Shivika SS: Enough *PART 3* pg 10* 5/1* - Page 6

One month later...

Shivaay drove up to the door of Annika's house, determined to talk to her this time. Since she never answered his calls, he had been keeping tabs on her discreetly for a while now. She'd be furious if she found out, he knew, especially when Khanna said she might've seen him. He couldn't risk it further.

He found the house being cleaned out , with moving trucks and workers carrying things in and strangers all over the house. He felt instantly worried, and asked the workers where Annika was. When they denied knowing her, then he really panicked. Locating the person in charge, he found out that Annika had sold the house and moved out.

Moved? Where?

Trying to control his temper, his mind furiously went over the possibilities. Where could she be? Where would she go?

And Sahil?

Sahil's school!!

One phone call later, he found Sahil still at school there. Asking the office for his guardian's contact number (of course forcing his hand as he was in the Board of Trustees) and address, he drove there immediately.

He found a quaint little establishment, the front glass panel was clear with a display of a mandap in the front. It was swarming with people, 2 young girls, evidently staff, were ushering guests in their store's opening ceremony, dressed in fancy glittery clothes. It really felt like one was walking into an actual wedding ceremony.

It was a decently sized store, in a cheaper, more quiet side of town. It was divided into sections, one side with tailors presenting their designs, a cook with his dishes, a halwai and his samples, florists and others. It was a clever idea, like a one stop center for wedding arrangements. He spotted many acquaintances from his set, moving around and trying all the samples happily.

He scanned through the people, when someone tapped his shoulder.

"Shivaay...? Fancy seeing you here.." a feminine voice with a smile.

It was Mallika Rana. She hugged him warmly and they exchanged pleasantries.

"Well, it's safe to ask now, what in the world are you doing here? You're not here to cause trouble, are you? She has worked really hard on all this. It's a big day for her. Dozens of deals to be made here for the whole year. Please Shivaay, don't do anything right now." Mallika spoke freely.

Shivaay felt wounded that Annika would think he would intentionally ruin things for her. Well, in hind sight, he really did a number of nasty skirmishes in her life. Could he blame her really?

"What happened Shivaay? How did you manage to throw her away from your life like that? How could you have been so cruel to her so many times? And what are you expecting from her now? Friendship? Pleasantries? " Mallika's softly asked questions pricked him like poisoned arrows. Grabbing champagne from a passing waiter, he gulped it down for courage.

Suddenly the crowd's attention was summoned by a sudden performance. It was the same song his family did at his Sangeet, this time with a team of colourfully clad dancers. It had an awesome flash mob party feel, and soon the crowd was clapping and dancing along. The choreographer had taken center stage and his troupe was quite impressive.

Yep, lots of business for her tonight. She has a gift for marketing.

Two dancers broke out of formation and dragged someone in to join them. It was Annika, laughing and shy, but suddenly fit in nicely with the steps. She was wearing an off white flowing lehenga and was glowing, dancing gaily along with the whoops and cheers around her.

You just can't squash her. She just bounces back, he thought admiringly. Here he was, like a miserable, starved man who just woke up to the sight of his dreams, afraid to blink in case it disappeared.

Mallika watched him for a while, realized the man was very much suffering. Giving him the time to gather courage, she gave him a friendly hug, "Good luck Shivaay.." and left him.

He watched her for the longest time, seemingly undetected, as she flitted from guest to guest, busy as a bee. Every now and then, he thought, or rather felt, her eyes upon him, but he never got a chance to meet it. As the event ended and the crowd ebbed, so did his courage. He left her boutique, for home.

He reached home and found Rudra and Om waiting. "Hey Bhaiya! Om, did you know Bhaiya went window shopping for yet another wedding? Like 2 weren't enough, bhaiyya , really?" Rudra laughed as Om stared at Shivaay and shook his head.

I see, so you knew I was there, Annika. You could talk to Rudra, but not to me. We'll see about that.

"Whatever you're scheming in that head of yours Shivaay, stop it. Annika is no go, for you. No. Nope. Never. Stay away." Omkara said plainly. Shivaay looked at him wounded, but the younger man took no pity.

