TS: The masks we put on (possessive Shivaay) complete - Page 4

hey awesome story

YAS. Finally something along this line. I'm a sadist so I, for one, needed to see a little of Shivaay's jealousy flaring. And you've written it brilliantly from every angle without making Mahi some emotionless downright evil villian. The suggestion that Tej brought was also logical so everything was in tune.
Would love to see how it progresses ahead. Cant wait! Do update soon!

Part 2

Shivaay watched Annika place a jug of water on the bedside table and arrange the covers. His blood boiled at watching those small gestures knowing they were meant for another man. Oh! They were facades alright. A mask she had put on to deceive the guy who already had a mask on. But for him, even watching her pull on the faade and carry on the charade of the dutiful wife to another man was torture and even OmRu's presence couldn't get his stress levels down.

"You weren't this possessive with Mallika or even with Tia for that matter." Said Pinky who had just entered carrying his nightwear. "As far as I know, you had no issues when Tia went on dinners with random guys who were her friends or even hugged them or flirted with them. I remember complaining to you about this and you gave me a lecture on generation gap. Now what happened to that?"

Rudra laughed and nudged Shivaay on the shoulder.

"Chotti Maa that was different. Shivaay bhaiyya wasn't in love then. I bet even if Tia got naked with a strange man, he would have told her to be discreet while even if Annika bhabhi removes her dupatta in front of another man, bhaiyaa will hit the roof."

Pinky slapped Rudra playfully muttering something about speaking such things in front of elders while Om snickered. Shivaay ignored all of them, his entire concentration was on Annika who had just entered the poolside area. Shivaay ignored the CCTV camera footage and went to the window where he could get a proper view of both of them even though he knew that it would torture him to death.

***

The music drifted to her and Annika stayed motionless in the bedroom listening to the haunting melodies. Maahi was playing the mouth organ and he had created such soulful music that spoke of loneliness and pain, that the enormity of emotions in the tune touched her heart. She saw him sitting by the pool, his trousers pulled up to his knees while his feet were in water.

"I didn't know you could play" said Annika softly making him jump but he recovered quickly

"There are many things that you don't know about me." He replied quietly

"Ya but I didn't know that Shivaay Singh Oberoi would sit by the poolside with his feet in the water, playing the mouth organ at this time in the night."

Maahi laughed but the laughter was hollow.

"Have you ever tried sitting under the stars, with your feet in water and nothing but silence for company? Or is it a little downmarket for Princess Annika?"

Annika smiled wondering if Maahi was even aware that he was giving away his own game. He thought she was a rich brat before marriage. If only he knew how far from truth that was. Shaking her head she sat next to him and put her feet in water, hoping her husband wouldn't come barging in.

"I bet even Shivaay Singh Oberoi gets tired of the mask he has to put on for the world." Maahi told her not realizing that he was speaking of Shivaay as if he was another person

"Do you get tired putting on the mask?" she asked him

"Putting on the mask has landed me in a world of love and respect. How could anyone get tired of that?"

Annika had expected to feel angry with those words but somehow she couldn't muster that anger. He seemed so sad and lonely that her heart went out to him.

"By the way I'm sorry for yelling at you that day for throwing water at me. I was stressed out and you have a horrible timing."

Annika laughed. "That's okay. Apology accepted."

Maahi then bent and took some water in his cupped palm and splashed it on her face. Annika sat frozen in surprise. She was half in the mind to walk off but she stopped short knowing that if she over reacted, Maahi would know. So Annika calmly splashed some water on him as well making him laugh and splash some more. After five minutes of pretentious laughter, Maahi stood up, hesitated for a moment and then held out his hand to her. Anika thought for a minute and then put her hand in his and let him help her to her feet.

"Do you mind if I sleep on the couch for a few days. I want to be alone for a while." He asked, his voice sounding like a plea

Annika didn't dare look as relieved as she felt.

