Life, which wasn't anything but cruel to me. Still my love came as a light of hope in my dark life filled with hatred, remorse and fire for revenge. She's the water who calmed my volcano of vengeance.

I inhaled deeply when I felt a pair of little hands struggling to wake me. A smile crept on my sleeping face knowing who it was. I sat up still, closing my eyes.

“Baba, wakey..wakey” I heard a cute voice, struggling to climb up on the bed.

I lifted up my little boy and he settled in my lap pouting, hugging me. Our Adhi, Aadhish Adhriti Malhotra.

“Good morning…baba” he wished snuggling into my chest.

“Morning my little champ..” holding him in my arms I moved to the lavatory to freshen up. We both got ready for the day.

We descended the stairs for breakfast. There stood Maa smiling warmly looking at us.

“Good morning maa “ I wished, sitting in a chair and settling Adhi in his high chair.

We had our breakfast usually listening to adhi blabbering.

After that Adhi and I walked to our favorite place. It's our garden near our hotel. Yeah, I manage hotels and resorts which are spread all over india.

But this Manali one is close to my heart and special. Because my wife spent almost all her whole life in Manali. She loved tulips most specifically the red tulips.

For her, planted tulips in acres which were hard to grow. It's a special attraction of our resort in Manali. Visitors who stay in our resort can only admire the beauty but can't have them. Late March mid April will be the blooming phase of tulips.

Adhriti would spend days just looking at red tulips. Now Adhi and I will be spending our mornings here.

Late in the morning, I left Adhi at his grandmother's and got occupied with opening a new franchise in Mumbai. Working on strategies and crafting innovative ideas to attract customers I discussed with my PA Naksh.

A mere thought of Mumbai laid back me into a reel of memories. It's my past where I lived all my life. I don't want to remember but that's where I lived my most beautiful memories.

Soon it turned night and I picked up Adhi from his grandparents. Feeding dinner to Adhi, I gave him a shower and made him sleep.

And I returned to my study room. Opening a new bottle of whiskey and pouring it into a glass. Sipping it and its malty bitter taste danced on my tongue. Like soothing my inner battle which starts when everyone sleeps.

That's when I connect and can drown in the most beautiful memories of my life. Connecting the projector I played those cherished moments which were captured and locked in camera.

Continuing to sip whiskey I stared at the screen.

***

Eight years back

It doesn't matter how much I work my ass off. I'll remain the unfit and unloved son to him. Maybe I only deserve his hatred, not his love. But the son who doesn't witness his fatherly love craves for his mere smile and appreciation.

It's getting unbearable to see despise and loathe in his eyes for me. So I seeked escape from this depressing reality. On my bike I started searching for my lost self.

It's my best therapy to find peace in nature, so I started towards mountains. I reached Manali place to explore and for thrilling adventures.

And I stopped at a bridge which was above a wildly flowing river. The river flow resembled a me who doesn't know the destination but making way hitting hard rocks and molding at the curves of mountains.

I stood on the rail of the bridge spreading my arms and feeling the breeze. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes without any stress and responsibilities on my shoulders.

“Kud Jaa…jump off from the bridge.” I heard someone shouting. I turned to who's that crazy person.

“It'll be more fun drowning in the river. You can't breathe and drink all the water filling your lungs and stomach. Finally you'll die. It's a great adventure”

There stood a girl on the bridge wearing denim shorts and white crop top high pony. For a moment I forgot everything, looking at her blabbering and scolding me. I didn't blink my eyes looking at the furious girl but I found it cute.

Who the fcvk will wear shorts in bone freezing cold. Yeah, she's wearing.

Finally jumping off the rail on the bridge I walked to her.

“Are you crazy? I think you escaped from asylum. Who the hell will encourage someone to die?”

I questioned her looking into her hazel eyes which were furious.

“No matter what, you can't give up your life. Your loved ones will be waiting for you. Idiot.” she further yelled at me. Her words made me chuckle.

“Hey, miss greatness…I wasn't dying. I'm just enjoying the view.” I cleared her misunderstanding.

Listening to me her face morphed with shame.

“I thought you were killing yourself.” She mumbled.

“I'm not and don't ever encourage someone to kill themself. Your highness.” I sarcastically said.

“It's a reverse psychology you dumb.” She retorted me fuming.

I laughed at her justification.

“Go to hell.” Yelling at me she walked.

Starting my bike I drove to my hotel which I pre-booked.

“Hey mister, are you stalking me. Why're you following me?” I think she's a narcissist.

“I'm going to my hotel for your information. Stop being a narcissist.” I blurted driving leaving her behind.

She's literally a firecracker. She thinks highly of herself. But she's different from girl's I've been. I reached the hotel and parked my bike.

Even she parked her car and glared at me. Does she choose the same hotel? I wonder if I should cross paths again.

“Hey,Ms.Narcissist, are you staying here ?” Out of curiosity I enquired.

“Sadly it's my hotel. My papa owns this hotel.” rolling her eyes, she asserted. Oh then a rich brat.

I followed her. I find her interesting and that pretty mouth of her never leaves a chance to retort.

We walked sideways and she ignored me. We entered the hotel lobby.

“Hey di, after all you find a hot boyfriend.” Maybe her sister wiggling her brows questioned her.

She gave side eye and decided to use her sharp words

“Hot my foot. He's customer Aditi.” Fcvk her words hit my ego.

Girls drool over me and go crazy just with my mere glance. Here she is insulting.

“Di if you don't find him hot it's fine. I'll make him my boyfriend.” her sister dreamily said, gazing at me.

Done with their drama, I moved to check in my room. I don't know why I was listening to them.I know she's glaring at me. Fcvk I forgot to know her name.

I don't know but I was attracted to her don't care attitude. She's challenging my ego.

Entering the room I jumped on bed feeling exhausted by driving. Soon my phone rang and I expected this call.

“Hello jijz, I reached safely and I'm fine, don't stress over me.” I spoke in a single breath.

“I know and remember I'll break your ass if you think about one night stands.” Jiju warned me strictly.

Sighing, I agreed with him.

I closed my eyes and she occupied my thoughts. Her hazel eyes, furious gaze and those lips which were looking tempting.

And I'll show her what happens if anyone dares to challenge Sriansh Malhotra. She'll accept I'm hot.

*****