Marching into his room, he angrily tapped Annika's number yet again. How dare she complain about him to his brothers? But as usual she didn't answer. Well, he was just as stubborn. Sending Khanna a message , he prowled around his room like a caged lion.

***

Mallika dragged a wary Annika into the club, after practically pushing the girl out of her flat. Mallika found the poor girl staring at her phone, fighting the urge the answer the many missed calls Shivaay has been leaving on her number. Seeing her close to tears at the struggle, Mallika decided to pack her up for some distraction.

"Girl , you need to get out. You've been at this man's beck and call too long. It's time you had some fun on your own. Come.." She bundled Annika out in jeans and a sexy off shoulder silver top and drove her to a yuppie club in town. Annika looked around at everything like she was in a theme park, and sat like a girl on her first day in school. Mallika felt so sorry for her and vowed to make her loosen up and let go.

She told Annika a pina colada was a pretty dressed up soda, so the girl would just drink and relax. Turns out Annika enjoyed the 3 drinks a lot and started smiling a little crazily.

"Mallika darling, are we sitting in a firecracker factory? Everything is sparkly in her, everywhere?! I am sooo happpeee..." she squealed comically.

Hello, hello, baby
You called, I can't hear a thing
I have got no service
In the club, you see, see
Wha-wha-what did you say?
Oh, you're breaking up on me
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I'm kinda busy

K-kinda busy
K-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I'm kinda busy

"Mallika! Look, this song is my life !! I wanna dance" Annika hiccupped giggly. Mallika was slightly wary that she might have overdone things. So she took Annika onto the dance floor , where she really started to loosen up.

Stop callin', stop callin'

I don't wanna think any more

I left my head and heart on the dance floor

Stop callin', stop callin'

I don't wanna talk anymore

It's got my head and my heart on the dance floor..

Boy, did Annika dance. She had her eyes closed, hands running in her long hair as bounced to Lady Gaga, attracting a fair share of male attention. Mallika smiled, seeing Annika relax, allowing herself to have fun too.

In the midst of the dancing and fun, they lost sight of each other, in the huddle of dancers. Mallika weaved in and out of gyrating people to find Annika, suddenly spotting her dancing with not one but FOUR guys, all around her. She had her eyes closed but the men were all over her.

This is not good, I better get her out.

But before she reached, a bunch of suits appeared and formed a circle around Annika, as a sharply dressed Shivaay pushed off the men. He put a steady arm around her, as she pushed at him. He turned and gave Mallika a chilling disapproving stare.

He dragged a wiggling Annika to the side, met with Mallika. "What were you thinking Mallika? She can't take much alcohol! She should have had only one, or NONE! Look at her, " he shouted angrily, as Annika rained punches at the hand holding her captive.

"Bad man! Bad Man!! Mallika , make him go away!! Go Away !! " she slurred as he tried to hold her steady from falling. Seeing her drunk and sleepy state, he made for the exit, half carrying her and fighting her as she kept pushing his hands away. Mallika followed closely.

She tried to stop him from taking Annika in his car, but went along as driving after drinking was out of the question. He conceded in letting Mallika sit with Annika in the back seat as he drove. He drove angrily, jerking the controls on the car with controlled fury. Annika spoke in bursts, Go away Shivaay. ..Leave me be Shivaay.. I want to dance pleassseee..., as Mallika hugged her friend, sad that her innocent intentions backfired into putting her in this state with Shivaay around. Annika fell asleep on Mallika's shoulder, giving the two other occupants some time to think.

"You really need to give her some space, Shivaay." she said to a stony faced Shivaay. "She's really messed up, but her strength and her work keeps her going. Don't sabotage her please..." Shivaay said nothing to that.

Shivaay parked his car, and carried a sleeping Annika up to her flat. He laid her gingerly on her bed and fussed over her pillow and blankets and her hair. Reluctantly, he got up and Mallika saw the look in his eyes. He misses her badly, and was suffering too. He couldn't hide his expressive eyes from Mallika.

