Shivika SS: Ties that Bind ~22.3~ LAST PART + EPILOGUE pg 10 - Page 6

Part 5

The intercom at the desk of the Commissioner's desk buzzed.

"Yes?

"Sir, Commissioner Khan sir, ACP Sinha here. We have set up cordons on every main highway out of the district of Maharashtra. We have a district wide search out for Mrs Oberoi, her photo and identifications are disseminated, and the Oberoi family head, Tej Singh Oberoi has made an appeal on TV for public help in the search for their daughter in law and the manhunt of Veer Pratap Chauhan.

"Good. Keep it up guys, this thug has killed enough police officers, we need to get this man fast.

"Yes, Sir.

***

Om paced at the foot of Shivaay's bed. He has been unconscious for 2 hours! Bhabhi has been missing for an hour and counting. Mr. Oberoi has pulled all his weight and moved the police behind it, but Shivaay himself had to get up.

That is if he is okay. Mrs. Benedict from the orphanage said he had shouted for Annika before he passed out, that he'd remembered everything.

"Come on Shivaay..! Wake up man.. We need you right now! he whispered.

Elsewhere Rudra, Bhavya and Gauri searched the streets in their car.

***

Annika sat in a pitch dark room with no windows. She was getting used to the dark now, being alone these few months. She had to teach herself to be independent again, after being dependent on Shivaay being there for every problem. It was depressing, made her cry every time, but it was the truth. She had their baby in her womb, and she has to buck up. Whether or not Shivaay regains his memories.

There was nothing to do but think. She decided to be cooperative. She ate the food given to her, because her baby was of paramount importance. Crying and wailing for Shivaay to come is for another time.

What does Veer want with her?

A relationship? Would he harm her baby if he found out?

The door opened and the ray of lights was so bright she had to close her eyes. A silhouette of a large man stood before her.

"Its good that you ate. And that you are cooperating , but don't put any hope on Shivaay finding us here okay? He does not even remember you, so you better rethink your priorities carefully. I never meant you any harm, don't fight me. For your own safety.

"Okay... she replied quietly.

"Take a look at this.. he showed her a live video feed on his phone. "Shivaay is unconscious again, his head cannot take remembering you. He will wake up and forget you all over again.

Fresh tears ran unchecked down her face, seeing Shivaay unconscious in bed, with Om hovering about him. Seeing him at home, meant the doctors have checked him and he's resting. She breathed in relief, seeing him safe at home with Om and Rudra.

But what Veer was saying is partially right. She is alone now, Shivaay may wake up and not recall anything again, and OmRu will have no clue where to even look for her. She can't just stick around and wait, she was in charge of herself and her baby. She had to do something.

Veer was glad that she was cooperating. He let the guards give her whatever small thing she requested. Oranges, drinking water, chilli sauce, multiple trips to the bathroom, were all inconspicuous items to ask for. She watched the buffoons guarding her relax their stance and start playing cards to pass the night shift.

Annika went through her plan again. If Shivaay were here, he'd say that it would never work, it was a bakwaas plan. But her stupid plans had that element of surprise and unpredictability, that usually worked in her favour.

So few minutes later, she was running out the service entrance of kitchens, while 2 guards followed a false lead out of the toilet window, other two had chilli sauce and orange juice in their eyes.

She ran and ran for her life.

For what felt like miles.

On and on the road went, with no street lamps. She was panting for breath, with no shelter in sight.

Her speed reduced greatly, she struggled to keep going.

Where is this place?

This road is going nowhere.

Kaha phas gayi hu mein? Shivaay !!!

A moment of desperation hit her as exhaustion made her legs heavy. She stopped, just for a minute, caught her breath, just 60 seconds. Tears mixed with sweat, she wiped off her face, grunts of her sobs she swallowed as she struggled to get up and continue running.

She saw headlights approach from afar. Relief, for 2 seconds.

Then she realized it was coming from the same side she came from.

Terror drove her to her feet, adrenaline pumped through here veins as she found strength to run faster than she ever did all her life.

Run, Annika! Run!! Run! For God's sake RUN!!

She ran for her life, like the Devil was after her. But the Devil rode a car.

And he caught her.

