DISCLAIMER : Shivaay angst, death of a character, OC ahead. Read at your own risk.. In short, you have loads of angst here..
Face in his hands, he sat. His body was slouched and an aura of defeat emitted from him. Three years.. It had been exactly three years since the disaster happened. Three years since he had become a recluse. Three years since he had decided that he would never ever become the person he once used to be. Slowly sliding his hands away from his face, those grey eyes that were devoid of any emotion looked at the wall above his bed. Staring blankly was all that he did. For on the wall was a picture of a woman with a garland. The woman had a serene smile on her face. His eyes welled up with tears as he turned away and closed his eyes. Flashes of that day came to his mind. He could still clearly hear Shivaaayyy !!! as she fell down.. He was woken up by a shaky hand. His eyes shot open and he looked around. He could see worried eyes looking up to him with shaky hands. It was his brother. His life-support. His best friend. Omkara had seen him in inner turmoil as he passed through Shivaay's room. He felt remorse. Remose for his brother. He didn't deserve all that was happening to him. Out of ll the people, he understood very well what it means to lead a life of remose. He held him as he hugged him tightly not letting him go. Om allowed him to squeeze him tightly as he stroked Shivaay's head. Shivaay had been there for him when he Om had been in the same situation.. That was.. That was until Bhavya came into his life. His story had been a topsy ride but that wasn't important.. What was important at this exact moment was Shivaay. He broke the hug and held him at arm's length.
Om : Shivaay.. Shivaay, listen to me.. SHIVAAY !! Listen Shivaay.. Its been three years.. You need to come out of this.. This is not you, Shivaay..
Shivaay : Om.. Just leave me alone..
Om : No Shivaay.. Look at me.. You can't stay like this forever.. Life has to go on.. Didn't you say the same to me all those years ago ? We need you Shivaay.. We need our Shivaay back.. Rudra can't see you like this. He keeps crying to me that he misses his Shivaay Bhaiyya back.. I am not his Shivaay Bhaiyya.. The least I can do is comfort him.. He needs you, Shivaay.
Shivaay stared at Om. Om took a sharp breath. Shivaay's eyes looked lifeless.. They looked as though someone had sucked the soul out of him.. He looked demented. He had had enough. Omkara got up and pulled Shivaay out of the room. He pulled him downstairs where the family was seated. Pinky looked shocked as she took in Shivaay's appearance. Om made no inkling ass to he had noticed them and just walked out of the main door ignoring even Rudra who looked happy and sad at the same time. He pushed Shivaay into the car and turned to the driver.
Om : Take him.. Somewhere.. Anywhere.. Take him to Marine Drive. To tht restuarant over there.
Driver : Yes Sir..
Om : And if you come back within three hours, I'll make sure you are fired.. Now go !!!
He drove away with Shivaay in it...
The Marine Drive always gave peace. Walking along the part and looking at the rocks gave people peace. Shivaay walked along the path and then stepped on to the rocks where he sat upon one of them. The breeze flew his way and ruffled his hairs. He closed his eyes..
They were on the way to Oberoi Mansion. They had to escape. They had to get away. Else it was going to be too hard. It would be too late to get away. He could hear Anika trying to lessen his tension as she wiped at the blood on his rib with her dupatta. There was a gun shot and he lost control of the car. They had shot at the wheel. He heard Anika scream as she fell down from the car and rolled on to the road..
Shivaay : Anika !!!!
He applied the brakes hard and brought it to a halt. He got down from the car holding his ribs where he had been shot. His eyes widened as he saw Anika being handles by Svetlana who had an evil smile on her face.
Svetlana : Well well well.. Look who we have here.. Shivaay Singh Oberoi.. Hello Shivaay.
Shivaay : Let her go Svetlana !!!
Svetlana : Ooh !!! Such attitude.. Tsk tsk tsk.. Not very good, Shivaay. Perhaps you can try being a bit polite..
Shivaay : Let her go Svetlana !!!
Svetlana : Hmmm.. SO much for trying to teach.. Now time for some hands-on.
She took a pistol and kept it on Anika's heart with one hands locking both her hands behind her back. She pulled the trigger and smiled.
Svetlana : Now.. Where were we Shivaay ??? Ah yes.. Polite manners.. You were saying something Shivaay ?
Shivaay was in for a toss. He couldn't stop the anger that bubbling inside his stomach ready to unleash itself out. Yet he had to bow down just so to save Anika who was now in the hands of that vile woman. Yet he stooped to his knees, ignoring the pain that surged through him..
Shivaay : Please let her go..
Svetlana : Aahh.. That was a bit better,wasn't it.
