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Anika was unpacking her luggage and rearranging them in her closet. Radha slowly entered her room holding a tray with Coffee and some hot snacks. She put them on the table beside Anika's bed and move forward grabbing some clothes,  she started to fold them. Anika saw this and grabbed her clothes back from her buamma's hand.  After a little argument section,  Anika lost her battle. After setting the closet, both of them walk towards balcony to enjoy their leisure time.

The mother and daughter duo had a heart to heart talk. Radha shared everything to Anika on Shivaay's confession. Radha pour her heart out and apologized for her ignorance towards Anika while Anika strongly disagree with Radha and her unnecessary good for nothing accusations. Radha also informed Anika that Oberois too got to know everything.  This angered Anika. She thought that by doing this,  Shivaay is hampering her reputation. She felt as if her self respect is being questioned. For sure she doesn't want any kind of sympathy from anyone. This act of Shivaay will definitely create one in Oberois towards Anika. This will only make herself more low.  Somehow Radha made Anika calm and explained her the reality. After a little fun chit chat, Radha saw Anika's face which looked little relaxed and decided to initiate the talk.

Radha : Anu... See I'm not forcing you but i really want you to be happy. Shivaay has realized his mistake and ready to do anything in order to get your forgiveness. I'm not supporting him either but don't you think he deserve a second chance? His eyes looks truthful yet screaming in pain. I agree he did a mistake but can't you forgive him once? He genuinely trying hard Anu. I want you to be happy, happy with each other.

Ani : Doesn't i look happy now?

Radha : Ask that question again to yourself. I'm telling you again I'm not forcing you. You don't have to do just because I'm asking you to do so. If you really don't want then don't do. I don't want my child to suffer again. Take your time and think about it.

Saying this Radha walk out from balcony leaving behind Anika in daze.

***************

Days passed and came an ending to the contract between Anika and Oberoi Industries. Anika and her team finished their work much earlier than expected so she decided to end their contract. Oberois too agreed to her request. It was the last day for Anika in Oberoi Industries.  After Shivika's encounter in Canada,  Shivaay never appear in front of Anika unless it is necessary. At the same time, he also didn't stop sending bouquet to Anika. His genuinity touched Anika deep down in her heart. Radha's word echoed in her mind.

****************
Anika knocked Shivaay's cabin.  Getting a "come in" in response, She took slow steps and took her seat before him. Shivaay promised to give her final settlement on last day of their contract. Anika signed an agreement form and took her cheque from Shivaay.  Placing them in her handbag, she thanked Shivaay and got up from chair. That's when Shivaay interrupted.

Shiv : Anika.. Can we talk? If you're not busy.

Anika hummed and took her seat back. She expected this, didn't she?

Shiv : Anika i know you are least interested to listen to me. This is your last day in Oberoi Industries and i really don't want to piss you off. Thanks to you and your team for the wonderful job. We really appreciate it and i hope to work with your team more in future. Anika i know had hurt you a lot. I behaved like an idiot. It was the situation made me to react such way towards you. It was not intentional, actually i was...

Ani : What.. Not intentional? Then for what you push me on the bed? To put me to sleep? To sing me lullaby? It was intentional Shivaay... I felt your bad gaze on me,  i saw your lustful eyes that day, you know how disgusting it was? Your nails that pierced my skin, i still could feel how devilish you acted that day.  A girl being harassed that too by her very own boyfriend, you know how it feel? A mere thought of it make me to shiver. What if i didn't protest? ....But just tell me one thing.. You hated me so much,  so much that you tried so many things to take revenge on me.  But then suddenly all your hatred turned into love out of a sudden. Is that even possible? How can someone change their feeling to extreme hatred to love?

Shiv : I know you are tired of listening to this words again and again but I'm sorry Anika,  I'm really sorry, i don't know how to seek your forgiveness anymore, if you want I'm ready to bow down on your legs. I know how beast-ly i behaved that day. It's just that i got angry when i found you hugging a random guy so happily and my mind stopped working. You very well know how possessive i was for you. I really love you Anika, i really do. I felt betrayed, i felt cheated after watching that video and i mistook your statement too that day. And.. And till that time i believed that video to be true. Unfortunately you hugged that man and all the incidents overpowered my anger and lead me to react that way. But Anika to be honest, that day when i saw your tears, i realized i was doing wrong but before i could react, you pushed me. I was waiting to apologize you but before that i got to know the truth from Reena and my guiltiness only increased.

Silent privileged for few seconds, then Shivaay spoke again.

Shiv : Genuinely speaking i want you to be a part of my life Anika. If not as a life partner, maybe as a friend or a well wisher. I promise you will never regret this time.

Once Shivaay finished, Anika left his cabin without speaking anything, let his question unanswered. Shivaay sighed sadly and leaned back on his chair.

*****************

Radha, Sahil and Anika went to Oberoi Mansion since Sahil is missing Gowry a lot, they came to visit her. Oberois were more than happy to welcome them and they decided to have dinner together.

After dinner, as usual the ladies sat down for their chatting session. Sahil went with Rudra to play games, while Anika and Gowry had their own siblings time. Shivaay's eyes glued to Anika all the while. Sitting at distance, he admire his lady love.

After spending some quality time with Gowry,  Anika thought to spend time with the ladies too. So, both the sisters made their move towards living area. Gowry went to kitchen to prepare some snacks and drinks. On her way to living area, Anika saw Pinky in her room searching for something. Anika slowly entered her room.

Ani : Pinky aunty. You're searching for something? May i help you?

Pinky : Oh Anika beta, come, come inside. I'm looking for our albums, can you help me to take them, I'm too short to reach there.

Anika handover the albums to Pinky. Pinky cleaned the albums which covered by dust and open the first album.

