Things hadn't been really rosy for shivaay and Annika after moving to goa. They had to leave their family back in Mumbai. Shakti and pinki's pleading faces still flashed in front of shivaay's eyes. Rudra's cries and dadi's breakdown was still afresh in his mind. Sleep was far from his eyes. Slowly he got up while making sure Annika wasn't disturbed. She too had seen a lot since the past few days as if her own childhood was less miserable. Caressing her hair and planting a kiss on her forehead he made way to the living room.
Sighing he sat on the sofa with his head buried in his hands. He had started to lose hope about which only he knew. He was now tired of all this. How could his family go through all this despite of him being there. The great Wall of SSO had crumbled.
Suddenly the lights of the room came on. He looked up only to find His strength , his Annika standing there. She looked absolutely cute rubbing her eyes like a baby. A small smile formed on his face.
"What are you doing here Annika ? Why did you wake up ?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking this question shivaay ?"
He averted his gaze in order to avoid answering her question because he could not lie to her. He knew he would be caught. On getting zero response Annika walked towards him and sat beside him on the sofa. Taking his hand in her she made him look towards her.
"Shivaay I know something is bothering you. Please tell me what is it ." Annika asked with pleading eyes.
Maybe it was time to let it out. He thought.
Shivaay laid on the sofa and kept his head on her lap. Annika stroked his hair gently with one hand while securing the other around his waist.
"Annika I was 10 years old when bade Papa and badi maa started having problems in their relationship. Bade Papa forgot about his family and started staying till late in office. Badi Maa drowned herself in her alcohol addiction. Omru and prinku had no one to look after them. I knew how it felt to be neglected by parents since Mom and Dad were never affectionate towards me. Not that they hated me but they never spent time with me. I had only daadi. But I couldn't let omru and prinku face whatever I had to so I took up their responsibility. I learned to cook only so they didn't had to sleep without eating. When we grew up I wanted to become a doctor but I gave up my dreams so that omru could do whatever they wanted to and instead joined the oberoi business.
Why was I held guilty annika ? I know the entire family thinks I betrayed them but how could they think so low about me ? " Shivaay had tears rolling down his cheeks while Annika was heartbroken on listening to him.
" I did everything I could  Annika. I always kept my family as my top priority but they didn't even think once before accusing me. Sab kehte hai I'm the great Wall of shivaay singh oberoi par aaj Mai haar Gaya Annika. Mai thak Chuka hun. " Shivaay sobbed burying his face in her lap while Annika hugged him tight keeping her chin on his arm. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. It was heartbreaking to see her shivaay so weak. The entire family was dependant on shivaay. They had never seen his side of the story but always burdened him with responsibilities. Being the obedient son he had never denied. But wasn't this unfair ?
"Annika the day you came into my life I felt I could finally share everything with someone. Someone who is only mine. You have been my strength. If not for you I would have di.."
"Shivaay" Annika placed her palm on his mouth preventing him from talking further. She made him sit straight.
"Don't you dare talk about it again" Annika spoke engulfing him in a tight hug.
He hugged her back and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Annika moved her hands up and down in order to calm him. They stayed like this for a few seconds when shivaay broke the hug and just stared at her.
"Annika you remember when Mom brought mahi to oberoi mansion? She got her own son kidnapped. How could she Annika ? She declared me illegitimate so that she could make you leave. Why Annika ? Why couldn't she let me be happy? " Shivaay was now bawling like a baby.
Annika pulled him close to her chest and let him vent it out. She kissed his forehead numerous times in order to calm him down. But today whatever shivaay said was correct. The family had always used him for their selfish motives. Nobody Actually cared for him until they needed him. Omru , prinku being an exception. Annika noticed his breathing was even now. Not wanting to stress him anymore she carefully held his face in her palms and slowly kissed his forehead followed by his eyes then his cheeks and finally his lips. Shivaay wound his arms around her petite frame and kissed her back. Breaking apart he rested his forehead against hers.
"Shivaay aapko pata hai aapke aane se pehle Meri Zindagi ekdum 2 rupees thi. Meri koi pehchan nahi hone ki wajah se mujhe hamesha logon KE taane sunne padhte the. Lekin jab Mai aapse mili aapne mujhe vo saari khushiyaan di , aapne mujhe hamesha protect Kiya. Aap Meri duniya Hain shivaay.
Mai manti hu Jo aapne Kaha vo sab Sach hai sivaay ek baat KE"
"Konsi baat Annika?"
"Ki mere shivaay kabhi haar nahi maante. Shivaay aaj oberoi empire Jo kuch bhi hai vo sirf aur sirf aapki vajah se hai. Aur aap haare nahi Hain. Hum ek nayi shuruaat Karenge Jahan sirf aap aur Mai honge shivaay. Mai aapke saath hu aur hamesha rahungi"
Annika spoke caressing his face lovingly.
"Thank you Annika for trusting me and believing in me. You're right. Hum ek nayi shuruaat karenge.
I love you Annika"
"I love you too mere tadibaaz baghadbille"
Shivaay chuckled on hearing the last word.
"Chalo Annika I guess we should sleep. Raat kaafi ho chuki hai"
That night shivaay felt a lot better than he had ever. A burden was finally off his heart and now he could not wait to begin this new journey of his life with his Annika beside him.
Shivaay snuggled more into her and dozed off.

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I know it's been really long and I really don't know how is this shot.
Will try to post more one shots since the writer's block is finally over I guess.
Also this shot wouldn't have been possible without Shivikabest ❤️❤️