Before I begin with the chapter, I would love it if you guys take a look at the video above. I feel like its the perfect trailer for this book. The physical attraction between ShivAnnie, the separation and now the unexplained bond between Shivika. Sorry for using this really late NarBhiholic, but thank you so much for this khidkithod VM. Lots of love sweety pie! <3

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- Mumbai -
- 2017 -

No One's POV

Anika fainted in Shivaay's arms causing havoc in the hall. Everyone rushed towards Anika being worried. But Shivaay smartly handled the situation by carrying her in his arms towards her room. Shivika's parents were handling the press and relatives present there meanwhile Om and Gauri rushed behind Shivaay being genuinely worried for Anika.

Shivaay laid her on the bed and pulled her blanket over her. She was still unconscious but was shivering badly. Her body trembled and Shivay was panicking. The blanket he just wrapped her in wasn't helping. He took off his blazer and put it on her. Just then, Gauri handed him another blanket which he puts on her as soon as he got hold of it.

'Have you called the doctor yet?', he literally shouted at Om.

'Don't shout! The doctor is on his way and you can leave now, Gauri and I are here to look after Anika!', Om shouted back.

'I'll not leave anywhere! I have rights on her now! She's my fiancee!!!', Shivaay retorted.

'She's my sister first! And for your mind information, you are the reason she's being like this! I told her to not say yes, but she didn't listen to me!', Om retaliated to Shivaay.

'Om! You know very well that I'm not the reason she's sick! And yes, we getting married is our personal issue! She was happy with the decision! I'm sure you would have instilled fear in her!', Shivaay also retaliated.

'Okay enough the both of you! Anika is being unwell here and even now you guys are at logger heads! Wah! Great! You claim to have rights and worried about her and you, Om, for God's sake, can you behave like a psychiatrist? For once, forget whichever feud you guys have and focus on Anika', Gauri knocked some sense into both the tadibaazis.

Just then they realized that Anika was no longer shivering and was back to normal. She was still sleeping though. Gauri and Shivaay were very much relieved upon finding her returning to normal. Her temperature was dropping. The perspire on her forehead began to evaporate and she was much calmer. Slowly she was gaining her consciousness. Shivaay and Gauri went up to tend to her. Shivaay sat on the edge of the bed while Gauri climbed up next to Anika on the bed. They were too concerned about Anika that they failed to notice that one soul who was petrified at the recent happenings. Om experienced a complete Déjà vu. He's definitely seen her going through that before. Has what he feared the most has happened?

Just then, Anika flinched her brows and as a reflex her right hand went up to head. She didn't open her eyes but got up and settled her back on the headrest of the bed holding her head with both her hands, hanging it low, making all her hair cover her face completely. Shivaay and Gauri were now worried for her.

'Anika, are you okay? Is your head paining a lot, should I get any medicine? Anika? Answer me Ani! Are you okay?', Gauri questioned her. 

'Say something Anika!', Shivaay urged her now.

'Offo! Will the both of you shut the fuck up! My head is already hurting so much and to add to this, you guys are deafening my ears. Just shut up now and my name is Annie not Anika for one last time', she shouted out loud shocking everyone in the room and flicked her hair behind only to get her gaze locked with the blue-green orbs which she missed so much.

'Annie???!!!', Shivaay couldn't believe what was going on in front of him.

'Shivaay!', she gasped and pulled him into a tight hug immediately. 

Shivaay didn't hug her back initially. Tears begin to find its way to both their eyes. Shivaay could feel his shirt getting wet of her tears. the tears that he was sustaining began to betray his eyes and landed on her bare shoulder. His hands immediately found their way to her back and pulled her closer to him as he buried his face into the crook of her neck. 5 years of yearning came to an end for him and as for her, she thought she would never be able to see him again but here she is in his warm embrace. Her favorite source of heat in the entire cold New York. Both of them were filing them up with the essence of their loved one. That very essence which was a drug to them five years ago. 

'I missed you so much Annie!', Shivaay muttered under his breath.

Annie broke the hug and cupped his face with a huge smile. Then, she noticed the presence of Gauri and Om in the room. Om was completely shattered. What he dreaded the most has happened and Gauri was rather baffled at the recent happening in front of her eyes. She looked around and understood that they are no longer in New York and in India. She also realized what she was wearing and of course the engagement ring on her left hand. 

'What the hell is she wearing? Does anyone dress up this much to bed?', Annie ranted quickly in frustration. 'God knows what's cooking in her brains! I wish I could get access to her mind as well so that I can knock some sense into her teeny tiny brains', she added leaving everyone flabbergasted.

'Oh, Hi Om and Dr. Gauri, how are you? Actually is it just me or you guys have really changed? Dr. Gauri has got prettier, Shivaay got hotter, I like your new hairstyle by the way. And Om, you got older! I think your wrinkles are more visible now!', she continued and chuckled at the part when she said Om got older.

'So for how long have I been dormant?', she asked at last noticing that her efforts to enlighten the tense in the air failing badly. 

'Five years!', Gauri uttered after knowing that the two man in the room are still in the trance of shock.

PRECAP : PAST or PRESENT?

- To be continued -

P.S. So Annie is back, swag se swagat tho banthi hai na? Yaa chamelli, tamatar phekne wali ho?