- Mumbai -

- 2017 -

Shivaay's POV

Annie came again yesterday. It was hardly for an hour. Maybe around 40 to 45 minutes. She is fading away. Vanishing into memory forever slowly. All she ever wanted was for us to be happy. She wants me to move on with Anika. I honestly confessed to her yesterday that I might just be falling for Anika as well, but could it be guilt as well. She assured me that it wasn't guilt after asking me few questions. Perhaps I am really falling for her. 

But is it possible? Annie had also told me that it was possible to fall in love a second time. I had even spoken to Om and Gauri about it. They told me that no one else apart from me could know it better whether it is love or guilt. They told me to make my own reflection, but my thoughts ware so clouded and juggled up. She loves me. I know that part. She had confessed earlier but wouldn't it be unfair for her if I step into marriage without recognizing the real feelings that I have for her?

After a thought over this, I walk ahead to Mom. I need her opinion. If there is anyone who knows me better than I do myself, then it would definitely be Mom. Talking to her about Anika means I have to tell her everything, including the part where she was sexually abused as that might be the reason for my guilt towards her and also the condition Anika is suffering from. She had to know everything before she could advise me.

I knocked her bedroom door a couple of times before I could hear her saying 'come in' in a soft voice. Did I disturb her while she was sleeping?

'Mom, were you sleeping? Did I disturb you?', I ask her being curious.

'I was sleeping, but it's okay now. Tell me what is it?', she asked back in her ever sweet voice as she patted the empty place next to her on the bed.

I walk up to her and sat in front of her and prepare myself to talk to her. Whatever I am going to tell her is something very sensitive and she might just change her opinion about Anika. Gosh! Why didn't I think of this earlier? What am I going to tell her now?

'What is it Shiv? What's troubling you?', she asks me as she ruffles my hair with her tiny fingers. As soon as she did that, I couldn't control my tears. They began to flow out and my head fell on her lap. I hug her lap tightly as I sob my heart out. Why am I crying? I don't know myself. It is weird but I am feeling so stressed out and confused. I wish things were clearer but now I can't even talk about it to Mom. 

'Did you talk to Anika? Is it about Anika?', she asks me, surprising me to the core. I lift my head from her lap and look at her. She is calm but still a tinge of concern is there on her face with a slight tense.

'How do you know that this is about her?', my voice cracked.

'Mom's magic!', she replied with a wink.

I could only smile at her reply and nod my head. I wiped the tears flowing down my eyes and looked at her smiling face. I suddenly feel like I was at bliss as if there is some courage building up in me. She indeed has some magic. I have to talk to her but I have no idea where to begin. People were right when they say the beginning is always the hardest, be it in writing or talking or whatever. The beginning is the hardest. What am I supposed to say now?

'Shiv... what is it?', Mom asked me again.

'Mom... Anika... Anika... she... she loves me', I began not knowing how exactly to begin.

'Of course she loves you. I know that Shivaay. Why else do you think I brought forth your marriage talk with her parents?', Mom asked me back looking least surprised.

'But Mom... Mom... I don't know... I don't know if I love her or not!', I declared and waited for her reaction to continue. To my surprise, she just nodded signing me to go on with her calm smile.

'I'm afraid what I have for her is out of guilt Mom. I know things about her.She has suffered a lot in her past Mom. Something that no girl should have underwent. She's... she's so pure and innocent. I... Would it be alright... I mean like wouldn't it be unfair for her if I got married to her without knowing my exact feeling for her? Wouldn't that be wrong?', I ask her in the hope that she would help me out of this mess.

'Hmm.. by her past, you meant the unfortunate, cruel things that her uncle did to her right?', Mom asked back. I froze for a minute upon hearing that from Mom. How did she knew? 

'How.. how?'

'She told me Shivaay. She had told me everything from the beginning. And initially, I thought I was feeling guilty and pity for her. Then, I started spending more time with her and get to know her better. The closer I got to her, the ore she opened up with me. One day, while talking about her childhood, she hugged me tightly as she sobbed her heart out and slept on my lap. That day, I realized what she meant to me. I was getting closer to her with the misconception that I'm feeling guilty for her, but actually, in real, I approached her because I liked her. Her innocence and crave for love pulled me towards her like as if a magnet. You never gave me the reason to miss the presence of a daughter, but when she stepped in my life, I got to know what I was missing out. She became the daughter we never had. Even Tej fell immensely in love with her. She filled the void that was there in our lives. That void which we never knew of its existence until Anika walked in to fill it up. So, what do you think from this? And Shivaay, I know that you are not someone who would condemn or judge a girl based on her past. I wanted to tell everything to you the day I had introduced her to you but Anika insisted on telling it herself. She has grown stronger than the person she was you know. From when I first bumped into her till today, she has changed a lot towards the better. It takes a lot of courage to lead a normal life after such a horrendous incident and she's doing it now', Mom told me.

