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Second Note: When Ragini perceives someone's emotions or thought process, they are dead-on accurate.
2nd Shot*"Who's there?" Annika called out. My cover was almost blown. I had to retreat and fast. But how?
"What happened, Bhabhi?" Omkara asked her, hesitantly.
I covered my mouth. Trying to cover my breathing. I can't be caught, if they find me, they won't let me tell Shivaay the truth.
"I thought I heard someone over there.. Is someone there?!" Annika called out. Does she expect me to reveal myself? Not a chance.
I heard footsteps. I tensed up. Why am I provoking her? Please stay back, please stay back. Please.
"Bhabhi, it was probably just your imagination. I didn't hear anything. Let's focus on making something to eat. It's almost time for a snack." Rudra suggested, much to my ease. Finally, Dumbbell was helpful to me for once.
"Alright." Annika concluded.
I peaked to see after a few minutes. They seemed busy. I was glad. I quickly got out of there unnoticed. I was feeling relief. That was too close for comfort. Being a spy sure is hard.
I got the info I needed.
I sat down on the couch again. I stared at my phone to pretend I was looking at something. I thought to try find out what exactly Pinky Aunty said to Annika to make her leave. What happened? What was the blackmail? Maybe a personally secret of Annika's that Pinky Aunty got her hands on?
"If we tell him everything Pinky Aunty did and what she used to blackmail me into making me do all that, he'll break down or break everything else.""He'll break down or break everything else." I repeated. Could this "truth" be more related to Shivaay than Annika? That's a good possibility. But what Annika said could mean anything. What could he break down for?
I thought for a moment. Shivaay. Break down. Pinky Aunty. Truth. Blackmail. Annika.
No...That could mean that Pinky Aunty used Shivaay as leverage against Annika with a truth. No way, what kind of mother? Could Pinky Aunty have really done this? The idea almost paralyzed me.
No, Ragini, you could be totally over your head. There's no way a mother would use her own child against someone. Or maybe you're right on the line. God, I hope I'm not standing on the line. I don't think that would have a good implication for what would come next.
My face contorted into worry. I clutched harder on the phone in my hand. I had to do what must be done, didn't I? Tell Shivaay.
I got up, as I was about to walk back to the kitchen, someone stopped me, standing in my way.
It was Pinky Aunty.
She faced me with worry written on her face. "Ragini, are you okay."
Trying to come up with a swift answer, I lied. "Yeah, I'm absolutely fine. What would happen to me?" I tried to act normal. I was probably failing. I should have taken that acting class like Samar suggested a few months back, or maybe just watched more B grade movies. That would have helped.
"You looked worried, are you sure everything is alright?" Pinky Aunty asked me out of concerned. She rubbed my arm delicately. For the first time, her hand caressing on my skin felt like poison being rubbed on it. I tried to keep my composure, trying to keep from feeling uncomfortable. Maintain the act.
Coming up with a lie, I started. "No, I was just- Annika and-" I tried to form a sentence. Damn you Samar, why are you always right? I hate you. I blame her touch, it destroyed my game.
"Oh, now I get it. You're worried because of that Annika. You don't worries. I'll teach her." Pinky Aunty assured me. She turned her back to me as she started. To be honestly, that wasn't what I was going to lie about, but whatever sails your thought process, Pinky Aunty.
I mocked her, making faces and imitating her as she turned her back to me. I stopped caring to listen after "What does she think of herself." How does everyone bear her?
She didn't stop. Everytime she turned around to face me I would go back to normal, and as soon as she turned away I would start again. Pinky Aunty was just a ball of negativity. God, what a Ponky. Haha, good one Ragini.
While Ponky was menacing over Annika and their misfortune of having her in this house. I started thinking about what could possess this woman to separate two lovers. I didn't need my Degree in Psychology to figure out that that this woman was petty as could possibly be. Still, there must be something else I can't quite see.
My thoughts were interrupted when I noticed Dadi walking by, she was limping. Ponky was far too distracted in her own world to even notice. I walked toward Dadi, she looked like she was going fall over soon. I caught her attention as I helped her.
"Careful Dadi, you could fall. What happened?" I asked her as I held her attentively.
