Priya stared at the smoky fumes erupting out of the bumper of a toppled over wrecked car and disappearing toward the bright, clear blue sky. A faintdown horn sound echoed behind her and she turned her head to find a familiar black car approaching. It stopped with a sudden break at a distance and she could see the silhouette of two persons in the front seats. She glanced back at the wrecked car and her eyes widened, seeing a woman, disheveled with bloodied hair sticking to her face, struggling to get out of the car. Priya tried to step forward, the humanity in her pushing her to help the woman but her feet seemed like they were stuck to the ground. The woman finally freed looking around helplessly yet hopefully and rested those eyes on Priya, looking right through her. Priya focused on the woman's face as fear gripped her heart.

"Ramya?" she whispered as recognition came full force, "This cannot be happening..."

Turning her back to Ramya, Priya focused her attention on the other car. It was an old model Maruti car and maroon in color. Now, she realized why she felt the car was familiar. She looked back at Ramya and gasped when she saw her just two feet away. She walked right through Priya, holding her bleeding right hand and approaching the maroon car, shouting for help. The maroon car driver's side door opened and Priya gasped, seeing a familiar figure stepping out of it.

"Papa," Priya whispered. A smile spread on her face, the thought of her father standing a few feet away from her tall and breathing alive. Priya's heart began to race and she looked at the passenger seat. It was her in the seat, looking five years younger and curiously watching her father and Ramya, who was folding her hands in front of him begging for help. "Please, help my husband... Please..."

Her father, Manish, looked inside the car at Priya and ordered, "Sweetheart, call the ambulance and look after her," he turned back to the helpless woman and tried to give some comfort, "You please stay here with my daughter," saying, he stepped forward toward the wrecked car, leaving Ramya behind with younger Priya. The passenger side door opened and younger Priya stepped out to do as her father instructed.

"No... No... No..." Priya shook her head frantically, knowing what was going to happen next, "Papa... Don't go... Please." Her pleadings only fell in deaf ears as her father walked right through her. She willed her feet to move but they were stubbornly glued to the spot. She watched as Manish approached the wrecked car, assessing the condition, with broken glasses, and splattered blood everywhere. Distantly, Priya heard another car, a black Subaru, coming from the other direction. She glanced back to her father and saw him bent over the driver side to help a person - Ramya's husband, Rahul. The Subaru drove past Manish and she saw two men looking outside at the wrecked car, smirking. Their faces changed instantly when they saw Manish helping the man. They looked forward and saw younger Priya and Ramya together. Ramya was leaning against the car tiredly while Priya was calling an ambulance. She was anxiously distracted and did not notice the car stopping and a man stepping out of the car. He opened his car's back door.

"Watch out..." Priya shouted at her younger self, extending her hands forward, as she saw him raising a steel rod and hitting on Priya's head with a brute force. Priya watched as her younger self stood there for a second, her head feeling like slowly falling apart and then grasping the sense of pain from the impact, blood slowly trailing down from her head to the face, and finally, feeling herself falling to the ground.

Frozen in fear, Priya watched herself being confused, trying to keep her eyes open and extending her hand toward her father. Two voices echoed in the highway, one Ramya's in fear and the other her father's outraged voice. Manish looked at the green-eyed man, standing over Priya and smirking at Ramya as she stared at him shocked and afraid. Ramya looked down at Priya and tried to reach her aide but the man held her hand forcefully.

Manish started running towards them in outrage for hurting his daughter and he raised his hand to hit the man. The man reacted fast, dodging Manish's fist and raising the rod to hit Manish's head. It hit Manish on his temple and he moved a few feet back with the impact but regained his composure, giving a huge blow to the man's stomach, making him leave Ramya's hand. The man moved back and scoffed, as if surprised by Manish's audacity. Manish and the green-eyed man fought fiercely, while Ramya reached wounded Priya's side and tried to stop her bleeding.

Priya saw the other side driver door open and the man's companion - looking bulky with bulging muscles, a few years old beard, dirty rag-like clothes - surreptitiously coming behind Manish. Her eyes widened seeing him pull out a knife. "Papa... Behind you," Priya shouted at the top of her lungs.

The bulky man pulled a knife from behind and as she watched helplessly, he stabbed Manish from behind.

