Chapter - 6Anika's Truth
"Three things cannot be long hidden - The Sun, The Moon and The Truth." ~ Buddha I blinked my eyes as the sun rays fell directly on my face. I tried to move but realised that I was held tight in someone's embrace. Anika. I smiled looking at her sleep so peacefully.
My smile grew wider when I remembered what had happened yesterday night. We kissed. I didn't know what I was thinking yesterday, but when Anika claimed my lips, my mind froze. That moment felt perfect. At first I thought maybe it was dream. But it wasn't. It was reality. And for once I was glad that it wasn't a dream.
I didn't know how Anika would react today. I tried to loosen her hold around me only for her to hold me tighter. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up. Her eyes widened and she instantly sat upright on my lap. She was all wrapped in the blanket and when she tried to stand up she tripped and fell face first on the floor. There was a single step and she rolled down.
"Ahhh!" She yelped but didn't move. I looked at her wide eyed. I know I should help her but I couldn't. I sat there just looking at her. I poked my finger on her shoulder slowly and she turned around.
I saw her face. How brightly her face shone in the sunlight. I wanted to take face in my hands and caress it but didn't. She sniffed bringing me out of my trance. I realised that her nose had turned pink. Her eyes filled with tears of pain.
"Can you help me? I can't get up. And my back is hurting a lot." Maybe she had asked me to help her stand up because she extended her hand but I scooped her up in my hands and turned around.
"What?" She asked frowning. She rubbed her forehead and I spotted a bump over there.
"What what?" I asked.
"Why're you staring at me?"
"I-I'm not staring."
"You are. You're looking at me with your kanji aakhen without blinking." She pointed at my eyes as she eyed me suspiciously. I shook my head and pulled her up tighter. Her hand reached my shoulder. I looked into her eyes and was completely lost in them.
"Aap phir se dekhe jaa rahe hain." She said looking away.
"Tum bhi toh mujhe dekh rahi thi. Ya tadh rahi thi?" I teased.
Her eyes widened and before she could say anything I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up to see Dadi and Nani with a knowing smile on their face.
"Looks like Golu is fine now." Nani whispered to Dadi. And she laughed.
I looked down and saw Anika's whole face had turned pink now. I took her to the bed and slowly let her down.
"Woh Nani. I actually." I stammered.
"Koi nahi Billu. You should start locking the door now you know. Now that you're married." Daadi teased.
"Anyway, we just came up to check if you're fine. How're you feeling?"
"I'm good dadi. Never been better." I smiled. I didn't want them to worry about me unnecessarily.
"Woh toh dikh hi raha hai." Nani chuckled.
"Nani!" I whined. I turned to look at Anika who was trying to hide herself behind me.
"Accha okay. We won't disturb you now. Freshen up and come down for breakfast quickly." Dadi smiled and they went away whispering and giggling.
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Anika's POV :
I ran into the washroom and locked the door behind me. I stood in front of the mirror and started smiling uncontrollably.
I remembered our little moment yesterday night. As the memories flashed through my mind, I smiled even more.
What is happening to me? I couldn't let myself fall in love with Shivaay again. I would end up breaking my own heart. After what Tej Uncle did to Papa. I could never do that mistake again.
About 15 years back, Tej Uncle had ditched Papa. They had started off together, in partnership. Later on when they got a huge contract and the business was growing, Tej Uncle got Papa's signature on some papers which stated that the whole business was now only Tej Uncle's. Papa had trusted him so much that he didn't bother to read it. And it was all over. He had left us with nothing. We were on the road.
Years long friendship was forgotten. All for what? Money.
I had seen Papa struggle a lot to earn a living. We didn't have a penny to spare. I completed my studies on scholarship. And Papa somehow managed Sahil's school fees. There were nights he had slept empty stomach saying he had eaten outside because there wasn't enough food. But I knew he was lying.
Papa had told me that money changed people. And he made me promise that I would stay away from Shivaay. And so I did. In high school I had developed a crush on him. That's when this whole business thing happened. And I started seeing the Oberoi family differently. Including Shivaay.
I know I couldn't blame Shivaay for what his dad did to us. But I couldn't help it. I had maintained my distance from him. In college, my feelings grew stronger. I started liking him a lot. But what kept me holding back was my promise to Papa. But I started seeing him past the whole family matter. I couldn't ignore how good at heart he was.
