ShivIka OS - A Living Death [Sequel Updated PG 8] Completed 8/6/17 - Page 5

[MEMBERSONLY]

Finding Life Again

After one and half year:

The ring of Anika's phone broke her reverie. Roaming her eyes on the caller ID, her eyebrows stretched in confusion. It was an unknown number. Since the time, she had shifted to Shimla, no one really bothered to call her and those, who did, and she had no will to have any sort of talks with them. So she had always preferred not taking up their calls. Cherishing her solitude and memories, she shunned the company of everyone.

Picking up the phone, she answered. "Hello." Her voice faint, almost disinterested in the person on the other side and what was going to come up. She had come far from excitement and happiness, that she had lost somewhere in her past.

"Hello, am I talking to Dr. Anika Kapoor?"

"I am not a doctor anymore. So you are talking to only Anika Kapoor."

"Ma'am, I, have an important news for you."

She waited, for him to continue as she kind of had no interest remained in anything. So any... any damn thing held no importance in her life, now but she still hadn't disconnected the call. Something made her stay on the line. She sighed, weakly.

"Ma'am you have got your medical license back. You can start your practice, again. You are a doctor, again."

Phone was almost about to fall off her hand, when his words fell into her ears."Wh... what? Who is this?" She stammered, at loss of words. Tears filled up her eyes, her body started shaking as she felt a lump in her throat. Vision blurred with the layer of tears, she clutched the phone supporting with her free hand as well. She could not afford dropping her phone... definitely, not now.

"Ma'am, please come back to Delhi as soon as you can."

"Hello...Hello?" She repeated again and again, as she felt the phone being disconnected. Pulling the phone away from her ears, her eyes flickered with anticipation. Impatiently, she dialled the same number again, calling back but it came switched off. Someone must have played. Her hopes had ignited somewhat due to normal human nature but she could see them extinguishing again.

"Who was he? What was he saying? Should I go back?" Numerous questions occupied her mind. She wiped the tears that came out as her wounds had been touched again. The pain was still raw, even after two years. It's been said that, time heals all the wounds but does it really? She seemed to prove it wrong. With every single day, she was losing it, more. "I can't avoid this. I just can't. What if he was saying truth? Though I know this is impossible, but still I can't live in this assumption for whole life. It's better to get done with this once rather than thinking about it rest of the life." If someone had played a prank, then it was the worst joke that would be ever entertained. Trapped, between facade and reality, she decided to go back and check by her own self, not allowing a single doubt to stay as her another companion. Grief was enough. She did not need one more, to walk along with her, till her last breath. She booked her tickets, packed the needed stuff and left for Delhi with the first flight, she got.

The soon, she stepped out of Delhi Airport, she looked for the Taxi. The person hadn't clearly specified anything on phone. Mind lost in thoughts of where should she go, she walked absent mindedly. She had taken barely some two to three steps, when she was abruptly stopped by a taxi driver. "Ma'am this way," he guided, pointing at a direction, where a white Mercedes was parked.

She stood there; absolutely clueless about what was happening. She had not told anyone about her arrival, then how come a car along with driver was waiting for her? How did he know who she was? She felt her mind twirling with curiosities rather confusions. "You?" she tried asking him, who he was.

"Dr. Anika Kapoor?"

Hearing someone addressing her doctor again, made her heart smile. She could not explain how it felt being called as a doctor.

For her, it was her greatest happiness, her greatest joy, her greatest achievement.

Nothing... absolutely nothing could make her happier. There was an exception, of course which she hated to admit.

She nodded and quietly followed him. After driving for about 20 minutes, the driver halted the car in front of the court. She looked outside, as he forced the brakes. She raised her head. It was a terrible attempt of embracing the tears that were threatening, looking for an escape. She had to compose herself anyhow, when the driver opened the door.

Without a word exchange, she greeted her feet with the ground, closing the door behind.

Again!

She was again at the same place, where she had lost her everything, before two years,

The place where she had lost her medical license,

The place where she had lost the chance to fulfil her mother's dream,

The place, where, she had lost herself...

"You have to go inside." The driver's voiced snapped her out of her trance and before she could ask him anything else, he sat in the car and disappeared, driving it.

