The world around Shivay remained busy since morning but the main person sat silently over the bed in his room. Few moments ago his brothers retired from his room advising him to take care and never to feel lonely. His sister too came, but she cried hugging him and asked him to stay healthy. He failed to keep his smile intact seeing his sister crying and for once decided to cancel the deal, but family and reputation costs much. His daadi isn't doing that well too but the doctor advised not to worry so not going wasn't any option in his head for the moment.

But what saddened him more was, no visit from his wife and his mother. Both the ladies kept them busy and willingly ignored him and he understood that. An hour ago his father informed him that the ladies went to shop groceries, a stupid bluff out of nowhere, when Shivay asked his father to call his mother. Morning when he woke up Anika was missing in the room but a note stated the reason about her sudden departure from the room.

'I am with Mom , if need anything important message me' the note read but when he asked for three important things she didn't come and sent someone who could help. At last getting sad he said he wanted a couple picture of them together of their marriage thinking she would come but a message pinged him and that had the photo he demanded.

'Urrgghh this technology' he threw the phone over their bed and welcomed everyone else who knocked.

More seconds flew away but Anika or Pinky did not step in. At last ending the wait he stepped out to see Pinky patting Anika's back and saying something. Anika eagerly listening and then nodding yes. He went closer with his ever charming smile.

"Mom, Anika where were you both?" his heart felt relieved seeing them together, and safe.

For a moment an hour back he felt are they safe or not but now his heart calmed. The two important women of his life are standing in front and they are together.

"We went to shop Shivay, now please you get ready soon your flight is in four hours almost so we need to leave in an hour or so. Anika please see if he needs something" Pinky left uttering these words not letting Shivay speak much.

Anika stepped forward to follow Pinky but swift he is, holding her hand he slightly pulled back looking at her.

"Are you ignoring me?" uttering the question he hurt himself.

"Just trying to learn how to live without you" she answered under her breath.

"You are my home, I will always come back to you" pain in his voice matched up his eyes.

"Stay safe Bub" her hands shivered that wanted to hold him tight but pulling them back she stepped apart.

She walked ahead trying hard not to cry but a tear oozed out crossing limits, a silent sob followed, fastening the pace all she wanted was to go away from him to hide her tears, her tears hurts him afterall and she never want to hurt him.

"Please don't treat me such" his sudden hold from back stopped her and his tears touching her skin broke her in to zillions.

Turning towards him she hugged him tight trying to console but nothing worked, her own heart hurt her more. They slowly moved towards their room holding onto each other. Entering into the room she made him sit over the bed and held his face.

Why does love hearts this much? Feeling spoke from their heart. They wanted time to stop. Slowly she leaned forward and kissed over his eyes. Smilingly parting she took out his wear and gave it to him. Her favourite colour over him is that, and her favourite wear for him too, simple dark blue coloured jeans and a white shirt that she loves when he do not tuck in. Gelling up his air she gave a dry blow to that thick black manly hairs.

"How am I looking?" he asked, tinge of spark brightened up her mood.

He liked her choices for him, her styling and probably she. She blushed and pulled his cheeks. Going down holding hands all they felt was sharp pain and happiness knowing each other by their side always. He took blessings from all the elders. Pinky shed tears asking him to take care. Shakthi confessed to be proud of his son always. Rudra pouted trying to hide his tears and Priyanka cried hugging her brother. Omkara watched and knowing an important part of his life going away stood silent but when Shivay reached him, he just hugged Shivay tight and asked him to excel in everything he desire.

Brothers separated as Anika took seat inside the car along with Shivay and promised to drop Shivay safely in airport, family also wanted the couple to get some alone time before they separate. Pinky kissed Anika's forehead assuring they are always there beside her. Returning back Pinky's smile Anika too assured to be the best partner for her son. Shivay for the last time looked at everyone and the wheel rolled further. Previous visits to foreign wasn't this much hurting but this time something seemed different.

Airport rushed to their view soon and the car stopped. Driver helped Shivay to arrange the luggage to go inside. After getting prepared, physically and mentally, he looked at his wife once again. Her smile gave him strength that he felt like lacking. He stepped apart moving forward, with every step loosing himself more to her and she loosing her strength and hold over tears. Before entering he looked back at her, her smiling face still reflected. Seeing beyond the smile would hurt him, knowing that he assured himself that she is happy too. Smiling back he walked in, the door closed and he was gone. Two years or maybe more, no seeing him, no getting to live together, her tears betrayed lastly falling down.

Holding on the smiling face, all the while, was difficult for her but she did, she did it for him and he won't let her down, never. The flight flew up in the air with all these thoughts knocking his head as he looked out of the window to see his homeland slipping away.

