"There will always be a part of me that loves you no matter what you do or what changes."
Anika silently folded a few set of clothes and put them in a suitcase. After a couple of minutes of packing, she snapped the suitcase shut and turned to leave.
"Anika didi. You don't have to go. If you want, then I can go." Sahil had noticed that his Anika Didi was very disturbed at the thought of going back to Mumbai.
Eight years back, they had shifted from Mumbai to Ratnagiri. Sahil had initially asked Anika a lot of times why they had moved to Ratnagiri suddenly and what had happned to SSO, but he would never get a proper reply. Anika would either change the topic or tell him that she didn't want to talk about it. Eventually, Sahil gave up.
Now as Sahil had finished his 12th grade with distinction, he got a scholarship at St. Xaviers' College. But to complete the formalities, they needed some documents which Anika had forgotten at the Oberoi Mansion in a hurry.
She wouldn't go back to Oberoi Mansion. Hence, she decided she would get a copy of his certificates and documents from City International School itself. Anika had discussed the matter with Chanda and she had more that willingly agreed to help. She went to the school and had aranged for the documents but the management wasn't ready to give the documents just like that. They wanted to meet Anika in person asking her to show some proof of being Sahil's guardian. So, she had to go to Mumbai.
"It's okay Sahil. I'll get it. You take care of yourself okay?" She patted his cheek. Sahil was almost her height now. She was surprised to see how years passed by so fast.
"Yes Didi. I'll take care of myself. Don't worry. You take care too." Sahil smiled. "And keep me updated. Call me when the train leaves and also when you reach Mumbai. And don't forget to get me Manish Chacha ke Jalebis."
Anika giggled and promised him that she'd get them. Saying that, she left for Mumbai.
*"Shivaay, why didn't you tell us that you're being felicitated as the Businessman of the Year?" asked Jhanvi.
"I was about to Badi Maa. But then it slipped out of my mind. It's okay. Not that big of a deal." he shrugged.
"How is it not that big of a deal Shivaay? It's a huge honor. You have stopped considering us your family now!" She sounded hurt.
It hurt her to find out about Shivaay's activites from others or a newspaper reoprt.
"Really Shivaay beta? You should've told us. I'm so proud of you. Congratulations Shivaay." Pinky smiled proudly as she patted his back.
"Thank you." he said curtly as he brushed off her hand of his shoulders and left from there.
*"Thank you so much for these documents, Mrs. Mehta. They were really important for Sahil's college admission.
"It's okay Anika. It was my duty." Mrs. Mehta smiled sweetly.
Anika placed the documents safely in a file and tucked it in her hand bag.
She then went to Manish Chacha's house to get the sweets she had ordered before hand for Sahil.
"Chacha ji, how much for all this?" Anika enquired.
"350 Rs." he replied and went inside to get the packed sweets. She rummaged in her bag to find the purse. That's when Anika's eyes fell on a bundle of newspapers. She lifted the newspaper and seeing the report her her heart skipped a bet.
'Shivaay Singh Oberoi to be awarded as the Businessman of the Year 2017'
Her body burned with emotions she couldn't quite describe. She was proud, that her Shivaay was reaching new heights of success. But at the same time his name and his photo brought back a lot of buried emotions.
She decided impulsively, that she would go to Oberoi Mansion and check up on Shivaay. She would be very cautious, and make sure that no one would notice her. Just once, she wanted to see Shivaay.
And without further thought, she took a cab and went straight to Oberoi Mansion.
*As Anika scrambled out of the cab, a sense of belonging washed through her. She took in the surroundings and took a step forward a bit hesitant.
She had come here confidently, but now had second thoughts about going inside.
The Oberoi Mansion was grandly decorated and it was quite obvious that a function was going to take place.
She was still looking around when she entered the Mansion. She stumbled towards the stairs when she heard a very familiar voice, "Arre, be careful Ani."
She stood there frozen. She looked up saw him. Shivaay. He looked the same, yet so unfamiliar.
Shivaay hurried down the hallway to catch the little girl of about twelve who was about to fall of the chair. She was decorating the pillars by hanging flowers but then lost her balance.
Shivaay extremely worried checked if the girl was wounded.
"How many times have I told you Ani to take care of yourself. If anything happens to you then.."
"Papa.. Shush. I'm okay. Why do you get so worried huh?"
Papa. Anika couldn't believe what she had just heard. That little girl was Shivaay's daughter! Tears welled up in her eyes.
She didn't know what she was feeling. One part of her was extremely happy seeing that Shivaay had moved on in his life. She was really glad to know that Shivaay was happy. Without her. But at the same time, she felt heart broken and dejected. No matter how much she told herself that Shivaay would've moved on in his life. A part of her always hoped that Shivaay missed her and they would somehow end up together. But now it was all over. Her Shivaay wasn't hers anymore.
