Nivin.

My head was bursting.

I just heard the last moments of my dad's life.

"NOW," Sebastian recovered first as he shouted.

A blasting sound echoed throughout the building and the fire alarms went off.

All of the directors jumped to their feet and everyone started to run out as the whole building erupted in chaos.

It just left the rest of us, the Aldricks, Dixits and Sebastian.

I was out of my seat before I know it.

I lunged at Sebastian and started to hit him, He tried to shield himself, but he was no match for me.

I was out of my mind and bind with fury; all I wanted was to hurt him, to kill him with my bare hands.

"I am going to kill you," I kept saying while trying to punch the daylights out of him.

Then, I felt it, the pain from all around me and the shouts from others in the room, Sebastian's men were trying to separate me from him.

They finally managed to drag me back, but not before I kicked him back with all my strength.

Sebastian was thrown back with all the force and his bodyguards supported him.

The words from the audio clip were still echoing around me, making me numb.

My dad sacrificed his life to save Amma and me! He didn't drink himself to death; He was murdered while trying to protect us.

Uncle Dev came forward and separated me from the bodyguards, and then he turned to Sebastian.

"You... you killed James too!" Uncle Dev whispered as all of us looked at Sebastian's evil face. Everyone was still frozen, unable to move.

Sebastian touched his earpiece slightly like he's listening to someone.

"Bring her in!" he shouted again and the door to the conference room opened and Philip brought in a struggling Riya inside.

"Philip!" Rohan moved angrily, but Sachin stopped him as Sebastian's men were ready to attack.

"She did it, she played that audio clip. She escaped with a guy earlier," he reasoned as he handed over something to Sebastian.

"A flash drive!?" he growled, "So the necklace had a flash drive hidden inside it? I asked you to check thoroughly!" he shouted, turning to his men.

"Our experts were on their way, but she escaped before that," His PA said.

I was still numb, but the sight of Riya being dragged into the room snapped me back to my senses.

"Riya-"

"Neev-" she couldn't finish as she was blocked by Philip.

I am going to kill him today!

"Stop right there, Nivin," Sebastian growled as he walked forward and clutched her throat, choking her.

"Do you even know what you have done?" He looked murderous and I moved forward, ignoring the warnings and shouts around me.

I pushed Philip out of the way as he tried to stop me.

"You ruined me! you just ruined everything I have been building up for the past 20 years, and now, you are going to pay, you bloody bitch-" he stopped as I pulled him off her and covered Riya who was trying to breathe.

"Are you alright?" I looked at her for a moment, but she looked angry and mad, her eyes flashed at Sebastian.

"I... I told you, I will never allow it, I told you that I will expose you, Sebastian, It's time you stop hurting others!" she shouted, her eyes were filled, but I could clearly see the anger in them.

I clutched her hands tightly and pulled her to me, trying to relax.

Riya is okay... she's not hurt...

But even as I tried to, I knew that we all are in danger, Sebastian would go any extend to get what he wants.

Like he faked the blast and activated the fire alarms to get everyone out, He can even destroy the CCTV footages... he has already done it from my place.

"Nothing is over yet," Sebastian looked around.

"Do you really think so? You were exposed in front of all the directors, Sebastian!" Sachin said.

"I will just prove that it was a fake audio clip to trap me, it can happen since I was about to become the chairman,"

"And you think we will let you do that?" Uncle John spoke up. "You ruined our family and you think we will just keep quiet?"

"James... James offered you everything! Anil was pleading with you to take him to the hospital... why? Why did you..." Uncle Dev's voice cracked.

"I told you, your pathetic generosity is what makes me disgusted the most, Dev, like you are some mighty people,"

"You crazy bastard!" Uncle Dev tried to move, but Sebastian's men were still blocking all of them.

"Yes, I am crazy, and I have something to repay you now," Sebastian pulled out his gun and directed it at Riya, "Riya Ragunad, I am going to kill you now, Ever since you appeared, you made everything difficult for me,"

"I will never allow you to hurt the people around me," Riya didn't back down.

"You are never going to get away if you hurt anyone here, All of the board members already knows that you are a crazy murderer," I stepped in front of her.

"Give up, Sebastian, because the game is over, you have been exposed," Sachin spoke up, "You can't get away, you are entangled in your own sins."

"And put that down," Rohan took out his gun now. "I am not like Nivin or his dad, I am not generous, I don't believe in giving another chance to bastards like you, drop your gun now," Rohan said, "or I will shoot you," he said firmly.

