Family... (An Ishqbaaz FF) ||✔||

Part 3

Anika collapsed to the floor, crying bitterly. Mahi knelt beside her and tried to console her, but in vain.
Shivaay was stunned. Expressionless. He was fighting a battle with his inner self. Who was he? Shivaay Singh Oberoi? But blood, lineage meant everything for Shivaay Singh Oberoi. He could not be Shivaay Singh Oberoi. His mother is not the wife of Mr Shakti Singh Oberoi. He is not a full Oberoi by blood. He stumbled backwards but OmRu caught him in time.

OmRu: Shivaay/ bhaiya!

Shivaay didn't say anything nor looked at anyone. Pinky's words were still echoing in his ears.
He looked towards Anika. It now hit him. Her rude behavior. Her demand for separation. Her accusing Omkara of being illegitimate. She did that on Pinky's blackmail.
Composing himself, he got up and walked towards Anika. MahIka saw him. Mahi got up and moved back. Shivaay knelt beside her.

Shivaay: *with a straight face* Khud ko Jhansi ki Rani kyoon samajhti ho? (Do you think that you're Jhansi Ki Rani (Warrior Queen)?)

Anika, and the rest of the family members, looked at Shivaay with shock.

Anika: Shi...Shivaay?

Shivaay: Maine poochha, tumhe waisa karne ki kya zaroorat thi? (Why did you do that?)

Anika: *sobs* Toh main aur kya karti Shivaay? Mujhe darr tha ki aap yeh sach... bardaash nahi kar paayenge. (What else could I have done Shivaay? I was scared, scared that you... couldn't have borne it.)

Shivaay: *teary-eyed* Bas apne mann se soch liya ki Shivaay Si... Shivaay ek sach se takkra kar bikhar jaayega. Likin tumhe toh yeh pata hi nahi, toot toh main ussi din gaya tha jab tum mujhe chhod ke gayi thi... ya jab maine tumhe nikaala tha. *sighs* You know what Anika? Mujhe is baat ka itna guilt nahi ki main najaayas hoon. Likin is baat ka hain ki *caresses her face* main tumhe, apne pyaar ko, woh zindagi nahi de paaya jo woh deserve karti hain. I'm sorry.
(You just thought that a revelation could break Shivaay Si...Shivaay. But what you don't know is that I broke the day you left me...or when I kicked you out.  You know what, Anika, me being illegitimate isn't making me feel guilty. What making me feel guilty is that I couldn't give you, my love, the life you deserve. I'm sorry.) 

Anika looks down, wiping her tears. Suddenly, Shivaay's words hit her like lightning and she looks up.

Anika: *shocked* Kya kaha aapne? (What did you say?)

Shivaay: Ki I'm so... (That I'm so...)

Anika: Nahi, usse pehle. (No, before that.)

Shivaay: Oh, woh. *sighs* Pyaar bhi kya cheez hain na? Happens with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. Jaise mujhe tumse ho gaya.
(Oh, that. Love is strange. Happens with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. Like how I'm in love with you.)

Her arms swing back down while her face was stoned.

Shivaay: Anika?

The next moment, Anika pulled Shivaay into a bone crushing hug and started crying.

Anika: Kitne der lagadi Shivaay. Aapko andaaza bhi nahi hain main kabse se yeh sunna chahti thi. *hug him tighter and whispers* I love you Shivaay. I love you...
(Took you long enough Shivaay. You have no idea since how long I've been waiting to hear these words.  I love you Shivaay. I love you...)

She clutched his shirt tightly and let her tears, but this time tears of happiness, flow from her eyes. Shivaay broke the hug and held her from her shoulders.

Shivaay: *teary eyed* Likin kyoon Anika? Maine tumhare saath kitna galat kiya. Tumhe kitna galat samjha. Tumhari kitni insult kiya jab ki main khud...
(But why Anika? I did you wrong. I misunderstood you. I insulted you when I am myself...)

