The car came to a stop in front of the dog farm. The driver honked making two of the guards open the large iron gate hurriedly.

A wooden plate on the wall beside the gate says: 'Rooh's World'. 

The car entered inside while the guards locked the gate behind. A large ground lay ahead of them with rooms build at each side of the place. The trees standing tall at the boundary in each side, the sheltered swimming pool at one corner with some dogs present in there having the best time of their lives.

They didn't notice her or else they would've run towards her, jumping on her, caging her with their utmost love. Their tails wagging at the speed of light, their booties shaking continuously.

This was her dream. The dream that turned into a beautiful reality because she believed. She believed that she could do it and she did.

"from today, this is your new home baby. you will be safe here, you don't need to worry about food, you don't need to worry about shelter when it rains, you don't need to fear that someone might beat you with stick for sleeping in front of their house. this will be your happy place from now" she baby talked him while taking him into one of the rooms which was labelled as medical room for the kids there.

"Ambar, dharuv kahan hai? Iss baby ko jldi se treatment ki zaroorat hai. iski taang mein chot lgi hai" rooh walked into the medical room and made the baby lay on the stretcher carefully.

(Ambar, where is dharuv? this baby needs urgent treatment. His leg is hurt)

Ambar, a 20 years old sweet, soft spoken shy girl. Her parents died in an accident when she was 3 years old. Her uncle and aunt harassed her all her life, tortured her, made her do all the household work and never let her attend school. She was an illiterate.

A year ago her uncle and aunt were about to sold her into a marriage with an old man. Her whole life was a trauma, she wasn't ready to take another one. Her cousin who was younger than her wanted to help her as he never hated her like his parents did.

Giving her all the money he had, he helped her to run away. Reaching railway station she had gotten into the first train that she saw at the platform in front of her not knowing where her life would take her.

The train was from Punjab to Mumbai.

Mumbai, a city of dreams for many but not for her. She just wanted to survive in this big city, to have a little shelter, some food to eat and she was good.

The first thing she asked for was a gurudwara anywhere near the railway station. Taking a bus she managed to reach the gurudwara and that was where she had her first meal in Mumbai.

Sitting in the open space outside the Darbar hall she was thinking about her next destination. She had no idea where she would go now but God had.

Tears flowed down her eyes as she prayed to God to help her. 

Taking blessings from God rooh along with her father and grandmother walked out of the Darbar hall while sitting in front of door, Ambar's tears had caught their attention.

"arre, kya hua aapko? aap ro kyun rahe ho?" rooh being the definition of kindness couldn't see the girl crying which made her kneel down in front of her holding her hands in concern.

(Hey, what happened to you? why are you crying?)

"m-mujhe pta.... nhi ab mein yahan se kahan jaun" Ambar cried while her words came out broken.

(I don't know where to go from here)

"beta ji, achhe se puri baat btao. kya hua hai?) raghuveer took a seat beside rooh while dadi chose to stand as it would get difficult for her to get up from floor due to her knee pain.

(Child, tell properly. what happened?)

"aap log meri help kroge? agar help kroge tabhi btaungi nhi aise anjaan logon ko kuchh nhi btana chahiye" she asked in between her sobs while her words made the family smile.

(Will you guys help me? If yes only then I'll tell you others it is not good to tell strangers anything about yourself)

"aap mujhe jaante ho?" rooh asked thinking if she might have seen her music videos.

(Do you know me?)

"nhi" the girl shook her head making rooh pout as she looked at her father who chuckled at her reaction.

(no)

"it's okay. leave it. I promise hum aapki help karenge, aap bas baat btao kya hui hai. theek hai?" rooh asked in her sweet making Ambar feel little relaxed. She nodded at him cutely agreeing to tell them her story.

(It's okay. Leave it. I promise we will help you. Just tell us what had happened. Okay?)

"mere chacha chachi meri shadi jabardasti ek budhe aadmi se kra rahe the. vo na papa log jaisa lgta tha itna bda tha. merko nhi karni thi usse shaadi toh mere chacha ke bete ne meri ghar se bhaagne mein help kari aur mein yahan pohnch gyi. ab yahan mein kisi ko nhi jaanti, na mere paas boht saare paise hain. mujhe samjh nhi aa raha hai mein kahan jaun" she told them her story sobbing in between while rooh had her tears flowing down her eyes already.

