Exploding emotions are volcanic eruptions. After a major upheaval, it is not uncommon for a person to be adept at emotional avoidance. This behaviour post-trauma is manifested as dissociation. Instead of confronting these overwhelming, and excruciating emotions that take over the person, they bury them deep within themselves. They tend to live away from their surroundings, their reality and themselves. But this is merely ephemeral. Magma stirs beneath their ground, shaking them with the trauma from time to time. They choose to bury their head in sand to the imminent inevitable. Unaware to themselves, the magma of emotions rises within, with time. It takes days, weeks, months or even years, a plume ascends into the sky with a deafening sound, and the lava pours out in a pyroclastic flow of unattended anguish and unshed tears. Exploding emotions are, hence, volcanic eruptions.

When her Dadi uttered those words, every cell in Annika painfully stirred. She had numbed down everything over the four years, and now, it all came all at once. She was shot with thousands of arrows. Her eyes had adagio pooling of tears as Annika sat still. Padmini raised her hand; quite similar to how Harsh had. The hand approached Annika's head.

She could feel her blood flow in her body bringing in all the latent molecules of agony. She watched her Dadi place her hand-hand that resembled her father's- over her head with tears that tormented to break the barriers she had put for years.

Lalitha's tough love didn't work. Virendar's shield didn't work.

It only took a touch.

A touch so close that gave her space to dissolve in grief, felt like the fragrance of home, brought the forgiveness that was left ungiven, and told her what she had yearned to hear in secret.

In her catastrophic catharsis, she collapsed. Her clogged throat brought in hiccups, and now her tears were down a freefall. She squalled there while she clutched her heart. Padmini hugged her as Annika cried for the first time in these four years.

By now, everyone had come. Rajendra, Virendar, and Lalitha sat beside Annika as she cried. Annika brought her knees close to her while she wailed. And everyone there let her cry.

It was heartbreaking to watch her cry, yes.

But this was necessary.

This was her cocoon cracking. This was her gradually getting her wings. This was her metamorphosis.

That being said, it was heartbreaking to watch her. Shivaay tried to be strong as he sat there. But watching her curled in tears was not bearable by the heart that loved her. Soon, he was crying beside her too, but in silence. He made sure his tears didn't catch her attention.

Annika began hysterically muttering something. Virendar made her sit, while Lalitha held her hand. Padmini rubbed her back as she tried to lull Annika.

"I can't... I was... Can't be forgiven... No... I don't deserve to feel okay... I hurt... No..." Annika frantically said shaking her head.

"Chikoo," Lalitha softly said, but it did not seem to reach Annika. "Chikoo, listen to me." Her sturdy tone quietened Annika.

With her red eyes, Annika looked at her Tai.

"Mumma and Papa love you," Lalitha said, which made Annika immediately shake her head. Rajendra cupped her cheek and steadied her. Lalitha continued, "Mumma and Papa are not angry with you."

Annika's head tilted a little while she stared at her Tai. She was still crying, and she wasn't able to stop. Before she could tell anything, Virendar had his hands wrapped around her like he always did. "They will agree with us when we say, none of it was your fault."

"Their only regret would be leaving their butterfly alone. But they took care of that by giving you a wonderful family na, baccha?" Padmini looked at the Oberois and smiled through her tears. Her words made Annika look at Shivaay. He was standing with his family now, but when Annika's eyes met his, he took a step forward that told her he was there.

Annika was taken inside the room. Her eyes hadn't stopped flooding. She was drowning in her tears, even now. But this time, she was able to breathe. Shivaay stayed with her while the others left their room. The Trivedis were headed back to Delhi, and although reluctant to leave Annika at that state, they bid their goodbyes.

"Bhaisaab..." Lalitha called out Virendar while they were going to leave. Rajendra handed him the signed papers and a bag. "Update us about her."

Virendar nodded, "Bhabhi..."

"We did what we did with only her in our heart. You two should leave it at this," Rajendra finally spoke. He patted Virendar's back and took his wife's hand. They took their leave from the Oberois and left with heavy hearts.

After hours of crying, Annika had finally drifted into sleep. Shivaay did not move away, and he lied there hugging her. He was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep that night. He ran his fingers through her hair. His shirt was covered in her tears, and her cheeks were stained. He kissed her cheek and pulled her closer. She tightened her embrace, and Shivaay pulled away to see if she was awake. She was still sleeping as her face erased the traces of woe a little by little. He stroked her hair, yet again. If he could take her pain away, he would happily do that. But now, he could only be there with her. His mind was racing through a lot of queries. It took him a while, but he finally fell asleep.

*

Annika had visions of swimming through red waters that resembled blood. She woke up with a jolt. The room slowly got back to normal, but she wasn't sure. Shivaay wasn't beside her. She dabbed the mattress as if that would summon him. She got down and rushed out of the door. The whole house was eerily silent. There was an irrational fear that started creeping into Annika. She spotted Pinky, who was headed to the stairs. Annika called out her name and ran to her.

Pinky was taken aback when Annika crashed into her chest. Soon, she started hearing sniffs. Omkara, who was passing that way, also came to their side. Pinky said some reassuring words to her, and they took Annika back to her room.

"Shivaay didn't want to leave you, but there was this meeting. He said he would be back before you wake up," Pinky said as she tucked Annika in.

"Pinky Aunty?" Annika called in a frail voice. "Do you regret marrying Shivaay to me?" There was so much vulnerability in that question which only made Pinky want to sob for her little girl.

"Shivaay would kill me if he knows I let you complete that sentence. Now, don't think anything and sleep." Pinky smiled, and Annika looked at her intently.

"You still didn't answer my question..."

Pinky caressed her forehead and said, "I am happy he gave me my daughter."

