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PART FOUR:

YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO KNOW THE PERSON FROM LONG TO TRULY CARE ABOUT-Unknown

"Kya hua... show me... Are you mad? Dhyan kaha hai tumhara... god... kitna khoon beh raha hai" Shivaay scolded her by holding her hurt hand in his soft grip.

Anika was staring at him with disbelief in her eyes. She instantly took her hand back saying, "I am fine... but what are you doing here? You just left from here right... Ohh that means you had never left... you were watching me by hiding? Why? And anyway why do you care if I am hurt? I am selfish and mean na... so... you should not touch me... you better stay away from me." She was sounding nothing but emotionless that time.

She kept blabbering but he was least paying attention to her talks. All his attention was to her hand from which blood was constantly dipping. She stopped talking, noticing him and took a step ahead walking straight to leave from there. But she couldn't walk much further as her hand got gripped in his firm and strong hold.

He pulled her back to him with a jerk causing him to land directly on his chest and his hand automatically slipped around her waist.

"Done? Or want to waste some more time with your nonsense? Now quietly come with me to the medical room, got it?" he said looking into her eyes letting her know that he wasn't going to listen her anything.

Anika was slightly lost into his eyes but soon broke her trance. Shifting her gaze from him, she started her efforts to get free from his hold, "I said I am fine... and you don't..."

"Shut up... just shut up and come with me" he said cutting her off in middle knowing what was she going to say. His tone reflected concern... concern for her when she was hurt.

She couldn't resist him witnessing so much of care in his eyes and tone as well. Without even waiting for her answer, he immediately took out his handkerchief from his pocket and covered her bleeding hand carefully by wrapping it around her palm and dragged her to the medical room as fast as he could.

"Doctor, doctor" he called out for doctor stepping inside the medical room. On getting no response, he understood doctor wasn't in medical room. He gazed all over the medical room and ran his fingers through his hairs in irritation as he could see blood was dripping from Anika's hand through his handkerchief.

He made her sit on the bed and started searching for first aid in the medical room. After his search for almost ten minutes, he finally got the first aid kit and he rushed towards Anika. Taking her hand in his, he removed the handkerchief with utmost care not to hurt her. He started wiping the blood with cotton and cleaned her hand. While doing all that, he kept glancing at her as if trying to figure out about her pain. Though he could see how much the nail had hurt her, her wound was deep. But her face was hardly reflecting any pain or emotion.

He bandaged her hand properly and said while turning to keep the first aid kit back, "Tumhe itni chot lagi hai... tumhe dard ho nahi raha ya tum mujhe dikhana nahi chahti?"

"Tumhe dikhana nahi chahti... jaise tum mujhe dikhana nahi chahte" Anika answered to him making his legs go freeze at her understatement.

His head shifted towards her side facing her with wide eyes. "What? Mai? mai... nahi... I mean" he stumbled struggling for words. He couldn't understand how the hell she knew he was hiding something, was hiding his pain.

"Accha, ye kya hai?" she said while showing him his own hand which got hurt yesterday night when he banged it onto the mirror.

"Ohh ye... ye to bas ese hi" he felt quite relieved knowing she was talking about his hand.

"Mai sirf isi ki baat nahi kar rahi Shivaay, ye to sirf physical pain hai... and I am sure tumhe to ye mehsoos bhi nahi hota hoga na... tumhare andar ke dard ke saamne"

He closed his eyes listening to some true facts about himself from her. His legs gave up and his body rested down on the chair side by.

Getting up from her place, Anika slowly walked towards Shivaay and sat down on her knees in front of him. She placed her other hand on his cheek and said lovingly, "Shivaay, the pain will hurt you, only till you allow it to... you have to get over this... you can't stay like this always... you have to learn to enjoy your life..."

Shivaay was listening quietly to her till now like a child listens to his mom.

"You don't know anything about me and my life Anika" said Shivaay after hearing her last statement.

"Then I want to know Shivaay" she told him with determination.

Shivaay was taken aback by the words Anika uttered.

