10 years Later

The EF Publishing Empire Building

It was rather a peaceful day at office.With everyone chatting around. And relaxing after the hectic weekend.

" Are you sure the news is true?"

One girl asks a man. Who nods. Sipping from his coffee.

" I am not sure. It can be a rumour. But still if by any chance it's true?"

" Damn man! It will be like the biggest achievement of our company! You know no one even knows how Asra even looks like?"

" She has never been in the limelight right?"

" She refuses to reveal her identity. A mystery she is."

" But wait first tell what about that new investor?"

" Is our boss going to change ?"

The others sigh. Shrugging their shoulders.

" I hope so. This man is seriously a devil in skin! He-"

The boys words are interrupted when a chaos fills the office.

" Guys! Boss is here!"

And the boy rolls his eyes.

" Name the devil and he is here"

E

veryone scurry around. Looks of anxiousness evident on their faces.

" Bo-ss?"

" Sh*t ! Hurry! Give me the project outline!"

" Have you cross checked? "

" Are the documents edited?"

" Is the presentation ready?"

Everything turned into chaos within seconds . Women were putting on their heels while men adjusted their ties. The scene in the building, complete contrast to what it was a mere minute ago.

" Boss is quite angry today! "

" Warning ! Stay clear of his way!"

" Sh*t! Who spilt the water here! Hurry up!"

A person screams calling on the sweeper. Cleaning the beads of sweat on his forehead. Turning around to look at the mess.

They are gone today. The boss will show no mercy.

And that's when the storm enters. A sleek car stops outside the entrance of the 90 storey building.

And the chauffeur rushes to open the door.

Two shining pair of speckless shoes step down. And the person gets up. Putting on his shades.

As soon as the man stands to his full height. Everyone else bows to him.

And he nods. Satisfied.

Closing the front button of his coat. He makes his way inside. With people rushing behind him. Some asking for his signature, others for few minutes of discussion.

But he didn't pay heed. Asking them to bring it to his office.

Getting onto his own private elevator. He orders the guard to press the button for him.

While he stands uptight. With hands in his pockets.

The elevator tings and stops at his personal floor of rather his office floor, the 89 th and he gets down.

Looking around to see everyone stand up from their seats. Bowing at him.

With confidence strides he makes way towards his office. To only stop in front of an employee. Hardening his gaze at the attire.

Seeing her literally trembling under his stare.

" What clothes are you wearing? Don't you know the dress code of my office?"

She clenches her top's hem tightly. Yes, she was dressed differently. In black jeans and a top. Not on those tight fitting pencil skirts and blouses. But it was because she was not comfortable in those clothes. She felt awkward.

" I am sorry Sir...but I am not comfortable in the-"

He shows her his hand. Not asking for any of her explanations. To speak clearly and authoritatively.

" I don't give a damn to your comfort. This is my office and what I say goes here."

" Out now. No need to come from tomorrow."

" No Sir please"

But who said he was listening. Walking past her. He didn't wait for any of her explanations.

Everyone else take a deep sigh. Seeing him walk towards his room. When suddenly he stops again.

Staring at the puddle under his feet that just ruined his thousands dollar shoes.

" Fuc*! Who spilt the water here! "

No one speaks anything. Hearing him roar.To only have an old sweeper to rush towards him.

" Sir...sir..I was just cleaning it....oh no....Your shoes..."

" Oh god. Wait let me clean it "

The poor man picks up a cloth and rushes forward to clean his shoes with his hand. When the boss.

Literally pushes the man with his foot. Roaring at him.

" How dare you touch me you fil*th!"

The man falls back on the floor. Making a sharp pain to erupt in his back. His hands trembling.

While the boss, he had no pity in his eyes. Extends his palms for his guard to sanitize his hands. He looks down at the old man in disgust.

" Don't you ever touch me. You get it?"

The boss speaks in a deadly voice , showing him his finger. While the sweeper was in tears. Joining his hands , he pleads.

" Forgive me Sir. I- I won't do..it again."

" Again? There is no next time in my dictionary. Collect your paycheck today and don't you ever show me your face again."

The only man moves his head in a no. Nearly pleading. Tears lining his eyes.

" N-o Sir please... forgive me...I have 3 children to tak-e care of....how...Sir please.."

Everyone looks at the sweeper in pity but no one dated to interfere. They didn't want to get fired next.

However the boss? He doesn't bother to look down. Not affected by his tears. Straightening his coat. He was going to walk away. When the poor sweeper nearly holds his leg.

" Please...Sir... please..don't fire me! Please!"

Rage flashes in the man's eyes. Seeing the sweeper touch his legs. And this time he kicks him really hard.

" Get lost dammit!"

The old man looses his balance. And falls back. His head was going to hit a wooden table behind.

When suddenly someone stands behind him for support. Catching him at the right time.