All of us are shocked now, I know Rohan is a sharpshooter, But I don't know why he bothered to take his gun to the conference room.

He must've taken it after he found about Sebastian's blackmail!

Then Philip moved and pointed his gun back at Rohan, Everyone stilled, Including Sebastian's bodyguards.

"Philip!" Uncle John warned.

"Drop your gun boy," Philip said and Rohan didn't move.

"Now!" he shouted.

"No! You can shoot me, but I assure you that I will only fall down after taking him with me," Rohan looked at Sebastian and said steadily. He was still pointing his gun straight at Sebastian.

"Rohan," Uncle John looked at him, "don't do anything rash!"

"Calm down everyone, Rohan, drop your gun," Uncle Dev said, he turned to Sebastian, "what do you want from us?" he looked at him.

Sebastian laughed, "I told you, you can't offer me anything now, if I am going down, I will take as many of you with me," he turned back to me, "but first, I need to punish her," he turned to look at Riya "Because she ruined everything-"

"You can't," I said firmly, "you already killed her dad and my dad, you ruined our whole life, I won't allow you to touch her too,"

"I need to talk business with you, so move back when I say nicely," Sebastian shouted.

I know it too, Sebastian would try to get the shares from me before killing me, He's neck deep in trouble, but his greediness is still there, I can see it.

"No!" I said firmly.

He pulled the trigger and pain shot through me.

"Aah..." I touched my upper arm where he shot me.

"No!" Riya cried, supporting me and trying to move, but I refused to move away from Riya, I was still covering her with my body.

"Neev!" Everyone shouted as the blood flowed down my hand and dropped to the floor.

I trapped Riya as she tried to move again, I could feel her trembling as she pressed on my hand, trying to stop the bleeding.

"I can shoot you all over your body, Nivin; until you wish that you are dead," Sebastian touched the gun to my other side

"Rohan!" Sachin shouted through the chaos as he kicked the gun out of a surprised Philip and caught it when the second gunshot was heard. Philip fell down with a cry, holding his leg where Rohan shot him.

"Neev, Are you okay?" Rohan moved and pointed his gun at Sebastian's head who was still aiming his gun at me.

"Shoot him," Rohan said, looking furious, "And it will be the last thing you will ever do... Because I will kill you then," Rohan warned.

Then Sachin moved, blocking Sebastian and raising Philip's gun straight at him from the front.

All of his men tensed.

"You better drop this because you are going live now," Sachin said and everyone stilled, Even Sebastian looked shocked.

"Amy," Sachin said and the door opened again, I watched shocked as Amy and the gang walked inside with the camera.

"See, I told you gun wouldn't be much of a help with him," Sachin turned to Rohan, then turned to Sebastian "Sorry to burst your bubble, The moment we knew about your blackmail, we had to do something like this as a Plan B, Take it as a payback for blocking our interview," Sachin said.

Sebastian covered his face from the camera as his men looked confused and worried, unable to know what to do.

"Sachin!" I said, shocked.

"Sorry Neev, Didn't get enough time to tell you about the plans," he said before taking Sebastian's hand and lowered it from me. He took the gun away from him.

"Police are already on their way here," Amy said, "Everyone knows his face now, he can't escape this time."

"You all underestimated me; do you think I will stop here?" Sebastian looked around.

Uncle Dev came forward and punched him straight in the face and pushed him to the floor.

"Just wait, Sebastian, I will make sure that you get a death sentence you bastard, I am preparing the lists of people you have killed and tried to kill, you trash!" he said angrily.

"Take Neev to the hospital, we will deal with Sebastian here," Uncle John said as Rohan and Sachin handed over the guns and supported me.

"Riya..." I turned to her, hugging her tightly, she was still shaking all over, and silent tears were still streaming down her face. "I am okay, the bullet just grazed me," I said.

"Do not talk, you are bleeding too much, we need to hurry," she wiped her eyes and followed Rohan and Sachin as they took me out of there.

"I told you to wait for me and not to do something dangerous like this!" I told her sternly.

"Can you please save it until you are treated?" Sachin snapped at us and I shut up.

"That bastard, I should have aimed at his head instead of his leg!" Rohan was still angry at Philip.

By the time we were down, I was already feeling weak; there was so much blood loss too.

"I will take the car," Rohan ran off and I leaned to the nearest car in the parking lot.

"Support him Riya, I need to get some bandages or he will bleed all the way," Sachin hurried inside.

