepishly. Seeing him, relief flooded over me. Mom looked at him angrily and left the room. He watched her leave sighing then he turned to me.

"Are you o...."

I just jumped of the bed and wrapped my arms around him sobbing in his chest. I felt so warm and safe like that.

I froze as she suddenly came and hugged me. I had to step back a little to maintain my balance. She had already started sobbing.

I reluctantly held her.

I didn't say a word and let her cry for a while. She finally looked up at me sniffing still holding me tight, her tear strained face broke my heart and I unconsciously found myself wiping her tears.

"Thank you....thank you soo much Kaif."

"It's ok. Stop crying now. You didn't get hurt too much right?"

She shook her head stepping back embarrassed making me miss her warmth.

"Um.... sorry about that." She looked down pushing her hair behind her ears.

"Hm" I just said.

"You aren't hurt anywhere right?" She asked.

"No, luckily my coat was thick enough."

"Oh.... Good."

"Thank you for saving my life every time. You really are like a hero." She smiled.

I grinned.

"Sure why not. Why don't you get changed?" I noticed the multiple bandaged on her arms.

"Will you be able to handle it alone, or should I send someone?"

"No it's ok. I'll be fine. It's not that bad."

"Ok." I said and closed the door behind me stepping out.

I went to my room and found Mom there. I gulped.

"Is this your room?" She asked looking around.... observing.

I mentally face palmed.

"Um.....yes."

"And that was Naila's room?"

"Um..."

"Why are you staying in different rooms?" She darted her eyes at me.

"That's because.....uh...." What do I say?!

"Do you want people to get suspicious? There are many maids and servants in this house, what if they go around and tell people about this?" She scolded.

I just looked down. This girl is contagious. I'm starting to act like her!

"You two will share the same room from tonight and take extra care of her today. She's too frightened. I wanted to stay with her but she won't let me. I need to take care of the media about today's incident, so I'll be leaving now."

"Ok." I said.

"And shift her in this room ASAP."

"Yes, of course mom."

After accompanying Mom to her car I went to Naila to tell her about the shift. As I opened the door I heard her hiss in pain. She was struggling with the pins of her blouse. That's why I told that idiot to get the maid to help.

I walked up to her.

"Wait, let me help."

"Oh no, it's ok.... I'll...."

"Shut up..."

The pin was at the back below so it was difficult for her to reach with her injuries.

I flinched as his fingers slightly brushed the bare skin of my back. He was just removing the pins, nothing else but it felt.... weird, not in a bad way though.

I collected the pins in my hand that he was giving me. Suddenly my saree slipped from my shoulders revealing my blouse. He looked up casually as I gasped. Our eyes met in the mirror in front and he quickly turned back embarrassed as I hastily tried to cover myself.

"Uh, u'll be ok now I guess."

"Yeah, um...sure. Thanks."

"I'm waiting outside."

"Ok."

He went out and I tried to calm my racing heart.

###

We were both lying on the same bed as Mom asked him or rather ordered him to sleep in the same room. That selfish jerk really had hoarded the biggest room huh? Serves him right. Even the bed is bigger here so the pillow wall wasn't much of an issue.

The incident of the chandelier falling kept playing in my head not letting me sleep. Hate to admit it but, the way he saved me was....so cool! Even though it was soo scary, I somehow felt safe in his arms. I knew even with my closed eyes, he would protect me. I believed in him.

But then he said something, it was like a monologue but I clearly heard it. He took that woman's name. Ridhima!

Why? Was she there? But I didn't see her among the guests. I'm pretty sure I've met each and every guest present there the evening. When did she came? Is she responsible for the chandelier.....

No no... It cannot be. Why would she do something like that? Infact, how would she? Nah, I'm over thinking this. It was just an accident. It could've happened with anyone..

No matter how many times I tried to convince myself.....the thought won't just leave my mind. Kaif's horrified face won't leave my mind.

###

Why do the seniors send their interns and juniors to do all the little work like getting coffee and food. Ugh! It's soo annoying. I thought as I waited in the lobby for the pizza delivery guy to arrive.

A middle aged women with a dupatta on her head walked in instead. She had a tiffin box in her hand and she kept looking around.

Maybe she's one of the employee's relative. The receptionist asked her to wait outside. I felt bad she had to wait alone in the heat so I rushed to them.

"Assalamualaikum Aunty. May I ask who you're here to meet?" I asked. Just by looking at her I could say she was Muslim.

"Walaikum as Salam. My son works here temporary. I'm here to give his tiffin." She said happily, clearly impressed by the huge company.

"Oh." Then I turned to the receptionist.

"It's ok. She's just here to meet her son. Let her wait here with me."

"Ok then ma'am." She said smiling. Even she felt bad to ask her to wait outside, but it's her job, what could she do?

The woman kept looking at me. I smiled at her.

"You know, you look exactly like my oldest daughter." She said longingly. "She was also as beautiful as you are."

"Really? Thank you Aunty. By the way, what's your son's name? Do you know which department he is?"

"That I don't know. He's just here temporary because his college asked him to." She said.

No way....

"Aunty, are you Farhan's mother?"

"Yes yes. " She smiled widely. "Do you know him?"

"Of course, he's my good friend. We are in the same college. I'm here for my internship too." I smiled.

"Is that soo." She said beaming.

She sighed heavily.

"If my daughter was alive, she would look exactly like you."

My smile disappeared. Alive? But Farhan told me his sister was married and in UK.

"Um...was alive? But Farhan told me...."

"Mummy, you're here?" I heard Farhan as he rushed towards her.

"Here, take your tiffin. Why do you always forget it?" She scolded.

He scratched his head.

"Because then I get to see my darling mummy." He gave her a quick hug.

She hit his arm.

"Nalayak. I had to come all the way here leaving all my work. But I did get to see your company. It's huge na."

"You're impressed right? Say mummy, should I buy this company?" He said keeping his arm around her.

She pulled his ear and I couldn't help but giggle.

"You can't even buy potatoes. You're going to buy this company? Huh?"

"Sorry sorry mummy.... ah! Leave my ear please. Everyone's watching, the boss' wife is watching too. Please."

"His wife?" She watched me perplexed.

I nodded. "Ji."

"Alright mummy bye now." Before she could say anything else he gently grabbed her shoulders and took her out. The pizza delivery guy arrived in the meantime.

"Want some help?" Farhan came from behind as I was holding 2 big bags of pizza and drinks.

"Sure." I said and he took 1 bag.

I couldn't help but feel uneasy about what his mother told me just now.

"Hey Farhan."

"Yep."

"Why did your mother say that your sister..... I mean, that she wasn't alive... didn't you tell me she's in UK with her husband?" I asked carefully as we stepped into the lift.

He looked at me and for the first time I saw anger on his ever soo smiley face. Did I say something wrong?

"Don't try to interfere in other people's business too much!" She said angrily and looked away from me. I was shocked at his sudden outburst. As soon as the lift opened, he stormed out without a glance at me.