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A- I'm thinking of going for work from tomorrow .

R/S - no !

Annika swallowed the food and looked at her father, then at shivaay alternatively .

A - but papa , it's already been so many days papa. I have to go .

Raghav was about to answer when shivaay led.

S- annika , I've spoken to the Dean already . So no work for now . Got it ?

C- annika , ek taraf papa aur dusra shivaay . You can even achieve in persuading papa  but shivaay, impossible!

Charu admitted and shook her head for annika made a defeated face .

R- aur nahi tho kya? Her fractured hand will take atleast a month or two to heal , so it's better she stays at home .

A- papa , you never told me that you're an MBBS doctor ? Where do you work ?  I actually want an appointment.

Annika smiled stating this when Raghav sighed huge and fed her the next morsel before facing shivaay who was seated opposite to him .

R- see shivaay , aise bolthi hai tho ham kya karthey ? Ladki hamesha aisehi hai , she has her own ways to stop our words .

Shivaay just smiled watching annika.

C- papa , don't complain to shivaay about her . Kuch nahi hone wala hai , he would support his wife only !

Charu commented for everyone exchanged smiles with each other, especially annika who had already stopped chewing the food and kept looking at him . Only when he raised his brows and insisted her to eat , she obeyed and swallowed the content .

A- charu, browse and find a scar removal cream for me . See , my face looks so different with these marks.

Annika peeped ahead of charu who was applying ointment on her face to seek her image on the mirror .

Just then shivaay came inside with the medicine box , he heard everything.

C - google will show a number of gels , it won't help . I'll consult with a skin doctor and let you know .

Charu replied and blew over annika's chin after applying the ointment there .

Annika saw shivaay standing by the door and called him inside.

A- shivaay I need a painkiller .

She asked passing a look on her fractured arm and shivaay frowned in concern before sitting beside her .

S - dard ho raha hai ?

A- hmm.

She squeezed her and kept looking at her image on the mirror when shivaay fetched a tablet from the box and made her take it .

A- how do I look ? These marks...my face really looks like someone else na ?

She questioned as she touched the scratch marks on her face while shivaay looked at her quietly.

C- it doesn't look like someone else but kaisa diktha pata hai ? like you fought with a bear which tore your skin with its nails ! Hunter annika .

As soon as she finished shivaay passed an indifferent stare  and shook his head negating her not to speak like that .
Charu saw annika's low reaction and sighed .

C- hey annika , I was just kidding . Don't worry haan , tomorrow you'll have the mark removal gel in your hands. I promise.

Annika watched charu's hand which was clutching her's tightly and narrowed her brows .

A- suddenly if you act so sweet, I'm getting doubt . Is it really my behna or some cloned version of her?

Charu glared at her and quickly jolted off , standing up .

C- idiot! Tumhe kuch nahi ho saktha .

Saying this she was walking out when ,

A- oi charu ! By the way , I actually liked this bear thing. Bravery ki tho baath hai , like I fought with a bear while hunting and got these marks. The brand prestige is managed , good ! Haina shivaay ?

Charu turned to give a unbelievable kind of look and went , while shivaay couldn't control the smile on his face after hearing that .

S- haan haan , pehle paani piyo tum .

He held the bottle for she sipped some water and spoke soon after pushing it away from her lips.

A- sach mei shivaay , if the reason was of that type. Like , I had a sword fight with someone or ...a , boxing match . I'd have really felt proud and happy , par pata nahi  ...some stupid dog  with the car did this !!

Her last sentence carried some anger .

S- his name is Arun , he is a first year college student .

At once annika's eyes popped out when she heard his reply .

A- how did you know that ?

S- we followed the cctv footage, he's arrested now .

Shivaay replied calmly while annika still kept looking at him in thrill.

A- what , what will they do to him ?

S- he'll have to appear for the hearing at court , hit and run case so maybe he'll be put in jail for a few months or a year I'm not sure .

A- leave him shivaay ,withdraw the case.

S- what ? Why !

A- he's a small boy .

S - I know you'd say this , so you don't want to slap him ?

Annika chuckled remembering her wish .
Even shivaay had developed a soft corner after knowing that he was just a kid, but when he actually watched the footage , the sight of his wife being hit and thrown on the road like that created an extreme rage in him . If not that anger , he would have not taken the next step and arrested the boy .

A-  I will  see to it later , after when  I'm totally fine ! He deserves it . But jail ye sab nahi . Chod dho usse , sss

She caressed her right arm slowly and winced feeling the ache , shivaay worried .

S- you even had the tablet , why ain't the pain stopping still ?

Annika so wanted to pull those cheeks of his and tell him how cute he looked now , she smiled.

