Broken Hearts and Strange Girls || Shivika AU FF

𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈

Annika was in a fantastic mood. Clem, the evil boss, had emailed her to congratulate her on her first front-page entry. Since she was due to return in approximately four weeks, she was rather excited to think that Clem would be easier on her than he used to be.

In her relief, she decided to take a day of total R&R. After all, she deserved it. She watched her favorite Indian daily soap, a tub of cookie dough ice cream sitting on her laps and a plate of apple slices on the bed beside her.

"Today this cheapdi Mohini's game will be completely obliterated by my RohIta! Just you wait, Mohini! Rohan knows the complete truth! Bet you wish you didn't tell Ishita about your plan, don't you? WELL, GAME OVER!"

It was then that Annika heard a soft knock on her door. "Annika?" Aishwarya asked from the door. "What's up, sis?" Annika replied, pausing her show.

"Th-there's someone who wants to meet you, d-downs-downstairs."

Annika looked at her sister peculiarly, taking in the older one's meek and scared form. Aishwarya looked prey to a hunter, but the reason was beyond Annika.

"I'll be down in a second—"

"Come down now, Annika," Aishwarya managed sternly.

"Uh, okay..." Annika said suspiciously, reaching for the remote to flick off the TV.

Annika stepped down the stairs with a big smile on her face. "I'm her—" the sudden smile was hastily wiped off her face once she saw the man before her. Aishwarya's hesitance filled her mind and it registered then, that this was her sister's doing. Annika managed to look over at her sister with an expression of betrayal. There was little that could make Annika calm.

"Annika?" Disha said. "Maa," Annika greeted curtly, managing her biggest smile as Suresh's eyes remained glued on her. Her problems resided with her father. There was no reason to punish her stepmother. 

The room was suddenly thick with tension. "I'll go get some tea for everyone. Om, why don't you go help Adi wash up? I think he could use it," Jhanvi said, trying to break the air of awkwardness. Though Tej wasn't instructed to do anything by his wife, he made the choice to leave as well, under the pretense of an important phone call. This seemed like a private matter between only Bhattacharyas, and Oberois had no business being there. 

Everyone had left the grand room except Annika, Aishwarya, Disha, and Suresh. 

"Where were you for these four years?" Suresh asked. His voice was stern, his expressions stoic. 

"Italy."

"You've changed." 

Annika took a pregnant pause. "I guess that's what dreams do to you," she said, almost in a jabbing tone. 

"Are you just going to deliver these one-liners with nothing else to say to me?" 

"I already said whatever needed to be said, Mr. Bhattacharya—" 

"Dad. Would it kill you to call me Dad?" Suresh asked, his voice still flat. For a moment, Annika swore she saw something flash in his eyes, but it was gone before she could dismiss it as anything more than a trick of the light. 

"Calling you my father stands against all that I have done against you, Mr. Bhattacharya. Shouldn't you be so angry at seeing me before you again? Perhaps I've come to fill my sister's head with nonsense again? Perhaps I've returned to ruin her son? Won't you welcome me with an accusation, Mr. Bhattacharya? Won't you shun me from your life? Again?" The last word came out broken. Tears stung Annika's eyes as Suresh looked away. 

"You were meant to follow me, Annika." 

"But I followed my dreams, instead. I suppose you still hold me responsible for Aishwarya's—" 

"Enough, Annika." Disha's voice rang clear. "No one here has said anything remotely offensive to you. None of us have taken a jab at your decision, Annika." 

"Not yet. But knowing Mr. Bhattacharya," Annika spared the man a spiteful glance, "I suppose it's only a matter of time." 

Annika turned to leave when she recalled Aishwarya. She looked at her sister. "I thought I asked you to keep this man away from me the rest of the time I'm here. You just brought him right in front of my eyes. I trusted you, Aishwarya. Why would you do this?" 

Those words were the breaking point for everyone in the room. Disha Bhattacharya and Aishwarya Singh Oberoi could do nothing but watch as Annika ran away, leaving a greater distance between herself and Suresh. Time healed most wounds. But not all of them.