***

She fought like a wild cat. She scratched and kicked and wounded so many of the men sent to catch her. It was madness, like trying to catch a hurricane. At the height of it, Veer walked up to the men struggling to hold this human hurricane, and hit her hard just once, a backhand across her face, and she was knocked out.

Blackness...

***

Shivaay opened his eyes and saw the rectangular panels of the hospital ceiling.

Hospital.

Head injury.

Dizziness, nausea

Loss of memory.

Work.

Wednesday morning meetings

Beautiful girl who needed help.

Someone chasing her.

Hope Orphanage.

Rich man who loved an orphan.

Head injury, nausea, giddiness.

Hit on the head.

Running , running fast.

To a shelter.

Men chasing, so many men.

Will she be safe?

Need to divert these men away from where she was.

Run Shivaay Run!

Turn away from where she is hidden, lead these men elsewhere, she'll be safe.

Heart pumping, blood roaring,

Footsteps catching up.

Heckles, shouts, being surrounded.

Punches, kicks

Then Bang! A club to the head.

Blackness.

"ANNNIKAAA !!!

He sat up with that blood curdling roar. Om tore up to the bed to stop him from pulling out all the wires and tubes running form his body.

"Shivaay! Calm down for a few minutes, breathe. Please..

Shivaay meet Om's worried eyes, with his bloodshot worried ones, "Annika needs me. I've wasted enough time. No more.

Om felt chills down his spine. Shivaay Singh Oberoi was back, and he was going to get his Annika back.

***

She came to with a groan, and tasted blood in her mouth. Her left cheek felt numb and sore, and the edge of her lip was stinging with a wound. She clutched her stomach and found no evidence of bleeding, said a prayer of thanks. My Baby is strong. We'll survive this.

The door opened with a bang. Veer strode and pulled her up by the hair.

"You scheming little bitch. I told you not to play games with me! Now see what you've made me do. I never wanted to hit you! You MADE ME do it! WHY!??! Why is everything so difficult with you, damnit?!

He crowded her to a wall and pinned her between his arms. His face approached hers and she turned away in revulsion, eyes shut in terror. He squeezed her face and turned it back.

He grabbed her arms and held them behind her painfully and pressed her body to himself. She bucked madly and managed to land a knee up near his groin. He slapped her hard and her head whipped violently and she fell on to her knees.

He kneeled before her and pulled her hair painfully.

"You will submit to me. You have no other choice. There is no hope. I can wait a very long time. Again, we don't have to be violent about this.

She spat out blood on the floor in revulsion. He sneered, and resumed his cold stance. "See you again soon, my spitfire. Taming you will be fun.

***

Shivaay paced the police station incident room, nervous energy all around. The police worked diligently, tracing down the phone number of the police informer undercover in Veer's covert gang. He had yet to activate his phone to be traced, and the wait was nailbiting. All other leads had turned up cold, Veer had covered his tracks well, not even a papertrail to show where he was.

But then Shivaay requested a new line of investigation. Links between Svetlana Kapoor, Tia Kapoor and Veer Pratap Chauhan. After a frustrating hour, things started popping out of the system. Money exchange and paperwork going back for years.

Earliest mention of Veer Pratap Chauhan was 34 years ago, his birth was recorded in Mumbai. Shock sent members of the family to their feet. His mother was registered as Roop Oberoi.

Shivaay watched as his family paced the floor and slowly spilled the story from years ago. Who was born first and to whom, and who betrayed whom, all stupid meaningless stuff. But they went on and on, and Shivaay became very impatient.

"Stop it! I DON'T CARE who the hell he is. If he is an Oberoi, our COUSIN, why is he after MY WIFE!?

4 guilty faces looked back at him, a story of unsavoury choices made by selfish people, Shivaay wasn't interested. All he knew was , his Annika is stuck in the middle of a venomous web of revenge and retribution, solely because she was his wife.

He picked up a large ornamental vase and smashed it on the ground. Everyone just stared at him, as he cleared his head.

"Sir !! a police tech officer jumped from the console towards his superior. "Sir, our informant just sent us this video clip. Only few seconds, but it does look like Mrs Oberoi.

