Ishqbaaaz Contest *The Run for Ishqbaaazi* Round 4-Team Spicy Geckos

Sisterhood!

Can two best friends become so close to call themselves sisters, to add, can one of them selflessly make a sacrifice so that the other never runs out of love?

Anika had met Mallika at an orphanage. They became each other's world. Sisters they called themselves! While somewhere in her heart Anika wanted to find her Prince Charming and she did! But, fate was never on her side. Growing up in an orphanage all she wished was for true love. A prince charming, to make her life a fairytale. When things din't go her way she decided to work it out her way. She wrote a book- Anonymously Yours, hoping in her heart that one day it would reach her prince charming who would perhaps find her just like Cindrella's prince found her!

Reflecting her own thinking into her favorite author's, she thought maybe the fictional man she had fallen in love with existed. Maybe he too, just like her, had written his story so that she could find him. The title convinced her-"Waiting to be found. The stupid prince was waiting for his princess to find her.

There was no turning back for Anika. She found the author to reach Omkara, but she knew it wasn't HIM. When Shivaay jopins back at work she realises that it was Shivaay, the man who wrote his story, the fictional man she had fallen for. Working under him she fell for him this time for real and fell hard.

Anika's happiness knew no bounds when she realized that Shivaay was looking for her as well! But fate wasn't with her it never was. She had little time to live. So she painted her sister as the author and suggested Shivaay to begin a fresh not with the book, but in real. She asked him to learn to love Mallika her sister from scratch. He did just that, but a part of him already belonged to Anika. He had fallen for his secretary.

He finally started realising Anika was who he loved, but Anika couldn't let this happen. She painted herself black in his eyes so that he would hate her. She took the big step of making the man whose love she craved for hate her so that he could love her sister instead!

But, love finds a way. Shivaay knew he loved Anika. He learns that Anika is the one, the book girl and the one he fell for!

Their love's opponent was time. She had a weak heart and less time. He couldn't love him. But neither could she leave him and her sister without love! So she let him go, so that he could live and love her sister and she could love him when she was gone!

Romance and their love was one thing, but her love for her sister, her only family was another highlight of the story!

Not every day are made such bonds,

Not every blood has so much power,

The power of loving hearts,

And endless sacrifices' shower!

"Mallika!!" She shouted.

"Sone de na Ani!" Replied the sleeping-beauty.

"Mallika wake up!"

This time Mallika threw the pillow in her direction,"Anika ki bacchii sone kyu nahi deti, chali ja apne Prince charming ke sath kahin!"

If only he was real, she could runaway to him. She looked at the book for hundredth time, when something struck her.

Never in the wilderness, she had thought that the hint would be so loud and clear. Right before her eyes. For a reason incomprehensible, she knew he existed-He was waiting to be found!

***

It was a stormy night, he stood beside the window reminded of that night-when it all started.

***

He walked into his brother's library to find himself a good read.His hands ran over the books, he seemed interested in none. The accident had left him with no option, his family wouldn't let him work.

Something hit his feet, he looked down to find a book with its pages whispering as the wind kissed it.

He picked it up, to find "Anonymously Yours" as the title, intrigued he scanned it to find the author's name. Found none. "Strange!" Seating, himself he began to read.

The clock kept ticking.The book was the journey of a girl.The morning sun peeped through the window of the magnificent library to find him sleeping, with smile on his face and the book close to his heart.

Somewhere out there,

There would be someone-so perfect,

To compliment my Imperfections!

The lines remained in his head!

***

His eyes squeezed as he felt the sun teasing them.He opened his eyes to find himself witnessed to the new morning. Quickly he got ready. It had been four days since he had begun working again. The month long off had got him worked up. But, being back to office made him feel back to normal. There wasn't just this. It was his new personal assistant who had been appointed by Omkara in his absence. No matter how much he wanted to destroy the fact it remained that Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi had been allured by his clumsy, happy-go-lucky secretary Anika!