"Nee...v"

"Shh... I... I am alright," I looked at her and smiled. "It's over, he can't hurt us anymore," I leaned to her.

"Because of me-"

"No, because of Sebastian, Riya..." I dragged off as I felt dizzy.

"Neev! Are you okay?" Riya cried as she supported me, panic clear in her voice.

"I am... just... sleepy," I looked at her, "Riya, you... know, you are the only person... for me, I promise, I will never leave you..." I said, "I love...you,"

"I love...you too... Neev," she tightened her grip on me.

"Amma... she's safe, your Mamma is safe," I smiled at her as she stared at me in shock, her eyes were moving between mine.

"Yea... I know about her," I kissed her on the forehead "Thank...you for taking care of her all these... years..." I said "I... I did that racing to... find her, sorry for breaking ... all... all those promises-"

"Shh... there's the car... come on... don't talk anymore, you need to get treated first, we can talk about everything after that," she said and we moved slowly to the approaching car.

But even through the dizziness, I could tell that something is really wrong.

"It's... It's not Rohan," I realised but it was too late, the car was speeding straight to us, It was too late to move out of the way.

I wrapped Riya in my hands and turned her back, trying to shield her as I heard the screeching, I heard the hitting sound before Both of us were flying through the air.

"Neev!" I heard her scream of terror before falling down, I felt her falling beside me.

Riya?

Please tell me you are okay...

Please...

I couldn't even move, I tried to fight it, But the darkness engulfed me

Joseph Aldrick.

I reached the company as soon as I heard the news, I was supposed to be resting, But I couldn't hold back anymore, I need to see that bastard who killed my son.

I took out my gun and stepped down from the car.

"Sir, you don't need to do it yourself, let anyone else do it, you are not a killer-"

"I need to do it myself J.P!" I said sternly as I started to walk.

No, I can't hand over that bastard to the police, I need to kill him, he deserves to die and I am going to make sure of it.

I was about to turn inside when I saw it, the car was speeding towards them, It took a second for me to recognise Neev and Riya as they looked shocked in the spot.

I couldn't think anymore and ran to them, I watched in horror as Neev hugged her to him tightly, trying to cover her body and turning her back.

I reached them just in time and pushed with all my might.

They were pushed out of the way as I felt the impact, throwing me out of my feet.

"Sir! Are you alright? Sir..." J.P's face appeared in front.

"Nee...v..." I whispered, "He..lp them...Nee..v and Riy-"

"They are already getting help," J.P sounded desperate as I closed my eyes, relieved now.

Neev.

"What's that supposed to mean? I want to see her now!" I snapped at them, trying to get up.

I just returned from the emergency room after dressing my wound.

"Did... did something happen to her?" I looked at Sachin in shock, "Did the car... Is she seriously injured?" My heart started to beat wildly.

Are they hiding it from me?

"Riya is not injured, in fact, The car didn't hit either of you," Rohan said slowly, "both of you were moved out of the way by Grandpa,"

"Out of the- What!? Who?" I am really shocked now.

"Grandpa would need to use the crutches the rest of his life, He has a complex fracture on his left leg, otherwise okay."

I couldn't understand it anymore.

Grandpa saved us? The same Joseph Aldrick!?

What's he playing at now?

"I don't want to know what he's planning now," I said darkly, "but I need to know where Riya is!" I looked around again.

"He almost got himself killed to save you; I don't think it's one of his dirty tricks,"

"Then it would be something he really wants, I don't care," I shrugged.

"Where's Riya?" My voice turned thunderous now.

"Calm down Neev, she's alright," Rohan said, "you were bleeding and she was shocked, they put her under sleep."

"She's sleeping?" I asked, now relieved.

"Stay right there, I will see if she's up," Sachin said, "They didn't allow us to wait there as she needed complete rest-"

He stopped as someone opened the door in force.

"Neev!" Riya ran to me and hugged me tightly, "I... I was so... scared... you are alright, Thank God." she sobbed and I wrapped my left hand around her.

"I am alright," I told her and she gripped me tightly, her whole body was shaking, she was crying silently and I just held her to me.

Everyone around us watched us silently.

Someone else opened the door and Naina came in.

"What are you guys doing here?" she looked around, looking displeased at their thoughtlessness.

"Err..." Sachin looked at her blankly.

"Um...  yea... we... we were just going out," Rohan recovered quickly and Danny nodded. Naina opened the door for them and everyone walked out.

Soon I was alone with her in the room.

"Calm down Riya," I said softly, I couldn't see her like this, I don't want to see her in pain, not anymore.

