Chapter 5
Bandra Prison
Present Day:
He had been left alone in the holding cell for more than half the day but Shivaay did not mind. It was dirty and dark but the silence had given him ample opportunity to reflect. He had rewound all of the memories from the two days leading up to his wedding in an effort to figure out how he could have been so wrong.
The result of that had been the realization that he had been looking for an excuse to push Annika out of his life. The farce of a one night stand that Daksh had put out had given him exactly what he was looking for. An opportunity to vilify her, vindicate his beliefs about people like her and justify his decision to continue with his wedding to Tia, when his heart had told him otherwise. It was not easy to acknowledge it, but on some subconscious level Shivaay had already known that Annika was rapidly becoming his biggest weakness and he wanted...no needed a way to fix it because the great Shivaay Singh Oberoi could not afford to have a weakness.
Now within the confines of this cell he was forced to relive all of the vile things he had said and done with Annika to maintain his pride and his belief. He couldn't believe he had fallen for Daksh's trick. If Annika had actually been a greedy gold digger she had had ample opportunities to fleece him. He had practically handed her a blank cheque at one point and she not taken a single penny from it. His razor sharp intelligence had deserted him when he had needed it, overtaken by a demon that wanted its pound of flesh because Annika had gotten under his skin.
His rumination was suddenly cut short when Commissioner Kadam opened the door to his cell and walked in flanked by Bade Papa and Papa. All three men wore grim looks on their faces. Ignoring the icicles of fear curling around his heart he croaked, "What happened? Why do you all look so grim? Papa laid a hand on his shoulder and said gently "Aman, the PI you hired to trace Annika called. He was able to find out that Annika left the chawl yesterday night to go the railway station and she brought tickets for herself and her brother to Ambala Cantonment on the train for 8.30 today morning. The taxi driver and the ticket seller at the counter remember her but...he trailed off unable to complete the sentence. Helplessly he looked at Tej who decided to step in. "But we just got news that the train derailed somewhere on the way to Ambala. If the reports are true, then many people have been killed...We are trying to ascertain if Annika and her brother are among the dead or injured finished Tej.
Shivaay staggered, unsure if his legs could support him anymore. "Derailment, "many dead, "Annika the words spun around in his head making him dizzy. He collapsed on the floor struggling to breathe while a kaleidoscope of images flashed in front of him, Annika breaking his windshield, the funny faces she had made when she had reached earlier than him at Tia's farmhouse, the breathtaking smile on her face when she had lit the candle at his friend's celebratory dinner, the first time she had called him Shivaay... Dimly he heard his father shout as he crouched over him while Bade Papa yelled for the doctor and then blessed darkness took over.
Oberoi mansion
Present day:
Om was desperately trying to hold himself together. Dadi had retreated to her room with slow shuffling steps after Shivaay had been taken away, Choti Maa had fainted dead away as soon as the police jeep had left and his mom was with her and the doctor in another room. Mr Oberoi and Chote Papa had disappeared, presumably to try to arrange bail. Only Prinku, Rudy and he were left in the hall but the youngsters had not said a word till now except to sob.
Right now was not the time, but Om craved the oblivion that drugs would provide him. He couldn't get the images he had seen on the TV out of his head. His brother whom he had idolized and looked up to had terrorized a defenseless girl and subjected her to a forced marriage. What had made it even more inexcusable was using her brother, a mere child to force her hand. How could Shivaay who had nurtured and protected his brothers all this while change overnight?
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he picked it up noting that it was Mr Oberoi's call. Tej Singh Oberoi's voice crackled down the line, he could barely make out anything. Wherever Mr Oberoi was, the reception was very poor. Then a couple of words came through clear and Om froze, "Shivaay, "sick, "City Hospital, "come soon and then the line disconnected. Rushing to Rudy he dragged him off the couch, whispered a few words and then both brothers sprinted for the door as Prinku watched them flabbergasted.
Mallika's penthouse:
Annika paced in the bedroom that Mallika had assigned to her as Sahil slept. She was feeling restless. Her heart was beating erratically and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Her brows knitted with worry she decided she needed to talk to Mallika right now. Walking down the corridor, she knocked on Mallika's door twice before turning the knob and peeking in.
Mallika was sitting on her bed, engrossed in her phone. Annika quietly opened the door and walked in. "Mallika, I knocked but you didn't answer? Mallika looked up and gave Annika a small smile, "Sorry, I didn't hear you. I have been trying to reach Om or Rudra and both of them are not picking up my phone or responding to my messages. I wonder what's happening?
"Actually, I came to talk to you about that... I don't feel good. I feel like something bad is going to happen or has happened.
"Don't worry Annika, tomorrow we can go to the Oberoi mansion with our lawyer and clear up everything. Like I said earlier, I am sure Shivaay must have got bail and reached home already. He has a team of lawyers that are the best in the business. He probably is sound asleep right now dreaming of ways to find you. Once you face Shivaay tomorrow, all of this anxiety and fear will go away and then you will never have to see him again. Try and get some rest, you have a big day ahead of you.
"Good night Mallika and thanks.
Next day:
Annika rode with Mallika and her lawyer in the car. She had dressed carefully today because she did not want Shivaay Singh Oberoi to find a single trace of the wife that had walked out on him. She had chosen a pure white shirt with her favorite blue jeans and left her hair loose in wild curls down her back.
