𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 | ✓

𝔱𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶 𝔢𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱

"SHIVAAY!" Annika's eyes widened as she whirled around—— heart lurching into her throat.

The momentary relief of seeing her husband groaning on the ground, massaging his hands lasted until she watched Seth's white shirt turning a deep red.

Gauri's hand cupped her mouth in shock as she watched her estranged grandfather fall to the ground, with a whimper.

Annika rushed forward, kneeling beside him, "Why did you do that?" The shock in her eyes were palpable as she furrowed her eyebrows trying to figure out the reason for her grandfather to have jumped in front of someone he held no emotional attachment.

"C-c-c-couldn't s-s-s-save H-H-Hars-sh. S-s-save S-S-Shi-Shi-v-vaay. F-f-for y-y-yo-you," Seth raised a shaky bloodied hand to touch Annika's cheek and patted weakly. He coughed up blood, as Annika tied the dupatta around him and tried to slow down the flow of blood.

She shook her head, "N-No. you don't get to die on me." She tried to glare at him, "I don't even know you! I have years worth of anger and pent up frustration!"

Seth's eyes gazed up at the sky, as he muttered, "S-s-see S-S-Sar-ra."

Annika felt her husband's arm around her as he placed her head underneath his chin and placed a kiss on her temple. Annika sighed—— she didn't feel devastated, but she didn't feel satisfied either. She didn't know what to feel other than confused.

How was she supposed to feel about the man who had thrown out her mother and let his granddaughters suffer in a cruel sadistic world all alone?

How was she supposed to feel about the man who had stayed quiet about her father's death merely because he had deemed Harsh to be an unfit son-in-law?

How was she supposed to feel about the very same man having sacrificed his life and that too, to save her husband?

Had he done it out of the goodness of his heart?

Or to let go of some of the guilt that has built up in his heart over the years?

"Are you crazy?!" Annika looked up at Gauri, who was screaming at Sameer. "You killed your own father!"

"He killed his own sister, Gauri," Shivaay reminded Annika's sister quietly.

Gauri's tears streamed down her cheeks. Annika clutched the blood soaked dupatta tightly, watching as the red liquid gushed over her pale skin and fell onto the muddied ground below.

"Atharv, take Annika and Gauri inside," Sameer looked at his right hand man in exasperation. "Annika, Chutki—— or Gauri or whatever your name is—— freshen up and make sure there's no blood on you. You'll sign the papers, hand over the proofs and leave the premises."

Annika let out a humourless chuckle. She looked up at Sameer and arched an eyebrow, "Do you truly think I'll sign the papers?" She whispered softly.

"Annika," Atharv warned.

"Bhanji dearest," Sameer rolled his eyes. "Don't complicate things more than they need to be."

"Kya karenge aap?" Annika crossed her arms in front of her.

"Annika!" Atharv hissed. He glanced at Sameer with a look of fear which puzzled Annika—— surely he didn't care about what happened to her? "Chup kar! And just follow me." He glanced at the two people behind her, "They won't do anything to you physically. You know mental torture leaves marks that can't ever be erased."

"Do you want anything to happen to your love," Sameer spat the word. "Or your precious Chutki?" He mocked.

She would've refused outright had Shivaay and Gauri not been with her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply before opening her eyes and breathing out slowly. "Fine. On one condition." Sameer tilted his head. "Shivaay and Gauri get to leave the premises unharmed."