"But why? Why do you want to enter in my world of pain when your life is full of happiness? You should be enjoying yours" he said while putting forth his curiosity that why the hell she wants to waste her time on him and his dark life.

"Because I want to... and that's it... there isn't answer to every why in this world... and more importantly I can never be happy if you are in pain" she answered him clearly without revolving things around.

"Why do you care for me so much? We are not even friends. In fact I have been so rude to you always, always hurt you then why?" he again asked her one more question which was ringing in his mind with a innocent face.

"Who said that? It's you who don't consider me as your friend. But I do... and now if you think I am not that bad... then this friendship can be from both sides only if you don't mind accepting me as your friend... lekin lekin lekin, my friend... dosti ka ek usul hai... dosti karne ke bad nibhani padegi... bolo manjoor hai?" said Anika very dramatically trying to lighten his mood.

"Bolo bolo" she asked him again raising her eyebrows at him noticing he was only staring at her.

And at the very next moment, he hugged her tightly. Anika smiled and encircled her hands around his back slightly rubbing his back to soothe him. Breaking the hug, he started at her for some time and said, "Thank you"

Anika got up from her place making a frowned face. He looked at her in confusion not understanding what happened to her suddenly.

"Dosti ka ek aur usul hai Mr... Dosti me no sorry and no thank you" again one more statement came from dramatic Anika. Shivaay couldn't help but smiled at her weird yet cute behaviour.

"Okay baba" uttered Shivaay in giving up and soft voice.

That was no less than a shock for Anika. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she was the very first time witnessing this playful and happy side of Shivaay. But she didn't make it visible on her face as she was scared what if he again got awkward and got back to his original state. No... she could not let it happen. She had to bring him back... she had to bring the original Shivaay in him back... she had to take away all his pain... and... and she had to again make him believe in love and relationships... she had to make him believe that LOVE... LOVE IS BEAUTIFUL.

She had so many questions in her mind...she wanted to ask him to share his pain with her... she wanted to ask him why did he had tears in his eyes after eating her made Bhindi... she wanted to ask him what cruel game destiny had played with him and made him every aspect of love...she wanted to ask him so much... but she preferred not doing so... he was looking happy at last...and making him upset by dragging his past now would be the least thing she wanted to do that time.

She just returned him her sweet smile.

"Accha... now can we go to the canteen? I am very hungry... I didn't even eat properly..." said Anika while making a cute puppy face holding her stomach.

Guilt took over him. His expressions immediately changed into apologetic one. She had truly cared for him from the start... and he...he had been the reason of her pain and problem... because of him she didn't even eat properly... and he was the reason of her hurt hand too... wait...what?... yeah her hand didn't get hurt accidently... she herself banged her hand hard on the wall... yeah she absolutely did... he had been watching her doing that... ohh yeah he had actually never left... he clearly remembered when he was seeing her hiding at the entrance when she thought he had left... but why did she do that...was that because of him?...was that because of his harsh words?...was that because he said she is selfish...did his words seriously affected her to that extent?... does he really matter for her so much that his anything affects her to the core ?... Shivaay's mind twirled due to these many questions.

"Shivaay... Shivaay chale?" he came back to reality from the world of his numerous thoughts and unanswered questions by Anika's shaking and calling.

"Ha...haann" said Shivaay stumbling with his words. Anika started at him weirdly.

She frowned, "Kya haan haan... chalo jaldi... then we have to resume our assignment too... yaad hai ya bhul gaye?." She reminded him about the assignment they had to finish.

"Yeah I remember" he said while getting up from the chair. "Arey chalo bhi... pichle janam me snail the kya?" She laughed at her own sentence and literally dragged him from medical room to canteen. He followed her silently.

They settled themselves on one table and Anika ordered one sandwich for herself and one coffee for Shivaay remembering he had not finished his coffee earlier. She purposefully didn't open her tiffin not wanting Shivaay to see Bhindi and get upset again.

Their order came and Anika started munching her sandwich.

"Tumhe sirf coffee chahiye? Wont you eat something?" she said offering him sandwich. He nodded negatively.

