• Eternal Night •

23

"So what are you going to wear tonight?" a girl asked.  

"Oh I got a new dress!" the other girl squealed with childlike enthusiasm. 

"Great! I also went shopping but well didn't like anything..." laughed another.

Annika shook her head. They all were gearing up for their office's anniversary party. Annika wasn't fond of crowds or parties at all but since the past three years, Shivaay had been accompanying her as her plus one. 

She remembered in clear detail how Shivaay forced her to shop for a good dress. He had a habit of deliberately picking up a suit in the same colour for himself. He always was impeccably dressed but he would clean up so good for the party that Annika would be forced to do the same. 

Her heart ached. This year, it all seemed even more worthless and stupid. She felt empty. What was the point of everything anyway? And she didn't know what was worse; her leaving or him dying? In any case, her life was never going to be the same again.       

"Hey Annika!" another girl called out to her. "Are you and Shivaay colour coordinating this year too?"  

His mention made her sigh. 

The last glance she had gotten of Shivaay was just of his hair. He was on the bed when she had walked in. She would have talked with him if not for Mallika sitting beside him. 

Annika didn't understand what it was but Mallika's presence had put her off. 

She had thought about it a lot. Perhaps it was the domestication in their manner that had pissed her. The way Mallika was sitting on his bed, beside him, reading a book whilst he slept peacefully; it all made her stomach churn. The nurse's words echoed in her ears. Mallika looked more like his wife than she ever did. Annika wondered, why could she never get herself to do these small, intimate things with Shivaay? What was it that made her so closed, so expressionless? 

She didn't even have the heart to go see him off when they all left for the States. Honestly, if she had not randomly felt like visiting Shivaay, she would have never known that he was leaving. And considering she had got the information about him going away so casually, she didn't even think that she would be welcome there. 

Not knowing what to say or where to look, Annika played with the hem of her shirt. "We will see."

"I am more excited to see Shivaay than anyone else..." she sighed. "Wonder if he looks the same even now?"  

Another pipped up. "Yes. I am so jealous of Annika. What a dreamboat of a husband she has got!" 

"Uff yes!" the first girl swooned. "I am not shaming but my husband is just a boat. That too a  drowned one." 

The girl nudged Annika with her elbow. "Bolo na, you guys must be having fun no? You probably fry eggs on his abs. He is so delicious." 

"Che!" Annika pulled a face. "You guys are disgusting." 

The girls laughed. "Haan, haan. You will find us disgusting only. After all you have such a good looking husband. Kahan hum gareebo see you will relate."

"Do you know the last time he helped me change my car tire too?" a girl butted in the conversation. "He is so helpful too. You are really lucky Annika. You were lucky enough to get the whole package. He is nice, kind, well mannered and good looking. God truly blessed you." 

Annika rolled her eyes. He pulled her hair back into a pony and violently grabbed the pencil. Only she knew how lucky she was. Everywhere she went, someone or something reminded her of Shivaay. Along with his mention, came the flood of bottled up emotions and feelings which she was trying hard to repress. She wanted to forget it all, but it always seemed like there was no aspect of her life that was yet untouched by Shivaay. Her life was not about her anymore. And she hated it.