Ae dil hain mushkil - shivika ff

8. Protecting me!?

Anika's POV:

Shivaay!!! For a second, I believed it was surely my dream. Why would he be here? It was our shopping day, right!? Even Karthik didn't come.
Stop imagining Anika, I told myself when I heard him calling me.

“Hey Anika!” he waved. Oh my God!! I didn't respond and continued staring, with a little hope that all this was my bad dream. He wasn't here, standing right in front of me. But unfortunately, everything seemed real when he touched me.

“Hey, you alright?” he asked, softly. I hardly swallowed the lump that was forming in the back of my throat. I had many questions going in my mind then. But what I still couldn't understand was his impeccable acting skills. I didn't know that he was so good at this. If I hadn't known him so well, I would had surely believed that he didn't remember me.

Did he actually forget me?  The possibility of this was almost negligible, because Shivaay cannot forget me so soon. Utna toh bharosa hai mujhe uss par. Hamare pyar par.

I was initially happy that he didn't recognise me, and didn’t ruin this marriage. Yet I had this michmichi feeling. Despite what all happened, I couldn't totally see him as a stranger. He was my love. My husband. How could he forget his Anika?

I wanted to ask him this right away. I wanted to hug him for once. After all, I had seen him after five long years. I still wanted to tell him the truth.

Anika!!! Just stop it already. Tum iss aadmi ke baare mei kyun itna soch rai hai. Yeh wahi SSO hai, jisse apne pyar par bharosa hi nai hai. Don't you dare forget that day.

Suddenly, my thoughts trailed back to reality and Shivu!! She was still here in the trail room. I had to stop her from coming to me. I should right away send her home.

Without looking at him, I turned and ran inside the shop. For my luck, Shivanya was still inside the change. I searched for Daima and she was sitting at a corner.

“Daima, take Shivanya and go home.” I said,panting.

“Par kyu Anika bitiya?” she asked, confused.

“I would tell the reason later. But please, take her an...”

“But Maa ji told me to stay here and help Nandini beta with the shopping bags" she said confused.

Ohh Shit! Yeah! Maa didn't know all this and I cannot even tell her. I could feel my palms sweaty. I should do something.

Think! Anika think! I walked here and there, praying god to help me out of this danger.

“Adi!!” my mind suggested. I immediately pulled my phone out and dialled his number.

“Adi! Where are you?” I rushed, as soon as he picked up.

“What happened?” He asked, concern filling in his voice. I heard his car screeching and suddenly coming to a halt.

I composed, “ Can you do me a favour?”

“Of course”

“It's just that I want you to come and take Shivu with you” I breathed “If you are free now.”

“Yaa. I m free. But why?”

“Arey, wo khamakha sabko pareshan karegi. And her shopping was finished already. So..!” I m sorry Shivu , I had no option left to protect you.

“Ya sure. Waise bhi I was going to your home only.” He said. That was a relief. She would be completely safe at home.

“Thank you" I exclaimed, my fear vanishing away.

I slowly tiptoed to the entrance and checked the area. Shivaay wasn't   anywhere near in my sight. I somehow managed Shivu saying that Adi wanted to take her somewhere special. Thank god! She believed it and was also super excited.

Within no minutes, he was in front of us and assured me that he would properly take care of her. Right now, there wasn't anybody other than him I could rely on. I lifted my baby in my hands, and kissed her tightly, finally waved her.

.............................................................

I reached first floor and was about to call Maa but couldn't.  Credit goes to my signals. I hate when they go zero and now I had no option left except searching every shop over here.

I was done with one row of shops and left with three other sides. The mall had been built in a square area. There was a big lawn in the middle and an array of shops arranged around it.

I entered the second side when I saw Maa in shop, located at the end of the other side. Thank god! I saved my energy. But I had to walk this whole L shaped Lane to reach that side.

On the way, my attention shifted to a peculiar bridal dress. A gorgeous lehanga was put on the mannequin. It was maroon coloured made of velvety material,  and as a contrast, the chunri was a Golden one. It had been all over stitched with pearls. It would look absolutely stunning on our bride.

I stood in front of the shop, amazed by its beauty. I wanted to buy it then and there. Agar Karthik dekhega toh, khushi se pagal ho jayega. I laughed, at that mere thought.

“It's really pretty" A voice startled me. I jerked back and slipped in the process. I closed my eyes in fear, and A pair of hands curled around my waist and secured me in my position. I automatically grabbed that person's collar and an acquainted warmth surrounded me.

I could feel it's him. “Shivaay" I mumbled, opening my eyes. A small curve appeared over his face.

“Careful" he whispered, in my ear, brushing his cheek to mine. I quivered at our closeness. It's been quite long feeling him.

Come to your stupid senses. Something snapped inside. I pushed him away, hardly. It's enough now.

“What are you doing?” I frowned, trying hard not to cry. I shouldn't show him my vulnerable side.  I should be strong and make him feel that I was happy without him.

“Protecting you” He said innocently, as if he didn't know what I was talking about.

Woah! Protecting me!? He wasn't there with me anywhere in my life when I wanted someone.

“Don't act smart, Shivaay" I looked away and exhaled “Why did you come here?”

“I am here because it's Nandu's wedding" He smiled “and being her bestie, I have to be here"

“You know what I am asking you about?”

“I answered your question though" a devilish smirk appeared on his face.

“Why are you behaving like a stranger?” I tried not to yell, but did. Anika! Calm down. He shouldn't know that his presence was affecting me.

“We just met yesterday. Aren't we call strangers?" He held my palm but I was quick enough to react.

“Don't touch me" I stepped back and hit the glass door.

“Hey! Careful" He stepped ahead.

“Don't! Just don’t". He wasn't going to admit. But I will make you agree.

“I was just kidding.” I laughed, suddenly. He stared right into my eyes, paused and laughed. But we very well knew that we were acting.

Agar tum Shivaay Singh Oberoi ho toh mein bhi Anika hu!!
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A/N: Hey guys,
         How have you been? It's been so long meeting you all. I had been posting the other works but couldn't update this one.

So, finally your wait has got a stop. Sorry for the delay though. I try harder now, for updating all of them together.

I hope you are loving this story. Soon, the story takes its turn. I planned it to be a short story but I guess it won't happen in that way.

So, here's a question for you.
Are you liking this story?
Should I end it soon?
Please share your views.

Yours
Trushnamallipudi ❤