"Abhi to liabrary band ho jayegi... and kal chutti hai... ham apna assignment kaise karenge?" Shivaay asked Anika glancing at his watch.

Anika who busy with her sandwich, signalled him to drink his coffee. "Drink your coffee first" she ordered him.

"Lekin..." Shivaay tried interrupting her.

"Lekin vekin kuch nahi... just drink" she said giving him no choice.

"Okay fine" he said taking a sip from his coffee.

"Ham apna assignment tumhare ya mere ghar pe kar lenge" said Anika.

"Are you sure?" Shivaay asked her with slight doubt in his tone.

"Haan... kya hua? Any problem?" Anika asked him raising her eye brows wondering why he looked so unsure.

"No... nothing" he said brushing away everything.

Anika nodded. She stood up but immediately sat down and started biting her nails. Her face got filled with tensed expressions.

Shivaay stared at her weirdly asking, "What happened?"

No response.

He shook her and a bit loudly, "I asked what happened?"

"Wo... actually... we can't do it at my place" she told him in a feeble voice.

"Why?" he put forth his question not understanding what was the problem of doing it at her place.

"Because... Khushi went on her college trip today for 2 days... she will return on day after tomorrow" she said while continuing her nail biting session.

"So?" Shivaay asked confusingly not understanding her.

"So I forgot to take extra key in the morning... Khushi must have thought I have it... but I don't... now what will I do?... where will I stay for two days..." Anika started cribbing making a cry baby face.

"What????" Shivaay literally screamed hearing her.

Anika nodded and started making weird voices while crying.

"Okay, okay... relax...stop crying" Shivaay said calming her down.

"Here I have no place to stay... I dont know anyone here... and you are asking me to relax" she started crying even more.

Shivaay raised his eyebrows at her hearing her complaint. All what he could do was...smile at her cuteness. She looked so cute while crying.

"Anika... Anika listen... you can stay at my home for two days" Shivaay offered her to stay at his place.

"What???????? No" she said refusing him. She was aware of the fact that things would go awkward.

"It's okay. You can stay... aur ham assignment bhi kar lenge" he said assuring her.

"Okay" she finally agreed realising that she doesn't have any option for now.

Shivaay nodded smilingly.

"Liabrary band hone se pehle books issue kar lete hai" Shivaay said getting up from his chair.

"Haan" saying this Anika and Shivaay made their ways to issue the needed books for their assignment.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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DO LEAVE YOUR LIKES AND COMMENTS PLEASE.

Hey guys, I know I updated this today itself but I am going on a break...not longer though but merely on a 15 days break...I really need this so I am finishing this story today. How can I keep you guys hanging for 15 days?😲 No that's long. So I am completing this story today.

Actually my every write-up is dedicated to my lovely readers. But this time, I'd like to dedicate this story to dear Krishna/ Ammu. I really wish and pray all the happiness and peace for you, wherever you are now. Nidhi, this is for you as well.

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PART 9

Next day, Shivaay opened his eyes and the first thing his eyes witnessed was the beautiful and angelic face of Anika. He was mesmerized to see the sleeping beauty in front of him. For the first time, he was staring at her from so close. She looked to sacred, so divine, so pure just like a goddess. Her hair strands were coming continuously over her face making her to frown in sleep as they were disturbing her sleep. He gently tugged them behind her ears.

Soon realizing their position he got up from her lap with regret on his face that because of him she had to spend the complete night by sitting. He couldn't remember when he fell asleep in her lap. But she could have woken him up but she didn't. She gave more importance to his sleep sacrificing her comfort. Just because he should sleep properly, she didn't change her position the whole night.

Shivaay walked out of bed and made Anika lay down on bed properly taking utmost care that she would not wake up. He placed a soft kiss on forehead unknowing to himself and went inside the washroom to take a shower.

Inside the shower, Shivaay kept thinking about Anika and her gestures. She was just too selfless to be in this cruel world. He remembered how she held his broken pieces together, if he would have told that everything to anyone else he would have been scattered into pieces.

But with Anika, it was different. He had a strong belief and some invisible energy that she was the person who no matter what would never let him lose himself. She may let him fall, but she would be the one who would be picking him up and would make him walk again. It was like they had some connection from years which gave him strength...strength to fight back.

