CHAPTER 8
RAICHAND HOUSE
Shivaay finished narrating to Ishana about him and his family.
Shivaay: I have told everything to you. These are the problems that me and my family facing now. Everything will be fine if we find out the real truth behind the Kalyani Mill’s incident. I’m sure my family are not the reason behind it. But, I don’t have any proof for that. (Shivaay looks at Ishana who is deeply thinking something. He touches her shoulder.) Why are you not saying anything, Ishana?? You don’t believe me?? Do you think that my family are behind the incident??
Ishu: I’m not thinking about that Shivaay. I believe that your family are not behind the incident. I’m thinking about something else.
Shivaay: About what??
Ishu: Annika.
Shivaay: Annika??
Ishu: (nods) I’m thinking how Annika was able to accept you after whatever you said and did to her.
Shivaay: What do you mean??
Ishu: You humiliated her, manhandled her, accused her for sleeping with someone else. But still she accepted you. Is she a human or what?? And what kind of a person are you??
Shivaay: I told you that Daksh lied to me.
Ishu: So, you believed him?? Will you believe him if he said the same about your sister??
Shivaay: (angrily) Ishana!!
Ishu: What?? You are getting angry when I spoke about your sister. How about Annika?? She is someone’s sister too. How could you think like that about her?? Just because she is not rich like you, you think she will do anything for money. Who the hell are you to blame her purity?? I never expect this from you, Shivaay. For a girl, her self respect, her dignity are very important in her life. She will stand anything but not if her character being questioned. How could you do that, Shivaay?? Her love for you made her to forget whatever you said to her. But, it must have become a scar deep inside her heart. You won’t understand that. No matter how many sorrys you asked her, it won’t remove the scar from her heart. Because you killed her with your words not sword. Wound caused by a sword can be healed but the wounds caused by the words cannot be healed no matter how many birth you take. There is a song about the most dangerous weapon in this world. Do you know what is the answer?? (Shivaay shakes his head) Humans tongue. (Shivaay looks at her in surprise) Yes and it is true. That’s why we have to think first before saying anything. Because once the words are out from our mouth, we can’t take it back. (Shivaay having tears in his eyes listening to her. He knows whatever she said is right. He recalls whatever he said to her after Daksh told him and how he threatens her to marry him by using Sahil. Ishana looks at him.) Shivaay, I want to be alone some time. Can we meet tomorrow?? (Shivaay nods and Ishana leaves to her room before he could say something. Shivaay too disappears from there.)
Night at ShivIka Villa
Annika is sleeping on her bed hugging Shivaay’s picture. Shivaay goes and sits beside her. He recalls whatever Ishana said to him just now. He knows how wrong was him when he judged Annika’s character by listening to Daksh. He has apologized to her after knowing the truth but that won’t change what he has said to her. Ishana is right, words are more harmful than a sword. He cries looking at his beloved wife.
Shivaay: How you could accept me, Annika?? After whatever I did to you, how did you still able to forgive me?? Ishana only saw you once but she can understand you very well. But, I know you for many months but still I didn’t believe you and I believe that creep. But, you understand me well. When Tia said that she is pregnant with my baby, you are the one stood by me even though the DNA report said that the baby belongs to me. My parents too didn’t believe me but you trusted me. But, in Daksh matter, I didn’t stand for you. I’m really ashamed of myself, Annika. Ishana is right. A sorry can’t rectify whatever I said to you. But, what I can do?? I only can love you unconditionally and will be on your side no matter what will happen. Even this world against you, I won’t leave you at any cost, Annika. It’s my promise. (Annika smiles in her sleep like she heard him. Shivaay smiles looking at her.) I love you, Annika. (Disappears from there)
Next Day
RAICHAND HOUSE
Everyone are having their breakfast. Ishana is looking here and there searching for Shivaay. ArMan look at Shravani who is looking disturbed thinking of something. Arjun signs Ishana to look at Shravani.
Manish: (calls) Shravani.
Shrav: (looks at Manish) Ji, bauji.
Manish: Are you alright?? Why are you looking disturbed??
Shrav: Nothing like that, bauji. I’m fine. (Ishana looks at Shravani and raises her eyebrows questioningly. Shravani just shakes her head negatively.) Bauji, do you have any important work now??
Manish: I’m having an important meeting in another two hours. Why are you asking??
Shrav: It’s been long time we go out together. So, I thought all of us to go to temple for a while.
Manish: No problem, Shravani. We can go after our breakfast. (Shravani smiles at him)
Manish and Ishana leave to their room after finishing their breakfast. Arjun look at Shravani.
Arjun: Any problem, Shravani?? I’m noticing you since yesterday. You are not fine. What happened??
Shrav: I don’t know why, Arjun. But, my heart is not feeling good. I feel like something bad going to happen.
Arjun: (holds her hand) So, that is the reason you want to go to temple?? (Shravani nods sadly) It’s just your thought only, Shravani. Nothing bad will happen. What will happen when my ACP wife is here?? (Shravani smiles and hugs him)
ShivIka Villa
ShivIka’s Room
Annika is getting ready to go somewhere. Soumya comes to her room.
