"Is this all for today?", I asked Karthik and he nodded immediately.

"Has everyone already left?", I asked as I turned off my PC and collected all the files I might need to read at home.

"Most of them, Sir.", He replied.

"So we're good to go?", I asked as I took one last glance at the office before heading towards door. When I walked out, he closed door behind me and we strolled towards elevator.

I spared one last glance to the closed door beside my office before stepping inside elevator. I remember Karthik told me that it used to be an office to my ex-assistant. But the thought of it being empty kind of bugs me. It feels as if it needs to be filled. As if it belongs to someone.

"Who was my ex-assistant, Karthik?", I asked and noticed him stiffen from the corner of my eyes.

"A woman."

"Name?"

"Uh?", He turned his head to look at me as his eyebrows raised up.

"Name. What was her name?"

"Uh, Gayatri.", He mumbled.

"Isn't that your wife's name?", I frowned.

"It is. But that doesn't mean someone else can't have the same name.", He said shifting on his feet awkwardly. He looked as if he was dying to get away from me.

"You're weird. And secretive.", I said shaking my head and walking out just as the elevator door opened with a sound. I tried to control the annoyance I felt for him. I don't know why but it feels like everyone is hiding something huge from me. And however hard I try to know, no one is willing to tell me.

And within these last five years, this feeling has grown huge. Something constantly bugs me and I can't help the confusion that develops and enlarges everytime someone tries to hide my past when I ask them about it. I hate that I need to ask someone else about me. About my life before the accident. And it completely pisses me off when no one answers my questions and just dodge them for some other day.

I sat inside my car after mumbling a small goodbye to my secretary and told the driver to play something on radio. He agreed before pulling the car out of parking lot and on the busy road.

"I'm a fan of retro songs. And mostly the revisited versions. So let's enjoy something out of the box? This lovely song was originally sung by Kumar Sanu and Sadhna Sargam. And is re-created by Atif Aslam and our lovely, Shirley Setia. Jab koi baat is coming right up for ya'll folks. Enjoy!", The overly enthusiastic RJ said before the song began.

It felt like I had heard this song before. As if a piece of me was stored in that song. I just don't remember it. Aarav play many songs in his car, this might be one of them. But the feeling that erupted in me after listening to this melody is new. I doubt this re-created song hold some hidden moments I don't remember about.

A long, faded, forgotten, distinct memory.

Was this song my favorite before the accident?

I don't remember.

"We're here, sir.", I startled before my eyes travelled around taking in the surroundings. The car was already situated in the porch, and he had held the door to my side open for me to get down. I smiled before thanking him and stepping out.

I walked inside and saw Aarav rushing downstairs in hurry.

"Where are you off to in so much hurry?", I asked stopping by the dining room to grab a glass of water.

"Uhm!", He halted as he hastily looked around, it seemed he was fathoming an answer to tell me.

"I need to go."

"Where?"

"Airport.", He answered and his eyes widened before he averted his gaze away from me. Denying to meet my eyes.

"Why?"

"My girlfriend's sister is here. I need to go pick her up from airport. Bye!", He said quickly before sprinting off.

Rivaah.

Her name echoed in my mind and I tried to shove off the uneasy feeling that crawled up with the mention of that woman's name. I haven't even seen her but her name is already making me uncomfortable and curious.

I wonder how she looks.....

Shaking my head, as if physically doing it will make the thoughts go away. I drank the water from glass before placing it back on the wooden table and strolling upstairs to my room. I put my briefcase on bed before heading to my walk-in closet. Once I was done changing into some comfortable grey sweats and a hoodie, I washed my face and brushed my wet hand through my raven black hair.

I lifted my hoodie and saw the disarray of short and long scars dispersed on my torso and chest. I stared at those ugly scars for few seconds before sighing and dropping my hoodie. Was my accident that bad? Why the fuck I don't remember anything!?

It fucking frustrates me! I've seen accusations and disgust for me in some eyes. One of them belongs to my very own sister. I wonder how and why I made that happen. Was I a bad person? Was I hated by everyone? But Mom and Dad loves me. Aarav loves me. Many business colleagues respects me. That lovely Reyansh kid likes me.

May be I was just misunderstood?

Letting out a defeated and tired breath, I ran a hand across my face before walking out of bathroom. I removed the files from briefcase and pulled out a notepad from the drawer of my nightstand. I couldn't find pen anywhere near me and so I sighed in displease when I figured I need to get up and grab one from study table. Getting up, I rummaged through the pen holder to find a pen I usually use when something more eye catching grabbed my attention.

I've this with me since the day I came back from hospital. I don't remember whom this belongs to. But whoever it belongs to, must have been a part of my life. Even if small, but I don't mind. The hairpin is beautiful and delicate. I remember asking about it to Tiara if it's hers, but she didn't claim it. Then Kiara, Uncle Raghav's daughter told me how she found it in my car one day and I got protective over it.

And the irony is, despite not remembering anything regarding this beautiful hairpin, I'm still protective over it. I don't let anyone touch it, and keep it where I think is close to me. Hence the pen stand. Where I initially found it before.

My fingers gently splayed across the feathery flowers and the diamond beaded designs as a smile pulled my lips up. I held it up to my nose and breathed in the fading perfume. It is almost non-existent now, but as if I can still smell it the same as I did five years back. The last fragments of fragrance are still lingering on it.

And it is musky, faint and floral. The most beautiful combination.

