"Sir... Rahman sir got into an accident, he was taken to the nearest hospital, I'm sending you the details, please reach there as soon as possible", Rajeev spoke into the phone snatching the ground beneath.

Prateek took Rahman's driver as he wasn't in a state to drive. His hands were shivering badly.

They reached the hospital and Rahman was taken to the OT.

Prateek didn't know who to call. He has only two strong pillars. When ever he is stuck somewhere or in a problem, he calls his best friend or his daughter. Rahman supported him in everything so did Arya. She is strong and very capable, he trusted her to tackle any issue, he left all the decisions of the house to her, home finances, Karan and Kiara's education, Narayan's treatment, and responsibility to handle his business in his absence... He trusted his daughter to support him in anything except for things related to Rahman and today he needed her for the same, he needed her support, her to tell everything would be fine but he couldn't call her, he would never call her because it would trigger her pain and he can't hurt her more than he already did but he didn't know he would get helpless in front of fate in a few hours.

"Doctor... How is he?", Prateek asked the doctor who came along with other doctors after a couple of hours.

"His condition is critical, please complete the formalities, we'll start with the procedure", a senior doctor informed Prateek and walked away and another doctor explained the Rahmab's condition in detail leaving Prateek shattered.

His friend got pretty injured, and going by doctor's words it needs a miracle to save him. Prateek sat on the seater and tears started falling. It took him a few minutes to compose and get up to fill the formalities. His friend didn't have a family, his parents passed away a few years ago, his siblings have settled in other countries and he wasn't in touch with them for years. He was all he had, so Prateek was his only guardian, family and everything or so he thought.

Before Prateek could sign the formalities, Rahman's lawyer, came there stopping him. He was a mutual friend of Rahman and Prateek, he was the only trust worthy friend of them who they can trust with their secrets.

"Prateek, you can't sign anything for Rahman... He didn't give you that authority", Ashish said, giving a sad smile to his friend

"What do you mean? If not me then who? I am his only family... If not me, it must be you, sign fast...", Prateek said handing the pen to Ashish who took a deep breath.

Ashish knew it's going to be very tough for Prateek to handle this truth but he had to.

"Not me either... It's Arya... Your daughter Arya Awasti can only sign these papers", Ashish said

"Arya?", Prateek said and then he realized what Arshad told him about Rahman giving all the power to Arya.

"But that will wasn't finalized right? Also there was no mention of guardian or power of attorney in that", Prateek asked

"Prateek... Rahman got these documents made 8 years ago... According to this, only Arya has the right to take any decisions for him or behalf of him in case of medical emergencies or even related to his properties or business, he got this made on Arya's 18th birthday, I am sorry, I was asked not to tell you", Ashish said shocking Prateek.

"W...Why would he do that? When he knew Arya hates him?", Prateek asked

"Only he can answer that why, but please gather yourself, there are many other things we need to discuss, for now fill these and give them, but for any future procedures where the consent of the family or guardian is needed, you need to get Arya here", Ashish said and Prateek nodded. It's like his brain stopped working with all the things happening from morning.

The doctors started with the procedure. Prateek and Ashish sat in a secluded area.

"I don't want to talk about all these right here but it's very crucial, Prateek. If you don't act on time, there is a lot you'll lose. You have to be prepared to handle the mess if at all Rahman doesn't make it", Ashish said

"Stop uttering nonsense... Rahman will be fine", Prateek reprimanded

"It's time you think both like his friend as well as the CEO of Vetrix. Listen to me carefully Prateek, this is his will that needs to be opened after his death, but it was me who drafted it, I know each and every alphabet in it... While Arya inherits half of his shares and property, who will inherit the other half will drown you", Ashish said

"W.. Who?", Prateek asked with shivering hands. Everything is collapsing, he could feel it.

His best friend, his empire, his hardearned wealth, everything...

"Arshad Wasim Siddiqui", Ashish said shocking Prateek...

"His organization that works for the welfare of their community?", Prateek asked hoping to be true, because fighting it would still be easy but giving individual power and shares to Arshad would mean a lost battle. But why would his best friend give half of his shares to Arshad individually? What relationship did he share with him?