After the shower, he came outside and witnessed the cutest sight he could ever see. Anika was sitting on the bed half asleep rubbing her eyes, making some cutely weird faces. Shivaay giggled at her frown face. Anika's gaze fell on his shirtless body with water dripping from it. She was lost in him. Coming back to reality, she turned her gaze closing her eyes being embarrassed.

Shivaay narrowed his eyes at her. Shivaay gave a look to himself to understand what happened suddenly to her. He covered his upper body with his hands, "Ohh I am sorry" and he rushed to wardrobe to get his shirt.

Anika's eyes were still closed. He quickly wore his shirt running his fingers to his hairs being embarrassed at the embarrassing situation he just created for both of them. "You can open your eyes now... Umm... sorry again" He said apologetically.

Opening her eyes slowly, she gave him a faint smile assuring him he doesn't need to apologize, "it's okay."

Anika soon realized she was over his bed. She slept the whole night in his room. "Wo...actually...I am sorry...wo mai kal raat...yahi pe..."She said guiltily.

Shivaay could only think how one can be so innocent. She herself didn't sleep properly the whole night just because she wanted him to sleep peacefully and there she was...apologizing him for sacrificing her own comfort and sleep. This girl was surely not from this planet.

"Are you mad?" He questioned her sitting on the bed next to her.

"Huh?" She uttered in confusion.

"Kya jaroorat thi raat bhar baithne ki?" he asked her angrily. She bit her lower lip but kept mum.

"Taki mai so saku?" he said softly answering his own question. "Kyu karti ho meri itni fikar?" he was loving the fact that she was caring for him so much but at the same time he could not bear if caring for him was causing pain to her.

"Because I love you" she said once again confessing her love to him and making him to go stunned at her. He looked here and there and walked towards dressing table to set his hairs, "Umm you go and take a shower." It was crystal clear from his behaviour that he was trying to ignore what she said. Getting down, she quietly went to her room without saying anything to him.

Shivaay was confused with his own self. He was not able to understand what he should do. After facing betrayals and only betrayals in life, he was scared to accept the new feelings blooming in his heart for Anika. He was not scared to love someone...or maybe he was ...but emotions are emotions...no one can have control over them...when heart starts liking someone, brain cannot control him.

No matter how much intelligent brain is, but he cannot stop heart from falling for someone. And that's exactly what had happened with Shivaay. He tried his best to stay away from Anika, even spoke rudely to her, had insulted her but the much he tried to go away from her, the more he got pulled towards her. He tried not to fall in love again being scared of betrayals, but poor he...didn't know he was destined to fall for her. And now he was scared to accept those feelings.

Anika came out of washroom after taking bath. She was standing in front of mirror drying her hairs. "I know Shivaay, you too love me but you are yet to realize and accept it. I know how difficult it is for you to give love a chance again. But trust me I will never force you to accept anything soon. I will wait...I will wait till you confess me on your own. But I cannot stop myself from letting you know that I love you" she said looking into mirror.

She went to the hall after getting ready. The landline started ringing. Anika looked for Shivaay but he wasn't around. She was in dilemma whether to pick the phone up or not. After thinking a lot, she took the receiver as the phone was ringing constantly and answered, "Hello, Kaka, okay thik hai kaka, no problem." She put down the receiver finishing her conversation and went directly to the kitchen.

Shivaay gazed at all over the hall climbing downstairs. His eyes made a quick search for Anika but he could see her nowhere. He made his way towards kitchen hearing some sounds from the kitchen and his gaze fell upon Anika who was too busy in preparing breakfast, to notice him.

"Tum yaha?" he questioned her entering in the kitchen.

Anika's attention shifted at the voice and she smiled at him. She answered still continuing her work, "Haan wo actually kaka ka phone aaya tha...he has to stay there today also...so I am making breakfast for today."

The moment she finished speaking, he burst out in fists of laughter. She kept the knife in her hand down and started glaring at him.

"What's so funny?" She asked in a sharp tone annoying on the fact that he was laughing at her.