Shivering. The old man looks back at his saviour. To nearly have tears in his eyes.

A women stood behind him for support. Her hands holding the old man's shoulder. Balancing him while her eyes? Beautiful brown orbs look down at him in concern.

" Are you fine Uncle?"

The endearment the girl used. Made the man to nod. His teary eyes looking at the girl in thankfulness.

" Thank y-ou my child.I am f-ine."

Lowering his head. He was going to turn around and leave embarresed , humiliated and heartbroken. When the girls voice stops him.

" Wait Uncle"

Holding his trembling hands. She nods at him with a smile. To turn around to the so called boss , who was staring at her in disgust.

Approaching him. Her persona completely changes. As she stares at him with head held high.

And everyone stares at this brave or rather stupid girl who dares to stand up to their boss.

They have never seen her before.

She was beautiful. With honey brown hair falling to her waist. Her brown eyes shouting confidence. And her attire?

She looked well dressed and professional.

Wearing a creame blouse. Dark trousers. An expensive looking blazer and the latest edition heels.

" NF Enterprises for the Neil Fernandes. Am I right?"

Her voice was strong. Confident. Determined. And the way she looked at their boss. Intimidating.

The boss clenched his fist. Looking at the girl in irritation. The mockery in her tone not settling well with him.

" Who are you? Have you joined today that you don't know who your boss is?"

" Talk to me with respect!"

The girl chuckles. Placing her hands in her blazer pockets.To meet his eyes again.

" No one hires me Mr Neil"

Neil scoffs. Looking at her from top to bottom.

" Who will hire a loser li-"

" Ah hun. Let me complete."

She stops him in between and he clenches his fist. Her disrespect infuriating him.

"I was saying. That no one hires me. Because..."

Moving closer. She completes her sentence. Enjoying the way he was getting tensed.

" I hire them."

A deadly silence follows. To be only broken by Neil's chuckle. Who looks at the girl in disbelief.

" Who are you bit*h? Just get lost from here. I have the biggest investor of our company coming. Don't waste my time."

Turning around he was going to walk away. When the girls extends her arm. Blocking his exit.

" Apologies to him first"

Neil turns around swiftly. Showing the girl his finger.

" I will apologise to this fil*th huh? I own this place! I can do anything here! I am their boss! "

The girl just sighs sadly. Shaking her head in a no.

" The man who judges people on the basis of their clothes. Who disrespects elders just because he can. Who considers people who are not as abundant as him as filth."

" Doesn't deserve to be called the boss Mr Fernandes."

The man's patience crosses it's limit. As he steps forward to hurt her. When the girl takes out a paper. Showing it to him.

" What's this?"

She urged for him to read .

The man takes the paper from her hands. And his entire body freezes reading the words.

Cocking her head to a side. The girl looks around to ask everyone.

" What about AR Enterprises? Does it sound good?"

Murmurs erupt as the employees look at each other. And the man steps back. Moving his head in a no.

" No....wh-o are you?"

The man asks stuttering. Looking at the girl in disbelief.

And the girl smiles. Moving closer to him. Patting his shoulder.

" Your companies new investor. Your new boss and...."

" The new author you just signed."

" The Asra Richardson."

Gasps follow as everyone looks at the girl. She...she was the infamous author? The one no one has seen before.

Chaos enters as people rush forward to take her autograph. When within seconds. Security comes from behind. Circling her.

Not letting anyone come closer to her.

" Asr-a Richardson?"

The boss speaks. His throat running dry. And mind blank.

" I am sorry ma'am I-"

His persona changes suddenly. Knowing her identity. But she stops him. Turning around to the old man. Smiling gently at him.

Holding his hands. Making him come forward.

" Apologise to him. Not to me."

The boss gulps. Feeling embarresed doing this. But knowing the girl's power. He knew he had to do this. He can't afford to be in her bad looks. He needs to impress her.

" I...am Sorry. "

The old man barely nods. Patting the old man's shoulder and giving him a gentle smile. The girl turns around to leave. When the old man stops her.

" My child"

" Yes Uncle"

Smiling. He places a hand on her head to speak.

" Bless you."

She nods. Holding his hand in her. To finally leave. With her guards following her. When Neil rushes after her.

" Excuse me. Ma'am. I am sorry. I wasn't aware you were coming here. I will arrange for a meeting-"

Asra stops walking. To dismiss him politely.

" It won't be needed. Mr Neil. You are fired "

He staggers back in disbelief. While the crowd hoots for her. Giving him a soft smile. As she puts on her shades and walks away with the security following her.

Towards the new office of her 5 th acquisition of a publishing company.

The AR Publishing company.

.....

A press conference was going on with the reporters bombarding her with question.

" One by one guys. Please."

Her assistant speaks. And one of the reporter goes first.