"No!" Priya screamed, tears falling from her eyes continuously.

Manish looked behind at the man, lifted his hand to throttle him, but grunted in pain as the green-eyed man stabbed him in the stomach. Though he tried his best to resist, the man continued to stab him two more times until Manish fell to the ground on his stomach. He craned his neck with effort to look at Priya and she was staring at her father with tears in her eyes. He gave a small smile before he left his last breath.

"Noooooo..." Priya exclaimed.

As she watched her father's lifeless body, the green-eyed man approached Ramya with a smirk on his face. He crouched in front of her supported by his heels and raised his hand to touch the Ramya's face. But she moved back, disgust evident on her face. They both seemed to know each other. He said something to Ramya and she replied something, but it was all gibberish to Priya. Whatever Ramya said, angered him and he slapped her hard, making blood come out of her mouth. Even during that time, Ramya held on to younger Priya's hand.

The man held Ramya by her hair and hit her head on the car's door again and again. When he had enough and she started to lose her consciousness, he raised to his feet and ran a hand through his hair, shouting like a mad man. He looked back at Ramya, after a minute of contemplation, he held the rod again and struck her hard once. Priya could only watch as the woman slowly fell next to her. "I'm sorry," the younger Priya whispered with an effort. Ramya just smiled and squeezed her hand in hers as if saying it wasn't her fault. "Thank you," she said, before she died with a smile on her face.

Priya fell to her knees and stayed like that motionless. She felt useless, as she watched herself laying there but doing nothing to save her father or the woman. She looked at those cruel men, and they were in a word fight pointing at their bodies. There was a slight movement from Priya and the green-eyed man glanced at her with a frown. He approached her and stared at her paralysed form. He lifted his leg and with his booted foot, pushed Priya's head to face him. Her eyes started to droop close but she tried to hold back. She looked at him, like really looking at him, imprinting his face in her mind. She flinched as he caressed her face with the rod. He stared at Priya's face as if he pitied her. But she knew what was going to happen. He lifted the rod and swung it to her face...

Priya was dragged back to reality when she heard distant voices. She opened her eyes and immediately closed them, as the room lights blinded her. She put a hand on her face, covering her eyes, gaining some momentum, when she felt a gentle touch on her hand. Slowly, she removed her hand and came face to face with Abhay.

A relief spread across her face seeing him and she sighed tiredly, "Sir?"

"Do you know how much of a scare you gave me?" Abhay asked, as he held her hand and squeezed.

For a moment, she was confused. Then, she recalled her dream. Her eyes widened.

Was it really a dream? It looked like she was taken to a different dimension. The missing part of her memories was back. Now, she knew what happened to her father. Tears started forming in her eyes, as she thought about how he was stabbed, and how Ramya left breath in front of her eyes.

Seeing her tears, Abhay panicked and he instructed with his eyes on Priya. "Ramesh, inform the doctor. Fast."

Priya tried to sit up, but Abhay stopped her. "No. You should rest."

"Sir, I have to tell you something," she said hurriedly.

"You can tell me later," Abhay pushed her back.

"But-" she was cut off by a voice.

"You should listen to him."

A shiver went down her spine as she recognized the voice. She shifted her gaze, her eyes passing Madhu and then falling on... her eyes were wide as saucers as she stared at the man. The green-eyed monster.

Seeing him, she was trying to move back on the bed, as if trying to escape from him. Fear was visible in her eyes as she stared at him, and clutched Abhay's arm.

The man smirked seeing her reaction and let his eyes explore her form in a rude way.

"Priya," Abhay called softly, and she looked at him. He was staring at her, concerned. "Do you know him?" he asked.

She turned back to the man. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came.

"How could she when we met for the first time?" the man said, coming closer to the bed, "Am I right, Priya?"

Her grip tightened on Abhay's arm and he patted her hand in comfort.

"Hello Priya. I am Vineet," the man introduced himself, bowing down to her level, "Abhay's cousin."

Could she be any more shocked? She turned to Abhay as if to confirm. He seemed rigid and was frowning at Vineet.

"I was on my way back to the airport and stopped on the way to meet Abhay. But who knew... I would meet you like this," Vineet said strangely.

