- Mumbai -
- 2017 -

No One's POV

'So finally the lover boy is here to meet me?', Daksh's voice reached Shivaay's ears.

'Hello Daksh! How are you?', Shivaay gritted through his teeth.

'I'm bleeding continously. Puss is everywhere. Almost drown in salt water everyday. Why don't you just let me go or let me die?', Daksh gritted back.

'Letting you go isn't even an option and letting you die is also not. I want you to live the rest of your life in this torture! 6 out 20 nails are gone. The rest will be pulled out very soon too!', Shivaay warned him.

'Soon? I guess Anika is awake then!', Daksh beamed although he was looking really hideous with all those wounds and scars.

'Don't you dare take her name from your filthy mouth!', Shivaay roared as he landed his fist into Daksh's abdomen, making him cough.

'Whatever you are going through now is nothing compared to the pain and depression you made my Anika face as a child!', he roared again as he continuously punched him.

'Because of you she's suffering now!!! All she ever wanted was a normal life... but now, I don't even know if I can give her that or not. She was dying everyday and now when she has got the hope to live life, you had to do that right? You had to hurt her right? You bastard!', Shivaay venemously spat out as he vented his anger on that monster.

'Anika is mine! Only mine!', Daksh winced through his pain.

'Unbelievable!', Shivaay muttered under his breath.

He thought Daksh was a lust-filled monster who preys upon girls but now, he knows that Daksh is an obsessed psychopath. Despite the numerous tortures he gave Anika, he still had the audacity to claim her his.

'I'll not kill you now... even if my whole mind is asking me to do otherwise. Your punishment... your karma will be returned to you by Anika herself. I'll see to it!', Shivaay informed him more calmly and composed, suppresing all the anger within.

'Just be prepared for that day you bastard!', Shivaay hissed under his breath as Daksh was dragged away by two of his men.

Just then, Khanna informed Shivaay about how strangely Daksh was behaving lately and hardly stayed in focus to what others are saying.

'It's good. Let him lose his mental stability too! You have no idea how evil and agreed minded that guy is', Shivaay informed.

'Sir, how's Anika Madam?', Khanna asked out of concern.

'She's out of coma... but...', Shivaay strayed away thinking of the recent events and the conversation he had had with Dr.Kundra.

'But?!',

'Still recovering... weakness and all... she'll be fine... she has to be fine... wedding is coming up!', Shivaay covered up from telling the entire truth to Khanna.

Khanna is indeed one of his most trusted employees here in Mumbai but still, he couldn't find the heart to reveal everything to Khanna. He was quite close and protective to Anika as in like an elder brother. Anika had helped him out to loosen up and be more confident about himself during his initial days at Oberoi Mansion when Shivaay was abroad. Hence, when he got to know about Anika's past and the torments she underwent because of a monster, Khanna took it to himself and went all-in barging the entire Mumbai city to find that monster. Khanna managed to trace him within just a couple of hours after hearing about what had happened to Anika. Ever since, he was held captive in that old building by the outskirts. Khanna wanted to kill him that day itself but was stopped by his boss.

The next day, Gauri was fetched by Om from her house to the hospital despite her refusal.

'Gauri, have you taken your breakfast?', Om asked breaking the long silence.

Gauri turned to glare at him while Ori who was sitting in the back seat giggled out loud.

'Mumma angly!', Ori whispered to Om.

Om nodded to Ori ensuring that he had heard her. He wanted to regain her trust, but how was a huge question mark. And to add to this, they weren't sure whether the one who's awake is Anika or Annie.

When Om and Gauri reached the hospital after a silent journey which seemed forever, they found Shivaay seated on a bench outside of Anika's room. Ori who was in Om's arms wriggled to free herself and ran to Shivaay, pulling him into a tight hug.

'Phuhi!', she giggled as she settled in his lap. Shivaay in return gave her a small kiss on her cheeks.

'Shivaay? What are you doing here? Haven't you met her yet?', Om asked him.

'No Om! I don't dare yet...', Shivaay trailed off.

'Ori, beta come. Let's go meet Anika Phuphi!', Gauri called her daughter.

Ori, being got off of Shivaay's lap and excitedly ran towards Anika's room door. Gauri tailed behind her after nodding to Om, asking him to talk to Shivaay.

