Imposter for hire

Part 53.

Next day.
Anika is seen moving....she stretches her hands.....( She slept on the floor beside Shivaay's cardboard).

She wants to forget whatever happened yesterday but she can't....as the saying goes... tomorrow is a new day....she wants to move on with her life....how long will she cry her eyes out...she starts removing all the ornaments and jewelry she had on....she removes it all....then places all on the table.....then removes the dress...the veil....then wears her casual clothes.....then combs her hair....while combing her hair....she sees the vermillion on her forehead.....and remembers before the chaos erupted.....how Shivaay lovingly put vermillion on her forehead....she smiles....amidst all the things that took place yesterday....only that good thing came out of it.

She then musters the courage to go and meet her family it had been a long time.

She came to the dining set....all eyes were only on her....she pulled the chair and took a seat.

They started eating with eerie silence on the table...as Shinky didn't know how to begin.

Then she broke the silence.

"Mom and dad I know very well that you are ashamed and embarrassed me being your daughter.....I know you regret having given birth to me right?" Anika said.

"Never my dear....never and I mean never saw such words to us...in fact we are fortunate to have a daughter like you,"Pinky replied.

Shakti agreeing.

"Are you guys out of your minds... didn't you see the news last night...or rather today's newspaper?" Anika asked confused.

"We did dear....but we knew why you did all of that," Pinky replied.

"What do you mean exactly??" Anika asked confused.

"We know Anika....after you were gone....we snooped on your things....we found out...you got to know....why you left...you knew of the troubles we were facing.... Shakti's illness...rent and other things....in fact....we are to be blamed for all these things you must be undergoing through....we haven't been the best friends....and that's why we are sorry," Pinky replied crying.

Anika standing up hugging the both of them and consoling them they aren't to be blamed instead they are the best parents in the entire world.

She then went back to her chair.

Pinky asking how what's the next step she's going to take....or should they leave Mumbai and go back to Pune...where they were much peaceful there.

Anika telling them she is staying if she will leave people will think she's the guilty party....she has to fight and prove her innocence to everyone.

Shinky although not satisfied with her decision but chose to support her regardless and they decided from  now onwards to share problems as a family and not only one bearing all into her shoulders.

Later on.
Anika was left alone with Shinky left to go to work.
She then hears the door bell ringing.
She thinks maybe Shakti forgot something as his usually forgetful...I guess age was catching up with him.

She opens the door.....she's shocked to see.....someone she least expected...that's right...you guessed it right....Ragini.

"You...what are you doing....that too in my home?" Anika asked confused.
"Come on...is this how your mother taught you on how to treat your guests.... shouldn't you rather invite me in....and make  a cup of tea for me," Ragini replied.
As much as she didn't want to...she had no other option but to invite her in.

Ragini came in.

She had a seat and then Anika brought her a cup of tea and biscuits....Ragini said a cup of tea was fine and told her to take away the biscuits....since she was dieting and didn't want to add on her calories.

Anika sat beside her.

"So...Miss Ragini....," Anika replied interrupted by her.

"Correction Ragini am not getting any younger..... moreover you and I are probably the same age....if you want you can call me Rags I don't mind at all," Ragini replied.

"Fine....Ragini....what may I owe this visit with everything that happened yesterday.....I didn't expect any visitors?" Anika asked confused.

"Well....I know everything," Ragini replied.

"Huh??!!" Anika asked confused.

"Yes sweetheart I know everything...I very well knew you were just a victim the way Shivaay is...I figured it out.... don't tell me how... because I don't have time to explain it all," Ragini replied.

"If you know everything then why didn't you tell Shivaay about all this....it could have been a lot easier," Anika replied.

"It couldn't be as much fun as it is already is.... Shivaay know hates both of you very much....just as I wanted him to ," Ragini replied.

"What kind of friend are you...do you honestly care for Shivaay's well being?" Anika asked concerned.

"I do....and that's way I did all these...so that he can come to his senses and see the truth in the both of you," Ragini replied.

"Yes.....Ragini I agree I lied...but you know what I didn't lie upon...my love for Shivaay....that wasn't a lie...I genuinely love him a lot," Anika replied.

"I see...then you are a threat to me....( Anika: huh??!!).... because I love Shivaay....you can call it obsession I don't give a fuck about it....I came here to befriend you...but I see I was wrong.... if you are going to fight for him then you'll have to face me first....my the best woman win....I'll take my leave now as I have many errands to go to," Ragini replied leaving.

"Before I leave....I really like your tea...but you have been warned Anika...this isn't going to be a walk in the park...who knows you could end up dying in the spot," Ragini replied leaving.

She left.

Anika was left confused but that didn't made her give up....she promised to fight for Shivaay even if it was going to be on her last breathe.

Thanks for reading.
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End of the chapter.
#Imposter for hire.

#Anika.

#Ragini.

#Shivaay.