"No... to Arshad individually, that's why I am hell scared, if something happens to Rahman, you'll not only lose your best friend but your hold on Vetrix too, Arya would never accept wealth Or anything from Rahman, if she doesn't, even that will go to the Trust which is headed by AWS. You will be powerless, and you very well know what happens when the power is shifted to them, change in hiring procedures is only one issue, they'll bring a lot more changes into the organization", Ashish said, Prateek held his head not understanding why his best friend did this.
"There's also a personal letter for Arshad, I don't know what's in it, I was advised by Rahman to hand it over to AWS personally after his death", Ashish said

"Hey bhagwaan (oh god!) What's happening, I don't understand what should I do?", Prateek worried, his heart is aching at his best friend's condition while his brain is worried about the consequences if something were to happen to Rahman.

"Call Arya here and prepare her to at least accept half of Rahman's shares, that would help you in case AWS's men tries to take over the company", Ashish suggested
"I heard he doesn't involve much in these business issues, so maybe we just have to deal with only his men", he added

"I don't know... I can't think about anything, I just want my best friend to be fine, let them take away the company, I don't care", Prateek said, with tears slipping from his eyes.

"I understand your emotions, I know Rahman is much more important to you than all this, but Vetrix is cofounded by you both, it's your blood and sweat, may be for the sake of it, you need to be strong Prateek... You do know what they would do if they take over it, the hiring would be based on religion, they will fill the company with their people, and you know a company would be destroyed if they do biased hiring, people are asset for everyone, but for us, it applies even more, Vetrix will collapse if you don't take a step now", Ashish said and Prateek  held his head in despair.
"It's not just about you Prateek, it's about all those graduates, students whose careers are at stake, once AWS takes over Vetrix, everything will change...", He added and Prateek filled the strength in himself before dialing his daughter. It took his everything to call his daughter.

-------------------------------

"Arshad... I have to talk to you about something", Nadia said entering his son's study.

"Ma begum... I am a bit busy... Can we talk later if it's not so important", Arshad said, his mother was trying to talk to him since the day he refused marrying Zeenat.

"I won't talk about it anymore, I have already accepted your decision, I realized neither my disappointment not my upset face could make you change it", Nadia said and Arshad sighed at his mother's words.
"I found this envelope in your father's belongings, it's addressed to you, so thought to hand it to you", she added placing the envelope on the table and Arshad quickly took a look at it.

"For me? Where did you find it after all these years?", Arshad asked, taking the envelope in his hands, the date on it was about an year before his father passed away, why did he have to write a letter instead of telling him directly, Arshad thought while staring at the envelope.

"After years, I gained the strength to open and see our nikah pictures again, which are in your father's wardrobe, and beneath the albums, I found this", Nadia said and Arshad nodded.

"Are you okay? Ma begum?", Arshad asked getting concerned for his mother as he knew how hard it is for her to confront those memories.

"Yes, I am", Nadia said, maybe she might have shared her pain if he addressed her as 'Ammi'

"Okay... Anything else?", he asked his mother respectfully, she just shook her head and walked away, she was hurt at how reserved he became after his younger brother's death. Arshad closed his eyes in guilt, of hurting his mother.

Arshad opened the envelope and the tone with which his father started addressing surprised him. The letter was written in urdu and as he continued reading, his eyes widened in shock as he proceeded further. Soon a smirk formed on his face.

He immediately called Ali and both of them left to their office base to find the most important thing that's required now.

"What? So you mean you have a legal share in Vetrix technologies? Bhai... That's awesome... Allah has finally shown us the way", Ali said after Arshad filled in with the details.

Some facts people weren't aware about Wasim Siddiqui was he was a tech enthusiast. When Rahman and Prateek were building Vetrix technologies Inc., they needed investments and when Rahman told Wasim about it, he was ready to invest in it, Rahman knew Prateek wouldn't accept money from Wasim as he wasn't in favor of diluting the shares and handing them to people like Wasim who played a part in creating differences between religions, and became a reason for unrest in the country. But the investments were necessary or else they have to shut down Vetrix, so Rahman signed few of his shares to Wasim in return to his investment, Prateek was unaware of it and Wasim too couldn't openly claim his hold on the company as people would judge him for investing in a company where a hindu was a cofounder. Such was the condition then, so he decided to stay calm and trust Rahman. But when he saw Vetrix technologies growing, he thought of at least letting his elder son know about it, that time Arshad was studying, and situations weren't favorable to tell him directly, so he thought of writing a letter and he trusted almighty to make it reach his son at the right time and looks like God didn't fail him.