"Tumhe kuch banana aata bhi hai?" he said before he started laughing again.

"Ohh really Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi? Just in case if you have forgotten let me do the honour of reminding you...remember the taste of bhindi made by me just few days before??? Hmm Hmm?" Anika said very casually completely forgetting this topic would bring nothing but the sad version in him. She bit her lower lip and hung her head down guiltily as soon as it strikes to her.

"Wo...I am sorry...I didn't mean to..." She tried explaining to him that she didn't want to hurt him. "It's okay...you don't have to explain...I know...So what are you making?" he told her very calmly. He didn't look hurt or offended.

Anika smiled at her thinking in her mind, "He is changing..." She was happy to see he was trying to focus on the positive sides from his memories rather than upsetting by holding the pain from it. It was somewhat relieving for her, that at least he was trying and that's what she wanted him to. Her efforts were showing their results and she could see the day wasn't too far when he would come out totally from his painful memories.

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

"I am making Poha for breakfast" Anika answered coming out of her thoughts and resumed her work again. She looked too delighted while working in the kitchen. She had some different glow and a joy spread all over her face.

Shivaay didn't fail to notice it. "You love cooking, don't you?" he asked her.

She was surprised to hear it from him. "How do you know?' She asked amusingly in curiosity.

"Koi bhi bata dega...by looking at your face" He replied keeping his tone really soft. Anyone present there, could have taken no time to realise about Anika' love for cooking.

Anika grinned at him making him to laugh at her. Anika stared at his laughing figure. He indeed looked best while smiling and laughing. Anika's eyes were fixed at him not shifting her gaze from him. It made her heart to get filled with immense happiness and proud that, somewhere she was the reason of his laughter and she silently promised herself that she always would be.

"Aahhh" A painful shriek escaped from her mouth as the Anika who was lost in Shivaay to the extent that she failed to notice the difference between the onion she was cutting and her finger and the result was, she cut her finger making it bleed badly.

Immediately Shivaay's expressions changed into tensed one. Worry took over him. He rushed towards her and took her to the sink putting her finger under the flow of water. He started scolding her, "Are you stupid? Dhyan se nahi kar sakti? Oh my god, it so much bleeding. Where were you looking that you didn't even notice that you are cutting your finger?" He was blabbering holding her finger as gently as he could. He stopped talking realising she wasnt saying anything, she was just staring at him smilingly.

"Are you a born crack? Idhar itna khoon beh raha hai and you are smiling? tumhe dard nahi ho raha?" he asked before he took some haldi to apply on her finger as he had heard applying haldi recovers the injury soon.

"Nahi" She said still not shifting her gaze from him. She was feeling so damn happy and touched as well to see how much he cared for her. Even a kid could have told that how much he loved her and there he was...smaller than even a kid.

"Aahhh" she winced in pain as he put haldi on her finger.

"Abhi hua dard?" he asked her grinning widely.

She gave him a puppy look which was enough to melt his heart.

"Okay okay...now you stand here and I will make the breakfast" he said ordering her.

"You? And breakfast? Do you know how to cook?" she asked being doubtful wondering if he had even made a cup of tea in his life or not.

"No I dont...but you are there to guide me right?" he said keeping pan on the gas. Anika nodded quietly.

Anika instructed Shivaay about how to make Poha and he obeyed her just like a student obeys his teacher and finally he completed his task of preparing breakfast. Anika gave a proud smile to him applauding him, "Not bad...you can be good cook"

"Whatever" he said while taking the breakfast to the dining table. She followed him. They were eating their breakfast quietly.

Breaking the silence, Anika said, "This is awesome"

"Thank you" he said acknowledging her praise.

After finishing their breakfast, they went to hall to complete their assignment. Yesterday, they couldn't do a single question due to the happenings with Shivaay's past.

After three hours, they were done. They finished their whole assignment. Obviously, happiness was all over their face of completing it before deadline.

"Shivaay...actually maine yaha pe kuch jada dekha nahi hai...and we have finished our assignment too...so if you dont mind can we go out to see something?" asked Anika showing that she wanted to go out. But all what she wanted was to take him out of his home, to show him colours of life, to fill some moments of happiness in her life.

