Heart's Desire

Unexpected Shower of LOVE

Her love and trust shattered when she heard Shivaay's reply. She had thought he would stand by her side, but nothing happened. Everything seemed blurred, but she was clear on one point: she wouldn't abort her child. With a broken heart and teary eyes, she found herself in the hospital with IVs attached to her arm. The thought of being separated from her baby horrified her.

"My baby... my baby..." she cried, caressing her stomach. Her parents rushed inside when they heard her voice. She tried to pull the IV out and attempted to get up, but her weakness made her fall back onto the bed. Her father caught her and laid her back down.

"Leave me..." she cried, trying to free herself from her father's grip but couldn't.

"Anika... calm down, please..." her mother started to cry after seeing her like that.

"Leave me... I don't want an abortion... please don't take my baby from me..." she sobbed, struggling to break free. Soon, the doctor came and gave her anesthesia, and she fell unconscious again.

When she opened her eyes, she saw herself in the same hospital room, with her mother sleeping in the chair beside her, tightly holding her hand. The thing she had yearned for years—her mother's care—was right in front of her, but she couldn't feel truly happy. She gently moved her hand, and her mother woke up.

"Anika..." her mother called out softly, but Anika remained silent. Her mother didn't say anything further, sensing her pain. Anika's heart ached after hearing Shivaay's words, but her mind was focused only on the baby in her womb. Each time she thought of what had happened, her body felt weak.

Her father came into the room, and her mother stepped out. Anika noticed, but didn't react.

"Anika, sign this form," her father said.

"If it's for the abortion... forget it... I'm not signing anything," she replied as tears streamed down her face.

"Then what are you going to do, Anika?" he asked.

"I don't know... but I won't kill my baby," she sobbed, caressing her stomach.

He moved closer to her and gently sat on the bed. He took her hand in his and placed it on his lap. She looked at him, surprised, her eyes filled with tears.

"Anika... I know it's all because of us... Our lack of love made you like this... It made you rely on him completely... But Anika, no matter what happens, life has to move on, right? I know what happened today shouldn't have happened... but everything happens for a reason, my child. Neither your mother nor I ever expressed our love for you, but it doesn't mean we didn't love you," her father said, his voice filled with guilt. His words broke Anika's heart, and she began to cry.

"Then why did you treat me this way? Because of you, I sought love elsewhere... just to get your attention and affection... It all happened because of you!" she wept, her emotions pouring out.

"Baby, I don't know how to explain this... but I think it's time I tell you the truth. Do you think we didn't care about you? That we didn't love you? We loved you more than you could ever imagine, but one incident changed everything," he said, showing her an old family photo from his wallet. In the picture, Anika was a baby, just 6 or 7 months old, held by her father, while her mother cradled a 7 or 8-year-old boy.

"Papa... who's this?" Anika asked, confused.

"That's your brother, Ansh..." her father replied, shaking her to the core.

"Ansh... my brother?" she repeated, stunned.

"Yes, Anika... He died when you were just a year old," he said, shocking her further.

"Your mother had five miscarriages before Ansh was born... so he was very dear to us. Your mother pampered him, depended on him for everything. Then, when you were born, he was overjoyed. He kissed you every few minutes... He even threw tantrums, not wanting to leave you at home when he went to school. But everything changed one day... Ansh and I were in an accident, and he died. I survived... but for your mother, I died that day too. She blamed me for the accident and took her revenge in many ways. She distanced herself from you because she believed her love was a bad omen," her father explained. Guilt overwhelmed Anika as she listened.

"She loves you, darling... She was the one who convinced me to go to the Oberoi mansion and plead for you. She even went as far as to touch Pinky Singh Oberoi's feet, begging her to accept you, but they didn't care. I know it's hard to believe, but that's what happened. Even in the hospital, when the doctor suggested we start the abortion procedure, your mother was the one who stopped it. We're not as bad as you think, Anika. Behind every action, there's a reason. Whatever you decide, we'll be by your side. That's our promise," he said, and Anika couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She hugged her father tightly.

"Is she still angry at you?" Anika asked.

"I've gotten used to it... but I've never gotten used to living without her. I love her beyond everything. Even if it takes a lifetime, I'll deal with it... but I can't live without her," he confessed.

"Papa... I'm sorry... Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked, still holding his hand.

"I'm sorry for that," he said, gently caressing her hair.

Soon after, her mother returned. Anika and her father wiped their tears and tried to act normal.

"Arjun..." her mother called to her father.

"Yes?" he replied.

"There's a procedure called a non-invasive prenatal paternity test... a DNA test for the unborn baby. Shall we go for it?" she asked, looking at both Anika and Arjun. They turned to Anika, waiting for her response.

"Maa... He knows... He's the only man I've been with... And yet, he doubted me. I realize now that what we had wasn't love. He doubted me and made everyone question my character... I don't think I'll ever need him in my life again," Anika said, her voice heavy with emotion.

"But what about the child you're carrying?" her mother asked, tears in her eyes.

"Can't I raise him or her on my own?" Anika asked.

"You can," her father replied immediately, though her mother stayed silent.

"Maa... trust me. I'll raise this child to be a good and loving human being... but I need you both by my side... Please don't disappoint me again," Anika pleaded. Her mother hugged her tightly, comforting her.

Although everything happening around her felt surreal, Anika found some solace in finally having her family by her side. They decided to leave the city and move abroad. As they passed the Oberoi mansion, Anika asked the driver to stop. She stepped out of the car, her parents not stopping her.

She walked up to the security gate and called the guard.

"Is Shivaay Singh Oberoi home?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Please give this to him," she said, handing him the pendant Shivaay had given her on her birthday. "And tell him thank you for everything," she added.

She got back into the car and left for Malaysia with her parents.