A- arey , is my arm some switch board or what ? It doesn't have any on and off button for the pain , I've just had the table na , pain will reduce slowly .

S- it better be soon .

He muttered and casually watched the clock on the wall which she even noticed and  planned something.

A- ohh my god ! It's already 10 at night . How will you leave now ?

S- why ? I have travelled at night before even .

She shook her head when he stated this .

A- haven't you heard ? Night is the favourite time for ghosts !

Annika pretended bulging out her eyes in process of scaring him . He exactly knew why she was doing it , he just acted to listen to her carefully.

S- but isn't 12 the real ghost time ? There's still 2 hours for 12 .

A- that's in your area ,in OM. In this place , ghosts tend to appear early. As a wife it's my duty to guard you , so think for once before doing anything .

She stated and shrugged casually , but he didn't fail to notice her desperate eyes which were watching him curiously. Shivaay turned the other side and rolled his tongue on his inner cheeks to stop his stupid grin from capturing his face . He can't help, his cute wife was so into playing skits to make him stay and he wanted to play along as if he certainly believed her .

Then he silently stood up and collected a pillow making her confused.

A- what's that for ? You can't fight with ghosts with a mere cotton stuffed pillow !

Shivaay chuckled instantly.

S- you and your thoughts ! I'm taking this for charu .I know she's going to curse me for making her sleep in living room .

Annika had an immediate grin plastered on her face which soon turned to a  shy smile when she noticed his wink .

As usual shivaay woke up first . How much ever warning he had given her last night to not move her legs in sleep , here it is ! perfectly resting on his legs . He looked at the sleeping girl beside . Before he knew , he was near her face as he supported his head on his palm with his elbow leaning on the cot . Keeping it atmost soft and slow , he tried touching those scars on her face . She hardly felt anything as she was in deep sleep .

S- mere liye tum brave warrior hi ho annika ! Maybe sword is not your weapon , but this ( touching her lips) ...this truly creates a huge impact in me . Tuje pata hai , how much I missed you yesterday?

Suddenly his phone rang breaking this good moment , shivaay sighed in disappointment and immediately caressed her head when she squirmed lightly on being disturbed by the noise . He put the mobile on silent  noticing her  frown.

Patting her arm until when he knew she was asleep again , he stayed by her for sometime .

He noticed his mobile vibrating again , he attended the call .

S- hello .

Shivaay tried his most to keep the volume low .

S- kya ?... But how ? Fine , I'll speak to him immediately.

He hung up the call and looked so disappointed . Some disturbing thoughts kept surrounding his mind . He was about to move when she placed her legs on him more comfortably . Feeling it , he looked at her again .

S- muje jaana hai annika .

Whispering this ,he slowly held her legs and placed it aside on the bed. Leaning close to her , he left a smooth kiss on her temple before getting up .

He then sent a voice message to her before leaving from there while she was so asleep.

S- how did you let this happen badepapa? I had put so much of hardwork for this project ,  but finally what I get ?  we have already lost the tender for construction .

Shivaay let out the whole of his disappointment in his voice . He had spent many sleepless nights to bring this project with the correct estimation . And he was even confident that their company would definitely crack the deal but when khanna called and informed that Tej had lost the tender , shivaay was shook .

T- shivaay , try to understand. Everything can't fall in our hands everytime , learn to accept failures first .

S- papa I'm damn sure that what I had estimated and planned could be the primary solution which any agency would want . Then how can this happen ?!!

T- the other dealer had coded a comparatively smaller amount .

S- impossible ! What I specified was the perfect minimum range which can work for that project. Maybe I myslef should have gone for the

T- bas shivaay ,stop it ! What do you think ? I'm the founder of the Oberoi industries , so stop acting like as if everything is depended on you here . It's nothing like that.

Tej interrupted and shouted in rage .

Shivaay in his disappointment spoke much ,as he was really upset after knowing that all his hardwork had went in vain .

S- badepapa , I didn't say anything wrong. It's my project , my hardwork , so obviously I have the rights to open up my opinion .

T- shivaay , I think you're forgetting something. It's not only you who worked hard for our enterprise. You were just 8 when I and your father started this company , you did your degree , masters and straightaway landed here just because you're our son. You just had it all in your hand , as easy as that . If you had struggled and strived to be in this position, the word hardwork would sound correct . In all these years , it's the first time I failed to pick the tender and you're here to question me already ! Think before you act shivaay .

Tej expressed his words with a sort of anger, as the way shivaay blamed him somewhere touched his ego and evoked him .

Shivaay was entirely disturbed with his thoughts after hearing Tej's proclaiming words . What he said about attaining this position and hardwork didn't move good with him . Indeed , he entered their family business easily but the contribution which he had put in is definitely out of his own talent and hardwork . Why didn't Tej think about that ? His mind was totally off , he left from the office soon .