Forcing her legs to take her inside the court, she simply gave up on the possible scenarios she was imagining. Her sight caught three people inside, the Judge, a lawyer and a guy there. She scuffled, walking a little forward observing keenly. Same! She remembered, it was the same lawyer and judge who were present when her license was cancelled. How could she forget anything regarding the same?

"Ms. Anika Kapoor, your medical license had been cancelled before two years on accusations of Tia. But now, we have fully assured that you had not a slightest involvement in that matter. Tia died because of her own self and as now everything is cleared and we are glad to give you your license back. You can start your medical practice right from today itself. You are Doctor, again."

The Judge announced with an affectionate smile. His heart had sunk two years back when he had to cancel her license. He was an aged person around 60 and he had seen the unbearable agony in this girl's eyes when her license had been cancelled. He surely felt he had done something wrong but he could do nothing that time. He was helpless as he had to announce the judgment based on proofs but today, he was relieved to the extent he could not express. Definitely, he had done something very right, his heart patted himself.

She froze. Her body had literally gone cold. Her muscles stiffened, eyes glistened with a thin layer of tears. Her hands automatically held the bench backside of her for support. She tried shamming stable but the tears dropped from her eyes.

It was the state of euphoria for her.

She wanted someone to hold her and to tell her again and again that she can practice again now,

That she can treat and help people again now,

That she can still fulfil her mother's dream now,

That she is a doctor again now.

"Really?" she asked, a childlike innocence reflecting from her tone.

The judge could feel her emotions. He did not fail to see that the medical license surely mattered more than anything else in the world to the girl, standing in front of him. It was visible in her eyes. Her eyes... were expressive, probably more than her. He had never seen such honesty and joy in anyone's eyes ever before. It seemed like she had gotten something priceless and it indeed was priceless for her. He just nodded his head positively giving her a confirmation again.

Her happiness had no bounds. It was an absolutely thrilling moment for her. She smiled through her tears. She looked around. That lawyer, that guy, everyone looked happiest. She took some steps ahead, towards the Judge but then again stopped, staring at him and then to side. She was not in a state of understanding anything. She was just in some other world. She paused for some seconds. Taking a deep breath, she made herself a little relaxed. Standing in front of the Judge, she mumbled, "Thank You" to which he just returned the same smile, which he was having right from the moment after seeing her in the court room.

The Judge left the Court Room and she sat on the bench nearby. Covering her mouth with her hands, she firmed there, remembering Judge's words again and again. Nothing... absolutely nothing came in her mind that time except that.

"Congratulations."

She shifted her gaze at front to look for owner of the voice. He must be around 20. She concluded, seeing a guy standing in front of her, his lips curved in a smile, eyes shining with satisfaction. "I didn't recognize you." Clearing her throat, she whispered.

"Aditya"

Aditya. The name sounded familiar. She took few moments to let the name register in her system. "Adi?" She exclaimed, as it finally sunk in. Standing up, she looked visibly happy but her heart was having mixed with different.

"Yes Maa." Putting a confirmation on her words, he said, before wrapping his arms around her. She embraced him... a hug of extreme happiness, a way of expressing love.

"Kitne bade ho gaye ho tum." She caressed his face, pulling herself back. Seeing him after so long that she even failed to recognize him in first glance, she was overwhelmed with his presence. The reality strikes her after few minutes. "What are you doing here?"

"Bas aapko aapki khushi milte hue dekhne aaya tha." Aditya replied, eyes glued at her face, he forgot to blink. After all, it had been years to have seen her, long years.

"Tumhe ye sab..." She left her sentence in middle, not understanding how come he got to know about all this.

"Maa... aapko kaise laga ke mujhe pata nahi chalega? I read about all this in the newspaper but couldn't come that time because of final exams and when I came, you weren't here." Disappointed! Yes, that's exactly right. Disappointment was in his words. Sadness had just started engulfing him when he braced himself quickly.

"Adi... wo," words couldn't come up from her side.

"I know Maa... I know everything. I met Shivaay uncle."

Her eyes moistened hearing his name. He still held the capacity to bring out every emotion hidden in her heart. His mere name made a warmth rush through her.

