ShivIka 3S: Ending At Never...

1. Hold My Heart Forever.

Part 1.

Hand in hand we walk through the doors of our abode. It takes a lot of courage from within my insides to not look back one last time.

One last time before we leave.

But I know I won't be able to hold back if I do. I'll run back to my brothers who expect me to step out of this house.

I feel a reassuring squeeze on my palm. Her beautiful eyes held unshed tears in her eyes. Pain embedded on her face.

She didn't want to do it too.

I gulp down the ball of emotions, and squeeze her palm in mine in an answering manner.

"Let's go, Annika." I whisper firmly.

A tear rolls down her eyes, betraying her strength. And like always, her teary face stabs my insides and twists like a knife. Once again, I've brought tears in her eyes.

She nods silently and walks out with me, painfully ignoring the cries of what I called family.

It's just us now.

Annika and I.

"Yes. Just you and me," She says with a soft look in her eyes, "But, I know, this isn't the end."

I look at her in a daze, realizing that I had said out my words loud for her to hear. She rest her head on my shoulder and sniffs.

"No. It's not. This is just the beginning. A new beginning of us."

"Why did you do it, Shivaay? You asked me trust you and your decisions, I did it. Blindly. Didn't ask you even once why do we have to leave... But, I can see that you did not want to do it. Why did you leave everyone behind when you love all of them so much?"

"I will answer your questions, but not here. I don't know what to do now! I don't have a single property on my name, and I don't know where will we find shelter.."

I'm a desperate man, who has a wife to look after with limited saving right now. How can she be so calm when I'm on the verge of suffering a panic attack.

"Don't fret! We will manage. I haven't sold my house yet. We still have it." She says reassuringly.

"When I said new beginnings, it didn't mean just our story, it meant a new beginning altogether. Your husband is broke, Annika." I say.

"And how is that supposed to bother me?"

"Annika? You know that I have only a few lakhs in the name of savings, rights?"

"Few lakhs?! Shivaay, I began my journey with just one pair of clothing on my body and starving for days together. Your 'few lakhs' are more than what we need to begin our life now." She says with a chuckle.