𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 | ✓

𝔰𝔦𝔵

Annika leaned forward, resting her arms on the kitchen counter as she stared absentmindedly into the distance. Roop's words about Tia being the daughter of the man who had disappeared after the fire at Kalyani Mills indicated two possible scenarios: one, where he had been the guilty culprit to set it on fire and had run away due to fear of being discovered. Or two, a possibility she dreaded to consider: someone had made him disappear off the face of the earth until his body had turned up burned and charred in a car: a framed accident.

She sighed, her shoulders dropping forward. She had already had a fake fight with her husband to ensure they could keep investigating the information regarding Kalyani Mills, and keep Payal safe and away from everyone for the time being until she, Gauri and Bhavya figured out a way to discover who had sent her and why.

Gauri and Bhavya were currently with her in Bhavya's room on the west wing of the first floor. Annika was glad that Shivaay's room and most others were either on the second or third floor. She had never understood the need for people to have an extra level underground but Annika was glad that when building the Oberoi Mansion, the architect had done exactly that.

Annika rubbed her temple, feeling a headache building up. She had been feeling extremely tired for the last few days, not sleeping for more than three hours each night as every time she closed her eyes, all she saw, was her little sister being ripped away from her arms.

She shook her head and grabbed a glass of water for herself, pausing as she came face to face with Shivaay who was leaning against the pillar of the threshold. He eyed her, his gaze contemplative as he watched her fidget nervously.

She avoided his gaze as she walked past him, only to be stopped by the hold on her arm, "You're hiding something from me." He still faced the kitchen.

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "If that's what you want to believe." She tried to break out of his grip, but he didn't budge.

Shivaay turned to her and tilted his head, "I'll find out one way or another." He ran his fingers through his hair.

Annika laughed, "Aap koi movie ka hero nahi hain." She giggled, "You always act as if there's a camera around."

Shivaay tugged her forward, causing her to huff as water dripped onto her feet, "It's my signature move." She rolled her eyes. "It's alright," he smirked, "You'll find yours one day."

Annika's eyes narrowed, "Mere pas hain signature move."

"Accha?" Shivaay scoffed. "Kya? Tadi dikhana?"

"Ye," Annika dumped the glass of water on him. "Chill out." She said sweetly before wrenching her hand from his grip and walking away.

<>•<>

Annika watched as Bhavya injected the dilute mixture into Payal's bloodstream before collapsing onto the couch nearby.

They'd returned just in time to see Payal waking up and she had opened her mouth to scream, but Gauri had slapped her hard enough to keep her quiet.

Annika looked at Gauri who was running a comb through her hair. The youngest of the three bahus stood quietly, brushing her hair as she got lost in her thoughts.

"Gauri?" Annika asked loudly. Gauri startled, dropping the comb onto the floor, "Are you alright? You've been lost in deep thought for quite a while now."

"Haan, I'm fine," Gauri nodded. "Woh bas worried thi main." She tilted her head towards Payal, "We need to get information out of her but also cannot do it while the others are awake."