"Nothing, puttar. I just needed to get water for my medicine, but the jug of water in my room is broken, so I was going to the kitchen to get some water for myself." She answered calmly, as she showed me her medicine packet.
"But your limping, you could have called a servant to get it for you. Why trouble yourself?" I explained to Dadi, hoping she would understand. "Hello, where have all the servants died?!" I called out.
Finally, a servant appeared. "Go get Dadi a glass of water, fast." I ordered. The servant left hastily.
"Arre, there was no need for that." Dadi giggled amused
"Come Dadi, you just sit here." I guided her to the sofa and sat down with her.
"It wasn't necessary, but thank you puttar." Dadi placed her hand on my head. I closed my eyes for a moment. It felt warm. I never met my grandmother, but I would hope being with her would have felt this way too.
"See Mummyji, Ragini is such a perfect bahu, nahi?" Ponky pointed out, much to Dadi's irritation. "Whatever is happening, is for the best." Ponky turned around again. She probably had a vampy smile plastered on her face. I mocked her blabbering again. Dadi covered her mouth to hide her smile. I noticed and gave her a small wink.
Some time passed. I immersed myself in other things in Oberoi Mansion. Time went slowly as I waited for my meet up time with Shivaay in his room. I had to ultimately bear Annika, Omkara, Rudra, or Gauri's glares and sneers. They clearly didn't like my presence, especially Annika. It hurt to be misunderstood, but I'm sure they'll see my good deeds when I help Shivaay and Annika patch up. This is but for today. Who knows, this entire house will be filled with joy in just a few days as Shivaay and Annika are reunited.
I imagined them asking for forgiveness when the ball drops and ShivIka are reunited. The idea amused me. It would be nice to be in this house without someone breathing fire on me for being Shivaay's "girlfriend" or as Ponky put it "this family's new bahu".
It was 8 pm, I walked to Shivaay's room. The feeling that I'd have to reveal the culprit to Shivaay had started to don me. I hope Shivaay believes me. It would be hard to hear something spoken against your mother just like that. I would react the same if someone spoke harshly of my mother. I braced myself for the worst.
Entering his room, I saw Shivaay staring at his phone intently. I closed the door behind me. That got his attention. I looked at him, trying to read his face.
"Ragini? Good that you're here." He started and looked away. I walked toward him.
Stopping in front of him, my mouth opened. "I got some info." I spoke out, hesitantly. Here goes nothing. Whatever happens, you know you tried.
He guided me to sit down beside him on the bed. "What kind of information did you get?" He leaned in closely.
I stopped. "Wait, did you find anything in the cameras though?" I asked him, curiously.
"I'll explain that later. You just tell me what you found." Shivaay assured.
"Well, first I learned that Annika is faking having a fiance. She's not actually engaged to anyone. She's just lying to you." I started with the easier bits. Shivaay seemed relieved. He tried not to show it, but it was there. Maybe the idea that his lover hadn't moved on was relieving?
"I should have known..." Shivaay uttered regrettably. A part of my mind wanted to retort that there was a lot he should have known, but that sounded inappropriate, rude, and definitely not my place to judge.
"Next, I think Annika is jealous of me." I spoke, bluntly. I tried to get through the easier stuff first before I hit him with the bigger news.
"J-Jealous of you? Why? And how do you know she's jealous" Shivaay stuttered.
"Probably because she thinks you and I are together." I hypothesized to Shivaay, who raised an eyebrow. "I can tell because she calls me Nagini instead of Ragini. I don't need a degree in Psychology to tell you that Annika had a possessive streak in her when it comes to you. This means that she also still cares about you and can't stand you with another woman." I finished. Shivaay looked thrilled. Nevermind that I got insulted, your lady love is still in love with you. That's important, probably for the better.
"Don't worry Ragini, I'll talk to Annika." Shivaay rested his hand on my shoulder to assure me. It felt nice.
"Still, that hurt. I'm not a Nagini. I'm so not a snake! That was harsh." I pointed at Shivaay as a vented my frustration to him. "Ugh, I just want to call her a name too. I just can't think of something that goes with Annika."
"How about Paanika?" Shivaay answered.