Abhay opened his mouth to say something when the doctor walked inside with Ramesh. "How are you feeling Ms. Priya?"

She just nodded.

"Do you see blackouts often?" the doctor continued.

"Not recently," she responded, glancing at Vineet who was staring at her with a strange dark expression.

"Did you experience any head injury?"

She hesitated. "Five years back. A car accident... I was in a coma for a while..."

The doctor nodded. "There is nothing to worry about now. If you experience anything again..." he continued and later prescribed some tablets. She nodded and thanked him as he left.

"You were in an accident?" Abhay asked.

"It'd been a long time," she smiled reassuringly, and also grateful that he stayed with her until now.

"Don't come to the office for a few days," Abhay ordered.

"But-"

"Don't argue now."

She sighed. When she looked back at Vineet, he had a frown on his face as he looked in between Abhay and her.

He's the one she saw on that day. He's the reason for the death of her father, Ramya and Rahul.

She should tell Abhay. But she couldn't talk in front of him. How should she convey Abhay? She suddenly felt dizzy.

"Woah! Woah!" Abhay held her shoulders and looked at her with concern. "Call doctor," he said to Ramesh again. But Priya stopped.

"No. I am fine. Please take me home," she pleaded.

Abhay nodded and she was glad that he didn't argue anymore. As he held her hand and led her out, she glanced at Vineet and saw him giving her a hard look.

She avoided his eyes and walked with Abhay, as he supported her. She climbed in the car and Madhu followed her. All the way to her home, Priya kept glancing at Abhay thinking about the situation.

Vineet was Abhay's cousin? Then why did he murder Ramya and Rahul? Weren't they a family?

Not until she reached home, she realized Vineet followed behind them with Ramesh. As Abhay held her to walk her inside, he saw Vineet coming with Ramesh.

"I thought you had to leave for Mumbai," Abhay said.

"Yes. But how can I leave Priya in this condition and go? I missed my flight anyway," Vineet said smiling. But Priya could sense sinisterness behind his smile.

"Thank you for taking me home, Mr. Sinha," Priya said, ignoring Vineet, "I can manage from here." Saying, she glanced at Madhu, who came forward immediately and took her hand from Abhay's.

Abhay left her hand reluctantly and nodded.

"Let me know if you need anything," he said.

Priya nodded and bid goodbye to Abhay and Ramesh, again ignoring Vineet. Though he talked as if he didn't know her, his behavior and eyes were saying otherwise. Did something else happen that she wasn't aware of? She has to find out about this man.

∞∞∞

Monday morning, Priya was the first one to be in the office. She was arranging Abhay's table, lost in her thoughts, just like the last two days. Last night, Abhay had called to check up on her, and she wanted to talk to him about Vineet. But no words came out of her mouth.

What could she say? Your cousin brother killed your own brother and sister-in-law.

He probably wouldn't believe her. He was a man who treasures his family and friends. While she was no one. He was already upset with her for crossing her limits with Aisha. But, she couldn't sit calm. What should she do?

She was engrossed in her thoughts, that she did not realize Abhay reached office and was calling her.

"Priya."

Startled, she swiveled around and was relieved to find him. "Good morning, Mr. Sinha."

He had a deep frown as he said, "I thought I told you to take a few days off."

"I am perfectly fine."

"Doctor should be the one to say that. Not you," he said, as he walked over to his chair and settled down.

She was silent.

"Go home," he ordered.

"But I..."

He lifted a hand, shushing her. "Not another word."

She pouted, and turned to walk away when she heard him. "Stop," he said. She turned to him curiously.

"Is your mother home?"

She shook her head.

"Who is going to take care of you?"

"Myself," she said as if it was obvious.

He shook his head annoyed and said, "Sit here. I will take you home." He gestured towards the couch. She wasn't given a cabin yet, and was arranged a table for her work inside his office.

"It is not necessary."

"I said sit."

"At least let me work."

"No."

"Monarch," she almost growled, making a face.

"What did you say?" he asked, curiously.

She smiled sweetly. "I am saying how kind of you." With that, she walked to the couch and sat down sulking. Does he behave this way to all his employees? Vijay had never ordered her this way, she thought.

