Two month passed by, Anika's constant tries of getting a job failed every time just because she doesn't have a certificate over her English speaking fluency. That day too she returned disheartened. Looking her so down and so depressed Shivay also got confused, what to do and what not to do.

"Tea?" he asked.

Mouthing a yes she went to get freshened up. Shivay was feeling guilty, at the moment if he could change his decision of settling to NY solely for his business then he would not have even given it a thought. Secondly he felt like, he was the reason behind Anika leaving her job which she loved so much. Thinking all, his heart sank down. An hour passed by but still she didn't come out of the washroom. He could hear the sound of running shower inside and was sure that she is crying. Every time she fell weak and felt like crying, she hid her tears in the flowing water of shower. She made so many tries to hide this fact but he knew it, this worked as the last stab of guilt. Another ten minutes passed by and then she came out drying her tears. She tried behaving normal, as much as she could and shoot up a smile the moment her eyes collided with Shivay's.

"Where is my tea?" she asked sitting beside him, drying off her hair.

"Why don't you let your tears out in front of me?" his voice was hoarse.

She never expected him to ask this. She felt like tsunami of tears bubbling inside her and looked away. How can she let him see her tears when she already know that how much responsible he holds himself for her decision of leaving the last job. Fidgeting her fingers she dared to look at him again, still he was sitting in the same posture looking at her. His eyes were expectant but still. No more hiding.

"I need to cope up Shivay, please give me sometime" his face angled down.

A drop traversed down leaving his eyes. He was afraid, he was so afraid that she will break down to that extent from where it will be difficult for him to heal her. He does not want her to face another rejection and at the same time he do not want her to leave her tries. He was stuck, between emotions and responsibilities. On top she doesn't want to use his name to get her job which will make it easier for her. He wanted to cry and shout. He failed to fulfil her needs. He failed. Another drop traversed down. Nothing said more, they sat still. The awkwardness of the silence was increasing and none knew what to say, how to express.

"Let's talk" Shivay suggested.

She nodded.

"I want a job Shivay, not only because I love it but for self respect. These past days were really tough for me, looking at you going to your office and returning tired while I sit back whole day at the house literally doing nothing. To be true I always hated this term called house wife, yeah those women really do everything but I feel like every woman should have their own earning on which she can depend for the rest of her life. You earn Shivay you earn a lot to fulfil every wish of everyone but I need to help you with that. I want to help you because I would love to. I never wanted to be the burden over anyone and all these going in our life, is making me feel like a burden over you. One side you are not letting me break my deposits in bank for my use because you think they are my savings and I should use them only in severe need and on the other side you are secretly keeping cash inside my purse to fulfil my needs. They were really sweet gesture but such gesture every time is making me feel tied, I cannot deny because I know it will hurt you and I cannot accept it as well because it is hurting my self respect. I don't know how to explain it more" she stopped, saying it all.

She was afraid to look into those eyes. In their relation she always tried becoming equal to him but looking at few gestures of him she felt like failing. Every time it was her who visited him when they were apart for their job, it was him who secretly kept cash into her purse every time she planned an outing with him. Even he transferred the exact amount of money to her account that she spent to visit him when they weren't staying together. She kept making herself understand that they were his sweet gestures out of love but now it was getting difficult for her too. She was feeling as if he is trying to prove his dominance.

He heard it all, something inside him broke but he was happy that lastly she shared her views with him. She loves him, she loves him way too much and because of that she said all of them without any hesitation. He never thought that his random gestures would hurt her so much. Every time she talked of using the money of her savings to fulfil her basic needs, he thought that it is of no use. He thought that she can use the money for something better or in critical situation. And lastly, he never thought that this money thing will come between them.

"Anika I can say one thing, your money and my money are not different. Whatever you earn or have earned is equally mine like the way whatever I earn is yours. You know you will get a job, and that too really soon because I know your potential. I have seen you working so much and fulfilling the wishes of everyone. Anika back in your house there was a time when you were the only earning person and it was you who told me this. Then how can you fall weak now? You know the particular reason of not getting the job and we will manage that, I promise that we will together manage it. And wife, my dominance over our relation wasn't ever intentional. Actually I never thought that you can think of my small gestures in such way but I promise, I promise to take care of those from the next time" he was hurt and that was evident from whatever he spoke.