"Don't cry," I said. "I don't want to see you cry, Riya, Please calm down," I said and rubbed her on the back.

"I... I didn't know... what was in that drive... I just knew... It was something to...trap Sebastian, I am so... sorry for playing it like that... I am sorry... you... you had a hard time... I am sorry-"

"Shh... Thank you for... for exposing the truth... sure, It... It hurt me Riya, But I know how much my dad and mom loved me now... Thank you,"

She slowly calmed down, but still didn't leave me.

"Are you alright?" I asked her slowly "Are you hurt anywhere?" I looked down at her.

She shook her head, no.

"Riya, look at me," I called her and she slowly looked up, "you have me, Riya, I am going to protect you, you are not alone, do you understand?" I asked and she nodded her head, both of her eyes were still filled with tears.

I wiped it and kissed her on the forehead tenderly.

"I love you," I said.

"I... I love you too, Neev." she whispered and I hugged her to me.

"Don't worry, everything is back to normal now, Sebastian is caught and Grandpa has stepped down from the company," I said. "No one is ever going to hurt you,"

Riya.

I nodded as he tried to console me.

I couldn't tell him that the scariest thing for me is not Sebastian or Grandpa.

It's when something bad happens to you...

It's the thought about leaving you...

It's if I have to be alone again, without you...

"Neev-" Auntie Alice stilled on the doorway, watching us.

"I am okay, Auntie," he said, he was still wrapping me to him.

She nodded and I tried to wipe my eyes.

"Riya, I heard everything, Are you alright?" she turned to me.

"She's okay, don't worry," Nivin answered for me and I nodded.

"I... I am okay."

The door opened wider and Uncle John and Uncle Dev entered, Followed by Auntie Nandini.

"How are you, Neev?"

"Okay..." he said.

Uncle Dev placed the velvet box beside me.

"It was a necklace Anil and I saw at an international exhibition, No one knew about it, how did you know that it has a flash drive inside?" Uncle Dev asked me.

"It was thrown out of my hand and I thought it was broken, but then... I saw it," I said.

Uncle Dev nodded, He looked so down.

"It's not your fault, Uncle," I said before I could stop myself, "you couldn't have stopped Sebastian, He would've found another way then, don't blame yourself," I said.

"That's right if anyone's to blame, it's Sebastian," Uncle John agreed.

Nivin talked to them while he was still holding my hand tightly. He was actually consoling them, smiling and looking genuinely concerned.

I watched him in wonder. He has the reputation of being the bad boy in the family, but he's not at all that person now.

He's the most logical and clear-headed person who is ready to give up everything for his loved ones.

He's someone who's ready to sacrifice his life for his family.

Someone who values family more than anyone I have seen.

I am so glad that we are together!

Someone knocked on the door and came inside.

"Um... Joseph sir would like to talk to you, Riya, and Nivin." Uncle J.P said and instantly, Nivin's face darkened.

Neev is still not ready to talk to him... not ready to forgive him.

I realised, But I know, I can't blame him. I know he suffered for more than 20 years.

............................

"I... I was wrong..." he told me.

I stared at him. I can't believe that Joseph Aldrick is telling me this!

"He... he tricked me...Sebastian, I... really thought Ragunad is the one," he said again.

Rohan and Naina looked shocked too. All of us were inside the room along with Grandpa's PA. Grandpa has asked for Nivin, Rohan and to my surprise- Naina and me.

Nivin refused to meet him, still angry with him.

"Nivin?" Grandpa asked.

"He said he will come later-"

"Do you think he will visit you after all that you have done?" Rohan cut across Uncle J.P. "You should be happy that he is trying to sort out the mess you created!" Rohan said.

Grandpa nodded slowly, "you are right..." he whispered.

"You have no right to even ask forgiveness for what you have done!" Rohan said again.

"Rohan!" Uncle J.P said.

"I know..." Grandpa's eyes found Naina and she gripped my hand tightly, looking worried.

"I am sorry... I tried to hide you,"

"You tried to kill her!" Rohan said again. "I am here to tell you goodbye, I am going out of here as I planned," Rohan said.

I looked at him in surprise, even Naina looked shocked.

"I am not against your relationship," Grandpa said, "and I didn't try to kill her, Rohan," he said firmly.

"Yea, right." Rohan scoffed.

"I really thought Naina died when Sebastian called me to say that she had an accident, so my only choice was to hide it from you, I... I didn't want to see you in pain,"

"She could've been killed because of you, Sebastian was trying to get rid of her!" Rohan was still not ready to forgive him.