Pr - meena first teach your daughter to cross the road correctly , deko kya haal bana raki hai apni .

A- prani aunty , already she's scolding me enough . Please don't add fuel in fire !

Meena served some coffee for her friend and sat next to her while Adi quietly watched everything standing beside Praniti.

Pr- then what ? You only have your mouth from ear to ear , you know nothing else.  Dekthey chal nahi sakthi ?

Praniti spoke angrily but kept caressing her hair when annika smiled slowly .

A- chodiye na , atleast for this you had come back to visit your friend after that big dramatic incident. I'm happy prani aunty  ! I had brought two friends close after a long interval break .

Annika smirked saying this when meena passed her an unbelievable kind of look.

M - prani , tum aao mere saath. I don't need anyone's help to spend time  with my friend.

Meena narrowed her eyes and took Praniti along while annika chuckled watching her mother behave like a kid .

Annika moved a little and signalled Adi to sit on the bed which he did .

Ad- you said it was just a minor accident  , par aise

A- hmm  indeed , ham hai bestiegoals!

She interrupted and exclaimed for he watched her in confusion.

Ad - matlab?

A- you were lying at the hospital in this same get up a few days back , remember? And now your best friend has taken over your position . Hogaya na , bestiegoals!

Adi chuckled and shook his head after listening to her explanation when suddenly his legs which he kept swinging down , hit on something beneath the bed .

It was a big box placed underneath , he took it . Watching the things inside it , Adi remained surprised.

A- what's this ?

Ad - gifts and letters which I gave to charu .

Annika smiled immediately.

A- see , she has  kept  these things safely for all these years . Charu really hasn't forgotten you Adi , par tum ...jaa rahi ho na ? Jao !

Ad - annika even after knowing everything , you're speaking like this ? She is never ready to accept me , how much ever I  try . I don't know what I have to do after this , should I bend the knee and beg for forgiveness ?! Will she atleast forgive me after that ?

Annika thought for sometime after hearing to his serious words .

A- what only happened between you both ? Aise kya kiya hai tumne ?

Adi looked down slowly when she asked this. 

A- bathao na flashback kya hai ?

She pestered him and he nodded slowly.

Ad- it was our  12th std  farewell day.

Charu came to her class in lone to adjust the fleets of her saree , it's the first time she has worn it . If not the dress code she'd have never agreed to wear it , saree is such a trouble. All her friends and classmates were on the ground,  enjoying the photo session .

She suddenly heard a knock .

C- kaun ?

Ad - charu it's me .

She pinned up the fleets soon and then opened the door .

A nice five minutes passed when both did nothing but remained soaked in their own  world of admiring each other .  She was flattered after watching him in traditional attire while he looked bewitched on seeing her in saaree .

C- Adi , what are you doing here?

Ad- ugh,  I wanted to speak with you alone . I saw you coming upstairs so I followed you.

C- dumb sack  , we are together everytime. In school , tuition,  bus and moreover we are neighbours . Leaving all the chance , jab mein iss sloggy saree ko teek karthi hoon tab hi aaoge na tum  ,hmm ?!

Ad - fine , I'll leave then . We'll speak afterwards .

Saying this he turned at once , but she caught his wrist immediately.

C- don't start your stupid games  , ab bathao what's it ?

How much ever charu tried to hide her desperation,  the eagerness in her eyes said it all .

Ad - hmm , vo . I , you I mean mein

C- bathao

She whispered and watched into his eyes keenly .

Ad- don't tell mumma this , I love you charu!

He said it suddenly and turned around without facing her . Charu grinned watching his behaviour.

C- Mr. Aditya , if you turn that side how will you know my reply ?

Ad- I have ears .

C- what if I don't answer? atleast watch out for my face which can give you a result. 

She ordered and Adi immediately turned to capture her smiling face . He looked so happy and surprised .

As she walked close , he kept stepping behind until his back hit the door . She was close , so close . He gulped .

C- you made me wait for so long . You know I was actually afraid,  it's already our farewell and there was no guarantee that we would meet everyday after this . I was scared that you would never express your feelings to me , but somehow finally you proved that you have some courage in you .

She leant to hug him lightly while a charming  smile appeared on his lips .

C- I love you too Adi . This may be our last day at school, but in life we're together  . Like we have always been .

She pulled out and expressed looking into his eyes .

Suddenly she heard a group cheering for them , hiding by the corridor side . She wriggled a bit and moved back to notice some of her classmates there .

'Wow yaar Adi ! You won the challenge ,  yay!! '

One among the group hugged Adi and congratulated him . Charu watched everything in confusion.

