Shivika SS: Ties that Bind ~22.3~ LAST PART + EPILOGUE pg 10 - Page 3

Part 3

~Danger Lurks~

The next Wednesday, Shivaay had cleared his appointments for the whole morning, and even made notes on talking points to keep Ms. Annika from leaving so quickly.

He couldn't stop thinking about her the past week. He lay in bed thinking of her at night, at some point wondering if he had an unhealthy obsession over the woman, which was so unlike him. Then in his sleep he heard that beautiful voice calling his name.

OmRu tried their best to behave normally around him, but he could sense their frustration about something. They kept probing with questions and backing off when he got headaches. That morning he ventured into the kitchen and for some reason found himself making aloo puri.

Rudra, for some reason , got stupendously excited about that and hugged him tight, before running out to find O.

So much excitement over simple Aloo Puri??

***

Rudy burst into O's studio, caught his brother by the shoulder and gushed. "You can't guess what Shivaay bhaiyya is doing right now!"

Om was annoyed at the violent interruption to his calm contemplative painting time, gesturing What? with his hands.

"Bhaiyya is making ALOO PURI !! Can you believe that? It's all gonna come back soon. Then he'll find Bhabhi and bring her back home... " Om hugged his little brother tight. Annika Bhabhi being missing has upset everyone at home, even more so when they see amnesiac Shivaay , knowing he would've been leaving no stone unturned to have her back. Police were nowhere near locating where she was, they felt that she is either dead, or intentionally remaining hidden.

But Rudy is excited today, because Shivaay is making aloo puri, Bhabhi's favourite dish. Truthfully, he has made many references to Bhabhi lately that everyone was hoping that his memories were returning. But to him it just felt like, Bhabhi's habits had become so ingrained in Shivaay, that it seems like his own. Yesterday, Shivaay said the smell of Mustard seed oil gave him Michmichis, and Mishra's plans for extra holidays for the long weekend went tai tai phis.

All Annika Bhabhi's words. But for Shivaay, it's like his own.

How do I make him remember her? The love of his life.

***

Annika put off the lights of her room and made for the orphanage office. Mrs. Benedict had insisted she take the office as her workspace. The 78 year old woman called Annika a godsend to the orphanage, because she was fretting as to who will replace her as caretaker. When the wife of the patron herself arrived there needing of shelter from danger, it was a sign as big as any other.

Slowly the past one month, Mrs Benedict picked her up as she cried and grieved, gave her a purpose daily, small tasks in day to day running of this home to 40 odd children. On condition of privacy and anonymity, she agreed to train to take over from Mrs. B.

Because all she wanted to do was go back to Shivaay. He was hurt and she knew he needed her, but he's lost his memories. She'd wept enough about the tragedy of him forgetting her, almost gave up even, felt like dying at many points. But then a week ago, she had a fainting spell and Mrs. B insisted on a doctor's checkup and she found out about their baby.

Hers and Shivaay's baby.

The 4 women who ran the children's home; Mrs. B , Vasunthara the cook, Simmi and Roopa were all shocked at the way Annika cried with such a happy news. She had cried herself ill, and the women took care of her, until she was well enough to tell them her troubles.

Someone tried to kill her and her husband, and is still after her. Her husband got beaten up badly and seems to have forgotten her. Annika is all alone now, despite being married.

The women had gotten into a heated argument as Annika sat quietly in contemplation. Vasunthara insisted Annika go home to her husband, the family is obliged to take care of her, to her the institution of marriage is not about Love, but responsibility to each other. Mrs. B agreed but worried as this man, Veer was still after Annika. Bitter truth is, even if the man showed up here today, they were no help to Annika either. The younger girls wept over Shivaay and Annika's tragic love story. But Annika just sat listening to them all.

It was decided, Annika will go and meet Shivaay neutrally, to jog his memory back. If he didn't recall her at all, then she will make up her mind.