'What happened? Why you don't dare to meet her?', Om asked.

'What if it was Annie? I... She's already been through pain because of me... because of us... she chose to go dormant... but now... what if she resurfaced because of me? As the last time she showed up, I told her I wasn't sure of my feelings for Anika and also that I still love her... but now... things are different O. O, you know I love Anika right? You trust me right?', Shivaay asked for reassurance from Om.

'Of course I trust you Shivaay. What kind of nonsense you're talking. Okay, let's say, let's just assume for one second that it is Annie and not Anika. What would you do?', Om asked.

'That's what I'm asking you O! What should I do? What should I say?', Shivaay questioned him back.

'You should ask that to yourself. Shouldn't you? Whatever I am going to tell you will be biased. This is your call Shivaay', Om explained, but Shivaay looked confused still. He was lost.

'Okay, Annie or Anika? That's the only help I can give you', Om voiced out.

'Annie or Anika? What are you talking Om? How can I even choose between them? Annie was my first love. She came in my love when it was so dull and plain. She brought colours into it, but when she was gone, she took all the colours back. And then came Anika. She didn't just bring colours in my life, but along with it she brought some thunder and lightning too. She made me give my colours which I never knew existed in my life to her. Both of them are very special to me!', Shivaay expressed his thoughts.

'Shivaay, you're saying this because you know that Annie and Anika are the same person. What if you aren't aware of it? What if Annie and Anika are two different girls, then what? You'll have to let go one of them right? You will have to choose one right?', Om explained.

'Yeah O... but...', Shivaay was lost at words as he began to immerse himself into thoughts.

'Think Shivaay. Think. Please don't disappoint me. I trust you a lot. Don't break it. Please!', Om thought to himself.

Shivaay recalled all his moments with Annie. From their first meet, till their first date, their love-making, his confession and their separation. Then, his first meeting with Anika popped up out of nowhere. He reminisced their little talks. He recalled how talkative she was when she was with him. Anika's closeness with his parents, her vulnerability when she was telling him the truth, her love confession to him, their engagement, their innocent yet naughty talks, her smile, the sparkle of her eyes, her happy face, and finally, having enough of his juggled up thoughts, Shivaay closed his eyes, laid back on the backrest of the bench and rested his head on the wall. Just then, like as if someone had sprinkled some magic into his mind, everything became clearer for him.

He opened his eyes to find himself in his bedroom, with Anika running towards the glass door which leads to the garden behind his room. It was night and raining outside. Shivaay tried to stop her from going out but he failed as Anika was already out there, getting drenched under the rain. Her white tops was getting translucent and it began to adhere to her curves. It attracted him towards her. Without him realizing, he was already behind her, carefully sliding his arms around her petite waist, locking them on her stomach and pulling her closer to him. He inhaled her intoxicating scent, placed her hair on one side and planted a deep kiss on her shoulder blade, just next to her neck. Anika turned around nervously to face him and in that one moment, Shivaay felt as if his whole world stopped. Her brown orbs were delivering a million words to him. It was enchanting him. Then, his gaze fell on her rosy lips. They were plump and pink, causing him to feel intrigued about how they would taste. Lowering his head, he took them in between his own rough lips and nibbled on her lower lip. It was an ecstasy he was getting lost into. As he was getting drowned in the bliss of his love when it dawned to him. It's Anika. It's always been her. He broke away from the kiss and saw her smiling face. I love you, Shivaay, she whispered to him and proceeded to plant a kiss on his forehead. As soon as her lips left his skin, he was awoken in the hospital with Om seated next to him. That very instant he realized what he wanted.

'It's Anika, Om. There's no choice. It's her. I had moved on from Annie but I don't think I'll be able to live without Anika. I'll be broken without her. I need her in my life O!', Shivaay beamed in happiness. He was finally sure of what he wants.

'I knew it Shivaay. I just wanted you to figure it for yourself. So, shall we go and meet her now?', Om asked him.

'Let's go', Shivaay said as he got up from the bench.

Just then, an emotionless Gauri walked out of the room with Ori in her arms. She looked quite determined and was having an unreadable expression on her face, increasing the curiousity of Shivaay and Om.

'What happened Gauri?', Om asked her.