Shivaay agreed and they both got out of Shivaay's home to see some places.

"Shivaay...Shivaay...see...how pretty na" Anika said showing Shivaay a beautiful pair of birds the window of car. Shivaay smiled seeing Anika's childlike excitement. It was two hours since they were roaming. They were not seeing anything particular but both were enjoying the company of each other.

Suddenly Anika shouted, "Shivaay...stop...stop...stop" which made Shivaay to apply breaks causing the car to stop with a jerk.

"What happened?" Shivaay asked worriedly.

"Ice cream" She said pointing at the Ice cream vendor. Her eyes shined seeing the ice cream. She liked Ice cream more than anything else.

"Please please please...mujhe Ice cream khani hai...chalo na" she pleaded him making cute puppy faces holding his wrist.

He shook his head knowing she would not leave him until he makes her eat Icecream. So without arguing, he parked the car and walked towards the ice cream vendor with Anika.

"Bhaiyaa...2 chocolate flavour" she said impatiently.

"Nahi bhaiya...ek hi dijiye...Mai nahi kha raha Anika" Shivaay told vendor to give only one before denying to eat to Anika.

Anika nodded smiling forcefully. She took Ice cream and started eating like a kid. Shivaay could only adore her. His trance broke by the ring of his phone.

"Anika...you stay here...I need to take this" he told Anika.

"Okay" she replied casually.

Shivaay walked at some distance on the road away from Anika and picked up the call. Icecream fell down from Anika's hand when her gaze fell upon the high speed truck which was heading towards Shivaay. She glanced at Shivaay who was too busy in his phone call to notice the truck coming his way. Anika was horrified as she imagined what was going to happen. She ran towards him shouting his name, "Shivaaay"

The next moment, Shivaay was lying on the other side of road being pushed by Anika and Anika was lying in pool of blood getting hit by the truck. Her head was bleeding coloring the road red. Shivaay felt as if his heartbeat stopped seeing Anika near to death.

Getting up, he rushed towards her taking her head in his lap. She was falling unconscious. She was trying hard to keep her eyes open as she wanted to see him before falling asleep forever but her eyes were not helping her. Due to the serious injury, her body parts were giving up.

Shivaay was unable to register what to do. Words were not coming out from his mouth. Tears had started falling down his eyes as he realised he was losing her. He kept his hand on her cheek, "Anika...don't...don't close your eyes...nothing will happen...I will not let anything happen to you" He was controlling himself from falling apart giving strength to Anika. He was on verge of breaking down seeing his life was slipping from his hand.

"Shivaay...Shh...don't cry...remember that I love you and you wont blame yourself for this" this were her last words before falling unconscious.

"Anikaaa" he screamed loudly by hugging her.

"No...tum mujhe chod kar nahi jaa sakti...mai tumhe jaane nahi dunga" The very next moment, he picked her up and carried to car and drove to hospital. He rushed inside the hospital with Anika in his arms shouting for the name of doctor.

Doctor came and asked Shivaay to put Anika on the stretcher. Carefully placing Anika, Shivaay told Docor in a deadly voice, "Aap kuch bhi kijiye...do whatever you want...but I want her to be alright"

Doctor placed his hand over his shoulder. "Dont worry...she will be alright"doctor said before going into operation theatre. As a doctor he had witnessed lots of outbursts from the relatives of patients. He didn't take time to understand Shivaay was hell scared of losing Anika.

Shivaay fell down on the bench outside the operation theatre. He gazed at his white shirt which had become red due to Anika's blood. He closed his eyes and that moment flashed before his eyes once again. His eyelids got separated from each other opening his eyes with a jerk. He was cursing and blaming himself for the condition of Anika.

Not being able to bear the pain anymore, he walked towards the operation theatre placing his hand over the door.

