SOMETHING (BEAUTIFUL) UNFINISHED

Chapter 2: Why'd You Do It?

It felt like time was standing still, seconds felt like hours. It was crazy, to be standing here where they had said goodbye 6 years ago. wasn't much of a goodbye, Annika thought as she met his eyes. "Hi Shivaay"

"Hey."

Harsh coughs to break some of the tension, "right, well let's head over to the clubhouse boys. Ladies, we'll join you in a bit." The clubhouse is one of the guest cottages on the property, it's only used for business, Jyoti always tried to separate work from the family, but it was a wasted effort.

Annika, Jyoti and Gauri start to head inside just as Siddharth says, "Annika, Malli was really hoping you would go over to our place for brunch tomorrow, to talk. I'll be doing a job. She doesn't have your number anymore," a sad look crossed his face. "Mom has her number though, can you just text her and go over tomorrow?"

fuck . Annika nods and heads inside. The house is exactly how Annika remembers it, as if steping back into time...

"What do you mean you're leaving? Leaving where? Going where?" Mallika exclaims, as Annika is lugging a suitcase out the door.

"Just.. just" Annika sighs, and stops to look at her best friend. "Just don't do anything okay, don't tell Siddharth. Just let me leave and then you can do whatever you need to do"

Mallika looks right at her and says "and what about Shivaay, Annika? You're just going to leave him like this?

"I have to."

"Annika, earth to Annika, hello!" Gauri is waving a hand in front of Annika's face, a concerned look on face.

Annika laughs and shakes her head "sorry, just tired, I guess. Where are my tea cakes?" Annika spends the next couple hours chatting with her mom and sister. They talk about Annika's job at Seashell Corp, how she got her degree in finance 2 years ago, they ask about Harry. When did it become so easy for me to lie? Annika thinks to herself. She appreciated that they are trying in asking about Harry, she's sure dad has vouched for him, but she's kept that part of her life locked away from anyone else.

Annika heads up to bed a few hours later, to her old room. It looks just the same, she can tell mom's been keeping up with the cleaning, but really nothing has changed. It's like a shrine to the old her, her old life, someone she doesn't even know anymore. Annika groans as she finally has a chance to lay down, takes out her phone and calls Harry.

"Hello?"

"Babe, hi. How are you?"

"Annika, I miss you. I'm still at the hospital, I haven't been home yet but don't worry I checked in, everything is fine"

"Good, good. I miss you too babe, it's surreal being back here. I'm so tired

Annika and Harry talked for a few minutes longer before he got called away, which Annika was thankful for because she was truly so damn tired. I've been home for hours and it feels like weeks, Annika wonders how she would possibly make it through the next 11 days.

You can do this. You can do this.

The next morning Annika texted Mallika about brunch, she asked Annika to meet at her place around 10:30.

knock knock

A few hours later and Annika was at Siddharth and Mallika's new house. She didn't realize they had moved out of the flat. Their house isn't too far from Trivedi Mansion, a little house on a nice piece of land. Annika giggled when she saw the patio rug, Please hide packages from husband, that's so Mallika.

Mallika swings open the door and smiles, "Annika, hi! Thank you so much for coming."

"Of course" Annika smiles back as Mallika ushers her inside. The house is very modern, more modern then she would've guessed from the outside, but little details that are so Mallika. Annika takes in all the family photos on the wall, most taken since she's left. She reminds herself she has no right to be bitter about that.