'Fall seven times, stand up eight.'                                            ~Chinese Proverb.

~•~

Narrator's Perspective

Cameras flashed as he stepped out of the car, dressed in a dark blue suit looking charming as ever. There was a huge rush of reporters standings with mics in their hands impatient to throw their questions. It was one of the biggest day, all the media was waiting to know about the results of today's trial. Everyone was anxious on their place while the serenity on his face was enviable, he didn't seemed a little nervous. Why would he feel nervous? He was waiting for today from such a long time and finally the day has arrived.

   There was no doubt that the aura he held was so appealing that people became fond of him very easily. The shine of intelligence in his eyes, his self-confidence and his incredibly driven nature was enough to make everyone his admirer.

'Prosecutor Rahil Khanna, are you sure that you will take Mr.Sandeep Singhania towards his end?' One of the reporters questioned.

'Sir, please tell us is this true that the famous bureaucrat Mr.Karthik Khanna involved in the famous murder case of Jiah Mehra, was your Father?' Another threw a question at him while he felt rage inside him listening to the accusations about his beloved Baba.

'Sir, Mr.Sandeep Singhania has murdered the fashion model, Naina Tiwari? Is this true?' Questions after questions everyone was eager to get the information from him.

'Listen, I can't answer any of these questions right now.I hope you understand.' He answered and moved towards the court while the guards were busy in clearing the way.

He was walking towards the preperation room to prepare himself for the trial when he saw her coming towards him. She was wearing a sky blue long frock with a scarf around her neck. Her long  hairs were scattered on her back while she looked like a fresh plucked rose.

'Best of luck, Mr.Prosecutor.' She said with a smile.

'Hey, Are you ready? I mean if it doesn't feel right than don't..' He was saying when she interupted him and put her finger on his lips.

'No, Rahil remember you said that exposing him is important and I have lived enough with that burden.' She said in a determined tone while he smiled at her.

'Oh look who is here?' A voice came from behind and both of them turned their heads towards the source of the voice.

'Well, I can't believe Izna, you have been trapped in his trashy stories.' Randhir said.

'Shut up! I never get trapped into someone's stories. You and your father are same disgusting creatures.' She shouted on top of her voice.

'How dare you. Who do you think you are?' Randhir said coming  towards Izna when Rahil come in between them.

'She is my wife." Rahil said loud and clear enough for him to keep this in his head.

"Well, I understand you already know that you are going to lose this case that's why you are taking out your frustration like this, right my dear Randhir Singhania?' Rahil said and smirked at him.

'You bastard, I'll see you in the court.' Randhir said and went away huffing like a bull while Rahil turned around and look towards Izna who was standing with the wall lowering her head.

'Hey, are you fine?' He asked and took her face in his palms. She looked towards him with eyes brimmed with tears.

'Hey, crybaby don't start your hobby here.' He said in a mischievous tone while she looked towards him with an angry face.

'Okay, okay, sorry tomato.' He said plainly while she hit his shoulder and they both started laughing.

'May God bless both of you.' They both look towards the owner of the voice. He was looking pale and weak which has made him look older than his age.

'Daddy.' Izna beamed with excitement and run towards him while Rahil tried to control the flames burning inside him still managed to smile half-heartedly.

'Best of luck, young man. May the truth wins.' He said and kept his hand on his shoulder.

~•~

\~|| FLASHBACK ||\~

Karthik Khanna and Ruhi Khanna were the perfect example of a couple in love. They have married each other without the will of their parents and both the families broke all the ties with the couple but Elakshi Khanna the only sister of Karthik Khanna supported him secretly and loved and respected both her brother and sister-in-law. Rahil Khanna came in their life after ten years of marriage but God has planned something else, during the birth of Rahil, Ruhi faced many complications and thus she couldn't survived.

After the demise of Ruhi Khanna, Karthik took great care of Rahil, his only son and the last living memory of his beloved wife. The little lad always felt the absence of his mother but never said a word while Karthik brought him up by giving him both the love of a father and a mother. He was a strong shelter for his son and most importantly a loyal friend.