" Today she is lying unconsciously in that operation theater, is fighting for her life, is near to her death and why? Because of me...all because of me dam it...she once again sacrificed herself to save me...why the hell you love me so much Anika? If you leave, I will also not be able to survive...you are my heartbeat Anika...agar tum nahi to mai nahi...mujh jaisa insane.jisko uske apne maa baap tak pyar nahi karte...uske liye tumne apni jaan daav par lagadi...ek baar ye to sochti ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya to mai to wahi mar jaunga...mai tumhare bina nahi reh sakta Anika...tum pyar ho mera...tum zindagi ho meri...I love you Anika...I love you" his heart finally confessed what she was for him. But it was too late now. She was not able to hear his confession and it broke him inside apart. How he wished that time that he should have confessed her before.

AFTER TWO HOURS:

Doctor came outside removing his mask. Shivaay who was sitting on the bench hiding his face in his palms got up sensing the movement around. Approaching the doctor, he asked him with his shaking voice, "How is she?"

Doctor stared at him. Shivaay was breaking with each passing second. He felt like his fear was coming true. But the next thing happened relieved him calming down the nerves within him. "She is out of danger" the moment doctor told him, Shivaay hugged him tightly thanking him for saving Anika's life.

"Can I see her?" he asked impatiently breaking the hug. Doctor was about to deny, but Shivaay's pleading eyes forced him to allow him to go inside.

"Just don't disturb her...let her rest" Doctor told him before he left the place. Shivaay got inside slowly careful enough not to make any noises which would disturb her. Walking towards her, he sat down on the stool, near her bed.

Taking her hand in his soft grip, he kissed back of her palm closing his eyes being grateful to god for saving her. He stared at her unconscious lying figure.

"I am sorry Anika...I know maine tumhe bohot pareshan kiya hai na...lekin ab bas...tum jaldi se thik ho jao...fir ham bohot masti karenge jaisi tumhe pasand hai...ham sath me hamare projects karenge...assignments karenge...tum khana banana aur mujhe apne haatho se khilana...mai tumhe puri delhi dikhaunga...mai tumhe roj tumhari favourite ice cream khilaunga...mai tumhe kabhi khud se dur nahi hone dunga...Tum ho to mai hu Anika...Anika nahi to Shivaay nahi...I know maine bohot der kar di samajhne aur bolne me...but I love you Anika...I love you more than anyone else...more than anything else...you are my life " his eyes couldn't stop the flowing tears from his eyes. He was emotionally too overwhelmed after knowing she was not going to leave him.

He stopped as he felt movement of her hand. Anika opened her eyes slowly. Even in her painful condition, she didn't let her face to show it. Smiling softly at him, she tried to get up. But he didn't let her to.

"Chup chap aaram karo...koi jarrorat nahi uthne ki...kya jaroorat thi mujhe bachane ke liye khud bich me aane ki"he scolded her while making her lay down properly again.

"Iss halat me bhi daatoge?" she said in feeble voice due to weakness.

Leaning towards her, Shivaay kissed her forehead affectionately. "Nahi...tumhe kaise dat sakta hu?...I love you Anika...you wanted to make me believe that love is beautiful right?...now I do...Love is beautiful because it's you Anika" He confessed to her letting her know that she made him believe in the beauty of love.

Anika could only smile and adore his confession. She had listen his confession earlier itself when he thought she was sleeping. But how could she miss his sacred and innocent confession?

"I love you too Shivaay" she said holding his hand.

Though he knew she loved him, she had confessed almost twice to him but still it felt like absolute bliss hearing those three words again from her. They both were looking into each other's eyes with their hands entwined relishing the moment. Shivaay...a guy who had always longed for love...a guy who never had someone in his life to love him, to care for him...Today he had Anika...a girl who got attracted towards him right from their first meet...a girl who saw that pain and suffering in his eyes which no one else could...a girl who saw an innocent person behind his ruthless behaviour...a girl who loved and cared for him to the extent that she didn't think twice before putting her own self in death bed just to save him, to save his life, to protect him.

They both were blessed with each other. There she was ready to do anything for him, was ready to go to any extent for him and on the other side there he was...ready to leave the world if she didn't survive...ready to lose his everything to be with her...ready to forget all the sorrows given by life to him so far.

