Chapter 1

They say the people who exhibit the most kindness have experienced a lot of pain. The ones who act like they don't need love, are the ones that need it the more. The ones who take care of everyone else's needs are the ones who need it the most. And the people who smile a lot may be the ones who cry a lot when there is no one around.

And that person is me, I'm that person. I am one of them who put a happy face facade in front of everyone including my own family and best friends.

I have mastered hiding my anxiety, depression and sleepless nights under the perfect smiling face.

They all call me Ruhi, a SOUL but deep down they all know my soul has left my body a long time ago.

Every day I opened my eyes after a not-so-good sleep in the hope to get a day where it feels like I'm not falling apart anymore.

But it's okay. I'm used to it now.

"Ruhi... will you hurry up, guests will be here any minute and I don't want them to know how my daughters are so lazy. Are you coming or do I have to drag you here by myself?" My mum shouted from downstairs as I was in my room getting ready for today's dinner.

I wore my maroon traditional dress today. It had golden designs on the kurta with sleeves reaching below my elbows and Dupatta on the right side shined bright like stars.

Today my mum's best friend Anjali Aunty was coming with her family for dinner as they came back yesterday in Pune. They are the owners of Raut Industries & co. Though I haven't met them in person, my mum has told us so many memories they have made in school. My chain of thoughts broke as mum screamed my name again.

"Ruhi, if you don't come here this instant; you will be seeing flying high heels coming towards your face with the speed of light."

"Jeez! Coming, mum" I shouted back.

Let me introduce my one and only beautiful boss lady of our family Mansvi Patil. Right now she is as angry at me as I am; The lazy ass of this family was again late getting ready and helping my mum to prepare dinner. Let me tell you, the angry side of my mum is the one you never want to see. Don't judge, she is a total sweetheart and caring person but if something is not going according to her then God helps us with the situation.

My mum is a housewife and my papa owns a small transport company. 'Patil's Transport & services.' My papa Abhijit Patil is a self-made man. That's why we all respect him so much. He is our hero. I have a Little sister. who's not little anymore. She is nineteen years old now, preparing for a medical entrance exam, Pihu Patil.

I came downstairs and went to the kitchen to help my mum. Before I can even touch any utensils, a loud glass-shattering voice came from the living room and we both ran up to the hall hurriedly. Small pieces of Papa's favourite vase were spread on the floor like stars in the dark sky.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is my most clumsy sister in the world; who was sitting on the floor with a glass piece and teary eyes as it cuts her palm.

"Oh God, are you okay, Pihu? How many times, do I have to tell you to slow down and try not to get hurt. What if something bad happens to you due to your clumsiness? Do I need to remind you every minute to be careful?" Papa scolded her while running towards Pihu and helped her to stand up. My mum came with a first aid kit in her hands and treated her wound with a worried look on her face.

"Is it hurting too much, Pihu? Do we need to call a doctor? " Mum asked, a little alarmed.

"No, Mum. I'm fine. It's just a small cut and I'm so sorry papa for breaking your favourite vase. I swear, I'll try to fix it" said my over-sensitive sister, Pihu.

"It's okay, Pihu. That vase... well, we can buy that again." Papa reassured her with a tight-lipped smile. Even though I can tell he was fuming from inside. It was his favourite vase and let me tell you it was a bit expensive. But the thing is he loves us more.

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ruhi Patil. I was born on the day before my grandfather took his last breath. When he held me in his arms for the first time, he was the happiest man alive and that time he said I'm the happy soul of this family. So my parents named me Ruhi, that's what my parents told me in my childhood.

Ruhi as in Soul.

Exactly after ten minutes, the doorbell ringed. My mum opened the door and we heard a small squeal from both my mum and Anjali aunt aka Anjali Raut.

"How are you, Anji? I missed you so much." Mum pulled Anjali aunt in a tight hug.

"I'm as always awesome, Viii. Tell me about you?" Aunt asked with all excitement while coming inside. "I'm also good." Mum answered as papa and Mr Raut greeted each other.

Anjali aunt looks like she is in her late forties with brunette hair. She is like 5'7 or something. while my mother is a really short woman in front of her. My mum has midnight black hair. Pihu got her hair from mum, while I got chocolate brown hair from my papa.

Mum and Anjali aunt hasn't been in contact with each other since aunt left for Germany to