When she returned, they all pestered her till she told all details of their meeting, what he recalled, how did he behave, and how Shivaay was drawn to her by instinct. Annika again had crippling self doubt, when Vasundhara angrily smacked her shoulder and said, "A woman never abandons her husband in hardship. And you have a responsibility to this baby, to try your best to get him/her back to his father. Don't give up!!"

What she didn't tell the ladies, was that a man had followed her after leaving the Oberoi Group offices. She realized that men were still looking for her, Veer's men. They were watching Shivaay, looking for her. After some evasive moves , she safely evaded the man.

So today, when she goes to see Shivaay, she has to be extra careful.

***

Shivaay sat in his room, unable to concentrate. She did say Wednesday MORNING right? Well it's almost 11. It'll be afternoon soon. He ordered Khanna to keep an eye out for Ms. Annika. The man gave him a knowing look (wonder what that was about) and promised to make sure she was safe.

Then he felt her presence. He didn't understand it. His heart picked up and there was an urge to get up and go to the window facing the entrance to their building. He watched the dozen people entering and spotted her, in a black shawl covering her head. She was looking over her shoulder, as though avoiding someone, or worrying about being followed. He looked all around for anyone, but no one was paying any particular attention to her. Then Khanna came up to her, and she smiled gratefully at the burly man. She unwrapped her shawl and shook her long hair free, and he admired her from afar. His heart beat faster at the sight of her and he became impatient to know why.

She stood the door as he opened it, both looking at each other with a surprised look.

" Hi.." she whispered.

"Hi .." he smiled back.

She was ushered in and seated, two steaming Americanos, arriving promptly.

"Were you worried about something?" he asked abruptly, watching her eyes widen and knot in confusion. "No, you looked like you were anxious when you arrived, is something the matter?"

She looked at him silently. Yes, Shivaay. I am scared. Veer's men are looking for me, and my only safe place is with you. They are probably watching you. I need you, my love.

He snapped his fingers to snap her out of her silent staring daze. She smiled distractedly and he let the topic go. She was nervous, he wondered what he could do to ease it.

"Mr. Oberoi..."

"Shivaay...please.." and she fell silent.

"So, how are the kids doing?" he asked and she looked startled.

"Huh?" she said , one hand absently on her abdomen.

He laughed softly. "You are so nervous about something, will you just spit it out already?"

"I can't. You won't understand."

"Why wouldn't I? Just say it."

She got up abruptly and walked to the window. He followed her silently and bumped into her as she turned back. The ease with which he caught her to him in a split second, was as fast her winding her arms around him. He hugged her to himself in a split second, unthinkingly.

She snuggled in his arms and hugged him back tightly. Poor thing, she's really frightened. Is someone stalking her again?

Again?

She froze and awkwardly moved out of his arms with an apology. He felt the loss of warmth and quite frankly the sense of dejavu was to strong. There's no making sense of this, of her, he's just going to play it by ear.

"Look, sit down. You're really need to relax. There's security guards here, and nothing to be afraid of. But can you tell me who is following you? And Why? Should I make a police report for you?" he asked to no response. She looked ready to leave again, and he had to stop her.

"Okay, okay, shall we go through the ledgers then?" he found their middle ground and she nodded. Going over the books, a calm came over her.

"You're really weak with numbers," he admonished pleasantly, "Really how is it that you aren't swindled all the time?." Her eyes narrowed and an indignant pout appeared, it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

"Whatever, my numbers are just fine. I was just testing if you were really paying attention to the accounts." She sniffed.

Shivaay raised an eyebrow sardonically at her, and she made a Tch sound. Laughter bubbled in his chest at the ridiculous exchange. They smiled and continued chatting over miscellaneous things when an aide walked in with a newly delivered parcel.

Shivaay received it and looked it over curiously. It was a box of laddoos, and he read the card aloud.

" Heard you were unwell, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, Glad you are back in action. From Veer Pratap Chauhan."

For some reason , Annika paled and stood up in horror after that. Shivaay was taken aback with her violent reaction and just watched as she stumbled a few steps and collapsed into a faint.