Wasim hid the envelope in his wardrobe beneath his wedding albums which his wife keeps looking at, once in a while, but after he passed away, she didn't think she could handle the pain those pictures cause, so she never touched them.

"Ali... First call Rahman saab... Looks like we need to have a long conversation with him", Arshad said and Ali nodded dialing Rahman but he didn't pick his phone. He dialed his home from where he got to know about Rahman's accident. Arshad and Ali with their men immediately left to see him.

----------------------------

"So...? What's going on with life?", Saket asked sitting beside Arya who is sitting in the porch gazing at the stars.

"Nothing... You tell me? How is work? Do you and chachi get time to romance?", Arya asked making Saket laugh.

"Well, we don't get time, but we make time for each other, that's mandatory", he replied making Arya smile.

"You know, you and chachi are an ideal couple, I mean your love, compatibility and understanding are just awesome", Arya said

"Well, I wish you also get a partner like your chachi with who you can become an ideal couple", Saket said and Arya shrugged trying to ignore that topic.
"Arya... It's high time you think about your life as well", Saket told her

"Chachu... I am happy like this, imagine what would happen to dadu, Karan, kiara and dad, if I go away, getting married. They all need me, and I also need them, and I am happy like this", Arya said

"This isn't called happiness Arya, these are just responsibilities you are shouldering and it's the satisfaction of fulfilling those perfectly that you are mistaking to be happiness. You haven't experienced the real happiness yet. I thought we left Karan and Kiara to become your friends and be with you always to make your life easy, but they ended up becoming a burden on you...", Saket trailed

"Chachu... Dare you call my brother and sister a burden. They are my life and I am happy taking care of them", She responded

"But Arya there's a life beyond these four walls too, years ago when you started working, I got happy thinking you will finally witness a life outside your life as a dutiful daughter because even during your college you never enjoyed with your friends, you never went for a sleep over or parties, you didn't have many friends either but just after a few months dad collapsed and you sacrificed your career. It's important that you have a life of your own too, otherwise if you look back, you will only have others in your memories, no you", Saket said

"Chachu... Isme bura kya hai? (What's wrong in this?) It's good that I have lots and lots of memories with my family, I'm content with this life", Arya said

"Okay leave about it, tell me why did you reject Sharma's match? You said you will think about it if the guy is ready to be a ghar jamai (a son-in-law who shifts with wife's family after marriage) and I exactly found a guy who is ready to do that, that guy was tired of living alone in India, both his parents live in the UK and he is ready to shift to our house after marriage, guy is good, earns pretty well then why did you reject him?", Saket asked

"Everything is fine Chachu, but he eats eggs... Can you imagine? Being a brahmin, he eats eggs and I... I can't live with such a man...", Arya said making Saket sigh...

"Beta... Arya... It's very common these days, many eat those for protein... You need to understand", Saket said

"Chachu... Yaar can we talk something else please?", Arya asked and Saket sighed.

"Fine... By the way, Did bhai call you? It's late at night and he didn't return till now", Saket asked

"Leave him chachu... He doesn't care about us now... I can't believe he is not home when his brother and sister-in-law came home after almost a year", Arya fumed

"Call him... Maybe he is stuck somewhere", Saket suggested.

"Not needed, if he is stuck somewhere, he will call his best friend", Arya spoke and her phone started buzzing.

She picked up seeing her father's contact

"Finally! You remember there's something called home?", Arya taunted

"Arya... Help... I need your help my baby... Dad needs you, please come to Axis hospitals... Come alone", Prateek said

"Dad... What's wrong? And hospital? What happened to you? Dad... Tell me you are okay", Arya asked gripping her phone tightly. Saket got worried but Arya assured him with his eyes. Saket appreciated the amount of strength his niece carried, always.