About the ten years old Rahil, Baba was his everything. He was his role-model. Rahil suffers from Nyctophobia from childhood and hates darkness because it engulfs everything around, which terrify him the most.

It was Rahil's twelfth birthday and he wanted to celebrate it. Elakshi also came with her kids, Ranbir Dhawan who was two years older than Rahil and Mannat Dhawan who was two years younger than him. The kids were in Rahil's room while the elders were sitting downstairs when the security guard informed them about the arrival of police officers. The police officers told them that they are there for the arrest of Karthik Khanna for murdering the famous N.G.O worker Jiah Mehra. Everyone was beyond shocked but the officers didn't waited for long and took Karthik with them.

Kabir Mallick  was the prosecutor in charge of Jiah Mehra's case as he came up with some solid evidences clearly indicating that Karthik has molested Jiah Mehra and when she didn't gave in he murdered her, but Kabir didn't get successful in proving Karthik guilty. In one of the court hearings Kabir Mallick came up with a letter of the victim Jiah Mehra found from her house clearly stating that Karthick has tried to harrassed her many times and when she decided to take the matter to court he started black mailing her that he would finish her family. In the end of the letter it was written that if something happened to Jiah in the near future, the person responsible for it would be none other than Karthik Khanna.

After that hearing the media spread the news like fire declaring Karthik as a corrupt, disloyal man. Karthik's friend Siddhart Shekhawat arranged the best attorney for his case but they didn't find any possible proofs to prove him innocent. Karthik became dishearten after all the situation and one night he was found dead in the jail. The postmortem reports states that he has got a big shock which his brain wasn't able to take and he suffered from a massive hemorrhage which resulted in his death.

Rahil took the loss of Karthik's demise to his heart and became very sensitive. If it wasn't Elakshi to take his care he wouldn't have had survived for long. Elakshi took Rahil with her to Newyork as her husband was settled there.

Gradually, with time Rahil came back to life but he always felt the absence of his parents when Ranbir tried to insult him. Ranbir was rude from the start but Mannat was a very nice girl and she loved and respected Rahil more than her own brother. When Rahil was young he wanted to become an engineer, but after Karthik's demise and when he came to know the accusations on his beloved father he decided to become a prosecutor and clear the name of his father. It became his only mission when he became a little mature.

~•~

Time passed away but wounds weren't healed yet as he stepped on Mumbai airport. He have returned to his motherland after fifteen long years. He took a cab and went to his home. On his way he was observing the busy streets of Mumbai, and he found little or no changes but many things have changed in this span of time. The carefree and innocent twelve years old lad has turned into a twenty-seven years old confident and handsome Prosecutor.

'Baba, your son will prove you innocent.' He said putting on his shades with a determined smile on his charming face.

~•~

Rahil's Perspective.

I stepped into my house and all the memories of childhood flashed like a movie in front of my eyes. I saw a little seven years old, carefree lad running away with a mischievous smile, while a handsome man in his early thirties chasing him.

'Hey, you champ stop running.' The man said while panting and sunk into the sofa beside him.

'Baba, you can never catch me.' The boy came towards the man and showed his tongue before running away.

I  than move towards the kitchen and saw the same man serving some pasta to his son.

"Baba you know that your handmade pasta is the best." The boy said eating happily.

"And Baba also know that Rahil loves pasta. That's why I made it for my child." The man said with affection and pat the boy's head with love.

The scene bought tears to my eyes which I wiped expertly with the tip of my thumb. Drowning into the past I totally forgot that I have to go and meet my grandmother because Aunt Elakshi told me to pick Grandma from her house as soon as I reach Mumbai. I took the keys from the chauffeur and went to grandma's house with the help of GPS.

It was five pm when I was still stuck in the traffic from last few hours. Sitting idle I started looking here and there when my eyes landed on a girl and a kid. The kid was sitting on the bench at the footpath, with a cut on his left knee. Tears trickled down his cheeks continuously and he was dressed in some ragged pants with a shabby shirt. He was continuously blabbering something while the girl was busy treating his wound. The girl was dressed in blue trousers with a white satin shirt. She had long silky dark brown hairs turning into blonde at the end. Her face was covered with her dark brown bangs preventing me to see it. After treating the child's wound the girl pulled out some chocolates from her bag and give them to the kid. The kid's pain flew away after having the chocolates and he kissed the girl's  left cheek in a way of expressing his gratitude.

