Diya pov

"Hello paa" I chirped after my father attends the call. His thoughts have been nagging me from morning ever since I woke up from a bad dream of my father's yells asking for help.

"Sorry Diya, sir is in meeting" his PA answered my father's phone which seems really strange, "It's okay, how is he?"

"he is fine Diya, just busy" he is lying for sure, my father never had a habit of letting his calls attend others not even in a busy schedule, "but I need to talk with my father," I said stubbornly not accepting his lies, "sir, Diya is in call"

'Tell her I will talk tomorrow' my father's distant voice reached my ears, his voice is gloomy not the same chirpiness was there so I hung the call and decided to visit him later.

"have you seen Yaashvi?" I asked my colleague to fail to find her for the past one hour, she usually starts her work after visiting me but she didn't even say hi to me.

"She's working" I nodded at him and went to her cabin to see her working very sincerely in her mobile.

Snatching her mobile, "really you are more involved in your work" she sighed and started to work on her computer.

"Thanks for remaining me" I didn't fail to notice that sarcasm in her voice, "look I'm sorry" even my apology won't cure the word I said to her I want her to understand me and my situation.

"Sorry, I think you are mistaking me with someone else," she said innocently without showing the anger on me rather on the keyboard killing it with her hard press averting not her gaze from the monitor screen.

I sat next to her, "yesterday..." she stopped me, "don't tell it to me maybe I will spoil something you have in your mind so do find some other friend to share your problems"

Why is she talking much instead of listening to me? "I want you to understand me that's what I need, is it much to ask from your friend?" I asked her.

Turning to me she gave me a smile, "exactly what I am asking for, I want you to be out of his life and live a happy, healthy life without any run-run situation from your mystery hunting issue about your father and husband"

I took her hands in mine, "I understand you Vi, but I will be gone away from his life after knowing their problem. The reason I have been holding these days to be with him was long gone now" I took a deep breath, "cause he was always been in love with another girl these days"

"He what?" She stood up the chair and nearly got the attention of the whole office with her yelling, "you heard right" I said keeping a hand on her mouth form going on with another attention-seeking way.

"This is ridiculous" her anger was clearly visible through her doe red eyes flaring like a fireball, "how dare he" controlling her excitement and anger will definitely a big task to handle.

I shed her, "not only that, yesterday I went to give that blood sample with Arjun's hair to a laboratory and while returning to the office, some group of black hoodie-wearing men were keeping eye on me and then I meet Arjun he took me to his meeting" she again interrupted me, "why did you agree to go with him?"

"Let me finish it first" she nodded and I continued, "he has been spying me the whole time with me going to my father's place to yesterday lab, etc etc., that's when I figured that he definitely knows what I am searching the reason for their problems"

"Why can't he tell you directly all these?"

"That's why I am also in a confused state, later he asked me to accompany him to his meeting know more about my problems and I did, that's when he told me about his love for the man of the meeting Mr. Gurjar's daughter, Meera. The strange thing is I saw the same diary I found in my father's study"

She studied me for a minute thinking deeply for some time, "maybe that's a common diary at that time"

"That's what I too thought but why should it be hidden behind the books?"

She came close to me and sat near me, "do you think there might be some reason or something in that Diary?"

"Yeah but it won't be related to Arjun and my father's problem it was a diary from the late 1990's"

"you have yourself into a big troublesome family Diya" I laughed at her, but she is correct these problems are eating my head slowly and the warning he gave me to not get near Mr. Gurjar felt different, not just he will be Arjun's father-in-law but something seems different with his attitude, the way of approaching things or peoples somewhat screamed authority and power.

"Excuse me, ladies, time to keep your voice low," our project manager said keeping her hands on her hips with a glare, "and Diya you are being shifted to another team of Prithvi from today"

I have been working under Mrs. Iyer for the last 1 year and the project I have been under is still not yet finished how am I supposed to move into another team all of sudden?

"But why?"

She just shrugged off her shoulders, "don't know it's a new project they are working and hiring new efficient employees for it, for better understanding of our company needs you are transferred there"

Do I really have to move today?

"Can I join there tomorrow?" I asked her, "stop being with his careless girl"

"Like she is listening to my words" Yaashvi countered back angrily, "if you like making her a perfect businesswoman piece then please let her move into some strong team" she moved to do her work without returning my look.

"She is angry," Mrs. Iyer said laughing at her, "going to miss both of your fights" I nodded.

