Later in my room, I couldn't sleep the whole night. May be I was still in shock, may be I was still trying to absorb everything inside. Moving out is a tough decision. I've never lived away from my parents and siblings since the accident. But I know even if the decision is difficult, it is right. I can't work on correcting things when my focus is divided. If I stayed here, I know handling office, Reyansh's health, trying to mend broken relationships and correcting past mistakes will be difficult. Ahana can heal and move on her own, she doesn't need me. But my son, he does. And somewhere, in some corner of my mind, I know I need them both more than anything else. My memories are not with me, but the intuition to be with them and protect them is stronger.

I spent the night trying to regain my lost memory. At the end, I felt sleepy and fell in deep slumber at the wake of dawn.

Five hours later, the alarm rang and I groan. My back muscles were stiff and the arm on which I had my body inclined, felt numb. I glanced at the table clock placed on nightstand and it was still 8:00 am. The sunlight wasn't that stronger knowing that winter morning usually starts late. I stifled a yawn and got up, stretching my stressed muscles before hitting the shower.

I chose a simple crisp white shirt, ivory color trousers and a linen ivory blazer. After wearing my watch, shoes, I spared a last glance at my reflection and nodded in satisfaction. Grabbing my shades, car keys, mobile phone and briefcase, I headed out. After breakfast, dad took a separate car to office while me and Aarav carpooled.

The meeting room was ready and all the board members were present. Me and Aarav stayed behind dad as he stood at the end of the table, in charge of the meeting. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry for calling a sudden meeting. It must have been a hassle to you.", He started and most of them just waved their hands dismissively with a casual smile.

"Well, I know this is not how it should have been done. But it is urgent and already decided. My elder son, Kabir, will from now on look after our Dehradun branch while my younger son will be in charge of this office.", As soon as he said that, murmurs began which slowly rose up and caused chaos. "Please be silent. If you've any questions please ask out aloud. I'm all ready to answer."

Mr. Ketan, one of our most respected board of director and shareholder raised his hand up.

"Yes, Mr. Ketan?"

"This may sound offensive but I'm just stating the fact. We all know, after you, only Kabir is responsible enough to handle the main branch. I'm not questioning Aarav's ability, but it is no mystery that he's inexperienced and already has difficulty in handling his own construction business that Kabir had handed him five years ago. With all due respect, I'm sorry, but I don't agree with this decision.", He said with a shrug.

"Even I agree.", Mr. Mittal gave his response. He was always Mr. Ketan's follower so it's no surprise.

"I know he's inexperienced but experience comes when you're allowed to do mistakes and learn from them."

"This is business, Mr. Raichand. Not a school.", Mrs. Khan shook her head with a look of exasperation.

"As a chairman, I would have forced Kabir to stay here. But as a father, I know that family matters the most. Until the time Kabir's personal problems are sorted out, Aarav is the only one capable to handle Raichand Industries.", Dad said and earned series of sighs around the board room.

"One chance is all I ask for.", Aarav stepped front. "Three months and I'll prove myself.", He said determinedly.

"How much more time, young Raichand? When Kabir went through memory loss, for the first two years you took the position of CEO for this branch. But all we saw was a tremendous loss at that time. I'm sorry, young man, but your decision making ability is frowned upon by everyone.", Mrs. Gehna said in a stern voice.

I clenched my jaw. Everyone was just blatantly disrespecting him and dad was still silent.

"I agree with that. The losses were recovered when Mr. Raichand stepped back in the position. Also, when Kabir recovered and decided to come back, it's no mystery for everyone how he brought profit to the business within just one month. Though it was less, but considering his health crisis, it was a lot than expectations. Clearly, he's very much deserving. But if you're being a father here, of course you would want to handover the business to Aarav.", Mr. Farooq said with a humorless chuckle.

"Watch your words, Mr. Farooq. I've never differentiated between any of my sons. Neither in the past, nor now. This decision, is solely taken by Kabir.", Dad gritted out.

I frowned. What are they talking about? Why will dad ever differentiate between his own sons?

"Kabir, please come ahead and clear the misunderstandings.", Dad said stepping back. I nodded and cleared my throat.

"Respected dignitaries, I'm extremely sorry for coming in front of you with this sudden decision. But there was no involvement or manipulation of any third person when I decided this. I need some time for myself and my family. My son- which I found out about last night - is going through a crucial phase right now. I've already lost my memory and I'm not at all looking forward to lose anything else of mine. Please try to understand.", I said politely.

Whispers and frowns spiked up and most of them had surprise and shock written all over their faces.

"Oh wow! The future heir of Raichand Industries is already next in line!", Mr. Ketan said with a smile and cheers rose in room. I nodded politely. A formal smile intact on my face as everyone looked at me.

"I hope now you understand.", I said as the silence fell once again.

"Fine. Three months is all we can give him. Let's see if he becomes another version of you and take Raichand Industries to new heights!", Grandpa's friend, Mr. Mohan, who's always silent and calm said with a broad, encouraging smile

Everyone applauded as Aarav bowed down respectfully.

"Be a brand new version of you. Not me.", I nudged him on shoulder and he chuckled. I could see his spirits were down because of the almost rejection he faced couple of minutes ago.

The meeting was eventually dispersed.

"Everything's done, Karthik?", I asked after coming out of the board room.

"Yes, sir. Just one thing is left.", He said guiltily.

"And that is?"

"I'm trying to find my replacement here but the result of interviews are not final yet.", He said and I frowned.

"Your replacement? Are you resigning?", Aarav asked as he approached us.