'History repeats itself Om!', Gauri stated with a soft smile, leaving both the guys in a deeper confusion.

'Huh?', Shivaay involuntarily asked.

'Annie sacrificed herself again. She took over Anika's control just before she lost her consciousness. So, the trauma and injury didn't really affect Anika but it affected Annie instead. She was disappearing a little by little somehow, but now she's gone forever. Anika remembers all the time she spent as Annie now. It's no longer in fragments as how it used to be, but in a complete piece of memory now. She's cured. She's no longer having DID. Annie is gone forever but her memories lives in Anika', Gauri told them.

Both Shivaay and Om sighed in relief when they heard that Anika was cured, but when Gauri continued that Annie was gone, a pang of guilt hit both of them. That self-less woman had once again stood true to her words. She had promised Om to never come in-between Shivaay and Anika even if it will cost her all existence and she did the very same. She gave her existence up for them. As for Shivaay, she had promised that she will be that someone he would forget not. It was indeed true now. Shivaay would forget her not his whole life. Three of them, Gauri, Om and Shivaay shared an understanding smile. Ori's sudden laughter out of nowhere brought them back to reality. Shivaay excused himself and left to meet Anika.

'Thank you Gauri!', Om thanked her as soon as Shivaay was out of sight.

'You don't have to thank me, Om. I was just doing my job!', Gauri modestly replied.

'Oh! Okay then. I hope you have prepared the bill. I will settle your payment today so that you won't have to come meet us again. You will be done with this family who gave you nothing but pain', Om told her.

'Don't belittle me like this Om!', Gauri warned him in a stern tone.

'What do you want Gauri? Why are you doing this to me?', Om rebuked, causing Ori to flinch in fear. She was in the verge of tears when both Om and Gauri noticed her witnessing the ugly moment between her parents.

'I'm sorry baby! Ori, come... come to Papa!', Om apologized right away and took Ori in his arms instead.

'Papa was wrong! Sorry baby!', Om whispered against her hairs as he held her close to himself.

Gauri's eyes welled up when she saw this. Om was never the one who would admit his mistake and apologize openly like how he was doing with Ori now. Even when they were dating, Om was never the one who tried to patch up and would never say sorry. He was a very selfish and narcissistic kind of person, but now, he was putting Ori in front of him. He asked for her forgiveness the once he realized he was at mistake. Gauri brushed her daughters hair and was about to look away to wipe her threatening tears when she had accidentally locked her gaze with Om's.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted like that!', he apologized genuinely. Gauri's heart fluttered for a moment. She ignored those flutters and nodded understandingly.

'Hi, good morning!', Anika beamed in excitement when Shivaay walked in through her door.

'Good morning Anika!', Shivaay replied as he went to her.

'No flowers today?', she questioned him when she saw him walking towards her empty hand.

'Oh! I'm sorry! I forgot!', Shivaay exclaimed. He truly forgot to bring flowers for her as he was in a mess thinking about Annie and Anika confusion.

'It's okay! Double up my daily kiss dosage then!', Anika gave him a solution with a tinge of mischievousness in her eyes.

Shivaay smiled hearing her and proceeded to plant a kiss on her forehead when she stopped him half-way.

'Why? What happened Anika?', Shivaay asked puzzled.

'Kiss me here, not here!', she replied very much boldly as she pouts her lips to him.

'Huh? Its hospital Anika. O and Gauri are outside. They might walk in any time!', Shivaay reasoned.

'I don't care Shivaay!', Anika whispered huskily as she reached out to pull him closer for a kiss.

'I might not stop if I began kissing you!', Shivaay whispered back to her.

'Don't stop then!', Anika boldly whispered.

Shivaay gave in and leaned closer. He stopped at just a breath away to be sure that she wasn't pulling a prank on him. He took a look at her. She was in much anticipation with her parted lips inviting him to feast on her. Not finding his lips against her, she opened her eyes to find him looking at her. They locked their gazes and dived right into each other's lips. Their lips finally devoured the taste they missed the most.

PRECAP : Anika's recovery and Rikara getting closer.

- To be Continued -

P.S. As promised, here is your update! You guys know what to do for me in return ;). Tap on the little star down there and don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comment sections. And I believe this update serves as someone's birthday gift. Happy Birthday Seema!

Next Update will be on 30th May 2018.