The whole family watched the tiny grainy video. A hidden phone camera footage, of Veer holding Annika's arms back , as she screams and kicked him in the groin. Veer's hands stretched out for a violent slap and Annika fell to the floor. And a sudden commotion, and the camera footage dipped and was shut off.

Shivaay sat on his knees and bent his head to stop the nausea.

Om kneeled next to him, catching his brother in his embrace, to give some strength in his hour of need.

"Om, he's HITTING her. I need to get there, wherever she is..NOW. I don't know how. What if he...?

"Shh.. Don't go there. He wants to get back at us. The Oberois. She's safe for now. Did you see her? She's fighting! She's still strong. She's giving us some time to get there. Take that. Get up. Let's go.

"Om, she's pregnant... he croaked softly and his brother teared along with him, folded his big brother in a tight hug.

A policeman came to him and said, "Sir, we have a possible address. And he got up and ran out with the police, leaving the scheming people to sort out their complicated maze of a mess.

***

Annika saw through the cracks in the window seals that it was dark out. No moon or street lamps, utterly desolate isolated place. Her stomach growled. The guard had left some food earlier, she ate the roti plain and drank the bottled water , steered clear of juice and soup. Might be poisoned or something. Veer was very capable of this. Her baby needs energy.

Veer came in and stood watching her. After some thinking he came close and wanted to check her face, for wounds. Annika hissed at him, slapping his hands off.

"You have bleeding wounds , let me have a look. They may get infected.

"You hit people and then want to give medical attention? Give me a break. I'll be just fine. Just don't touch me.

"Such arrogance. How does Shivaay put up with this annoying rebellion all the time?

"He loves me. I don't need to rebel against him. He's 10 times the man you are, and ever will be.

Veer took on a hard look. His mother was turned out of the family all those years ago for carrying him as an unwed mother. She was so scandalized by the humiliation, she tortured Veer with her disdain for all his years growing up.

Dirty bas***d boy. Good for nothing. Can't even give his mother a chance to put her head up high. My head will always be bent down because of you!!

His mother blamed him for her disgrace in life. Kept taunting him about Shivaay, younger to him by few years, but so much more illustrious and successful. That little seed of envy, planted in childhood, watered by dishonor and mother's disgust, grew into black hatred for Oberois, Shivaay especially.

He was never able to take Shivaay head on in business, because his expertise is in the underworld. He is way richer than Shivaay, yet his mother wears shabby clothes and lives in her shack. Because in all his success and power, he would never be the pride and honor that Shivaay is to the Oberois.

To take something so precious to Shivaay, his beloved Annika, ruin her, and watch the man grovel at his feet, was his ultimate dream. Before he met Annika.

He could understand why Annika means so much to Shivaay. He watched them as soon as they arrived in Goa. She is a whirlwind, changes everything she touches. He adores her, she made Shivaay more human, made him feel more, gave him back all the love he gave her manifolds. Veer felt envious of the man's luck, even in love. He thought he could turn her, but his every effort is failing miserably.

His mother sneered viciously when she heard he had taken Annika. She wanted to see the Oberois break apart without their pillar of strength. But now, it looked like her brothers had found her out and were out to settle the score. She had poured scorn down the phone that time, for being of no use to her in her hour of need. She had vanished into hiding, and uncontactable even to him.

Rejected , yet again.

He sat by the wall next to Annika.

"Can we just stop attack mode for just a moment? If you need medication, just tell me. I am not inhuman.

"Tell me this. Why are you doing this, what is your problem with Us? We don't even know who you are?!

"I am an Oberoi. Shivaay's cousin. Roop Oberoi's son, whom Tej and Shakti Singh Oberoi refused to acknowledge as family and threw out. I am the naa jayaz eldest son of the Oberoi family.

Annika gasped silently and stared at him, wide eyed.

"So you both are out for retribution? Why take me?

"Shivaay is the key to destroying the Oberois. Ruining him, is ruining the Oberois. I thought if I can take his precious Annika, he'll just collapse.

Annika smirked in disgust. "Wrong. You don't know Shivaay at all. Even when I left him, he didn't break. He got angrier. More destructive, cold and heartless. You've gone and just prodded a grizzly bear. He's coming straight for your jugular now. " she spoke softly, but the determination was crystal clear.

