The Masquerade (AnShi/ShivIka FF)- Epilogue UPDATED (Pg 130){COMPLETE} - Page 71

Originally posted by: bhumi16

I absolutely love your story! Literally read it in like 3 hours I was hooked from th first sentence!

Keep up the hard work and the excellent storyline and I look forward to whats going to happen next!

Originally posted by: A.C.

My dear darling Twerps,

Oh, how I've missed you!

In an unexpected turn of events, I have the afternoon free so I decided to do something constructive with it - argo, get back to my fellow Ishqbaazians! And you are the very first one who came to mind!

So, since I have read all the last three chapters together, be prepared for a very long droning post! And without further adieu, here it is:

Chapter 14:

Oh man, being the sadist I am, I chortled at this one! I just couldn't help myself! Shivaay being forced by Daadi to set up a date for Anika with somebody else! Holy canolly! I so want that to happen in the actual show! Being the expression king that he is, Nakkul will kill it! I want to see the michmichi on SSO's face! And ooh, Tia is certainly seeing a new aura these days isn't she?! And ha, poor SSO, he can't even make himself say something nice about our girl for a change! Daadi's word is the last in this house! Oh man, I swear to you I laughed like a lunatic at that one! Suffice it say, the waiter from the cafe had to tell me to keep it down for the customers were thinking I was having some kind of a seizure!

And Anika, oh that poor lamb! Can't say no to her beloved Daadi and Prinku. I swear, she's such an uncharacteristic pushover when it comes to these mighty stubborn Oberois! But I could genuinely understand and feel her anxiety about this supposed date. And BTWs I thank you for making her nervousness related to her circumstances in life and about herself as a person, and not about her momentary lapse with out stubborn SSO! Seriously, kudos to you for that! Not every decision Anika makes has to revolve around SSO just because she may be on way of falling for him!

And my darling little Rudy! I can so understand his conundrum! And yes, Om and Ru are right. Honestly, if I didn't understand SSO the way I do, even I would want him to marry Tia and take a hike! That man can be really obstinate at times!

Chapter 15:

Twerps, you sadist little you! Having arranged her date, you now made SSO her designated driver! Hahhahahaha! Oh Christ almighty! Why don't the writers make this happen on the show! It was be such an epic episode! And then Shivaay observing her sleeping form... Oh be still my heart!

He tried to sabotage her date! Finally! I was waiting for him to say something! His patience was killing ME I tell you! But alas to no avail! And that loss of appetite! Eeek! Feel the burn, Shivaay! Feel the burn, man!

Why am I dreading Anika's momentary happiness? I can't really get a feel of this Nishanth character honestly. He keeps shifting one me and that is never a good sign. But still, I enjoyed my girls happiness and peace. However long it lasts. Finally, the caterpillar saw the butterfly she could be.

Though we know Nishanth is not her mate, let's just hope he is not a wasp either!

Chapter 16:

Oh Twerps, your Tia broke my heart! I wish she had the freedom to let SSO go. For her sake, really! Why can't her parents see that she will be miserable in this relationship! Especially now that she has seen the fire that rages within her supposed but never equal partner. A storm that rages within him albeit for someone else. Being and feeling unwanted and unneeded is the worst thing to feel in a relationship. But I guess that is the very definition of a relationship made in compulsion.

And Nishanth turned out to be a wasp! I swear I could strangle him! Why are people like that, Twerps?! This is the one thing that I have never understood. What right does anyone have to show a person dreams that they will never fulfill? Why make promises you don't have the guts to keep? Why make them wish?! For me, this is the worst crime of all! Because this not only leaves cracks within your heart but can sometimes also diminish the light of your soul for a little while! But Anika is a brave brave girl! She'll rise up again with her head held high! Thank you for not making her feel sorry for herself! Her tenacious dignity is the best weapon ever I tell you! And really, she should be proud of everything that she is!

And maybe now, Shivaay could possibly understand the storm that rages within her, for a similar one fights within him too...

Pinky and nervous breakdown?! Hahahaha! That women can eat nervous breakdowns - and yes, multiple - for breakfast I tell you! Where do you think Shivaay gets his tenaciousness?! And we are back to Billu ki Shaadi are we?! Hahahahah, Anika should make him sit on Vaid Ram Dulare ka Gadha!!

Oh man, I can't wait for the next one Twerps! SSO will surely get to know about what conspired

between Anika and Nishanth. God save everyone when he does...

Thank you for these marvelous chapters, Twerps and the PMs!

I am sorry for not getting back to you sooner! But, I have a surprise for you today so hopefully you will forgive me!

Love you,

A.C.

Originally posted by: StripePurple

Hi. :) This has been a great read so far. This story has a very nice understated quality to it and thank you for not going overboard with the descriptions or dramatic confrontations. I love how you have written Anika, keeping her cheerful pragmatism intact yet giving her this very relatable angst and emptiness in her life. The situation with Nishant was really well-written; you feel for Anika and admire the dignity and resilience this girl has, yet Nishant's behavior was so commonplace that I couldn't really hate him either-- the guy was simply not courageous enough to deserve her. Shivaay was so right in his initial assessment-- Nishant was no match for the firebrand which is Anika, and that became apparent when Anika, instead of expressing her anger and speaking openly as she does with Shivaay, simply gave Nishant an out and closed the door on him. As for your Shivaay, there's a depth to him which I wish the show would explore...a frustration and ennui about him which he is increasingly resentful of, thanks to the freedom which he has found in his brief encounters with Anika. Very interesting point we are at and looking forward to the rest. :)

Originally posted by: reshma4875

nyc update...i think shivaay s behind dis...poor anika...