Pinky : Doesn't this baby looks cute?

Anika nodded smilingly...

Pinky : it's Shivaay

Ani : I know aunty. I mean i.. the eye colour.

Pinky : I know too Anika. Shivaay told us everything.

Pinky grabbed Anika's hand and made her sit on the bed while she too sit beside her.

Pinky : I should have talk to you before, but i didn't had the courage. I never knew Shivaay could behave in such way.  I know he hurts you a lot, I'm sorry Anika. Sorry for all the pain he gave you.

Ani : Aunty please, you don't have to be sorry. Elders are supposed to bless, not to apologize.

Pinky : Then what i could do for giving birth to an idiot son like Shivaay? After all it's my mistake too, maybe i didn't raise him well enough.

Anika : Don't blame yourself aunty. You are not at all fault.

Pinky : It's your generosity that make you to speak this way. But we can't deny on whatsoever happened to you. We owe you a lot Anika.

Ani : Don't say such big words aunty, I'm nowhere to be there. Past is past we can't change them, there is no use talking about it. Now let's go down, everyone will be waiting for you.

Pinky : Yeah, you go first I'll join in a while.

Anika nodded and got up from bed. Unknowingly she had created a good bonding with Pinky. Pinky is loud yet innocent and pure hearted. Anika could feel a good connection and motherly feel towards Pinky. While walking out, Anika turned and gave Pinky a sudden hug and left the room. She didn't knew why she did that but it felt so good. Anika aware that Pinky stopped talking with Shivaay. The lady who loves her son unconditionally, has stopped talking with him. That too because of her, should she be grateful for that? Or should be sad for creating misunderstanding between a mother and son?

She also could understand her unspoken request. Pinky didn't ask directly, she might be hesitate but Anika clearly knows what Pinky want from her. The same request that Radha put on before Anika. After all, every mother wants their child to be happy and Pinky is not an exception for it. "Should she give a chance to Shivaay?", Anika again drown in her thoughts.

***************

The next day in Oberoi Industries, Shivaay go through some important files. He was disturbed by the continues notification tone which never seems to stop. He grabbed his phone to put it on silent. The non stop notification was from Rudy who busy sharing his weird pictures in family group. But certain notification caught his attention. An email, he can ignore if it's a random email, but it was from 'Anika.T Vardan'. He hurriedly unlocked his phone and open the mail box. His heart beat  raised, he was in delimma whether to believe it or not. It was an email from Anika where she request Shivaay to meet her in a particular cafe tonight. Shivaay read her message again and again, still shocked. "If she want to meet me,  she can drop me a message or directly can call me.  Why she have to mail me?", he thought. What if someone misused her email?,  what if she wrongly sent to him?, all the unwanted questions roam around his head.

Without wasting any time,  Shivaay dialed Anika's number. He was nervous but he have to do it, Anika received his call on the second ring . None spoke anything, silent took over for few seconds. Shivaay's voice broke the silence,

Shiv : Anika?

Ani : Yeah?

Shiv : It's Shivaay here, i received your mail just now. Is that you... I mean is that really from you?

Ani : Yeah, i don't have your number so had to mail you.

"Like seriously?", Shivaay murmured

Shiv : Owh no problem,  is there anything serious you need to talk?

Ani : Not really, it's okay if you're busy. We can look for another day.

Shiv : Hey no, nothing like that.  Okay I'll be there on time. By the way, this is my number, you can save it.

Before Shivaay could finish his line, Anika hung up her call. "Attitude", he murmured again. But who cares, all he need to do now is get ready for their meet up.

*****************

It was past twelve a.m. Shivaay keep on turning here and there changing his sleeping position. He couldn't sleep, can't this day be more grateful?, he thought. All his hard work had finally paid off. She forgave him, Anika forgive Shivaay. Shivaay's mind went back to the most beautiful evening of the day.

******************

A desperate Shivaay Sigh Oberoi, reach the venue one hour earlier.  Although Shivaay is too excited to meet Anika, he's nervous as well. He have no idea on why Anika invited him to meet her suddenly. Shrugging off the negative thoughts, he made himself presentable. And there she comes, wearing a floral dress with minimal make up looking all gorgeous. Shivaay had a hard time to divert his mind and focus on what Anika is saying.

Anika told shivaay that she's ready to give another chance to their relationship. They decided to have a fresh start by being friends again. Shivaay's happiness has no bound. Although the tag 'friendship' made him a little upset, the improvement in their relationship made him happy. He know it's going to be hard, being friend and behave as one with your girlfriend is not a cake walk after all. This is not what he wanted,  being her friend. But he is thankful for the opportunity, he can use this second chance wisely to take their relationship to next level. Anika request Shivaay not to tell anything to family members. If Shivika declare their decision on being friends again,  automatically everyone's hope will root to another direction. Their expectation will increase day by day to make their relationship happen. She also explained that she don't want to disappoint anyone by giving false hope. So it will be better to keep it secret for sometime.

Shivaay felt bad at first. He know how much his family is trying hard to unite Anika with him. He felt bad to hide such a good news from his family. But whatever Anika told him is to be noted too. If his family got to know their friendship, their expectation will increase. This can create unnecessary tension between Shivika and they might loose this chance too. So Shivaay too agreed with Anika's request.

******************

Tomorrow going to be a new day for both Shivaay and Anika. The first day of their friendship. His happy thoughts broken by his notification tone again. As soon as he unclock the phone, his lips curved upwards, cracked into a smile. Anika replied to his good night message. He caressed her Whatsapp Dp picture for sometime while smiling like an idiot. A picture where Anika is hugging her dad. Soon a peaceful sleep overtook him.

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