"Don't get so overconfident. He still can't remember you.

"You can't forget that feeling Love gives you for long. He couldn't remember my face or our experiences. But his heart remembers how I made him feel. He didn't know me, still he was reaching out for me. Matter of time. You're not going to win this Veer. No.

"Then I will have to kill you, and THEN him. Then I can be rid of this permanent itch in my gut called Oberois.

"Your mother gave you this hate. Why do you carry it?

"I AM RICHER AND CLEVERER THAN SHIVAAY. I ALONE HAVE AMASSED SO MUCH RICHES FROM SCRATCH BY MYSELF...! "

"So why do you measure yourself to Shivaay, Still??

"SHUT UP! "

Suddenly the sound of a chopper whipping about interrupted them. Veer sneered and spoke to someone on the phone, while he looked out of the window.

"There's still time Veer. Let me go. You can still find your place in the family. Shivaay is very particular about family, he'll make sure you get your place, even if it means giving up his own place. Just stop this violence and just talk. Please...

"Too late for that.. These Oberois have blood on their hands from way back then. Their time has come, they must pay for their arrogance and mistakes. My mother will get her justice and retribution, against the family that threw her out. "

From a distance, a lone voice was heard shouting.

"VEER PRATAP CHAUHAN !!!

Shivaay's voice sent chills down Annika's spine. Relief washed over her along with bubbling fear over what was about to take place. If he had found this place, she hoped he had some kind of a plan. She herself couldn't escape this deserted place. She sent a quick prayer up to God, to please protect Shivaay from his rage.

Veer pulled her by the handcuffed hands and dragged her out to the balcony overlooking the large entrance. She saw Shivaay's chopper still whipping at a distance, while he stood in the middle of Veer's spotlights alone.

Sensing her he looked up. She ran to the railing and screamed his name. He stared back fixed at her, stone faced. She started crying at the stoic face, knowing he was far more enraged than she had ever seen. Turning to Veer, she begged him to please end all this. In reply, he jangled her handcuffs roughly, making her bump into him. He squeezed her face, and turned her towards Shivaay.

"Look at her one last time, Shivaay Singh Oberoi !! Your precious Annika... She will be nothing when I am done with her!

She screamed "Shivaay, ... !! PLEASE!! what was she to say at this time? The inevitability was damning.

"Pick on someone who can fight you back!!!! Using my family is not fairplay. Come meet me here !! MAN TO MAN!! " he yelled back, voice loud with barely restrained anger. Annika shivered as Veer dragged her up and tied her up on the balcony to watch.

"Watch me defeat your Shivaay. Then you can decide wisely, to chose the better man.

"You're insane, Veer! Haven't you been listening?! I am Shivaay's and Shivaay's only. I'd sooner kill myself before I let you touch me, you get that!?

He squeezed her face again and brought her up close to him again.

"VEER PRATAP CHAUHAN. STEP AWAY FROM MY WIFE!!! Shivaay yelled again, Veer sniggered. "I'm told he has quite a beast of a temper. That he loses his shit when his family is under threat. Shall I kiss you here right now? That'd drive him up the wall like a crazy monkey for sure! " he laughed under his breath.

She writhed and pushed him away, screaming Shivaay's name again. Veer pushed her away and she fell to her knees. Veer walked out to the open ground and stood few feet away from Shivaay.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi. You dare come to my property and shout like madman. What?! DO you have a deathwish? Do you know my snipers can end this with just my one gesture!?

Shivaay's eye twitched a little bit as the voices in his hearing device communicated their acknowledgement of that information.

"Just give up. Foolish man you are, walking in here alone in your chopper. Stubborn and over confident, thinking you could take down Veer Pratap Chauhan single handedly??! FOOL!! he laughed aloud at the stoic Shivaay.

Veer unbuttoned his coat , waistcoat and rolled up his sleeves.

"I have been waiting for this moment for the longest time, brother mine. To finally show everyone that my brother Shivaay is nothing but a weak spoilt brat with a huge ego!! Brat!!! He sneered and gave a punishing blow to Shivaay's jaw. Shivaay staggered back onto his haunches, spat out blood.

"If you were really a brother, you wouldn't be like this.

