Frenemy Companions

Chapter-51

                          ∆ Storm  ∆
                                
                               *****

No, I want a answer. A yes or no." He was stern and this caused a frown on Adhiraj's face. It was clearly not Aditya's way of talking.

"She heard me!" Madhuri lied

"She told me!" Annika revealed.

She didn't look towards Madhuri fearing her reaction. But she had to do say something. She herself had decided to not fear anything because nothing was her fault. She was victim of it all.

After enduring the worst of the things a daughter can ,she would not accept allegations for anything. If Aditya blamed her for anything then he should do it after knowing what her side of story was.

"When?" Aditya further asked not questioning or even sparing a glance to anyone.

"Adi , listen to me it was a coincidence.." Madhuri  tried to take it to a different tangent but it was no avail. Aditya wasn't looking at her or even concentrating on her.

Everyone else was anxious about what they were going to be told.

"Say it Anni, I am here. We are here, its long you are holding a lot in your heart." He encouraged and tears threatened to spill out of her eyes.

"On my birthday, my seventeenth birthday."

Adhiraj gripped the chair to balance himself. This was too much to take in, but more was to come.

"Annika, what are you saying?" Madhuri exclaimed but the underlying threat was not missed by anyone. Or maybe it was just an illusion. But no one focused on her.

"I am sorry for everything, I know all these years I have been nothing but just bothering you all. It was not my intention. I don't know why dada ji's did this. He was never partial, loved you as much as he loved me.

"The shares and property has been nothing but a burden on me. I never wanted us to have issues due to money. This is reason I didn't want this to be revealed." Annika finally said what she could without actually disclosing the fact that how the behavior of Madhuri bothered her.

"You thought your being a greater shareholder will affect our love for you?" Kartik stepped ahead and incredulously demanded.

The bond they had was special, too special to affected by money and power. He had always looked up to his elder brother, learning from him. He cared about Annika like his younger sister not the older ones. And her opinion about them matter the most.

"Answer him Anni, you thought so low of us. Why?" Aditya further asked in a much calmer tone.

Annika discreetly glanced at Madhuri.  Her eyes again pooling with tears. How could she tell everyone that she was Adhiraj's illegitimate child. And just like the will Madhuri had told the seventeen year old Annika that she was not her daughter by blood.

She was Adhiraj's daughter, and everyone accepted her as a part of the family but how could Madhuri do it.

"Anni, answer me!" Aditya's sharp voice brought her out of the trail of thoughts.

A sob left her lips and she moved back. A few more steps and bumped into her father.

She looked at him. His eyes held the fatherly emotions, the same anxiousness and anticipation, the care and concern.

He opened his mouth to speak but Annika hurriedly gathered her emotions and wiping her tears moved to the exit.

No one stopped her but everyone knew that the storm was not over. She'd have to answer. She will have to come back.