Bound by Circumstances

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HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!! May you get everything you deserve this year!

I know I'm like really late and I am extremely sorry. I've been busy round the clock but I will try giving regular updates now.

Also, not proof read😅 so kindly point out grammatical and spelling errors.

AND AND AND, a big thank you for making this book the runner up in Ishqbaaaz Awards.

Lots of love!

She sat around looking at the stars to find the truth that hid in her deepest self. It was safe then to acknowledge in the company of the dark that she missed them. Probably a little too much as it hindered her breath; yet she breathed. Life never came with a promise of being easy but it was endurable and that was all one could wish for. She looked behind at the bed where Shivaay was peacefully sleeping and her heart pounded for a bit before it was filled with warmth. She felt it melting inside her. She stood up and walked slowly towards him and she knew there was something that was pulling her in that direction. She sat at the foot of the bed as she stared into his features. She moved closer and memorized them. How could someone be perfect inside out? She didn't know what it was but she knew that she wasn't just attracted to her husband. He was becoming extremely important and for once, she did not want to think about the ifs and buts. She voluntarily snuggled in his arms and smiled broadly when he immediately took her in. He mumbled something incomprehensively and buried his head in the nape of her neck. She closed her eyes as slumber slowly walked into her demeanor and for the first time in a really long time, a small smile was playing over her lips.

*

"I can't believe we are going back already!" Rudra pouted cutely as they brought out their luggage. Gauri and Om exchanged a look and shook their heads. They had listened to him rant so much that they knew what he was going to say next. They quietly left Rudra on his own and approached Shivaay who was in the reception, taking care of the bills. The manager's expression changed when he saw Omkara; he nodded twice and went inside. Shivaay looked back and forth and raised his eyebrow, while Gauri looked at him wide eyed. Om looked at her and subtly shook his head. Shivaay was about to ask when Annika chirpily joined them. She held Shivaay's hand which took all the three in surprise. Shivaay frowned for a millisecond before his face broke out in a broad smile. He locked his fingers in hers and looked at her so tenderly. Gauri stood in awe when Om broke her out of reverie and pulled her aside.

"That guy apparently assaulted many girls. I spoke to the manager and got him fired. But Gauri, we should file a complaint. Please think about it, you don't want more girls to go through this right?"

"We are leaving today!" Gauri hoped it didn't sound like an excuse albeit it was. Certain things were easier said than done. She looked so conflicted and Omkara wondered where all his empathy left? The girl had just been through nothing less than the worst that could happen in what was supposed to be a safe place and he was asking her to do something that required living and reliving it with every question. It was clear with the Sharma family that Gauri had been brought up in a safe haven where something as demonic as assault did not exist. His expression softened and he took her hands, "If you don't want to, it's fine. Just know that you aren't alone." He gave her a small smile and left. Gauri stared at the direction that he left. She wondered how many sides of his were left for her to know. Tearing her gaze away, her eyes landed on Shivaay and Annika. Her cousin was looking at her husband in a way which was... new. There was a small but palpable light in her and that warmed Gauri's ice cold heart. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she immediately stiffened. Her face turned a little grim and her hands shivered a little as she turned. She let out a relief when she saw it was only Rudra. Before he could say anything, Gauri chirped something a pulled him away. There was no evidence of what went through her mind seconds ago on her face. Sharma or Trivedi, the sisters never let their mask slip.

*

"I wish we'd never have to leave this place!" She shifted her head which was resting on the window a while ago to Shivaay's shoulders. If he was surprised- yet again- he didn't show it. He dipped a little so she could get more comfortable.

"You just don't want to go to college yet," Shivaay chuckled while she hummed and pouted a little.

"I have to cover up for classes I missed and then I'd be free. You will help me, no?"

Shivaay gave her a mysterious smile and went back to the book that he was reading. Annika got up and stared at him while he paid no heed to her. "YOU will HELP me, NO?"

"I think I'll be busy sweetheart. Sometimes, you will have to walk the trials of fire alone. See, its right here in the book." He pointed to a random line and flipped the page. Annika gritted her teeth and snatched the book away.

"I agreed to come BECAUSE you told me you'd help!" Her nostrils flared and she should have looked scary. But Shivaay just laughed at her, on her face and she could do nothing but groan. He flicked her nose,

"You are too cute for your own good."

His face was a little too close when he'd said that and her face flushed as she turned the other direction. Shivaay chuckled and took back his book. He threw her occasional glances; he didn't know one of the adjectives that he associated with her would leave her tongue tied and blushing. He could only imagine her reaction to the rest of them.

*

It had been a week after their return and both Shivaay and Annika had gotten busy; Shivaay with his work and Annika with college. But Annika always found her way to Shivaay which did not go unnoticed by him or the family. If Shivaay was working from his study, she would silently sit opposite to him. Sometimes, he would take a call at the pool and she would sit at the lawn chair with her phone or her notes. While he was home, she stayed at his vicinity as if hoping he'd not vanish. Shivaay did not complain to the least and quite enjoyed having her next to him. Every time he was stressed, all he had to do was look up at her. He would occasionally glance at her face, especially if she was into her work. Her forehead creased a little and her gaze would be very intent on whatever she was doing and that expression of hers was yet another remainder of the fondness he had for her. She did catch him staring a few times, just like he would catch her. They would give each other a shy, flustered smile and go back to their work.

That evening, Shivaay was in their room with his laptop and a few files in front him. Tej had left him to crack a deal and his father just shrugged when Shivaay looked at him like the lost cat that he was. So when Annika had walked in, he knew she did, but it didn't just get in his head. He continued going through the files and a while later, he realized, she was still standing in front of him.

"Jeez, how long have you been standing?" He looked at his watch as if he had kept track of time. It was almost nine and he didn't know how time had rushed through. It was only half past five when he had sat down. He looked at Annika again, who had a few notes in her hand. She kept them on the table and went away. He saw her come again with a plate of food which he took gratefully.

"Do you want help with the notes?" He asked as he tore his roti.

"It's fine actually. You have a lot of work," She smiled as she took her books and sat on the bed. "Tej Uncle wanted me to ask to you about the internship."

"Oh yes. You can join me on Monday."

"I'll be under you?" She asked without thinking and turned pink when Shivaay raised his eyebrow. "I meant to ask, will I be working... under you?"

"Yeah, I'm taking the interns now."

Annika let out a sigh. The internship was definitely not going to be a breeze.