- Mumbai -
- 2017 -

Anika's POV

After the little shopping moment with my future fiance, we went for lunch together. I feel special whenever I'm around him. I feel a kind of secureness which I've never felt with anyone before this. My fear somewhat disappears when I'm next to him. I've hugged him thrice now, and each time I was in his embrace, the blissfullness I felt can never be put in words. I've fallen for him badly and now I'm going to get engaged to him and very soon we will be getting married. But one thing that bothers me badly is the fact that he doesn't love me and he will never be able to. How much I envy Annie for having his heart with her and being dormant. While me on the other hand, loosing my heart to him but can never be his.

I have no idea if what I'm doing is right or wrong. The desicion to get married with him is one of the bravest desicion I've ever taken in my entire life. A desicion of my own. A desicion which I hope I will not regret but even if I do, it will be worth the regret as it was my desicion. I'll face the music happily. As I was getting ready and being lost in my thoughts, I heard a knock by my room door.

'Come in! The door is open!' I projected my voice a little loud so that the person can hear me.

I was very grateful when the small figure young lady walked in through the doors. She was the one I needed. The one that can get my messed up mind clear. She entered with a wide, graceful smile. The warmth of her can be felt even at 10 steps walking distance. Her kindness radiates from within which is clearly visible through her beauty.

'Anu!!! You're looking so pretty!', she commented as she walked in towards me.

'Gauri Bhabi!', I whispered as I took my place in her embrace. The second place on Earth where I feel safe after Shivaay's arms. How much I missed her.

'I missed you so much Bhabi! I thought that you wouldn't come!', I added as I controlled the tears of joy which was welling up in my eyes upon seeing her.

'How can I not come?? It's my Anu's engagement! I'll be here until your marriage!', she reassured me.

'But how did you knew? I mean who invited you? I didn't even get in contact with you...',

'Om invited me', she replied plainly with a smile. Not the usual smile she always gives, but a plastered one to hide the sorrowness in her.

Om Bhai and Gauri Bhabi were married but it didn't work out. Somewhat I feel it's Om's fault. Gauri bhabi tried her best to keep their marriage but it takes two to tango. She got tired trying and Om Bhai failed to notice it. Soon, both decided to end the marriage. Om bhai realized what a gem of a person he missed only after their divorce but the one thing I wasn't aware of is that Gauri Bhabi was in touch with him.

'Anika?? You seem to be worried. Are you happy with whatever that's going on? Or someone has forced you to do this?', Gauri Bhabi asked me right away. It's as if she can see through my feelings by just looking at me. Such a talented psychiatrist she is after all.

I assured her that it was my own desicion and explained everything to her. It was easier to convey my feelings to her rather than anyone else. Gauri Bhabi is one of the good, kind souls who isn't judgemental at all. When she lived here, I loved being around with her. I owe whatever confidence I own today to her.

'Anu, you know very well how my marriage was. Om was least bothered about me. It was me who had to keep our relationship alive but one side effort isn't enough. What if Shivaay does the same? I was able to look after us... errr.... I mean me after the divorce. Will you be able to do the same? I'm worried about you Anu', she expressed.

I could only smile weakly and assure her that I'll be fine. Just then, Mumma came by and brought us down for the ring ceremony. Shivaay and his family were already there it seems. I can't wait to see him in my shopping. I excitedly descend to the hall with Mumma and Bhabi.

Gauri's POV

Anu seemed to be really very happy, but I'm afraid if she's repeating my mistake 5 years ago. As we descended down the stairs, I saw Shivaay looking at Anika. I saw a sparkle in his eyes, a tinge of love very well hidden. He loved her alter ego. Will he be able to love Anika?

As soon as we reached down, Om rushed to me. I could clearly see the tense on his face. How I wish I could just ignore him and walk away. But no! Everytime, everytime I fall weak infront of him. I can never hate this man despite what happened between us. Besides, he gave me the reason to live when we were separated. Maybe because of that I can't hate him. A part of him that reminds me of him everyday.

'Gauri, did you speak to Anika? What she said? Why is she doing the engagement?', he bombarded quite tensedly.