(My uncle and aunt were forcing me into a marriage with an old man. He was around the age of a father. I didn't want to marry him so my cousin helped me to run away from home and now I am here. I don't know anyone here. I don't know where should I go)

"aapke mumma papa?" raghuveer asked while his own eyes were moist listening to her story.

(What about your mom and dad?)

"unki death ho gyi thi jab mein 3 saal ki thi" she revealed another heartbreak to three of them.

(They died when I was three years old)

"I am so sorry. aapko itna sab jhelna pda life mein" rooh wrapped her arms taking her in a hug while Ambar responded to her hug feeling a sisterly vibe from rooh.

( I am so sorry. You had to go through so much in your life)

"Beta ji, aap ko chinta karne ki koi zroorat nhi hai. aap humare ghar chlo. hum aapka khayal rakhenge. aap humare sath rehna koi dikkat pareshani nhi hogi beta aapko" raghuveer offered understanding her situation and her helplessness while rooh and dadi were equally in agreement to the idea.

(Child, you don't have to worry. come with us to our home. you'll stay in our home. we'll take care of you. you'll not face any kind of trouble there)

Ambar looked at them with gratitude reflecting in her eyes. She could not believe that she met such kind family within a few ours of her staying in Mumbai. She couldn't feel more blessed in that moment but she also couldn't go to their home to live like a burden. That was what she felt about herself.

A burden.

"mein aapke ghar mein nhi reh sakti. aap merko koi kaam de sakte ho?" she asked, her voice filled with pain and hope.

(I can't live in your home. can you give me some work?)

"par kyun? aap humare chlo na, humare ghar mein hum teeno hi rehte hain. dadi papa aur mein. aapko kuchh ajeeb nhi lgega" rooh tried to make her agree while Ambar smiled in response seeing the care she had never received in her life.

( But why? come with us. there is Grandma, papa and me only in our home. You won't feel awkward there)

"aisi baat nhi hai par aap merko koi kaam dedo na, mein khud kama kar khud ka kharcha uthana chahti hun" she insisted making the family sigh.

(It's nothing like that. Please just give me some work. I want to earn and take my own responsibility)

"theek hai beta, mein aapke liye apne office mein koi kaam dekhta hun" raghuveer took out his mobile to dial some number.

(Okay child, i'll arrange some job for you in my office)

"uncle, vo...vo mein padhi likhi nhi hun toh office ka...kaam" she looked down feeling unable to complete her sentence as she felt so small in that moment.

(uncle, I am illiterate so office work...)

Rooh felt sad that she didn't get a chance to go to school but she didn't want to ask anything that could make her uncomfortable.

"achha, aap ye btao. aapko janwaron se pyaar hai?" rooh asked as a thought came in her mind and things could turn out perfectly only if Ambar had some love for voiceless in her heart.

(Okay tell me, do you love animals?)

All the staff in 'Rooh's World' was those people who genuinely loved and cared for animals. Only animal lovers could handle those babies with real care and not just for money.

"arre mujhe toh janwaron se boht pyaar hai. aapko pta hai humari gali mein na ek kaalu rehta hai, mein usko roz khana deti thi, chachi se maar bhi padti thi agar vo dekh leti thi par mein chhupke se usko khana zroor khila kar rehti thi. aur aane se pehle mein vikas ki duty lga kar aayi hun usse khana khilane ki. vikas ni pta hoga na aapko, vohi mere chacha ka beta jisne meri bhagne mein help ki thi" the excitement in her tone as she talked about her 'kaalu' made her love for animals clear in that moment only and on top of that she got the beatings but didn't stop feeding the dog was another proof.

