Chap_1

16 Years Back

Williams Mansion

At the breakfast table, James Williams, one of the renowned businessman of the town was having his breakfast without bothering to look at the people who were looking at him with hopeful eyes.

When he was done, he left for his room. He was supposed to have an important meeting early in the morning.

Having something to talk to him, his wife followed him to the room. But their conversation ended up in argument which had become one of their normal activities since long back. Though his wife stood sadly, not caring a bit, James got ready and left the room.

While thinking of the meeting, he got downstairs again. As soon as Kathleen, a five year old baby girl who was his daughter caught his sight, she started running after him with a handmade painting in her hand.

"Daddy, look. I have drawn this for you. Isn’t it beautiful?"

Without turning to look at her even for once, her father, James Williams left the house.

Running up to the entrance of the house, Kathleen turned back inside with tears in her eyes.

Finding her mother on the staircases, she ran again to her, "Mom..."

When Mrs. James saw her daughter in that state, she got down hurriedly.

Kathleen hugged her leg while sobbing.

Mrs. James took her in her arms and sat on a sofa.

"What happened sweetie?"

While saying this she wiped her tears and cupped her small face.

Kathleen showed her the painting and said, "I have drawn this for daddy but he didn't take it."

Mrs. James looked at the painting with a sad smile. She knew why her husband behaved like that but still how could he..!!

She thought he was happy with her that's why she tried to talk to him again gaining so much of courage but it didn't even work for a single bit.

How could he be like this! Was he the same man before also? Then why didn't she notice this!

She wondered.

While thinking the things, tears also made their way from her eyes.

She came back to reality when Kathleen wiped her tears and innocently said, "Don't cry Mom. Coming back, Daddy will take it. It's so beautiful, isn't it Mom?"

Mrs. James hugged Kathleen and said, "It's beautiful, sweetie."

Kathleen hugged her mother and patted her back.

Finding her daughter doing that, Mrs. James again started crying silently.

When Kathleen was born, Nathan, their elder son was 3 years old. Her father showered Nathan with so much of love and care. But he showed the least of interest in Kathleen.

Only her mother loved and cared for her but she left early leaving the innocent little soul behind with her so called family that included her father and an elder brother who never cared for her a little bit.

She went on craving for their attention and care only to get ignored terribly.

At college, she got a friend, Jenni who was more like her sister and cared for her. But Kathleen didn't get to share anything about her family with her as she didn't want Jenni to think bad of her family.

Jenni knew almost everything as she understood seeing Kathleen's condition but couldn't do much about the matter.

Knight Mansion

Nothing but crying sound was being heard for the last 2 days in Knight mansion.

Alina, a girl of 13 years old was trying to console her brother, Adrian of 8 years old like a big girl.

Their parents died in an road accident 2 days back leaving the two siblings behind all alone.

Ethan Greystone, the best friend of Evan Knight (Their Father) was trying his best to make them smile but nothing was working.

At night after putting Adrian to sleep, Alina was standing by the poolside thinking about her parents and crying, when Mr. Greystone went up to her.

She was blankly staring at the sky without paying heed though Mr. Greystone kept calling her name for a while.

He had to leave for London for his business but he also didn't want to leave these siblings behind in that state.

After thinking about the situation, he made up his mind to take them with him.

They were not agreeing with him nonetheless he took them to London with him forcefully so that they could forget their bitter memories and start afresh.

Present Time

Williams Mansion

Kathleen prepared the dinner for her family all smilingly with Mary, their maid who was staring at her sadly. On the dining table Kathleen kept looking every two minutes at the faces of her father and brother only to find out if they liked the food without touching her own food.

But as usual they didn't bother her existence let alone saying anything to her. Her father gossiped with Nathan (Kathleen's Brother) without turning to her even for once. When they were done with their foods, they left the dining table.

Kathleen did nothing but staring at them. When his father and brother disappeared out of her sight, she also left from there without eating.

Entering her room, she grabbed the photograph of her mother. Hugging tightly the photograph, she laid on her bed.

Tears started flowing from her eyes as she silently screamed, "Why did you leave me, Mom? Why?! I Miss you"

Remaining like that for some good hours, she fell asleep. Tears stain was visible on her cheek. But there was none to wipe that and console her now.

Having a dream or something, she was woken up from her sleep when it was still dark outside. It had been her habit to wake up like this. Knowing she wouldn’t get sleep anymore, she got down from the bed. Getting freshen up, she sat by the window and stared at the sky. There were still some stars seen on the sky.

She wasn’t looking at them though. She was thinking about her life and her mind kept sending prayers to God to send at least a little ray of hope to her life so that it wouldn't remain like a dark and closed room forever..