She was gorgeous, in a baby pink anarkali suit, a pencil tucked behind her ear. He walked straight towards her, determined to talk. To ease the tension between them. But he was thwarted by a business acquaintance, and then she was gone.

He spotted her minutes later across the room, he looked his fill. Her hair was swaying gently in the evening breeze, she was listening to someone explain something and periodically nodding. Then someone near him called out to her, and she looked directly at him.

For a split second , their surroundings faded out as pleasure flooded his entire being. For two seconds their eyes met, but by the time he formed a smile, she had focused on someone just behind him and looked away. His heart continued to beat erratically, his face flushed , and his throat was dry. He continued to stalk her with his attention, more determined than ever.

An hour later, he saw her rubbing her temples in exhaustion. She signalled someone, and moved out of the hall. Following discreetly, he saw her sitting and nursing a cup of tea by the garden. He moved closer and accidentally stepped on a twig.

"I'm alright Mallika. Just taking a tea break. It's okay yaar, I am doing fine so far. Aren't I?"

"You look amazing... But I am pretty sure I'm invisible or something..." Shivaay spoke drily. Her head snapped up in shock. Abandoning her teacup, she made to leave.

He blocked her exit, and as she evaded and tried to get past, he was determined to block her. Fed up, she looked exasperated and folded her arms.

"What do you want , Shivaay?"

"Nothing, Annika. Just to talk. We can talk, it's not a crime.."

"But I have nothing to say to you, I do, however, have work to do. So please..move"

"It doesn't take long to say Hello, How are you..."

She rolled her eyes and tried to push through.

"Annika..." he pleaded softly. She looked up into his eyes and saw them a soft shade of sunny aquamarine in the sunlight. Feeling a little dazed, she blinked.

"How are you, Annika? How's Sahil?"

"Sahil's fine, doing well in his studies. Work is good." she said noncommittally.

"And you?" he murmured in a soft voice.

Feeling a bit scared with the silky undertone in his voice, she snapped, "How's your wife Tia? Is the baby due soon?"

Feeling like he was doused with a bucket of ice cold water, he grabbed her arm.

"Why are you being so unpleasant?"

"I don't do chit chat with married men. You know, men married to other women? Yeah, It's troublesome."

Shivaay looked pained at that.

"Annika, let me explain..."

"No! You don't owe me ANY explanation about anything!! And I don't need to know anything about you! I am free !," she laughed bitterly. "Free of the complicated lives of the rich and famous Oberois! I am a simple girl, and I wish for a simple life. So leave me alone!" she said, facing him, as he searched her eyes with a tortured expression.

She was about to walk off when he stepped forward and brushed her lips with his. Annika stood stunned, time froze, as Shivaay gently brushed her lips, the upper and lower lips, painstakingly slow and deliberate. His shuddering breath was fanning her face, as she felt flames burst inside her chest. His hands moved to her face, as he tilted it up so he could look into her eyes.

Shivaay rested his forehead against hers , Annika swallowed and closed her eyes.

"Annika, don't do this to me... don't push me away..." he begged.

Annika pushed softly away. " I'm tired of your games Shivaay. You are no longer my husband. You have no rights to touch me or kiss me. Please leave me in peace. Please Shivaay.."

"Annika, Bade Papa and I planned all this to avert the blackmail by the Kapoors. We dealt with them. You were right. She was married to Robin, and the child is his. It was the Kapoor's plan to save themselves from bankruptcy, and we took over their company. You were right all along Annika. "

Annika grew impatient about things from that painful time, the time when she was made to feel stupid and insignificant, and she wasn't going back there.

"Good for you Shivaay. I'm glad things got sorted out well for your family. It appears my interference was really futile, because you all would have handled it anyway. I am the fool, who had to save you. I am a fool !" she said with a trembling voice.

"No..." Shivaay stopped her by folding her into his arms. She wept for her foolishness, as he ran his hands up and down her hair restlessly.

"Please let me go , Shivaay... " she begged him tearily.

"I can't Annika... " she looked into his bright tear washed eyes and saw desperation. Wrenching herself away, she fled.

to be continued...