- Mumbai -
- 2017 -

No one's POV

'Gauri, wait up, I'll send you back!', Om called her out.

'That's okay Om! I can get back myself!', she rebuked as she swiftly made her way towards the entrance.

'Why can't you just stay for the night, huh? Look at the rain out there! It might be dangerous Gauri!', Om informed her.

'Om, I can't stay here. I have other responsibilities as well!', she replied sternly.

'Yeah! Your job! It's more important than Anika for you! I know!', he lashed out.

'You know what Om, I was so wrong to be in contact with you after the conference the other day. I thought you might have changed but no. You might be the best psychiatrist in India but you fail to understand people around you Om. And I think you never will! You're a jerk and you'll remain one! Om... do you even have the slightest idea of how difficult it is for me to be here after our divorce? To face uncle and aunty? Yet I came here! Not just for Anika but for you as well! So now, I request to you, please don't expect more than this from me! I have another life already Om. I have someone in my life. I have to give importance to him as well. He needs me as well. And as far as Anika is concerned, I'll get back here tomorrow. We can't talk anything out of Annie. I'll get back by myself! And sorry for snapping out just now!', she screamed out initially crying bitterly but then she composed herself.

She can't fall weak in front of him. She can't show that she still loves him. She can't afford to make the same mistakes again. Om has not changed a bit from the last time. He's still the same self-centered man she left 4 years ago. She can't let him know that she still loves him no matter what. She's well aware that whatever desicion she takes now will not just affect her life but also the life of Ori. The little soul depending on her.

Om took a little while to digest what Gauri has uttered. The revelation of another person in her life pierced deep down into his heart. He wanted her back in his life but he's too late now. She's moved on. He came to a conclusion that she doesn't love him anymore.

'I'm sorry. I was just concerned about how you'll get back home in this weather. That's all. Thank you for coming Gauri! I can understand taht you have another life now. I get it. I'm sorry. Good night! See you tomorrow!', Om uttered and left her just like that. He couldn't control the tears overwhelming in his eyes. Gauri left in her car right after he left.

Om sat on the sofa in the living room with a thud. All he wants was to be happy but it can never happen. His happiness, Gauri is no longer his. One of the worst mistakes of his life was the divorce. He regrets it till date. Just when he was consuming himself in the pool of guilt and regret, someone placed a glass of scotch with two I've cubes in it on his palm. He looked up to see Shivaay holding on glass for himself.

'I guess we badly need this! It's a long day for the both of us!', Shivaay voiced out, crashing next to Om on the sofa.

'Where's she?', Om asked sipping in the scotch given by Shivaay.

'In her room, sleeping', he replied plainly.

'Why do you want to marry Anika?', Om asked further.

'Frankly speaking I don't know! I mean I have feelings for her but I just don't know what they are! I care for her. She looks after my family so well you know. And she loves me. So when the proposal came in, I had to say yes. It has nothing to do with Annie if that's what you are worried about!', Shivaay opened up to Om.

'Don't marry her if you're not sure. You might end up breaking both your heart!', Om warned him.

'Talking from experience?', Shivaay questioned him with a tinge curiousness in his voice.

Om plainly nodded as he finished the drink. Shivaay refilled it immediately for him.

'Annie believes that alcohol is the solution to everything you know! While Anika always says that pain gets reduced by sharing them. And I'm a huge believer of both these statements. So, Om, I know things haven't been great between us but now that we're going to be a family, you can share it with me! Who knows, we might just get a solution to your problem. Mine is beyond complicated! But still, I'll help you in all possible ways!', Shivaay reassured him.

'It's too late now Shivaay. She has moved on. She's got another guy in her life and I'm stuck with her thoughts. Still in love with her!', Om confessed.

'Hmmm... I personally think she hasnt moved on yet. If she has, she wouldn't cry for you or get angry at you! She reprimanded you with full authority. So, whomever she's being with now, one thing's clear that she's not in love with him!', Shivaay voiced out his opinion. Om looked at him confused as to how Shivaay knew that she cried just a little ago.

'Errr... I heard that conversation just now!', Shivaay grinned sheepishly.

Om just shook his head disbelievingly. Yet, he was feeling better after hearing what Shivaay has told him. Now he knows why both, his sister and get alter ego are head over heels in love with him. He's a very sensitive and understanding guy. To add to this, he's like an open book. So easily read. Om misinterpreted him as a person with hidden agenda at first but now he's sure of Shivaay.

'So are you trying to say that I still stand a chance in Gauri's life?', Om asked.

'Yeap! You sure do! Go for it bro!', Shivaay encouraged him.

Om thought for a moment and then let out an unwilling chuckle.

