Chalte Chalte:A Journey Of Love(Shivika FF):Episode 73

Continuation from Episode 72:

Time comes for Anika and Mr.Trivedi to leave Sunflower Petals.
He is talking with senior Oberois outside the house.Anika and Shivaay are walking side by side,talking:

-I hope you did not get bored.
-You are a very good host.There is no chance of getting bored.

-What are you planning next?I think you should go on a trip,somewhere abroad.If you want then I can suggest you places…….What happened?Anika stops then looks at Shivaay:

-I….I was thinking to tell you something.
-By all means.Shivaay smiles.

-You…you said you would….wait for me(She fidgets with words)to change my….my heart.I think….if you don’t do that would be better for you(Anika finishes the last sentence in one go then looks away to avoid Shivaay’s eyes)

-What?He is shocked.Anika returns her gaze.

-Plz,don’t get me wrong.I am telling this only because…because there is no surety whether I would re-consider my decision to marry or how much time it will require.You have your whole life ahead,waiting for you and you should not waste it on me,in waiting of me.

-May I know why are you saying this all off a sudden?Shivaay sounds angry.Anika looks at him then recalls something:

Flashback Plays
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After dinner everyone gathers in the hall to have ice-cream.While eating Rudra accidentally drops his bowl on Anika who has sat beside him.
She goes to the kitchen to wash it.Going there she finds Dadi and Pinky are arguing on something.She is about to leave but stops hearing something.

Pinky is saying-OMM Mummy Ji,you talking like I am asking Shivaay’s kidney from him.He is my son and I know what will make him happy.Why,I am asking he does not want to leave his obsession of marrying Anika?
Have you listened what he said?Dadi speaks:

-Haan,suna maine.Aur tu zara dhiree bool.We have guest in the house.What Shivaay wants to do with his marriage will be his to decide.I am warning you for the last time Pinky,stay away from this matter.
My grand-son will decide for himself and in that I am with him.Dadi is about to leave but stops hearing Pinky:

-I won’t accept that girl as my daughter-in-law,ever.Woh ladki mere Shivaay ke layek nahi.Her marriage got called off before too.
I won’t let my only son marry such a girl.Who can tell that she won’t ditch my son at the altar and leave him?
I won’t let that happen at any cost and this is my decision.

-Chup kar Pinky.If Shivaay gets to know then he will turn this house upside down.You know how Shivaay is.You keep on saying again and again that he is obsessed with Anika but I think you are more obsessed with her.
Shuru se tu uski peeche padhi hain.Bas bhi kar aab.And let me tell you one thing very clearly,Shivaay’s decision is final and you have to agree whether you like it or not.I don’t want my grand-son to suffer because of your stupidity(Pinky says nothing)
Everyone is waiting for us.She leaves followed by Pinky without noticing Anika……..

Flashback Ends
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Shivaay snaps out before Anika.He says:

-What are you thinking and why you were saying that…..
-We are friends na Shivaay?

-Of course.But…
-If I ask something from you,will you give it to me?
-What is that you want?

-Don’t wait for me(Shivaay tries to say something but she stops him)
Husband-wife’s relation is not the only relation in the world where two people remain committed to each other for lifelong.
Friendship also provides the opportunity to two people to stay close and committed to each other,to love and care for each other.
Can’t we best friend to each other for the rest our life?

Shivaay says nothing just smiles.Anika’s demand would be accepted without any question once upon a time but now situation has changed.Shivaay is in no mode to become only Anika’s friend no matter how precious it looks when he is expecting her to be his life-partner,to become one officially.
But he understood the thought behind Anika’s words.She does not want to cut off the relation with him though she has already decided her mind that she won’t marry him.
Had she decided that thinking about his broken heart or matter is something else?Is she pitying him or herself?

Anika waits for his answer eagerly.He returns his gaze to her then says:

-When you came into my life,when I saw you for the first time,I was unable to decide what I should do.
With you around,I kept on experiencing things which I never did before.
You brought with yourself so many questions that I was totally puzzled.Whenever I thought I found a way,I came across a dead end.
Either I could not understood you or myself or my feelings.
Anyway,just stay here.I forgot something……….Anika stands alone at the mouth of entrance while Shivaay’s talks are running in her head.
Suddenly she shivers and loses her balance.For support she grabs a part of the pillar.
Shivaay returns with the basket of Chanchan and Chanchal.He gives it to Anika then says with a smiling face:

-I have brought these two for you as a gift.Thinking that you won’t feel alone when I will not be around in…………They are very fond of you.From now on,they are your responsibility.Sorry I forgot,you have named them too.This is Chanchan and the other one is Chanchal.He points out.Very naughty.