'I know Mom. I seriously have huge respect for her. She did fell weak at times but she hadn't had any support at that time. Which is why, I have decided to become her support during thick and thin Mom. I'll be with her whenever she needs me Mom. I'll help her forgot the past and create a beautiful future. She has cried a lot in her life that I just want her to spend the rest of her life smiling happily. I wish to give her, her lost childhood. I want to be the reason for her happiness and smile. I... I want to bring at least candle if not beacon when she is engulfed darkness. I will do everything in my power for her Mom. Even such, getting married without knowing my feelings for her is not something I would do. What if one day, the guilt and the feeling I have for her disappeared after the marriage? Wouldn't it be unfair to her when I snatch the hope that she has for her happy ending by getting married to her? Maybe, maybe there is someone else in the world who would love her immensely and bring her all the happiness in the world. I just want the best for her Mom. I'm afraid I'm not the best for her... ', My voice got stuck there. I didn't know what else to say to Mom.

'Even after all this, you still doubt your feelings for her, huh? Shivaay, didn't you realize that you have already fallen for my daughter? You're trapped Kiddo! Trapped in love. If you don't love her, you wouldn't be afraid. Your fear will make you thrive to be better for her every day. You are the best for her Shiv. You were afraid of snatching her happy ending right? Well, you should know this that... you my son...you are her happy ending', Mom explained.

'Trust me!', Mom reassured as I sat quietly trying to process everything that she said to me. It was clear as crystal now. She is my happy ending as much as I am hers. That is exactly what I needed to hear. I quickly thanked Mom with a warm hug and kiss on her forehead as I rushed out to grab my phone. I want to call her up and tell everything to her. I want to scream out my love to her. I dialed up her number but stop for a while. This is the first ever time I was going to confess my love to her and how do I do it? Through a phone call? Chi Shivaay! Such a miser you have become!

Normally this kind of confession is done over a romantic candle light dinner but I couldn't wait till evening. There was at least 5 more hours to go for dinner time and it will kill me if I hadn't confess my feelings to her any time sooner. What about a late lunch? That would be alright right? It won't be that cheesy and at the same time, it would be proper too. Our children won't find it weird as well when we talk about in the future. I can say that I wanted to do something unique for their mother and this was the best I could come up with. Yeah! Perfect! Let me just text her.

But just a late lunch? Maybe to the beach? Yeah! That would be romantic. I quickly typed a short and direct message to her with a grinning smiley in the end. 

Hey, wanna go for a late lunch and to the beach afterwards? :D'

As soon as the message got delivered, I began to panic. What would her reply be? Will she ask a lot of questions? I really hope she will agree right away. In addition, ever since the bastard has been living in their house, she hardly comes out of her room. Just please agree Anika. I had my fingers crossed when I opened her message as soon as the beep kicked in.

'Okay! What time should I be ready? :)'

That's cool! She agreed! Great. Should I tell her that I'm leaving now? I quickly typed in...

'I'll be leaving now... in another 10 mins?' 

But before I could hit send, I read it again and it definitely made me sound as if I am desperate. That's not a good image right? I erased the previous message and typed the new one. 

'In another 30 minutes? I'll come to pick you up' 

  And that's when it hit me that he could be in the house. I added another instruction there which I know she will follow and I decided to add another sentence to make it sound light and to tease her a little.

'In another 30 minutes? I'll come to pick you up. Stay in your room. I'll get you there. Is that fine or you need more time? :P'

'30 mins is more than enough for me! Hmmph! And yes, I'll stay in my room, you better get me something to appease me. You just made me angry, fiance!!!'

Angry? But it was just a tease? Oh no! My girl is being mischievous. But I like it. We are having more fun these days because of all those little drama and playfulness. Slowly, she is letting the child out of her. Hmm, so how do I appease a child girl? Chocolates of course! Ouh wait, there's another thing. A friend. Chocolate and a friend and she will be fine. Just in case, let me give her a choice. Let's see which would she choose.

'Is chocolate fine or do you want Ori? ;)'

'Both :P'

Haha! I knew she would say this. I just knew it. Still,I replied with a little mischievousness. 

'And... Greedy Anika is back! Be ready quick! I'll pick Ori and come get you.'

After replying her, I had called up Gauri asking her permission to take Ori out with us today. Gauri agreed right away and got into getting her ready. I informed Mom and left the house with full hopes. Today, I would let Anika know that We are not getting married just because of our parents or some random business deal but out of love. Our marriage will be a love marriage. She will be so happy to know that. But anyhow, I would be the world's first guy who is going to confess his love to his fiancee in front of our niece. How wonderful and convenient is that? We wouldn't even be able to kiss after the confession. But Ori is quite understanding. I'm sure she would understand that her Phoohi and Phupi are so in love that they can spend some time 'lomancing'!