"Maa, you know, I have not seen the ones who brought me in this world. I have not seen god. I have not seen angel but... but I have seen you, Maa. You are my parents. You are my angel. You are my God. Whatever I am today is because of you, Maa." His eyes started getting watery. As he drifted back to memory lanes, he got emotional; his gratitude for Anika could never be enough for what she had done for him.

She just kept staring at him, listening to his words about her. She recalled the time before nine years when she had found a ten year kid, crying on the road. When she asked him about himself, then she got to know he was an orphan and had came running from some people who were trying to sell him to work as a slave to others.

She could feel nothing except disgust for those ones who were ready to sell the innocence in the market of heartless people. She had made him stand properly, taken him to the nearest hotel and made him eat first. Assuring him that she would not let anyone harm him, she decided to have his responsibility. She admitted him to a hostel and decided to pay for his entire education. She was just nineteen, in the second year of her medical college but she hadn't taken his responsibility on her dad's money but on her own. Being a brilliant student, she had won many awards, prizes and scholarships. She took his responsibility on her own and that kid called her Maa' that day because for him she came like a mother... a godmother.

"Maa, when I came here, I couldn't find you. Then I contacted Shivaay uncle and he told me everything. Maa, Shivaay uncle loves you a lot. When I met him, I saw him. He looked so broken. It seemed like he had no life remained within him. He was nothing more than a lifeless body."

She came back to present with his voice. Hearing about Shivaay, she felt like losing herself. Her knees went weak. Her heart screamed silently yet loud enough to make Adi aware of it. Gently reaching out for her hand, he held it in his as if providing her the much needed strength. She lifted her eyes at him, smiling softly at his maturity and concern towards her.

"Maa, I made Shivaay uncle realize that we cannot just sit like this. We can and we will bring your license back and guess what, this is what he needed, someone to support him, someone to be with him and then we did every possible thing which could bring your license back. We presented your all earlier patient's reviews, their reports and treatments. Many of your patients came in the court, and they gave statements in your favour and you know what's more, Shivaay uncle searched and brought all those your patients of which life you had saved, who were about to die... from US, new York, London and from where not and finally the decision came in our favor. Shivaay uncle... he really worked hard Maa." Aditya narrated every single detail, in the journey from meeting Shivaay to collecting evidences and witnesses that helped in changing the already made decision.

So much! So much! He had done so much, alone.

A layer of emotions slowly weighed down her heart. She was happy that she got her license back. She was ecstatic to meet Aditya after years, long wait. She was touched to see his and Shivaay's dedication for bringing her license back. She was feeling guilty for leaving Shivaay like that and letting him face everything alone. Though it wasn't her fault, even she was bounded by her own strings but she was upset as they both suffered alone, as they both faced their worst time alone.

So many emotions! So many!

She mumbled a thank you to Aditya, for whatever he had done. If she was breathing in peace, then he had a great contribution in that. "Maa, come with me."

"Where Adi?"

"You trust me Maa?"

She nodded without feeling to assure with words.

"Then just come, don't ask me anything now."

She quietly followed him and sat in the car, as asked by him. After driving for almost half an hour, he stopped the car. She had closed her eyes resting her head on back of her seat. A sudden chillness of air touched her heart, making her straighten herself.

It was the same feeling.

Her eyes immediately turned outside, and she left stunned.

She was in front of Shivaay's home, her home, their home. It still looked the same. Nothing had changed their, not even the name plate.

It still had the name carved on it...

'ShivIka.'

Aditya opened the door for Anika. Getting out, she just kept staring at her home. After what felt like ages, she was again there. She had merely lived there few days more than six months but it had, a way too special place, in her heart.

It was the same place where she had stepped after her marriage.

It was the same place where they both had confessed their love for each other.

It was the same place where they had become one in every sense.

It was the symbol of their love.

Her figure shivered as she remembered, it was the same place where she had received the letter, the letter which took out life within her.

It was the same place where her and her mother's dreams had been shattered.

"Maa, go inside." Adi said, holding Anika's hand.

She nodded negatively. "Maa, go please." Adi pushed her a little, softly. Even she couldn't resist much.

