The Abyss-Ishqbaaz Fanfic by Aashi
Link to previous chapters: All Previous Parts Here
Chapter- 20
Dinner was a splendid one and Om felt much better after it.It had been a shocking one as well Rudra disclosed about his relationship with Soumya,keeping their marriage a secret, and Jhanvi at last opened her mouth regarding her constant disappearance.One after another news had left everyone dumbfounded but soon everyone broke into applause.Tej tried to object about Jhanvi’s job but was told off by Jhanvi herself in firm but pleasant tone.He found Anika caring for Shivaay when he choked on a bit of food and Shivaay kept staring at her throughout the meal,and was glad of the possible progress in their relation.Priyanka seemed to be more cheerful than before and he was really thankful about it.
But,in the silence of night,tears found their way down his eyes. Behind his closed lids,he pictured Gauri asking him not to meet her or the children again,her harsh words ringing in his ears.He remembered Misha and Abhay’s teary faces,looking from inside,through the window.He asked, insisted,pleaded, inquired to know the reason but she wouldn’t say anything anymore.He had grown used to see her come home, tired,with her hair slightly messed up,her melodious laughter as she wrestled the kids to eat broccoli,her stern voice calling out to them to go for a walk and not play on phone.But today,when she turned him out,had he been able to acknowledge the attachment he had with her,was actually,love.She was the woman he wanted to be with all his life,and no other way around.She was the feeling of satisfaction of all his work,and he wanted her to open up to him.Unknowingly,she had weaved a path in Om’s heart and it hurt him to understand and accept that he was just an accidental intruder in their lives.It pained him to let go of his feelings,to break down as if his sorrows had no end but there was absolutely nothing he could have done about it.He felt like a complete failure to let Gauri in his heart,for not being able to protect Anika,for not being a businessman,for not being responsible to Rudra.Feeling utterly hopeless,with hands trembling,he found the secret cabinet in his drawers and began to unwrap a brown paper containing some white powder.Wanting to block out the pain,he began to assemble it,to drug himself.He brought the paper near his mouth and all at once remembered the helpless look of Shivaay on the day he had tried to commit suicide. Throwing the drug,he curled into the fetal position,along with his blanket,and began to weep.
Since the last few days,Anika had been sleeping on bed with Shivaay,as it was uncomfortable on the couch.Both clung to the opposite sides of bed with fierce passion but the ache of longing tugged at their hearts constantly.”Sometimes it is not about the consent but about the initiative” he clearly remembered Rudra saying so,regarding his relationship with Soumya the night he had officially announced his relationship with her among the youngsters.Slowly,he turned towards Anika,his heart pacing wildly,and touched her shoulder lightly,turning her sleeping form towards himself.Gently, as if she was a delicate flower,Shivaay put his arms around her lightly and hugged her.That night,he slept with the whole joy of his universe.