Unspoken Ties
Tujhpe Hi Aetbar Hai, Tu Hi Mera Raazdar Hai...
Meri Duniya Tujhe To Maloom Hai...
Meri Hai Ajeeb Aadate, Kuch Khudgarz Chahate...
Har Jajbaat Fir Bhi Masoom Hai...
Andhi Sunrangi Ki Taraha Hu Mai, Aur Tu Hai Ujale Ka Jhor...
Khud Pe Beeeti So Mai Raat Hu, Aur Tu Hai Mera Bhor... Tu Hai Mera Bhor
He sighed in relief, glancing at her busy self, smiling and enjoying the Cadbury, by sitting comfortably on the bonnet of his car. He always wondered how perfectly she fit there.
"I can never understand you and your stupid craziness." He let out, slightly frowning as he tried taking a piece of chocolate from her hand but she raised it in air, sheepishly grinning at him.
"Liar Liar... You will get Fired." She chuckled and giggled like anything making him shook his head at her antics. What she said, made no sense at all. It wasn't new to him. She had always been like that only. "You understand me the best." She said, as a matter of fact, biting another piece from her Cadbury.
"Okay fine. Now can we go? If your Owner finds out, you are out now, she will kick you out of her home." He put a piece of knowledge in her ears, grabbing a hold of her hand when he tried pulling her down. She jerked his hand, and lifted her up, again.
"Anikaaa." Annoyance was easily visible in his tone.
"Shivaaayy." She mimicked him, making his brows narrow first as he gave her an unbelievable look and he ended up laughing when he watched her holding her one ear, without uttering a word.
That's how she had been whenever she had to apologize to him for anything! She had never brought herself to say sorry to him rather she used to hold her one ear, look at him apologetically which he most of the times found cute and that was it. One thing from her side and she was forgiven! He could never stay upset or mad at her for more than five minutes.
She was his partner, best friend, a person with whom he could spend a week and still it never felt like a week. She was his best companion. Time always flew whenever she was with him. He had never told her but he adored her childishness and though he always had used grow up, Anika' on her, he never really wanted her to.
He had never told her but he loved fulfilling her crazy demands... just like he was doing, today.
Madam wanted to eat Cadbury and that too only by sitting on his car bonnet at a deserted road and there they were, in the middle of the night, doing the same.
"Anika, I am serious. You stay as a paying guest at someone's place. Have a sense of responsibility. She already is a hot headed woman. Have you forgotten how much she had scolded you last time?" Shivaay said in a serious voice, glancing at his watch. "Ah, this girl is mad... just mad. Slapping his forehead, he averted his gaze from her when he was ignored like he didn't even exist there.
"Even if she kicks me out, I won't be living in streets, Shivaay. Would you let me? I don't do anything without planning. I have back-up... your home." She winked at him, dropping the wrapper of her chocolate as she had finished eating. She focussed her attention on him and he thanked his stars for the same.
"This is not funny." Shivaay pulled her off the car, careful enough to not hurt her. She jumped on the ground resting her hands on his shoulder. Lifting her head, she stared at him with her mysterious eyes. Mysterious... yes, that's exactly how he used to see them as. He never really understood the reason behind it, but he did feel the same.
She wasn't much a talkative person. She never was. She had been the one who spoke a little but still covered everything.
"Come now. I have to sleep also. I swear, you are such a bad influence. I will get late tomorrow and the credit goes to you."
He moved aside, getting into the car. She had been standing still at her place. When the car didn't start, he greeted the ground with his feet, reaching front to check why his car was giving him problems.
He glanced at her once, before he started looking for the fault in the car ignition. Deliberately staring down as the car showed no signs of getting repaired by him, he instantly turned back when he watched a drop of water that fell down.
"Anika." It did not take more than a few moments to him to realize what it was and there he was, right beside her, holding her arm, looking at her in concern.
"You are right. I am a bad influence and that is why my family left me."
A horrifying shiver ran through him when her words hit his ears. "No, Anika. You know, I did not mean that." Clarifying, his hand reached out to cup her cheek but she wiped her tears before he could get there.
What scared him more was, she never preferred going there where she had gone today. She doesn't cry. Neither she, nor he had ever brought up the topic of her family.
She was six, when someone had left her in front of an orphanage that happened to be owned by Mrs. Kalyani Oberoi, Shivaay's Dadi. Shivaay must be eight or nine that time but those dreadful images were still fresh in his mind. He was in the orphanage that night with his Dadi when someone had come shouting, informing them about a girl's arrival there. Till the time they reached, she had ready fainted on the floor. Kalyani Oberoi had been pretty fast in judging and realizing the seriousness of the situation.
Doctor was called immediately and the piece of information they get from the Doctor was certainly heartbreaking. The girl was in high fever, she hadn't eaten since days, her clothes were torn, pale face screaming she had been through her worst time. Entire night, Kalyani Oberoi had stayed back in the orphanage and so Shivaay.
Dadi, what has happened to that girl?
Billu... she has had seen that phase of her life, which no one should. I don't understand how can people do such things to their kids... pata nahi kaha kaha bhatki hogi bechari...
Matlab, she doesn't have Mom Dad like me?
No billu.
That is why Doctor Uncle were saying she hasn't eaten since days because she doesn't have Mom like me who can make her eat. Haina?
Kalyani Oberoi could only run her hand through his hairs. She wished if world was as innocent as her Billu.
Don't worry Dadi. I will take care of her. She doesn't have parents na. I will do that everything that Mom and Dad do for me.
He remembered day before yesterday's conversation that he had, with his Dadi.
Billu, I am proud of you.
What happened Dadi? Ese suddenly?
You remember when he had found Anika, that time you had said to me to take care of her. I, had thought you must have said just like that. But you proved me wrong time and again. You meant it, back then, didn't you? Son, I am really proud of you.
*
Of course, he had meant it back then. Was there any doubt? There shouldn't have been, he thought. He had cherished her childish demands, that never crossed the bridge from chocolates and icecreams and some weird fascinations.
If it raised questions within her, she never voiced them out.
"Uh okay okay. I am more hungry now." She diverted topic, wiping off her tears. It was a weak moment where she couldn't control her emotions but not more, she had learned everything. Life had taught her everything and she was a brilliant student.
To say he felt bad would not be enough. His feelings were more raw, deeper and severe. He wanted to hold her and throw off every doubt that was rising inside her but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to say anything to her. Maybe it was the fear... fear that she might withdraw herself from him.
You are too precious to lose, Anika.
"Yes Ma'am." He saluted her, bowing down, one hand on his heart. Gazing at him for a few moments, her lips broke into a smile.
"But wait a minute. We have to fix this car."
At last he remembered me. His car relaxed and relieved hearing him.🤣
He looked around. There was no way, they were going to find any mechanic there. He absolutely cannot take her by walking. The road was too deserted and can turn out dangerous for them. He could not afford such risks when she was with him.
He thanked his stars when he found a cab coming their way. Quickly stopping it, he made Anika sit inside and himself got in.
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Again this is something written months before.
Dedicated to my Lassi and to everyone else who stops by to read. Do share your thoughts if it doesn't take much time of yours.
