The darkness was consuming him like its own ; he ran and ran towards nothing. Sweat formed on his forehead, voice unheard, breath choked as he saw the same hallway, the blue-painted walls. He saw him again, those familiar eyes , angry at him as his feet moved forward.

He woke up, jerking his whole body . A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the haunting dream. Those walls, those eyes, still haunting... never leaving him. He took a deep breath, assuring himself that it was just a dream. Just a dream.

He ran his fingers through his thick hair and left his bed. He got ready in his tuxedo for his upcoming achievements. Tightening his tie a bit... looking perfect for an upcoming perfect day. He left his penthouse, entering the building's elevator and dialing a number.

"Good morning to you too... Listen carefully... today I can't handle any mishaps... got it? ...my schedules must be.... ready, and also, meet me at my office after the event." He didn't even give the person on the other side a chance to speak and cut the call.

"Good morning, sir..." The driver opened the passenger seat, greeting his boss.

"Good morning..." he replied, settling into the car as the driver started the engine to their destination.

"Welcome to the Asian Club Economic Startup Award ... with immense pleasure to celebrate innovation, technology , and passion , " the host announced as the show started its pace.

"Mr. Raj," he ran forward, forming a thin smile on his face. "Congratulations-" the other businessman in his fifties began, but the loud announcement of the host shut him up.

"Now welcoming the person who, with his sheer dedication, compassion, and extraordinary innovation, has entered the Asian Economic Startup Club ... Mr. Mrityunjay Vansundhara Raj... please welcome him with a round of applause," the host announced with enthusiasm. He walked as if the stares didn't melt him but instead intensified the echoes of his success. He walked, owning the hall before even speaking a word. He received the bouquet and declaration award and took the podium as the crowd fell silent .

"Ladies and gentlemen... a very good afternoon to all my fellow entrepreneurs... This recognition, though it has my name on it, my teammates... all the staff of Vasundhara Group deserve this title... their sleepless nights for thirteen years took Vasundhara from a small rented room to owning 138 branches across all of Asia. Again, thank you to all my hardworking employees." He exited the podium, award in hand, smiling... a victorious smile. After thirteen years of hard work . He didn't go to celebrate his victory but reached the headquarters of Vasundhara Group, arranging an immediate meeting.

"I'm extremely sorry to all my executive team managers for creating a hurdle in your respective jobs... but I have some announcements to make,"

he stood on stage, looking at his audience... the employees. He took a deep breath and continued, "We have been permitted to open a luxurious hotel in Chennai... a smaller success compared to what we won earlier, but these small steps need to be appreciated as much as this big achievement."

He took the certificate and placed it on the table in front of the stage. "I want all your attention to celebrate these small steps and live in the moment," he said, smiling a prideful smile.

"Remember, my respective managers, one step at a time..." He smiled, looking at the employees nodding and registering his words in their minds as he left the meeting hall, entering his office , his PA following him. "Schedule my meeting with the contractor... cancel the party..." He walked through the chatter of his building, entering the quiet corridor towards his office cabin, eyes focused on his mobile phone, reviewing his schedules. "Cancel all my schedules next Tuesday," he said, not a flicker of emotion changing, still focused on his mobile phone.

"But sir-" he said, noting his schedule on his iPad until he saw Mrityunjay 's steady back.

"Do you want to know the reason?" he said, shifting his focus from his phone to his peripheral vision.

"No sir... I'll cancel it," he fumbled over his words.

Far away, on the other side of the world, he saw someone sleeping peacefully, falling into a silence that contrasted with the city hustle outside the window until his manager walked in, frowning at his questionable sleeping posture.

"Vivan, wake up... didn't you rest the previous night, ditching all the sponsors and staff for the afterparty ? " He sat on the couch beside him, looking at Vivan in disbelief, demanding answers. When he woke, the sunlight was too bright for comfort , creeping through the windows.

He stretched his body, settling his head on the headboard of the bed. "What were you muttering just a moment ago?" He raised his eyebrow, still sleepy, with half-lidded eyes open and shutting for adjustment.

"Why did you ditch the afterparty? It 's your own success party. You got to perform on an international platform," he said, plugging in the electric kettle on the side table to boil water and sitting on the side sofa.

"Because I was drained out. I put my last amount of energy into my performance... Karthik..." He said , smiling at his manager.

"Upgrade your wooing method now. The same technique can't work after nine years , my friend," Karthik scoffed, witnessing the wooing smile plastered on his face.

"Your flight is in three hours.. . prepare yourself... that's your outfit and also beware of paparazzi out there... scary people." He took the plug out and poured warm water into a glass, handing it to him.

"Oh... appreciate it, my friend," he smiled, still sleepy, his voice husky and drained from all that singing last night.

He came downstairs from the hotel while Kartik checked out of the hotel. He noticed a big queue of paparazzi standing in front of the hotel to take pictures of celebrities from across the globe who came to perform at the international event.

"Vivan... Jojo is driving you to the airport ... just in time , hop in the van... some paparazzi might follow." Kartik wore a worried expression about how to clear the room for them to reach their destination. Just as he planned, they hopped in the van driving them to the airport. After going through all the check -ups , they finally entered their business class seats back to their country. Vivan sank into his seat, which had an intriguing captive carving pattern, with a hot brew of tea on the other side. The engine started, and an announcement was made for a better and safe journey for the passengers. He didn't rest inside; he opened his diary where all his song lyrics were written and started writing lines but soon scribbled them out .

After fidgeting with his mind to write something, he slept for the remaining flight, tired and exhaustion leaking onto his face.

He reached India , where their media people surrounded them, some congratulating him on his large milestone while others were just there to use him for their TRP.

He smiled, focusing on walking through the lane and hopped in the car, settling himself by buckling the seatbelt and taking a deep breath. "Give me the iPad. What's my schedule for the next 30 days?" he said, closing his eyes with a strained look on his face.

"Don't strain yourself; we'll review it after your proper rest," Kartik interjected . He reached his house , a two-story building decorated with flowers hanging from the boundaries and greenery around.

Vivan helped with the luggage. "Why-"

"This isn 't my luggage!" he scoffed.

"Whatever," Kartik scoffed back. Vivan's eyes lit up entering the house; the fresh scent of his favorite flower brought a smile to his face .

A face drawn in his mind flashed in his eyes , and he went to his backyard, planting more flower saplings in his garden, covering every area around the boundaries. These flowers reminded him of her. The way mogra rested on her ear was a motivation for him to cover every bit of his house with mogra.

"Again... that mogra girl , right?" Kartik shouted from the living room, unpacking his bag and looking a little annoyed with this thirty-year-old man. "It's all dreams; why are you treasuring those memories?" he questioned, coming toward him.

"If I get to know, I will definitely tell you..." He said , already lost in the 'mogra girl' memories. He planted them and reached the living room.

"Now... iPad , " he said, his mischievous nature grounded by a serious expression on his face. He opened the iPad and started reviewing his schedule.

"Why are my weeks filled with variety shows ? " he seemed annoyed.

"Because you marked a big milestone, Vivan. Everybody wants you in their show , and you're free too... so-" Vivan cut him off before he could finish.

"Did you forget what day it is next Tuesday ? " He stared at him in mock disbelief. "Cancel my schedule for next week... I'll attend all these shows after next week , " he said, crossing out events on his iPad.

He retreated to the second floor, entering his room and dropping himself on the mattress. Closing his eyes was difficult as those blue walls kept emerging from his memories, that person's eyes... so he jerked himself up and went to the washroom to relax his mind and body from the physical and emotional stress.

Hello, scrollstack reader.

Hope you like my stories. ❤️❤️