Chapter 25: Thoughtful Reflections, Romantic Gestures and Mischievous Devars
Annika was pensive throughout the drive home as she stared out at the familiar, comforting bustle of the city, which she felt, lit up every evening to resemble a movie star on a premier night. She had always admired the city's gift to embrace and nurture all who came to it, no matter how big their dreams or how light their pockets had been.
She too would embrace all the difficult truths and the honest confessions that she had heard today and let them make her stronger and wiser. Life had always dealt her a bad hand but didn't she always manage to make the best of it?
She was, after all, a born fighter and was going to bounce right back like she always did.
Her thoughts turned to what Shivvay had revealed about Daksh being the stalker. She sadly went over all that she had found out about Daksh today and felt ashamed that she had misjudged him so grossly. Who was she to judge Shivvay, when she herself had been as foolish as him to trust Daksh blindly, only because he carried the NKK label? In her obsession to prove Shivvay wrong she had almost made the biggest mistake of her life that would have cost her everything.
She had let her ego get in the way of the common sense she had always prided herself for, which in turn had made her careless and reckless about her decision to accept Daksh. She had accepted Daksh then only to make Shivvay pay for saying she had been obsessed with him but in the bargain had almost destroyed her future.
Annika felt cold shiver run down her spine at the thought of what would have happened if she had ended up marrying the man and moving to Delhi. She and Sahil would have been isolated in a new city with no one to turn to for help. She had irresponsible enough to almost let a psycho like Daksh into hers and Sahil's life to destroy it.
She was not surprised now that, just like Tia, he had caused the misunderstanding between her and Shivvay because he had realized what neither of them had at that time. They both had unconsciously and unknowingly fallen in love with each other and it seemed now that everyone, except her and Shivvay, had known this for quite some time now. They both had been such blind fools and so easy to manipulate!!!
She now also understood all the events that had puzzled and tormented her for the past month, starting from the day before the wedding and leading to the drama that unfolded on the wedding day. All the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle were now, finally, falling into place.
Shivvay's anger that resulted in him breaking the plate on the wall and preponing his wedding date, he questioning her moral standards, his rage at being pulled up for blackmailing Richa and the last straw that broke the camel's back, being slapped and questioned by her about his disgusting accusations.
She doubted she would ever be able to erase the image of the monster she had seen him turn into that day. That day, he had not been the Shivvay she had grown to like and respect; he had been a stranger she had married who had stripped her of everything she held dear to her heart. He had left her a broken woman, mind and soul all because he had believed a lie that had been fed to him and a doubt that had been planted in his mind.
He never bothered to clarify or even stop to think that she would not have been capable of such a low act. Why would he? After all she had not been born with the NKK label to deserve the benefit of his doubt'. Her forgiveness and trust would not come that easy this time. He would have to pay for all her pain, humiliation and tears while he earned his redemption.
This was not something that could be easily fixed by drenching him with either a glass full or a bucket full of water. This time only severe penance and a trip to the 'Holy Ganges' could wash his sins away.
Still she could not refute the fact that she HAD married Shivvay Singh Oberoi with the Gods as their witness, performing the all sacred rituals binding them as one and with the good wishes and blessings of the family members. Even if THEY had not known then that it was Annika under the veil still she and Shivvay had known they were marrying each other that day.
He had forced her to marry him and had broken all she had held sacred in her life that day but he had not realized that he had gotten more than he had bargained for by doing that. He had paid a heavy price for that hasty action when Dadi had not compromised her principles, her convictions, her beliefs and her laws on marriage that she lived by. Annika too had been given no choice but to uphold those important beliefs, which she held in her heart as well, until this marriage lasted.
She loved and respected Dadi too much to go against her wishes and had submitted in defeat. Besides, she had been too tired and traumatized to fight in those first few days because of what Shivvay had become and had done to her. She had felt so confused, alone and lost that just having a kind and loving elder like Dadi to look after her was like a balm on her wounds, till she healed and was whole again.
She sighed tiredly, closed her eyes and leaned her head back as she thought about the long journey that Shivvay and she had made in the span of a few weeks. From wanting to divorce her the day after the wedding, Shivvay had become a man wanting to hold on to her for life. Trust the man of 'Many Avataars' to expect that things and his wife would just fall in with his wishes only because he wanted them to.
She had to secretly admit it though, that her forced wedding with Shivvay had somehow ended up becoming a boon from the Gods for them both now. She wondered what twisted games the God's above liked to play in their spare time with the fate of mere mortals down below.