And finally, they were together. They had lots of difficulties, lots of problems. Circumstances were not favourable to them. But they didn't give up. They fought...with each other...for each other. She put herself before death to save him and his love didn't let her go away from him. They didn't have a fairy tale start but they would definitely have fairy tale life ahead with each other. They could do all that because they had strength...strength of love. They were each other's strength. They both might took time to realise their love...but the love was there providing them invisible energy to protect each other...to support each other. Love changes you inside out. Love changes your perspective to look towards everything. Love gives you strength to fight the world for your loved one. Love makes you feel like no other thing can. Love spreads out the colours of happiness even in the ocean of grief. Love is beautiful, isn't it?

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End of the Story

Thank you so much everyone who supported me throughout this SS.

Don't forget to leave your feedback for this last update. I would be grateful if silent readers of this story can put their few words for this last chapter.

I would be glad to know what you liked in this story.

SCROLL DOWN for the Thank You NOte

A Thank You Note

So finally we reached the end of this story. I am quite emotional as it ended. But nevertheless, everything must come to an end a day. So its okay.

I really want to thank everyone who read this story, "liked" and also took out their precious time to let me know their valuable feedbacks. I really can't thank you all enough for all the love you showered on me and my fic. Its really so overwhelming to me🤗🤗

I love you all...

Special Mentions:

1. Sanjida - Thank you a zillion times Sanju for supporting and motivating me throughout this story and in my other every work on this forum😳 You always have been so kind in your feedbacks. Your comments never fail to bring a smile on my face.❤️

2. Nidhi - I am so glad to have you found here. I really feel that joining IB forum was worth. I got such an amazingly lovely friend like you. You are as sweet as your comments my dear. I don't even know how to thank you for everything🤗❤️

3. Sharmi - My sweet friend, whose reviews are nothing less than a treat to read. You always have been so honest and generous towards my works. Thank you so very much Sharmi🤗 You and your comments have been a great motivation❤️

4. Khushi - Aahh!😳 What should I say about you?🤗 You are just like your name...Happiness. You comments and Shayries are just HAPPINESS for me. I so love you for always putting one along with your feedback. I and my sister, we both are always in Aww after reading each one. You are just AMAZING, MINDBLOWING...I am running short of adjectives to praise what you write❤️ Thank you so much Khushi.

5. Kamla - Once again, I am grateful that you commented once over my work or else our friendship wouldn't have started. I simply love whenever you make your appearance over my threads, with your ever so genuine, loving and encouraging feedbacks. Thank you so much dear🤗❤️

4. Lina and Ketaki - Thanks a ton dearies🤗 for your encouraging feedbacks😳 You never missed to let me know your feedback for a single update❤️ I always feel so happy to see that you enjoy reading my works😳

5. Shan'e - Thank you for coming on my thread.🤗❤️ Though you are a new reader but I don't really feel like. You have been so kind in your detailed reviews over my work that it feels like we have been together on my threads from long😳

6 psdraval - Your comment was a pleasant surprise for me when you mentioned that you are a silent reader but this story forced you to come up in light. This is just a big complement for any writer. Thank you so much😳🤗

7. Alekhikha, Anya, Lesy, Ayushi, Wafa.M, Kry_an, Kusum, Juhi, Mansi, Kruti, Nonie, Yadanu, MissSparkling, Nohsin, Rinku, ArhiIpkknd, CuteAriya, SoSweetSumi, MariaRebecca, MysticRiver - For always letting me know your feedback and being a part of this journey. You all made this journey a beautiful and memorable for me.

I am really really sorry if I have missed anyone😭 I'll be back here to edit.

I really wanted to thank each one personally, But I am running short of time. Please forgive me for that and always remember that you all have been an important part of this journey and I am grateful to you all for that🤗🤗❤️

Lots of Love

-Harshada

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I end this story here. But still if anyone wants me to continue, let me know. I will give it a thought.

Or else, tell me if you want me to come up with something like this story again, I'll do that. Because I fear if I write more to this, then the magic of this story will fade😳

Anyways, let me know whatever you want🤗