As soon as shivaay saw the doctor his mouth went dry. He held annika's hand even more tightly and waited for the doctor to speak further.

"Mrs oberoi is stable now. She is out of danger. We have given her painkillers so you can see her tomorrow morning"

Not knowing what to say shivaay just nodded at the doctor and watched his retreating figure.

"Shivaay" Annika called him softly and stood in front of him. He was still zoned out.

Carefully tapping on his shoulder she called him again and this time he turned towards her. Annika could see tears welling up in his eyes and before she could ask anything shivaay flung his arms around her and sobbed like a baby.

Annika caressed his back gently and held him tight. These were the tears of relief she knew. Whispering sweet nothings in his ears she kept on rubbing his back. Parting from the hug shivaay smiled and wiped his tears.

"An..Annika mom is fine. She is okay"

"Yes shivaay she is absolutely fine. I told you na nothing would happen to her" Annika answered with tears in her eyes. She knew how devasted shivaay was on seeing pinki's condition.

She made him sit on the bench and went to get some water for the both of them. Meanwhile shivaay dropped a message on shakti's phone informing him about pinki's health.

Annika came back with two cups of water and sat beside him.

"Today when I saw mom all those memories about dadu came back. I was scared thinking about losing her just like I lost him. He was my best friend. Even dad felt so lonely after he died.

I don't know if I was scared for dad or myself. "

Annika looked at him and gently rubbed his arm.

"Shivaay you don't have to think about all that now. Mom is totally fine and we will see her tomorrow morning."

Shivaay nodded on listening to her.

Annika rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and rubbed the back of her neck. Shivaay noticed her discomfort. Annika opened her eyes and stood up. Maybe sleep wasn't an option today. She decided to go for a little walk in the garden outside. It was still 1 am.

"Umm shivaay I was thinking to take a stroll outside. You want to come ?"

No doubt they both needed some fresh air so shivaay agreed and walked with her towards the small garden outside the hospital.

The air was fresh and cool. They could hear the sound of the wind and the rustling of leaves. It felt serene. Annika felt an unknown happiness bubbling inside her. Pinki's health was fine and shivaay also looked relieved.  
They continued to walk in silence.

After a few minutes Annika settled on a bench nearby and buried her face in her hands.

"Annika"

She looked up to face him and could see his scrutinizing gaze on her.

"I know you are very sleepy right now. Let's go inside please. You need to rest"

Nodding Annika got up from the bench and shivaay held her hand unconsciously as he started to walk taking her by surprise. She could only stare at their intertwined hands all the way to the hospital and she felt warmth seeping in her self. It was a gentle yet protective hold.

Inside the hospital shivaay settled on one of the seats in the visiting area with annika beside him. From the corner of his eye he saw her yawning like a baby and she rested her head against the wall. Maybe she was very tired that Annika didn't feel uncomfortable anymore and dozed off to sleep. Sighing shivaay too slept.

It was around 6 am in the morning when annika woke up. She squirmed uncomfortably in her seat and looked around. There was pin drop silence around. Slowly adjusting to the light she tried to figure out what was happening. A strong yet familiar smell of cologne hit her nostrils and she tilted her neck to look up. Shivaay had wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulder and her head was resting on his chest. Annika's arm was wound around his waist while his face was buried in her hair. She could feel her cheeks warming up. He looked really tired and she could hear soft snoring. Not wanting to disturb him she didn't change her position.

After some time she felt him waking up and closed her eyes so as to not get caught. He needed just an opportunity to tease her and she clearly didn't want to give him one.

Annika too pretended as if she woke up just then and rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning Annika "

"Morning shivaay"

"Does your back hurt ?" Shivaay asked her with concern

"No it doesn't. What about you ?"

"No I'm fine too"

Annika went to use the washroom and after making herself a little presentable walked towards where shivaay was sitting. He extended a cup of coffee in front of her and she readily took it. Her sleep fogged brain was in dire need of it.

Shivaay saw the doctor approaching them and stood up from his seat to ask for permission to meet pinki since the visiting hours had begun.

Quietly they walked inside the room where pinki was lying on the bed. There were a few machines attached to her and she was still sleeping.
Shivaay sat beside her and caressed her hair lovingly. Taking her hand in his he kissed it and Annika could see his eyes had started to well. She placed her hand on his shoulder as a sign of assurance and he looked at her gratefully.

They decided to go home and freshen up since Shakti had arrived at the hospital to take care of pinki.

Shivaay came to the kitchen after a long relaxing bath. He saw Annika making some chappatis and sabzi for Shakti.

"Annika I think you should take some rest. I'll go to the hospital and take care of everything."

"Shivaay she is my mother too. And I don't want to leave you alone in this situation" she answered stirring the veggies in the pan.

Shivaay smiled hearing her reply.
He was happy to have her in his life and there was no way he would want to change that.

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This chapter was short and sort of a filler since I want to start the next track from a new chapter. Hope you guys would like it

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