Our Own Battles

Chapter 4

Anika did not know when she drifted off to sleep. She felt Shivaay before she felt the sunrays that was slowly making the way into their room. She turned slightly so she could look at him. Today was going to be the toughest day for her. This was the worst day of her life but she has to do. She noticed Shivaay' s sleep getting disturbed because of the sun's rays. She lifted her hand to create a shield. Anika watched Shivaay relax. That was exactly what she was doing all this pain she was about to inflict on herself and Shivaay was to shield him. She studied his features capturing every line, she feature every movement to memory. As the sun moved further. Anika moved her hand and kissed Shivaay on the forehead. She wiped her tears and left to the bathroom.

Shivaay instantly felt the cold air when she left the bed. He still reached out for her, touching her side. It was still warm. He turned his head into her pillow, it still smelt of her. Shivaay hugged the pillow thinking of her weird behaviour last night. Not only last night but for the past few days. She was following him around, making videos – he smiled. Memories she called it. Something was wrong. He could feel it. But what? He heard the shower being turned on. She would be awhile. So he decided to surprise her. He grabbed his clothes and rushed to Om's wing to shower. He was going to surprise his wife with a romantic breakfast atleast romantic from his side as his wife had the ability to turn every romantic situation into a comedy.

Anika finished shower and wore her sari. She came outside to see the bed empty. She was surprised. She neatened the bed and surreptitiously began packing all her things away. She looked at the room and the small changes Shivaay also tried to make like adding more light into the room. All those fancy lamp shades. She smiled. She was still smiling at herself in front of the mirror when Shivaay pushed in a breakfast trolley. Shivaay was stunned. Anika looked and raised her eyebrows. Anika was wearing a simple white and gold sari, she looked like ethereal like an illusion if you touched her she would disappear.

Shivaay walked slowly to Anika and stood behind her, still holding her gaze in the mirror he moved her side and picked up her mangal sutra and slipped it around her neck. He dropped his lips to wear he fastened the hook and kissed her on the hook. Her sharp intake of air made him smile. He bent down again and took a pinch of sindoor and applied it on her maang. He kissed her there too. He noticed the tears in her eyes. He could not understand why did he hurt her? Shivaay kissed away her tears.

That was the breaking point for Anika. She hugged him tightly...

Lag jaa gale ke phir yeh haseen raath ho Na ho.
Hug me for who knows if this beautiful night will ever come again (in this lifetime).

Shaayad phir is janam mem mulaaqat ho na ho.
Maybe, in this life, we may or may not meet again.

Hum ko mile hai aaj yeh ghadiyaan naseeb se.
I have been given today, this time by destiny.

Jee bhar ke dekh leejiye hum ko kareeb se.
To your hearts content see me (get to know me) closely.

Phir aap ke naseeb mem yeh baat ho na ho.
Who knows, if your destiny, may present this situation again.

Shaayad phir is janam mem mulaaqat ho na ho.
Maybe, in this life, we may or may not meet again.

Paas aayie ke hum nahin aayenge baar baar.
Come closer to me, as I will not be able to come to you every time.

Baahein gale mein daal ke hum ro le zaar zaar.
Put your arms around me (Hug) and let us cry thousands of times. (Alternatively, cry our hearts out.)

Aankon se phir yeh pyaar ki barsaath ho na ho.
Who knows, if our eyes will ever see these tears of love again.

Shivaay could not understand this ache in his heart. He also held on for dear life. Anika loosened her hold around him and smiled. She had this moment. She will make the most of it.