" Ma'am Asra ! How are you feeling after the tremendous success of your book " Selfless Love""

Crossing one leg over the other. And with the gentle smile on her lips. She speaks. The clicking of cameras surrounding.

" It feels great of course. I never thought it will reach such heights. But it all happened because of all of yours overwhelming support."

Another speaks goes next.

" But why Selfless love ma'am? Why did you chose this as the title?"

Asra sighs. To continue.

" Love doesn't always calls for reciprocity. We don't always give with a motive to get back something."

" And not always. All love stories have a happy ending."

She says the last part lowly. Getting lost in thoughts.

" You own one of the biggest chains in publishing companies! You are an inspiration for the young generation out there. What according to you is the greatest thing you have ever done so far?"

" I have learner to love myself more than anyone out there."

" I have started loving my own company. I have realised that...."

" In this world in the end. We all are alone. We are born alone and we die alone. All our pains and happiness."

" They all belong to us and no one else. Yes. We can share them with others....they can help us heal.But the burden. It's always on us."

" And we should learn to accept them. Embrace them. And move on."

" What according to you is the beginning of selfless love Ms Asra?"

Asra smiles at this. Looking down at her joined hands to look back up.

" You can only give if you have something with you."

" So according to me the begining of anyone's selfless love is self love."

" So much self love that no matter what this world says, you never doubt your own self."

" You never loose yourself in this world's hassle and maze."

Claps echo. And the reports nod. With a smile on their faces. Satisfied with her answers.

However the next question. Asra was not ready for it.

" In the end of the book. We never got to know the fate of the main lead. Did he killed himself? Was there a happy ending?"

" Ma'am please answer!"

" Everyone wants to know eagerly."

She looks around at their hopeful faces . To clench her fist. Her breathing turning rugged . And that heaviness she tries to weigh down, returns in her chest.

" He was a flawed ML . A mystery very few were able to understand. His way of showing his love for her...was very different and complex."

" He did mistakes all along. He didn't trust her. He didn't showed her his true self."

" Keeping his pains to himself. He was a foolish man who thought he could protect the ones he loved by taking all their pains on himself."

" And she wanted to hate him for it forever."

" But....."

Gulping. She wanted to continue. But she couldn't. Her eyes were tearing.

When suddenly her eyes lock with Albert's in the crowd. And he showed her his closed fist. Nodding at her. Telling her she could do it.

" But what Ms Asra?

" But all along this stupid foolish man taught her. To not love anyone to the extent of forgetting your own self."

" He taught her to love herself first. To accept her flaws. To focus on her own dreams... find her own happiness. Before finding it in others."

" He made her realise that we can't make everyone happy. So why don't we make ourselves happy atleast?

" Why we live for others and not for ourselves?"

A silence stretches as she continues with a heavy heart. Holding back her tears.

" He died in the end. But in her heart?"

" He will always be alive as the man who taught her the purest form of love ever known to exist."

" His selfless love taught her what she spent years searching in others."

" He taught her" . . . " Self love "

A lone tear falls down her eyes. And she couldn't do this anymore.

Getting up. She excuses herself. Rushing out of the reporters room to the washroom.

Staring at herself in the mirror. Finally letting those tears to fall freely.

Her brown eyes stared back at her. But still. She can't help imagine those grey ones. Smiling at her.

It's been 10 years. But still. It feels just like yesterday.His words still very much alive in her.

"Forget me Doll. Start loving yourself."

" Know your true worth. Don't let men like me ruin you....Please."

" See Aaron. I forgot you. Are you happy now? I finally moved on. I did what you wanted."

" You finally got free of your Stupid girl following you everywhere."

" Promise....me Ezra. Promise me that you will take...care of yourself when I am not there.."

" Please Ezra... please...just promise. To take care of yourself. To love this selfless girl you are. To not have your happiness depend on others."

" To live your dream. To be successful in whatever you do. Please..."

" I am taking good care of myself. I haven't cried in last 10 years since you left me."

" I learner to smile again. To love myself."

" Look at me Aaron. Your Ezra...Stupid girl is Asra Richardson now. A self made successful independent women."

" Who lived her dream . Who is an inspiration for others. Who is an epitome of empowerment and strength."

" Are you happy now? I kept my promise. Didn't I?"

Her strength was breaking today. She couldn't hold it anymore.

She has held this pain since long.. It was time to let go now.

Staring at their engagement ring on her finger. She kisses it. Breathing heavily.

Folding her hands together. To wish to the heavens above for a miracle. That were impossible in her world.

" Please.... please come back to me Aaron. Please"

" I can fill in all the sadness in me. I can replace all the pains."

" But there is one thing that still remains empty and hollow. Longing for you." . . . .

" My very heart that you took along with you."

" Please.."

" Give it back to me....you can't leave me to suffer alone.."

" Give it back"

" Please!"

She cries. Sobbing on the washroom floor. Hugging herself.

.....