Ishqbaaz - Two hearts, Two Souls.

Part 11

Two years later
The day was sunny, very typical of summer time in Istanbul. It was Bazaar season and the local streets were filled with local wares from locally made beaten iron jewelry to scented spices and incense. The woman walking down had a confident, almost bouncing in her gait. She turned heads, her hair was flowing down her back in waves with gold and red highlights. Her body was trim and fit, not showing any sign that she had birthed two years ago.  "Anika! Anika!!"
She turned her head towards the sound of her name. Seeing who it was she gave a smile and a wave, waiting for the person to reach her. It was Vikram, her neighbor. They had become fast friends two years ago during the early stages of her pregnancy. He was an artist, so it wasn't a surprise to find him at the bazaar.
Reaching her, he paused to gasp his breath. She rolled her eyes.
A:" If you take the time to just workout at twice a week, you wouldn't be out of breath!"
V:" Well nobody is adorably cute like you are Anika" his eyes roving her body up and down. "I still don't know why you wouldn't take up modelling? I know.. I know, you don't want any job that would take you away from those two horrors"
A: "Exactly! And those horrors are the ones who help pay your electric bills and bring in the attention of a certain lady?"
They both burst into laughter.
V: " Where are they anyway?"
A: "I dropped them off at Creche, so I have the whole afternoon to myself! Thought I would move around and get some ideas for parties , you know the local culture thing"
She had left the hotel a year ago, a little while after her babies were born to concentrate on her event management company. She was doing quite well and it gave her ample time to spend with the twins since she worked mostly from home and her contacts  reaching her through her website.
V: Hey, did you hear? There's been a takeover at your former hotel."
A:"OMG! I didn't hear about it, when did this happen?"
V:" Apparently last month, anyway wanted to invite you to the party tonight. You know a farewell for the owner."
A: Definitely, count me in.
V:" Excellent, then you can be my date!
Anika laughing "Now I know why you were running to catch my attention!"
V: "Well why not? You are a very beautiful woman Anika. If you hadn't given me the 'Stay off' signal, we would have been an item by now."
Getting ready that evening, the twins; Shivaan and Annish were playing on the floor of her bedroom.



They always want to be in the same room that she was in. She hoped as they grew, they would develop a sense of independence away from her. Whenever she dropped them off at creche, they go through the same theatrics of tears and she only takes them twice a week!  Her neighbor and friend was going to help babysit the boys when she goes out. Haya who was turkish was one of the two people the twins were very comfortable with the other being Vikram . Putting on the finishing touches to her make-up, she turns around. "How does mama look?"
Two pair of identical blue eyes turn to look at her. Shivaan saying "mama!" While Anish just gave her a toothy grin. "Good huh?" Although both twins can't talk past two words 'mama' and 'tiv' for TV but the three of them have a sort of telepathy, being able to understand each other without saying the words. She heard the door bell. "Uncle Vikram's here!" Both boys got up on chubby legs to run towards the door". They met him at the living room. Taking each boy up in a hug he raised his eyes up as Anika walked into the room.
V:"Wow, Anika! You look absolutely ravishing!"
She smiled giving a swirl and curtsey.

Twins: "Mama!" reaching up for her to pick them up.
She picked each one up,  giving a kiss and a tight hug.
A: "Be good for Aunty, okay. Mama will be back quick"
Soon Vikram and her were driving towards the hotel. They had taken Anika's car. Their conversation was mostly on mundane matters, light and friendly. They had always had a good rapport between them which made many of their associates think there was something more in their relationship. On reaching the hotel's grounds, he escorted her into the party hall, with his hand at the small of her back. The venue was buzzing with music and voices. They went round, mixing with former colleagues of hers, some Turks, Indians, Africans, Hispanics. It was an eclectic lot. Soon the guest honour gave a farewell speech and introduced the new owner of the hotel. Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi! There was a round of applause as Shivaay came forward to give a speech and assure the workers on their job security.
Anika was shocked. She had clapped out of sheer shock, her mind going through a thousand questions at once.
'What is happening? Shivaay here? Is he alone? Did he come with Tia?'
V: "Anika are you alright? You look like you have seen a ghost? You look pale!"
Anika turns towards Vikram, "I need to sit, I don't feel good!"
Holding her hand he led her to a sofa in a shadowed corner of the hall. It will be best if I get you a drink.
Anika: "Please,  something light"
Her eyes in a daze, her mind went back to Shivaay.  She had thought add she had put all behind her but seeing him again, close yet far away, had brought all the hurt in the open again. It was about an hour or less when she felt a shadow fall across her.  She didn't raise her head. Then she felt someone kneel before her. Thinking Vikram had brought her libation, her eyes collided straight into sharp blue eyes.
"Hello Anika"
Anika: "Sh..Shivaay!  What are you doing here?"
SSO:"Haven't you heard? I own the building"
Anika:"Showing off?"
SSO:"We have to talk Anika, I have been searching for you for the past two..."
They are interupted by Vikram. Who handed her her drink and looking at Shivaay curiously. He looked at Anika then at Shivaay.
Vikram:"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Anika: Sorry,  as you know this is Shivaay Singh Oberoi,  Mr. Oberoi this is Vikram Chaudary,  a close friend.
Both men shake hands but Shivaay didn't miss how Anika excluded what he was to her.
Anika: "Sorry Mr. Oberoi but we were about to leave" giving Vikram the look. Vikram looked surprised to hear that but he agreed readily. Holding her hand, he led her out of the place leaving Shivaay looking at them broodingly.
Once he started the car, Vikram turned to her.
V: "What is going on Anika?"
Anika: "not now Vicky, I. . Oh God!"
V: "No Anika, you talk now. Who is he to you?"
Anika:"Shivaay Singh Oberoi is Shivaan and Annish's father".
Nodding his head
V: "I thought as much, the eyes are a dead give away. I had always thought their father was a white man. Sooo.. how did you guys meet?"
Anika: "We got divorced two years ago." 
V: "You were married? I thought... "
Anika: "What? That I just slept with him?  You men can be so disgusting!"
V: "No.. I mean.. I thought. ."
Anika: "just leave it alone, okay."

They had reached their apartment block. Parking the vehicle, they walked arm in arm into the building. None of them noticed the black rolls royce parking across the street or the blue eyed man coming out of it.