Our Own Battles

Chapter 20

Anika had to get some air. This was becoming too much. Anika walked out to the pool side and realised the breath she had been holding. She took calming breathes now to calm herself. How much more?

"You know you can end all this right now" said a voice.

"Mahi" whispered Anika and run into his arms and began crying.

Mahi patted her head to calm her down like he always did, "Why is it that you are always crying when you see me. Do I look that bad?" teased Mahi.

Anika hit pulled away and hit his arm, "I am so glad that you are here" smiled Anika wiping her tears.

Mahi wiped her tears and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, "I had to come watch this comedy show that you and my brother have become. How does two intelligent people become so stupid?"

Anika led him to pool side and they sat down. She laid her head on his shoulder, "Mahi, everything has become so complicated. You know I can't tell him why I left. It will destroy him but I also can't go on like this. It hurts too much." Said Anika.

"Then end it all" said Mahi "You came here to bring back the old Shivaay. He is back, why are you still here? I will tell you why. It's cause you insanely in love with Shivaay and this is your home. You cannot leave home. Stop all this Anika. Drop you ego and end of all this.

Anika looked at Mahi, "If only it was that simple. He will only end all this when he hears the truth. He knows whatever I did I was forced to. He wants to know why. I will not be able to tell him the truth."

"What truth" they heard a voice from behind them. Anika did not have any time to react. Shivaay came and bro-hugged Mahi, "Thank you coming, Mahi. I know for your own reasons you did not want to come here. But thank you for coming. Ready for 'the bachelors party'" asked Shivaay to Mahi.

Anika was shocked. Shivaay and Mahi turned to face Anika. Her expression was so funny Mahi laughed. Shivaay walked right up to Anika, there was no space between them, "Close your mouth Anika, a fly will go in" teased Shivaay.

Anika took a step back "How do, when did you, what is going on here" she finally managed to get out looking at Shivaay and Mahi.

Shivaay came closer and whispered in Anika's ears "Not only you can keep secrets", Shivaay softly placed a kissed on Anika's cheek and left with Mahi. Anika was completely red now, she touched her cheek that Shivaay had just kissed and smiled only to look up and see Shivaay walking away but looking at her, he winked when their eyes met.

Anika had showered and was in her room wondering about this bachelor party and the biggest thing that had her mind blown was Shivaay and Mahi. Since when and how? Anika's head was beginning to pain wondering how, what when and why. There was a knock at the door, Anika opened the door and there stood Daadi, Jhanvi and Gauri smiling very suspiciously.

Their smiles was infectious, Anika smiled to "Daadi, bade ma what's going" asked Anika.

Gauri came and blindfolded Anika "Bhabhi, it's your bachelorette party" ushering her into the pool side. Gauri removed her blindfold.

Everyone shouted 'surprise'. Anika rubbed her eyes and as her vision cleared she saw Saumya and Priyanka standing in front of her. Anika hugged the both of them tightly. Both Saumya and Priyanka have been away, Priyanka with her husband Ranveer and Saumya was studying in Australia. Gauri has been keeping Priyanka updated everything that is happening. Saumya has been in contact with Om who kept her update.

The girls finally settled down and was catching up in Shivaay and Anika's room on munching on popcorn and chocolates. Prinku was holding Anika's hand and looking at her mendhi.

"Bhabhi, how are you going to stop this" asked Saumya seriously, "Bhabhi you would have to do something."

Anika hugged Saumya, Prinku and Gauri and said "I wish it was that easy".

Meanwhile on the terrace, Ranveer received a shock of life when he walked into to find Mahi chilling with the O'bros. Shivaay saw Ranveer first and went over and greeted him and brought him into the group. Walked over and greeted Om and Rudra. Rudra handed him a drink but Ranveer was still looking at Mahi suspiciously.

"Hello Brother" said Mahi to Ranveer.

"What are you doing here" asked Ranveer suspiciously to Mahi.

Shivaay detected some tension, he quickly diffused the situation. Shivaay did not know why but he did like anyone saying anything bad to Mahi. "Ranveer, Mahi is here because we invited him. Everyone deserves a second chance like we gave you and besides Mahi is family" said Shivaay holding Mahi's shoulder.

Mahi's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Shivaay and then at Shivaay's hand on his shoulder. Mahi felt like he had been given the world. Rudra took a picture and sent to Anika. The boys settled down and began catching up. Mahi looked around at his brothers, he wanted to sketch this moment in his heart. He finally felt like he belonged, not in that house but with these people. Shivaay looked at him and asked him if he okay. Mahi nodded.

"So Shivaay, how are you going to stop all this" asked Mahi.

Shivaay almost choked on his drink as the question came out of nowhere.

"Yes, bhaiya. Tomorrow is the haldi after that is the wedding" said Rudra.

Om added "If you don't stop all this quick, the both of you would be married to OTHER PEOPLE" stressed Om "and that all because of your attitude".

Ranveer who had been filled in by Prinku added "Bhaiya, just end all this".

Shivaay looked at all of their faces and smiled sadly said "if only it was that simple" and with that he walked out.

Anika heard her phone beep, say opened the picture Rudra sent and smiled. Gauri, Saumya, and Prinku was asleep now. Anika walked out to pool area. She looked up to the moon to some guidance out of his situation.

"All you have to do tell me the truth Anika and I will end all of this" whispered Shivaay into her ear softly. Her back was fully on his chest.

Anika did not resist him. She closed her eyes and savoured the moment. Shivaay wrapped his hands around her. They stayed like that for a little longer.

Shivaay did not want to break the moment but he had to know. Going through with all of these ceremonies was killing him but he had to know. Why did she have to be so stubborn? He could see she is hurting and she does not want to go through with all of this. But is what she hiding so big that she willing to go through all this pain just to hide it. It was because of that reasoning – he had to know.

"Anika" he said softly in her ear.

"Hmm" was all he got. He held her closely and turned her around. She had fallen asleep. Still holding her he kissed her forehead and picked her up and sat down on the recliner with her asleep in his arms as he cradled her in his lap. Looking at her sleeping face, he said "please Anika stop all this and tell me. Time is running out. And I am really scared. This secret that you are keeping broke us apart once this time I am afraid that you might end marrying someone else to protect me. Anika, I love you. I can't lose you" pleaded Shivaay with tears in his eyes as he held onto her tighter.