*Shivaay suddenly turned around. He had felt her presence. He knew it wasn't possible. But that feeling. That ehsaas. That couldn't be mistaken. It's true that after Anika had left, Shivaay had started hallucinating Anika all around him. But it had been forever since he felt that Anika was somewhere near by.
He eyes were still searching for her when his phone rang.
"Yes Khanna. Good. I want you to do one more thing for me." And he walked away talking to Khanna over the phone.
*Anika hadn't packed a lot of clothes for her trip to Mumbai. But suddenly her suitcase felt heavy. Her chest felt heavy.
She struggled loading her luggage into the train when a familiar hand picked up her luggage and placed it back on the platform.
She turned around and her eyes met a pair of blue eyes.
"Abhi bhi mujhse dur bhaag rahi ho Anika?" he said, his voice deep.
That voice. How much she missed hearing his voice is these eight years.
"Shi-Shivaay. What are you-?"
"Shh." he said placing his index finger on her her soft lips. "How dare you Anika? How dare you leave me alone when I needed you the most! You just left me there to die!" Anika reflexively placed her palm over Shivaay's lips.
Both of them were lost in each others' eyes. They both could see deep love for each other in their eyes.
Anika pulled away. "Shivaay. I have to go. And don't be in the misconception that I came to Mumbai for you. I came here for Sahil's documents." she said avoiding eye contact.
"Really Anika? Then why did you come to Oberoi Manion. I'm pretty sure you didn't come there for the documents."
"I-I didn't.." Anika wondered how Shivaay had found out that she had come to Oberoi Mansion. As if reading her thoughts Shivaay answered, "I thought I felt your presence back at home. So I asked Khanna to check the CCTV footage. And guess what, I was right. You did come. And then on my orders, Khanna tracked you down. And here we are."
"Shivaay, what do you want from me now. Just-just let me go."
"No. I will not let you go this time Anika. Especially not without you answering the questions that have been eating me alive for the past eight years."
"It's the past Shivaay. And it's better you let it be. And why do you want to know. What good will it be? You've already moved on in your life and-" Shivaay held her wrist firmly.
"I have moved on." Shivaay repeated slightly amused. "There hasn't been a single day where you haven't crossed my mind Anika."
Anika looked at Shivaay in the eye. She tried to free her hand only to have Shivaay tighten his grip. "Jhoot mat boliye, Shivaay. I know you married to someone and you have a daughter An-"
"Anisha is my daughter. But I am not married. No one can ever take your place in my life, Anika."
Seeing that Anika hadn't said anything he continued, "8 years back, I found Anisha crying on the footsteps of a temple. For some unknown reason, I simply couldn't bear to see her cry. To be honest, Anisha reminded me of you Anika. I-I took her to the police station and for weeks I tried to find her family. But I couldn't. Daadi had seen the bond Anisha and I shared. And being with her, my con-" He stopped abruptly. "Daadi suggested that I legally adopt her, and then we did." He completed slightly disturbed.
Anika looked at Shivaay longingly.
"I still-" He swallowed hard, "I missed you a lot Anika."
A lone tear escaped Anika's eye.
He turned around and pulled Anika with him, "Where are you taking me Shivaay?"
"Ghar."
Shocked Anika pulled her hand away, "I cannot come with you Shivaay."
"Why not?"
"I just can't."
"If you're thinking that Ma- will tell something to you then don't worry. She has lost the right to interfere in my life long back."
"Shivaay!"
"Don't look at me like that Anika. Tumhe kya laga, that I'll never find out?" He smiled bitterly. "After you left Anika, I had shut myself in my room. I wouldn't eat or drink anything. And then one day she got really annoyed and she accidentally ended up saying everything. Also that I was illegitimate. That hit me hard Anika. And the fact that you knew and decided not to tell me, hit me harder. My world was falling apart Anika. And you weren't there. You weren't there by my side. You left me. I was there all alone. All alone." Shivaay shuddered.
Anika was crying. She cupped Shivaay's face and whispered, "I'm sorry Shivaay. I'm so sorry. It's-it's all my fault." She cried harder.
Shivaay himself had fallen weak, he held her shoulders for support. "For months I was in denial and in defiance. And not being able to handle everything, my heart gave up. I had a major heart attack."
Anika whimpered. "And that's when, Anisha came in my life. She gave me a reason to live."
Anika hugged him really tight. Promising herself that she would never ever leave Shivaay again. No matter what.
Naagin 7
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
