Hi guyz!
I am so sorry for the late update, actually there were some technical difficulties that’s why the update got delayed. Again I am sorry….
But to all those people who commented on my update, Thankyou soooooooo much. Your comments means allot to me. seriously I am honored. You guyz are so supportive and great. Thankyou!
So without any further delay, I think I should start with my next update.
Part two
Anika was standing in the middle of the class room, she was wearing white shirt and white trouser and on that she was wearing a very thin open grey sweeter. Kids were running around her, some of them were playing, some were dancing, in short there was a total chaos in the classroom at that time. She tried to shss them but then she realized that may be these kids needs some fun time and she remained standing in the room looking at them. Their happy careless faces, almost all of them were orphans but no one was mature enough to know the meaning of this word. They were kids, they were meant to be happy. But one day life will touch them, one day they will realize how difficult it is to live without a family, how difficult it is to walk in the dark without any support. Anika was lost in her thoughts about these kids when she felt a tug on her shirt. She shifted her gaze towards a girl who was holding Anika’s shirt from the edge. She was Shruti, the most mischievous girl of the school. This girl always reminded Anika of her own but the only difference was that Shruti was deaf and she could not speak, still she was like a little light sparkle in the whole school. Anika asked Shruti that what is she saying and that girl pointed towards the classroom door where Mother Ria was coming with a girl. Mother Ria who was looking for Anika in the whole school finally found her and signaled her to come.
Some girl was standing with Mother Ria, she was a small charming girl, her hair were open and she was wearing large round jhumka’s in her ear. The most noticeable thing about her was the amount of colors she was wearing, in the dark chalky grey atmosphere of the school this girl was looking like a rainbow, and her smile… she had a very warm and genuine smile on her face.
“Hi, I am Gauri” the girl raised her hand towards Anika and Anika came out of her thoughts. Mother Ria introduced Anika to Gauri and then she left and told Anika to give Gauri a detailed tour of the school. Gauri was very good with the kids, she was asking them questions about the school and facilities and with that she was also enjoying with them. At some points she was also singing and dancing with them, kids loved her and Anika was standing silently looking at her. She really liked this girl.
The whole day passed and Anika gave Gauri a detailed tour, telling her about the financial issues school is facing and reconstruction of the old school building. Gauri was carefully listening to everything and with that she was noticing Anika as well, Gauri found her very intelligent and smart but she also found her a little disturbed somehow. Because while talking Anika was not looking into the eyes and also she was playing with her hands. The darkness spread and the sky became purplish blue. Both of them were sitting on the bench near the school garden, Gauri was talking continuously while Anika was just nodding her head on some lines in response. Suddenly Gauri’s phone started ringing, while sitting there she answered the phone
OMKARA: Hello Gauri! The meeting got cancelled so I am coming to pick you up. Don’t say no because I am already half way through, see in half an hour ok?
Om was talking so fast that Gauri could only say yes in answer.
OMKARA: And secondly! After this we will go on a dinner.
Before Gauri could say anything Om disconnected the phone. “whats wrong with this guy” Gauri could only said that. Anika was not listening to Gauri’s conversation as she was looking at the deep dense sky which was not allowing any star to shine today. Maybe it was going to rain.
GAURI: Why are you so silent Anika?
Anika looks at Gauri with amazement, was she silent? Of course she was but this is what she is. She does not speak allot, in fact somedays she don’t even speak a word because there is no one who she can speak with. She found Gauri’s concerning gaze on her and she could only say
ANIKA: What should I say?
GAURI: Say anything you want to say.
ANIKA: I don’t have anything to say.
GAURI: But your eyes are full of words.
Anika shifted her gaze, she do not want anyone to read her eyes, she don’t want to show anyone what’s buried in her eyes. Gauri placed her hand on Anika’s hand and her expressions changed.
GAURI: Anika! you are having fever, lets go inside or lets go to a doctor, and please wear something cozy, this small thin sweeter is good for nothing.
Gauri was holding Anika’s hand and she was actually concerned.
ANIKA: No its ok, seriously I am fine. I guess I am just a little tired that’s it. Otherwise I am fine.
GAURI: But at least you should go inside, its cold out there.