"Yes... I am fine, but you please come fast", Prateek said

"Okay... I'll be there", Arya said...

"Alone", he stressed

"Okay dad... You take care", Arya said and hung up.

She briefed to Saket about her phone call and left from there, her uncle insisted to come along but she refused, Saket asked her to take driver and she obliged.

----------------------

"How is Rahman saab now?", Arshad asked.

He and Ali thought of not disclosing about Arshad's right on Vetrix to anyone till they find proper documents to support their narrative. So they just enquired about Rahman's health.

"Operation is done... The next 24 hours are critical for him", Prateek answered

Prateek and Ashish were taken back to see Arshad there. They were worried about speaking to Arya now in front of them, she would be enraged to know about the power Rahman gave her and her anger would disclose their shortcomings to their rivals.

Prateek and Ashish expected Arya to call them as she didn't know the ward details but they saw her walking towards them. Hearing her father's shivering tone she understood that it must be Rahman who must be in hospital. Though she hated that man, she knew what he meant to her father and she has to be there for her father.

"Dad...", Arya came and Prateek hugged her and cried. Maybe Karan and Kiara tease her for fun, but for him she is his second monther. His daughter always treated him like his mother did, she scolded him, fought with him and especially took care of him like a mother.

"Rahman... He got into an accident, he is critical... I am scared... He is my best friend, you know how much I love him right?", Prateek said with tears in his eyes.

"Of course I know my lovely papa... I know and he knew too, you will be lost if something were to happen to your Rahman, so yes, god will protect him... You know god always listens to me right? ", she asked and Prateek nodded
"I will ask him to save your Rahman", Arya added surprising Prateek and Ashish while Arshad and Ali looked on at how beautifully she is handling her father as if he is a child and she is his mother.

"You will pray for him?", prateek asked knowing how much she hates him.

"Of course I will, I can't handle your rondu(crying) face, so yes, I'll pray God to let your Rahman stay with you and save me from the misery of consoling your crying self", Arya said making her father chuckle. She wiped his tears and brought him some water from the water dispenser.

"Go and take some rest in that room, I'll pray for your Rahman and enquire about his health with the doctors", Arya said and Prateek nodded, following his daughter's instructions, he can tell her about Rahman's power distribution when she comes to the room.

"Please clear the operation and doctor's fee now sir, you can clear the hospital bill after the patient is discharged", Nurse says coming to them.

"Arya... Please clear the bill beta", Ashish said, purposely asking her to take the responsibility as per Rahman's official declaration about her being his only heir, power of attorney and everything for that matter.

"Uncle... Please don't ask me to do anything for that man... Here is dad's card, pay the bill, I don't want to sign for him as if I am his family. He is no one to me and I absolutely have no empathy for that man. But I will pray for his health with all my heart, just for dad", Arya said and left to pray in the temple there, before going to speak with the doctors, leaving Ashish sigh at her hatred, Ali was shocked as he wasn't aware of her hatred before, while Arshad looked on at her retreating figure with a calm face.

Arshad wasn't used to getting ignored, everywhere he went, people respected him, extended the highest chair to him but here she didn't even glance at him or acknowledged his presence and her this behavior gave some clarity to Ali about her hatred towards particular sect.

Ashish looks at Arshad with embarrassment at Arya's open distaste for Rahman.

"I won't ask why Rahman saab gave all the power to her when she hates him so much... Because that's none of my business, but... Whatever information is my business should be known to me, I always make sure of it", Arshad said and his calm tone and his sharp eyes intimidated Ashish. Was it a subtle warning? Did he already know about Rahman's will but there's no chance of it... Then Did he say that casually? Ashish wondered.

Arshad greeted Ashish and left from there followed by Ali.

"Ali, plant some of our men in the hospital to know updates on his health", Arshad said and Ali went inside the hospital with his men to get some staff to spy for them while Arshad made a few phone calls, that's when he heard that voice, the girl who made him smile from within. Arya Awasti

"Chachu... Don't worry, everything is fine... Yeah he is critical, I really hope he gets fine otherwise dad would be shattered", Arya said into the phone.

.............