Her feet were dying to step inside.

Her eyes were impatient to roam inside.

Her heart was craving to wonder inside.

Her soul was eager to get inside.

With a lot of struggle in her mind, she finally stepped inside. The moment, she looked around the home, she was astonished. Amusement would be less to describe what she felt! The hall was beautifully decorated with their pictures together. Number of frames captured the loveliest moment they had spent together in those six months of their marriage. He was living so far with their memories only.

She walked towards their room. She gave a light push to the unclosed door, looking inside. An urge to glance inside had forced her to land there. Much to her surprise, even their room was having their pictures only, especially her ones. She never felt so special and touched with anyone's gesture ever before. That was just... overwhelming, fascinating, appealing!

The pace of her heartbeats, increased suddenly. Once again, she was conveyed of his arrival even before she could catch his sight, making her aware of his presence. She could feel him and his gaze, right behind her.

Swiftly turning back, she stole a glance of him, standing at the door. Those blue eyes! Ah, she had missed him. He was staring at her, his eyes speaking volumes. All these years, he was living with her photos, their memories but finally god had made him to see her in real. He just wanted to lock her in his eyes. Though the eyes that used to shine with love for her, earlier, now showed a deep reflection of his agony, she could still see immense love for her, in them.

Before either of them could say anything, he had rushed towards her, hiding her in his cocoon. Enfolding her in a hug, he wondered how perfectly she fits in his arms. The two long year of separation wasn't easy to bear, definitely not. Emotions suppressed so far, couldn't stay there, now. One glance at her, and he broke down. She did nothing but just let him do whatever he was doing.

They both knew each other.

They both loved each other.

They both were well aware of the fact that how much they had missed each other. Having themselves in each other's arms, they savoured the feel of each other for don't know how long. His hold around her, tightened, as if wanted to make sure that she would not vanish from his life again. Fears are crazy! They drive you crazy!

They pulled away when they felt each other's tears on them. She laid her eyes on him, staring at him from top to bottom. He looked pale, weak, as if had not taken care of himself in her absence, as if he had punished himself. The charm that he always had on his face was now missing. The infectious smile was no more on those lips. May be because she wasn't with him, the one for whom that charm was exclusively reserved for.

"Kaisi ho?" he asked, in a barely audible tone. Inside, his heart craved to listen her voice. They hadn't talked over even phone in past years, which eventually meant, they clearly had no contact with each other.

"Thik." Her voice still was as melodious as it used to be, thought he.

"I met Adi. He told me everything." She lifted her eyes at him, to see his reaction.

"I know," he did not look surprised. How would he look? Was anything hidden from him?

"Of course you do. Right from the taxi here, to getting my license back, you were behind everything." She made a statement, fixing her gaze on him. Confident, she knew it right from the court room.

"I did nothing special. I was rectifying my mistakes only." Looking at ground, he refused to raise his gaze. May be it was guilt, remembering about the pain he had caused her. She walked out of the room without replying anything. His heart again shuddered in fear... fear that she was leaving him, again. Every step, she was taking, unbearable pain was gripping her heart. She held onto the door, as her feet carried her, to the almost end... their end.

"Mat jaao na mujhe chhodke. Kaise rahunga mai tumhare bina..."

Her pretended strong self, started getting weak. She tightened her hold on the door, fearing her knees might give up anytime. Journey from meeting him to falling apart rushed back to her and she felt like reliving it again. Without wasting a moment, she turned back and ran straight in his arms. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't hold herself anymore. A little taken aback, he protectively wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer. Closing eyes, he felt his heart beating against his chest. In past years, he hardly felt anything in his heart. May be because, his heart had gone with her, the day she left. Now that, she was back, and so was his heart.

She cried, melting in his embrace. "I can't live without you Shivaay. I love you. I really do," she confessed to him in between her sobs and weeps. "I know," he caressed her hairs, trying to stop her from crying. She gripped him more as he tried pulling himself back. She really didn't want to get away from him, fearing what if destiny again makes a new plan to separate them. She had missed his warmth. Snuggling more into him, she refused to elevate her face.

