Aaina wasn't at all expecting Anika to call "Shivanya" in a pained tone.

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For a moment, Aaina was totally dazed. She didn't expect hearing that name in such a pained tone. She didn't know how to react. She didn't know what to do?

How should she treat Mrs. Oberoi? How should she speak? Should she be courteous or rude? Should she just walk away? But something, something inside her made her face the situation.

"Excuse me!" She said letting the confusion swirling in her heart cloud her face.

"Shivanya" Anika repeated softly, her eyes locked on Aaina as if she was looking at her properly for the first time in years. Which was true actually in more than one way.

"Its Aaina, Mrs. Oberoi...I think you're mistaken," Aaina spoke politely maintaining the distance between them. Certain, she was worrying for naught. No one will actually care how she behaves.

After all, She has a bad reputation of being cold. It won't exactly matter how she talks or reacts. By now, everyone knows she is a wild card. The past years had conspired well to make her the bad guy. Though, Mrs. Oberoi's eyes fixed on her was quite unnerving. The silence around them quite heavy. Aaina didn't mind it much.

Yes, It was an unexpected situation. A situation she wasn't totally in control of and she doesn't quite like such situations. She likes to be in control. She needs to be in control. She needs to be perfect. After all, she has strived to do just that all her life.

"If you don't mind me asking, who is Shivanya, Mrs. Oberoi? I've heard the name mentioned for the first time in my entire life," It was truth and a genuine question. Her...She means the name Shivanya was kinda taboo in the Oberoi family. No one mentioned it. They had loved acting like the eldest daughter of Shivaaye and Anika didn't quite exist.

So, hearing Anika take that name was quite startling.

Though Aaina is quite making their that wish come true, being just Aaina, well, it's not like she is there daughter. She doesn't want to be their daughter. No, she doesn't. She is quite happy as an orphan with adopted parents. Yups, she is more than happy. She doesn't need the Oberoi name. She doesn't need them at all. She is happy without them. She is living and breathing without them, isn't she?

But none of these monologues in her mind mattered even a little. There was nothing to ground her when she heard Mrs. Oberoi admit softly "My daughter, she is my daughter, " and Aaina's own breathes crashed on her like a thunder. Electroduting her.

Is she dreaming? Or is this one of those nightmares she faced in her childhood?
N

ightmares giving her false hopes of a mother's love.

It was like the dreams filled with an oasis of a mother's love. A love she seeked so dearly in those days. In her dreams, her mom would sing to her like she sang to them when Ansh was still there and then to Shivika. In her dreams, her mom will tell her she loves her and is so proud of her.

But in the end, it all will turn just to be a mirage. A mirage created in Shivanya's deserted heart.

Shivanya seeked and craved mother's love. All her life, Shivanya had wished to hear just those words but she never did. Mrs. Oberoi didn't once speak even softly to her. All she had heard was — you aren't my child or stay away from my daughter. Don't make her like you. Don't ruin her. Don't turn her into you.

Aaina wishes the same now. No one, should turn like her. Never. Definitely not the girl, she once promised to protect. For she had become what they feared she will be. A treacherous being.

Shivanya would have rejoiced at this, she would have been so happy but all Aaina feels is a strange emptiness in her soul. It's not fulfilling, it's not satisfying, it's nothing.
She feels nothing.

"Oh!!! I didn't know you had another daughter besides Shivika," Aaina spoke conversationally, a carefull sheet of nonchalance coating her words. Even though, it felt oddly satisfying watching the struck expression on Mrs. Oberoi's face.

"These are you own words. Don't look at me like that,I just  repeated your words," Aaina screamed internally. She wanted to yell exactly that at Mrs. Oberoi  but she didn't. She isn't Shivanya after all. So, she stood leaning leisurely against the wall sipping on her cocktail.

Waiting an answer if she is even going to receive one.

"You drink!" Though the words came out as a statement but Aaina had spent enough years around the world to know that statements can be questions too.

She just nodded casually. 

She didnt have much to defend on that front.

After all, Mrs. Oberoi was the first one to claim Shivanya had become a drunkard. She had called her characterless and bad influence. Later, a few drinking games with the boys and she had been addicted to the feeling. Only drunk, she could let go of everything.

