Nightfall's Lament!!

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-Present-

Amara who lay in her bed asleep, kept shifting sides, her face sweating, body cooling up. She kept murmuring few words that went unheard, her hold on the sheets tightening without her notice as they trembled, and with a sudden terrible scream, she woke up, feeling short for breath.

Her heart pumped faster while her gaze wavered, in the darkness of her room.

It was still midnight, not so long from when she slept. And she had a nightmare, again.

A sigh escaped her as she leaned back against the bed wall, feeling defeated.

Her heartbeat slowly steadying.

With a sigh again, she got off her bed, reaching for the window that was open, the gently swaying curtains welcoming her, her eyes taking over the beauty of the night as the full moon displayed itself in the sky, elegantly.

It was two years now that she had been having the same nightmare!

The dream that always reminded the tragedy of her life.

Amara, a young twenty-four years old lady, once was known for her lively nature, her soul a mixture of childishness, naughtiness, and kindness. Her journey from wanting to become a doctor to finally becoming a news reporter, in past two years, were miserable though she made them go unseen.

She had a lovely family, small, yet lovely! Her being the apple of her parents' eyes.

Those parents whom.....she lost in an accident.

The incident still vividly remembered by her. It was their anniversary back then. Such a beautiful day it was! The moments when she helped them in getting ready, excitedly wanting them to look more beautiful, embraced her again.

She sent them off with a wide happy smile, and did they return?

They.....never did!

A sigh again, escaped her as she leaned in, to the wall, her hands folded, eyes shutting themselves.

Seems like, she would never get over this!!

Amara took a deep breath, the smell of petrichor again taking over her.

How strange was it, to keep sensing it despite of no rain?!

The morning came early enough yet her sleeplessness made her in believing of it being delayed.

And her daily routine began, with her getting up fresh, preparing a small breakfast for herself only to end up having it in hurry!

Amara later then had to leave for work, locking the doors, when she reached the car, she was dumbfounded to find the tyres punctured.

Weren't the tyres fine last night? How come are they punctured now?!

She didn't have any time left to fix it right now, and she needed to hurry up so she could at least catch the bus.

She walked to the nearest bus stop, however, it was frustrating to acknowledge that she was late enough to miss the bus and the next one might take half an hour to arrive which she doesn't have! She needs to quick up herself cause she was late enough!

She finally decided to hire a ride, trying for any taxi available, and hopefully she got one.

Within half an hour, Amara arrived at her office and paid the driver for hiring, saying thank you.

As she stared up, the view of the highly stood company welcomed her; "We Care".

The one her uncle owns, though her uncle had his business set in different categories, she choose this branch for her career.

Wasn't it just a way of diverting herself anyway?!

A bitter chuckle escaped her.

"Why are you so late?" a sound welcomed her almost in a hurried tone.

Amara needn't even had to look at who it was, she could immediately recognise who was the one talking to her.

"Just a bad morning, what about Sarah?!"

"On her job, covering the wedding event."

Yeah, the wedding event, of the Renowa's chairman's youngest son, the managing director.

"Actually we were waiting for you to come but we couldn't wait for longer right! The whole country is waiting to see the bride of the country's famous "RENOWA's" (company name) Managing Director, and the daughter-in-law of the Chairman! If any problem occurred in telecasting the event then our director will become a devil and ghost us for a month, no, may be for a whole year?!" Ralph shook his head.

Amara chuckled, "Let us get going then."

"By the way, is she doing it all alone?!" Amara enquired regarding Sarah.

"Obviously not; in Oliver's assistance!"

"And I was waiting for you. We can't go without our head right! " Ralph said with a soft smile.

"How sweet!!" Amara briefly reciprocated the smile before slaying it with a serious look, "We're getting late!!" she scoffed.

Ralph rolled his eyes, holding back a "Weren't you the reason?!" with a chuckle.

Soon they departed for the event before Amara registered her entry in the entry book, both sharing the company's car.

"Isn't it disgraceful for you to be late, especially being our head?!" Ralph questioned as he took a look at the stuff, checking whether everything required for the coverage, present or not.

Amara who was looking out of the window, still feeling haunted by her nightmares, shot him a glare at his question.

