Shivaay had entrusted the care of Annika right now in the hands of Om and Rudra and he had walked out of the mansion, his thoughts completely occupied with the mask man. He had an idea about who this person would be but still his heart was in doubt. His thoughts were interrupted by the constant  ringing of his phone. He didn't want to answer and was ignoring until the caller id drew his attention on braking suddenly he hurriedly answered, since he was almost reaching the warehouse there was no traffic or else the list of other casualties would have been severe the way Shivaay turned his car back to Oberoi Mansion.

Om and Rudra had got everything ready for Annika's meal as per Shivaay's instructions and also got her medication ready. They were worried about Annika themselves and all that had happened in the last 24 hours. Om wanted to tell Gauri but trusted Shivaay's decision of holding for sometime and plus the girl had her final exams  coming up and he didn't want to distract her by giving such news. This was important for Gauri and Annika.

Walking towards Annika's bed they looked at her sleeping form when suddenly she opened her eyes, Om was taken aback by her sudden movement and somewhat fell on the bed. Due to this, Annika jumped to the corner and started sweating, she started to throw all the items on the bed sil towards Om and Rudra accusing them of being attacker's. They tried to stop her but the more they tried the more violent she became. Rudra couldn't understand why his favourite didi was running away from him, never has she ever been uncomfortable with him. She had taken time to open up to Om and even to Shivaay but had instantly liked him then what had happened. He tried calming her again only to be screamed at and Annika bawling her eyes out to stay away from her. This continued for the next 15 minutes until Om finally called Shivaay.

"Am coming", is all he said.

Shivaay had driven back to Oberoi Mansion and the sight of his room shocked him to the core. One corner of the bed sat Annika crying hiding her self under the blanket and the other side sat Rudra who was pleading her to talk to him, crying himself. Om was patting Rudra but the boy was distraught with all happening around him.

"Annika", as soon as she heard her name, she peeked through the blanket and jumped onto Shivaay and he finally saw her face all red due to the crying, eyes swollen, nose running and fresh scratch marks on her arms again trying to rub of the touch she felt when Rudra came close. She couldn't differentiate between her brother and the attacker and this was a concern to Shivaay.

"Annika, look at me. No one will do anything to you here. He is Rudra, he is your brother ...sweetheart. He won't harm you." He spoke so softly and calmly but the words were dead to Annika's ear. She only kept repeating one thing, "Stay away from me. Stay away from me...." It's like she had gone into a trance and was oblivious to anything around her. A while later doctor sedated her and Annika slept but clutched Shivaay's suit so tight that it was difficult to break the hold.

The doctor spoke, "Mr Oberoi, Annika is still not out of the trauma. She right now is scared seeing only men around her and this is causing her to react in the way she did."

"But am like her brother, doctor... why is she reacting like this seeing me. I won't harm her.." Rudra was again on the verge of crying. Om held his younger baby brother in his arms giving him the support he needed.

"Rudra.. she isn't upset with you but she is scared of men in general around her. Shivaay has been close to her so she is not reacting to him in the same way or else she would be the same with him as well..may be you ought to get a woman around her who could instil the confidence back in her.. this is very important for her survival."

"I hope you understand what am trying to say Shivaay.." the doctor spoke patting Rudra and took leave.

Rudra ran to his Shivaay bhaiya, "bhaiya you have always said you can make everything alright. Please make my Annika didi alright soon. I can't see her like this please please.. I promise I won't ask anything more of you. I don't want anything", he pleaded like a child.

"All will be ok Rudra I promise."

"Pinky Promise.."Rudra extended his little finger.

Shivaay looked at Annika once and then at Rudra, " Pinky promise.."

"Om, call Gauri I need to speak to her.."

On the third ring she finally answered, "kya yaar Om your spoiling my afternoon sleep also. Is the night now enough..." Shivaay chuckled, "Gauri it isn't Om it's me Shivaay.."

Gauri straightened out immediately and sat up on the bed as if Shivaay could her see her through the phone.

"Bhaiya, suddenly from Om phone, all ok.."

"Gauri, I need you to come to mumbai. Am sending you the ticket copy via email right now. Please pack for a few days. I have already spoken to your principal so you needn't worry about the attendance before your exam, but it's important for you to be here.."

The seriousness in Shivaay's voice scared Gauri, "bha..bhaiya is all ok. Om.. "

"He is fine Gauri but..."

"But... is it Annika didi.." and there was complete silence and the sinking feeling Gauri had had just yesterday was back. She wasn't feeling too well and wanted to speak to Annika but it was too late and she didn't want to disturb her di and was sure she would call today. But now with this phone call, she was feeling the pit back..

"Bhaiya, wha.. wha.. what's wrong, has something happened to di.." stammering and fearing the worse she spoke.

"Gauri it's best you come here and we talk.. Annika is ok , but still I need you here. The car will pick you up in exactly an hour be ready..." and with that he hung up and Gauri was in a complete mess her mind not registering anything, her heart thumping so loudly she felt it would come out anytime. With shivering hands she packed her bag and got down to see the car waiting. She boarded the flight and prayed for it to land as soon as possible as she was not having a good feeling about this.

Shivaay, Om and Rudra day around Annika as they saw her sleeping form, with messed up hair, tear stricken face and scratch marks on her hands. Rudra was still shedding some tears and none of the brothers could eat anything as their favourite didi, best friend and love (though still a secret) lay in the bed unconscious.

"Om, Gauri will handle Annika but you need to handle Gauri. She is very protective about Annika as Annika is of her. Annika is a mother figure to Gauri and seeing her like this is going to take a toll on her, please be with her. She needs you now more than ever." Shivaay spoke still looking at Annika caressing her hand which was still holding onto his shirt.

"I will..." spoke Om and decided to go to the airport to pick up Gauri as he knew she would be panicking and he needed to be by her side before she meets Annika.