"Why are you here?" Annika raised brows looking at her mother's abrupt entry into the bureau.

"Hum ne bulaya. How is she related to you?" Akash asked walking to the table and picking a few files. Anuradha's heart was ramming against her rib cage, she at least wanted to be recognised as Annika's mother. Doubt fully she stared at Annika, waiting for her actions. To see whether she respects or humiliates her in front of all. Truth to be announced, she awaited the rudeness from her.

"She is my mother. And he is my stepfather, though it's kind of messed up." Annika introduced pointing in the direction of Vipul. Both elders had tears with her words, at least she didn't talk sick about them to outsiders. It's was one of Annika's good behaviour, she would never insult even if she has an awful relationship with them.

"Please come." Akash nodded at her words and gestured to come inside. 

"Don't lose your cool." Annika bobbed her head with uncertainty as her mother tapped her shoulder. She felt really good hearing some good words from her mother. She sensed some belongingness.

She shook her head eliminating all negative thoughts swimming in her intellect. Composing herself she walked straight carrying confidence, willpower and maturity with herself. Her eyes wandered from each face. All had a blank expression. Dull and gloomy.

"Gauri didn't you meet your beloved father in law? Look he is waiting for your greetings." Annika taunted Gauri. As a response Gauri only sniffed, wiping her tears helplessly.

"Mrs Oberoi I hope you can taunt later. After, we complete the final process." Arjun spoke intimately. Annika huffed and rolled her eyes hearing his bullshit.

"We found Mr Tej Oberoi in government hospital of Noida. Also, we found that he has an excretion problem and needs an immediate kidney transplant." Mahira Khan added looking at each face. Their faces turned from confused to shock hearing her.

"He needs every month dialysis. And a man was always with him, paying the amount. And the person is none other than Mr Dinesh Bajaj. Mr Oberoi's close friend and also his legal adviser." Akash completed earning various gasps from the audience.

More than everyone, Vipul and Anuradha were shocked to the core. Their eyes wandered all the hall, searching their certain family member. On the other side, Kalyani was devastated hearing his son's condition. She had already lost her younger son and didn't want to lose another. Though he was untrue a mother in her always wished for the wellbeing of her child.

"Mr Oberoi please speak the truth." Arjun nudged Tej, who was sitting in a wheelchair. His lean body, dark circles, swollen feet ascertained that he was unwell.

Suffering to sleep too.

"Tej sach bol. Kyu kiya aisa?" Kalyani's broken voice resonated in his ears. His heart was crushed feeling his mother's helplessness and plight.

"I got to know that all Shakthi's property was willed into his son, and none could change it. Neither Shivaay had to die or he could take the large part industries. Shakthi's share plus his own added to enormous. That day I and Shivaay had a deadly argument." He stopped to check if all were paying attention to his words.

Annika crossed her arms around her chest and smirked looking at horrified faces. Blood from Gauri's face drained off immediately after hearing about the actual truth of her beloved father in law. Omkara had no idea how to respond after the revelation of tangibility.

"That day, I was satisfied after eavesdropping on Shivaay and his wife. They were trying for a child. I was happy when their results came negative." Bhavya gasped. Her eyes drifted to meet Annika's, who reacted the same.

"Somehow at the end, we got in heated arguments. I tried blackmailing him in the name of my sons, but he didn't bend. As the last option, I aimed at him. I wanted to frame him, I had planned everything. I had hired a sniper too but it backfired me. The sniper bullet was meant to Shivaay but during his self-defence it hit me."

"Sir, is there any bail options?" Annika asked kindly with sadness engulfed. Rest all stood amused with her words, they weren't believing their ears after her words. How could a person be kind even after he interfered in their life? They thought.

"No. That's hard to receive. And we will proceed to the court hearing tomorrow and the Justice will announce his treatment first and then his punishment." Akash added specifically emphasising the treatment part.

"Ohh. I will sponsor his treatment." Omkara simultaneously glanced at both his father and Annika. He was his father, he could not see him suffer but his wrongdoings were no less to help. Without having an option, he stood mum.

"Let him rot. Till his death in jail. He framed his nephew, my husband. I will see that no one will apply for bail." Rudra sadly looked at his father, after giving attention to his bhabi. She was right but looking at his lean figure with bone protruding his insides twisted. Making his mind up, he stepped back and decided to stand for the truth.

"Om I know he is family but he is wrong. Believe me, even I'm saddened by the turns. Let him serve the punishment then you can get him home." Om immediately shut his eyes and squeezed hearing the same words repeated by Annika once he said.