I was so lost in the cute scene in front of my eyes when I heard loud horns, I swiftly look at the front and saw no sign off a traffic rush. So the traffic is cleared! Before moving forward I glanced towards the footpath but there was no sign of the girl while the boy was busy munching his chocolate. Nodding my head in disbelief, I drove to Grandma's house.

~•~

"You are the reflection of my son. My Karthik." Grandma said kissing my forhead.

"Do I look like Baba?" I questioned with astonishment.

"Yes my child, you resemble your father a lot. Your height, the color of your beautiful eyes is the same as your Baba." She said with love filled eyes.

"Features might be the same, but I can never become a great man like him." I said looking nowhere.

"Why didn't you and Grandfather let baba marry my mother?" I asked in a pain-filled voice.

"You know Baba never said anything from his mouth, but after the demise of my mother he have always felt the lack of your presence." I told her while tears trickled down her old wrinkled face.

"That's life my child. People sometimes took some decisions emotionally never knowing that in future they will regret." Grandma said politely.

"Okay just let go of this emotional drama. It's getting late." I said diverting her attention.

"Are you leaving my child?" She asked with a tint of sadness on her face.

"No, we are leaving." I replied with a smile while she was surprised.

"We." She said plainly.

"Yes Grandma I'm here to take you with me to Baba's house." I told her while she was shocked.

"Child but how can I..." She was going to decline when I interrupted her.

"No ifs and buts Grandma. You will let me live alone." I said faking sadness and she quickly got agreed

~•~

It was my first day at the prosecution office and I was excited like a four years old who is going to school for the first time. Grandma laughed at my excitement and prayed for my best.

I made my way towards the office of the District Attorney, after reaching the prosecution office. I saw the nameplate outside the D.A's office which reads: 'District Attorney Kabir Mallick'. I felt fire burning inside my chest after reading the name and took sometime to calm my senses.

'May I come in Sir?' I asked politely after knocking the door. He was busy talking with someone when his eyes landed on me and he signaled me to come inside. After making myself comfortable on the chair, I looked towards him who have just ended the call.

"Welcome young man, It's a pleasure to have a talented prosecutor like you, here." He praised me while I faked a smile expertly.

"Thank you so much Sir." I said professionally.

"Why thanking me son, This country needs honest and talented prosecutors like you." He said while I tried to calm the burning fire inside me at him calling me 'Son'.

"Okay young man I'll call someone to show you the way towards your cabin." He said while I stood up and shake hands with him unwillingly.

"Sir, you have called me." The same receptionist came inside who have guided me the way towards Mr.Mallick's office.

"Yes, Rhia go and guide Mr.khanna towards his cabin." He said to the receptionist while she nodded and asked me to come with her.

I was going towards the cabin when someone bumped into my chest and was about to fall when I held her with a swift. Her eyes were closed and she has clutched the collar of my shirt in her death grip. She was dressed in black denims paired with a black-colored satin shirt and jacket. She had a light complexion with a beautiful turned-up nose and beautiful bow-shaped lips adorned with red lipstick. She slowly lifted her lashes and I found myself drowning into those beautiful almond-shaped eyes. I was so lost into her beauty when she let go of my collar and came out of my grip.

"I'm so sorry." She apologized looking down.

"It's Okay." I said and she glanced towards me and than ran away from there while I noticed her silky dark brown and blonde colored hair.

"Ahmmmm." I heard someone clearing clearing her throat and turned to find Rhia with a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Seems like someone has stolen your heart already?" She questioned with a serious face while I chuckled.

"It's not so easy." I said with a smile.

"Ahan, is it so? Than I think I have a chance?" She asked and then we both laughed.

"By the way, who is she?" I asked not showing the eagerness building inside me.

"Izna Mallick. The only daughter of our District Attorney, Kabir Mallick." I can never explain the way her words stabbed my heart. My whole world came crashing down the moment I came to know that she is the daughter of my enemy, all the feelings flew away in seconds and pure hatred filled my heart.