"Prithvi wants you to be there at 10 am for the first meet"

"Will be there soon" she left while I got my things and moved towards the 7th floor where the Prithvi team is.

Let me tell you about Prithvi, he is a young man who I got befriended with at the start after joining this company, he is the pro in flirting but a kind man who has a lot of talent more should I say a mini chrome he is. But he has an advantage of the office to do whatever he wants like deciding his own teammates, choosing the floor he wants.

After reaching their floor I walked into their cabin to see the different interior I have seen in our office, the perks of being like a pet child to the CEO. It has a really friendly environment with peoples laughing and playing among themselves and the best thing here is I saw a small leisure cabin which seems like a mini canteen.

I have heard about this floor but this is the first time of me being here, people here are like they were in a picnic always but the outcome of their work is always awesome which will definitely make any of the investors flatter with their work.

"Look who is here" I heard a voice on my side as my eyes were busy roaming around the beautiful calm working environment with legs frozen in my spot, turning to the source of the voice I saw a man in his forties but the smile in his face screams his age will be no more than 25.

"Hello sir" I extended my hands to shake with him, "welcome Diya" he smiled at me and asked me walked forward, "these formal dresses are not necessary unless there is some meeting" his voice made me look at his attire.

He is wearing a simple t-shirt and Jean without any ID card a canvas shoes nothing but formal, "Just today I was informed to be shifted here" he nodded and continued to walk.

This place definitely was out of the business world, having their different rules to follow, creating their own agenda, and free to do whatever they want.

"The last seat will be yours and Prithvi will meet you after he winds up his meeting" I thanked him and sat on the system which is exclusively costly and modern apart from the computers I worked on. It's a Mac book.

No wonder why other employees envy these employees for their luxury and freedom they are getting but it requires a lot of talent to get into this team, unfortunately, our company might have misunderstood my talent to bring me here.

"Hey, a new bee from Business?" I saw a head hanging from the other side cabin, I nodded with a smile, "Diya" I said observing her beautiful toned skin with perfect features a girl needs, sharp nose, cute black eyes in perfect shape totally she is gorgeous.

"Cool, I am Harita" she chirped and took something with effort next to her, and when I saw a face crying in pain I laughed at his face, "and.." she made him stood up holding his ear with difficulty, "this is the lazy pants Fiyaz"

"Ouch, leave me you heartless" he cried in pain slapping her hand, I laughed at their fight, "he is such a lazy man who will finish his work within an hour or two and sleep like a log for the rest of the hours" I smiled hearing her applaud within the pillory statement.

"Hello Fiyaz" he smiled lazily, "can I greet you at lunch?" I looked at Harita with amusement dancing in my eyes, "can you pour some water on his face on behalf of me?" she nodded mouthing 'of course' and took the bottle from me, "Okay I am awake" he quickly stood straight shaking hands with me, "don't get along with her, she is crazy like hell to make your life hell"

"Aww my poor friend, I nearby you" and she poured a whole bottle of water on his head laughing like a sane person making me laugh along with her.

Way to start a day.

"I will curse you both after changing my t-shirt" he walked away not before slapping her head hard while she is still laughing.

"You are going to work on a new project right?" she asked handing me a chocolate bar to me, "thanks, and yeah I was instructed so," I said taking a piece of dark chocolate from her.

She cheered happily, "Join the club, I am also in" happily at least I am not going to work with a complete stranger.

"We are having a discussion meet about the project within 10 and you will be meeting all of our team and I have heard there is another boy joining our team and he will be hell hot and handsome, I am definitely going to hit him for sure," she said dreamily.

"But make sure he is single" I winked at her while she nodded in yes, "will be careful about it"

"Okay come on let's move to the meeting room," she asked me to come along while Fiyaz joined us handing a pack of french fries to us, "aren't we have to attend the meeting?"

"Yep, but who will stop us from eating," they said casually stuffing more fries in their mouth.

We all sat on the chair chatting ourselves as Harita introduced me to other mates, five males, and two females apart from we three.

"On another project" Prithvi entered with a cheerful voice in his casual plain red-shirt without tugged in and a black jean with a white sports shoe, "with three months deadline" he stopped talking once his eyes landed on me, "and welcome Diya to our team"

"Thanks" I whispered nervously being the center of attraction was never my piece of cake and I hated it gladly, "and another one is on the way" I heard footsteps on my back, "here he comes, Advik"

My heart stopped for a few seconds from its duty hearing the name, he is not the only one in the world who has the name, I tried to pacify my heart but deep down I feel like he is the Advik that I know.