C- what challenge?

' actually we were playing truth or dare , and ye shiraz haina  , he  gave Adi a dare to propose a girl in our class . The main point is , he must make the girl accept his proposal at once . I think that's why he chose you , he knew that you will accept his proposal. '

Charu looked shocked after hearing everything while Adi shook his head slightly.

' teek hai Adi,  you've won  the bet so we have to celebrate that. Let  shiraz pay our bill, come on guys we'll go to the canteen.  Come Adi ! '

Another one spoke for the group   soon left downstairs leaving Adi and charu alone.

Charu's eyes were already glistening with tears . She gritted her teeth and controlled it .

C- so you used me knowing that I would agree . What did you think about me Adi?

Ad-  charu,  aise nahi .

He was going to touch her when she immediately jolted away his hands .

C- don't!

Ad - charu , I agree I did it for the  dare but whatever I said is true . I really love you charu.  From since we were small , or even before I knew what was love ...it was always you . I can't even imagine a life without you charu !!

C- I loved you.

Ad - charu mein...

C- didn't you hear me ? I loved you . Past tense it is .

Her eyes spat anger on him , she didn't wait anymore and just walked away  while he followed her all the way to convince her which didn't happen at all .

Ad - after that , I tried to speak with her so many times but she didn't let me . Aur phir , papa made my admission at a university in States so muje vahan jana pada , par sach mei annika ...in all these years there's never been a day which I had spent without thinking about her.

Adi almost had tears in his eyes when he completed , annika watched him in worry and rubbed his lap softly  .

A- what should I even say ? Ek tho what you did was really wrong , little monkey's maturity level was zero back then ! But on the other side , this charu is so stubborn... like  it's been so many years and still she hasn't forgotten it . Behna aisehi hai . But you know what I think ?

Adi watched her keenly .

A- if you get to speak with her once then

Ad - vahi tho !! It's not happening.

She smacked his head .

A- listen to me first , bas ek baar if you express and insist your true feelings from heart she'll definitely forgive you . She can't hold on more , I know her . Just make it happen somehow .

Ad - she is never ready to speak with me .

A- that's your problem, I can't help you in this and I'm not going to ,even if I can . Charu will burn me with her eyes if she finds me involved again .

Ad - as if you're so scared of your sister .

A- chup karo monkey , you know nothing.  Did you even ask what happened the other day after when you left this poor soul with that monster in the hospital?  Flashback nahi jaanthe ho tum ! Because of you I got slapped , and mera mobile bhi...!

She made a sad grumpy face and Adi looked bewildered.

Ad -  Aisa kya huwa uss din ?

A- big drama!

She  narrated everything.

P-  jethaniji , it looks so beautiful !!

Shivaay heard pinky's voice as he entered the living room . He found her seated with Jhanvi .

J- haina ? Om bought me this necklace last week , his latest art exhibition was a huge success . Even I asked ki itna mehenga gift kyun ? But he somehow tied my tongue saying   , 'mom  ! Ye celebration gift hai !! '

Jhanvi imitated  her son and smiled.

P - ha haan , mehenga tho lagtha hai but if not now then when  ? So enjoy kijiye na ! Vaise bhi , hamare Om ka talent itna bada hai ki you will keep getting gifts like these continuously  .

Pinky commented and grinned happily.

By the time shivaay's mind had already taken him somewhere else after hearing their conversation.

' you just had it all in your hands   , as easy as that '   he remembered Tej's words .

Was this family business playing a big shelter for his carrier?

Not that he hadn't bought anything for pinky,  ofcourse he has . But maybe it wasn't completely the money out of his own effort unlike Om's.

These thoughts troubled shivaay very much . He just quietly went and sat beside pinky .

P- shivaay , kya huwa beta ?

She questioned watching his seemingly dull face.

S- nothing mom .

J- maybe he's hungry , let me bring something for you .

Saying this Jhanvi walked towards the kitchen when suddenly pinky felt shivaay's head on her lap . She didn't delay to run her fingers and ruffle his hair .

P- kya huwa shivaay ? Kahin bukaar tho nahi

Pinky touched his neck and face when he just flipped to turn , and hugged her waist , hiding himself there . She frowned in worry but decided to let him be for the time .

Within sometime, he was already found asleep . She just kept patting his back slowly .

I'd never lived before your love 💘

Precap

Annika is upset with shivaay .

Promo might happen immediately or even a little later , so wait for the suspense 😉

How was it?

Honest reviews plss.

What do you think about charu and Adi's past ? Is charu being too stubborn or is her anger justified ? because he had taken advantage of  her true  feelings .

Plss vote and comment if you like my story 😊