Originally posted by: preity_d

Part 15

I so loved that fact that you arranged their first date at the beach rather than choosing any restaurant. For the first time in life Anika is getting someone's attention romantically. So she is getting flattered. She is feeling good about herself. It's natural. rudy lost his grin when others laughed. Shivay's turmoil, his struggle with himself was so beautifully described in your words and the last line gave goosebumps She came in unguarded glory and he wanted to tear apart the fabric of his reality. 👏

Note: Sorry for the short update. I am home for the Puja vacations which means friends, family and the general demands of Durga Puja are all making their demands on me and my time. I had hoped to post a super long update but am not getting the time to work on the story. So just leaving you with a short piece for now. Hope this isn't too disappointing. Love you all!! 🤗

17

Anika stepped into his room. Shivay wasn't in. She had just seen him sit down with his brothers for their usual round of banter before they all headed out together for the day. She knew that would keep him away for a while. The folder of sherwani designs lay on the coffee table. She just needed to pick it up and leave.

Sunlight streamed in through the white curtains, reflecting on the blue walls, giving the place an underwater feel. There was a certain calming quality to the room. Since last evening's incident with Nishanth, this was the first time she felt at peace. In the past, whenever she had been troubled by life,she had given back as good as she got. But this time she hadn't been able to do it. He had looked down on her but the fact that he did so behind a mask of niceties had prevented her from hitting back at him, throwing his hypocrisy in his face. And this itched away within her, making her think of a hundred things she could have told him, she could have done. But the room made her forget that humiliation for the moment. She looked around her, at the walls with light reflected from the pool dancing on it, casting rainbows that flitted around. She wondered how despite having a room like this Billuji was so angry all the time. It was relaxing here, peaceful.

This was probably why she lingered, taking slow steps towards the table, feeling the plush carpet beneath her feet, letting that soft light fill her with that tantalising sense of calm. If you had the wealth, you really could buy yourself a bit of heaven, she mused, as she picked up the folder. However, as she turned to leave, her skin prickled at the sudden realisation of someone else stepping into the room.

She knew he had just come in and god knew how much she didn't want to speak to him. Today, each smile, each cheery word of hers took effort. And no one was more adamant on stripping off her masks as that person, who presently stood behind her. She didn't know if she had it in her to emerge unscathed out of another one of their tussles. Before she could turn around to explain why she had come to his room, he spoke,

"So, you think you can make me dance to your tune?" Shivay's voice was so uncharacteristically gentle,with just a hint of amusement in it, that she whirled around in surprise.

"Wha-" she began hesitatingly.

"Me on a horse? You'll manage that,will you?" there was a strange softness in his eyes, as he walked towards her slowly.

"I couldn't--" she began again but fell silent as he reached out a hand towards her. Her eyes, fascinated, followed the movement of the hand as it came forward and took the folder from her slackening fingers.

"It was going to fall," he said, his lips turning slowly into a smile.

"Billuji-" her throat felt dry.

"Didn't I say never to call me that again?" He'd let the folder drop to the table.

"But what-" her words caught at her throat as he now reached out and then with one swift motion he had pulled her towards himself.

His eyes looked into hers with such open affection, she couldn't help the heat rushing to her face. She couldn't help leaning into the embrace.

"Fix me, Anika." he said, his voice quivering with some unknown emotion. The words hung in the very air between them like some kind of heat haze.

She didn't know what was happening to her, to him. His words moved under her skin, making her blood ring with the fervour of a hundred unspoken prayers. She wanted him to hold her like this, wanted to get lost in his embrace. She wanted to give in like she had before, to him, to this strange pull she felt between them. To give in would be so easy. But like a flash she saw Nishanth before her, his eyes searching for an escape-- searching for an escape from her. She will not go down that road again. This man will not change her rules for her. She tried to jerk out of his grasp.

"Let me go." she said. Her voice sounded harsh and unfamiliar- almost as if someone else was speaking for her.

He took his hands away with a start. The softness had disappeared from his face.

"Don't ever do that again," she continued, anger adding fire to each word she uttered.

"Anika-" he began, with a horrified look on his face. This was not one of the mirages sleep brought him through those endless nights. She was actually standing before him in his room and he had done the unthinkable. He needed to put those masks back in place immediately. She was not his, now or ever. He had to make her forget his words, his actions. Shivay tried to speak.

But she had had enough. She put in all the anger that had been twisting inside her since last night and broke in before he could say anything. "You're forgetting yourself, Mr. Shivay Singh Oberoi. We had decided to forget whatever happened. You think you can do just whatever you want?! If I must remind you, you are getting married !"

As she spoke, his face grew crimson but the shock was replaced by the more familiar mask of calm inscrutability. When she stopped, he spoke in voice that had as much warmth in it as a glacier. "And by what I hear, you're well on the way to that yourself."

"That is none of your business." she replied.

"Well, no wonder you're so happy all the time." he said as his lips curled into a sneering smile. As she looked at him in surprise, he went on icily, "Nice catch, you've landed, Miss Anika. Nishanth is definitely a step up for you."

Anika picked up the folder and left without a backward glance. If she spoke now, she knew she'd say too much and she had overstepped her limits enough for one day.

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