"Mujhe farak nahi padta. It doesn't matter to you. Yehi kaha tha na tumne ?
"Aap...aap kya baat kar rahe hai ?
Looking at her he saw that her face had lost its color, her eyes revealed a deep seated fear. He needed to find what she feared so much. He needed to know what fear had so much power, so much control over her that she left him. He just needed to know.
For this, for them, he had to become SSO.
"Annika, I remember everything. I remember what you said to me that night. I remember.
Taking a step forward as if to touch him she speaks hesitantly, "You remember ?
Looking into the eyes that had him ensnared from the beginning he continues "Annika, if the truth didn't matter to you, then you wouldn't have left me.
"Shivaay, that's not true ! I left you...I left you for your own good.
This stubborn, infuriating woman. Taking hold of her shoulders he states, "You should have understood by now that nothing matters, the good or the bad, if you are with me.
Remembering the void that she had left in his life,his heart...his voice cracks. "You left Annika and now I know it was me who didn't matter to you. This truth changed everything
Wiping away the tears that had fallen down unbeknownst to him, she gently cups his face, in a hushed whisper she says, "No, it didn't change anything for me. Why don't you understand ? Mere paas aur koi option nahi tha ! Pinky aunty...
Don't stop now Annika, tell me. We have been tortured enough, says his heart.
"Pinky aunty kya Annika? Bolo ? I need to know. He says in a pleading voice.
Breaking free of his hold she steps back and turns away from him. He can feel her closing in on herself. He can feel her trying to suppress the truth that is trying to bubble it's way out of her. Just when he was about to lose hope he hears her speak at last in a voice that is devoid of all emotions. "Pinky aunty hame alag karna chahti thi. She wanted me to leave you and when I refused, she blackmailed me with a truth about you.
His mom ? His heart stuttered and his mind ran thousand scenarios, imagining what could be so damning. He expected the truth to be something about Annika's past but his mom. He knew that his mother didn't have any affection for her but he was sure of her her love for him. This couldn't be, she was mistaken "Annika
Turning towards him she continues, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "She blackmailed me with a truth about your life.
Hugging him, burrowing her face in his chest she finishes in a choked voice, "You matter to me, that is why I left.
Enclosing her in his arms, her each choked sob like a dagger to his heart. Running his hands over her head, down her back in an effort to soothe her he whispers, "Tumne mujhe kuch bataya kyun nahi ? Main kuch karta. Did you not trust me, Annika ?
Suddenly moving back she takes hold of his shoulder."Shivaay baat bharose ki nahi thi. Baat aapki tadi ki thi, baat aapke naam, khoon aur khaandan ki thi.
Stunned he just listens as the truth finally comes to light.
"Mujhse zaayada achi tarah se kon jaan sakta hai ki naam, khoon aur khaandan aapke liye kitna important hai. Main kaise bata deti aapko ki sab jooth tha, ki aap Pinky aunty ke bete nahi ho, ki aap Shiv uncle aur Kamini aunty ki najais aulad ho.
He was such a fool. SSO, the cunning Shivaay Singh Oberoi played like a fool by his own mother. No, not his mother because a mother doesn't stand in the way of her child's happiness.
Happiness. Annika was his happiness, his solace, his life and he foolishly threw her away. But no more. Enough is enough.
Book Talk
Anupamaa