"Well, I couldn't choose my genetic make up!! I am damned with this Oberoi blood!!! he shouted in rage and attacked Shivaay ferociously, repeatedly, as Annika screamed and screamed his name in the distance. Veer pounded and drove his fists repeatedly as Shivaay put up a token defense.

"Is that all you've got, Brother?! This is mighty disappointing !! Veer shouted in Shivaay's ears, as both men panted and sweated like warring dogs.

Veer punched him hard in the guts and he slumped onto his fours, seemingly defeated. But a voice spoke in his ears.

"Mr. Oberoi. We have neutralized the entire compound. We have your wife with us. I repeat, your wife Annika is safe.

Shivaay closed his eyes for 2 seconds of gratitude. Then he stood up and resumed his earlier stoic stance, this time eye to eye with Veer.

Veer stared in mild confusion. But before he could think, Shivaay launched himself with a battle cry and unleashed a violence so great , Veer could only react in defense. Quite a sight it was, the smaller built man was hitting the large tower of a man in all the right places to disable him.

Shivaay rained punches on him, without a care that his knuckles were bloody , and the blood was that of his and his enemy's. All Oberoi blood. What a shame.

Veer was swollen, bloody and just as angry. But Shivaay had him in a headlock, and it looked like the fight was to the death.

Shivaay was going to snap the man's neck, when he heard her voice in his ear.

"Shivaay...? It's me..

"Shivaay.. its me Annika.. Stop this Shivaay. Your anger is about to destroy your whole life. Come back from the edge, my love. I am fine. Please, let the cops take him away. Please, Shivaay... Please!!?

Hearing her voice, his blood shot eyes watered.

As soon as his headlock loosened, the commandos ran in to wrestle Veer away into custody. Shivaay stood shakily repeating her name. Annika threw away all her blankets and mask and ran a distance barefoot, headlong into his arms.

His arms closed like steel bands around her, they both cried and kissed each other for the months they have been apart. It was like they had met again after that night in the hut after escaping Veer's captivity.

Shivaay carried her to the waiting ambulance, and Annika fussed over the amount of blood all over Shivaay. He quietly listened as she scolded him for fighting so much and ending up like this. He just smiled and watched her concerned anger, until she stopped. Looking at his beautiful smile, she burst into tears and launched into his embrace again. They sat like that through the journey home. Back to the shocked and outraged family that awaited them back at home.

next part epilogue scroll down

***

Shivaay marched her into their bedroom, personally saw to her every need. He fed her, helped dress her wounds, fussed over her comfort. Everything, but it that serious silent manner. Annika watched his face for a long while but decided not to pursue the matter until he was ready to talk. She was terribly exhausted and frankly not up for more emotional events. She was ready to die earlier today, running for her life and her baby, it's just too much. It felt like it was over, for now. She wanted to welcome the embrace of peace and just shut down for a while.

She walked out to the living room, and saw a discussion going on with almost everyone there. Pinky was touching her son's shoulder and he was standing ramrod straight , looking at a distance.

"No, Mom!! I have every right to be furious!! She is my wife!! I got injured , and I couldn't protect her! And she goes to stay at an orphanage, instead of coming home? If she was here, you could have all watched out for her! I may have gotten my memories back faster with her being around! Who knows?! "

"Why does she automatically think that if I am not in my senses, her place in my life will not exist anymore?! WHY?!? She is my WIFE! My partner in life. Even if I forgot her, I would have fulfilled my responsibilities. It is my right and job to do that, as was hers to be by my side while I was ill?! WHY did she feel that my family never included her!!!

Om touched his arm and Shivaay pushed it away firmly. "No, Om, it's not done. I won't accept any justifications. She should have come home, instead of being alone again. Shivaay's face crumpled for a moment before he fixed it back to a stoic face.

"I understand your anger, Shivaay. But she's been through so much, and she pretty traumatized already, is it really time to be angry right now? Relax, there will be a time to discuss all this soon. Please.

"Then, tomorrow, if Veer escapes and comes and shoots me, she will run with our child and live out there alone!?! When our baby has a full family here who will love him/her? How can she decide for our baby all by herself? Already she doesn't take my surname, that's fine, but she rejects me and my family also??

