...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Lightning flashed across the sky.

Thunder cracked with a loud rumble against the chilly winds terrifying the whole city. Animals trembled under the ferocious storm masking for shelter beneath the trees. The clouds wailed shedding tears of rainy beads while the gentle pitter-patter rain droplets turned into heavy thuds as if thrashing a hail of bullets into the mother earth.

Amidst the chaos, a young girl tumbled and slipped from a high-end cliff, the trees and branches thrashing her along the way perpetually. The happy-looking face once filled with warmth muddled with fear. The trees gave away halfway down the cliff and before she knew it, she hurled over the rocks. Her body ached in pain with each hit and when she thought it would be over, she was thrashed by another. She felt powerless and wailed in agony with the continuous hitting of rocks and trees. She wished this torture would end once for all until the cliff turned steeper again. Her loud cries reverberated into the sky when she was hit by another massive stone. She was grasping the weak thread of life and death, she strived to wake up but the monster inside her forced controlled her weak struggles. Finally, she let herself carried away for she has nothing to lose when she is about to knock on the graveyard doors.

"Make sure she would end up in the hospital. Killing her gives me no sense of satisfaction. I want her crippled for a lifetime". The shrill voice of the person drummed into her ears while she slid from the cliff. She shuddered with fear but she was in no state to worry about it when she was holding the rope of life and death.

'Did they hate me to the point of cutting my wings'?

'Is this the end of my life?' Her voice tremored in fear with each word she muttered.

If there is a rebirth she wanted to start where she was before and change the ending so as not to meet that person. Unfortunately, there is no such bizarre thing, life has to move on.

Gods have listened to her plea finally and the girl collapsed and passed out.

Leena jerked from her nightmare sweating all over her body. The nightmare felt so real, she could sense tears rolling down her cheeks. She clutched her chest in desperation to calm down her heart.

"It's ok. It happened long ago", Leena tried to control the thought but her breath hitched and she gasped for air taking deep breaths to calm down her raging heart. She could still sense dizziness after she woke up from that dreadful nightmare and felt like she went on a roller coaster ride down the hill. The dream felt so real, she struggled to distinguish the reality from her nightmare.

It's been five years. Still, she couldn't forget that terrifying night. She wished it was a nightmare and wake up to see the happy girl whose only worry on the day was to either eat an apple or a banana, but reality hit her hard. She wished she could forget her painful memories and the person who caused it but she couldn't. Things end, but memories last forever.

5 years back, she fell down from a 270 foot cliff. It was a medical miracle she survived from the accident.The loss of something important to her on that dreadful night made her grieve in pain. To her further agony, the doctors revealed she may not walk again. Leena felt like someone had ripped her heart taking her soul away when she heard those words.

What is the use of her being alive when she has to depend on others for a lifetime? Where did it go wrong? Trusting him was the sin she committed?

She cried countless nights. Her anger and emotions all flared up at once, Leena lost the urge to live but she held back. There is something in her belief not to give up. She wanted to walk again and move from the darkness and show the world of her loss.

And she did it.

She wiped her own tears, tend to her wounds, guarded her broken heart. At the difficult times, she found her comfort through yoga to divert from her pain and fight her inner demons. She dived herself deep into practice for years. Bit by bit, she put herself together, walked again, and gave herself a second chance. There was a point in time she wished to get revenge on the one who pushed her into this state. But she questioned herself, Does my revenge can bring back the years of agony and the pain I suffered?

No!

Instead, she chooses the path of redemption.

Just like that Leena flew. She climbed the ladders of success and grew up to a successful top model, a renowned fitness trainer. At the young age of 25, She modeled for countless brands, trained celebrities for fitness like a piece of cake, and established her own company. She achieved a remarkable position in a span of 5 years. Every celebrity in New York City has to reach Leena Hayes for her outstanding training capabilities. She did not achieve stardom overnight. The strong woman she is now was once a broken girl and there is no turning back now.

Leena Hayes is the brand.

Leena Hayes has created her own story.

The world made her fall but she rose even more beautiful.

***Leena slumped on the bed and closed her eyes. Without knowing, tears gushed down her cheeks. Her past tormented for years which cannot be nullified. While she was reminiscing of her past, all of a sudden, her thoughts interrupted when she sensed someone gently patting her head reassuring none of the d.i.c.ky bird would harm in her presence. She knew who exactly it is. Leena slightly opened her eyes to take a peek at the adorable little puppy stroking her head as if she is the most fragile thing in the world. A sweet smile plastered on her face at her little gesture. The little pup always does this whenever Leena is haunted by nightmares or when sick.