ANIKA: I cant let you sit alone hare, once you are gone then I will also go inside.
Anika said this with a smile on her face. In the whole day it was the first time that Gauri saw Anika smiling. She looked so beautiful and innocent while smiling. But why is she so sad and why do I feel that she is not okay.. Gauri was lost in her thoughts when she saw gatekeeper coming towards her.
GAURI: I think my husband has arrived.
Both Gauri and Anika stood up when they saw gatekeeper approaching them.
GATEKEEPER: Mam! Mr Oboroi is waiting for you, should I call him outside?
Gauri nodded in yes and gatekeeper went running towards the front door. Mr Oboroi????… Anika just stood there. She couldn’t believe her ears. This means Gauri is from Oboroi family and if she is Mrs Oboroi then this means she is Shivay’s wife. Gauri did not noticed the stunned face of Anika as she was looking at the door but Anika was dumbstruck. She has been running from her past and now she don’t have the courage to face it. She left everything behind, everything just to forget her bitter past but now she felt like entering again into the dark palace of past. She turned her face, her hands were sweeting and she was feeling week on knees. No she cannot face him, she cannot face the only friend she ever had. O God please, please change this situation or at least give her the courage to run away, run away as she did before but she could not walk, she felt some invisible robe has been tied on her legs making her numb. “Anika! meet my husband Omkara” she heard Gauri saying this and with a swift motion she turned back and saw Om standing next to Gauri, he was smiling in his own genuine way and in his other hand he was holding a bouquet which probably he would have bought for Gauri.
But the moment he recognized that girl standing in front of him, his smile vanished and bouquet from his hand fell down on the floor. She was the one who use to call him “Zulfi”, she was the one who use to make fun of his abstract paintings with Rudra, she was the one who use to listen to old music with him, she was the one who use to throw things at Shivay and then Om will take side of her by saying that it was just an accident, she was the one who use to be dadi’s favourite kurri, she was the one who use to help Pinky with shopping, she was the one who use to be their friend, use to be part of his family and she was the one who one day just left, without informing anyone just left. “ANIKA” This was the only word Om could say at that time.
Gauri was standing there with a confused face as she was looking at both of them but before she could say anything Anika collapsed on the floor. The only visual she could remember was Om and Gauri running towards her.
Om was driving fast while Gauri was hugging Anika on the backseat. She was continuously rubbing her hands.
GAURI: I cant believe this Om, she is the girl Shivay Bhaiya fell in love with. I mean you told me that she was very fun-loving and jolly but Anika is not like that. I wonder what happened to her.
But Om was not thinking about any of these things, he was just thinking about his brother. How would he react? After so many years he will saw her. O GOD make things easier for my brother.
They took Anika to the hospital and there doctor told them that due to stress and fever she collapsed and she needs proper rest and care because she is very weak. Instead of admitting her to the hospital Om and Gauri brought her home where everyone can take care of her. The moment they entered the house with an unconscious Anika, everyone was happy and shocked at the same time. They were not expecting her to ever arrive in such condition. “O MY MATA mummy g. look at this poor girl, look how weakss she has becames”
Pinky asked with concern while Jhanvi and Dadi were sitting on the bed. Rudra could not believe that her partner in crime was back. He wanted her to get up and talk to him in her typical Anika style. Anika was brought to Shivay’s room and everyone in the house was worried for her, everyone was sitting around her except Shivay who was still working in the office. Om told everyone to go and take rest and he went to call Shivay.
When Shivay entered the hose he saw Om sitting on the couch. It was almost 2 o clock and Om was sitting hare alone. He went near him and place his hand on his shoulder. Om opened his eyes and saw his brother staring at him with concern.
SHIVAY: What are you doing hare?
OM: I was waiting for you, I tried to call you but your phone was switched off so I thought that I will just wait for you hare.
SHIVAY: Oh yah sorry! Mishra could not design the presentation properly so while shouting I threw my phone away and it broke. I got late because then i had to make the presentation myself, seriously you cant rely on these workers ( while loosening his tie he started telling Om about his day but then he remembered something and he turned his face towards om and started questioning him) but why are you waiting for me In the middle of the night? Is everything okay with you and Gauri?
