The One I Wished For - ShivIka FF

|- Part One -|

"Anika, daughter I want to see your marriage."

Anika sat numb, holding the hand of her Grandma, the one, her soul lied within. Her attempts of holding herself from breaking down were resulting into nothing, seeing here Grandma, laying down on the bed almost lifelessly. It was evident that she might not have much time more to be in the world. And when, she had that idea, all she wanted to see her granddaughter's marriage before she closes her eyes.

"You will be okay Dadi." Anika somehow spoke, gathering words, her throat chocking and something breaking inside her with every passing moment. Anika just wanted to hold her Grandma and never let her go. But even she was aware of the fact that she could not help it if that was what coming. That's the rule of universe! If someone comes in the world, then he must go too. But it was so hard to even imagine that. That was not possible. That could not happen. How would she do without her Grandma!

"Dear, it's okay. I am here. But it's just I want to be a part of the most important phase of your life." Her Grandma spoke in a low voice. She had almost lost her all the strength. She had become too weak to even walk on her own. Doctors couldn't diagnosis anything particular but blaming her age of 70, they had called it as age sickness and probably she would not make it for longer seeing her weakness and sickness, both.

"Okay Dadi. As you say. I am ready." Anika whispered in a low voice, agreeing, without giving any second thoughts. Her Grandma's wish mattered to her more than anything and if her marriage makes her happy then why not?

A soft smile came over Anika's lips after long, seeing her Grandma's beamed face. She looked relieved.

***********************

"Anika, Oberoi's are coming with their son to see you." Anish Raichand, her father told her, sitting down on the dining table for having breakfast. "This is just a formality anyway. Things have been fixed. You are marrying their elder son Shivaay. But if you have any problem after meeting him, we can rethink over our decision." His tone softened, seeing his daughter's paled face who sat next to him.

"No Dad, I don't have any problem. I am ready to marry him, whoever and however he is."She replied forwarding breakfast towards him, with her gaze never meeting his.

"Sorry Baccha, I know you don't want this marriage, at least not now, but I can't help it. This is needed for our business merger and even Ma's health is going down hills. She wants to see your marriage and I need it for my business. But I am sure; you will never regret this Baccha. I know Shivaay. He will always keep you happy." Anish apologized in his mind, for putting his daughter in that phase of her life, which is a dream for every girl but too early.

********************************

"Come please." Anish and Niharika Raichand welcomed Oberoi's, bringing them in side of their house.

Mr. Shakti Singh Oberoi and Mrs. Pinky Singh Oberoi were the nicest people, one could come across. Oberoi's and Raichand's were planning a merger of their companies and being tied in a relationship through the marriage of their kids was the best thing they thought could be. Making them comfortable, Niharika called for Anika, asking her to bring snacks.

His eyes stopped at her, as she made her way through kitchen, holding the tray of tea and snacks. Her petite figure was covered, with a light blue Saree draped around her, minimal makeup but still looking elegantly beautiful, two simple bangles adorning her hands and... and that was it. Her face was blank. He could hardly figure out anything from it, which surprised him somewhat. Niharika took the tray from her hand, as Anika walked in.

She had met Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi once, in a party. She moved forward to touch their feet in order to take blessing. They smiled at her, before blessing the young lady in front of them.

"I guess, Anika and Shivaay should talk once, alone. Then, only we can proceed." Mr. Oberoi said, looking at Mr. Raichand.

"Yeah, sure. Anika take him to your room." Anish told Anika, who was gazing at nothing particular. She just nodded. Shivaay stood up, signalled by his parents and quickly followed Anika, who silently walked upstairs.

"Mr. Raichand, I guess this is too early for them. They are still studying." Mr. Oberoi said, feeling slightly unsure about the step they were taking for their kids. Marriage isn't any joke. They were too young to handle the responsibility and to understand the severity of marriage.

"It's her Dadi's wish. I know my daughter, she would have never agreed if her Dadi's wish wasn't the case. She can give up everything for her happiness. But I assure you, this that they would not regret this decision, nor would we. I am a mother and its a mother's intuition that none other than Shivaay could keep my daughter safe and happiest."Niharika spoke, letting her heart talk instead of her logical brain. Though, she knew her daughter was too young, just 20 but she trusted her and her maturity enough.

"I agree." Pinky supported Niharika. "Even I feel this is going to be the best decision ever. I love Anika and I know she would be the best for Shivaay."

Both husbands nodded hearing their wives. The little doubt they had, vanished. They indeed had planned to get their kids married, but after some years. But circumstances demanded it now. They decided to trust god and their kids.