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Two nights without him has passed, it was difficult. The memories of them together haunted her, closing her eyes all she could see was his smile and her laughter. Her smile too held pain and her pain held relief. Waking up she mistook walking up to the cupboard to take out his clothes but then realised that he is gone, for a long span of time. Releasing a painful sigh she took out her clothes and got ready, her leave has ended and now it is time to get back to work.

"Anika have food" Pinky called taking up Anika's plate.

"Mom, I will have it in office, let me go as I am already late" she tried excusing but just like her own mother, Pinky too rolled eyes and stuffed a morsel inside her mouth.

Last night too she didn't eat, she excused saying she has no appetite. No one forced too knowing her condition. But now Pinky will definitely scold her if she once more denies to have food. Stuffing in more morsels she forcefully fed Anika two chapattis and then let her go. Omkara already went to office early morning to avoid missing Shivay at home. Rudra too went early saying he has works and now Anika rushed out too to not show anyone else that how much she is missing him.

Going to office didn't help too, no news from his side and thus her attention deviated from all the official works. Unlikely her she shouted upon a girl working with her as well. The tension is growing on her nerves. Thirty eight long hours has passed and no news from his side came except he has landed safely, that too was informed by his personal assistant there. The PA assured Anika that he will take good care of his boss but unless she gets to hear his well being from his mouth she isn't going to sit calm. During her entire office hours her family called her many times asking if Shivay has called but all the answer she had was no. They then cut the call and then called again after an hour to ask the same. Same answer she gave.

Looking at her boss she was quite sure that he is offended. She was always a working woman and never entertained any phone calls except emergency and that same girl is completely on phone since the time she entered office that morning.

"Anika please meet me in my cabin" the boss ordered walking down to Anika's table.

She wrapping up the file she was working over hurried inside her boss's cabin carrying on her professional look and trying to hide that tensed face.

"Yeah sir, is there any other project you want me to work upon?" she asked calmly.

"If you are tensed over something and failing to concentrate then please go back for today. I probably can guess the feeling when someone's husband leaves her just after marriage" her boss's words shook her. The tone specifically held disrespect towards her.

Yes she knew he had a soft corner towards her but never knew he would speak such. Most importantly the look over his face made her feel more miserable.

"I am sorry sir, but my husband and his work is completely my personal matter, I would like it if you try not to interfere in my personal matters" she politely answered.

The change of expression over the boss's face assured her that her answer did the work.

"Now may I go sir" she asked holding up the same smile and tone.

The boss nodded yes looking at the wall and she walked out. Her colleague asked what happened through eyes, moving her head from east to west she answered nothing and sat back over her table to continue the work she left.

Back in the house elders grew more impatient not getting any particular news of the elder son of their house. Previously it never happened that Shivay forgot to contact his family and share about his being but this time they wondered about the reason for which he isn't contacting. Various thoughts haunted Pinky but she knew he has landed safely. Probably busy in his works. Moreover the time difference. Pinky tried assuring everyone and her own heart uttering these words.

Everyone knows that he doesn't have a phone as well right at the moment because last time he broke the one he had and never cared to buy a new SIM as everyone was unsure about the deal in New York. The sudden changes has not given any time to anyone to prepare mentally and probably that is why this time Shivay's departure is hurting everyone so much.

Pinky awaited her son's phone call eagerly sitting over the couch in drawing room but none came that day. Rather Anika came back all tired. Asking Anika also didn't improve the situation much.

"Please sit beta, I am serving the dinner" Pinky said as everyone started coming down to have food.

"Mom I am serving" Anika insisted and made Pinky sat too.

She had a look over every dishes and smiled looking at the entire family sitting together. She started serving from Daadi and the circle ended at Priyanka. The family discussed about various topics. Rudra informed about him completing the project before the deadline and excelling in the eyes of his boss. Everyone happily discussed about their lives while Anika shared her experience with boss in her office too. Everyone felt proud as she narrated her reply and asked her to really shoo away that boss soon by getting a promotion, she promised to try. Shivay was missed and the tension followed but the family didn't let others know what are they feeling as they tried cheering up the other.

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I really don't know how does it feel when someone close to you leaves you and go but I tried justifying whatever my actual friend narrated me while sharing the story and specifically this phase. You all can still guess where Shivay might be, but the wait won't be much longer as I will disclose soon. Do let me know all your thoughts, until then bye.

Thank You so much to everyone who read, voted and commented. Hope you have enjoyed this part as well. If so then please do hit the star button and leave your comment or criticism down.

NEXT EPISODE WILL GET POSTED ON SUNDAY.

-NILANJANA