Ralph chuckled awkwardly when he noticed it, "Okay, okay! I know you are our head, HEAD OF CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT, andd also do I know that you are the closest person to our director. I must respect you." he tried to cover up the situation, "However.... that doesn't make me incapable of questioning you!" Ralph then defended himself.

"Until you know your limits as a colleague!" Amara scoffed.

"And as a friend?!" Ralph asked again with a soft smile.

This man!

Amara looked away, her sight again being captured by the view outside, "I said the morning was quite bad for me, didn't I?"

Ralph nodded, with a chuckle again.

The car took a sudden halt making them realise that they have arrived at the event.

"Amara!" Sarah called out as soon as they got off, her voice a bit high in excitement, however soon being corrected by her before anyone could notice,"Head, you arrived... thanks to heaven, you're on time!"

Amara smiled at her, and they all got in, getting into work, while Oliver also joined.

Sarah began recording the event, Ralph helping her. Oliver was clicking photos, and Amara was already done with a short interview with the chairman, considering her trait of being clever and calm, her skills good enough to grab an opportunity. The interview went smoothly by her asking some important and event related questions. And at last with a "Is the Managing Director's wedding, I mean your youngest son, somehow related to your business?"

The Chairman smiled softly, "It's expected!"

The man shifted in his seat, as of to speak more conveniently.

"My son has his own choice, and right to choose what he wants! I don't want my son to struggle between his personal interests and professional life, if his personal life is affected, he will be disappointed, and that will not only effect his professional life but also my happiness!" The man replied with a smile.

"And moreover, I believe in his choice, and I should accept it, my daughter-in-law is indeed the best one for our family....I won't regret choosing her as my family member. This marriage is not at all professional...it's just a tale of love!!"

Amara couldn't help but smile, being impressed with the man's reply. She couldn't help but appreciate it.

A tale of love!

Like her parents'?!

Amara couldn't help but call back the tale she heard from her parents, their story a blossom of spring, an epitome of love.

She thought the Chairman was not only the best in his professional life but also in his personal life, being a best example for a businessman and a father, both!! This made Amara think of her own father. She thought, what if her parents were still alive and were leading a happy and comfortable life with her. If she ever fell in love... would they also accept her love like what the Chairman did, or.... would they reject it?! She was excited to know her parent's feelings about her love interests if any in future, and at the same time she was disappointed and sad that it would never happen, neither her escalation over the interest in love, nor her curiosity being satisfied to know about her parent's feelings.

"It's so nice of you Sir, there are very less people in the world like you now-a-days, who is very open about their children's opinions, choices and also choose to value them. I can't help but appreciate your decision."Amara said politely.

The Chairman gave her a warm smile "I am pleased to hear that. Please suit yourself and enjoy the party, with your friends!"

"Thank You Sir! It's my honour to have your interview!" replied Amara, letting the interview end in a gestured manner.

Now, Amara was enjoying the party, with her colleagues, as everyone finished thier work. They decided to take a moment to enjoy a little before they leave the place. Everyone were having their preferred drink.

Amara having her soft drink admired the environment, which again made her realise how much did the man love his son, the efforts clearly visible at the way the place was lovingly decorated.

From the red carpet to the roof, with a mesmerizing chandelier hung in the centre of the room, neat arrangements of furniture. It was beautifully amazing.

And suddenly she caught a sight of a beautiful pair of golden eyes.

A sight that stunned her, to see a person with a golden coloured pupils, and especially those eyes staring her with a stern look.

Amara couldn't help but stare back at those eyes more and more, in a blend of wonderment, curiosity and amusement.

Her gaze slowly cascading down, taking a brief look at his body. His existence like a treasure of handsome-ness. Being six feet tall, his hair shiny silky black, skin so fair, nose quite long yet perfect, chiselled face, broad shoulders!

The suit he wore though was in accordance with trend, gave out a charm of royal wear when he wore it, almost manipulating her to think of him as a....prince?!

A creation as if the God himself had created him!

And suddenly the man who was staring her from distance, his one hand gracefully holding a glass of wine while the other leisurely resting in his pocket, smiled at her!

Amara if not amused enough, was now, being drowned in the ocean of amusement.

Unknowingly admiring him and his smile, she unintentionally smiled back. His smile feeling like a precious one, a sense of peacefulness embracing her.

"Who is he?" Amara questioned herself amused, completely unknown of others who clearly heard her.