I am back this week as well 😉 Would be busy over the weekend and so....

Thanks for the inline comments IndraPriyadarshini hijk2017 suryaarjuna user41717447 user02759713 anrawsnarayan user40279863 narbhi_fan arshi-suchi Karthisundar riyaaaravi ib123456 pavithra82 Priya0706 and all others if I missed any!!

This chapter was originally suggested by pari220 and I am sure she would have no idea she told me this long long ago 😛
But well, dedicated to IndraPriyadarshini arshi-suchi riyaaaravi and pavithra82 for the perfect guess 😉

And those who are angry with Annika, do store some of your anger for the future as well 😅

As already mentioned, this is a slightly shorter chapter as compared to the previous ones!!

Be ready with chamelis for me and Annika 😉 I am ready too 😛

Happy Reading !! 😎

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She was continuously crying thinking of all that happened in the last few days, rather hours. What had her life come to?

On one side, her mom was pushing her to get married in two days. On another side, her dad was forcibly signing some deal document.

Was Mr.Oberoi doing some sort of deal with her parents?

His words kept lingering in her mind in a loop.

"If someone commits something to Shivaay Singh Oberoi, they need to stay committed."

"The deal will be signed before the wedding, as I do not want any disturbance during the wedding"

"If someone messes with Shivaay Singh Oberoi, they need to face the consequences"

"I will make sure Annika knows nothing about this"

"Anyone tries to disobey me, I will sue their family, they should know that"

Both the incidents had created a vast impact on her and a loop of thoughts were running in her mind. Why her? Why did her life have to come down to this level? Ok, she had understood that Rohit was not meant for her. But, why couldn't fate leave her alone for sometime. How come her mom and dad, who had been with her all through, failed to understand how messed up her mind was. Were they also lost like her and so planned to go with the flow? But, why did they have to rush things if that was the case? And, most importantly, what was that deal?? Why did her dad not want her to know about it??! No, she had to do something about all this mess. She was directly or indirectly one of the reasons, that all this was happening.

She was torn between two options - to speak up for herself, not worrying about the consequences or take a bigger decision. It was NOW or NEVER! She knew she was not being right, just by thinking about herself, but she had no other option now.

Her thoughts were disturbed by a knock on the door.

"Bhabhi.. there is a small change in plan.." Priyanka said sadly.

"What plan?" she asked worried.

"Hmm.. the Haldi function will take place now..morning the time is not ok.. so here is your dress.. you can wear it and call me. I will help you further" Priyanka smiled.

"But why suddenly?" she asked.

"The timings Bhabhi.. some muhurat issue.. it happens na..accha you get ready.. I will come in sometime" Priyanka suggested.

"Thik hai.. waise Priyanka.."

"Haa Bhabhi.."

"I..I just remembered you had your reception planned on the day after tomorrow right.." Annika asked.

"Haa.. that is postponed to the weekend.. We will have both our receptions together" she smiled.

"Ohhh... but.. but your trip?" she asked getting reminded of their honeymoon trip.

"I have postponed it to next week" Rohit said entering the room.

"Rohit... tum..but whyyy??" she asked.

"Haa.. what is the urgency for the trip Annika? My dearest Annika is getting married, and my trip is not that important..it can wait..hai na Prinku?" he said.

"Haa haa.. of course.. it is my sweetest Bhaiyaa and most favourite to be Bhabhi's wedding.. and you are asking me about that trip.. come on Bhabhi" she retorted faking an anger. "Waise bhi.. the travel agent is Rohit's friend..so it was easy to reschedule it" she added.

"Accha.. it is getting late.. you get ready.. Prinku, come let's go and arrange the place meanwhile" Rohit suggested and they left.

"These people are making and breaking so many plans for my sake.. What would happen if I do something?" she thought to herself.

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Chanda and Priyanka once again got her all ready and brought her down to the function hall.

They had planned a namesake Mehndi rasam.

"Oh my maata.. Your mehndi is still so dark?" Pinky exclaimed "Even more than Prinku's" she added.

"Haa Pinky.. Billu likes your bahu sooo much" Daadi teased.

"Haww mummy ji.. why can't it be the other way round huh? You always support your Billu only" Pinky taunted Daadi purposely.

"You already started taking your Bahu's side..good going" Daadi teased her yet again.

Meera was now quite satisfied that her daughter was going to the right place and she need not worry about her anymore. She knew that she was somewhere wrong in rushing things, but deep down, felt that everything was happening for a reason and will definitely fall in place soon.

"Didi.. write Shivaay on her hand... Bhaiyaa has to find out where his name is..make sure you hide it properly huh" Priyanka requested the Mehndi artist and the woman agreed.

"Prinku... you and your antics" Shivaay smiled.