"Um... No, you don't have to come here... I'll handle... Please take care of dadu till I come... I'll call you again for detailing about his medicines for tomorrow morning, now sleep, it's late", Arya spoke in the phone, making Arshad smile at her caring self.

...............

"Yeah... I'll stay here only, dad needs me here Chachu... Take care", Arya said and hung up.

Arshad was standing behind so she couldn't spot him while he could see her.

She started walking in but seeing Lord Ganesh idol, she halted and joined her hands praying for Rahman's health.

"Please keep him safe... I'll do a fast every Wednesday till the next Ganesh Chaturthi...", Arya prayed, Arshad stood there in amusement.

He doesn't hate people that easily but he wouldn't pray for someone he hates ever, but here she is, praying for Rahman's welfare, just for her father. She was different, so different from him.

-------------------------

"Arya... Come with me... I want to speak with you urgently", Ashish said and Arya followed him making Arshad frown.

Prateek Awasti looked shattered at Rahman's condition but he also looked worried for other things, what are those? Ashish, Rahman's lawyer had anxiety all over his face as if he is more anxious to hear the news of Rahman's health rather than he is sad and worried, he tried to hide it well but Arshad saw through it. But what's making him so anxious? Was it Rahman's will Or Power transfer? They shouldn't worry about the power transfer as it's with Arya, that meant the power is with them only, so is it because of the will and what's inside it? Did Rahman mention anything about him or his father in the will? But why would he, after all these years? Arshad explored different possibilities.

-----------------------------

Prateek and Ashish detail Arya regarding the power transfer shocking Arya.

"Is this a joke? No way I am accepting this... Uncle... Do anything to nullify this... This is ridiculous", Arya fumed

"Arya... Relax... Please listen to us with a calm mind", Ashish pleaded.

"No uncle... I can't be calm after listening to this utter nonsense... I get suffocated even by staying in the same place as him and you think I take charge as his legal heir or power of attorney or whatever you call it", Arya screamed at her father and his friend.

"Arya... We have no choice... If not, Vetrix will collapse...", Ashish said

"Wait! What? How is that even possible?", she questioned

Ashish and Prateek explained all the things Rahman mentioned there and how he gave power to her but property and shares to the betterment of Muslim community.

"So in simple terms, until he is alive but in this state, I get the power to decide for him, but his property and shares in Vetrix can be utilized by the organization? And after his death, his wealth and shares are distributed equally to me and AWS?", Arya asked and  Ashish nodded.

"I don't understand this man... Why didn't he give it to dad? Why me and why the other half to that man? If he wanted to contribute for his community, he could have donated it to trust that works for them but why to a particular individual? God! Dad your best friend would make me go crazy", Arya said holding her head. Things are messed up, too messed up.

Ashish explained how Arshad wanted them to conduct hiring from fully Islamic educational institutions which is against Vetrix technologies principles and if she refused the take over, he would have the upper hand and Prateek wouldn't be able to stop him.
Ashish details her the worst case scenarios and it could become a reality if AWS takes over.

"Whatever is Rahman's condition, We should be prepared for everything Arya with our defenses, unfortunately your dad or I couldn't do much in this case, we are powerless, only you can", Ashish said

"Dis you see? The result of trusting him? He betrayed you", Arya scolded

"He gave complete power to you, my daughter, how is it that he betrayed me?", Prateek defended

"I can't believe you are still defending him? Ideally he should have given power to you, but he brought a man who has absolutely no connection with Vetrix to its board, and you still say he didn't betray you?", Arya questioned

"This is something I am not able to decode...", Prateek said holding his head, he knew his friend, he wouldn't do something like this without a reason. And if there's a reason, why did he not tell him?

After an overnight discussion and exploring multiple options, they found no way so Arya unwillingly accepted it temporarily. She absolutely detested it but seeing her father helpess is not something she could do. Vetrix is his child and she can't let it collapse in front of his eyes.

Three days passed, Rahman's condition didn't get better, Prateek stayed in the hospital with his friend hoping he would wake up soon but he didn't, the very same day, doctors told Prateek that Rahman slipped into coma devastating him.

Precap - Arya in the board, standing against Arshad.
The marriage proposal.