A few minutes passed with her scrolling through her mobile, and she was already bored. She casually glanced up and her eyes rooted to Abhay, who was seriously working. Hey eyes watched his every move admiringly.

With the thin framed spectacles, tucked low at the root of his nose, was giving him a nerdy, hot look. She crossed her legs and rested her chin on her palm, a soft smile on her face.

She wondered how a man could be like him these days. Recalling how he was overboard with his overprotectiveness toward Anjali and Aisha, she was quite amused. He was silly but his intentions were good. If her father was rich, maybe he too would have done the same. Abhay's care reminded her of her father.

Maybe that was why she fell for him. To every girl, her first hero was her father. And she believed the person who came as a life partner would show at least equal care to her father. Abhay fits the place perfectly. Any girl would be lucky to have him as her husband.

"Are you done gawking at him?" Abhay asked, as he went through a file.

She was startled. He wasn't looking at her, so how did he know? He closed the file and turned to her. Though his face was blank, his eyes were saying that he was enjoying this.

"Like what you see?" he asked.

She blushed. Thankfully, to save her she received a call. She lifted it hurriedly without seeing. "Hello?"

"Hi, Priya. I hope you are home. I took a day off and I am coming home," Madhu said.

"Day off? Why?"

"Why what? Aunty is not there, Adi has an important class to attend. Who will look after you?"

"No need. Go back. Don't waste your leave."

"Sorry, sweety. I already did. I am coming home."

"I am not home."

"Where are you?"

"Office."

"You went to the office?"

"I did. But Mr. Sinha isn't letting me work," she whispered, glancing at Abhay. He wasn't looking at her, but he was smiling.

"Good for you."

"Not good. I am bored. I don't want to be at home. Can you come to the cafeteria here?"

"Will be in twenty minutes."

"Great. See you," saying, Priya hung up the call. She cleared her throat and looked at Abhay.

"Sir."

"Yes." He cocked up an eyebrow, turning to her.

"Madhu is coming. We will go home together. She took a day off."

He nodded. "Call me when you reach the cafe and also when you reach home."

So, he was listening to her conversation. She smiled and left with a smile on her face.

∞∞∞

"That Ramesh is full of himself," Madhu complained. They were sitting near a window in a booth and waiting for their coffee. But, Priya was in her own world, thinking about Abhay.

"Helloooo! Ms. Priya Malhotra," Madhu waved her hands in front of her, annoyed. Blinking her eyes, Priya looked at her friend confused for a second.

"You are not in this world. What are you thinking?"

"Nothing."

"Did something happen? Did Abhay Sir say something?" Madhu asked.

"No! He didn't..." Priya said quickly.

Madhu observed her face and smiled. "You love him, right?"

"Love?" Priya widened her eyes and shook her head. "No, I-"

"Hehey! You can't fool me. I know you, front and back," Madhu grinned.

Priya rolled her eyes. "Fine. Maybe," she admitted, "But it will not work out."

"Why not?"

Priya shrugged. "It is not easy. There are complications," she said, thinking about the connection between her father and his brother's death.

"Is it about status?" Madhu snapped, "My dear friend, if you like him, there is nothing wrong. But don't betray yourself thinking otherwise."

"It's more than that. Anyway," Priya smiled and changed the topic. "What were you saying before?"

"Ramesh," Madhu gritted.

Priya raised an eyebrow. "What about him?"

"He's a pain in the ass," she jabbed her spoon on the plate. "Why doesn't he understand that I am not interested in having coffee with him? I don't know how he got my number, but the whole day he continued to call and send messages to come out with him. God!" she held her head in her hand.

"He did that," Priya asked in disbelief.

"Yes."

"Wow," Priya thought about it. "Why don't you give me a chance? Maybe he's sincere."

Madhu twisted her lips. "Maybe. But I am not interested. I like to be single."

"Lifelong?"

"Yes."

"Don't talk rubbish. Do you want to stay alone for your whole life?"

"Who said I am alone? I have you," Madhu winked.

Priya rolled her eyes. "Seriously. Is it because of how you grew up?"

Madhu's face fell. She shrugged and smiled tightly. "I don't want him to be hurt because of me. I have an unlucky fate."

"Madhu. From what I heard, Ramesh is a nice person-"