Shivika SS : The Ties that Bind

Part 8

The intercom at the desk of the Commissioner's desk buzzed.

"Yes?"

"Sir, Commissioner Khan sir, ACP Sinha here. We have set up cordons on every main highway out of the district of Maharashtra. We have a district wide search out for Mrs Oberoi, her photo and identifications are disseminated, and the Oberoi family head, Tej Singh Oberoi has made an appeal on TV for public help in the search for their daughter in law and the manhunt of Veer Pratap Chauhan."

"Good. Keep it up guys, this thug has killed enough police officers, we need to get this man fast."

"Yes, Sir."

***

Om paced at the foot of Shivaay's bed. He has been unconscious for 2 hours! Bhabhi has been missing for an hour and counting. Mr. Oberoi has pulled all his weight and moved the police behind it, but Shivaay himself had to get up.

That is if he is okay. Mrs. Benedict from the orphanage said he had shouted for Annika before he passed out, that he'd remembered everything.

"Come on Shivaay..! Wake up man.. We need you right now!" he whispered.

Elsewhere Rudra, Bhavya and Gauri searched the streets in their car.

***

Annika sat in a pitch dark room with no windows. She was getting used to the dark now, being alone these few months. She had to teach herself to be independent again, after being dependent on Shivaay being there for every problem. It was depressing, made her cry every time, but it was the truth. She had their baby in her womb, and she has to buck up. Whether or not Shivaay regains his memories.

There was nothing to do but think. She decided to be cooperative. She ate the food given to her, because her baby was of paramount importance. Crying and wailing for Shivaay to come is for another time.

What does Veer want with her?

A relationship? Would he harm her baby if he found out?

The door opened and the ray of lights was so bright she had to close her eyes. A silhouette of a large man stood before her.

"Its good that you ate. And that you are cooperating , but don't put any hope on Shivaay finding us here okay? He does not even remember you, so you better rethink your priorities carefully. I never meant you any harm, don't fight me. For your own safety."

"Okay..." she replied quietly.

"Take a look at this.." he showed her a live video feed on his phone. "Shivaay is unconscious again, his head cannot take remembering you. He will wake up and forget you all over again."

Fresh tears ran unchecked down her face, seeing Shivaay unconscious in bed, with Om hovering about him. Seeing him at home, meant the doctors have checked him and he's resting. She breathed in relief, seeing him safe at home with Om and Rudra.

But what Veer was saying is partially right. She is alone now, Shivaay may wake up and not recall anything again, and OmRu will have no clue where to even look for her. She can't just stick around and wait, she was in charge of herself and her baby. She had to do something.

Veer was glad that she was cooperating. He let the guards give her whatever small thing she requested. Oranges, drinking water, chilli sauce, multiple trips to the bathroom, were all inconspicuous items to ask for. She watched the buffoons guarding her relax their stance and start playing cards to pass the night shift.

Annika went through her plan again. If Shivaay were here, he'd say that it would never work, it was a bakwaas plan. But her stupid plans had that element of surprise and unpredictability, that usually worked in her favour.

So few minutes later, she was running out the service entrance of kitchens, while 2 guards followed a false lead out of the toilet window, other two had chilli sauce and orange juice in their eyes.

She ran and ran for her life.

For what felt like miles.

On and on the road went, with no street lamps. She was panting for breath, with no shelter in sight.

Her speed reduced greatly, she struggled to keep going.

Where is this place?

This road is going nowhere.

Kaha phas gayi hu mein? Shivaay !!!

A moment of desperation hit her as exhaustion made her legs heavy. She stopped, just for a minute, caught her breath, just 60 seconds. Tears mixed with sweat, she wiped off her face, grunts of her sobs she swallowed as she struggled to get up and continue running.

She saw headlights approach from afar. Relief, for 2 seconds.

Then she realized it was coming from the same side she came from.

Terror drove her to her feet, adrenaline pumped through here veins as she found strength to run faster than she ever did all her life.

Run, Annika! Run!! Run! For God's sake RUN!!

She ran for her life, like the Devil was after her. But the Devil rode a car.

And he caught her.

***

She fought like a wild cat. She scratched and kicked and wounded so many of the men sent to catch her. It was madness, like trying to catch a hurricane. At the height of it, Veer walked up to the men struggling to hold this human hurricane, and hit her hard just once, a backhand across her face, and she was knocked out.

Blackness...

***

Shivaay opened his eyes and saw the rectangular panels of the hospital ceiling.

Hospital.

Head injury.

Dizziness, nausea

Loss of memory.

Work.

Wednesday morning meetings

Beautiful girl who needed help.

Someone chasing her.

Hope Orphanage.

Rich man who loved an orphan.

Head injury, nausea, giddiness.

Hit on the head.

Running , running fast.

To a shelter.

Men chasing, so many men.

Will she be safe?

Need to divert these men away from where she was.

Run Shivaay Run!

Turn away from where she is hidden, lead these men elsewhere, she'll be safe.

Heart pumping, blood roaring,

Footsteps catching up.

Heckles, shouts, being surrounded.

Punches, kicks

Then Bang! A club to the head.

Blackness.

"ANNNIKAAAA !!!"

He sat up with that blood curdling roar. Om tore up to the bed to stop him from pulling out all the wires and tubes running form his body.

"Shivaay! Calm down for a few minutes, breathe. Please.."

Shivaay meet Om's worried eyes, with his bloodshot worried ones, "Annika needs me. I've wasted enough time. No more."

Om felt chills down his spine. Shivaay Singh Oberoi was back, and he was going to get his Annika back.