Shivaay massaged his temple. He was worried for the same family, which he left behind. The same people from whom he now came miles away, had him worried for them. How ironic. The whole day he kept pondering upon the possible reasons which could make his brothers, who were now handling the business, skip this. This loan was not something they could be skipping. Though he was only supposed to advise them, this had got him worried.
As Rudra lumbered inside the house, a pair of ebony black eyes watched him from a distance. His son was now like a stranger to him. With a half-drunk bottle of alcohol, his hair disheveled, tie loosened and blazer hanging loosely from his grip, he proceeded towards his room.
Tej closed his eyes for a brief moment, and the next moment when his charcoal black eyes came into view, he looked around. The place which once echoed with laughter had now an eerie feeling all around. The air was thick with anguish. The ubiquity of dolor was haunting him.
Gauri stood on the balcony, which faced the front yard. She didn't miss the heavily drunk man entering the mansion. Her hair was loose, with a shawl draped loosely around her. Winter was approaching, yet she felt her life had frozen.
There wasn't a slight change in her routine recently, she had dedicated her time to her husband now, as she always had. Om was recovering, as the doctor said, and his wife couldn't help but thank the Lord. The duo did communicate but also discouraged intricacy.
When Om's wife looked back, in the tunnel of memories, she felt trapped. The family, which she adored, had not shattered to fragments, and all that was in her might was to watch. In her heart, Gauri was well aware, that Om had been disappointed. He was mad, at himself, also at her.
Gauri tried searching, yet she found nothing, that she could have done, to stop the people, who were so dear to her. Though she trusted her brother-in-law, there was nothing she could do. Yet she was facing the punishment. She did not complain, she knew, she was not only hurting, but they all were also.
Years pass, and time changes, yet some things remain the same.
A pair of champagne eyes stared at the shore. Oh, how she envied.
Anika watched, as the sea playfully slapped the sand. The glass was the only barrier between her and the cold sand. For the first time, she felt the waves, something more than blue water.
The waves were hope. They went, only to come back. Due to the tides, they had to leave, only to return.
As a result of destiny's plan, hope faded, only to appear again. Only to appear much more brightly, strongly, strike with an eye-opening force.
A tear dropped unconsciously left Anika's eyes. Guilt was an overwhelming emotion. She felt her existence drown in guilt as incidents played in her mind.
How she had behaved so nonchalantly when he brought her favorite flowers. How she encouraged brevity when they were having any conversations. Her terse replies to his greetings.
A stream of tears rolled down her eyes. She had done all this. She had permitted her misery to become a barrier between them. Her sobs echoed in the room, as thoughts clouded her brain. Did she not deserve him?
The knob turned, as Shivaay stepped inside their room. He moved his hazel eyes around, only to settle them on the woman, he loved.
Anika sat in front of the glass window, knees to her chest, as she rested her head on them. Shivaay's gaze was set on her. She looked up, only to meet his gaze on her. Her eyes, which were now red from crying, met his green, tired ones.
Shivaay stood there, near the door, and looked at her red face, Her red eyes, the dried tear stains, red nose, she resembled a mess, and he swore to God, he was so in love with this mess.
He kept the bag on their sofa and went near her. Her eyes had been fixed on his. He looked so tired. His once-gelled hair was now resembling a bird's nest. The smirk was replaced by his lips forming a thin line. His stubble was overgrown. He looked so different, so raw, so real, so tired and so damaged.
His face neared her, as he sat next to her.
"Anika"
He called her, as softly, delicately, and lovingly as he always did and that was it. Tears started flowing from her eyes, as she hugged him tightly. Her body shook, as her soft sobs filled the room. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder, as she buried her face in his neck.
Shivaay was overwhelmed. Yet he wrapped his arms around her tiny form. He let her cry, as he wrapped his arms around her. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her head multiple times, intending to calm her.
Her sobs died, only to be replaced by hiccups. These weren't only tears, but the agony of years, the newborn guilt, and the blooming regret. She had kept her eyes closed, only desiring to drown herself in his warm, loving embrace. Shivaay had not hesitated to secure her in his embrace. He knew, he always did.
Moments later, he picked her up. She had lost a considerable amount of weight, he wasn't unaware of it now. Anika tightened her hold on his neck when he placed her on the bed.
"I am here, Anika. I will always be"
That was not just a statement, that was a vow.
His words only instigated her tears to fall freely. Anika couldn't help but blush when she realized that now she was wrapped around him, with her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She hesitantly looked at his face, to see his eyes already trained on her.
And, she couldn't look away.
A bitter-sweet smile made its way to his face as he stared into her glossy eyes. The vulnerability had tied them together.
The air was clear, only the silence echoed, he couldn't miss her whispering.
"I am so sorry, Shivaay."
•••
Jo beet jata hain, wohi malaal reh jata hain
•••