(Yes, I love animals so much. You know, we have a black dog in our street. I used to feed him daily. sometimes aunt used to beat me whenever she caught me feeding him but that didn't stop me from feeding the poor soul. And now before running from home I had asked my cousin vikas to feed him daily)

"Bas phir mil gya solution. mere paas aapke liye ek perfect job hai aur rehne ke liye jagah bhi. aap humare sath chlo bas" rooh was fully excited now as she stood up pulling the girl along with herself while her father chuckled already knowing his daughter's idea.

(Okay then, I've got a perfect job for you and a place for you to live in. you just come with us)

"theek hai" ambar agreed without asking anymore questions as she had started to trust the family with the way they behaved with her with such calmness and love.

(Okay)

That day rooh had brought her to this place and ambar loved it here. She needed to feed the babies twice a day and something to drink in the afternoon such as plain lassi ( a drink made with yoghurt or buttermilk)

There were quarters on the first floor for the staff working there. Two old ladies, a middle aged widow, four men used to live there with two guards at the gate.

Seema Gupta, a middle aged veterinary doctor along with dharuv Verma, a yound male veterinary doctor would visit there on alternate days as the medical help was always available for them.

This was Ambar's destiny or there was more to explore. Only time will tell.

"didi, dharuv bhayiya ko call aa rakhi thi vo abhi bahr ko gye hain. mein bula ke laati hun" ambar responded looking at the dog with sadness before moving out of the room.

(Sister, dhruv brother had received a call so he went outside. I'll go and bring him)

A minute later dharuv came back with ambar and started the treatment of the dog while ambar helped him by passing the things he required. She had learned a lot in the last one year and was now aware about giving an injection in emergency and the first aid treatment, about some basic medicine to cure pain and infection.

"He will be fine rooh. I've cleaned the wound, it will take some time to heal" dharuv informed a while later as rooh  sat on the chair waiting to know his condition.

"I am relieved. Thank you dharuv. Now this baby needs a name so what should we call him?" rooh was excited for the naming part. She had kept names of so many dogs living in her farm.

"His name will be shishimaru" rooh clapped her hands in excitement as she felt proud of her choice of name while dharuv and ambar gave her a look making her pout.

"What? why are you both looking at me like this? Shishimaru was my favourite from ninja hathodi. I always wanted to name one of the dogs here as shishimaru so this cutie is our personal shishimaru from today" she insisted making the two of the sigh.

"didi, aap hi aise naam rakh sakte ho. aap bhi kisi cartoon se kam nhi ho" ambar giggled making rooh fake glare her.

(Sister, only you can give such names. You are a cartoon yourself)

"shishimaru, I'll come back to meet you again. Now I have to go, bye baby" she caressed his back and waved at ambar and dharuv before moving out of the room with a contended feeling.

________________________________

"Rooh, you are just brilliant. This song 'ek khawab" felt so surreal in your voice. your voice is truly God's gift" the producer praised her once she came out after recording the song.

"thank you, sir" she nodded at him politely while the two of them talked more about the song.

Entering into a room rooh sat on the couch. Her throat felt relieved as she gulped down some water from her bottle kept on the table in front of her. Closing her eyes she rested her head back getting into her relaxed mode.

A knock on the door made her whine as she didn't want to talk to anyone for some time but she could never be rude to anyone.

"Come in" rooh answered softly as she set straight. Arjun entered the room making her sigh while he took a seat on the couch in front of her.

"rooh, I think now we should discuss your next project" arjun suggested politely.

"Yeah, go ahead arjun" said rooh in a low voice making Arjun look at her keenly. She seemed lost for a second before nodding at him politely.

Rooh had never made any friends in her work field. She never felt connected to the people of her industry. It was a fake world even behind the cameras and she didn't want to be a part of that world.

Singing was her passion and she chose to stick to that rather then getting engaged with the things she didn't want to.

She was the most grounded person to work with. Her team was loyal to her, they admired her because of her politeness, her treating people with equal respect irrespective of what their work position was.

She always treated her team with respect, being humble to everyone but she had always kept her professionalism. She would not open her heart in front of anyone.

She never felt that connection with anyone with whom she could share about her thoughts, about what she felt, what was going in her mind, how was she feeling. She would keep everything to herself.