As Shivaay goes on saying continuously,Anika keeps on observing him how hard he is trying to hide his pain.Anika says in her mind:

“I know I have hurt you.But I don’t want you live your life explaining and justifying our relation at every step to other.
Our separate ways are the best solution.Don’t know why my heart is rebelling so much against it………”

Anika asks a talking Shivaay putting her hand on his shoulder:

-Are you okay?
-Usually that’s my line(Anika laughs a little despite the overpowering pain in her heart)
What makes you think that I am not okay?I am perfectly all right.

-Glad to hear that.
-Let’s go.Your father is waiting for a long time.

Shivaay is about to make his move but Anika stops him grabbing his hand.He turns to her.Anika says:

-Will you promise me something?
-Jaan dene ki promise toh nahi mangogi?Shivaay laughs.A fresh tear drop falls out of Anika’s eyes.He stops at once.

-Will you take care of yourself,for me?Shivaay casts his blue eyes on Anika then says without delay:
-Promise.
-Pinky Promise?Anika forwards her finger.

“Nazdeek Hai Dil Ke
Phir Kyun Lage Milke
Jaise Milon Dur Woh
Jazba Hai Anjana
Mushkil Hai Samjhana
Apna Hai Ya Hai Gair Woh
Ishq Mein Adhura Sa
Rooh Mein Hai Poora Sa
Dard Hai Ye Saari Umraa Ka
O Jaana………….”

Shivaay entangles his finger with Anika’s then says-Pinky Promise!

They stand there entangling their fingers trying hard not to break down in front of each other.It’s true,how much a heart can endure does not depend on the strength of the heart but of that person and his willingness to endure,for one’s own self,for someone special,for…………….Someone calls out from outside.Shivaay and Anika look away from each other.

Clearing his throat he says-Let’s go…….They come outside silently where everyone has gathered.
Anika takes her leave from all then gets in the car in a slow pace suppressing the strong urge to look back.Sitting in the car she tries to take a look of Shivaay.Both of them try to smile looking at each other.Car departs from the premise of Sunflower Petals.
Everyone goes inside one by one thinking everything is okay.
Shivaay stands there alone.A heavy sadness hangs around him with liquid darkness spreading around.

Suddenly rain starts and Shivaay gets drenched in that untimely rain.He stretches his hand slowly to touch the falling rain drops.
Rain drops start dancing on his open,cold palm.He closes his fist.Then,Shivaay’s alter ego comes in front of him with an umbrella.He smiles looking at him and says circling him around:

“Woh Chali gayi Shivaay,tujhe chod ke.Sab kuch tere pass chod ke woh chali gayi.
Jana hi thaa toh phir aayi kyun?Tujhe tadpane ke liye?
Kya tujhe pata nahi tha ek din aisa hi hoga?Phir tune kyun aapne dil ko nahi sambhal paya?
Pyaar karne ki gaalti tune kaise kar liya?
Uss barish ki boond ki tarah aapne nishan tere dil pe chod ke woh gayeeb ho gayi.
Kyun tune usse nahi roka?Tune toh aapne dil ko pyaar karna sikha diya aab pyaar ke dard ko aapnana bhi shikha de.
Kar payega?Bool,kar payega?”

Shivaay shouts-Stop it,just stop it.I don’t want to listen anything.Just shut up and go away.
His shouts pervades the rain and get echoed in the surrounding.Smiling the alter ego vanishes and Shivaay collapses on the ground.
Rain drops keep on mingling with his tear drops,try to wash away his pain.He closes his eyes.

“Khoya Khoya Rehta Hai
Dil Tadapke Kehta Hai
Tu Hai Mere Jeene Ki Wajaah
O Jaana…………”

Trivedi Villa
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Anika is seen in her bed.She has sat hugging her knees,her head being put upon those.Lights are off,curtains are moving because of the gusty wind coming through the window.A storm is brewing outside.
Mr.and Mrs.Trivedi are watching their daughter standing at a distance in front of her room.
At one point Mr.Trivedi gestures his wife and she leaves.He enters into the room then turns the lights on.
Anika does not move.Slowly he goes towards the bed then sits beside her and keeps his hand on her head who is looking outside through the window.
Anika wipes out her tears before turning.She tries to smile.Looking at her moist eyes Mr.Trivedi has no doubt that his daughter is going through the agony of unnamed pain.He asks:

-Are you okay dear?What happened?I am here,just tell me.

Without answering Anika puts her head on her Dad’s lap then curls up holding his hands.She says while lying:

-Dad,is it normal to feel something in your heart what you should not,don’t want to feel?
You have great many experiences.Tell me Dad,is it normal?

Mr.Trivedi understood very well what his daughter meant.She spoke nothing on the way to home rather looked sad and very distressed.
Reaching home upon asking she declared her decision in a hurried manner then rushed to room.She was alone since then.
He says in a soft voice:

-What is it that bothering you dear?
-Did I do the right thing saying no to Shivaay?
-Have you forced yourself to take that decision?Anika stays silent.