Om just nodded his head in yes and he instructed Shivay to go to his room, Shivay felt weird, of course he was going to go in his room but what was the point of waiting for him in the middle of the night.
SHIVAY: Going in my own room? Well this is what I was going to do anyway
OM: There is someone in your room so you should go and see.
SHIVAY: Someone? In my room? Who?
OM: Go, see by yourself.
What was Om doing? But whatever he was doing it was very weird. Shivay without questioning anything started walking towards his room. Who can be in his room? And why is Om behaving so weird? He was just going to enter in his room when he sensed something, a wave knowingness hit him, he could feel his hair got straighten on the back of his neck. He felt her, for a moment he thought that she is somewhere near him, close to him. His heart started beating rapidly and his mind was continuously saying someone’s name. no he cant be wrong, he always use to feel a strange sensation whenever she was near him. In their college days he always knew that she is outside the class waiting for him. Anika always use to say “how do you always know its me?” and in the answer he eould just smile or use to change the topic. “Shivay you have some supernatural powers because you can always sense me, that’s weird na?” He remembered her question. At that time he wanted to give her the answer but time didn’t allowed him to do so.
And now standing outside his room he could feel her presence and he cant be wrong with her that he knew. Shivay turned his head on left side and saw Om staring at him, his eyes were wet and he had a slight smile on his face. So that’s what Om was talking about, this means… this means..she is inside. But how is it possible? Throwing out all the questions from his mind Shivay started walking towards his room, these few steps were feeling like an age. She was sleeping, her head turned on one side, sunlight was glowing on her face, Shivay thought that that probably he is dreaming, it was not the first time for him that he was dreaming of Anika. He took some steps forward and came close to his bed and there he saw that most beautiful women in the world sleeping there peacefully. Four years, four years he has been thinking of her, how much he tried to find her, how much he prayed for her. He wanted to talk to her, hug her, he wanted to listen to her alien language but she was not there with her.
When he won the businessman of the year award he wanted to share this feeling with her but she was not there, when in times he was alone he wanted to chat with her but she was not there, his Anika was not there and now she was lying in front of him and he couldn’t believe his eyes. He sat on the bed, not for once he was shifting his focus from her face, with his trembling hands he touched her hands, and now he was closely examining her face, each and every detail of her face but there was something which was different with Anika. her face was pale and she was looking tired. Shivay got hold of her palm and then he realized that she was burning with fever, worryingly he placed his hand on her forehead and felt the burning sensation against his fist. He ran out of the room and Om was standing outside the room, “Om she has fever, we need to take her to the hospital” he said
OMKARA: Relax Shivay! She was given medicine just and hour ago, it will take time. Doctor said that she need rest.
SHIVAY: How did she got hare? Why didn’t she informed me that she was coming?
Om placed his hand on Shivay’s shoulder and told him everything. How Gauri found her in the orphanage and how Anika was behaving a little weird. Shivay after listening to everything came back in his room who was one again alive after so many years. He spend his whole night by looking at her, in between he was also placing cold napkins on her forehead. It was a long night for Shivay, he wanted her to get up and hug him, the way she use to meet him. Two people are in this room, one was staring at his life while other was dreaming and in her dream she was praying that this dream should never end.
MORNING
Gauri opened her eyes and saw Om sleeping on the couch. He must be uncomfortable there, she thought but whenever he ask her to sleep on the bed and she will sleep on the couch, he always refused this offer. “I like it better on the couch” he would answer her but she knew that he was lying. He is doing all this just to make her comfortable. She got up from the bed and went to bathroom, when she came back she found Om sleeping but half falling from the couch, she ran to him and just when he was about to fall she caught him and he opened his eyes and found her staring at him with wide open eyes, her face to close to him, he could smell the fresh smell of her shampoo, her hair were wet and small water droplets were making their way to the end of her hair strands. She was looking mesmerizing.