"What happened? Why so shocked?" She snapped her fingers in front of me.

"Ah, Nothing." I said and faked a smile while she handed me the files of some cases and left. I came inside my cabin and sunk into the chair.

"Fate loves to play with me. It loves to make me writhe in pain." I thought to myself.

It's your turn to feel the pain. Yes, Mr.Kabir Mallick now I'll show you how it feels like, when you saw your beloved in pain.

"Izna Malik, I'm going to make your life a living hell.Just wait and watch!" I said imagining her in my mind.

~•~

Rahil's Perspective.

It's been more than a week since I have came back. Gradually, I started winning Mr.Mallick's trust and well it wasn't such a difficult task as he was already impressed with me. Secretly, I have also started inquiring about Baba's case and wanted some old investigation files for that purpose but unfortunately I was unable to find those at the prosecution office. Great despair engulfed me at that time, but they say when you have good intentions, God open hundred doors for you. Rhia told me that some files of the old cases of Mr. Mallick are at his house and I beamed with happiness. Now I have to trick that oldie to get that file. Thinking all the possible excuses I drove to his home. Stepping out off the car I looked towards the beautiful mansion. The guard opened the door after the second ring and let me in after knowing that I was Kabir Mallick's guest. Entering inside my eyes first landed on the beautiful lawn adorned with lush green grass and sweet smelling flowers. The thing which was increasing the beauty of the lawn was the cutest scene playing in front of my eyes.

  I saw lots of children running here and there with a young girl chasing them. The girl was dressed in a purple embroidered chiffon shirt paired with white trousers and she was blindfolded. They were playing Blind man's buff.

'Accept your defeat already Big Sister. You can never catch us.' A boy said mischievously.

' Yes sister it's been two hours since we are playing and you haven't caught anyone of us. A little girl said lisping slightly while I controlled myself from laughing hard.

'Aarav, Mansi Shut up both of you and better concentrate on the game.' This time the young girl spoke angrily and the expressions on her face made me chuckle.

'Catch me Izzy.' A boy said slightly pushing her.

'Wait you monkey! I'm gonna catch you.' She said and started running behind him while the boy came towards me and hid behind me.

'Huh, caught you.' She said while holding my right arm with happiness dancing on her face.

'Hahaha, Sister. You haven't caught Armaan.' The kids said while laughing and she seemed confused. She left my arm and touched my face with her delicate hand and then pulled the knot of the blindfold.

The moment our eyes met, time stopped. Wind stopped blowing, clocks stopped ticking. World became blurred.

Brown vs Black! Coldness vs Warmth! Darkness vs Goodness!

Drowning into each other's eyes we forgot the world. They said that sometimes eyes speak louder than words, and it's the truth because she didn't uttered a word but her eyes were speaking volumes. Telling the tales of her sadness, loneliness, fears and much more.

'Sister come with me.' The same little girl started pulling the corner of Izna's shirt and the spell was broken. She looked towards the girl and then me.Uneasiness was visible on her face.

'Uh, I'm sorry. It was so stupid of me.' She said without making an eye contact.

'No problem. Can you tell me where is Mr.Mallick?' I asked while she looked towards me.

' Are you Daddy's guest? Oh God! I'm so stupid. I'm so sorry, actually I forgot everything when I play with these kids.' She said drowning into the pool of embarrassment.

'Kids we'll play tomorrow. Now go to your home.' She said looking towards the kids who were smiling mischievously.

'Please come inside.' She said in a polite tone and we went inside the mansion. I saw Mr.Mallick coming down the stairs talking to someone on his phone.

'Oh you are here, my son. Well I'm extremely sorry Rahil, I have to go somewhere urgent so I won't be able to help you, but you don't worry Izna is here.' He said and I was more than happy because I can do my work easily without him.

'Daddy me?' Izna asked him with a questioning look on her face.

'Yes Izna dear, he is Prosecutor Rahil Khanna. Actually he want some old files. You just take him to the room in the basement and help him in searching those files.' He told her while she look towards him with uneasiness.

