SELFISH

CHAPTER 21

Anika sees her dad & walks fast, as she reaches them she calls out – "Dad!" and hugs him.

MSR reciprocates the hug & says in serious voice "Anika, let's have a talk later." He sees Arnav behind & Arnav nods in understanding.

Anika:- (serious tone) "Ok dad."

Next she sees her mom, hugs her who also hugs her back emotionally. SSR kisses her daughter's forehead and says "How have you been? See how thin you have become? Did you forget to eat again while busy in office? I told you to learn to manage your schedule, so you do not skip eating and not to do late night work but you never listen, same as your brother."

Anika:- Mom I am fine, you worry too much. Ask bhai if you don't believe me, neither am i skipping eating nor doing late night work. You know bhai, he is more fussy than you.

Arnav:- Mom don't worry this time Ani really did well, she had learnt to take care of herself. Even if I am little late myself, she would come to get me.

SSR:- Ok! Ok! I won't nag more. Now let's go inside, you all must have been tired.

Anika looks back and see Shivaay standing alone looking awkward. Anika then says "Mom, dad, he is Shivaay."

MSR:- Let's go inside first and talk. He goes inside followed by SSR and Arnav.

Anika :- Shivaay come and gestures him to hold her hand. Shivaay holds her hand feeling happy and thinks at least he has Anika with him. He feels a little courage having Anika holding his hand and standing by his side. They together walk towards living hall.

MSR :- Take a seat all of you. He signal servants to leave them alone. He looks towards Shivaay and see him holding Anika's hand. He goes towards both, takes Anika's hand away from Shivaay and make her sit with Swarna on another sofa.

Anika:- Dad?

MSR show his hand signalling her to stop. He again looks toward Shivaay – "Now young man, what are your intentions towards my daughter. I do not like to talk in round about manner, so answer me truly and directly, what do you want?"

Shivaay(a little afraid):- Sir! I love your daughter and want to live together with her.

MSR:- Then what about your family? Don't you love them more? Aren't they your first priority? Weren't they the reason you left my daughter alone before, time and time again? What has changed this time? You claimed to love her before too but when you were asked to choose still you decided to break my daughter's heart, so why should I trust my daughter to you again?

Shivaay(serious):- Sir! I have left Oberoi's as for family, I wish to build one with Anika my wife, now. I know I have hurted her too many times, indirectly hurting you as well but I promise from now on Anika and her happiness is only what matters most to me. It took me a lot of time to realize that a wife is her husband's anchor whom he is bound to love, trust, protect, provide happiness but most of all treat as the most priceless jewel of his life because if he lost that possession then he will lose everything. I understand that as a father it's difficult to trust a guy who was responsible for your daughter's pain but I still request you to give me a chance. I believe you won't be disappointed.

MSR stares at Shivaay for a long time, seeing him a little intimidated, he nods Arnav and Anika gesturing them to talk in study room. As the three of them leaves, Shivaay finally takes a long breath and sighs in relief. Then he sees SSR staring him, he again straightens his back, holding his breath and stands straight. SSR moves towards him, pats his shoulder and moves outside. She ask a male servant - "Show the guest his room and send lunch as well." Shivaay again relaxes and walks with servant to the assigned room.

In study room, as the door closes MSR turns around and in a serious voice - "Now explain!"