Drunk, she wasn't self-conscious. She wasn't bound.She could be anything.
She could live in  the moment. She didn't think much about consequences too when drunk. It was a very bitter freedom inducing feeling though she didn't tell all this to Mrs. Oberoi. Didn't tell her, how they were somehow responsible for her alcohol addiction. How it made her feel that atleast there is something more bitter yet addicting than her in the world?

The pain, she didn't share.

She never does.

She thinks she might have confessed about all this to Vihaan once drunk, no doubt, still that guy is hell bent against her getting drunk. Same is with Ro and Rv. Savvy is more fun in these matters. He understands those feelings as well as her.

"Its not a good habit," Mrs. Oberoi speaks with an admonishing tone. Like a disappointed parent and at once, Aaina feels her anger flaring. Mrs. Oberoi has no right to talk to her like this.

Mrs. Oberoi doesn't have any right to be disappointed with her when she has been a disappointment as a parent herself.

"Vihaan tells me the exact same thing," Aaina laughs instead.

"Your fiance?" There's a questioning edge to Mrs. Oberoi's words, along with a strange emotion. An emotion Aaina can't quite catch. Was it worry?

"Yeah," Aaina admits a smile automatically tugging at the corner of her lips. Viaan's name does this kind of things to her though she really wanted to tell Mrs. Oberoi that Vihaan loves her more than she ever did. So, she didn't quite need to make a sour lemon swallowed face hearing about Vihaan and her.

"You live with him, don't you?" Mrs. Oberoi asked her sounding quite displeased and Aaina didn't know why this concerned parent type act was pulled on her.

Heck! She didn't even admit to being their daughter. Why is she being grilled?

"That's quite a personal question, Mrs. Oberoi but still, yes, we are in a live in," Aaina admitted almost with a cheeky smile as if testing Anika's limits.

"That...," Anika had begin but was stopped in mid by the sound of approaching footsteps.Both Anika and Aaina anticipated the newcomer for wholy different reasons.

"Mom!" Shivika called out just noticing her mom standing on the balcony. She had been searching for her for quite some time. Jhanvi grandma was just few seconds away from throwing a massive fit. She was displeased as it is at not being the center of attention.

Plus, even Omisha seemed to be avoiding them and Grandma was uncertain whether she could bask in the compliments directed to Omisha di and take credit for her excellence. It was a tricky situation.

"Shivi," Anika asked Shivika a wry smile gracing her lips. What happened now?

"Grandma, was asking for you?" Shivika told her mom apologetically. The performances were about to start and it won't look good if the Oberoi family didnt stood together.

"Oh!!" Anika mumbled not looking quite happy with the situation and for the first time, Shivika noticed the other person present on the sight.

Shivanya just nodded at Shivika's direction and then turned to Anika hopefully for the last time tonight.

"It was nice talking to you, Mrs. Oberoi," Shivanya started pleasantly looking like she was about to escape but then she strode towards Anika and Shivika purposefully. Standing a few inches away from them. Shivanya begin again.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Oberoi. For your loss. I don't know how hard it might be for a parent to lose their only child," Aaina said sincerely though their was a biting edge towards her last words not that anyone who didn't know the whole situation could catch it. Nonetheless, undeterred she continued "I've also recently became a parent and I can't live a second without my daughter.  I don't think there's anything in the world, I won't do for her. It's a terrifying feeling to be truthful to love someone so much, so unconditionally though she is becoming quite a daddy's girl nowadays,"

The words were supposed to be mocking.

A reminder, what a parent's love should feel like but it didn't quite come out that mocking. Aaina doesn't think she can ever make herself use her love or daughter to mock someone. The love she feels for them is too surreal, to pure that no matter what her initial intentions might be, talking about them just fills her with happiness.

So smiling a sympathetic smile at Mrs. Oberoi's direction. A smile she had seen on the faces of Ishana and Saumya more than a thousand times in party meets and rallies. Aaina left from there with her head held high, ignoring the impulse of bumping her shoulder with both Mrs. Oberoi and Shivika.

The smile vanished from Aaina's face as soon as her back was to the Oberoi's.  A chilly expression liting her eyes for just a moment before it was masked and she joined back her group.