"Rooh 'Ek khawab' song's video is yet to shoot. The producer wants the song to be released within this month only. He wants the video to be shot in this week only and you don't have any projects lined up for this week. Your co-star Karan is also ready to shoot this week so shall we finalize it for this week only?" asked Arjun explaining her calmly.

Rooh gave it a thought for a moment. There was nothing important in this week and she doesn't like to keep the team waiting. As everything was planned smoothly she thought to go for it.

"Sure arjun, I am ready. Inform me after discussing everything with the team" rooh demanded.

"Yeah, Of course" Arjun nodded.

"Okay Arjun, I'll leave for home now" rooh stood up taking her handbag from the couch as they both walked out of the room.

_________________________________

"Raghuveer Malhotra, iski beti ko kidnap karna hai" a man in late fifties dressed up in a royal blue three piece suit spoke.

(You've to kidnap the daughter of Raghuveer malhotra)

"Paise jitne tum bolo. zyadan kuchh nhi karna hai bas isko kidnap karke apne paas rakhna jab tak mein chhorne ke liye nhi bolta" he continued.

(You'll get to decide the amount. All you have to do is kidnap her and keep her to yourself until I say to let her go)

"wajah?" standing against the window looking outside with a drink in his hand, adhvay demanded the reason to kidnap her.

(Reason?)

This was his rule. He wouldn't kidnap someone or kill someone until he knows the reason. The reason decides if he wants to take that task or not.

"mein raghuveer ke sath ek project par kaam kar raha tha. humari partnership thi uss project ke liye lekin abhi usne deal cancel kar di hai toh construction site par kaam ruk gya kyunki uske mann mein lalch aagya hai. usse pta hai ab mera paisa fasa hua hai toh kaam bich mein chhor nhi sakta toh vo chahta hai ke hum ye kaam 30-70 ke profit par karen. jab tak vo papers par sign nhi karega kaam chaalu nhi ho payega aur mein itne bde loss mein nhi jaa sakta" the man lied smoothly though his voice was laced with irritation and frustration.

(I was doing a project with raghuveer. We were partners for this project but now he has cancelled the deal in the mid way and that made the construction work stop. He has got greedy because he know that now my money is stuck in this project so he wants to make the ratio of profit as 30:70. Until he signs the papers, the work can't start again on the site and I will face a huge loss)

"toh usne bhi toh paisa lgaya hai uska bhi toh nuksaan hoga. koi apna nuksaan kyun karayega aise project bich mein chhor kar" he reasoned out while taking gulping down some alcohol.

( He also has invested his money. He will also face the loss why would someone cause his own loss by leaving the project midway?)

"arre uske paas paise ki kami nhi hai. usse koi fark nhi padega agar nuksaan hota bhi hai, fark toh mujhe padega na" the man moved his hands in the air feeling frustrated.

(Because he has enough money so this loss would not make a big difference in his life. But it will be a huge loss for me)

"agar itna hi paisa hai toh profit mein 30-70 kyun chahta hai?" he wouldn't accept the task until he is satisfied with the reason.

( If he has that much money then why does he want the share to be 30:70?)

"kyunki yehi toh uska tarika hai, logon ke sath bich project mein fraud kar ke hi toh aaj itna bda businessman ban gya hai" the man now seriously wanted to get done with the conversation.

(Because this is his way. that's how he has become this big of a businessman by fraudulent activities)

Adhvay took another sip of his drink while his mind was working fast trying to see if there was anything unfitting in the situation. He wanted to be sure about every aspect of his task.

"toh usko kyun nhi uthana? uski beti ko kyun?" he threw another question making the man want to run away from there but he knew if he had to convince adhvay, he had to answer his every question.

(So why not to kidnap him? why his daughter?)

"kyunki mujhe pta hai usko kitna bhi torture kar len vo nhi karega sign. uski jaan uski beti mein basti hai, uski beti ko zra si bhi problem aayi toh vo bardash nhi kar payega. iss liye iss kaam ke liye uski beti hi sabse best option hai" a dirty smirk played on his lips as he thought about making raghuveer beg in front of him to let his daughter go and take his signature.

