Our Own Battles

Chapter 12

Flashback....

Shivaay was in his office starring at the last picture her took of Anika and siblings at the dargah. When Mishra, Shivaay's secretary announced Samar Jeet Malhotra was here to see him. Shivaay was not shocked after all he had given Samar quite some troubles in the past few months. Shivaay welcomed Samar into his office.

"It's good to finally meet you Shivaay" said Samar shaking Shivaay's hand.

"Please sit. The pleasure is all mine" Said Shivaay.

Shivaay and Samar stared down each other, like an old western gun fight was about to break out. Whilst Mishra brought in coffee for the both of. Mishra hoped that maybe Shivaay would drink coffee like he did before but Shivaay grabbed a bottle of water instead. Samar helped himself to black coffee. Good choice thought Shivaay.

"So what can I help you with Mr Malhotra" asked Shivaay.

Straight to business Samar like that and smiled "Please call me Samar. Well Shivaay, I am actually here on a personal capacity no business".

Shivaay knew where this was going, "Oh, I don't see how I can help you with anything personal" said Shivaay.

"Actually Shivaay, I am here on before of Ragini my sister. My sister thinks she is in love with you and would like to get married to you".

Shivaay appreciated Samar's straight forwardness. He did not beat around the bush and that was good. But marriage what difference did it make. He will always love Anika, no matter who he was bound to. Anika had taken his heart with her. He had nothing left.

Samar saw something flicker in Shivaay's heart – it showed some sign of life. It was gone as quick as it appeared, the man before him was robot. Could Ragini not see this man was heartbroken?

Shivaay was giving Samar the same look he was him. Shivaay was sizing the competition. Shivaay knew Ragini was manipulative, Siddarth her so called fiancé was obviously fake but Samar's concern for his sister was genuine. Shivaay understood that.

Samar could see Shivaay did not really care "Shivaay, I won't claim to know what you are thinking, you are an older brother. Would you deny any of your sibling's wishes?"

Shivaay thought well played Samar. Well played. Shivaay smirked, "Well Samar, I actually have a proposal for you as well" said Shivaay.

Samar was intrigued, did Shivaay actually want to make a deal out of this engagement?

Shivaay stood up from behind the desk and walked slowly to the front of his desk. Whilst slowly stalking his prey, his heart ached. Shivaay leaned against the desk in front of Samar.

"I will definitely get married to your sister" announced Shivaay, "but when you get married to my ex-wife" said Shivaay in a tone that was laced with pain and ferocity.

Samar was shocked. Is this man crazy thought Samar? Anika loves him so much and here is proposing her marriage. Anika is nothing more than a friend to him, Samar's heart belonged to someone else.

"No, I am not insane Samar. I am fully aware that you know who my ex-wife is?" said Shivaay calmly.

Samar could hear the pain in Shivaay's voice. Samar knew Shivaay was still in love with Anika, he saw it himself.

"Why Shivaay? It is obvious you still care about her and you love her" asked Samar.

"Love" Shivaay laughed sadly "Samar, my dear friend, love does not exist. Love is just an excuse that people use. I cared for her, I trusted her. I made her the centre of my world along with my brother, but she destroyed everything. She did not trust me. This is what happens, you let people in and they destroy you. So now Samar, there was no love", said Shivaay.