When they arrived, Khanna came out to greet them but the moment he saw Annika he stopped and paled as if he had seen a ghost. Then he backed up and ran back through the mansion doors leaving a gobsmacked Annika and Mallika standing at the door wondering if the poor man had finally lost it. In the next instant, Annika saw Dadi rushing as quickly as she could through the hall before she stopped in front of Annika eyes wide and tears falling. Annika bent down to touch her feet and Dadi engulfed her in a hug before she spoke in a quivering voice "We thought something had happened to you.. Rab ka shukar hain ki tu sahi salamat hain. Where have you been? Do you know what has happened since you left?
"Dadi, what are you talking about? I am fit and fine? And what happened, where are all the others?
Dadi's eyes widened and she drew in a sharp breath, "Shivaay is in the hospital. He got sick yesterday in the jail and had to be rushed to City Hospital. Annika staggered, "Hospital? "
Haltingly the whole story spilled. Annika had known that seeing the money and the loan papers would atleast have dispelled the accusation about Daksh that Shivaay had leveled, but she hadn't known that Shivaay would voluntarily turn himself into the police or refuse to be represented by a lawyer. Even more shocking was that Shivaay had fallen unconscious on hearing that she may have been killed in the train derailment. Did the man actually have a heart, she wondered?
As the story wound down, Dadi clasped Annika's hands in hers, "Puttar, I know Billu has said and done unforgivable things to you but for the sake of this buddhi Dadi can you not help get him out of jail? He is sick, his brothers are falling apart without him and this family is falling apart without him. Please do this one last favor for this family and I promise you none of us will ever darken your doors again or ask anything of you.
And a broken Annika once again agreed to pay the price because she knew the value of having a family.
Bandra Court
Shivaay
The moment he stepped out of the police van he sensed her presence. His dull and listless demeanor immediately changed. She was here, he was sure of it and like a child seeking the first glimpse of Disneyland he craned his neck to look above the crowd of reporters jostling him with their questions. Om and Rudy walked up to him and as the policemen started pushing the crowd to clear a way for him to get to the steps of the court he saw her. She was standing at the top of the steps with... Mallika?
Brown eyes clashed with blazing blue and Annika could not look away. A happy cry startled her and before she knew it, she was being embraced by Om and Rudy who had bounded up the steps two at time and thrown themselves at her. They peppered her with questions and she wasn't given the time to answer any of them. Before she knew it Shivaay stood in front of her. She steeled herself for a confrontation, but all he asked as "Tum teekh ho? and just like that Annika was lost in the care and genuine regret burning in those warm blue eyes. She pulled herself back with difficulty and replied, "I am fine. I am here because Dadi asked me. He nodded as if he understood and then walked into the courthouse leaving a bewildered Annika wondering why she had felt as if her answer had hurt him.
The proceedings began and Annika waited with bated breath for Shivaay to proclaim her as a nobody who could benefit greatly from the alimony he paid her for the divorce which should compensate her for all the emotional and physical distress he had put her through. After all if there was one thing consistent about Shivaay Singh Oberoi, it was the belief that money could buy everything.
Surprisingly Shivaay did not speak a word. When the judge questioned him, he remained mute which had frustrated the judge to no end. As he was about to bring his gavel down and announce the verdict, Annika stood up and said in strong clear voice "I have something to say your honor. The judge peered at her over his glasses and asked "And who are you? Annika calmly said "I am Annika, the Annika that this man is accused of coercing into marriage.
Shivaay watched Annika walk forward to the judge's desk. It was ironical that she had wished for his fate to be controlled by someone else so that he could learn his lesson, but then that someone else had turned out to be Annika herself. She now held the reins to his life and he had no idea what the verdict was going to be.
"Your honor, I have no complaints against Mr Shivaay Singh Oberoi. This marriage happened with my consent and the so called video of the threats was a joke that Shivaay and I thought would be entertainment for our family. In hindsight it was in poor taste but you can verify the truth with Mr Khanna who is the head of security for Shivaay and my brother Sahil who is not here today, but I can bring him here if need be. I request you to dismiss the case and let him go. Shock held Shivaay immobile and as their eyes met across the court room he was floored by the sparkle of tears brimming in her eyes. Once again Annika had sacrificed her pride and self-respect for him and his family.
The judge leaned back " Mrs Annika you have wasted this court's precious time and the time of many people with this wild goose chase. I could hold you in contempt of court for the ridiculous explanation you just presented but who am I to carry the case on if the defendant does not want to be defended and the prime witness refuses to cooperate. This case is hereby dismissed.
As the gavel came down, people started leaving but Shivaay stood rooted to the spot, staring at Annika. A popping sound was the only warning he got. As if in slow motion he saw Annika stagger a little, her expression blank until she slowly looked down and saw the blood starting to bloom across her chest, staining the pristine white shirt she wore. "No the sound was torn from his chest. Om, Rudy and Mallika stood frozen their faces twisted with horror. Before he could vault across and reach her, she swayed and then collapsed hitting her head hard on the stone floor.
Maniacal laughter echoed in the silent chamber before a sing song voice babbled "Annika is dead, long live Shivaay Singh Oberoi. Then pandemonium broke, people screamed pushing each other to get out, policemen shouted and Shivaay finally forced his legs to run to her and as he dropped down on his knees he gathered Annika up in his arms howling "Annika!!!!.
Precap: "You cannot leave me...do you hear...you cannot leave me. "
"Sahil stays with me. Annika had asked that I look after Sahil if something happened and that's just what I am going to do.
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