(Because I know that he would not sign the papers no matter how much we torcher him. His daughter is his lifeline. If anything happens to her he won't be able to tolerate. That's why his daughter is the best option for this work)

"ek baat yaad rakhna. mujhe jhuth bilkul pasand nhi hai. agar ek bhi baat jhuthi nikli, I'll make sure ke tu agla din nhi dekhega" his voice was calm but the danger laced beneath that calm tone could be felt by that man.

(Remember one thing. I hate lies. If any of this comes out false, I will make sure that you don't get to see the next day)

For a moment he felt scared of the consequences if adhvay ever got to know that he lied. But for now he needed those signatures of raghuveer and after that this matter will be closed and adhvay will never get to know the truth.

"Of course I know, why would I lie to you" he kept his voice confident not wanting to get caught though he was scared inside.

"5 crore" Adhvay demanded casually taking another sip of his drink while his back was still facing the man.

The man seemed a bit shocked as five crore for just a kidnapping was too much but he knew who was standing in front of him.

"Done" he agreed thinking about the loss he was facing because of raghuveer.

"ladki ka naam?" Adhvay demanded looking out of the window with his one hand tucked in his pocket.

(Girl's name)

"Rooh Malhotra. Mujhe nhi lagta uski photo ki koi zroorat hogi. Boht famous singer hai vo. Issliye ye kaam bade dhayan se karna kyunki ye news boht jaldi failegi" the man suggested.

(Rooh Malhotra, I don't think her photograph is required as she is a famous singer. you will have to do this work quite carefully because this news will spread very fast)

"mujhe mera kaam mat sikha. paise rakh aur dfa hoja" Adhvay's tone was sharp, dangerous this time making the man gulp in fear.

(Don't teach me my work. Keep the money here and get out)

Adhvay never tolerate anyone interfering in his work, trying to teach him his work. He has his own ways to do his work and he never changes that. He knows what he has to do.

The man chose not to utter another word in front of Adhvay. Keeping a small bag on the table he dashed out of the room not wanting to be a prey to Adhvay's anger.

"Rooh" he breathed out the name even before he could realise. Gulping down the whole glass he looked outside as a smirk played on his lips.

________________________________

Walking in her grandmother's room she climbed on the bed and sat beside her who was watching television getting bored.

"bore ho rahe ho dadi?" asked rooh clinging on her dadi's arm.

(are you getting bored grandma?)

"haan beta, bore ho rahi thi toh socha t.v. mein hi dekh lun kuchh" kalyani kept the remote aside as she started caressing rooh's head.

(Yes child, I was getting bored so thought to watch something on television)

"tu kaisa hai mere bache?" kalyani asked making rooh smile as she kept clinging to her grandmother's arm.

"mein toh ek damm first class hun dadi. aapko pta hai aaj maine ek boht hi pyaara sa song record kiya hai" a smile played on her lips as she talked about her work.

(I am perfectly fine grandma, first class. you know today I recorded a very beautiful song)

"achha? toh kab aara hai ye geet? hume bhi sunna hai apni rooh ka naya geet" kalyani demanded with a smile.

(really? so when is the song going to get released? we also want to listen to our rooh's new song)

"abhi 2,3 hafte mein aayega dadi. par aapko toh mein abhi 1,2 din mein hi suna dungi" she was really excited as she kept talking about her work to her grandmother who listened to her with a smile and kept caressing her hair lovingly.

(The song will be released within 2,3 weeks grandma. But I'll make you listen to it within a day or two)

"aur dadi pta hai aaj ek chhote se puppy ko chot lag gyi thi toh mein usse dog farm mein chhor kar aayi hun" rooh then talked about the dog telling her grandma the complete story.

(and do you know grandma today I dropped a puppy in our dog farm. He was hurt grandma)

"Koi baat nhi beta. ab tune usse wahan chhor diya hai na dekhna ab vo jldi se theek ho jaayega, tu chinta mat kar" knowing her granddaughter who was way too attached to animals, she knew that rooh would be sad thinking about the poor dog.