"WHoaa...whoa... that's taking it a bit far, Bhaiyya. Rudy jumped in. "Bhabhi is sacrificial types, just like you. She always puts others first and herself last. This is just another of those instances. I think you shouldn't take it in a bad way. Not now.

Suddenly everyone turns to find Annika standing behind them , listening in. Rudra rushed to her side, as she searched Shivaay's face.

"You're angry with me? she asked Shivaay innocently.

"Why? So you can go pack a bag and walk out on me? he countered sternly.

Her eyes watered and she stammered through silent sobs, unable to make her voice come out.

"Answer me this, Annika. Why didn't you come back home, when I was having head injury, and lost my memories??

"Veer...w ... Following me. He would h..have... sent men to.. to .. attack you again..

"So, you thought, you could put yourself and our baby in danger like that, by living in an insecure orphanage, with 2 old ladies. Hmmm??! Even if ONE of his men had found you at the orphanage, what would you have done?? HUH?? WHAT!?

Shivaay was raising his voice, and Om put a hand on his shoulder to calm him. Annika continued to stand head bent like a convict, tears running down her face, silent sobs shaking her chest.

"Why ? Is being part of MY family so insulting to you?? Like you have to give up your pride and self respect to be associated with Oberois or what?! You don't take my name with yours, as it is. Now you don't accept them as your family too?

"No... I don't mean that at all !! she whimpered.

"THEN??? Do you know what Dadi and everyone went through when they found me and not you?? They were searching the streets ANNIKA!!! FOR YOU!! How could you do this to them?? This baby is as much theirs as ours!! he ranted.

Rudy gripped Annika's arm, and let her lean on him.

Pinky turned Shivaay to face her and pleaded him to stop. "Stop this, Shivaay. Enough of this anger. Now it's not time to find fault. It's time to rest and heal. Shhh, enough of this rage.. she stroked his arm.

With tears in his eyes, he turned to her and said, " Do you really take my family as yours, Annika?? Honestly, deep in your heart? Like, ALL for one, ONE for all??

She nodded desperately. Shivaay shook his head in disappointment. "Then you should have come back to us? Why is your independence such a separate entity to us as a family?? It hurts, Annika! Right here.. he said , stabbing his finger at his heart. "You'd do anything for us, but you won't let us care for you??

Annika's sobs broke out aloud. The sound was so painful, Rudra started crying too. She buried her face in Rudra's chest and sobbed like a heartbroken child. Dadi rushed to her and sent them both into the room. Shakti pulled Shivaay into a hard hug, when Annika's crying broke Shivaay's anger too.

***

Pinky stood at the door of Shivaay's room and saw Annika sobbing into her hands, with Rudra hugging her from the back like a child. It was time she took the first step, she knew. One of the biggest reasons Annika never imposed herself upon the family is because of the unpleasantness on her part. She didn't really openly accept Annika as her daughter in law, and showed any love. These two have been through so much for the family, and each other, she saw herself as petty and very unmotherly.

She carefully approached the bed and touched Annika's head softly. She sat up with a start and stood up. Shaking her head vigorously, Pinky sat Annika back down by her side and took her hand.

"Annika, I have seen you be by Shivaay's side through the worst of times, you are the true perfect wife for him. Whatever he needs; support, love and stability, calm, you give it to him. He is genuinely happy and contented with you. Thank you for that. I am so sorry I resisted accepting you for so long. I guess its my pride and arrogance , but in the end, I only want my son to be happy, all his dreams to come true. You are all that for him. I know, you hesitated to come to us partly because of me.

Annika started denying but she was shushed.

" I will change now. I have seen you defy odds and give Shivaay strength that he cannot turn away from. He loves you so much, we can all see it. He is our pillar and he leans on you. I understand it is hard for you to understand intricacies of family life but slowly you will understand. In a family you become a unit, stronger by the number, glued with loyalty. But it all starts with acceptance. I accept you , my dear, you are my daughter now. But I will be your friend first, and take it slow.

Annika sobbed into the hankerchief Rudra gave her , and Pinky engulfed her into a hug. She stroked the crying girl's head gently and smiled at Rudra's gaping shock.