"No, sir.", Karthik chuckled shaking his head. "I'm just gonna follow my boss.", He said gesturing to me.

"Karthik! You don't need to-"

"Sir, from the time I've joined Raichand Industries, I've always been your shadow. Agreed you've ill-temper, but you were, are and will always be my mentor. And I can't imagine myself working with anyone else other than you. So I'm definitely moving to Dehradun along with you. If you don't want me to tag along, I'll hand in my resignation.", I stood shocked, my eyes wide and throat dry as his words made home in my mind.

"You don't have to do that.", I whispered in disbelief.

"I know I don't have to. But I want to.", He shrugged.

"Damn, man! You made me soft!", Aarav chuckled as he patted Karthik's shoulder.

"What about your wife? And your son? He's still seven right?", I asked and he nodded with a fond smile.

"Dehradun is school capital of India, sir. I'm sure my son will receive quality education there and won't waste his years. And my wife, she's comfortable wherever I am. I know her.", He said, a gentleness in his tone while mentioning his family.

"Okay. As you wish. I'm looking forward to work there with you.", I smiled and he nodded in agreement.

"Likewise!"

_

_

_

Revealing my decision to Rivaah about moving the states didn't went that well. We had a small argument and I had to settle it with numerous apologies. She was aggravated because I didn't discussed this with her before finalizing everything. I understood her point of view. In the end, she too understood me and we made peace.

Now I'm finishing my packing. Mom and Ahana is helping me out.

"God! Look what I found!", Ahana came waltzing out of my wardrobe. A dust laddened old picture in her hand.

"Our first Holi together!", She shrieked as she showed me the picture. I felt no connection to it as the memories of that time has wiped off. But her enthusiastic smile, it poked straight to my heart and I felt happy.

In the picture she was just a baby in Mom's embrace and I was hovering above her.

"You were so adamant on applying color on her. It was a tough task to stop you.", Mom shook her head as she came out of the closet with my boxers in her hand. I quickly rushed to her and grabbed them.

"I'll pack them!", I whispered and walked to my suitcase. I could hear her giggle.

After the packing was done, I dragged my stuff out and loaded them in car's trunk.

"What time is your flight?", Dad asked as he came forward to hug me.

"10:30 AM.", I said.

"Stay safe. Eat healthy. Take care of yourself and of them. Don't let her overwork herself. The first trimester are usually the critical one so try not to stress her.", Mom instructed and I nodded along with her every order.

"I'll miss you.", She whispered. I leaned down to hug her.

Minutes later, after saying my final goodbye, I sat inside my car and drove out. My eyes craved to take one glance back, but I know it'll turn more difficult if I do that. I've never been away from them. And now I've to live with strangers, because one of them is my son and other is my wife whom I had hurted many times in the past and don't remember a second of it. I don't know how will I do this. How much time will my brain take to accept the fact that I've a family and is my responsibility. Because I know my heart has already decided to never let go of them. The feeling of protectiveness and possessivity is stronger.

I picked up Rivaah and Reyansh from their building compound and we headed to airport.

"Who's this little guy, Rey?", I asked my son pointing towards the dog that was apparently gnashing his teeth at me. He seems aggressive.

"Uh? Oh he's Murphy. But I don't know what is wrong with him. Murphy, stop it. He's my daddy!", Rey scolded the guy and he looked outside window ignoring Reyansh.

"He hates you.", Rivaah said out of the blue.

"Uh?", I glanced at her with frown.

"Murphy. He hates you. But the irony, you were the one who gifted him to me.", She chuckled. May be she said it as a joke but it was a huge blow to my already bruised self respect.

My fingers around the steering wheel tightened and a ghostly white color appeared on the knuckles.

Just how many people hate me? Was I that bad? I doubt if I was a runaway criminal of some kind!

We reached airport and I unloaded the stuff with the help of bodyguards. After checking in, we boarded flight and arrived at the Dehradun international airport immediately after two hours.

Karthik has booked us two suites in a nearby seven star hotel because the house was not ready for living yet.

We checked in hotel and I handed Rivaah her card key before heading to my suite. It was beside hers.

Dropping my luggage on the victorian king size bed, I opened my suitcase and fished out a pair of sweats and a hoodie along with my towel.

Hanging my towel on the rack, I started the shower and stood under it. The warm water sprinkled down my body and I heaved a sigh.

After the hectic last two days, this was the first time I breathed out so freely. And as if everything came crashing down me, a feeling of suffocation surged through me. I feel like a victim between all the accusations thrown at me but I know I don't deserve to feel like that. I'm punishable and I should regret. But all that I feel is unfairness and a heavy weight on my shoulders. My memories have left me, but the bad memories I created in everyone else's life are still very much there. And they want me to regret. However, it's hard when you can't remember a thing! I'm trying so fucking hard, however, it pains when I want to find comfort but have to stop myself because I'm not one who deserves it. Everything has just flipped before my eyes and I couldn't control a thing.

I've a son, who's dealing with cancer.

I've a wife who, according to everyone I had made go through hell in past.

I've ruined my sister's relationship.

Unawaredly, I've burdened my responsibilities on Aarav when he should be living his own life.

My mom turned selfish because of me.

My life is a mass of mess. And I have no fucking control over it. And the most tragic part is that, I don't remember anything. And I don't know what I'm supposed to do to rectify my mistakes when I don't even remember them!

"He hates you."

Even a dog hates me! I was a monster I guess.

A tear slid out of my left eye and instead of wiping it away, I let other ones out behind the curtains of shower. I feel helpless and tied.

I deserve this. But then why do I feel like I don't.

______