"What's going on?" Aaina whispered in Misha's ears, appearing right next to her watching Ansh and Dani bicker like a married couple with half amused, half exasperated look.

"Geez, give a warning next time" Misha muttered back shooting Aaina an annoyed look for sneaking on her like that. Aaina just smiled, an empathic smile.

Rolling her eyes, Misha continued shrugging helplessly "flirting,  I guess"

"You think to soo," Aaina whispered looking like a cat who got the canary.

"Who else thinks so?" Misha asked back wide-eyed.

"Panchi and I to be precise,  Savvy is kinda on the matter too," For the teasing perks, Aaina was sure.

"Well, they're quite bad at it," Misha said casually ignoring Savvy's mention. Why were her sister and recent found best buddy so keen on making her blush mentioning Savvy every now and then?

"They're hopeless. Well, Ansh is...we aren't sure of Dani's feelings yet,"  Aaina said eyeing Dani in a manner, a scientist eyes a lab rat.

"We've to find out then," Misha winked

Aaina smirked.

And it was the precise moment that Ansh finally noticed the presence of his sister around him. Well, his plotting sisters. There matching expressions of glee didn't quite bode well with him.

"What are you talking about?" He asked them suspiciously,  narrowing his eyes when they both gave him twinning innocent expressions.

He wasn't buying it at all. He could totally smell trouble on them. Thankfully,  for the girls and not so for Ansh the performances started quite then.

A few well known sons and daughters of the prestigious elite family showed off their talents. Some played pianos, some violins,  some mouth organs or drums. It was quite a musical environment but Aaina, Ansh, Misha were entangled in their own show offs.

The moment, Mrs. Oberoi and Shivika had rejoined the Oberoi's Aaina had known for their gazes were locked on her. Well, almost all the Oberoi's along with their friends were gazing at her every now and then.

Aaina didn't know what got into her but at that moment,  she needed to prove it to Mrs. Oberoi that she had become what Mrs. Oberoi feared she'll be. She needed to show Mrs. Oberoi all her accusations were true.

She couldn't take that kicked puppy gaze of Mrs. Oberoi. Angry at herself for being affected, she snatched the glass of martinin from Ansh and downed it all.

"Hey, that was mine" Ansh complained instantly looking quite mournfully at the now empty glass in Aaina's hand while Aaina gave him a what so look.

Dani patted Ansh's arm in a consolingly manner when Ansh looked ready to throw a fit. But obviously,  he didn't. He could quite welly read Aaina's expressions when she snatched his glass. But still, he has a spoilt image to maintain. And just like that from snatched drinks to clubbing plans were being quite thoroughly discussed amidst the dirty looks send their way by Oberoi's and their habitual bickering.

"Areey, but that doesn't make any sense na," Misha said exasperatedly, hearing Ansh go on about the club he visited with Vi and Savvy for the last fifteen minutes.

"What Savvy dancing or drunk dancing?" Ansh asked grinning suggestively.

"Well, Vi allowing Savvy to make a fool out of himself actually," Misha retorted rolling her eyes.

"Well, Vi was actually babysitting Harvik and Agastaya," Ansh shrugged sheepishly.

"Don't tell me, Vi left you and Savvy together unsupervised, " Aaina asked Ansh wide eyes. How were Savvy and Ansh still alive if that happened?

"Umm...Ro was with us being the goodey shoes he is then he got a call," Ansh shrugged as if it explained everything. Aaina face palmed. Trust, Ansh and Savvy to get drunk in few minutes.

"Why isn't Ritisha here though?" Dani asked Misha, well aware, if they started discussing Ansh-Savvy antics. They won't ever stop talking.

"Well, she doesn't quite like these gatherings. Plus, Gaya and she made some trekking and camping plans," Misha smiled, an appreciating nod towards Aaina. She hadn't seen Ritisha truly happy for years. But now, their sister seemed free and glowing every day.

Truly happy. This was the sort of thing Ritisha liked camping, trekking, running, roaming and being free in general and Agastya cared for her choices, wishes and desires. They seemed happy, truly happy to Omisha.

Agastya was a good lad. Shy with strangers. Calm and composed. Sometimes more mature than Ansh, Vi, and Savvy combined.