'Daddy but how can I..?' She wanted to deny but he didn't let her.

'Izna look I have to go to Singhania Uncle's house and you have to help him.Understood!' He said and she shook her head.

'Okay Rahil, I have to leave now.' He said to me with a smile while I too faked one.

'Come.' Izna said after Mr.Mallick's exit and I followed her to the basement room. She opened the door and turned the lights on. The room was full of shelves occupied with many paper documents.

'The old documents are kept in those shelves.' She told me pointing towards the shelves on my right side. I started checking those documents to find the desired one when I heard some noises and turned my head to found her standing on a wooden stool. She was standing on the tip of her toes to take out the files from the upper shelves and than started throwing the files down while I was bewildered on my place. She was so lost in her work that she didn't even realize that she was standing on the edge of the stool and can slip any moment.

'Hey, listen.' I said and went towards her.

'Finally, here you go.This is the last..Ah.' Holding a file in her hand she turned towards me and lost her balance.

Izna's Perspective.

I closed my eyes as I slipped from the wooden stool. I feel no pain and felt two arms holding me, without looking at the owner, I can tell who he is. I felt a knot in my stomach as soon as I lifted my lashes and our eyes met. The addictive cologne rising from his body combined with our proximity made me feel a little nauseous.

'You can put me down.' I stammered due to his proximity.

'Oh yeah.Here you go.' He said and carefully let go of me.

'Thank you.' I said avoiding his eyes.

'You know you have a quality of attracting trouble? Didn't you?' He said plastering a smirk on that handsome face while I turned red like a cherry due to embarrassment.

'Uh.. I think we should look for the files now.' I said to divert his attention and starting picking up the files from the floor.

~•~

'Raima what kind of an outfit is this yar?' I complained as soon as I saw the dress she bought for me to wear at Khushi's Wedding.

'What's the problem sweetheart? It's such a pretty dress.' She said while doing her makeup expertly.

'Pretty! Are you serious? I'm not gonna wear this lehnga choli (traditional eastern attire).' I said looking towards her while she looked towards me with angry expressions.

'And I'll make sure that you wear this dress only.' She said while I frowned.

'Here take this and go get ready. We don't have time to waste.' She said handing me the dress and pushed me inside the changing room.

'Come outside Izzy. This time your lame excuses won't work on me.' I heard Raima shouting for the nth time and decided to go outside.

'Oh..My...God! Tonight will be the last night for the guys who are going to attend Khushi's wedding.' She said and winked while I nodded in disbelief.

'Okay now the turn of makeup.' Raima said with an evil smile while I gave her some horrified expressions.

'Makeup? No ways.' I told her and started running away from her.

'Yes way.' She said and starting chasing me. Finally she caught me and forced me to put some makeup as we were going to attend a wedding and not a funeral.

~•~

I stepped out of the car and walked towards the marriage venue with Raima. The arrangements were beautiful as if it was a fairy-tale themed wedding. The whole lawn and trees were adorned with white orchids and white lights. I saw people looking in our direction making me feel uncomfortable.

It was difficult for me to face the world and the people because of the incident which happened thirteen years ago. The incident not only snatched my mother, it even snatched my self-confidence. Tears brimmed in my eyes remembering that life changing incident.

My trance was broken by someone's gaze which was digging holes in my back. I lifted my lashes a little and was stunned on my place when I saw him, who was dressed in a blue sherwani(eastern men's wear). He was not just another handsome man but a total Greek god. I looked into his eyes and than our previous encounter flashed in front of my eyes. Thinking about his mere proximity make me unable to breath. All my life I never get into boys but this one ain't ready to get out of my head.

Breaking the eye contact with him, I went towards the stage with Raima to congratulate Khushi. I was standing on the stage besides Raima when I felt someone's hot breath fanning my back and was frozen on my place.

'One of the most beautiful and purest knot. Isn't it?' I heard a husky voice and knew who it was. Slowly I turned my heard towards my right and found him standing right behind me leaving no distance.

'Well now even I'm planning to tie this beautiful knot, soon.' He said looking into my eyes with husk dripping from his tone.

~•~