Chalte Chalte:A Journey Of Love(Shivika FF):Episode 72

“Woh Dard Hi Kya
Jo Aankhon Se Behjaaye,
Woh Khushi Hi Kya
Jo Hothon Pe Reh Jaaye
Kabhi Toh Samjho Khamoshi Hamari,
Woh Baat Hi Kya Jo Aasanise Alfaaz Banjaaye……”

As Shivaay is passing through the hospital corridor,he meets with a nurse who happens to stop him for something.She says:

-Mr.Oberoi,I was looking for you.
-Any problem sister?

-No no.These belong to Mrs.Oberoi,your wife(She hands over Anika’s nuptial chain and chaand bracelet to him)
She will be discharged tomorrow.Wanted to give her myself but she was sleeping.

-Thank you sister.
-Most welcome.

Nurse leaves from there.Shivaay takes a close look to those pieces of jewellery.He puts those in the inside pocket of his suit,very close to his heart.Shivaay puts his hand on his chest where his heart is beating.
Looking straight he says in his mind-

“Perhaps I am destined to collect only Anika’s memories.All those days have become memory,memory of past so easily.
And the most interesting part?Only for me.
Her nuptial chain-A visible token of our that relation which existed only for Anika at a time and a reminder for me rather than a marital symbol.
Things have changed so drastically after that.Anika has become an inseparable part of my life.Watching Anika separated from it is giving me pain.Once it pained me to be forced to tie it around her neck now it’s paining me not finding where it belongs.
Don’t know why I am feeling I have to go a long way to adorn Anika with the nuptial chain of my name.
A yet to be issued ordeal is waiting for me or for Anika.Perhaps for both of us……………..”

Trivedi Villa
______________

Anika returns home from hospital.Getting inside first thing she notices the heavy decoration of an upcoming wedding.She gets surprised and goes on finding out whose wedding it is!
Avoiding her question would look gross still family members take resort to the phrase-“Later,you need rest now….”

That seeming suspense makes her more surprised.That surprise turns into a shocking realization after learning the truth:

Anika:So much happened and you guys kept mum?
Mrs.Trivedi:You were not well dear.We thought you would be stressed out….

Anika:What do you think Mom?What am I supposed to do other than that?
Gauri:Di,plz calm down.We have not told you for a reason.

Mr.Trivedi:There is no pressure at all dear.Moreover,we have postponed the marriage.Until you recover fully we won’t organize any function.Everything will happen with your consent.

Anika looks at her family members one by one in disbelief.What they are missing that at present,Anika does not possess any memory of her and Shivaay’s shared moment.That folder is completely blank.
On top of that upon Shivaay’s request she has been told the half truth-

When she went missing in Mumbai,Shivaay found her and took care of her.Later his family brought the marriage proposal and she was ready for the alliance.Marriage got fixed one month ago etc.

After listening everything she stands up and says-I want to meet my…..would-be-husband,Mr.Shivaay Singh Oberoi.
That news reached to Shivaay immediately.

Meeting Day
___________

Sunflower Petals
_________________

Though Anika enters into the house with the feeling of a guest accompanied by Mr.Trivedi still felt strange sensation at the threshold like this house belongs to her and she went inside many times!This feeling overwhelm her.
Necessary changes have been made in the house considering Anika’s present situation.Anything that can trigger her suspicion,has removed and concealed.It’s been first time Shivaay is meeting Anika face to face since the accident happened.

Anika meets the full family of Shivaay before meeting him.It was pre-decided that he and Anika would talk alone.Finally they come across each other.They sit in the lawn outside the house.It’s almost evening.
Anika is hesitating to tell anything before those intense gazes of Shivaay and he observes how she is struggling to start the conversation like he is a stranger to her!At last Anika speaks:

-I am getting nervous(In a slow tone)
-It’s okay.If you want then we can talk another day.

-I want to talk today.So if you plz….
-Okay,go on.What is it?

Though Shivaay has no idea what Anika would tell still an unknown fear grips his heart.He braces himself as Anika starts:

-You have done so much for me Mr.Oberoi and…..
-Shivaay,you can call me Shivaay.

Shivaay receives the first blow.Taking a close look at him and hearing his deep voice Anika says:

-Fine,Shivaay.You have done so much for me Shivaay and I am really grateful to you for everything.

Shivaay says nothing and Anika starts hesitating again.He comes to her rescue:

-Now I don’t think you have come here only to express your gratitude.Is it?It has to be something else.What is it?
Closing her eyes she takes a deep breath then says:

-You know what happened….with me in the past.I mean my marriage and…..
-And Sagar?Anika pauses for few seconds then stands up:

-Whatever Sagar has done,left a deep cut on my heart.I trusted him with all my heart but he betrayed me.I know we both were victims of situation but he promised,promised that he would wait for me.
All my emotions for love,marriage have caused me nothing but pain.Standing at this point I have realized I can’t repeat the same mistake again.Can’t let my heart to get carried away again.So……

-You don’t want to marry me right?(Anika gets shocked)
I can understand.Your previous experience with love and marriage was nightmarish,bitter.But tell me,is it fair to compare past experience with present?Believing “I can go through the same” fear?
It’s Sagar who broke your trust but I am not Sagar.