When I reached Gauri's apartment, a weird feeling crept up. I was feeling very uneasy. It was as if something wrong was happening. My gut was almost screaming to me to get to Anika. She needs you! My heart started beating erratically as if it was responding to someone's distress. That someone who owns my heart. Can Anika be in danger? I immediately informed Gauri about it and left Ori there. God forbid, but if Anika is really in danger, then I wouldn't want Ori to be the closest person to us. She is a very young child and it may affect her mentally which I don't want.

I break every possible traffic rules to reach Anika's house in just 10 minutes. I wanted to reach as soon as possible. The nearer I get to her house, the more uneasy I felt. A sudden fear crept up and without even me realizing, tears began to roll down my eyes. 

'Nothing will happen to Anika'

I kept muttering that to myself like a mantra. As soon as I got inside her house, I ran up towards her room right away. The door of her room was closed. I debated with myself whether I should knock or not  when I heard voices from her room. A manly, ghastly voice. Daksh's voice!

God! She is in trouble. I kicked open the door and the sight in front of me broke my heart. My beautiful Anika was lying on the floor in a blood pool around her head. She is hurt. She is bleeding. She was struggling between staying awake and unconsciousness. 

'Shivaay... where are you?', I heard her whispering before she closed her eyes completely.

'I'm here Anika... I'm here... God... open your eyes damn it!', I shouted at top of my voice as I ran and crashed in front of her. I tried to examine her. She needs to be awake so that there won't be any complication during her treatment. Get back to me Anika. I need you girl. Open your eyes! I held her close to my heart urging her to open her eyes and get back to me.

'Lover boy is here to save her finally!', I heard that beast's voice.

A sudden anger gushed through my veins. This bastard dies today. How much more does my Anika has to suffer because of this beast? Enough is enough. I placed Anika carefully back on the floor and got up to punch Daksh right on his face. He groaned in pain as he fell back.

'How dare you bastard? You bloody fucktard! How dare you hurt her again? How dare you hurt my Anika???', I questioned his audacity as I beat him to pulp. This is what a beast like him deserves.

'Beat me Shivaay! Beat me more! But don't call her your Anika. She is mine and she will be mine! I've marked her mine you moron!', Daksh mocked me as he was taking each and every punch of mine. His words were enough to drive me super mad. I quickly grabbed him by his collar and made him look at me.

'Listen to me. Anika belongs to me! She was never yours and will never be yours!', I gritted in anger.

He suddenly began to laugh hysterically. Why was he laughing? Has he gone mad? I have an underhand in our fight and there is no way on Earth I would let him to alive out of this room and here he is laughing at me? What's wrong with this bastard?

'I thought of sparing your life, but it looks like you should die. No one comes in between me and my Anika. If anyone does, then that person has to die! I will kill you Shivaay Singh Oberoi!!!', Daksh shouted at me as he pushed me away, releasing himself from my clutches.

Before I could react, I was receiving some hard blows on my torsoe and face. It was non stop and unavoidable. Daksh kept assaulting me until the last punch on my face made me crash down on my stomach next to Anika. I turned to look at her. Only then did I realize that in my fury, I had almost forgotten the unconcious Anika. She needs to be taken to the hospital. She needs to get up.

'Anika, please wake up...', I barely whispered to her as I reached my fingers out to touch her cheeks.

'Please at least open your eyes to let me know that you're fine', I begged her as I caressed her cheeks with my fingers.

All of the sudden I was pulled away from her by my leg. I turn to kick him away from me but I failed. He is too strong.

'Don't worry about Anika. I'll take care of her. She'll be absolutely fine! Now, let's finish this quick and send you back to the heaven where you fell from, what say?', Daksh said, making me angrier.

I get back on my feet and gave him a couple punches on his face. I looked around and found a chair by her dressing table. I took it and crashed it on Daksh making him fall on the floor. He was bleeding when he hit the ground. I watch him groan in pain for a second and turned towards my Anika.

I swiftly picked her up in my arms and was about to get out when I felt glass breaking on my head. Aaah! I groaned. I nearly dropped Anika but held her stronger and turned around to kick Daksh. He fell down stumbling. Not so strong now, eh?

I rushed out of Anika's room as I voiced out to Om. He should be in.

'OM!!! ANIKA IS INJURED, CALL THE AMBULANCE!!!', I screamed at the top of my voice.

'SOMEBODY JUST CALL THE FUCKING AMBULANCE!' I screamed once again as I reached the hall.

I examined her wound at the back of her head. It wasn't deep, thankfully. Maybe she passed due to lost of blood or perhaps shock.

'AMBULANCE!!!', I shouted yet again, waiting for some response from anyone.

'I've called the ambulance Sir. It will be here in a while!', a servant replied scared.

'We need to rush her to the hospital!', saying that, I lifted Anika again despite hurting myself and walked towards my car.

PRECAP : The End of Daksh.

- To be continued -

P.S. I know I was late but I think I had compensate it by giving you guys the longest update ever. Please do vote and comment to unlock the next update! Thank you and Happy Reading.