"Why do you have such a big heart Carrot? Should I call you Brinjal? It looks way bigger than Carrot." Leena playfully winked at the little one. Carrot raised her ears in disbelief at her mommy for having such dirty thoughts. Leena giggled looking at her cute expressions.

Leena remembered the day she fainted due to work exhaustion and carrot never left her side for two days continuously. Carrot stayed with Leena sleeping next to her. Even if Leena gets up, she follows her wherever she goes as if Leena would leave her and never come back. The little emptiness left in Leena was filled by her sweet gestures.

"Thank you little one. You always make me feel I am the most loved one." Leena gently scooped carrot in her arms and stroked her head assuring she is fine and doesn't need to be a worrywart.

Her brother found this little golden retriever near his home when it was wandering without any tag. After exhaustive efforts of finding the owner, he brought her home. The moment Leena looked into her gentle brown eyes, she couldn't take her eyes away and she instantly fell in love with the little pup in a single glance. She shamelessly asked her brother as her 8 months early birthday gift. When he did not comply with her wishes, she played her trump card of revealing one of his valuable secrets to his dearest wife which straight away worked on him. Leena squealed in delight and jumped around the house as if she got her favorite candy.

With a happy mood, she went to a vet to check if carrot has any health issues. After confirming she is fine, the doctor looked at her teeth and informed Carrot is a month old puppy. How can they abandon the just born puppy when it looks so lovely. Feeling pitiful for the little pup, she walked out carrying Carrot thinking of all the possible ways to pamper her.

Carrot is always being gentle, friendly to everyone, play a lot, loves swimming but becomes aggressive when anyone tries to grab Leena's attention and barks at them as if telling mommy is only for her.

Carrot craned her neck and looked up to take a glance at her mommy. When she saw Leena was in a happy mood, she wiggled its tail. Instantly, Lenea smiled at her cute actions. Carrot always does this when she is hungry. She gobbles her food in seconds and gives the saddest face as if Leena is not feeding her enough. Initially, Leena complied with all her wishes and filled her stomach whenever she asks, but Carrot's weight was putting a strain on her joints. After consulting with the vet, Leena changed her diet plan. Even though carrot was throwing tantrums, Leena didn't buy her little pranks. She wants her to be healthy always.

"Alright hungry beast. Come and gobble your food." Leena rubbed her little pendant ears and excitedly got down from the bed and headed towards the kitchen, while Carrot trailed behind Leena wagging her tail when she heard her mommy talk about her favorite part and that is food.

Leena placed food in a bowl stand, water in another bowl. Meanwhile, carrot waited for her mommy's approval. The moment she got the green signal, she devoured into her bowl as if she has been starved for eternity.

"Finish your food and go for potty or else I am not going to give any food next time." Carrot nodded her head as if she will comply with Leena's wishes. With a satisfying grin, Leena headed to the bathroom. Well, Carrot's obedience comes only when she was eating food.

Leena splashed cold water into her face which instantly relaxed her entire body. She closed her eyes and her thoughts flew back to the things that happened in the past. Is it hard to forget the past and live peacefully? She sighed and walked into the walk-in closet, grabbed her jogging outfit, and walked out.

The moment she opened her bedroom door, she was welcomed by a little adorable puppy carrying a leash with her tiny mouth. Leena knew what it meant, but walked away ignoring the traitor for abandoning her the minute she spotted her little lover yesterday. She still remembered how Carrot tailed behind uncle John's dog, even though the latter was giving the cold shoulder.

Carrot jumped into Leena's embrace when she was being neglected and started licking her face as if telling her she will not dump her today.

"Stop licking my face. It tickles. Make sure you stick to your words today". Leena chuckled and put a leash around her neck not to torture the poor pup.

"You viper, girls should never run behind ignoring boys." Leena sternly declared and opened the door.

Little did she knew, Carrot was already scheming against her mommy and thinking of 101 ways in her mind to court her little lover***.

***The moment Leena exited from the house, her eyes gazed at the neighbor's apartment.

"That idiotic log is still sleeping?" With a frown, Leena muttered. How can she sleep when Leena is wide awake. She gazed at Carrot and as if they have agreed, both marched in the same direction and kicked their neighbor's door. The rough kick was enough to make the person awake from the dreamland.

"Ugly biscuits. Why do you always disturb my dream when I was about to have my first kiss. I am going to kill you one day. Jealous morons, just because I sleep more than you." The woman inside the house was exhausted with all the shouting and slumped onto her bed again.

Even though Carrot and Leena couldn't hear the screams, they knew the person inside the house must be cursing at both. Feeling satisfied with the outcome, they walked out of the apartment with a happy grin.

....