Annika's eyes filled up again. Pinky wiped her tears and looked at Omkara. "Stay with her till I get back."

Omkara sat on the chair beside the bed and held out his hand. Annika took it gratefully and looked at him with pursed lips.

"I'm a crying mess, aren't I?" She looked at him apologetically, and Om immediately shook his head.

"It's okay, Annika." He smiled at her. After a little while, Annika fell asleep again. Omkara took out his phone and saw a text from Gauri.

How is Di? This is all because of me.

Is she fine?

Are you crying now?

He saw her type for a long time, and he knew what the answer was.

I'm fine, Omkara Ji.

Of course she is, Om shook his head and looked at the sleeping Annika. These two girls were the same.

You'll feel better if you see her. Be ready. I'll pick you in a while.

He shut his phone, and Shivaay walked in, more like, scurried in at that time. Omkara gestured him to not talk, and slowly rested Annika's hand on the bed. He then tiptoed out of the room which made Shivaay give him a weird look, and left to pick up the other damsel in distress.

Shivaay knew Annika was a heavy sleeper. He lazily lied beside Annika on the bed, checking Instagram for a while to pass his time. He sensed her stir in her sleep, and he immediately looked at her. She drowsily opened her eyes and stretched her hands. Yawning, she looked at Shivaay whose concerned face now had a small smile.

"Heard you were looking for me," Shivaay said as he caressed her cheek. Annika immediately snuggled closer to him. She did that a lot lately; not that Shivaay minded it even a little bit.

"I'm clingy, right?" Annika looked at him apologetically, and Shivaay chuckled.

"Not at all, sweetheart. I'll wake you up next time before I leave." He gave her a doting smile, and she gave him a subdued nod. "So, are we planning on breaking the fast?"

"I'm not hungry, Shivaay."

"When I said don't eat, I meant the junk; not abnegate food entirely." Shivaay pressed his lips into a thin line and paused for a second. "How about I get you brownie and ice cream?"

"Remind me to get you a hearing aid soon." Annika rolled her eyes, and Shivaay arched his eyebrows.

"Married to you for a year... Now I don't know what your favourite cartoon was..."

"You don't?" Annika frowned.

"Totally Spies and Jackie Chan Adventures, that's not the point. I do know you get crabby when you're hungry." He gave her a smug smile and turned to get up. He saw Om and Gauri near the door, and Gauri had a weird smile on her face.

"I was going to knock." Omkara scratched his neck with a sheepish smile and continued, "Gauri didn't let me, and I don't know why."

"They were having a moment, silly." Gauri reprimanded, which made Shivaay and Annika pull away. Shivaay sat up straight, and he was very sure that Gauri said an 'Aww,' which made him go a little pink.

"And we come with food. Mom sent you biryani, Di." She sat and pulled out a box from her bag. Gauri was itching to ask Annika how she was feeling, but seeing that she had stopped crying, Gauri refrained from asking that. Annika took the dabba eagerly, which made Shivaay scoff.

"Of course, you aren't hungry," He said with his voice drooping with sarcasm, only to be ignored by Annika. The aroma of the biryani hit his nostrils, and his mouth salivated a little. But of course, Annika never shared food. Thankfully, Gauri took out another box and handed it to him with a face full of mirth. Obviously, Gauri knew Annika very well. When Annika started hiccupping, they shared a knowing look before Shivaay gave her water. Pinky brought in more food, and in no time, the room transformed into a dining room much to Shivaay's dismay- and Annika didn't seem to have a problem with it. He didn't complain though, because she was starting to talk, and even joke a little now. But again, old habits die hard; she could be hiding all her emotions once again. Gauri and Annika spent the rest of afternoon chatting before Gauri left.

After dinner, Shivaay entered their room and looked out the French window. Annika was at the poolside again, staring at the sky. She had her legs in the water and was fiddling at the leaves of the plant nearby. She looked a little lost, and her eyes looked melancholic. Sighing, he went outside to join her. His hunch before was right. One thing that surprised him was how she didn't immediately put on her mask after seeing him. He sat next to her and rolled up his pants. The icy cold water sent him in shivers when he immersed his legs in the pool, and the cold night's wind did not help him. His teeth chattered a little, and Annika wrapped him with the nearby rug. He was sure that they'd be defying clichés had Annika had a coat.

"How did you survive Boston? It's almost warm today."

He was about to protest, but his voice died out when he saw her pale face. That day must have been emotionally draining for her; especially, having to confront exigent emotions was unchartered territory for her.

"Do you...?"

"Need anything? You've been asking this all day, Shivaay." Annika gave him a disapproving look.

"Ask me. I'll get you anything." Shivaay assured her, and she gave him a dodgy glance.

"Hmm... I want pizza..."

"Sure, I'll order it for you."

"No, I want you to make pizza."

"Done." Shivaay was about to get up when Annika caught his hand.

"I'm not. I also want chocolate croissants."

"Sure, I'll look up for the recipe."

"And, get me a unicorn."

"Sure... what?" He looked at her and, Annika looked away with a face full of mirth. "This was mean. I hope you know that."

"Are you going to cry now?" Annika faked sympathy before chuckling. He rolled his eyes but eventually smiled when she ruffled his hair. "I thought you hated it when someone touched your hair." She looked at him, confused.

"Someone," He said as he pulled her closer. Her eyes shone with something new; something he hadn't seen before. She smiled a little, and it wasn't her fixed guarded smile. She rested her head on his shoulder and started humming what sounded like an old Hindi song. "Annika?" He called.

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

I'm here early!
I am so glad I started writing this story.
And I am eternally grateful to everyone who stuck with this past two years.
Thank you.❤️

Please do give it a vote and comment. I'd really appreciate to hear from all of you. Especially the silent ones.😌❤️