"Okay stop. No more crying. I don't want my grandbaby to be a crybaby like his daddy.

Annika stopped crying abruptly and looked stunned.

"Shivaay was a difficult baby? she asked, not able to believe her ears.

"OMG, he was! He cried and cried and cried from birth to 6 months age. Well, it felt like that to me. Every two hours milk, diaper change, crying, for tummy upset, cry. Sleepy, cry. Loud noises, cry. Not correct person carrying him, cry. He'd cry for everything!! UGH. I think I didn't sleep for 6 months. And he didn't smile for the first 4 months can you imagine? He used to make this baby pug face all the time, such a grumpy baby he was! Then we discovered he'd only smile when Mummy ji carried him outside.

"Then he started crawling, and he refused to be carried at all! He'd go everywhere himself. By 7 months he was walking up the stairs. Then came all the smiles and his green eyes used to twinkle so beautifully. Such a sweet baby he became after that.

"SO no more crying. You've cried enough the last 4 months, first trimesters bhi finishes already. Now strict happy mode only. Don't worry about Shivaay, he's like that. He himself will come and say sorry.. Dekh lena..

She left the room to bring Shivaay's baby photos, sharing them with Annika would make her smile. And bring out those maternal feelings, Pinky smiled to herself.

***

"Shivaay!! Om spoke sternly in a loud voice. "What's wrong with you? We finally got Bhabhi back and you want to yell at her like this, NOW?

"I value her right for independence Om. But not her living one foot out the door like this. I have accepted her wholeheartedly into my life, my heart. But I don't know if she has, or she's just waiting for us to throw her out again. I can't fix that piece that I broke!!

"Shivaay... You're overthinking this. Bhabhi is JUST LIKE YOU. Put yourself in her place, you too would have not wanted Veer to have to enter Oberoi Mansion to get to you, with Dadi, Ma and Chote Ma around, endangering them. She kept Veer away from them, Shivaay. Just like you would. In your absence, she became the second pillar of the house to keep them safe from Veer. I'm not happy with what she did, but I can understand her intentions. I have similar frustrations with you about these matters.

"Annika Bhabhi is just like you. She behaved like you would. She became the Neev of Oberoi family from Veer. Don't be mad at her Shivaay. She must be exhausted now. How much she fought to come back here to you, like this. To survive. Let this anger go. Please. Just go to Bhabhi now. Talk, fight, cry , hold each other whatever. Just go.

Shivaay's shoulder was shaking with silent sobs, and Om held him tight. Then he chuffed his brother's shoulders, wiped off his tears, and sent him off to his room.

***

When Shivaay walked into his room, he found Annika applying salve on the soles of her feet. He knelt at the foot of the bed and gasped at the welts and abrasions she had gotten from her barefoot escape attempt. With tears rolling down his face, he gingerly put the soothing salve on both the soles. Every wince was met with a searching look. Annika wished it to end because he looked more tortured that her about the wounds.

He picked her up, knelt on the bed and sat her with her back against the pillows, arranging her feet elevated for comfort. She let him have his way and cooperated. Then he lay down next to her and rested his head on her lap.

Her tentative hands hesitated to touch his head, but eventually softly stroked his soft hair and neck.

"You're angry, Shivaay? she asked softly, to which his throat constricted with emotion.

"I am sorry. I promise I will tell you everything immediately from now. She offered innocently. He sat up and she was aghast to see tears streaming down his face again. She wiped off his cheeks. They choked on their sorrys and its okays, and he pulled her into a hug, burying his face into her neck and hair.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you for so long, and you had to fend for yourself. He sobbed into her skin as she dismissed them all with kisses on his hair. He was quite distraught and she sought to pull him out of the misery. When he stopped shaking in her arms, she tried to strike a conversation. But he went straight to the point.

"Annika, I missed the whole first trimester.

"So? You still have the second and the third. Big deal. It wasn't fun anyway. She distracted him.

"Why?

"Yuck, morning sickness, evening sickness, all day sickness. I couldn't eat a single aloo puri the whole time. By the way, we hate aloo puri right now. Don't make me aloo puris please.

It worked, Shivaay was already intrigued. "Really? You were feeling sick a lot? I was supposed to hold your hair, as you puked! he said dolefully, and she hit him on the arm.

