Annika was numb for a minute when she saw shivaay's bleeding forehead. The goons also looked as if someone had beat them mercilessly but she didn't have the time to think about it. Right now shivaay was important and as difficult it was to see him in such a condition it was important to take him to the doctor immediately. Hot tears sprang in her eyes and with heavy steps she walked close to him.

He looked in terrible pain , his hand was clutching his forehead tightly. Quickly grabbing him by the shoulders Annika helped him to balance himself.

The police arrived soon and since the matter looked so clear they took the goons while they quickly took Annika and shivaay to the hospital.

Annika couldn't stop her tears but she continued to support him till he was finally taken for the first aid. All of this was because of her. She was the reason why shivaay fought with those goons and injured himself. Maybe happiness wasn't meant for her or for the people around her, she thought. It was then that a sudden realisation struck her. He had managed his way to her heart despite the walls around it. It was early to name these feelings as love but she cared for him deeply. Had anything happened to him today she wouldn't have been okay. He was important to her. He meant so much to her.

"Mrs oberoi , your husband is fine just a slight injury and he has a sprain in his right hand. I've prescribed some medicines and ointments for him. He'll be totally fine in 3-4 days." The doctor broke annika's trance.

Quickly walking inside the room she saw shivaay sitting on the bed with a faint smile on his face. There was bandage around his forehead. Seeing him fit and fine Annika couldn't stop herself and she burst out crying.

"Annika shhh shhh see I'm fine nothing has happened" shivaay tried comforting her.

"No shivaay it isn't fine. Who told you to fight with those goons ? Why did you put your life in danger for me ?"
Annika asked now crying hysterically.

"What kind of a question is this Annika ? " Shivaay asked with a serious expression.

"You are my wife. How dare those people talk trash about you ? Nobody has the right to misbehave with you and if someone does he'll have to pay for it"

His rage filled eyes stopped her from questioning any further. His answer was enough. She was tongue tied. Still seething in anger shivaay closed his eyes and looked towards the other side.

Gathering some courage Annika moved towards him and stood in front of him. Slowly and hesitantly taking his hand in hers she stroked it gently with her thumb. Shivaay felt his anger fading away and his raging heartbeats now seemed to calm down. Slowly he opened his eyes, her eyes met his and his expression softened.

"I.. I'm sorry for ..."

"Shivaay you don't have to be sorry. Trust me" Annika answered in a soft voice with a faint smile on her face.

"Is it paining a lot?" She asked worried.

"No it doesn't"

"I Know it is but you won't admit " Annika answered playing with his fingers. Shivaay chuckled and cupped her face with his other hand.

"I'm glad you're okay"

Just four simple words yet they made her heart flutter and warm at the same time.

"Me too"

It was shivaay's turn to be stunned. Annika had never said something like this to him. A soft smile spread on his face as he noticed her blushed cheeks and that ethereal expression on her face.

"Shivaay I think we should leave now. You need rest and mom dad are also worried about you. They are coming to pick us"

Shivaay nodded and got down from the bed. Annika carefully held him by his shoulder and wrapped another arm around his waist.

Once they exited the building they found a very paranoid Shakti and pinki waiting for them near the car.

"Shivaay how are you ? Is it paining somewhere ? Are you okay ? " Pinki bombarded him with numerous questions.

"Mom mom relax it's a minor wound and I'm totally fine. "

Shivaay could notice his parents worried faces.

"And Annika beta are you okay ? You didn't get injured na ?" It was Shakti this time.

"Dad shivaay was with me. There was no chance I could get hurt" Annika spoke looking at shivaay.

Pinki smiled seeing the both of them and quickly asked them to sit in the car.

Once they were home Annika helped shivaay till the bedroom and made him sit. Wishing the young couple a goodnight pinki and Shakti retired to their room.

"Annika can you please get my night clothes?"

"Yeah sure"

Annika fished out a pair of his clothes and handed it to him.
It was then that they realised that shivaay would need help in changing clothes since the doctor had asked him to not put any pressure on his hand.

"Ummm.. Annika I would need your help in changing" shivaay spoke looking at the clothes.

"Hmm" came her muffled reply.

"Annika are you sure you're okay with this ?"

Annika couldn't help but notice how a gentleman he was. His condition was because he had fought for her and even now he was asking her if she was comfortable or not. All her doubts and apprehensions vanished in thin air and with confidence she took his t shirt from him and gave him a nod.
Shivaay was surprised but he chose to remain quiet.

Annika unbuttoned his shirt as carefully as she could. Their proximity wasn't helping her and she could feel his hot breath on her face. Quickly grabbing his t-shirt Annika carefully slid it down his frame and made him wear it. All this while her gaze was fixated on his clothes because she knew that if she tried to look at him she wouldn't be able to continue. His gaze was intense and she was able to feel it the whole time.

Annika let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding. Next she picked up the track pants and then looked at him with a confused face that made shivaay chuckle.

"Annika thank you so much but I'll be able to do this on my own. You don't have to do this. Trust me"

"But shivaay what if the sprain worsens ?"

"Annika it won't. Just trust me" saying so he walked to the washroom to change .

Annika quickly changed her clothes and waited for him with his medicines.

Once he was out she gave him the medicines and made him lie on the bed. Carefully covering him with a duvet she lied beside him but leaving some space between them .

Shivaay had dozed off under the effect of painkillers while Annika was wide awake. All the events replayed in her head and she felt her insides tearing up. Shivaay had single handedly fought with the goons just for her. How could he be so selfless ? What if something grave had happened to him ? Would she be able to forgive herself ?

Today she had realised one thing that if anything was to happen to shivaay she too wouldn't be able to survive. He had become an important and inseparable piece of her heart. Staring at him she scooted closer and caressed his hair gently and then planted a soft kiss on his forehead. Taking his hand in hers she too dozed off.

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So where do you think are these two heading towards now ?

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