'What happened?', Shivaay asked.

'A few hours ago, we were at loggerheads. Ready to land each other's fist on our faces at the very first chance but here we are now. Bonding over scotch and love problem!', Om laughed.

Shivaay couldn't help but to agree to Om's statement. They clinged their scotch glass and said, 'for all the upcoming drinks together!'. They continued drinking for a little longer as Om blabbers about him and Gauri,  giving more information to Shivaay.

'Anyways, enough about me now! Tell me about how you are feeling! I mean this whole Annie stuff!', Om asked Shivaay.

'Hmmm... what can I possibly say Om? When I've finally accepted the fact that Annie is no more and decided to move on, she's back in my life! Unexpectedly! She was a miracle in my life Om. She brought out parts in me which I never knew that it existed before. She was one hell of a woman! Anika was the complete opposite. She was the calm one. One simple glance and smile from her can do wonders. I mean I know that they share the same body but their personna is different. Both of them carry a different charm. A totally didferent charm which can make me get so lost in them', Shivaay said it dreamily.

'So you're actually in love with both of them and that too at the same time?', Om asked.

'I don't know Om! It's complicated!', Shivaay sighed.

'I get you bro! I really wish we can get to the root of the problem and solve this issue for once and for all!'

'And the only way to do that is to get Anika to talk!', Shivaay said with much confident.

'But that's the hardest part! Anika never opens up! And we can't even hypnotize her', Om sighed.

'I'll try to get her open up to me once she's up. She opened up to me the last time when she got to know about me and Annie! I'm pretty sure I can make her do it again!', Shivaay said confidently.

'Let's hope for the best! Gauri will be back tomorrow morning by the way!', Om informed him.

'Okay! I'll talk to Anika and you will talk to Gauri!', Shivaay said firmly.

Both the guys agreed to it and poured one last glass before calling it a day. They wished good night to each other and went to their respective rooms.

Shivaay had to pass by Anika's room to get to his room. He thought of looking at her once before sleeping to be sure that she's fine. Just when he entered her room, she flinched and stirred on the bed for a few times before getting up.

Anika woke up with a heavy head and was about to collapse when a strong pair of arms held her in the right moment.

'Shivaay?', she exclaimed surprisedly.

'Are you okay Annie?', he asked her.

Anika jolted his hand away upon hearing the name Annie and looked at him sternly as she said, 'I'm Anika! Not Annie!'.

'Please stop all this wedding facade if you're still finding for Annie in me. She's gone! I love you Shivaay. I can't have you thinking about another woman even though if it's my alter ego. I can't bear to do it. Don't give me a hope to hold on if you don't mean it!', Anika added with the same stern look.

Shivaay just pulled her into a right hug leaving Anika super confused. She stood numb being unable to understand his reaction. She just reprimanded him and he's hugging her here.

'It's good that you're back!', he whispered.

Anika broke the hug right away and distanced herself a little from him.

'What do you mean by I am back?', she questioned being sceptical.

'You went dormant for a couple of hours and Annie resurfaced instead!', Shivaay confessed truthfully.

Now everything hit Anika. She remembered seeing Daksh Mama's face the last before collapsing. It was because of him. It has to be him. Afterall, he's the one who put her in the trauma all those years. Anika crashed back on the bed thinking, putting all the pieces of puzzle together.

'Anika, don't overstress about it now! Just sleep okay?', Shivaay persuaded her to sleep first but as soon as he made her lay on the bed, tears found their way to her eyes increasing his concern for her.

'Anika, why are you crying?', he asked her sitting on the edge of the bed.

'Why is she back Shivaay? Why am I so weak? Why do I need her to protect me every time? I finally thought she won't return! I was so confident that I can go through this! I tried so hard Shivaay! I tried! I didn't want her back! She's such a nuisance!!! How I wish I never created her! Why do I fall weak Shivaay??? Why??? I thought I'll be able to protect myself from him but I failed right? I failed terribly!', Anika cried bitterly as she placed her head on his chest hugging him.

'Protect yourself from whom Anika?', Shivaay asked her.

'Daksh Mama!', she revealed.

PRECAP :

'Daksh has to pay for this!', gritted Om angrily.

'I swear I'll break his limbs if he was infront of me now!', Shivaay cursed.

'Just a minute guys! We can do anything to him! Whatever that has to be done, Anika has to do it!', Gauri voiced out.

Om and Shivaay looked at Gauri with a confused look.

- To be continued -

P.S. Rikara's story was needed to form ShivOm's bond and also to make Shivaay realize his feelings. And, this book is ending soon ;).

Target: - 160+ votes
- 30 comments