***

Shivaay fretted over Annika as the doctor checked her for injuries and reassured him.

"She's alright Mr. Oberoi. She's just fainted and all her vitals seem normal. I saw a card in her satchel, maybe she's been seeing an obstetrician. If she is pregnant, nausea and dizziness is quite expected in early pregnancy. When she comes to, we'll confirm. Let her rest for now." He said and left.

Pregnant?

Meaning she's married? Then why is she living at the orphanage? Has her husband left her? Why is she afraid of being followed? Why is she alone?

SO many whys...

He sat there watching her, feeling despondent that she was married and pregnant, with another man's child. Therefore out of his reach.

Was she really?

Whatever it was, he couldn't stop the gloom of depression.

She stirred slowly and opened her eyes. He crouched at the sofa and she smiled at him. He helped her up to sit and gave her a glass of water.

"I'm so sorry for fainting like this. I won't impose on you further. I must go.. " she said.

"Relax, pregnant ladies shouldn't rush about too much." He said simply and watched her reaction. She stared at him in shock and dissolved into tears. He felt awful and put an arm around her and she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Where is your husband?" he asked in a depressed tone when her sobs had subsided. She looked up at him and sniffed.

"He's away for a while. He'll be back soon, I hope."

"What do you mean, you hope? You mean you don't know? Has he abandoned you? How could he?," Shivaay snapped angrily, and even more annoyed when she smiled.

"He's not well. And he is under treatment. When he's better he'll come for me." she said.

"Not done! A husband shouldn't abandon his wife especially in this state. I ought to punch him in the face for abandoning his pregnant wife! "

"Relax Shivaay.. I'm fine. He's fine. It's just a matter of waiting."

"No that's unacceptable! He has to take responsibility over his family, unwell or not. You can't keep this baby from him. He has a right to know! Now! Not later!" Annika stared at him, wishing things hadn't become so complicated. Today's meeting has been somewhat of a disaster. Things never went simply with her, just jumping from one spilled raita to the next.

She got up to leave. And saw that forlorn face on Shivaay again. She sent a fervent prayer for deliverance and made for the exit.

"I'm sorry Shivaay. I think I kinda messed up your day. So Sorry."

Before he could say anything, she turned and left, shawl back in place. He made Khanna escort her back to the Home safely.

***

Later that evening, he had another visitor. A giant of a man, dressed impeccably in a suit, strolled into his office and talked like a familiar old friend.

"Hello Shivaay, I'm not sure if you remember me? Your old friend from Goa... Veer Pratap Chauhan" he said in a booming voice.

Shivaay felt a splintering pain slice through his head suddenly, as he struggled to remain composed. Something was creeping him out about this man, seemingly friendly , but his instincts are warning him otherwise.

"I'm sorry, I've had terrible head injury and I have missing parts. I'm so sorry."

"Oh! That's too bad. We had a good time in Goa, when you visited with your brothers. You stayed in your guest house next to ours, my wife and I spent quite a lot of time with you three."

With the mention of his brothers, his tension eased somewhat. OmRu knew this man, he can't be that bad.

"And how is your wife?" he asked cordially.

"Oh, Annika is just fine. She's back in Goa, I'm quite eager to get back home to her. She gets angry when I stay away too long, you know. " he laughed boomingly, as Shivaay paled.

"I do love her, so I'm going to buy her an expensive gift and go home today itself. Just stopped by to say Hi, to you. Okay then, see you again some time. He clasped Shivaay's hand in a tight grasp. suspiciously threatening. Shivaay watched him leave, deep in thought.

Oh God.

Is Annika running away from this man?

But he says she is his wife?

Somehow the thought of her next to Veer made him sick to the stomach. He grabbed his car keys. He needed to make a trip to Hope Orphanage now. Far from depression, he now felt an intense fear for Annika after meeting this Veer Pratap Chauhan. Swiftly he made for his car...

To be continued.