After college, Shivaay went abroad to pursue some higher studies and that's when we completely parted ways. Before, I would atleast get to see him around. Later on, when I didn't get to see him at all, I used to read articles of Shivaay in the business magazines. His interviews and everything.
But what broke my heart was when he had announced his marriage with Tia Kapur. It was obvious it was all for that huge business merger. For money. It was then I realised maybe, Shivaay was like Tej too. He thought marriage was a deal. And not a sacred relationship.
When Shivaay married me, I was shocked. Papa who had always told me to stay away from the Oberoi family, made me the daughter in law of that house. I wasn't ready for it. The family which I had despised the most, I was a part of it now. I didn't know how to react. So I vented all my anger on Shivaay.
But now that I'm getting to know Shivaay even more. His principles. His perceptions. The real him. All the buried down emotions are coming back. I'm falling in love with him. And I'm scared. I didn't want to get hurt again. But I guess I had to take a risk? And a part of me was more than willing to take it.
~I stood behind Shivaay as his phone beeped. He took it and read the message. He stiffened. I read it from the corner of my eye, it said
Come and meet me right now. ~TiaTia? Why is she messaging Shivaay? And why does she want to meet him?
Shivaay, without saying a word left the dining hall. I went behind him but by the time I reached him he sat in his car and zoomed off.
~I paced around the room still thinking about Tia's message. Shivaay shouldn't have gone. He hadn't recovered completely.
My phone rang and I read the caller ID. Papa. I saw it ring but didn't pick it up.
Maybe Shivaay was right? I should give them a chance to explain.
Before I could change my mind I went to meet them. I pushed the door further open as it was slightly ajar. I looked around for them but they weren't in the main hall or the kitchen. That's when I heard Papa say loudly, "What is wrong with you Ketaki. Anika is our daughter. How can you be so selfish."
I went near the bedroom door and pressed myself against the wall. The last time I had
eavesdropped on a conversation (Shivaay and Daksh's), the result didn't turn out really good. Today again, when I knew I shouldn't overhear them, I couldn't help myself. They were talking about me.
"Okay. I'm being selfish. Happy? How could you get Anika married to that rich guy Shivaay. She doesn't deserve all that high class fame and money. Instead of her, you could've gotten Anjali married there." I saw Ma stand up angrily.
"Enough. I didn't get Anika married there because of money or anything. I did what I did for her happiness. Shivaay loves her. I've seen it in his eyes. And Anika would be really happy there. I did what a father would do for his daughter. And we know how good Anika is. But the society doesn't. After Samar left her at the mandap, everyone will point fingers only at Anika and blame her. Not Samar."
Ma scoffed. "Who cares! We would've found someone for her. And stop calling yourself her father. You're not her father. She isn't your daughter."
I stood there rooted to the spot. My mind frozen. He wasn't my father? They weren't my parents?
"How many times have I told you not to tell it aloud. No one knows this except us. No one should know that she's an orphan." He said looking at Ma dangerously.
My whole world came crashing down. This wasn't true. No it can't be. I shook my head in denial. I ran away from that house.
I pressed the button of the elevator but damn it, it wasn't coming. I ran down the stairs as I tripped and fell down. I sat upright, my back leaning against the wall. I hugged my knees.
I am an orphan. I tried to let that sink in but it was hard. There were a million questions running through my mind.
If they aren't my parents, who are they? How did they find me?
My parents. Where are they? Were they alive? Or are they dead? Why did they leave me?
I swallowed hard. Shivaay. I needed Shivaay. I searched for my phone and dialled Shivaay's
number.
It rang but why wasn't he picking up. He always had his phone with him. I called him again but no answer.
I called him one last time when he picked up. "Hello." It wasn't Shivaay. This voice was very deep.
"Who is this?" I asked. Before the other person could reply someone grabbed the phone away on the other end saying, 'You fool, why did you pick it up? I told you to throw this phone away.' And the line went dead.
The voice was unmistakably Tia's.
Note - I'm so so sorry for the late update. This chapter was really hard for me to write I don't know why. I was down with fever yesterday so yeah. But was bored so penned this down. I'm sorry for any mistakes and if it didn't meet up to your expectations.
This is the second last chapter of this SS. I don't know when I'll be able to update the last part. I'm really sorry. :(
Edited by -Rhea- - 8 years ago
Arjun
Cricket
Udne Ki Aasha