Anika: *keeps her finger on his lips* Aisa mat kahiye. Haan, aapne kuch ulti-seedhi baatein keh di hongi, *holds his hand* likin aapne mere liye bahot kuch kiya bhi toh hain.
(Don't say that. Yes, you've said some stupid things but you've done a lot for me as well.)

Shivaay: Aur tumne toh mere liye usse bhi zyada kiya hain. *after a long pause* Anika, mere paas tumhe dene ke liye kuch nahi hain, not even... a surname.
(And you've done a lot more for me. Anika, I can't give you anything, not even... a surname.)

Anika: Mere paas aapka pyaar hain, aur kisi cheez ki zaroorat nahi hain. Aur maine aapko pehli bhi bola hain, main sirf Anika hoon.
(I have your love, I don't need anything else. And I've told you this before, I'm just Anika)

Shivaay: Aur main sirf Shivaay. Sirf tumhara Shivaay.
(And I'm just Shivaay. Just your Shivaay.)

Anika blushed at his statement. OmRu walked upto him and kept their hands om his shoulder. He looked at them and stood up. OmRu pulled him into a hug.

Om: Shivaay, chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye, tum humesha humare bhai rahoge.
(Shivaay, no matter what, you will always be our brother.)

Rudra: Aur duniya ki koi bhi taqat hume alag nahi kar sakti.
(And power on earth can break us apart.)

They hugged him tighter. Mahi and Anika wiped a tear from their eyes. OmRu pull them into the hug as well. 

Shakti and Pinky just stared at the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes. The ladies (Gauri, Bhavya, Prinku, Jahnvi and Dadi) were still recovering from the shock but were happy seeing the unity of the brothers was still unaffected. Tej was just standing like a stone.
Amidst all this, Kamini was standing in corner with her blood boiling.

Kamini: *to herself* Mujhe itna tadpa kar yeh log mazze le rahe hain. Nahi. Main itni aasani se haar nahi maan sakti.
(They are enjoying while I suffered. No. I will not give up so easily.)

Coming back to ShivOmRuMahIka, they broke the hug and composed themselves. Anika moved a step back to let the brothers talk.

Shivaay: *to Mahi* I'm sorry Mahi... for everything.

Mahi: Tu kyoon maafi maang raha hain? Maafi toh mereko maangni chahiye.
(Why are you apologizing? I should be the one apologizing.) 

Rudra: Aap dono please apna sorry-sorry baad main khelenge? Bahot emotional ho raha hain. (Could you two please exchange apologies later? It's getting too emotional.)

Mahi: *complains* Yeh tu bol rela hain? Khud toh saara din senti maar-maar ke hug karta rehta hain.
(Look who's talking? You're the one who keeps getting emotional and hug everyone.)

Rudra: Mahi bhaiya, humare bromance ki insult mat kijiye. (Mahi bhaiya, don't insult our bromance.)

Mahi: Ab yeh "bromance" kis chidiya ka naam hain?
(Now what on earth is "bromance"?)

Shivaay lightly smacks his head. Kamini, on the other hand, pulls out a gun and aims it at Shivaay. Anika sees this.

Anika: SHIVAAY!

The next second, Kamini pulls the trigger. Anika runs in front of Shivaay and the bullet hits her in the center of her chest. Mahi runs to Kamini and tries to snatch the gun from her.

Mahi: *trying to snatch the the gun* Maa, chhod isse. (Mom, leave it.)

Kamini: CHHOD DE MUJHE MAHI.(LEAVE ME MAHI.)

The muzzle of the gun was pointing towards Mahi's chest. Accidentaly, Kamini pulled the trigger and Mahi gets shot in the left side of his chest. He staggered backwards while looking towards Kamini, his eyes depicting his pain. Kamini loses her grip on the gun and cups her mouth. Mahi exchanged a glance with Anika, who was still standing while blood dripped down her chest. Though they were gravely hurt, their eyes had a satisfaction in them as they managed to save their Shivaay. They shared a subtle smile before their visions blurred and they collapsed.