• Eternal Night •

10

The green monster was alive and kicking in Annika's chest. The evening snacks had been difficult. Dinner was difficult. And now this game of Jenga. Annika wanted to tear her hair and scream out loud. Mallika had walked into the house with the familiarity a fish has with water. All the members were hovering around her, feeding her, laughing with her, having the best time with her.

In the two years that she had lived in the Mansion, Annika had never felt the house to be this alive. Or happy.

Annika knew that she was being stupid but she just couldn't stop imagining Shivaay and Mallika together. They would have been perfect for each other. How happy would the household be if they were married? She wasn't capable of any of this.

"Woohoo Rudy boy!"

She heard Mallika applaud Rudra as he manoeuvred a block. Rudra definitely appreciated Mallika's loud appreciation. Did Shivaay do too? She looked beside her.

Shivaay was trying hard to smile but he was clearly in a world of discomfort. If nothing, Annika had at least got adept at reading his face in the two years she had spent with him.

She leaned towards him and quietly asked, "Are you okay?"

"No..." he groaned. "I am just...yeah. I am okay."

Annika was going to say something to him when Prithvi said, "Shivaay, I think you should retire for the night now. It's 9."

"Yes, Shivaay..." Annika took the chance. "Let's go sleep."

Shivaay looked at Mallika. She blinked and gave him a sweet smile. Shivaay nodded. He got up and wished everyone a good night. Annika saw the small, wordless exchange between Mallika and Shivaay and felt like an outsider again. But pushing the bad thoughts aside, she led Shivaay in the bedroom.

She knew that her tears were about to fall down so as soon as she stepped into the bedroom, she rushed to the washroom. Annika splashed cold water on her face. She still felt hot. This feeling, this weird emotion she was feeling, it was so strange. Annika felt like she had no control over her emotions. She took the hand towel and pressed it to her face. She waited for a few minutes to calm the storm in her chest.

This was okay. So what if Mallika had a past with all the family? She wasn't a part of the family. She wasn't Shivaay's wife. Neither did he feel for her that way anymore. That place was Annika's. And like Shivaay had said, that was never going to change. The thought brought a little relief to her.

Patting her face dry, Annika straightened her clothes and ran a hand over her hair. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and went out. She could deal with this.

When she was out of the washroom, Annika saw Shivaay lying on the bed, clutching a pillow to his chest. Alarmed, she was immediately by his side. She placed a hand on his back and knew that he was struggling to breathe.

She squeaked, "Shivaay...what's wrong? Wait...I am going to call..."

He held her hand. "No. It's fine. I just took the medicines. I will be fine. Give me a few minutes."

"No, you are not..." she cried out seeing his distressed face. "I am going to call Dadu."

"Annika..."

Shivaay tried to stop her but she had already called Prithvi. He closed his eyes and let it be. After a few seconds, everyone was in their room to see him wheeze helplessly much to his dismay. The panic around him did nothing to help his situation.

"What happened?" Pinky, Jhanvi and Mallika took turns rubbing his back.

"Call Shetty!" Kalyani scolded Prithvi while holding Shivaay's feet. "His legs are swollen, Prithvi. We shouldn't waste time."