She took the gun away from her chest but Anika's hands were still locked from behind. Anika, taking the chance stamped Svetlana on the foot which in turn made Svetlana yelp and let her hands go. Anika ran towards Shivaay screaming his name Shivaayyy !!! As she neared him, there was a shot and that freezed it. Anika arched her back and fell to the ground. Shvaay's eyes widened in horror as he witnessed the vast amount of blood gushing out from her spine. He looked up to see Svetlana looking at someone. He craned his neck and to his shock it was Tia who came with a pistol. It was Tia who has shot Anika in the spine. She had a taunting smile that told she had won and Anika had lost. It had a sort of maniacal glint to it. Lowering down the pistol. she took Svetlana's hand and pulled her away towards the opposite direction.
It was over. Tia and Svetlana had left leaving Shivaay with Anika's lifeless body. He took her in his arms and craddled her to him. He shook her hoping she would miracleously come back to life. BUt it was in vain. She was gone.. She was gone, never to come back. He stayed rooted to the spot holding her in his arms as it rained. It was quite some time when Tej and Shakti got to the place and had to take Shivaay away from Anika.. Since that day, he had never been the same..
He opened his eyes. He didn't wipe the tear that made his way down his face. Its had been three years.. Three years since she had left him.. And the hole that had been made that day never mened again.. He heard a voice.. A sweet voice.. A melodious voice singing.. He turned and searched for the source of the voice. He saw an audience gathered around. He took a look at the singer. It was beautiful woman who was singing in her melodious voice. He caught on those words..
Don't let them in
Don't let them see
Be the good girl you've always have to be
Conceal don't feel
Don't let them know
But now that you know..
Let it go Let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Those words.. Something about those words stumped him.. Something about those words made him feel light. He didn't know what. But it was definitely something that spread like medicine along his wounded soul. He sat down on one of the rocks and listened as she sang..
Its funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all
He didn't know how long he stared into blank space.. Someone shook him.. He got back to his senses and looked at the interruptor.. It was the woman that was singing sometime ago. She smiled at him. He gave a stiff smile. She sat down beside him.
Shivaay : Your song.. It has depth of feelings.. How is it that you bring it out ?
Woman : For someone who had lost her entire family, emotions and feelings come easily.
Shivaay : Entire family ?
Woman : Hmm... My father, mother, sister and my two year old baby.
Shivaay : Baby ??
Woman : Yes.. My baby.. Two years old. And you know what's the most heartwrenching part is ?
Shivaay : No..
Woman : I watched them die infront of my eyes. In an accident.. I was the sole survivor.
Shivaay : What happened to your husband ?
Woman : He divorced me..
Shivaay : Divorced ??? But why ?
Woman : Since I couldn't give him a son. I had already lost two kids in an abortion before giving birth to Adhaaya.
Shivaay was dumbfolded.. Never had he in life thought about the situation in which the woman was in. He had lost his wife yes.. But this woman had faced much more.. Her entire family and her daughter..
Shivaay : How do you do it ?
Woman : Do what ?
Shivaay : Cope up with the loss.. Its not easy.
Woman : No.. Its never easy. I moped around for a year. I wasn't ready to accept the fact that they had reached heavenly abode. But then I realized.. Life wasn't gonna stop for me. Sitting and thinking about them won't bring them back. As people say Life has to go on. And then I started. Started my life again. Got a job as a teacher at school..
Shivaay : Then what are you doing here singing ?
Woman : Ooh. I like to sing. And I collect money for that and give it to the old man that sits by the chat corner. It gives me pleasure.
Shivaay : Oh ok.
Woman : BTW, my name is Aparna.. What is your name ?
Shivaay : Shivaay.. Shivaay Singh Oberoi.
Woman : Oh !!! You are that businessman who lost his... Oh, I am sorry.
Shivaay : No.. Its ok.. I am fine..
Aparna : You know ?? Don't mind me telling you.. But life must go on.. I am sure your wife wouldn't want you like this.. She would have wanted you to stay happy..
Shivaay : But how ?
Aparna : I can't decide that.. Its your life.. Life never waits for anyone.. I would suggest to start with your family first. I am sure they would have gone through the same turmoil that you've been going through for three years.. Well, atleast you have a family, Shivaay..
With that, she stood up and started walking in the opposite direction.. Shivaay felt better. He felt positive. He looked up at Aparna who was walking away and called out..
Shivaay : Aparna !!
Aparna : Hmm..
Shivaay : Can we meet again ?
Aparna : Depends.. You might or might not be able to find me..
With that she disappeared to the side leaving Shivaay with a fresh energy of optimism. He was going to take his life ahead. He was not going to make Anika sad. Aparna had lost her entire family in an accident yet she coped up and moved along. He had lost his wife to three murderers and he even had them hanged to death yet he was a recluse. He had made up his mind that very moment that he would not make Anika's wish go unfullfilled. He would get back to normal.. He would become the Shivaay Singh Oberoi he once used to be. With that he left Marine Drive and went back home where his family was waiting for him..