Annika was so angry. He acted like nothing had happened a few hours back. She now understood that he was a good actor too and knew how to hide things pretty well. But, what surprised her was how her dad also seemed too casual about whatever was happening! She felt like screaming on top of her voice at her parents and Shivaay. But, something in her, stopped her from doing so!

The Mehndi artist managed to write the three letters of Shivaay's name in Hindi in different corners of her hand in such a way that it would take a long time finding out where it was hidden. Though Annika had major michmichi feels, she could hardly protest and decided to remain silent.

Soon after, they had a simple Haldi function and all the ladies came one after the other applying Haldi on Annika's face. She just curtly smiled in response. Annika was waiting to run back into her room and shut the door. Her emotional turmoils were driving her crazy!!!

"Billu.. you can't see Annika after this until tomorrow morning..So don't try any mischief" Daadi warned Shivaay..

"Even if I have no such ideas,these people will induce it in me" he chuckled thinking to himself.

"Thank God!!" Annika thought to herself..

A little later, the function was over and Chanda had planned to stay back with them.

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Annika felt so bad at her incompetence to speak out her mind in front of Daadi and the remaining Oberoi family members. She still failed to understand what was stopping her, the fear due to which she was panicking for last few hours, or the love she had for the Oberoi family! How she wished things were simple and not so complicated, as they were now!

It was late night and all of them had fallen asleep. After all they had to wake up early next morning. Annika slowly got up from her bed. The maze that was building up in her mind had grown all the more complicated in the last few hours. She had the determination to fight, but was not sure, if she chose the right method to do the same. However, she had no time left. She had to act quick!!

Gone was the fear! Gone was the love and affection she was thinking about few hours back. The maze in which she was entangled, had forced her to take such a trivial step. The devil of thoughts, overpowered her emotions and making up her mind, she quickly and silently walked out of the room.

The entire mansion was dark. No one seemed to be found anywhere around.

"All would be fast asleep.." she thought.

Slowly and steadily, she walked out of the house, turning back to give it one last look.

"I am sorry..I had no other choice" she let out a silent cry as she turned back to run.

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She had just run for a few minutes, when she found a strong hold on her, thereby stopping her. She was shocked beyond expectations.

As she turned to see who it was, a tight slap landed on her cheek.

"How dare you, Annika?" Chanda asked.

Annika was too shocked to react.

"This was the last thing I had expected from you" she screamed.

"Chanda.. woh mai.." Annika stammered..

"Shut up.. just shut up.. not a word more.. not a word" Chanda screamed.

"How did you even think of doing this huh? You think you are very smart?" she scowled.

"Chanda please.. let her talk" a voice came from beside her. It was Rohan, her boyfriend!

"Rohan please... you don't interfere.. this is between me and her..I need an answer from her now.. right now..." She ordered.

"I.. I did not know what else to do" Annika weeped continuously. "I had no other option.."

"You had no other option? Tell that again..you had no other option?" Chanda screamed.

"Chanda.. I was not in the right frame of mind when I accepted everything.." she stuttered.

"Don't you dare Annika...How many times did I tell you to go and talk to your parents? How many times did I ask you to discuss with Shivaay? Did you do any of this?" she screamed again.

"Chanda .. I tried but..."

"No you did not.. you went and nodded your head everywhere and now you are eloping..."

"But he is not a nice person Chanda.. it is all a deal.." she tried saying..

"He is not a nice person? So you are very nice since you lied that you are ok to get married? You are very nice that you are running away now.. Answer me" Chanda shouted with rage.

"I..I.. this was the last resort.. I do not have the courage to face them..I did not have the guts to confess that I do not want all this..." Annika hesitated saying that..

"So you decided to run away leaving behind everyone like that, hai na?" Chanda asked sarcastically.

"Not like that.. I am sorry.." Guilt was engulfing her mind.

"Is it so easy to say sorry Annika? Did you for once think about your parents? Do you even know the kind of respect they have in this place? Forget that.. do you know how much your parents love you? Do you know how much they are looking forward to this.. Do you know how happy Daadi and the rest of the Oberois are?? Did you for once think of all these people?" Chanda kept questioning her with all the valid points!

"I.. I thought a lot about them... that is why I walked off not able to face them.." she sobbed.

"Accha... did you for once think what would be the consequences of this deed of yours? How your parents would face everyone? For this, you could have rather cancelled all this at first.. you could have rather hurt the Oberois saying you have nil interest in the wedding.. They would have gone back to Mumbai.. they would have found a better girl.. Most importantly, Shivaay would have escaped from a person like you.. don't you think this is cowardice...this is not the Annika I know.. you are not my ANNIKA" her words were literally piercing Annika's heart.

But, someone had to knock some sense into her, someone had to make her understand, someone had to tell her that whatever she was doing is wrong. And, soft words would leave no impact on her, owing to her state of mind. The only option left was being harsh, harsh enough that Annika would regret whatever she did.

