While Holding the Pain

Shaan, a young person in his early twenties was sitting by the bedside of Ruhaan, another young person in his late twenties.

Shaan was trying to have a talk with Ruhaan but he just kept ignoring him. After staring sadly for a while at Ruhaan, Shaan took out a small box from his pocket.

The color of the packet which was once white had turned into reddish black. Taking out the ring from it, Shaan whisperingly said, "See Vai (Brother), it's still sparkling."

Involuntarily, Ruhaan turned to him and followed his gaze only to get the sight of the ring. His hand got extended on its own and grabbed the ring. He took the ring in his hand. While caressing it with love, a small but sad smile crept on his lips. In no time along with the smile, tears also made their way from his eyes when they caught the sight of reddish black packet of the ring.

Two faces came to his mind immediately and between them, one was almost burnt and the other one whispering, "I am sorry."

Like Ruhaan was seeing that incident in front of his eyes once again, he just screamed out, "Nooo!" like that day.

Whereas Shaan kept staring at the packet while letting tears escaping from his eyes constantly....

Ruhaan Ahmed,

A young, successful 27-year-old business tycoon once who was a fun-loving, caring and loving person with a cool personality got a drastic change owing to his horrible past in which the people who meant the world to him suddenly disappeared leaving his world all empty.

Tithy Hasan,

A sweet, simple middle-class girl of 22 years who dreams of a peaceful life filled with small pieces of joy. She has a family full of loving people but got to face a lot of problems.

Roshni Hasan,

A sweet, caring, hardworking and simple middle-class girl of 27 years. She loves her family dearly and very protective of them especially of her sister, Tithy. Though reality made her struggle hard for surviving and giving no sign of a peaceful future, while holding the pain she never loses hope.

Shaan Mahmud,

The only son of a billionaire business man, Jahan Mahmud. More than his father, he loves Ruhaan. He was a fun-loving, caring and loving person but facing some bitter reality, he turned cold and emotionless.

As destiny leads the way and everyone have to follow it, none can know the destination. Eventually Tithy meets Ruhaan as his secretary. And a mystery got revealing bit by bit.

Some of Tithy's behaviour reminds Ruhaan of a person close to his heart which sometimes makes Ruhaan laugh, cry, get angry and moreover cause the pain that he has been holding for a long time...

Ruhaan asked Titly making a curious expression, "Titly, what do you want to become?"

Which made Titly think for a while as she uttered, "Ummm, let me think. I will be your secretary. How's that??"

Hearing her, Ruhaan asked being all confused, "What type of aim is that!? I thought you will choose to become a doctor or an engineer or a teacher? But secretary! Doesn't it sound dull?"

Titly answered confidently, "No and It's not just a secretary. It's YOUR secretary Vai (brother)."

Not getting the point, Ruhaan again asked her, "Does that make any difference?"

"Of course, it makes a huge difference."

"Like how and what?"

Titly absentmindedly stared at Ruhaan while giving it some thought. Ruhaan broke the chain of her thought by poking, "Hey, what are you thinking?"

"I want to be with you all the time. Thus I can learn many things from you and I won't have to get scared. Being with you I feel safe. So I think being your secretary will be the best for me. What do you think Vai?" Titly innocently reasoned her plan which made Ruhaan falling in deep thought with their bitter memories.

When Titly didn't get any response, she poked Ruhaan slightly, "Vaai. Tell naa. Won't it be great?"

Without replying, Ruhaan asked Titly "If you want to be my secretary, then what do you want me to become?"

"Whatever you want to be is fine with me but I think, you should become a doctor. No no. I can't watch bleeding. Then you should become an engineer."

But after giving some thought to it, Titly declined it also considering Ruhaan will always be busy with some type of construction or house designing or something like that which obviously will be of rich people only.

"Then you should become a successful businessman who can work with every class of people while helping the needy people with solving their problems. What say Vai?"

Titly was talking nonstop while Ruhaan was staring at her finding so much amusement in Titly's voice while reasoning the idea of his being a businessman.

Suddenly there was some chaos which became loud to louder and with a scream, Ruhaan woke up from his dream.

There was still darkness outside. Being unable to sleep anymore, Ruhaan headed towards the gym. This is the room where he is generally used to spend his sleepless nights to release his frustration, anger, sadness and every other emotion on the punching bag, walker and using other equipment which he can't express to others.

Being tired, he lied on the floor after several hours. After some time he left the room and took a shower. Going in the kitchen, he made a sandwich and took a glass of juice.

Taking them, he sat on the dining table which is adjusted to the kitchen. While sitting there, he looked around the house.

His parents were sitting on the sofa gossiping happily when Titly came there running to complain about Ruhaan who wasn't permitting her to go with her friends for tracking.