Her eyes still shut; she suddenly comprehended that she could somehow sense more than see, the car pulling up into the Oberoi Mansion driveway. Annika eyes snapped open as she understood with a jolt that, for the longest time now, even before she had married Shivvay, she had always felt like she was home when she arrived here. When had that change happened in her and when had she started thinking of this as her HOME??
I walked into the main hall to find DevRu and Om in a deep discussion with Saumya but as soon as my DevRu saw me he ran over to me with his arms outstretched and head slightly lowered and a loud 'Annnii Bhhhiii' for his customary hug and kiss.
"I missed you too DevRu!!", I said as I ruffled his hair, hugged him back and thought with a smile, 'The Oberoi Prince Charming'. He could make anyone fall in love with him with just one 'puppy dog' look, charming smile and his adorable pout. Being as handsome as a God was of course a bonus.
Then I heard a familiar warm and deep voice greet me casually from behind him, "Hey Ani".
I smiled wider, as I thought affectionately, how my other devar 'Omkara Singh Oberoi' must definitely get a girls pulse racing by just greeting her in that smooth and warm drawl.
I was positive that I was immune to it only because a 'very larger than life' Oberoi Bhagad Billa had surrounded me with a shield of his own personal brand of 'Oberoi Magnetism'. To sense, feel or be aware of any man, other than Shivvay, was impossible for Annika Singh Oberoi who was, as good as, stamped with his 'Personal Property -No Trespassing' sign on her.
I moved forward slowly towards the couch, with DevRu still holding on to me like a blanket of comfort, as Om enquired , "How was your day Ani??", his face wearing a worried look as his eyes searched my face for clues as to how I had taken it all.
I knew that Shivvay would have already called and briefed OmRu about the discussion we had at the office today. So that being said, I knew, both my adorable devars were going to smother me with their love and attention for the rest of the evening, whether Shivvay had asked them to or not.
As I continued to be locked in DevRu's bear hug, I managed a strained smile and replied, "I am fine Om. It's just a lot to process in one evening."
Om looked down and sighed deeply, fully aware of what I was referring to as he stood up slowly and walked over to me, his hands casually in his pockets in the patent 'Omkara Style' and his deep onyx eyes radiating affection.
As I looked at him, I thought how easy it would be for any girl to fall in love with this man who was disarmingly handsome and unquestionably attractive just being himself, no pretenses.
I had to admit that while all three Oberoi Brothers were very attractive they were, amazingly, so very different from each other in personality. Not one was like the other but still had the common thread of love and fierce protection for one of their own' running through all of them.
As I smiled at the thought I happened to catch Saumya looking at DevRu over Om's shoulder and wondered if I was imagining things. Was that a look of adoration she wore?? What had we been missing here?
I turned slightly to look at DevRu who was standing just behind me and saw him looking at Saumya wearing the very same look. Oh Bete Ki!! I thought. We have all been so busy with our own lives that the little ones have not been paid attention to. I would have to have a 'heart to heart' with Saumya soon for my DevRu's sake.
Om broke the trance when he announced, "Enough with the hugs Rudy and let Ani go upstairs and freshen up before dinner. She looks tired."
I nodded at DevRu affirming what Om had said and patted my baby affectionately who immediately unwrapped himself from my shoulders. As I obediently made my way upstairs to our room to freshen up before dinner I thought of how things would change between me and Shivvay from this day on.
I turned to walk down the hallway towards our room, and thought about Tia's truth and its consequences for her and Mrs. Kapoor. I felt very sorry for what was going to come their way as I had no doubt that Shivvay had planned something very unpleasant in mind as a fit punishment for making a fool out of him. I had already experienced a small dose of the Devil that Shivvay Singh Oberoi could transform into when things turn dark for him and knew very well what he was capable of.
I shuddered and thought, "Poor Tia,I would not want to be in her shoes", as I reached our room, pushed open the door, flicked the light switch and screamed loudly in shock at the sight that met my eyes.
"Ani!!... Ani what's wrong??!! Are you alright??!! ... Ani!!!", Om yelled from downstairs as I heard the three of them bounding up the stairs.
I could hardly believe my eyes as I stared at my room that was filled with baskets and baskets of the most beautiful and deepest red wild roses. The whole room was infused with their smell as they filled every inch of the room leaving only enough space to walk, sit or sleep.
I heard the three stop just outside the room and OmRu go, "Fhat the Wuck", in unison as Saumya breathlessly whispered, ""Oh! My!!"
She walked in slowly, smiling in awe, as she dreamily strolled around the room touching and smelling them in wonder.
"What the heck is this Ani??!!!", exclaimed Om as the boys stood staring at the sight, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets. I was sure I was wearing the same look but accompanied with my mouth hanging open in shock.
