Chapter 2 - Beginning of the end

(This chapter reveals the circumstances that led Lisa to encounter Ruhan)

***

Lisa never thought that one day she would be estranged from her family.  Her family was loving and harmonious until reality hit them hard. She was being raised as a pampered child and her brother was being trained as the next successor of the company.

That was until her brother was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Lisa still vividly remembers that day.

That was her engagement day. She was supposed to be engaged to one of the business partner's son with whom she grew up with, Miraz Hasan. But they were mere friends.  They didn't have any romantic feelings towards each other...but of course as she didn't dislike him, she agreed to this arranged marriage. 

Everything was planned perfect.  No one would be able to tell that Lisa and Miraz were not actually in love and this was a marriage of convenience. Suddenly she heard a commotion from behind . She turned her head only to see her brother bleeding.. And after that, he fainted.

Of course the engagement could not continue that they and both families rushed to the hospital.

It was the worst day of Lisa's life. Because from that day the world she knew gradually began to change.

After a few days her brother was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. At first she didn't think it was serious but as the doctor began to describe the disease,  treatment option and prognosis..Lisa's face became darker. Because the doctor was basically saying that the disease was incurable . Her vision blurred and for the first time in her life she started crying.  Her parents was also broken.

They returned from hospital where the Hasans were already waiting for them. As they were becoming in-laws, they didn't hide anything and shared the news with them.

Mr. Hasan advised Lisa's father, Mr. Akter to keep the news wrapped up. If the media knew that the only heir of the company was sick, the price of the shares will plummet.  Lisa didn't understand most of it and returned to her room. She called Miraz but he hung up the phone saying that he was busy. Lisa didn't say anything.  She curled up on her bed and started crying.

One week later, Lisa was waiting eagerly at home for her parents and brother. They went to hospital today. They were supposed to return before lunch but it's already evening and they haven't returned yet.

Half an hour later they arrived. Her father looked lifeless as he sat on the sofa staring at a distance.  Her mother tried to console her father but in vain. Her brother looked very guilty. He bowed his head to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.  Lisa pretended to not notice and pulled her mother to her room for interrogation.

Her mother also teared up and said that the media somehow got to know about her brother and encircled them at the hospital. The shareholders were calling them like crazy and the investors began to pull of their investment.  If this continues then soon they will be bankrupt.

Hearing this,  Lisa's eyes turned cold. They only people who knew of this news were the doctor and the Hasans. Both of them were her father's friends and they were expected to keep this news confidential. However,  if this news leaked that means someone of them betrayed them.

Lisa sat on her bed and began to analyze the situation.  It didn't make any sense. Leaking this news would not give anyone any benefit. The doctor was Mr. Akter's childhood friend and there was no bad blood between them. Lisa was very much fond of him and she is accustomed to call him Doctor uncle since childhood. Lisa could clearly see the pain in his eyes when he was describing the situation that day. Besides,  he is a very honest man. He would never breach doctor-patient confidentiality.

The others were the Hasans. They were soon to become in-laws.  This news would negatively effect them as well. After pondering for a while her head began to ache. She went to sleep.

*

Last few days were hell. whenever Lisa saw her father he was trying to call his contacts and salvage the situation as much as he could.  But little did he know that the friendship based on mutual benefit breaks up easily when there is no benefit to offer.

She couldn't bear to watch him and turn on television to watch her favourite program. While changing the channels she saw Mr. Hasan on the news and turned up the volume.  After a minute Lisa froze.

Because the headline was,

" the engagement between Miraz Hasan and Lisa Akter  annulled?"