Time flew, his love for office increased, needless to state it was his endearment for his new secretary. The fire wasn't one sided, for Anika did share the same hidden fondness for him. But somewhere down in his heart still remained that girl, the one in the book! Many a times Anika reminded him of the girl in the book. He had his men out in the lookout for the woman who had charmed him.

One fine day, Shivaay's happiness knew no bounds, when Anika bought him an envelope.He had almost jumped in excitement, holding her hand twirling her. "I found her Anika!"

He cried in joy."I knew she existed."

Anika wore a little smile as she saw him overwhelming with happiness. Shivaay on the other hand unaware of Anika's feelings for him, let go thoughts about her naming them mere infatuation.

Days passed. Shivaay spent a lot of time with Mallika the woman he had fallen for the one who has authored her story in that book which was by far his favorite.

Shivaay sat in dilemma.He was to be married in two days to the woman he thought would be perfect for him.But, there was a problem. Anika! He had thought as time passed he would slowly grow over Anika, but that never happened.On the contrary he found himself attracted to her more than before.More than that he was scared that it was Anika he loved and not Mallika! The worse of it all was Anika wasn't just his secretary now she was his fiance's sister! Worse she reflected the same emotions as him.It wasn't one sided, not anymore.If only he knew it never was.

But what happened yesterday had brought him into crashing reality.

The previous day:-

"Anika?" He looked surprised to see her at the entrance of his room.

"Hi! Came to give you this on behalf of Mallika.Since you guys can't meet till the wedding but she wanted you to wear this on the day." She extended the brooch to him.

"It's beautiful", he said extending his hand to take it. Their fingers brushed and the sparks were felt. Immediately their eyes met.

He quickly took it try it on. She looked at him. He couldn't look into her eyes, they were screaming how much she loved him. He was scared that his own would give away that he perhaps loved her too. But, no he loved that woman who was perfect for him, the one he had been practically thinking about day and night after he read her story in that book.

"Ouch! "the pin had pricked him.

"Careful Shivaay!" She immediately pulled his hand blowing over his finger. Both their eyes reflected pain. His hand cupped her face pushing away the hair that slightly blocked her cheek's view. She was breathing hard, they were close, very close.

Before either could comprehend they were kissing.Her hand moved around his neck while his pulled her closer to himself. The love they had concealed pouring over in the kiss. They pulled apart, slightly breathless. The moment seemed perfect.His hands dint leave her face, he gently pressed his lips against her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead. She clutched on to his blazer, closing her eyes.This shouldn't be happening! She quickly moved two steps away. Reality sank in as they awkwardly stared each other.He curses himself for losing control."I m sorry!" He said looking away. He wasn't a bit unsatisfied with that little scene!

"Sorry!" She whispered and moved away.

Later that night, she stormed into his room. Before he knew she was hugging him."Anika is everything alright!? " he asked at her sudden action, rubbing her back gently.

"I love you!" She whispered in his ears, tears appearing in her eyes. "I love you!" She kissed his ear.

He froze.He was torn between her and her sister. Her sister was the kind of woman he saw his life with- the one he had fallen for after reading her. But she was the one he saw his now with.No he dint love her, he tried telling himself.

"Anika, I am to be married to your sister!" He whispered feebly, pulling back. "Whatever happened...I m sorry."

She stared at him. "No. You love me. Mallika humaare beech mein aayi hai! She was never in the picture!" He was enraged at her. Never in the wildest thoughts he could think she would speak that way for her sister.

"Stop doing this to me. I know you love me." She said as she moved her hands around his neck.

"Do not forget your limits. You are dear to nobody." He spat like venom and threw her on the couch nearby.

"Jo apni behen ki apni nahi ho sakti, wo kisi aur se Pyaar kar hi nahi sakti. Never thought- ki tum aise...itni gir sakti ho. You know what I hate you." He spoke hurt more than disgusted.

"Shivaay!" She spoke standing before him.

"Leave." His voice echoed.

"Agar tum Mallika ki behen nahi hoti naa toh main.." His sentence loomed, uncompleted.