Then Saumya turned to Rudy and spoke with a stern voice, "You call Bade Bhaiya unromantic??!! If this is not the most romantic thing I have ever seen I do not know what else is?" finished Saumya crossing her arms with one eyebrow raised.
As she smiled and walked up to me as she said, "Annika Bhi, if this is what Bade Bhaiya gives you when it is not Valentines!! I wonder what surprise he will plan for you when it IS Valentines", and hugged me tight with unmistakable excitement.
DevRu's voice came from behind me sounding a little upset as he whined, "Don't just assume things Saumya. The roses could be from anyone not necessarily from Bhiaya? I know that Bhaiya would never do such soppy things. He does not believe in romance or roses. He said so himself that these things are a waste of time and money."
"Really!!??", challenged Saumya as she walked up to a few baskets and pulled out little pink cards.
"To my very own 'Wild Rose' Pannika. The most beautiful and the sweetest smelling of them all. Love Shivvay", she read out aloud, tilted her pretty head to one side and smiled sarcastically at DevRu as she waved them in the air.
"Me thinks this is proof enough, no??", she stated as she put her hands on her hips and narrowed her beautiful dark eyes.
Throughout all this I still stood rooted to the spot just inside the door trying to absorb the whole scene. What had gotten into this man??!! I guess he was not joking when he said he would woo me but this was getting downright embarrassing! This had to stop because it was again going too fast for my liking. I would have to have a serious talk with Shivvay when he got back.
"Wow!", said Om in a voice filled with wonder as he walked around the room slowly in a daze.
He looked at me with a puzzled look and asked, "What did you do to our brother Ani and who is this guy who sends you a garden full of wild roses and calls himself Shivvay. I don't believe I have been introduced to him yet."
"Ani?!", called Om to catch my attention. I looked towards him, still dazed, as he walked up to me, making a great effort to hold back his teasing smile that made him look even more dashing, and asked, "are you ok?"
Then his eyes twinkled with mischief as he grinned naughtily and raised one immaculate eyebrow at me saying, "What DID happen this evening at the office between the two of you Ani that has turned my very boring Calculator Singh Oberoi of a brother into an Ishqbaaz??!!."
I looked sternly at him trying very hard to be upset at his teasing look, which I knew was pointless because I adored him so, and replied in a warning voice, "Don't even think about it Om! After this public display of affection, I am even madder at your brother than I was after I left the office this evening. He has a thing or two coming his way and that is why he is trying to soften me up."
Om chuckled and said, "My father, Mr. Oberoi, is right you know! With you and Shivvay around nowadays we get a healthy dose of your out of control romance at least once a day which is more entertaining than any soap opera. Now since your return from the office this evening my brother seems to have taken it to a completely new level already, moving at the speed of light. Wow!! That must have been some potent 'love potion' that he must have sipped today that has turned him into this love sick fool," finished Omkara with a very knowing look and laughed.
"Om!!", I gasped wide eyed embarrassed at his insinuation and felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
"True AniBhi", chimed in DevRu eager to slide in a bit of teasing from his end as well.
"First the out of control hugs and kisses in the kitchen during breakfast, then flirting with the arm draped around your chair at lunch and now the roses in the bedroom setting the mood, ab aur kya kya hoga kya pata ..!", he finished with an impish grin.
"Why you two...!", I shouted affectionately in mock anger, as I felt upset of being the target of teasing because of Shivvay's blatant display of romance. I picked a cushion from the settee nearby to toss after them as they made a speedy exit from my room, giggling and snickering at my predicament in joy.
Saumya laughed hard looking at them beating a hasty retreat and said, "Look at the two of them giggling like teenage school girls. But on a serious note Annika Bhi, Bade Bhiaya is not all bad you know. He just takes his job of being a 'Protector of this Family' very seriously and you are his Family now from what I understand."
Then she walked up to me and caught me in a tight hug saying, "I am so happy for the two of you. You know I am a diehard 'ShivIka' Shipper just like Rudra."
"ShivIka Shipper!! What is that supposed to be??" I asked in a totally confused voice.
Saumya stepped back with the smile still on her face and a twinkle in her eye saying, "Ask Bade Bhaiya. He will tell you. See you at dinner!!", and with that she almost skipped out of the room humming 'Pehela Nasha' happily ❤️ ❤️
Chapter 26 - Page 84
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/ishqbaaaz/4762067/the-heart-gets-what-the-heart-wants-ff-shivika-ud-may08-ch-34a-pg141?pn=84
Edited by asya34 - 8 years ago
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