Change is the only constant of life. The people of Themis Law firm were more than aware of this fact. Being one of the largest, most sought out and top ranked law firm in the whole nation. They were proud of their position and every single employee working in the Delhi branch of the firm, from the interns to the employees were best in their jobs. They were best in their jobs, they had too, for their boss gives only one chance of learning and improving to everyone. And no member of the staff wanted to lose their jobs in Themis. It was the only private firm that gave govt. job like facilities  and they were too proud to be part of this firm to ever leave it.

But today, the employees of the firm were totally confused and dazed. Unconsciously, their eyes darted towards their boss's cabin every now and then. They just couldn't believe their eyes, so after every second they tried to sneak a glance of their boss. Their boss who looked totally different today. It had been a week since their boss was back from her short vacation and her mood had been disastrous. They had been working continuously and hastily on many cases after her arrival. 

And her mood had plunged to the depths of hell, when she realized a MP of her grandfather-in-law's party was wounded up in a child rape case, plus the murder of her family. And their boss wrapped around trying to find a way to fight for the child and bring justice to the child. So needless to say, their office had been a battle ground from the past few days. Everyone was walking on thin ice. Plus, today the media is going haywire with breaking news that MP Joseph has been convicted in a fast track case at midnight. He got a life time jail and the lawyer to convict his was none other than her boss. Plus, the news people were even going on about how their boss might have adopter the child and their secret sources has confirmed this news. Well, the employees of Themis firm were really going through a huge existential crisis at the given moment.

They just couldn't imagine their boss. Their scary devil of a boss adopting children. She is an antagonist not a motherly material at all. The news people have surely lost their minds. They don't know their boss totally to be talking like this. Their boss and children. What an absurd joke? 

They were already blanching over the news but to add to their miseries. They saw their boss entering the premises of their building whistling happily and on top of all that in a sari. The whole staff was shocked to their core, they were petrified yet none of them had the courage to ask their boss the reason behind her alluring smile and attire. The only one capable of asking such questions was on leave today and the staff was almost ready to burst with questions and queries yet knew better than to ask about it to their dear boss?

Totally unaware of her staff's plight, Aaina sat in her cabin twirling in her swivel chair. No matter, how hard she tried she couldn't, just couldn't concentrate on work today. It has been a week  since the end of her relaxing trip. A week since she had the heart to heart with Panchi and Dani, A week since she stole her Gauri's Ma's sari and returned to a world up in chaos. A firm in mortal crisis and a 3-year-old orphan child in hospital. Battling for life after surviving a brutal rape and abuse. She didn't know what kind of scum can think of doing that to a child? Maybe the kind who thinks it's fine to own other peoples and indulge in the business of buying and selling humans. And five days, since she planned the downfall of  MP Joseph.

A chat with PM assuring him of a way to incriminate dear MP Sahib and at the same time upheaval the image of his party. What better option than his own grand daughter-in-law convicting the guilty MP and also adopting the victimized child. It will make his image clearer, helping the child, standing for justice blah, blah and blah. Manipulative. Painting things black and white absolutely. Creating images and false reputations, definitely. 

Dearest Grand pa had loved her idea and even suggested the fastest trail in the history of trials. Mr. Joseph had been convicted with in a week and thrown out of the party too. And had sorted out with the other close members the other minute details of this ploy as how to let the news by chance leak in the media so that it didn't look like a deliberate move. She worked on the case with her most trusted team. And tada, today Mr. Joseph is in jail awaiting his death.

Accord, Price, Punishment and division. She used it all. Her political cunning to punish a powerful evil politician. Misusing his position. Yes, she manipulated the events, made sure her family's party rides the fame of the case. But it was all done for a single cause justice. To make sure dear MP Sahib doesn't prey on any other innocent child. She knew what she wanted to do and she didn't care whether she achieved it by right or wrong means.

Sighing her anger out and making sure her mind treats this as another case file. Another number, nothing personal. She pressed the intercom and called in Ranvi's assistant.Staring one last time at the file number 0307

A few minutes later, the assistant walked in her cabin after knocking.

"Miss Maitra, put this file in Ranvit's cabin and there's a file 114198 in his cabin, bring it to me" 

"Sure mam," 

"Is there anything?" Aaina asked Rukmini watching her linger in her cabin even though she had given her orders.

"No...No mam," Rukmini fleeted away from her cabin like some saber tooth tiger was chasing after her.

Rolling her eyes at the fleeting girl, Aaina thought How the hell Ranvi worked with her? And how come she is Ranvi's fav and most trusted assistant? The girl looks afraid of her own shadow and Ranvi says she lacks empathy. As if, She asked the girl what she wanted almost politely yet the girl ran away like she had released a pack of wolves after her. 

Humph! Ranvi really needs to change his taste. Now, thinking about her MIA brother. She couldn't help but think about their last meet and it's implication.