"Shh... it's okay," he tried comforting her. After so long, they were so close to each other, so close that each could hear the heartbeats of each other. Their true place was there only, close to each other, in each other's arms.

"I missed you Shivaay. I missed you a lot."

"Same here, Sweetheart."

He settled on the floor, and made her sit beside him. Resting his head on the wall, he circled his hand around her arm as she slipped on his shoulder. "You must be thinking that why didn't I stop you even once when you were leaving before two years right?" he asked, the thing about which he knew, she must have thought a lot. She indeed knew that he loved her more than anything else. And when he let her leave that time, her heart kept asking, why was he so silent, why didn't he say anything to her...why didn't he turn back, why no attempt of trying once. She held his hand tighter, but remained quiet.

"Because, I had not dares to stop you, because, I had no right to stop you after what you had to bear because of me. Because, I myself could not forgive not forgive me for what happened because of me so how could have I expected you to forgive me. Because, I knew you would not be able to be with me. Because... I knew the extent of your pain. I absolutely cannot imagine how you must have felt but I can understand. Because... I understand you. Because... I love you."

A tear slipped from her eyes, hearing his honest confession about why he did, what he did. Something pricked her heart, coming across his side of story. He had loved her too much to let her go away from him but then, he had deep affection for her that did not let her hold back knowing the severity of situation and her pain but his yearning for her was something, that she cried for him.

He indeed knew and understood her, the best.

"I know Shivaay, that you did not do anything on purpose. I know you can never do anything which will hurt me in any way. I know it. I know all. But for me, my mother's dream is above anything, above everything. I just can't bear anything which would make me away from her, from her dream, from her memories."

"Jaanta hu... but now everything is alright. You got your license back. Now you can start your practice again and fulfill Maa's dream," he replied, in a tender tone. She just smiled when he mentioned her mother as Maa'

"I have to go back to Shimla," the moment she mentioned about returning back, his head jerked towards her, fear taking over again. Was she leaving him again? Before he could ask anything, she answered to his question. "To bring my stuff back."

"Koi jaroorat nahi." He stood up and made her stand as well. She raised a brow at him, questioningly not understanding what he meant.

"We will shift to Shimla. We will live there, together... with Maa's memories." He said, bringing her long lost smile back on her face, letting her know that he would fulfil her every single wish.

That was something she never expected, not even in her wildest dreams. Yes, she always wanted to live in Shimla, in that same house where she had lived her life with her mother, in that same place where she had her every single memory with her mother. She failed to bring herself to say even a word. She terribly failed. She felt not only loved but cherished. Her lips quivered when she attempted to say anything but was shushed by him when he softly let his finger stay on her lips, assuring her that she did not need to say anything.

"Let's go. Maa is waiting for us," he held her hand as he walked out with her, to start a fresh, to give her, her happiness, to give her the love for which she was longing for, to give her everything which she had missed in her life, to make her live once again, to make her cherish the life again.

And that was the end of this story but not the end of their life. In fact that was the start of their beautiful journey of life, together, with each other...

Journey of that life where he would make sure to not let a single tear come in her eye,

Journey of that life where he would never allow any tide of pain to hit her,

Journey of that life where he would be giving her all the love, care and pampering which she deserved to get,

Journey of that life where he would bring her closer to her mother and her memories,

Journey of that life, where love would set a new definition, by showing love never fails, love never loses.

Love gives you strength to hold on, in every circumstances, and in the end fills those colours in your life which once had vanished, showing love is way too deep and strong than what many think of it to be.

True love is hard to get but once you get it, it will never leave you. Even if you try to get away from it, it will hold you.

Teri Dhadkano Se Hai Zindagi Meri, Khwaishe Teri Ab Duaaye Meri...

Kitna Ankoha Bandhan Hai Ye, Teri Meri Jaan Jo Ek Hui...

Zindagani Badi Khubsurat Hui...

Jannat Ab Aur Kya Hogi Kahi...

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I certainly do not write stuff with sad ending. This way or that way, I always make my characters to have a nice end despite of the roughs they have seen. May be because, that is in my hand to do it. Ah, I wish life would have been like this. I wish, it was that simple and in our hands to make happy endings but never mind, I hope you liked it.