So innocent and beautiful, Om brought his face a little near to hers, she was holding him by placing her one hand on his waist and other on his strong arm. Om pushed himself upwards because right now both of them were almost in falling position, Gauri felt that he his coming to her however OM was just trying to balance both of them by pushing him towards her so that they can shift themselves on the couch because in this situation they were definitely going to fall. He placed his one hand on her shoulder and with other hand he tried to hold the couch. In all this effort his face became very close to hers, he could see his face in her astonished black eyes. Gauri on the other hand was getting a little nervous, she knew that he was trying to get up but his effort was making them a little close to each other and this closeness is not normal between friends. Just when Om was going to push himself on the couch Gauri left her hold of him and he fell on the floor. He was shocked on her action “Gauri? What was that?” he was still in the state of disbelief, then he got to know that probably she got nervous because of their position but still she could have just said it. Gauri was trying hard not to laugh, she was nervous before but now looking at Om’s shocked face she felt like laughing loudly.
OMKARA: Ya you can laugh! What a pleasant way to say good morning. (he was showing fake anger)
GAURI: Well that’s my way (she said in her dabang style and with that she started walking out of the room)
OMKARA: O hello! Where are you going? (he was still sitting on the floor)
GAURI: In the kitchen. I am going to make a special breakfast today.
With that she turned and went, Om just sat there smiling on her stupid ways.
In the other room the sunlight entered the room without any permission and directly landed on her face. She opened her eyes and sharp light was there to welcome her, again after some blinking she finally opened her eyes and tried to witness her surroundings. Something felt familiar. This room, some of the furniture, the color of the interior and then last night encounter came in her mind. She tried to get up and then realized her hand being caught by someone. Someone? No, it was him. Shivay, he was sitting on the floor and his hands were on the bed where he was holding her hand. After so many years she saw him. He was looking more mature, his features were now more strong and pointed. His eyes were closed and while sleeping he was looks like a small kid. “SHIVAY” she said this, a little louder than she intended it to be. How is it possible that she will call him and will not answer her back. Shivay opened his eyes and saw her looking at him. Both blue and brown eyes were looking straight at each other. So many questions in both the eyes.
Shivay wanted to say something but words betrayed him, he felt a thin layer of tears making its way in her eyes but she diverted her gaze. With a sudden jerk, Anika freed her hand from his hand and she got of the bed. Shivay could not figure out anything, just a moment both were staring at each other and now she was trying to go somewhere. “ANIKA” Shivay immediately got up and he almost shouted her name. Anika who was trying to make her way out of the room froze there for a moment. Her back was towards Shivay.
SHIVAY: Anika! where are you going? You are not well Anika. doctors told you to rest.
ANIKA: I want to go home.
With saying this she started walking towards the door but Shivay got hold of her by her elbow. What was this? After so many years they met and she is behaving so odd. He expected her to be happy when she will see him, he thought that she would jump with happiness and would hug him but here she was trying to leave him again. There were no emotions on her face. She was behaving as if she don’t know him. This was hurting him, her attitude was hurting him. She was not even looking at him.
ANIKA: Leave my hand, I want to go.
That’s it, she cant leave him like this again. He wanted answers, he wanted explanation.
SHIVAY: Oh! So you want to leave? Just like you did few years ago. Without informing anyone. Without informing me (He was hurt, he needed her but she was not there. How much he prayed for her but couldn’t found her. And finally when they met after so long she wanted to go again) do you know me? han? Do you still remember me? I am your friend or should I say I was your friend. We use to tell each other everything Anika and one day you just left without telling me anything and didn’t even bother to turn back and see what happened to your friend. I need answers Anika and I am not letting you go without an explanation. And you know how stubborn I am.
His tone was a little harsh but he was not able to control himself. Anika was standing still, she was looking at the floor. Her eyes were watery and she was shivering a little. Shivay loosen his grip on her. Did he said anything wrong? Why isn’t she saying anything? Why isn’t she fighting back with him, she was never this quiet. Shivay felt something seriously wrong. Just then he realized that they were not alone. Omkara, Gauri and Rudra were also standing there looking at both of them.
PRECAP: Everyone is trying to make Anika happy. Anika’s birthday surprise and Shivay worried for Anika.
So guyz that’s it for today.
Do share your valuable comments with me. whatever you feel about this ff just let ne know, please your comments are my motivation. Don’t worry the story will get happy and funny slowly slowly. But please do share your views with me.
Thankyou and take care
STAY SAFE