Putting it back safely in the pen stand I grabbed the pen I had wanted and walked back to bed before resuming on my work that I had left unfinished in office.

After dinner, I retired off to bed and dived into deep slumber.

"We're thinking of throwing a party for our anniversary celebration. What do you guys think?", Mom asked during breakfast.

"Amazing! I'll do the arrangements!", Ahana perked up.

"A party?", Aarav mumbled to himself before a huge smile graced his face. He nodded enthusiastically before continuing his breakfast.

"What about you, Kabir? Do you think it's a good idea? You're not uncomfortable right?", She asked worriedly and I immediately shook my head, resting her unnecessary concern for me.

"Not at all, Mom. I want to be a part of it. And may be we can do the arrangements together?", I asked the last question staring at Ahana who sighed exasperatedly before dropping the fork and getting up.

"I'm getting late. I need to leave now.", She said before she took hold of her handbag and walked out.

I shifted awkwardly in my seat.

"She needs to learn how to respect! What has happened to her since last few years!? She was always so polite and cheerful! All because of that boy Ishaan! I should have known he's a bad news!", Mom grumbled before she got up and bolted inside the kitchen. Dad and Aarav looked at me and we shared an awkward eye contact before I cleared my throat.

"I'm leaving. Have a great day.", I said and fled away.

Employees greeted me when I entered the office premises and I returned their gesture back.

"What's in my schedule for today?", I asked as Karthik caught up to me near elevator.

"You need to check the RFPs. Read and sign few contracts. Also, our contract with Glorious Manufacturers needs renewal. The monthly balance sheet is right now sitting on your desk. The requested growth graph of last five years will be handed to you before afternoon. And you've a lunch meeting with Khanna Enterprises owner, Mr. Raghav Khanna.", He ended the little monologue with a short nod.

"When was the meeting decided?", I asked as we walked out. I nodded at the employees who greeted me and headed to my office straight up.

"Mr. Khanna requested for one this morning."

"Reason?"

"He has hired a new Advertising Head. And as we're merged with them for fashion line, he needs to discuss this with you.", He replied and I nodded before opening the door to my office.

"Get me my coffee."

"Right away, Sir.", He said before switching off the tablet and turning around to head towards cafeteria.

I was trying to getting hold of everyday office work now. It's stressful, because I've the weight of huge business empire on my shoulders. And millions of employees across the world get their bread from Raichands. It's a huge and respectful responsibility.

As the lunch time rolled in, I headed to the restaurant where Uncle Raghav was waiting for me. The waitress escorted me to a private cabin and held door open for me. I smiled before stepping inside.

"Hey, Uncle!", I said and he looked up from his phone before keeping the device down on table and getting up to welcome me with a hug.

"How are you young man!?", He asked with a huge grin.

"Great!", I chuckled before opening the buttons of my blazer and sitting down across the table right in front of him.

"So, I assume you know why I called you here?"

"Yeah. You hired new Advertising Head. How is that a topic of our concern? If you think the person is competitive, I've no problem with your decision.", I replied after taking a sip of water from the glass.

"Yeah, she's from London. She's good. Talented and smart. But she has always handled the projects of digital marketing. And you know our main focus has always been branding.", He said and I pondered over his words. After giving it a thought, I nodded understanding his point.

"I would like to meet her someday.", I said and his face beamed, as if this is what he was waiting for.

"Amazing! When!?", He looked excited.

I shrugged. "Mom and Dad are planning to throw a party on their anniversary, you can bring her along."

"Great! I'll see you then?", He said as he stood up.

"Is that all? I mean, we can have lunch together now that we're already here?", I frowned and he gasped before sitting down.

"Sorry. Let's order something!", He said and I nodded. Why is everyone behaving so weirdly?

After lunch we separated to head back to our office. I completed my pending work until it was time to call the day done. Grabbing my blazer, phone and briefcase, I walked out after closing the door behind me.

Karthik left before me as he needed to get his son from school today.

"Yeah, cover the staircase handrail with blue fairy lights. I want everything blue and white.", Ahana was telling a woman, who I assume must be the event manager. She continued telling the instructions while the lady wrote everything down on her small notepad. I decided not to intervene and spoil her cheerful mood. But when I felt the event manager staring at me, I passed her a smile. She smiled shyly back at me before Ahana snapped at her to focus on work. That was not polite.

The next two days it was all chaos in house. Finally the evening everyone was waiting for arrived. I completed my tuxedo look with a black dial watch and nodded at my reflection in satisfaction.

I walked down, once again wished my parents and then got carried away with the business related conversation until a tap on my shoulder turned me around.

My heart almost stopped at the sight of her.

She stood beside Uncle Raghav, with a small smile on her face. And she looked unfazed. It felt as if I was the only one pulled into a sense of daze.

"Kabir?", I flinched and forcefully peeled my eyes away from her.

"Uncle Raghav, Hello.", I regarded his presence with a nod. But damn if my eyes were not demanding to hold her sight again. It was as if she has bewitched me.

"Meet our new Advertising Head. Rivaah Verma.", He smiled.

I didn't even heard him because my eyes were already back on her. She smiled that breathtaking smile and I felt something melting in me. She's gorgeous. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

"Hello, Mr. Raichand.", She said softly and I inaudibly gasped at the way my stomach flipped and heart raced the moment she addressed me with her beautiful, dulcet voice.

She was wearing all white. And she looks so delicate. Like a Dove.

_______