Our Own Battles

Chapter 18

Anika did not want to go through with this farce. She was so lost in her memories of last night. She managed to avoid Shivaay all morning. Going to the parlour was her idea, when she mentioned the special that Lotus beauty parlour was having Gauri and babe maa decided to join her, she could not run away. Mahi was not answering his phone that was irritating her even more. They were on their way home now. She knew she had to face the devil sooner or later. Her head hurt, she could not find way out of this.

Speak of devil, as she entered the house there he was. Gauri and bade maa left her standing at the entrance. Shivaay was on the phone with his back turned to her. She quickly hid when she saw him turn, the only place was behind the couch.

'Anika' said Shivaay, his Anika senso-metre went off - she was near. He looked around and saw her cute a$$ sticking out from behind the couch. He walked from the other side and sat down in her way. She was looking behind her so she did not notice him but he was near her heart beat was going crazy. She began crawling slowly still looking behind her and the 'bang' her head hit his. He held her face and slowly brought banged his head to her head and lightly 'banged' it again.

He smiled and said "we would not want the bride to have horns now do we" looking into her eyes.

Anika was lost in his eyes, a sea of green and blue.

Shivaay smiled "by the way, what are you doing down here. Still hiding from me" teased Shivaay.

Anika quickly stood up and dusted her jeans "me, hiding from you, please" said Anika, mustering up all the tadi she could

Shivaay was now stood up as well, he smiled at her antics, when she was nervous she could never look him the eyes.

"Bhabhi, you still here" said Gauri "the mendhi lady is here. They are waiting for you".

Anika looked at Shivaay with panic in her eyes. Shivaay could not stand to see the look in her eyes. He held her shoulders and said "Don't worry Anika, the person meant to be yours, only his name will be in your mendhi".

Anika blinked away the tears that was forming. Gauri ushered her away to the room.

"Gauri, I can't to do this" said Anika letting the tears flow now.

"No no Bhabhi, no tears. Have faith. And remember why you are doing this" comforted Gauri.

"Gauri, I am beginning to think it is all not worth it. Shivaay is moving on. I should just let him, it hurts to see all this again" cried Anika.

"Bhabhi, maybe God has other plans. Sometimes we just got to leave it up it him. Stop crying Bhabhi please. Your make up is getting ruined" joked Gauri.

Anika wiped her tears and put on her lehenga. It was a simple red flared skirt with floral embroidery on the border and a bronze alter neck choli that had two dori's that went across her back. Her duppata was a fully embroidered with flowers. Gauri handed her bangles but she took a bronze broad bracelet instead. Gauri understood, even now she could not separate her mangal sutra from her.

Gauri smiled sadly and walked with Anika into the main hall. Shivaay as always felt her before he saw her. He turned in her direction and was once again she knocked the breath right out of him. Shivaay forgot about Ragini standing next to him, everyone in the room disappeared. It was just them and it was perfect as she walked towards him in slow motion. When she looked up at him, he would have happily died right there, she was the epitome of beauty. He quickly came back to reality when Samar met stopped her halfway blocking his view. Anika looked over Samar's shoulder...

Nazdeek hai dil ke ...he is close to my heart

Phir kyun lage milka....then why do I feel like