"Paanika?" I questioned as I was intrigued to know where that came from.
"Yeah, um, Annika used to throw water on me so I named her Paanika." Shivaay rubbed his eyebrows and cleared his throat a little. He looked embarrassed, and rightfully so.
I laughed at the idea and image that someone threw water on the Shivaay Singh Oberoi and got away with it. Dear god Annika, I wish we were friends. Please tell me more. Though this story felt very small, it felt like it added much depth into Shivaay and Annika's relationship that I still couldn't see. How deep did their relationship go? I wish I could just ask.
Shivaay was unamused of my teasing. "Okay alright, alright! Anything else you found out?" Shivaay folded his arms, becoming tired of the joke.
"Alright.. Next I heard Annika, Omkara, and Rudra talking in the kitchen." I started, speaking very slowly.
"And?" Shivaay asked impatiently.
"Rudra mentioned a truth. He wanted Annika to tell you this 'truth'. Annika denied. In their conversation, Annika mentioned the person who blackmailed her into this separation between you two." I revealed. I could tell if there was pain or relief on Shivaay's face. I can see his dilemma. Maybe he's happy that Annika is still his and that everything that happened, happened for a good reason.
"Who's name did she say?" Shivaay asked quickly.
I held onto Shivaay's hand, rubbing it gently. I braced myself for the worst as I spoke. "It was.. Pinky Aunty."
Shivaay was still. It became hard to gauge his reaction. I'm sure he was shocked to hear it. I squeezed the hand that I held onto.
"So then, what I saw." Shivaay started. "It was a lie? That day was all a lie? Mom was blackmailing her?"
"Yes," I answered to all of the questions.
"I thought I saw something similar." I saw Mom and Annika in one of the footage. Mom was sticking three fingers at Annika. The camera had no sound so I was unclear what was happening." Shivaay explained to me.
I looked away for moment. It became clear. "Pinky Aunty gave Annika three days to leave before the truth would be out. That's my guess. It seems like the most obvious choice. Unless you think something else."
"You could right, I don't know for sure. Something is definitely going on. We need to find the truth. We need answers from Annika." Shivaay analyzed. He was right. We need answers.
In my curiosity, I spoke. "Are you okay?" I placed my hand on his shoulder, hoping he would answer. "I mean, after finding out Pinky Aunty did all this, I'm surprised you don't have a reaction."
"No, I am mad. I just. I don't know. I don't know how I can express that without exploding." Shivaay threw his phone to the ground in rage. I flinched. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. I just though it would be better to make sure he's not holding it in.
"How... How could she actually do that to me, to Annika, to us? Why? M-My mother separated me from Annika, my Annika. How-" Shivaay clutched his chest. He looked as though he was about to break down into tears. I tried my best to comfort him. He needed to know it wasn't his fault. This happens often to someone who learns something this traumatic.
"Shivaay, it's okay. Everything is still fine. This is so small in the long run. Annika still loves you, she's not taken. And you still have the chance to be with her. That chance to be happily ever after is not gone. Who cares about Pinky Aunty. Now that we know her truth, you won't let her win this time. We won't let her win this time!" I assured Shivaay, who looked at me thankfully. I tried my best to console him. I just knew that it would have been better if this was Annika.
Some time passed. Shivaay confessed and vented his feelings to me. I happily accepted that he needed someone to share his feelings with. I won't judge him. I'll just be a supportive friend. I can do that much for Shivaay. Listening to him filled me with a loathing for Ponky. Such a vile woman, who separated two people who love each other more than they love themselves.
I held his shoulder. He looked at me silently. I stared at him with sad frown. I was solemn. "Shivaay, have you had anything to eat?" I asked him with a friendly concern.
"I don't want to eat." He concluded shortly.
"Shivaay, come on. You need to eat something. If not for your own sake, than for Annika's. Don't take out your frustration on your food. That's not healthy. We've been cooped up in this room for more than an hour and it's way past dinner. You need to eat." I got up and tried pulling him. He seemed resilient on a hunger strike.
"Ragini..." He protested.
"Shivaay." I countered, pulling him again.
