Shivika SS: Your Gravity - Part 1

He had known how to hurt her, how to cause exquisite pain without leaving a mark. Shivaay was furious, with her for not letting him apologise and making him hurt her, with himself for hurting her.

And now there was a media circus to deal with and lawyers to brief, and he had no choice but to go after both, when all he really wanted to do was stand outside Annika's house and shake her into forgiving him. When all he wanted to do was pull her warm body into his arms and hold her.

No one hurt people like Annika Trivedi on purpose like that, not the way he had. The sheer psychic shock of it was probably more debilitating than any pain he'd inflicted on her. The pain was transitory, the disillusionment permanent. She would now know that people did such things to each other without a second thought, and it could happen again. She'd never feel safe.

He staggered against his car, refusing to glance at his reflection in the rear view mirror. There were times when you couldn't look yourself in the eye, Shivaay thought, and this was definitely one of them.

Annika looked out the window, hoping to see that weary figure gone. It had begun thundering and she really didn't want to deal with another obstacle in her life. Her interview had gone fairly well she thought but that was a guarantee of nothing and she needed to look for other job offers online after dinner.

"Is he still waiting? Gauri asked quietly.

"Yes.

"Maybe you should go speak to him. The neighbours are beginning to notice.

Of course they were beginning to notice. Shivaay looked as much a part of this neighbourhood as a peacock among pigeons.

"I don't care, Gauri. It's a free country. He can stand wherever he wants to. Eat your dinner.

Clap.

The heavens had opened up. A heavy downpour in Mumbai usually came with such a ferocious wind that debris littered every street. Water gurgled down the asphalt into already overloaded drains and the flora bowed to the gale. Trees and fences tumbled, insufficient to fend off the onslaught. It was as though mother nature was keen to wash away the sins of mankind and only the finest drama would do.

Annika's froze for a second before turning towards the window and quickly glancing at the street. He was still there. This was getting ridiculous. What was he trying to prove? She shoved her plate aside and decided to end this debacle once and for all.

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Shivaay welcomed the torrent like a sinner waiting for the relief of a sharp knife. He wasn't going to move until he got what he came for. He wasn't goi-

"Go home. Annika stood a few feet away, already drenched, dark clothing sticking to her like second skin. Her face impassive, her voice blunt. "Just go home.

"Not until you forgive me.

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