I have nothing to do with him

Chapter 53

Annika smiled brightly at him while Arush clapped enthusiastically.

"Does this mean we can finally go on that trip we talked about?" Rudra asked playfully.

"Yes!" Shivaay laughed. "Once everything is back on track, we will definitely plan something special for all of us!"

As they celebrated small victories together that night over dinner, Shivaay felt a renewed sense of hope wash over him—their family bond had only grown stronger through adversity.

And no matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew they would face them united—together as one family against any storm that came their way.

Months passed since the Oberoi family faced their financial crisis. Shivaay had thrown himself into work, determined to restore the family business to its former glory. However, in his relentless pursuit, he began to neglect the most important aspect of his life—his family, particularly Annika and their son, Arush.

Annika had always been the backbone of their family, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. But with Shivaay spending late nights at the office and attending numerous meetings, she felt increasingly isolated. The weight of her pregnancy was becoming more pronounced, and she found herself growing weaker by the day.

"Shivaay," Annika said one evening as he rushed past her to grab his coat. "Can we talk?"

He paused, glancing at her with a distracted expression. "Not now, Annika. I have an important meeting with investors."

"But Arush needs you too," she insisted, her voice tinged with concern. "You've been so busy lately. He misses you."

"I'll make it up to him," he replied, already halfway out the door. "I promise."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Annika felt a pang of loneliness. She had always supported Shivaay's ambitions, but now it felt like he was prioritizing everything else over their family.

Days turned into weeks, and Shivaay's absence became a routine. Khanna, their loyal ,took over the responsibility of picking up and dropping Arush off at school. Annika watched from the sidelines as her son grew accustomed to this new normal.

"Mommy, when is Daddy coming to pick me up?" Arush asked one afternoon after school, his small face filled with hope.

Annika forced a smile. "He's very busy right now, sweetheart. But he loves you very much."

"I know," Arush replied, his voice small. "But I miss him."

The ache in Annika's heart deepened as she realized how much Arush craved his father's presence. She wanted nothing more than to provide that for him but felt increasingly powerless.

As the days wore on, Annika noticed her energy levels plummeting. Simple tasks became monumental challenges; climbing the stairs felt like running a marathon. She brushed it off initially, attributing her fatigue to pregnancy. But deep down, she knew something was wrong.

One afternoon, feeling particularly weak, Annika decided to visit her doctor for a check-up. She arrived at the clinic and sat in the waiting room, her anxiety mounting. When her name was finally called, she followed the nurse into the examination room.

"Good to see you again, Annika," Dr. Mehta greeted her with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Not great," she admitted. "I've been feeling really tired and weak lately."

Dr. Mehta nodded thoughtfully as she examined Annika. After a series of tests and questions, she looked concerned. "Your blood tests show that you're anemic, Annika. This can lead to complications during your pregnancy if not addressed."