"Ow.. Wow. That hurt. Are you going to hit me a lot?

"Why? You want more??

"No, that kick you gave Veer in his crotch was enough of a visual.. he smiled and she made a mock Supergirl pose. His smile faded.

"Annika, did he hurt you a lot? How many times did he hit you? Where? Can I see?

"He hit me because I was fighting him and trying to escape. I wouldn't let him come any nearer. Just a few slaps and things.. Shivaay inspected her face tenderly, running his fingers on the dried flesh wounds on her lip and bruises on her cheek.

She tried to pry his fingers off, but he suddenly started kissing her. Small butterfly kisses, unhurried , innocent. She opened her mouth to explain that she didn't really feel like it tonight, cz her body was aching all over and she really wanted to sleep. But he silenced her and quietly undressed her into her chemise and made her lie flat on the bed as he rubbed salve and soothing balm all over her body. The gentle rubbing motion calmed her aches and pains , peppered with sweet kisses. She was lulled into sleep and she cushioned herself into his arms, just letting the sleep take her away.

*

Shivaay woke up in the early hours because Annika was kissing him. Felt like a dream, but damn it, it felt good. Tiny sucking kisses, insisting that he woke up. He smiled a little letting her think he was asleep. Then he felt .. tongue!

Whoa. Biwi increased the seduction up a notch and tipped his senses over. He rasped in pleasure as her tongue created a huge distraction in his ear. His hands snaked up around her figure and cuddled her close. Her gasp in his ear was very arousing and he rolled her onto her back to get a good look at her.

She had a naughty look on her face, wasting no time she wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him close for a kiss. And she was voracious, opposed to him taking it slow.

Her hands travelled down all over his back and squeezed his bum.

"WHOA! " he laughed and leaned up on an elbow to look down at her. Lifting his brows he asked what's up, as she grinned cheekily.

"What ? You don't know pregnant women get extra strong urges??

"Oh really now ?? Shivaay immediately went into his Prem Chopra mode to oblige. He dived into her neck and tickled her with big smacking smooches that made her laugh aloud. In the middle of all the laughing he had managed to untie her spaghetti strap chemise and pulled it towards him to expose her her breasts. She caught the strap and they had a little tug of war over it. Just as she was losing she pushed him off her until he was flat on his back and a little surprised.

Cattily, she climbed and sat astride him. With a lithesome move she pulled her top off and her hair billowed on one side. Sexy Biwi in her white underwear.

Shivaay made a mental note to himself to buy Biwi some interesting undergarments. Now that's she's exploring her naughty side.

He ran a hand up her smooth stomach, a slight mound visible now. He really didn't want to be eager and end up hurting her. The slight frown on his face, made her smile.

"Doctor says it's okay now. Second trimesters are safer for... you know...

"For what...?

"You know what..

"No, tell me, What?

Shivaay laughed at her cute troubled frown and tickled her. She responded by kissing him passionately on the lips so he'd stop all the playful fights and get down to business. She stripped off her pajama and his hands tugged at his underwear.

Hot kisses and molten passion got ignited as they sought to get closer to one another. Shivaay being cautiously gentle and Annika being bolder than usual. Shivaay understood her innocent urgency and touched her in ways that he knew would please her immensely. Stroking motions sent her writhing and moaning, bucking into his hands demanding release. When she exploded in release, he watched the fireworks display before him with a smile in his eyes, in awe.

As her breathing normalized, she became aware of his intense scrutiny. Her hands crawled up between them and covered his eyes.

"What?... Heyy!? he protested.

"Don't look at me like that , with your kanji eyes. It disturbs my heart. Can't think..

"Why do you need to think now.. Come on, open up the hands, I want to see you. " but she pushed him up, both kneeling on the bed. Manouvering herself, she sat astride him and took him inside her. That stopped all his complaining like a switch. Leaning onto him, the friction drove both of them mad, as his hands moved in their own volition. A dance began , moans intertwined with gasps and smiles.

She held his face in her palms as his face grew intense with the impending release. Looking deep into his eyes, she memorized that look, wanting to remember that look of devotion in his eyes, just for her.