"I am bringing you your tea and after that take some rest, I will call you once the food is ready" he got up and started to leave

He wanted her to call him and hug him tight and she wanted him to turn and hug her tight, but no one made the move. She lied down and he went to the kitchen. Gradually sleep took over her and when he returned, she was fast asleep. An hour passed by, he prepared food for them and waited for her while flipping the channels. She got up and went out of their room and noticed him sitting over the couch, she sat beside him resting her head over his shoulder.

"Go and have some more sleep" he said dropping a kiss over her head.

"Are you hurt?" she asked.

"I was but then I realised that we are different, very very much from others. And in our relation we are friends more than husband and wife. I know darling that you always hated the thing called marriage because you always felt men dominates it and when I tried becoming your shield it felt like dominance and maybe my few gestures made it look like that more. And I am sorry for that because all I wanted is to make you feel protected and cared. But I actually promise that from now I will be your shield and you will be my sword. I love you yaar, so so much" he said hugging her tight and dropping another kiss over her head.

"So Mr. husband I am also sorry for what I said. You know our earnings never matter but I misunderstood you with that. I promise to never repeat these again because now I know that my earnings and your earnings are same" she kissed over his nose and hugged him back.

"So let's go and eat, really hungry" she nodded as he said and they got up from the couch.

They advanced towards their kitchen hand in hand and were pouring food into the dishes. Suddenly they stopped hearing Thomas calling them.

"Oberoi please help" the man entered, he had tears in eyes.

Soon the smile died from their face thinking about Mily.

"Mily is alright?" Anika asked.

Thomas explained that Mily's labour pain has started and he doesn't know what to do. Anika and Shivay soon rushed to Thomas's house and looked at Mily. She was in so much pain. They soon called the ambulance and took Mily to the hospital. Thomas was scared, he was literally crying. Shivay rushed as the doctor called for something leaving behind Thomas with Anika. When he returned what he saw pained him a bit. Thomas was hugging Anika and crying while she tried to soothe him. Pushing away all these thoughts he went near.

"Thomas they are asking whether you want to go inside to hold Mily's hand?" Shivay asked.

Thomas distanced himself from Anika and nodded no mouthing that he is scared. Shivay encouraged him and sent him inside saying Mily needs him most and sat beside Anika. Both have still not eaten anything and they forgot about it completely. Gradually hours passed by and then they saw Thomas coming out of the operation theatre with a shining smile over his face. Shivay and Anika got up and advanced towards him.

"It is a boy" Thomas said.

They could see the happiness in him. He informed that Mily is fine too. Anika grew excited to watch the little baby and Thomas took her along. Two people at a time were allowed so Shivay was left behind. When Anika and Thomas returned he saw that Anika was laughing at something what Thomas has said. After few days Mily returned back to her house and Anika's visit to their house increased. Every night Shivay returned Anika was found at Thomas's place. That day he went inside looking the door open and noticed Anika speaking to Thomas so eagerly about some topic. They stopped looking at Shivay and smiled.

"Shivay in Thomas's company they have a vacancy, I am planning to go for interview" he could see the sparkle in her eyes.

"Yeah sure" Shivay approved although his heart kept denying.

They returned to their house and Anika kept on sharing that how much friendly Thomas is. She mentioned about the baby and explained how much attached she got to the baby and how Thomas has asked Anika to select a name for the baby. She kept on saying while Shivay drifted to sleep. She too slept after sometime, with full contended heart.

It was the day when Anika went for the interview at Thomas's office. Shivay said he will go but when Thomas suggested that he will take Anika along as they are going at the same place, Shivay had to approve as Anika agreed too. He waited back at home praying to god that she gets the job. Soon he heard a car sound and saw Anika and Thomas entering.

"Okay bye Ann" Thomas quickly hugged Anika and went away.

Anika entered and without even getting freshened up hugged Shivay tight.

"I got the job husband" she said kissing him deeply over his cheek and distanced.

"Get freshened up wife, today I will make your favourite dish" he tried sounding as happy as he could but somewhere he lacked.

He was so happy at the news that she got the job but looking at Thomas's and Anika's increasing friendship he felt pain inside his heart. She told him that the company has given her a year to complete the English speaking course and submit the certificate by the end of the year. She also said that the interviewer was so impressed by her. After that she went to get freshened up and he wondered what is going on with him. He felt so bad that he could not become much happy listening to the great news. The thought of Thomas did something inside his heart which he tried to ignore but failed.

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What do you all think, is Thomas coming between Shivay and Anika? And congratulate Anika yaar, she got the job after all and let's celebrate with her. Am so excited to post the next part, but let's wait. Ha ha... okkay bye and stay safe everyone.

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 THURSDAY.

-NILANJANA