"I have nothing to do with you, your transfer papers will reach you, with compensation for uninformed transfer." He added as she turned away to leave his room, tears rolling down her cheeks.

He slumped on the couch. A tear rolled down his cheek. His finger reached to the tear. He stared at it. Why did it hurt so much? Why was their pain in his heart? Why did he feel so broken? Did he really love her? For all he knew was he felt miserable and heartbroken.

The day of the wedding arrived. The functions went on, but there was no happiness in his heart. He did see her but never spoke. Her eyes were in pain, he could tell. But he couldn't comprehend what was happening to him, to them!

He paced up and down his room, minutes before his wedding. Something just din't feel right. Something was slipping away from his hand, something was very incomplete. "Anika!" His thoughts were about her. With his eyes open or shut all he saw was her.As much as he wanted to hate her he was realising how much he loved her.Mallika entered.

"What happened Shivaay? Is everything okay, you called me suddenly and..?" Her voice trailed as he continued.

"Where's Anika? I have been trying to call her."

"I don't know!" Mallika whispered, she herself had been looking for her.

He quickly rushed to his draw and brought out the book he had kept with himself safely ever since he had found it.

"This.."

"What about it?" Mallika frowned.

"You wrote it!" She nodded in a no response."I don't even read forget about writing. "

He was beyond shocked.He zoomed through the past events.Anika had arranged for their meeting,she had asked him not to mention about any book to Mallika and start the story afresh! All along she was the one who knew how Shivaay had been crazy about the girl who wrote that book, and how desperately he wanted to find her.

Then how was Mallika even in his life? He looked at Mallika and then gazed at the book. He needed answers!

"Sorry Mallika! down he ran.

He wasn't able to locate Anika. He glanced sideways at the book, and closed his eyes after bringing his car to a halt. His eyes shot open it was Anika! The book girl was Anika.Everything matched.The striking similarity between Anika and the girl in the book-the author, was what made him fall for Anika. He flipped through the pages of the book, he remembered reading about a place she would go to when she felt there was no one in the world made for her.

" Anika!"

Tears made way, as she heard his voice. Wiping it quickly she turned to him.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"I don't know what you speak off, Mr.Oberoi."

At once he grabbed her pulling her closer to himself.

"You knew all along, I loved only you." He cupped her face.

She pushed his hand.

"Your silence is shouting Anika, put this to an end, I need answers. I need you!"

She knew he wouldn't let go,she had failed in her plan. "Your bride is waiting."

"Called it off. Can't marry someone else. You already have my heart!"

"I don't!"

"I know you love me Anika why are you complicating things?

You set up Mallika as that book's author because you knew I was close to getting you!"

"You can't fall in love with someone by just reading their story!" She looked away at what seemed an endless stretch of water.

He stepped closer, "but you can with the person you practically spend all your time with."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Go away Shivaay."

His hand wrapped around to hug her, "What is it?"

She pushed him away,"Don't make me weak."

She pulled out a book and extended it to him. Shocked he looked at it. "My favorite book. 'Waiting to be found' By Shiv."

"You..

" I found you! We did the exact same thing, wrote our story so that we could be found. Mallika and me aren't real sisters, we met at the orphanage. We started our own life, our way.I loved fairytales.Spent sleepless nights waiting for a shooting star so that I could make a wish.I also wanted a prince to come looking for me.He never came.So I wrote my story in hope that the book would reach him and help him find me.He never came.Then one day I found this book.The prince was waiting to be found. Stupid prince."

He chuckled as tears made way.

"I tracked you down till Omkara, but I knew he wasn't Shiv the author. Then you happened."

"Tum paagal ho!"

She smiled amidst tears."I know!. The doc said I have too little time. I have a heart problem !Two people I loved-you and her.Couldn't leave you two just like that without love."

Tears shined in his eyes,"Why do you love me so much! I don't care.Tum meri ho!"

She smiled, "Go back Shivaay please." She cried in his chest as they hugged.

"I will always stay Anonymously Yours!" She whispered.