Niharika's POV

Reaching home at around seven in the evening, I freshened up and came in the lobby to find Sapna who had already set up the dinner table. Sapna is indeed a hard working lady. After the death of her husband, she began working here. For last two years, she has proven to be a good friend. She handles a bit of my work in the study and takes care of my house. She is truly my companion in my loneliness.

I had my dinner and I went to my study. I had to review the marketing strategy of our products. Though I have trustworthy employees around me, I still check each and every detail of my company.

I remembered my mother used to emphasize over knowing each and every detail of the work one is doing while my father emphasized over checking the things thoroughly before going ahead. They are truly my inspiration. They instilled the habit of thoroughly checking everything before I would proceed. Their advices are like Bible to me.

Thinking of my mother, a tear crept from my eye.

I felt devastated and lonely. I wish she were with me. She would have indeed, been proud of me.

However, life can never be the same without my parents, I thought and tears began to trickle down my face. I began visualizing the unfortunate day when I lost my parents.

*****

Fifteen years ago

Dad and mom inaugurated their new cosmetic range. My dad was a Chartered Accountant while my mother was a Corporate Lawyer. They both had met while working for Oriflame and had fallen in love. They both dreamt to start a cosmetic brand after their marriage. It was their 20th marriage anniversary when their dream was fulfilled after lots of hard work and determination.

We enjoyed the inauguration party thoroughly. The faces of my parents were glowing out of happiness and love. They were true inspiration for me, both in professional and personal life.

Around nine at night, that day, I sneaked out of the party after informing my dad. I was never a party person. I despised the idea of late night parties and those well-known faces of renowned businesses were making me anxious. It was the first business party I was attending and the idea was still uncool to me. I was happy for my parents though. They had invested a large chunk of money in starting their business and I was indeed, proud of them. I just came home and sat in the study, the same study where I am today.

I had been reading my favorite novel, when the landline rang. It was around eleven at night as I checked the clock. It was then, I wondered that my parents weren't back yet. I was indeed, scared. I picked up the receiver and after the conversation my world had come crashing down. My hands began to tremble and tears began to trickle down from glossy eyes.

The call was from the government hospital and my parents had died in a car accident.

I was hysterical for the moment and I rushed to see them hoping that mum or dad would get up to see me but it never happened.

Since then life is never easy.

When the people were out there hawking at my fortune just like vultures, my dad’s friend, Mr. Bose gave me the strength I needed. He emphasized over completion of my studies so that I can fulfill my parents’ dream. I had dreamt a lot, I had my own ambitions but they gradually took back seat and eventually dwindled when I realized fulfilling my mother’s dream shall give me satisfaction and happiness to the souls of my parents. More than that, I had responsibility to take care of my parents’ hard-earned money and in no circumstance, I could leave everything for my relatives who were just waiting to grab all the money my parents had earned for using it in their business.

*****

Coming out of the trance, I realized the void of my parents would remain forever in my life and perhaps, I was the unlucky soul to lose them so early in my life. Crying all the while, I went to my room to sleep. Life indeed, seemed to be hollow and lonely without parents. The responsibilities and sorrow had increased after them. I had tasted the bitter taste of life. I was saddened to the core, missing my parents and remembering the days when I used to get up and fight against my instincts to end my life.

Mr. Bose, my dad's friend, had always motivated me to stand up against the ups and downs of life. He used to motivate me to live for my parent's dream and soon the company became my obsession. I am glad he saved me from those suicidal tendencies those had captured my mind after I had lost my parents because I could see nothing except loneliness and sorrow.

I had been in a protected environment ever since but after the death of my parents, I got to see the real faces of people and I realized most of the so-called well-wishers wanted to snatch my fortune from me instead of giving me the requisite support.

I had joined the college after the death of my parents. It was Mr. Bose who helped me throughout. He toiled hard and kept the business alive without bothering me much. He grabbed deals and garnered investments in the initial stage of the business and taught me various strategies honing my business sense. He is my mentor who helped me selflessly in my life.

I was utterly depressed when Arpit brought light in my world of darkness. He was the first and the only one in the college who knew about my parents. His sweet talks unknowingly consoled me. His presence shielded from all the adversities of my life, or that was what I believed when we were good friends. I could have gone into depression if it was not him in my life, I can say that today, but I am glad I got over the phase of those suicidal instincts and eventually moved on from Arpit also.

“Have you actually moved on?” My inner-me questioned but I drifted into my dreamland as I did not have any appropriate answer to the question.