"I can't live more Anni. It's about time you let me go. Leave me Annika. Promise me that you will live and love. Anayka and the whole family loves you. Let me go... I have to.... ".
Annika woke up with a jolt. Again it was the same nightmare. She has had many nightmares since her childhood but she could confidently say that this one was the worst. She would never want it to turn into a reality. She was sweating and her hands involuntarily reached out to grab his hand beside her but she was beyond shocked when she found neither her husband nor her daughter beside her. She literally flew out of the bed and ran around the house like a maniac searching for Shivaay. Finally she heard some noises from the kitchen. She ran towards it and saw her husband feeding their daughter the hot chocolate he had made. She could feel her erractic heartbeats getting normal and before Shivaay could knew it, she had flung her arms around his figure very tightly. Shivaay silently gave the cup of hot chocolate to Anayka and gestured through his eyes to go to their room.
She smiled at him and left. Once she was out, Shivaay kissed Annika hair and soothed her. He slowly and with difficulty broke the hug because Annika wasn't ready to let him go.
"Hey Anni, listen to me. I am right here. Relax. Come, sit here on the couch. ". He made her sit and held her hands in his tenderly. " Anni, Niku was hungry so I just came to the kitchen to give her something. What are you doing to yourself Annika. I never wanted you to be like this. Whatever has happened cannot be undone but remember all is not lost, right?"
Annika nodded her head and gulped down the water he offered to her. She was still in a trance and only partially felt when Shivaay held her hand and started walking ahead. Only when they reached their room, she finally became aware of her surroundings. She saw Anayka laying on the bed clutching hers and Shivaay's photo. Shivaay left her hand and went to Anayka. He kissed her hair and took her in his lap. Annika saw all of this and immediately rushed to Shivaay and rested her head on his arms clinging on to it. She heard Anayka mumble, "I love you Dadda. Don't go." There and then Annika couldn't control anymore and hugged Shivaay more tight. Her eyes were continuously shedding tears wetting Shivaay's kurta in the process. Shivaay took her in his embrace and kissed her forehead in assurance. But both knew it wasn't of any use. Finally Shivaay made her look at him and with his free hand wiped Annika tears.
"Shivaay, everything will be okay na? It is just another problem. We will come out victorious right? "
He smiled at her and rubbed his thumb against her hand and said, "Of course Anni, it is us. Everything has to be fine. Now sleep otherwise you will have dark circles under your eyes and you know I don't like to see them on your beautiful face. Sleep contentedly, I am here. "
Annika closed her eyes but her mind went back to the day it all happened.
Flashback starts....
It was just a regular check up for Shivaay. It was necessary for him to have his heart condition regularly checked and Annika always accompanied him. But today, she was scared than usual. He had been complaining of a bit of chest pain and uneasiness. Although he attributed it to his busy work schedule, she had an instinct it was something else. And as had expected, the doctor called them at his clinic two days later instead of sending the reports online. Annika's fear came true when the doctor told that Shivaay's heart condition had detiorated and a surgery was inevitable. She unconsciously gripped Shivaay's hand with more force as if she was giving him strength. But she felt all hers drain out when she heard Shivaay ask the doctor in a shaky voice, "Doc, what are the chances that I will survive the surgery? "
"Shivaay, it can be very risky. Such surguries are too complicated and the chances of survival are around 8-10 %. "
Annika's whole world came crashing down. She asked the doctor, "Doctor, how much time do we have until the surgery?". She could sense Shivaay looking at her even though she wasn't.