(It's okay child, now you have dropped him there, he will get better very soon. you don't have to worry now)

"achha dadi, mujhe na boht bhukh lagi hai, mein Meera didi ko bol kar namkeen chawal banwa leti hun aur jldi se fresh ho kar aati hun phir hum chawal khayenge" rooh caressed her stomach with a pout adorning her lips making her grandmother laugh.

(Grandma, I am feeling very hungry now. I'll tell Meera sister to make us yellow rice. now I'll go and quickly freshen up then we will have rice)

"theek hai beta, tu aaja fresh ho kar jldi se" kalyani agreed to which rooh quickly got off the bed and wore her slippers before running out of the room.

(Okay child, you do and freshen up quickly)

_____________________________

Post dinner rooh helped her grandmother to go to her room. They talked again while rooh pressed her legs reliving her leg pain.

Raghuveer was stuck in some business party and he had called rooh to not to wait for him as he would get late. He had told her to sleep on time saying that by the time she would be awake in the morning, her father will be there waiting for her on the breakfast.

Once her grandmother was asleep she carefully walked out of the room without making any noice. Entering inside her room she closed the door behind and walked up to her bed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs handing down she looked around observing her room keenly.

Her room was a definition of class and elegance. There was nothing that she couldn't afford but there was this void in her heart that she couldn't fill with anything money could buy.

The room has all the comfort one can ask for yet she never found peace in that room. There was this strange restlessness in her heart, a craving for something she couldn't understand.

The sukoon she craved for was something this room couldn't offer. She has a loving father and a grandmother yet she feels as if a part of her life is missing. Something was missing in her life.

Shrugging away her thoughts she took off her slippers and slipped back on the bed. Resting her head against the headrest she closed her eyes. The morning incident played in her mind taking her thoughts to him.

Again !

"Har baar koi bachane nhi aayega" the words rang in her mind while his face flashed in front of her. That intensity in his eyes as he looked at her made her shudder.

(Not every time someone will come to save you)

She was wrapped in his arms with him holding her close. He was a stranger or maybe he wasn't but she didn't feel an ounce of discomfort with their proximity in that moment.

She had felt something in that moment. A sense of familiarity. A sense of belongingness !

As if things were meant to be this way. As if she was meant to be in his arms. The thought of what she was thinking, where her mind was leading her, it scared her.

"kon ho tum? kyun baar baar mere saamne aa rahe ho?" she mumbled to herself as she opened her eyes scared with her own thoughts.

(who are you? why are you coming in front of me again and again?)

She needed to stop thinking about him. Blocking her thoughts she held her mobile and dialed her father's number.

"haan mere sher? kya hua beta?" asked her father the moment he answered the call.

(Yes my child, what happened?)

"papa kab tak aaoge aap ghar?" asked rooh switching on the television.

(when will you come home papa?)

"bete abhi thodi der pehle hi toh party shuru hui hai. thodi der toh rukna padega aur kuchh investors ke sath kuchh deals bhi discuss karni hain toh late ho jayega. tu so jana rooh time se, mein aa jaunga beta" her father made her understand patiently.

"theek hai papa, apna khayal rakhna. I miss you" her tone was sad this time making her father sigh.

(Okay papa, take care of yourself. I miss you)

"I miss you too mere sher. subah breakfast karenge na sath mein rooh" raghuveer tried to lighten her mood.

(I miss you too my child, we will have breakfast together in the morning)

"Yes papa, bye" soon she hung up the call and kept her mobile aside focusing on the television screen.

A while later the lights went off taking her breathes away. The room went dark with no lights. It scared her. It never happened before.

Panic rushed in her veins as she stretched her hand hurriedly to find her mobile that she had kept beside her on the bed but her panicked state made it difficult for her to find it.

Footsteps echoed in the room making her breath stuck in her throat. Her body froze as she felt a presence in her room.

Something was wrong. She understood but it was too late.

Before she could get a hold of her mobile, a hand came from behi

nd her covering her mouth with a cloth. Her hands moved up to push the hand away making her scratch her nails on the unknown hand but the grip of that hand didn't loosen.

Within seconds she felt her movement slowing down, her mind going into sleep, her body loosening slowly. She could herself drowning in the darkness.

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