"That's great," Aaina admitted smiling.

"Yeah, yeah...I'll ask Harvik if he'll join us in the club or not?" Ansh said changing the topic.

"No spoiling the kid," Aaina warned Ansh teasingly.

"As if, I can" Ansh snorted and the laughter blooming on Aaina's face freezing.

"I didn't know, Ornov could sing so beautifully," someone behind them said dreamily.

Aaina's fist clenched. Why the hell was he singing "woh ladki bohot yaad aati hai"

"You knew," Misha mumbled in Aaina's ears noticing her tense form though she wasn't even glancing towards the performance platform.

"Yes, he used to sing in school...for me" though Aaina didn't whisper the last part.

"He is looking here," Dani mumbled intervening her fingers with Aaina's in silent support.

"Ignore him," Aaina mumbled looking at Ansh for help.  Ansh got the clue immediately.By nature, Ansh wasn't a violent or angry person. People likes to beileve, he doesn't get angry but this belief could not be more far from the truth if possible.

For Ansh's anger was lethal in it's own way. It was just he was better than most in hiding his anger. He could be fuming with anger like he is now and people wouldn't know like now. For his charming smile was doing its job spectacularly, his words light and joking drawing all the attention towards their mocking chatter. No one ever focused on his eyes, if they did, they would clearly see a gaze so cold. It could give a person frost bites in desert.

The performance ended and they stood as unaffected as before. Their masks so perfect, their inside jokes so sharp, their eyes blank. No one knew what was possibly going in the minds of the four.

"Misha beta, won't you perform today?" At this precise moment, Jhanvi Oberoi finally approached Misha. The indulgent proud grandma smile firmly fixed on her face.

"I hadn't thought about it to be truthful," Misha shrugged the whole matter casually and Jhanvi Oberoi clenched her fist to keep her temper under control. How could this girl be so careless? This was the perfect moment to show how talented, how graceful, she is. How ahead she is ahead of everyone and this girl acts like this?

"Will you like too?" Jhanvi asked grinding her teeth.

"I don't know," Misha replied as carelessly as before. Enjoying how everyone eyed Jhanvi questioningly, confused.

"Should I, Ma?" Misha asked Gauri curiously tilting her head like a naive child seeking parents affirmation, when some totally unknown uncle-aunty pulls their cheeks calling them cute and asks them to perform their talent.

"Do you want too?" Gauri asked back smiling. She didnt mind if Misha performed or not. It was her daughter's choice. She wasn't a stage monkey, after all.

Misha made a thoughtfull expression then looked at Ansh and Aaina, her eyes glittering with mischief.

"Alright, I'll perform but only if SRK and Aaina performs with me," Misha said looking at Ansh and Aaina expectantly.

"Throw me under the fire, of course" Aaina muttered shooting Misha a look.

"What are friends for? What about you, Mr. SRK? Scared!!" Misha retorted innocently to Aaina then goaded Ansh.

"Huh, you wish..." Ansh huffed out a haughty laugh.

"I was a born performer, dear" Ansh said devilishly looking towards Misha with an expression that screamed challenge accepted.

"Lead the way," Aaina sighed knowing there wasn't any way out of this. Her siblings won't allow it.

Smirking, Misha lead them to the stage. Like a soldier on mission. For a moment, Jhanvi felt very proud of Misha thinking she did all that to humiliate Ansh and Aaina. Everyone knew their wasn't a better singer around then Misha.

What will those two cartoons do in front of her?

But all her hopes crashed when on stage, the three held hands, shared secret but meaningful smiles and started singing "friendship mashup" in perfect sync.
Like they had practiced this performance all their lives.

Jhanvi didn't quite know what was happening. But the sight of those three on stage, strangely reminded her of young Shivaaye, Omkara and Rudra standing united against everything.

Three bodies one soul.

It reminded her of their entry during the Ganesh Puja. An event that happened so long ago but right now, watching those three she could clearly see Shiv, Om, Ru in them.

It was a strange.

A very strange feeling had enveloped her.

A feeling that screamed the tide's had turned.

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~to be continued~

The song is above, listen to it while imagining the three singing.

And what do you think of the update?