-That’s what I am saying.You are not Sagar and you can’t be.You are very nice.Otherwise in this world who treats a complete stranger like his family member and provides everything she needs?The way you took care of me including your family just………..Despite knowing the fact that I may never recover still you chose me,for you.

-What’s wrong in that?

-Your heart is very big.Perhaps no-one would come to ask for my hand in that condition but you did.Dad told me how you convinced him to approach me to break the ice.And…..

-Let me guess.You are trying to say that,doing all these I have favoured you?Maine tum par ehsaan kiya aisa tumhe lag raha hai nahi?
-You are not getting my point.
Shivaay stands up then comes close to Anika.Looking into her eyes he says:

-If it’s a matter of your self-respect,I am bound to appreciate that.I respect your feelings.But if you want to back out from this marriage for that reason,let me tell you it’s a bad idea,very bad.
Somewhere in your heart you have compelled yourself compare Sagar with me.After that you have come to this conclusion.
Why should I suffer because of the damage Sagar has caused?

Last line gets delivered like a shout.Anika was looking down.She lifts her face and Shivaay gets shocked.Tears are gushing down her cheeks.She was crying.Before Shivaay can say or do anything Anika says:

-You are right.You would definitely suffer if you marry me!
-Really?How come you are so sure?This time Anika shouts:
-Because I won’t be able to love you!Because nothing is left in my heart to give you!

She collapses on the chair then starts crying.Shivaay clenches his hands.Anika’s crying brings back many memory of suffering.Last time she cried like this when she got to know about her failed pregnancy.
A surge of deep buried pain surfaces again in his heart.
Slowly he sits next to her.He puts his hand on her head and says-I…..I am sorry.Plz don’t cry.I don’t like it when you……He could not finish.

Anika looks at him through her tear-filled eyes.The very next moment she jumps into his arms.Shivaay wraps his hands around her with all the love as he does every time.Again,they share what they have been sharing since everything started,with each other without saying anything.
Time passes in usual motion.
Gradually Anika stops crying and discovers herself in Shivaay’s strong,secured,warm embrace.
She retreats from the hug and starts wondering how easily she could surrender herself to Shivaay like he was her safest heaven.
Her heart starts pounding thinking about their closeness.
He gives her his handkerchief.Anika thanks him in return.He says:

-Are you okay?
-Yeah,I am good.
-Should I call someone?
-No,I can manage.

Anika falls into silence once again.Shivaay waits for her.She starts again:

-I know you are thinking how stupid I am.But I don’t want you stay in darkness.And honestly speaking,I don’t blame Sagar for what happened with me.Perhaps it was my destiny to suffer in love.
You are very nice Shivaay and I don’t want to betray your emotions and fail your expectations.You would be a great husband there is no doubt but I can’t be your perfect partner.You deserve love,happiness,true commitment and all these I can’t give you.I don’t want you suffer in a loveless,insipid relation because of me.You deserve best in everything.

-What about you?All these while you were only talking about me,showing concern for me.Have you thought about yourself?Anika smiles.

-I think what I need is time,time with me.So much happened around me.I need to bring myself back.Have to start from where I left once.I need to sort out my life.I have to do it by myself.Rest,God knows.

-Okay then.If that is what you want I won’t say anything.I will honour your wish.But I want to tell you something one last time.Would you listen?
-Plz tell.

-What if we get married and you start loving me,accept me as your husband?You said na that I would be a great husband?Together we would bring back that Anika whom you are searching,with time.Together we would bring back everything that you had lost in the past.
-I don’t understand why are saying all these even after knowing everything.

-Because I want to wait for you.Right now you need to deal with yourself.It’s okay if you don’t want to involve anyone else in your life.But when you come in terms with yourself,do think over my words.I think you deserve second opportunity.If you only open your heart,again.

-Why would you want to wait for me?He says in his mind-

“Because and only because-I love you Anika.My heart belongs to you,only you….”

-Why I want to wait I will tell you that day when you will be ready to give a chance to that love you have lost,to re-enter in your life.
Anika says nothing and her silence announces the answer.Shivaay says again:

-Until that happens,can we become friends?He forwards his hand.Taking his hand in her hand Anika says smiling:
-Okay,friends…..What if I never change my heart?You will wait still?

-Let’s see.Human heart is ever ready to change.It needs just a right moment to make that happen or a right person.

Again,Anika remains silent.She looks up above the sky.Shivaay too follows her.Moon has come out but it’s half portion is covered in dark clouds.Shivaay looks at Anika and thinks about something.Later,they walk inside to join other.

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