𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 | ✓

𝔱𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶 𝔰𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫

Shivaay watched as his parents struggled to meet his gaze—— he scoffed: no surprise there.

Shivaay couldn't recall a day when his father had ever taken a stand for either his own son or his wife. While Shivaay had truly never understood Pinky's logic behind throwing Annika out of the house, there had been the assumption that it had been due to Pinky never being anyone's first choice or given importance.

Shivaay didn't know if his mother's family had ever given Pinky any attention. He knew his mother had many siblings back in the village she had grown up in. Shivaay knew that his mother had been chosen by his Dadaji to be married to his father: Pinky had never been Shakti's choice.

Even after marriage and after Shivaay's birth, Shakti had never protected Pinky from the elites of society that had looked down on his mother for her lack of 'proper English'. They had compared her mannerisms and her sense of style to her older sister-in-law's. Shakti had been quiet then.

Thus, when Pinky's importance in anyone's life—— and her own son's as she did not have another child of her own—— had been shared with someone else, Pinky'd felt threatened.

Shivaay still thought it was an idiotic thing that his mother had done—— instead of talking it out with him she's caused a rift between several relationships.

Shivaay loved his father dearly—— Shakti was quiet and calm but he had always been there for Shivaay. Shivaay had observed it all, growing up. Shakti had been ready to step in any time he had been in trouble. But it had always been in silent and subtle ways.

Shakti Singh Oberoi had never taken a stand outward and with full confidence.

The doors swung open and a middle aged man came bursting through. Shivaay looked up, arching an eyebrow at the middle aged man. Tej Singh Oberoi stood up straight, frowning at the man who had just entered.

"Sameer," Tej looked at him questioningly.

"I've got Sara's shares," Sameer waved dismissively. "Qureshi was found trying to kill your youngest daughter-in-law." His eyes narrowed, "I told you to hire someone more qualified."

Shivaay gasped inaudibly: his brother! He couldn't bear if anything happened to Rudra due to something happening to Bhavya.

"What happened to Bhavya?" Shivaay's voice made the newcomer turn around in surprise, as if he hadn't noticed Shivaay before. "What did you to my sister-in-law?"

"Nothing," the man waved him off. "She's perfectly fine."Sameer looked his way, tilting his head. "Stop glaring at me damadji."

Shivaay frowned, speaking slowly "Damadji?"

"Oh right," Tej grinned wickedly. "Shivaay meet Sameer Rathore, Sara Rathore's brother, also known as Annika's maternal uncle."

Shivaay blinked. "Annika's uncle is Sameer Raichand Rathore of RaiEvents?"

"Yes," Sameer rolled his eyes.

"Annika kaisi hain?" Tej grinned as he glanced at his nephew out of the corner of his eye.

"Fine," Sameer shrugged. "For now." He turned to look at Shivaay, with a wolfish grin and maniacal gleam in his eyes, "Waise, your wife was missing you terribly."

Shivaay's eyes snapped up to meet his, his gaze hardening. "Where is Annika?" He grit out.

"God, you two are perfect for each other," Sameer grinned before gagging. "It's nauseating."

Shivaay tamped down the urge to throttle the man in front of him. He was sure it would not bode well for either him or his wife. "Where is she?" He repeated, coldly.