"Fine, but only for Annika." Shivaay resigned as I mentally cheered. If this man does anything, it's for his family, for his Annika.
We went to the kitchen. I sure was starving. I'm totally willing to forget my diet. I'm too stressed for this. I need carbs. Shivaay made noodles for us. I watched him intently. He seemed like an excellent chef. This was actually the first time he was cooking for me. I wondered if it would taste. A servant informed us that Annika had requested him for Shivaay to come and eat while we were in the room. This meant that it was uncomfortable for the rest of the family to know that Shivaay and I were alone in the room. I bet they're furious with me. Probably plotting my exit. I can't say I blame Annika, but I guess Shivaay is lucky that Annika is so protective of him.
Shivaay and I sat down to eat. I sat adjacent from him on the table. I started eating the noodles. They tasted fantastic. It was noodles with a mix of red and green pepper with some onion and soy sauce. Sure it wasn't gourmet, but it was going to be filling. That was important. Besides, who has time to make a gourmet meal. I could certainly care less for today.
As I was chewing, I noticed Annika in the corner of my eye. I tried not to pay attention to her as she was hiding. I swallowed my food and whispered to Shivaay. "Annika is watching us." I informed, leaning in.
"Yeah I know, I sensed her a mile away. She's been standing there for five minutes now. Where have you been?" Shivaay whispered with a tone of superiority.
I scoffed and whispered back in retort. "Well gee, I'm sorry, I guess not all of us have an Annika-sensor built into us. Maybe it's a true love thing for you."
Shivaay groaned irritably. He gave up. I think the truth was too much for him. He had a much too apparent Annika-sensor. What she feels, what he feels, they intertwine almost soulfully. I wish had that in my life. A true love. The Siddharth of my dreams.
I snapped out of my thoughts when Shivaay whispered my name. "What?" I whispered back curiously, leaning in again.
His hand suddenly caressed mine. I shivered at the sudden forwardness. "Relax." Shivaay said calmly as he made let go of my fork. I was lost for moment. I realized it. He was trying to make Annika jealous!
I looked in the corner of my eye. Annika was livid. It's working. At first I smiled. I thought that it was cute that they played little games with each other. Like a lovers quarrel. After a moment, I frowned. Annika is livid, and it's directed at us. She's obviously going to spare Shivaay with yelling but she's going to kill me for sure. 100%. That lioness will pounce on me with a quickness and eat me raw. Why are you doing this to me, Shivaay?
Annika left fuming. Shivaay let go of my hand. I sighed in relief with him. I was almost holding my breath. I protested. "Are you stupid or are you really stupid?"
"What, I thought the idea was fine." Shivaay casually spoke, as he dare shrug his shoulders at me.
"Well yeah, because you're a guy. You don't know how women work. That's not going to work. You and her have one thing I common and that's an ego. And that won't work in your favour!" I explained to his immature boy brain.
"Well she deserves some of that. I love her, but I've never been so mad at her for doing that to me. And by the way, how do you know she has an ego?" Shivaay countered.
"Oh please, I've read her like an open book. You two are definitely one and the same. Dummies for the most part." I retorted, much to his displeasure at my jab.
"Still, I don't think jealousy was the right angle here. That's so not fair to her." I persisted, hoping to come up with a new plan, lest I be strangled to death by a certain ex-wife.
"Well, everything is fair in love and war. And this is war." Shivaay concluded.
I stared blankly at him. "If you had said love, what was the worst you would have lost?" I expressed disappointment with him. Seriously, war? This man...
Shivaay looked away. "Whatever it is. My point stands." He turned to eat his noodles again. I bet he regretted saying war, didn't he?
I finished my noodles up. I looked to him curiously. "So what's the plan?" I inquired curiously.
Shivaay leaned in and whispered. "Okay, here's the plan..."
*To Be Continued.Okay, so first things first. Would you guys be okay with me showing Shivaay and Ragini making Annika jealous? I can totally change it if you guys won't like it. I'm not trying to make this Ragini hated, so I wanted general feedback. I have a different ending in mind if you don't like the jealousy idea.I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a like and comment if you enjoyed the chapter! Any feedback is welcome.Edited by LordLuminous - 8 years ago
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