-Hmm…Understood.Before meeting Shivaay your decision was something then it turned out to be something else after meeting him right?

-It’s not a matter of taking any firm decision Dad.My decision…all these while was same.I would not have changed that.
But the way everything happened,the way I felt it happened,did not seem right to me.
Somewhere something was,is wrong till his meeting with me to now.
I thought it would be easy but…..but don’t know why my heart is not ready to accept my decision.I am feeling like it is angry with me like I did something very wrong against its wish.Why I am feeling so Dad?

Mr.Trivedi wonders what he should tell her.The answer to her question is very easy but…….He decides,this time Anika should do it.She has to take the charge of her heart.He says smiling:

-Sometimes we think rather forced ourselves to think that our decision is right.There is no loophole in that water-tight decision.
Then comes something that makes us feel otherwise,all of a sudden.It was there from the start but we fail to notice.When we realize it at last,it becomes late as a result,we tend to regret.
Your case is very simple dear.Try to listen what your heart wants to tell.Once you get there,your problem will be solved magically.You said it’s your heart not you no?Anika nods in yes.

Don’t force yourself or push too hard.Then things will turn nasty.Listen to your Dad and don’t overthink.I am sure,what you are searching,you will find out very soon.Answer is within you but don’t separate yourself and your heart.If you can do that you won’t need anyone to tell whether you are right or wrong.You yourself will feel it.Just wait for the right time to come okay?Anika smiles.

Now go to sleep.It’s quite late……….Anika retires to sleep thinking about Shivaay’s words.Mr.Trivedi leaves the room closing the windows and wishing her good night.He heads for his room thinking that whether Shivaay did the right thing hiding almost everything from Anika.What is this game that fate wants to play with them?

Next Day
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Sunflower Petals
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Junior Oberois and Trivedis meet one another and confront Shivaay.

Om:Why you let Anika bhabi go Shivaay?She is your wife for god’s sake.
Rudra:O is asking you something bhaiya.

Gauri:Di was quite upset yesterday.She too is not happy with this decision but trying to show it like that.
Priyanka:We all were so happy for you and Anika bhabi’s marriage.We have prepared so much but now….

Rudra:Think about me.I have planned social trending,naagin dance in barat,shoe-stealing…what not?
Soumya:Bride’s sisters or relatives hide the shoes duffer Oberoi.Anyway,What are you thinking Shivaay bhaiya?

Shivaay:I know what I did.Who knows better than me?You guys are only thinking about what has happened and what not.Have you all thought about Anika?What choices have we given her till date?We only said her to do this or that and she complied.She had no freedom to choose for herself.I know there was reason still,she did everything because we left for her no other choice.
Now as she has recovered,she should have that right to choose for her.If her decision is no,we have to accept.

Gauri:Why don’t we tell her the entire truth?I am sure after knowing everything di will change her decision.
Om:I agree.
Rudra:Let’s do this.I want my Anika bhabi back.

Shivaay:What you guys are thinking?I have forbidden to tell anything like that?Already because of Sagar Anika is going through troubles on top of that doctor clearly told me it’s not safe for her in this condition to get revealed to those past incidents where so much happened.
She is my wife,if she knows that what will happen only God knows.If I could tell her,trust me,I would have been the first one.I can’t.
Everyone turns silent.Breaking the silence Om speaks:

Om:What you will do now?Bhabi has already closed the path.
Shivaay:I don’t think so.
Gauri:How come you are so sure?

Shivaay:Somehow I felt Anika had forced herself to come to this conclusion.I can read her eyes.Those can’t lie.
Soumya:Let’s ask di what is bothering her then?
Rudra:Right.

Shivaay:No.Right now Anika needs time.She herself told me and I too think she needs time.I have a feeling that she herself will tell me what is the problem.
Rudra:Bhaiya,don’t think Anika bhabi is Amrish Puri of DDLJ who will let go Kajol I mean will realize your love when you are on the verge of putting vermilion on Tia’s parting,at the end.This has risk.Choti Ma is on the move.

Shivaay says nothing.He takes a look of his and Anika’s joint pic on the bed side table.Smiling he says-

Shivaay:For the time being I am on the mode of gambling with my destiny.It was destiny which brought Anika in my life and this time,it will repeat the same thing.Will unite Anika and me,again.

Om:So much trust on destiny?Are you Shivaay Singh Oberoi or someone else?

Shivaay:I do trust but not destiny,only my love.Let’s see who wins.It’s Destiny vs Shivaay Singh Oberoi this time……Standing up he does his famous hair flick.Everyone looks on.

To Be Continued……

Question for Readers-
Which is more powerful?Destiny or True Love?Or both?