Jhanvi opened her mouth to speak something but the words disappeared after Annika shot a glare. Her eyes teared seeing her 35 years long husband sitting and she couldn't do anything. She was bounded with the truth.

"How the hell you dare you to eavesdrop on my personal life?" Everyone turned their heels hearing the shouts only to face Shivaay. He was red after hearing all his deeds. From start to end all.

Others tried to stop him thinking that he was fragile as a flower, however, Annika didn't. She identified the flames burning amber in his eyes. The strength to fight for his love, to live his life.

She continued cessation.

"Were you keeping an eye on my life?" Shivaay asked with disbelief and marched to grab his uncle, however, he was halted by Khanna. He shook his head asking him to not do anything in his anger.

"Well, no doubt in that." Tej snarled. "I would get an anticipatory bail within seconds. The news comes and go. People forget faster than hamsters." Hearing his comments everyone scrunched their faces with his confidence.

"I do everything to stop it. Even your family will not step forward. I dare you." Tej smiled smugly at Annika and looked at his sons and family, hoping that they would come forward. But the things turned different, they all stood with heads hung and didn't dare to oppose Annika or meet his eyes.

"Ohh I see your wife is the decision-maker. Shame to you Shivaay, tsk-tsk." Tej's sarcasm vanished with Annika's glare. If glare would work, Tej by now would have been six feet under the ground. Lucky him, glares didn't work in the way.

"I'm happy my wife is with me. Standing for me. Apake tarah nahi. Aap na to beton ke saath sabase achchhe relation rakhate hain aur na hi patni ke saath. I hold the best relationship with Annika." Shivaay passed a wicked smile.

"I'm not hurt with you trying to kill me. But I'm extremely hurt you decided to carry on even after knowing my personal life. Why did you do that? If you were so invested in money, I could transfer all properties which were under my name. I believed in relations more than fortune. I loved you like my father but you showed your colours." He smiled sadly.

"Sir what about Dinesh Bajaj?" Anuradha asked after a pregnant silence.

"He is into hiding. We have informed all police stations regarding him. Soon he will be under custody." Hav Abdullah added, wanting to join into the conversation. He felt left out.

"Maa, you coming home? It's my treat. This day calls a celebration." Anuradha beamed with achievement. After years her elder daughter addressed her as a mother. Though Annika only wanted to show her satisfaction with calling her maa Anuradha was overjoyed. With happy tears pooling in her eyes, she nodded jovially and vigorously not wanting to miss the opportunity.

"He?" Annik asked sceptically.

"Sure. I would love to join." Vipul eagerly awaited this chance, and he didn't dare to spoil it.

"Chachi Ji Sahil will join right?" Monali smiled till it reached her eyes and nodded confirming her.

Though Gauri felt her happiness as a sadist, she knew she was right. Her elder sister was right. She was wrong. Her whole existence crumbled down within minutes. The sister who left her graduation in mid for her younger sister now didn't even care to look to meet her shameful face. Gauri's hand flew to her mouth to stop whimpering, she registered that she wasn't with Annika when she desperately needed.

"Dadi, I have called Priyanka. For property registration. I don't want things to mess up again, so, please reach out on this month-end." Shivaay started. "And I don't want furthermore to look back at these catastrophes. I don't intend to be in communication with you all. I need my life. I'm sorry if I hurt. I hope this is the last meet"

That was the words Kalyani and the family heard from him.

"If you don't fight for what you want, then don't cry for what you lost"

Krishna's words from Mahabharata reminded her. She truly found her grandson. First, it was Shakthi, then Tej and now it was her grandson. He understood that she didn't stand for him when she had to, now it was too late. To late to make any modifications. Her eyes lost hope, drained the youthfulness she had even after being old. Suddenly, her body felt heavy, older than she was.

It was too late.

Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a cloudy day. 

Once again speechless after thousands of sunsets, you give me wonders.

•Shubham•

DO READ IT.

The story has come to the end. It was all supposed to be 10 +chapters in maximum, however, with you all, I have reached it here.
I'm truly very happy with it.

I don't know how it came. But with all your comments sharing your thoughts on the character and past I will assume that I have completed satisfactorily.
Once again I thank all my readers, for giving me a chance by reading this or finding this hopeless book.

I hope you all have enjoyed reading it like I did while writing. Do tell me how was your experience? How was your first expression when you came across this book? I would like to know.

I don't write for others, I write of myself. For my interest in writing and my overflowing thoughts. But with this success, I was so motivated that, I would attempt to complete the next chapters only to read your opinion.

Please go through my conversation page and reply ASAP. It's about their failed pregnancy confession.

*inhaling deeply* I have nothing to say more. THANK YOU.

:-P