Titly was talking nonstop angrily while their parents were staring at her suppressing their laughter as they very much knew whatever they would say wouldn't matter to her as she only listened to Ruhaan and if he wasn't allowing happily then she wouldn't go anywhere regardless of her interest.

But these people who meant the world to Ruhaan slowly disappeared in the thin air in front of him while gossiping. The house that seemed full of life became lifeless all of a sudden.

Tears became visible in the eyes of Ruhaan. He left the dining table with the breakfast leaving untouched.

Getting ready, he left for office...

Tithy's P.O.V.

Right now I am standing in front of a huge building of AHMED Industries where I will be working from today as the secretary of the CEO. About the CEO I am not sure how he will be as it is my first day of work.

I saw him during my interview. He seemed to be very much professional. I just hope him to be with a cool personality so I can work here comfortably.

Though fortune was rarely favorable to me, at least I can hope, right? If by any chance the CEO happens to be otherwise, I can just choose to be brave.

As says the proverb.

"FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE" is well known.

When I asked the receptionist what to do she just told me to wait in the cabin of the CEO and he will be there at any minute.

Entering the cabin, I was looking around eagerly when my phone rang off. Looking at the caller ID, I just cut the call off as it was from my so called best friend. Some thoughts occupied my mind instantly and absentmindedly I collide with someone and without seeing the person I yelled at "Watch it".

To my bad luck, the person was none but the CEO himself who was just staring at me angrily.

I immediately apologized and introduced myself "I am sorry Sir. Myself Tithy, your secretary".

"I see" he replied sarcastically.

"Whatever now listen to me carefully. One lateness and the other is absentmindedness. If you again ever found to have these two qualities that will be your last day here. You have to be present here at sharp 9 am and just physical presence will not be counted as presence as you will need to put your full mental presence also. Have I gotten myself clear?"

"Yes sir" I just apologetically replied as he uttered some words sarcastically indicating my previous act of colliding with him.

"Now go and arrange a meeting."

I am hell confused about where will the meeting be held and with whom. I don't know who needs to be present in that meeting. But I was getting afraid to ask him any question right now.

But whom should I ask then I don't know. My chain of thoughts broke when my eyes caught the sight of him staring at me.

He handed me a file. Taking the file, I opened it which contained several persons' names with contact numbers and some working projects. But I didn't move an inch from my position still not getting what to do.

Observing my situation, He asked, "What are you awaiting? Get back to work. Contact the persons of the file to attend the meeting in half an hour at the conference room".

Completing my task when I was going to his cabin to inform him about their arrival, by that time he was already on his way to the conference room with some other people.

The meeting was about to finalize a deal with a multinational company and our CEO cracked it. The presentation he prepared was praised by all.

When the meeting was over, I followed him to his cabin. He leaned on the chair tiredly closing his eyes. Observing his state, I asked him if he wanted a coffee. He just nodded as yes keeping his eyes still shut.

I rushed to make coffee but forgot to ask him about how much sugar he wanted. Thinking of what can be done, I did the same thing which I normally do. I made two cups of coffee. One with one cube of sugar and the other with two cubes of sugar. Taking two cups of coffee, I headed towards the cabin.

Entering the cabin, I found him reading a file. I placed the tray in front of him "Sir, your coffee". Without taking eyes off from the file, he extended his hand.

Now what should I do. Which cup should I say!

When his hand touched two cups of coffee, he stared at the tray then at me being confused.

I just simply asked "How many cubes of sugar, Sir?"

He instantly didn't reply. Then without answering he asked me "Are you not supposed to ask me the question first before going to make a coffee for me if you don't know? And by the way why did you make two cups?"

"Sorry Sir. As I didn't know about your sweet habit, I tried to do something I usually do while being confused". I apologetically replied.

"And what's that? Finding answers through guesses?!"

"Yes Sir. And for increasing the possibility of finding the right answer, I made two cups just in case. So how many cubes of sugar, Sir? And by the way how do know that being confused, I try to find answers through guesses?" I didn't realize that I was talking nonstop being excited and Sir was just staring at me for the time being. When he didn't answer me, I again called him.

"Sir?".

Which made him get startled. ALLAH knows why...

"One" he answered whisperingly.

Giving him the cup when I turned to leave, "Thanks Titly" I heard him whispering.

I was shocked at his behavior. He who is famous for his rude and arrogant nature, thanked me like really!

But wait what did he call me? Titly? I am not Titly. I am Tithy. When I turned to correct my name, I saw him staring at the coffee but tear strains are visible on the cheeks.

I was speechless about the situation. I left the cabin hesitantly with one cup of coffee in hand finding no clue what to do then.