'Om relax. Anu is not a child. She's very confident in her desicion. She's made her stand and I think it would be the best if we respect her desicion', I replied to him calmly.

'But this isn't the best for her. You know that Annie is not totally gone. What if she wakes up again? Huh?', he again began to worry.

'Om, for once, please stop thinking selfishly like this. This is a big step for Anika. It takes a lot of courage and bravery of her to take this desicion. She's no longer the same reserved, very innocent girl. I'm very sure Annie won't come back as Anika is making herself bold. Shivaay will look after her. I can somewhat see it. So just relax and enjoy the wedding!', I advised in the best way possible to him.

I just really hope I could knock some sense into him. He's very much calm and composed but when there's a small problem, all hell will break loose for him. Hasty desicion maker he is.

Shivaay's POV

We were seated together on the cushion while waiting for the rings to be brought. Anika was looking ethereal in the baby pink lehenga she was wearing. She smiled and whispered 'you're looking very handsome' to me when no one was looking. I couldn't help but to chuckle at her innocence.

'Well, you're looking drop dead gorgeous', I whispered back. She blushed.

I felt like my heart stopped for a second when her cheeks went beet. Anika or Annie, this girl leaves the same effect on me. God! I just can't explain the feelings I have for her. Am  I in love with her? I mean like I missed her so much yesterday, when I couldn't see her the whole day that I found out where she was and went shopping with her today. Could it be love? No Shivaay! You love Annie. You're marrying her only for Mom and Dad.

Seriously? Who are you fooling? Aren't you marrying her for yourself as well?

Stop talking nonsense. The ring ceremony is about to begin. Just shut up! No one asked your opinion Mr. Heart. My brain is enough to tell me what's the best for me.

I somewhat managed to keep my heart quiet. It's talking too much these days. I suffered once listening to it, I can't bear to through the same painful path again.

'Good evening ladies and gentleman! First of all thank you for joining us upon such a short notice for our daughter's engagement with Mr. Tej Singh Oberoi's only son, Shivaay. We are more than happy to be having all of you here in this occasion. The ring ceremony is about to begin, so I hope we can have all of you gathered around this stage please!', Mr. Kapoor announced.

As soon as he finished his announcement, Mrs. Kapoor and Mom came up to the stage with Dad and Om tailing behind. There was another girl being slightly reluctant dragged by Om to the stage. I wonder who she is.

We stood up and exchanged the ring amidst the heavy applauds. I was the first to slide the ring into her slender finger. Her happiness at that moment was radiating through her skin. I could sense her heartbeat rate increasing due to the euphoric feel she's having now. Her cheeks turned beet again. She was looking really very cute.

When it was her turn to slide the ring, initially she hesitated being a little shy, but then she took a deep breath and slid it into my finger without further adue. Applauds began to get louder and congratulations filled our ears. There were tears of joy forming by the corner of her eyes. Impulsively, my hands went upto her face and wiped those tiny droplets at the edge of eye.

She looked up at me with a weird kind of hope in her eyes. I ccccpuldnt read through the expression she was giving. But I couldn't stop mysef from cupping her face and bringing her closer to me. I planted a kiss on her forehead assuring her that everything will be fine. There were applauds and hoots increasing in the crowd. Only then did I realize that all the eyes in the hall is fixed upin id because of my action. Damn! This is embarassing. I immediately pulled my hands down and turned the other way. Giggles and laughters echoed as an aftermath of my action.

'So much of love huh! Not bad!', Mom teased me only to get the laughters louder.

Just then, I sensed someone grabbing my right hand tightly. I turned to find a petrified Anika. She was trying to hide her fear but it was showing off through her eyes. Her eyes were fixed on something or someone next to me. But who was it?

I turned around to find quite a muscular man in his mid-30's, with long hair, but neatly pulled into a long tail with a smile on his face. I turned back to ensure if Anika was really getting scared looking at him and I was right. She is getting horrifed by just looking at him.

'Anika??!! Is everything okay??? Who is he Anika?? Why are you so scared???', I asked her very much patiently and with utmost care so that I will not frighten her further.

'Daksh mama!', she managed to whisper before clutching my hands tighter and fainted right then.

PRECAP : Past or Present??? ( you guys decide)

- To be continued -