Bleak golden rays hit the earth hiding its darkness, trees swayed harmoniously with the cool breeze, tulips bloomed signifying the presence of early spring, birds chirped creating a sweet melody. The dewy drops which were glued to leaves began to evaporate with the rising sun. A perfect walk to start with fresh air. Leena walked into the famous DewGarden park in their locality which was now deserted except for a few pairs of old couples sitting on a bench enjoying the sunrise and a group of elders gossiping on business. Many of the businessmen and social elites residing in the locality visit DewGarden to watch its serene beauty. The cool spring breeze fluttered around, caressing her thin frame and she felt very refreshed. Just when Leena was about to go for a run, she heard a voice.

"Leena dear, how are you? I have been busy with my younger daughter Rachel's shooting, I didn't have time to visit you." The moment Leena entered the park along with Carrot, she was greeted by a woman.

"Hello, Mrs. Miller" Leena greeted with an awkward smile. Good that you went on shooting, old Zebra. Why did you come and disturb my peaceful life again? They should have extended the shooting for a lifetime. Even though Leena didn't show her displeasure, she was inwardly cursing the woman with all the dirty words she learned in her high school.

'cough, cough don't mind, our FL is very innocent.'

"Come on, Leena. Call me aunt Flora or just Flora." Flora stated. "Leo has changed a lot now. He is not fooling around. Why don't you consider going on a date once."

Miller industries are into furniture manufacturing and they have quite a good reputation in New York. Leena trained Miller's family's daughter, Rachel's for her new film. From the day, Flora saw Leena, she pestered to marry Leo Miller, her son, a notorious playboy. He changes women like everyday clothes. Leena tried to avert the topic multiple times, not that she minded of playboys, but she was not ready for any relationsh.i.p.s. So, the Miller family directly approached Leena's uncle and proposed marriage. Everybody in the country knew how powerful and temperamental Francis Hayes and without any hesitation, he threatened to destroy their tiny company for matching the apple of his eye with a mere playboy and they stopped pestering Leena until today.

"Is it? Then why did I see him at the luxurious Le Grande hotel with a woman? Does he have a twin brother, aunt Flora?"Leena innocently asked, meanwhile Carrot praised her mommy's acting skills. It was a mere coincidence when Leena's best friend walked into Le Grande for accompanying one of their company's business clients and she then saw Leo Miller entering into a presidential suite with a woman. That idiotic best friend of hers immediately made a phone call to further annoy her.

"Oh, you saw him?" Flora awkwardly smiled. "I_I have an appointment at Beau Figure SPA in 15 minutes and I am in a rush. I will meet you later, Leena."She rushed out of the park without giving Leena, a chance to talk.

Flora knew her son's playboy nature, so she ordered one of her shields to keep an eye on him. Everybody knows Hayes enterprises have a remarkable position in New York and Francis Hayes lifted it to another level with his outstanding skills after he took over the CEO position. Besides, Leena achieved stardom in a span of 5 years with her own capabilities. Leo Miller never helped the Miller company much less of closing a business deal even after they declared him as the CEO. Besides, he was always spotted with a different woman. Even though the Miller enterprises are performing well, Flora is worried about the future. Being a mother, Flora wants her son to be in a better position. If Leena has uplifted her company into a remarkable one in 5 years, she no doubted, Miller industries would develop into an International business company with Hayes family support if Leena takes over their business. Flora wants such a kind of daughter-in-law, not the mistresses loitering around his son to warm his bed and when Flora learned the identity of Leena, she grabbed the opportunity and proposed a marriage alliance with the Hayes family. She believed her son would change after the marriage. Who would have thought, Francis Hayes would threaten to wipe out their company?

"Beau Figure SPA opens at 11. It's not even 6, aunt Flora." Leena shouted at the rushing figure. Too bad, I missed that old zebra's distressed look when I talked about the Beau Figure's SPA timing. She must be pissed off right now. The thought instantly heightened Leena's spirits.

"Come on Carrot. Let's run". Leena held the leash to control the little one and started running when the latter swiftly turned and began moving in the opposite direction. Leena confusedly turned back to see Carrot running behind uncle John's dog again.

"You traitor, come back this instant," Leena shouted at the rushing Carrot. She couldn't believe Carrot deceived her again.

Carrot turned back and lent a sinister smile before she continued with her mission. Carrot knew her mommy is angry, but there was a kind of magnet in uncle John's dog pulling her towards him.

"Little liar. Don't come back home and stay with your little lover." Leena mumbled and walked to a nearby bench and settled on it.

Leena was so engrossed in thinking of the possible ways to punish Carrot, she failed to recognize a handsome man approaching her***.