"Hi" his deep voice shattered all my hopes, I pledged to move not my eyes to him avoiding him is the best thing that I can do for now.

Tracing my eyes to the man behind me I froze once again, once again my prayers went in the trash there stood my great brother in law in his white t-shirt and black jean gaining the attention of the girls in the room with his handsome look.

Why does he have to be here? What is the reason for him to leave his family business which is like a king's empire and work here in a small company like this? I want to know the reason for his sudden presence leaving the life of a king getting everything in a snap of a second.

"He will be your project head for this project and I will guide you all when needed" Prithvi went out leaving Advik in charge.

"Hello, I am Advik, working as a Project head for two years in a small company" a big fat lie, "and I want you all to be free to showcase your ideas rather than agreeing on whatever I say"

"Point noted Advik" Harita chirped spraying dreamy looks at him who smiled back softly.

'She is on race' I mocked in my mind laughing at her flirting voice to Adivk who is not less in flirting with women.

His eyes got placed with me for a minute studying me with a smile and I sense a pain beneath it which made avert my gaze from his.

After a free conversation discussion within our team, okay I stayed silent listening to their suggestions and imagination, we walked out of the room but he called me, "Ms. Diya"

I stopped in my tracks, "yes sir" my voice came as a slow whisper as all my employees left already, "what is your suggestion about the plan"

"They have a good idea sir" he nodded and walked out before he could speak something else.

The next few hours went with me ignoring him as much as I can.

"Can we talk" he stood in front of me blocking my path to the elevator I placed not my eyes on him instead I steadied my eyes on the well-carved marble floor, "please" he pleaded in a low whimper.

I just nodded still not looking at him and went to the small canteen, I mentally thanked the lunch break to the lack of people, he forwarded me the box he had with him opening the lid.

I saw vegetable rice in it, "I cooked it" his smile was genuine and earth-shattering in a way that will definitely kill anyone heart in a heartbeat.

But his genuine way at the party parked in my sight, "is it your other way of harming me?"

Like a flash of light, his smile faded away which got replaced with a sad weak smile, "I know my mistake is never forgivable but my intention was never to do that thing not even in million years"

"Now your forgiveness can't bring back the day and erase your mistakes," I said giving him a confident stern gaze, "and if your brother sent you to do some tracking works on me then please I want you out of my way"

He shook his head vetoed sadly, "it's been days he talked to me even he made sure I never stepped in his house or office, he literally kicked me out" the next part came as a mere whisper, 'of his life' the smile he is trying to do is something very painful one should ever deserve.

'Console him or ignore him' the battle inside me never came to end, seeing someone hurting in front of me and being silent is definitely not my thing even if it's my enemy. But my heart ignored to utter even a single phrase.

Keeping his cheerful smile back he spoke to me again, "I can do anything to gain your trust back, punish me, beat me but please don't ignore me like an unwanted person, don't talk to me like a stranger. I wanted to be with you as a brother.

I will support you with everything you do, I will protect you with my life and I wanted to do all these when I came to know my brother married you. The cute possessiveness, protective shield towards a sister is something I wanted to do ever since my sister was born but after my uncle and Aunty adopted her they took her to America making my dream a dream itself"

Woah, something in me always wins knowing that reading Verma family history is difficult and hard to digest. All credit goes to the self-centered jerk Arjun.

"But when I saw you first I believed my dream finally came true, but everything shattered within a few seconds, i felt my anger in peak knowing about your father"

I can still sense the anger and pain in his eyes crushing my heart slowly, what is the thing that makes my father a beast in their eyes.

And the sincerity in his words scared me, I don't want my dad to be anything which I don't ever want.

The reason for my survival these years is only my father, his support, and the dream in his eyes to see me with a genuine person really craved to make him happy whatever the situation is.

But deep down my guts are saying something to be prepared for a major heartbreak.

Even the thought of seeing my father as a crime committed person scares me to the core.

"Do you want me to trust you?" I asked swallowing my pain.

He nodded, "maybe my words can't gain your trust but I want you to believe me everything i said is words of promises"

A part me wanted to believe Advik words, "maybe I can trust you if you tell me what my father did to Arjun"

Hope of having the truth in my hands scared me than the strength of surviving in this bitter world.