"I know I can't turn the time back," Grandpa looked at us, "but I promise, I am going to make everything right from now on, I know it will take time, But I will do that," he said slowly.

Rohan started to retort as Uncle J.P stopped him.

"He's a patient Rohan, You need to stop," he said, then turned to Grandpa.

"Nivin is selected as the most efficient youngest businessman of the year, he managed to bag the Asian project within the first months of his time as CEO and now he's also the youngest chairman to be elected," Uncle J.P said proudly.

"I knew it... he... he was James's son," Grandpa nodded again.

Neev.

I stilled in front of the room. My heart is going crazy and I am scared.

Yes, Vikram helped me back, It was him who took Mamma from Grandpa's men and Grandpa suspected Sebastian.

Vikram changed her to a hospital and he was trying to contact me for the past two days and I was too busy to notice him calling me, with the board meeting and all. So he had no way but message me like that.

"Neev," Riya looked at me, squeezing my hand and nodding encouragingly.

I slowly opened the door and walked inside, towards the bed.

I looked at the woman in front of me. She looked fragile, she was sleeping.

My heart was feeling heavy and my insides were a whirlwind of emotions.

I was still frozen in my spot, watching her. I couldn't even seem to move.

That familiar feeling is starting to fill me again, the same feelings I felt when I visited her in the hospital all those time back.

"Am...Amma," I slowly walked closer. My voice trembled. I touched her feet tentatively.

"I am... I am so sorry... I am sorry," I said, my whole body shook and my eyes became blurry, "I... I didn't loo..k for you... I am so... sorry, all these...time..."

My tears flowed down and fell down on her feet, wetting her feet, but I couldn't control it.

"I... I am... the worst son... I didn't look for you; I hated... you and dad... I was... so selfish..." I trembled.

"I... I am sorry... Amma..."

I know I can never wash away what I have done to her. I didn't look for her; it's as good as abandoning her.

I, Nivin Rosh James Aldrick cried, cried for the past 20 years I had missed them... until all the hatred seemed to disappear.

The door opened again and Riya came inside.

"The doctor said she would need to stay in the hospital since she has undergone transplantation," she said softly beside me, "but other than that, she's fine, Neev, she's going to be okay," she took my hand and dragged me to her side.

"Thank you for saving her, Neev, thank you for saving my Mamma," she said, her voice trembled and her eyes were filled.

Riya bends down and kissed her forehead softly, she took my hand and pulled me forward.

"Talk to her Neev, She needs you too," she said.

I bend down and kissed her on her forehead, then took her hand in mine.

It hurts to see her helpless and weak.

"Amma... It's... It's me, Neev... I... missed you," I stopped and Riya touched me, giving me her support.

"Amma...You are... you are not alone anymore, you have me... you have Riya... we are going to start anew; we will live together as... as a family," I stopped.

We stayed with her until the nurses ushered us out since her immunity is down, she's more prone to infections than normal people and they need to isolate her, and they cut down the visiting hours too.

When we walked back, I felt like the heavyweight that dragged me down was missing, I felt lighter and free for the first time in my life, the heavy burden inside me is gone and I felt free and at peace.

"Are you alright, Neev?" Riya asked me softly as we get in the car. "Don't worry about her, she'll recover soon-" she stilled as I wrapped her inside my hands.

"Neev..."

"I love you, Riya..." I told her, I want to tell her more, but I couldn't bring myself to talk, so I put as much warmth to my words and hugged her tightly to me.

"I love you too," she whispered back, "I am glad I met you, Neev..."

"I love you..." I replied to her and she wrapped her arms around me.

"Me too..." she relaxed in my hands.

"You stayed with Amma all her life, I am grateful-"

"She's my Mamma, Neev, She was the only person who was there for me when I grew up in the orphanage, and she's like my mother,"

"I know... but I... I am still glad it was you, Riya," I said.

"I think we were fated to be together, Neev," she said. "I see no other answers after everything we have been together,"

"I am glad it's you, Riya, I love you."

"I love you too Neev... um... don't you think we should stop this? People are starting to stare at us; we are in the hospital parking lot,"

"Let them stare all they want," he said before letting me go. "But you are right, I would like it if we are alone, only the both of us," his eyes twinkled and I pushed him back.

"Let's go,"

Neev chuckled; He leaned to me again and kissed me on the cheek lightly.

"I love you, my dear wife... especially when you blush like this."

----------------------------