Ishq Mein Adhoora Sa - A ShivIka SS

10.

"Hi Dheeraj, good evening. How are you?" Shivaay greeted as he entered the room and sat on the couch.

"I'm good Shivaay, thank you. How are you?" Dheeraj asked, sitting in an armchair across from Shivaay.

"I'm good too. Sorry we couldn't meet last week."

"That's alright. How has your week been?"

Shivaay shrugged. "Pretty uneventful, which makes me a little glad that we didn't meet last week because that had a lot going on."

"It sounds like the past week was eventful. Tell me more about it."

"My kids were with me last week, I spent a whole day in the mall with my son, had all three meals with whole family on Sunday and my friends were over on Thursday. His family shifted from Dubai recently so I called him and his family over for dinner. To make them feel more at home, you know."

"That is really considerate of you Shivaay." Dheeraj said with a smile.

"It wasn't really a big deal. He's my childhood friend, it's the least I could do for him."

"It was a gesture of kindness that you chose to do for your friend and his family."

Shivaay scratched the back of his neck bashfully. "Well if you put it like that..."

Dheeraj glanced at the notebook in his hand. "You said this week had been pretty uneventful. Would like to tell me about it?"

"There's really nothing much to say. I've just been... working this week."

Dheeraj nodded and asked, "How has your sleep been?"

"It's...okay. Not bad."

Dheeraj put his notebook aside and uncrossed his legs. "Shivaay I'm required to tell you, I'm observing that we have reached a point of stagnation. We are circling around the same thing, not progressing."

"What do you want me to say Dheeraj? What do you want me to do?" Shivaay grumbled.

"I want us to work towards achieving your goal."

"My goal? Which is?"

"Which is..?"

Shivaay snapped. "Which is what I don't know! I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Om! It was just an accident and that too three months ago. I hadn't slept in 3 days, I forgot that I had already taken sleeping pills. It was just an accident! I am not suicidal!"

Flashback
3 months ago

Om was sitting by the poolside with his thoughts and cup of tea. He glanced at towards the glass wall of Shivaay's room. Normally, if Shivaay forgot to draw the curtains, Om would avert his eyes to give his brother privacy but something compelled him to check on him. Shivaay was sprawled on the bed, still in his shirt and trousers, legs dangling off the edge. It wasn't uncommon for Shivaay to collapse on the bed the moment he got home but he always got up, changed and turned all the light off before sleeping. So wehen Shivaay didn't get up to do so, Om went to check on.

"Shivaay?" Om knocked on the door and called out to Shivaay. He didn't need to whisper as the kids and seniors were sound asleep on the first floor, RuVya were at Bhavya's colleague's farewell party and Gauri was in Bareilly  for one of her sworn-brother's wedding.

When Shivaay didn't answer, Om went inside and spoke louder. "Shivaay?"

When Shivaay didn't even flinch, that's when Om got scared. He went closer and shook him. "Shivaay! Shivaay wake up!"

Shivaay mumbled something inaudibly, Om leaned in to hear him but saw a bluish tint on Shivaay's lips. Horror struck Om when he realised Shivaay's breathing was slow and laboured. Om's mind was numb but he still had to think. He had to do something.