******************

"Hi..."

Shivaay decided to initiate the conversation seeing the lost girl, in front of him as they reached to her room. She turned towards him and mumbled a Hi forcing a little smile. That was the first time, when she looked at him. One look in her eyes, and he understood her all.

"Come, sit." He pulled her hand, holding it tenderly, making her sit on the bed beside him.

She quickly removed her hand from his, looking at here and there.

"It's okay. I am sorry." He apologized realizing it would take time for things to proceed. She felt guilty for behaving like that. Reminding and composing herself, she looked at him, "I am sorry. I did not mean that."

"Hey, it's fine. I understand. See Anika, I know you are not ready for this marriage..." the moment he uttered it, he got to witness her shocked face silently asking him, how he got to know. "I just know okay, and this is very early for me also. So, don't worry. I will never force anything on you. You can take time as much as you want. I am ready to wait and trust me when I say it. I would be glad to be your friend before husband." He very cleverly and gently took away all her worries. Her smiling face was the proof of that. She gave her hand in his forwarded one, nodding positively.

"So you are fine now?" he asked, recalling her pale face sometime before.

"Yes I am." She replied.

"You are very beautiful." He complemented her, bringing a light pinkish blush on her cheeks. She mumbled a thank you' acknowledging.

"So should we go and tell her parents that we are ready?" he once again, asked her before proceeding for anything.

"Yes." She agreed before they walked down. Everyone was smiling like anything, when they told about them being ready for getting married. After feeding sweets to everyone, Anish called Pandit Ji for fixing the day and the shocking news came as the next day was the perfect day or else they would have to wait for a year. They could not afford to wait for a year. And so they all agreed for the next day wedding.

Shivaay was relieved to see Anika fine. His words seemed to be have assured her to the extent that she did not mind marrying him the next day.

"Shivaay, go with Anika to meet Ma. Anika take him." Niharika asked Anika to take Shivaay to meet her Grandma. Though, her Grandma had already seen Shivaay's photo and she instantly had said yes for him. Due to some unknown reasons, she knew he was the one for her Anika.

*****************

"Come." Anika said, asking Shivaay to follow her. He did the same. Anika stepped inside, gently pushing the door of her Grandma's room. Shivaay hesitantly entered, after Anika. "Dadi" Anika called, sitting on the bed, near her Grandma. She saw her Grandma opening her eyes slowly.

"Shh... ivaay"

Shivaay quickly shifted towards her, as he heard her say, along with breaking letters of his name. "She is really weak" thought Shivaay from her drained face and low tone. "Yes Dadi Ma." He spoke lovingly, holding her hand. Anika got up from the place, giving Shivaay space to get closer to her Grandma.

"Stay blessed." She blessed him, putting her hand over his head, gently caressing his hairs.

"Thank you." He smiled as he kissed her hand in gratitude, taking it down from his head knowing it would pain her, for keeping it there for long.

"You look so pretty." He said making the old lady laugh while Anika stood there in amusement of how soon he gelled up with her Grandma. She felt her decision of marrying him to be proving right.

"And you... are a charmer my dear." His lips broke into a wider grin hearing her. That was the best complement, he thought he could ever get. "Thank you so much Dadi Ma. If you say so then I guess I surely must be." And soon there were giggles and laughs echoing in the room. Anika was pleased to witness that sight, seeing her Grandma so happy.

Everything stopped as suddenly her Grandma started coughing. A panic took over both, Anika and Shivaay. "Dadi Ma, are you okay?" Shivaay asked worriedly. Anika rushed to the other side to get water. She started coughing harder. Helping her in getting up, Shivaay made her drink some water taking from Anika's hand. Anika's heart came in her mouth as fear started gripping her. Shivaay was attentive enough to notice that. He blinked her eyes, assuring Anika.

Soon, she stopped coughing. "Are you feeling better Dadi Ma?" asked Shivaay, handing over the glass of water to Anika. She nodded and glanced at Anika, who looked on the verge of crying.

"You will take care of her right?" her Grandma asked him which more came like a statement rather a question. He tilted his head to look at Anika once.

"Yes I will." He promised, with a determined face.

"I know that." Her Grandma said which left him nothing but astonished seeing the immense confidence, that old lady had within him, despite of meeting her for the very first time.

"And if I ever fail to do that, you are free to scold me, to beat me." He added more, making the atmosphere lighter.

To be continued...

Originally posted by: lolololol

It was awesome

Waiting