Amnesia is hard to battle, when the most recent memories you have of yourself are of living on cold cemented floors, and being on the run, constantly.
Amnesia is hard to overcome when you find yourself with a husband and a family you have no memori...
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Annika stares at him, her heart coming to a standstill as she feels blood rushing past her ears. She stumbles, and Shivaay grips her elbows, steadying her.
"I was what?" She whispers.
"You were gone, my love," Shivaay raises a hand to place it on her cheek, and rubs his thumb, up and down the apple of her cheek. "For seven years."
Seven years.
You were gone for seven years.
Annika blinks rapidly, as she feels her vision tunnelling.
She pushes him away, pressing the heel of her palm to her temple.
Seven fucking years—— she squeezes her eyes shut, struggling to breathe as she feels her heart constrict. Rubbing her chest, she swallows, forcing her eyes open.
"Annika?" She feels a hand on her chin forcing her to look into a pair of familiar eyes—— Mediterranean green and cerulean blue. "Hey, hey, hey. Baby, are you alright?"
Annika opens her mouth, but no words roll out, as she feels her breath catch in her throat.
Shit!
Was she having a panic attack?!
Breathe, Annika, breathe—— she chides herself.
One thing you hear?—— she breathes in through clenched teeth. Shivaay's heartbeat.
One thing you see?—— she blinks. His clear blue eyes.
One thing you feel?—— she closes her eyes, focusing on the touch of his calloused fingers against the side of her neck.
"Annika?" Shivaay's soft whisper prompts her to open her eyes.
"I'm okay," she nods slowly, her voice low. "I'm okay," she repeats more firmly, leaning back. Wrapping her arms around herself, she feels her hackles rising, as she stands defensively.
"Alright," Shivaay says softly. "You didn't say anything when I returned to our room."
"Because I knew you were going to lie to me if I asked directly," Annika states in a matter-of-fact tone. "You evaded every time I asked about why things are so tense between you and Om."
"That's different," Shivaay grits his teeth.
"It's all the same to me, Shivaay," she looks him in the eye, her hazel brown irises steely with distrust. "You lied to me regarding my son! You've been lying to me, all this time!"
"It would've hurt you!" Shivaay snaps, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Do you think," he stalks forward, grabbing her shoulders, "I didn't want to tell you about our child? The little boy who wished upon a star every night for his mother to return? Who loves stargazing because his mother loved it?" His fingers tighten, "I wanted to tell you everything, love." He rests his head on hers, eyes closing, "Trust me, I wanted to tell you everything so badly!"