"Chanda is right...What if I just ran away ? what would my parents feel? Their dignity and respect was one thing.. but, I am the only one they have for themselves.. Wouldn't they be stuck in the same point like me??? How did I even think of betraying Daadi and my Pinky aunty.. they showered so much of love on me...they supported me all this while.. they said they would support after this also..how was it even fair from my part to behave like this? My papa and Mumma.... how wrong I was in not giving a second thought to them or their feelings and just being so selfish, I walked away...what would happen to everyone? Rohit and Priyanka were just married.. I would have shattered their dreams also.. what was that evil that took over my mind??! Is my selfishness more important than my family's happiness?? Definitely not...definitely not at all.." she thought to herself feeling so low about what she was going to do. It was not just a mistake, but a sin! If only Chanda was not here now, what would have happened.

"I..I should not have done this...I should not have made any decisions in haste" she said and Chanda simply stared at her.

"Good that Rohan called me to speak something.. What if I was not here when you crossed this place? What if I had not even seen you.. Thank god.. they always say everything happens for a reason..." Chanda sighed.

"Chanda.. it's ok leave it.. jo huaa so huaa.. Annika realised that what she did is wrong..just make sure you take her back carefully inside...if someone sees, it will become a big problem" Rohan suggested and Chanda nodded in agreement.

"Annika.. see I know I am an outsider in this.. but, Chanda has told me a lot about you, your family and whatever happened in the last few days.. she also told me a lot about the Oberoi family..I know I haven't seen them.. but from what she told me, I feel they are very genuine Annika.. and sometimes, it is good to listen to strangers' advice... now go.. look at your dishevelled state...take rest... you are going to enter into a new phase.. have trust and accept it with an open mind..I know it will take time for you to accept many things.. and trust me, that is okay..it is definitely better than the stunt you performed now.." he winked and explained to lighten the mood.. His words did boost Annika's confidence at that point of time...

"Ok now stop crying...let's go back before anyone sees us..I know I was a bit harsh and I am sorry for that.. but sometimes, your stupidity makes me shout at you like that.. what to do? Anyway, chalo..I am with you and everyone else is with you.. do not perform such stupid stunts again ..and if not your parents, atleast trust Daadi and OmRu.. they have always been very friendly with you right from the time they came here...trust them and make a new beginning" she suggested and Annika nodded in agreement. "Rohan.. bye... I will take her home.." she said and held her arms walking her towards the house.

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Shivaay woke up with a jerk. He had a nightmare.. He was sweating profusely.. But, he couldn't recollect what it was.. He tried hard thinking about it but failed.. he got up from the bed walking towards the restroom. Once he was back, he switched on the light to have a glass of water..His mind was still disturbed..

"What was that dream? There was some girl.. was it. Was it..??no..." He tried convincing himself.

"Why do I feel something is wrong?!" he thought.. "Strange feeling!!"

He walked out towards the balcony to breathe some fresh air, when he noticed Chanda and Annika near the gate. Confused at what was happening, he walked down to the main hall..

As he went near the door, Chanda and Annika walked inside..

"Remember what I said.. chalo let's go inside" Chanda said dragging her inside when they noticed Shivaay at the entrance and were completely bewildered.

"Annika? All okay?" he asked noticing her dishevelled hair and confused face.

She just stared at him for a few moments, and without any reaction, walked into the house, crossing him.

He looked at her, as she went, with confusion painted on his face.

"Woh nothing.. she was completely disturbed..so I just took her for a walk..you know... it's quite normal...just a few hours left right.. the butterflies you see..I just gave her some usual advice.. don't worry.. she will be fine eventually" Chanda smiled and he reciprocated.

"Huh..one more thing..please give her some time to get accustomed to everything.. Rest will fall in place eventually.." she added.

"Dont worry.. I understand her plight.. And, your friend will surely be happy from now on.. my responsibility...My promise to you...she has become a part of my family now and my family is my first priority" he smiled.

"Thank you for understanding" she said..

"Just ask her not to panic...I will take care..my family will take care" he assured with a smile again and walked inside.

"Annika.. he is a gem of a person Annika.. I can see it in his eyes.. whatever your confusion is.. I hope, it is cleared soon.. I cant wait to see both of you leading a happily ever after life" she thought after Shivaay left and quickly walked into the room.

What if Annika again took some drastic step or performed some stupid stunt!! She knew Annika wasn't that vulnerable, but still she decided that she had to keep a close watch on her!!

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So, what do you think about this chapter??

You think Annika really eloped, or it was Shivaay's nightmare??

Do you think Shivaay knows what Chanda and Annika were talking when he came down??

Are you expecting Annika to perform any stunt after this??

Guesses please 😉

Until then, have a happy mid week and yeah,bye until we meet again🙂

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