"Sure" she said agreeing heartily "Priyanka wanted me to watch a movie with her and I thought I'll bunk in with her for a few days till she gets married."

Maahi didn't have any qualms about not letting the extent of his relief show on his face for he looked so relieved, it was embarrassingly hilarious.

"Goodnight then" said Annika collecting her clothes and walking out of the room.

"Goodnight" said Maahi awkwardly before placing his own change of clothes on the bed and latching the bedroom door behind her.

***

As Annika walked to the bedroom Shivaay was in, she saw him sit in the corner with his back to her. OmRu had already left the room and his rigid posture told her that he was very, very angry. Latching the bedroom door, Annika took off her wet dupatta and proceeded to the wash room to change her clothes. When she was done, Shivaay was in the same position, his hands clenched into fists, his stormy eyes focussed on something at a distance while his mind replayed the scene he had just witnessed.

Anika straightened the covers of the bed and re arranged both their pillows. She looked at Shivaay's still form and said

"You know Maahi plays the mouth organ really well. There is so much pain, loneliness in his music. There is soul in that tune that kinda calls out to you"

That had his attention. His hands clenched into fists and a muscle jumped in his jaw

"I'm sure that is a result of having so much free time on his hands. I bet that is the only productive thing he has done other than impersonating another rich guy that is" Said Shivaay icily

"That's not fair. He is talented and talent takes work. Be it music or sculpting."

Shivaay stood up and picked up a magazine with his photo on the cover.

"There is nothing to be so terribly impressed. Believe me, being the top businessman of the year is a little more difficult than playing a damn mouth organ."

Annika ignored that and waited for him to join her in bed. Shivaay was spoiling for a fight and she would be damned if she gave him a reason at this hour

"So.. you seemed to have fun with Maahi. You realize that he is from the enemy camp don't you?"

Anika sighed.

"Shivaay, I was merely keeping up the pretences."

"You seemed to be enjoying it. May be you were thinking that you should have married a simple guy like him who would sing to you under moonlight and let you have a simple life rather than the man who has given you nothing but trouble."

Anika shook her head and lay down pulling the blanket above her.

"I will not warrant that with a reply." She told him and switched off the bedside lamp.

Shivaay walked up to her and switched the lamp back on and removed the blanket off her.

"So what did you talk about?" he asked angrily

"Nothing important" Annika retorted, equally angry

"Wrong answer to someone who has an obsessive need to go over every minute detail of every minute his wife has spent in the company of another man." He told her bitterly.

Annika sat up, tears seeping from the corners of her eyes.

"I didn't ask for this- any of this. I have been spending the past few days with a man thinking he is my husband but he turns out to be an imposter and the worst part is that I have to continue doing so till he exposes his allies. You have been away all this while. The first night we are spending together after so long and you find a reason to fight with me. I know it is not easy for you, seeing me with another man but it aint easy for me as well, treating someone else like my husband."

With that she pulled the blanket and went to sleep in a foetal position. After a while she felt the bed dip as her husband lay by her side. Putting his hand on her waist he pulled her to him so that she was spooned against his body. He removed her pillow and placed his arm underneath her head and kissed her bare shoulder.

Shivaay knew that Annika was trying her best to be strong in this situation and rather than supporting her, he let his insecurities break her down. He wished he had handled the situation better but watching Annika with Maahi was more difficult than he thought. The fact that it was pretence didn't matter. He couldn't bear to watch her with someone else even in that make-believe world.

Shivaay lay still as Annika who was already deeply asleep sprawled half on top of him. He kissed her brow and muttered the words, he still hesitated to say when she was in a fully conscious state

"I love you"

Oh my maata!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful update...

This was wonderful! ❤️

Thank you for such an awesome story di. totally loved it. please update next part soon. Waiting.

Read the whole thing thrice.. Great piece of writing

Amazing...loved reading this...shivaay's condition can be understood so amazingly... Update soon...