AnSh FF: NO GREATER LOVE: Chapter 15 p42 12/06 - Page 9

Shiv sat on the sofa, deep in thought, his eyes closed, gently massaging his forehead with his fingers. Anandi watched him from the doorway wishing she had not told him about Jagya's threats. She hated to see him worried. Her heart hurt with the pain she saw etched on his face. Anandi went to him, sat on the carpet, putting her hand on his knee. 'What's wrong Shiv? What happened? I am sorry I told you everything about Jagya and got you worried. If you think Vikram Singh is not the right man for the job that is fine. We will hire whoever you think is the best person for the contract. Please don't worry. I can't see you like this' Anandi said. Her concern was obvious by the way she was trying to comfort her husband, uttering her words all at once.

Shiv looked up and Anandi noticed that his eyes were filled with unshed tears. She got up and went to sit next to him. He turned away trying to wipe them off, 'what's the matter, Shiv?' Anandi asked trying to get him to look at her. 'Won't you tell me?' she asked. Shiv sighed and looked at her. He would have fought Jagya fair and square for his Anandi. She was his and nothing would change that, especially not her scheming, conniving villainous ex-husband. However, suddenly he felt as if fate was taking away those most dear to him and he was helpless and unable to do anything. 'Mom called this evening. Dadu is not well Anandi. He went out without telling anyone, and then forgot the way back and our address. He almost got run over because he was wandering on the road not knowing where he had to go. The driver of the car took him to the hospital, and contacted dad. They are going to run tests. They suspect Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's, Anandi! How is this possible? My dadu is a strong man, Anandi. Do you know what this disease does to someone? He is going to forget everything; he is going to forget all his memories; he is going to forget us. He taught me how to swim, to ride a horse, to ride a bike; he was the happiest when I passed my IAS exam. Now he will forget all this Anandi. He is going to forget me.' Tears made their way down the chiselled face of her husband, as Anandi looked on feeling a sharp pain inside her.

Anandi wiped his tears off and took him in her arms. Shiv held onto her tightly, trying to fight the petrifying fear that his world was slipping away from him, like sand slipping through fingers, however firmly he held on. Anandi decided then that they would go back to Udaipur. She had been wrong to demand of him that they stay in Jaitser till the projects were over. She had known Shiv needed to be around dadu. The family needed them, and their family was above all else. She knew of their responsibilities towards Jaitser and its people but she also knew that Jaitser did not offer the medical facilities such as the MRI machines available at the hospitals in Udaipur. Dadu could not come to them. They would have to go to him, and Shiv would have to agree regardless of the promises he had made her or what she had asked of him. As for Jagya, they could deal with his schemes and plots together, if her Shiv was with her she could overcome anything.

Meanwhile in Mumbai...

Shreya and Mahi were having dinner at Olive. They had picked a restaurant that was frequently visited by celebrities so that the media would not make a hullabaloo of them dining together. They wanted to try and build their relationship away from the prying eyes of the media. 'I'm playing tomorrow Shreya. Come, watch me! I am sure I will play better if you are there to support me', Mahi said as he paid the bill, and Shreya smiled mysteriously as they walked out of the restaurant.

Jaitser

When Shiv woke up yet again in the middle of the night, he saw Anandi sleeping her head on his chest, her hand placed as if she was feeling his heartbeat. Shiv put his hand on hers and kept looking at her. They had come even closer over the last few weeks. Anandi was overcoming her fears slowly and showering him with affection. He kept looking at her as he fell asleep again, soon to be engulfed in the throes of yet another nightmare.

The next morning'

Anandi looked at Shiv, as she sat at the dresser and did her hair in soft curls. She knew he liked it when she dressed up for him. She worried about him, knowing he had not slept well all night. She knew he was a strong man, he could face any storm, any difficulty that came their way, and he would do anything to protect her. However, his strength came from their unity, from his family and she knew that somewhere deep within him there was a fear gnawing at him that he would lose all this. She knew she had to get him to Udaipur. She would have to get the contract finalised and find a way not to compromise their professionalism, but still have time to be with the family. She had heard that people worked part time due to their family commitments. Perhaps she and Shiv could be in Jaitser 3 days of the week and in Udaipur 4 days. They could work via email, video conferencing, and fax. It was a brilliant idea; she would tell Shiv this after the match. The match! Mahi was playing today.

Mumbai

Mahi couldn't concentrate on his game. He was going to be ousted in a few runs, he knew it. He kept hoping Shreya would come, and his eyes were on the screen hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He kept hitting one or two runs with each ball thrown his way. As he was waiting to hit the next ball, the cameras suddenly zoomed into a VIP guest entering the stadium. She was dressed in a J Crew dress with Kurt Geiger flats and Jimmy Choo sunglasses. Her hair was tied back in a sleek pony tail and she was the picture of elegance. As the cameras zoomed in to her, her face appeared on the screen and she waved at Mahi who smiled broadly through his helmet. That is what he had needed. The next ball that came his way was a four, then a six and a four again. Mahi Shekhar was back in form! As he hit these 4s and 6s, he scored 104 runs and his name flashed on the big screen in the stadium: CONRATULATIONS MAHI SHEKHAR; 104 RUNS!! It flashed. Mahi kissed his bat and pointed it towards the stands where Shreya was seated. The cameras captured her smile and blow a kiss towards him as it was shown on the screen in the stadium and to millions of households watching the match that day. Including the Shekhars! Shreya had laughed at her silliness then, so much for trying to hide from the media when she hadn't been able to control her emotions for this boy.

Jaitser

Shiv noticed the exchange between his brother and the supermodel, the waving, the smiling, the kisses passed. He raised his eyebrows in surprise at the way his brother and this girl seemed totally oblivious of the cameras and seemed to have eyes only for each other. He turned towards his wife and noticed her grinning at the screen as she turned towards him, her eyes twinkling with delight. She thought Mahi and Shreya made the cutest pair. Shiv extended his hand to her, and she took it in hers. He kissed her forehead, as she placed her head on his shoulder. She continued to watch the match, grateful that Mahi had given her husband a reason to smile, something to brighten his day, and happy that Shiv approved of Mahi's love interest. She hoped Choti ma would be just as encouraging of Mahi and Shreya's relationship.