"They know you're alive," His grave voice ringing in her head like a death verdict and her own red hot anger as she yelled at him with so much spite, she didn't think it was in her, ever. She didn't think she was ever capable of being so cross with him.

"Bapi and Ma aren't wrong. They won't betray me, ever. They won't break their promise to me. Never."

"I know,love. I know" His eyes were so tender, so understanding. She couldn't help but break down in his arms. Sobbing. She'll be lying if she says she doesn't have thanatophobia. She wasn't ready, she never will be totally but she was ready to initiate. She was ready to plan her perfect revival. A dramatic re-entry, an initiation she planned while sending her brother away.

It has been exactly 5 days, 22 hours and 30 minutes since she last talked to him. But she is sure, he'll make it back. He always does.

Sighing again, yes, she is well aware that she is sighing a lot these days but she just can't help herself. She is going through a lot. So, forgive her and god, why is Rukmini taking so much time bringing that damn file. She looked at her cabin door balefully as if it was the sole reason of her jumbled thoughts and lack of concentration in anything. Why is her mind flying to places so much today? Thinking stuff and pondering about consequences, from when did she care about consequences in the first place?

Frustrated her eyes darted around her cabin and the bare minimum personalized touch to it. Before it finally rested on her sleek iphone glancing at her invitingly. It's almost childish phone case  with marauder's map at the back and "Solemnly Swear" at front. A gift from Savvy of course and it's the only reason she hadn't got rid of it yet. No matter, how hideous and unmatching to her personality it seemed (not really)  it was growing onto her. 

Picking up the the tempting nuisance and no, she wasn't at all thinking about three boys with exactly similar ridiculous phone covers, not at all matching their personalities. Yet the statements they used as an inside joke, a very stale inside joke for what feels like ages. She scrolled through her contacts until her eyes settled on the one she was seeking, the only one for her.

Cheesy, she knows but sometimes a little cheesy is all  what you need. Yups, this is what she was talking about hell of mood swings and emotional imbalance. Shrugging off, her odd behavior she typed away her message and to her extreme delight instantly two blue ticks appeared beside her text.

A: Howdy! Howdy! Howdy! I craving a steaming cup of tea and you, curling on your lap with my head  resting on your chest, my arms around you, relaxing. Listening to our symphony.

V: Ughh...Don't tempt me. I might just take a flight back home, instantly. It's suck here.

She could clearly imagine the expressions on his face while sending this text. The groan reading her text and the annoyed yet fond expression etched on his face as he replied.

A: I wouldn't mind that really. I kinda missed sleeping wrapped around you.

V: Love, you're very-very cruel. You know that right. You're torturing meeeee....

She couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her reading his text. And at that precise moment, Rukmini re-entered her cabin. She motioned her to keep the file on her table and leave.

A: Now, Am I?

As soon as the text had been sent, she received a video call from Viaan. She accepted it immediately, breaking into mad giggling fits watching him. He looked absolutely adorably ridiculous in what she assumed was some kind of superhero costume.

"No, don't you dare. You don't get to laugh at me, Miss. Randhawa" He said trying his best to sound cross but the smile tugging on his lips, ruined it's desired effect.

"Fulfilling your childhood fantasy of being a superhero, I see" She giggled.

"Not you, too" He groaned helplessly

"Me too, who was the great person uttering my noble thoughts before me?" She questioned grinning widely

"Well, there can be only one person channeling you around me. Mr Swadhin Raizada"

"I always knew he was my twin. The man made after my own heart" She said nobly, shaking her head at the greatness of the world.

"Absolutely," He snorted. "Never imagined being a superhero, huh" he questioned her.

"Naah, I was more or less searching for doors to magical universes and faraway lands with talking animals," She said with a whimsical look on her face, thinking about the desire to escape reality in childhood. Roaming the forbidden parts of school in search of her own Narnia.

"Ughu, so ever went on that adventure?" He asked her, humor lighting his eyes.

"Naah, found my talking animals in this world" she said very seriously with wide eyes

"I'll let you know calling Savvy an animal is very mean, young lady" he mock chastised her.

"Who said I was talking about Savvy?" She asked mischief flooding her eyes.

They stared at each other for a minute before breaking down in mad laughter at their silly banters.

"God, who the hell thought of this brilliant idea of superhero costumes? I mean who wears underpants over pants? IT doesn't make any sense. What's logic is behind this?" Viaan ranted looking hell irritated with his batman uniform? It kinda looked like batman uniform to her.

"Don't laugh at my plight" He pouted and she laughed harder and then quickly sobered watching the time on her digital clock.

"Umm...Viaan, How am I looking?" Aaina asked him biting her lips nervously, she was going to meet the child in hospital today. She didn't know what to expect or how to react? She doesn't know how to be a mother to a normal child? Leave, an abused child going through trauma. But the things she had to do for justice.

"Perfect," He replied immediately before arching an eyebrow in her direction. Silently asking her the reason behind this sudden question?