Soumya: Didi, are you ready??
Annika: Yes, Soumya. I’m ready. We can leave now.
Soumya: Have you taken the address??
Annika: Yes. It’s in my handbag. Let’s go. (Both of them about to go but RiVya come that time)
Gauri: Bhojai, you both are going somewhere?? (AniSou look each other)
Soumya: Woh, Gauri didi, actually my visa is almost end and I need to extend it. So, I thought to go to the embassy to extend it. I told Annika di last night and she said that she wants to follow as well. (RiVya convinced with Soumya’s answer)
Bhavya: But, can you both go a bit later??
Annika: Why??
Gauri: Actually bhojai, daadi wants to go to temple to do some pooja for bade bhaiya recovery.
Bhavya: She wants all of us to present for the pooja. That’s why we came to call you both.
Annika: Ok. You both go first. We will come in a while. (RiVya smile and leave from there) What we are going to do now?? We can’t refuse daadi.
Soumya: Annika di, you go with them. Give me the address. I’ll go and see that girl. (Annika is surprised with Soumya)
Annika: Soumya, you are our family too. You also will be coming to the temple for the pooja.
Soumya: But didi….. (cuts by Annika)
Annika: It’s ok, Soumya. We will go after the pooja. It won’t take much time.
Soumya: Ok, didi.
Annika: Now, go and change your dress. All must be waiting for us. (Soumya nods and leaves to her room)
At Temple
The Oberois are preparing for the pooja. The girls are arranging the plates. The pandit comes and start the pooja. The Oberois take their places. All are praying for Shivaay’s recovery. The pooja ends after a while. The pandit asks Annika to lift a tray which is having sindoor, diya and some flowers and place it at lord Durga’s idol. Annika lifts the tray and walks towards the idol. Her leg tripped and she almost drop the tray. She closed her eyes in shock thinking that she dropped the tray. She opens her eyes and sees the tray is still on her hands and see another hand holding the tray. She looks at the person and surprised to see Ishana. Annika smiles at her and Ishana too smiles back at her. The Oberois sigh in relief.
Ishu: Are you ok??
Annika: Yes. Thank you. I don’t know what could have happen if you didn’t hold it. (Her eyes are welled with tears) This pooja is for my husband. If something went wrong, I won’t be able to stand it….. (Ishana feels bad looking at her)
Ishu: (wipes Annika’s tears) Don’t cry. Your husband will be fine soon. (Looks at lord Durga’s idol) She will make everything fine.
Pandit: Beti, the time is running. Faster light the diya. (Annika agrees and lights the diya after placing the tray at the idol. She prays folding her hands.)
Rudra: (whispers towards Omkara) This is the girl that came to our house yesterday, right?? (Omkara nods) She will give thousand answers for a single question. (Omkara chuckles)
Om: It’s our fate that we have to meet talkative girls in our lives. (Rudra chuckles at him)
The Oberois go towards them after Annika finishes her prayers.
Kalyani: Thank you very much, putthar. Yesterday you saved my son and grandsons. Today, our pooja is completed successfully because of you. (Ishana just smiles without saying anything. She is searching for Shivaay but she couldn’t find him.)
Ishu: (thinks) Where this Shivaay went?? Why he didn’t meet me today?? Is he still upset with me for scolding him yesterday??
Voice: Ishu!! (Ishana breaks her thought and turn towards the voice. The Oberois too turn and see Shravani with another girl walking towards them followed by a guy) Won’t you tell us before coming here?? We were searching for you everywhere.
Ishu: Shravs, I was waiting for you only. But, I saw her tray almost fell. I thought to help her and that’s why I came without telling you. (Looks at the girl) Navya?? You are here too!!??
Navya: This is temple, darling. Anyone can come here.
Arjun: I told you both that she must be here only but you two are worrying a lot.
Ishu: Where is Manu??
Arjun: Papa is on call out there and will come in a while. (Looks at the Oberois and smiles at them)
Shrav: (looking at the Oberois) Did we disturb your pooja???
Jhanvi: Not at all. The pooja already over. You all just came here?? (Shravani smiles and nods)
Rudra: Excuse me, ACP madam. (Shravani looks at him) Yesterday, you looked like an angry lioness in that uniform. But, today you are looking like an angel in this saree. (All look at him in shock. Bhavya slaps his arm.) What?? I’m saying the truth. Yesterday, I was scared looking at her. Her face was like waiting to attack her prey. Today, she is completely different. Her voice also very soft to hear. (IshArNav chuckle looking at him)
Om: Shut up, Rudra!! (Towards Raichands) I’m sorry on his behalf. Don’t mistaken him.
Arjun: That’s Ok.
Voice: Arjun!! (All turn towards the voice and see Manish walking towards them)
Arjun: Papa!!
Manish: I was waiting for you all there, what you are doing here??
Arjun: We were searching for Ishu and we find her here.
Rudra: So, this is your Manu?? (Ishana nods her head while Manish stares at her)
Tej: Manish?? (Manish turns towards Tej and smiles)
Manish: Tej?? (The Oberois and Raichands look each other in confuse)
To be continued….