"Going to the hospital," She mumbled softly, playing with the hem of her sari. She thought wearing the sari of the only lady who had been her mother since childhood will help in someway. IT isn't. She is feeling more nervous than she was before fighting her first official case.

"OH" Viaan expressed wide eyed as realization slowly dawned on him.

"It'll be fine. You'll be fine." He reassured her gently and oh, how badly she craved his presence beside her during all this. She is damn sure, he'll be hundred percent better than her in this whole scenario.

"Really," she asked him uncertain. She didn't know why but she is hundred percent sure, she'll mess up this badly,

"Yes, You'll handle everything perfectly." He said with hundred percent conviction and still, she felt like a fresher fearing ragging. Before she could say anything else there was a holler for him, the shot was ready it seemed. So, with half-heart she wished him bye. They'll talk later. Well, she is sure, she'll cry over how badly she messed up to him.

She didn't want his face to disappear but it did too soon for her liking. Sighing, she glanced at the clock again. The visiting hours had started so she may go and get this done with. Their is no point delaying, sighing again, she got of her comfy chair. Picked up Ansh's file and strutted out of her cabin. Informing Rukmini to call her if something very important sprung up.

Escaping her office with a thousand and one curious eyes on her. She climbed in her car asking the driver to drive. She can't drive herself to the hospital for this one. A statement needs to be made. An illusion created and image uplifted. The world always focused on outer appearances and statements with their whole heart and soul, after all. And as the buildings began to move with the moving vehicle. 

She glanced at the file lying innocently in her lap. Such an innocent looking thing hiding such gruesome details and theories. Waiting to stall again but knowing it'll do her no good. She opened the file. The first page contained a pic of Ansh in hospital bed. He looked all skin and bones covered in dust and grime. Broken from head to toe with wild scared eyes. Like an wild-animal trapped and ready to fight to death to survive. Yet, beneath all the grime, dust, brokenness, scrawny, malnutrition appearance their was a familiarity. A familiarity from now or somewhere else, she just couldn't place.

Victim Name: Shivansh

Parents: Unknown

Residence: Happy Orphanage.

Her eyes scanned the familiar detailed paragraphs jolting down the extent of his injuries and condition. How he was found and how many other kids were found in same or worse condition? She didn't know why she was reading the details and clues found in the police investigation? IT had nothing to do with her own investigation? But it seemed like her mind was in a mood to torture her as it soaked in the details. The days in coma and the inhumane behavior with the children. Why did the places responsible for helping and protecting the kids turned to their personal hell?

Why everyone turned blind eyes to the plights of these children? Sisira-Ansh and many more like them. Exploited in the places they were sent to be protected. Could no one really stop the atrocities face by this children? Can no one really bust the fake NGOs and other such organisations running underground sex, beggars and other such heinous rackets. she pondered about the people misusing their powers. People in power forsaking their responsibilities as she turned the pages of the file. When her eyes stuck on a photo of Ansh some way in the mid of file with the statement of an orphanage worker on why his name was kept Shivansh? A photo of Ansh when he first got dropped in the orphanage. A very familiar photo and even familiar pendant.

No, this can't be true.

No, this wasn't possible.

IT CAN'T BE, NOT AT ALL. 

NO, Not true. 

Her mind screamed numb and for the first time in a long time, her heart agreed with her mind. The same time her phone beeped and without paying any mind to anything she clicked on the notification. It was an Instagram notification. An notification notifying her that Ansh tagged her on a post.

A post that turned out to be a photo from their Rishikesh tour. Both of them had climbed on a huge rock on the riverside and were posing in a posh snob royal like manner. They looked the twin rulers of ages ago with her dressed in another Sari of her Gauri ma and he was in dhoti and a beautiful embroidered kurta with turban.

"Yes dear, You and I were meant to rule the world"

P. S. Evil Twin from AU *laughing emojis*

Subconsciously, her mind started comparing the similarities between them. There weren't many but there still were some and she didn't know what to do? Her heart didn't want to believe it? her mind is readily calling it all a hoax. But is it really?

"Mam, We have reached" the gentle reminder of her driver brought her back to the present and the not at all discrete paparazzi hoarding outside the hospital. Pushing every other thought at the back of her mind, she stepped down her car and took hasty yet graceful steps inside the hospital. Totally ignoring, the series of questions and accusations hurled at her. 

Safely inside and away from their prying eyes, she glanced at them one last time. The whole world will get the wake up call by tomorrow. They all will be know she is back. But the main question is whom they'll pin as their enemy? Whom will they sought just incriminated Shivanya or the Aaina Randhawa? Will they come after the disgraced exiled Oberoi princess or the precious, prestigious, valued daughter-in-law of the Prime minister of their nation?

"Yes, you and I were always meant to rule the world, Kundra, Randhawa or Oberoi, Never really mattered."

~to be continued~