Heart's Desire

Last Rituals.

Anika decided to perform her parents' last rites in Mumbai, with all her family members present. The death of Mr. and Mrs. Rao became headlines in the news, which made it easier for Anika to reconnect with relatives she hadn't contacted in years.

Ansh and Anika arrived in Mumbai with the corpses. Throughout the journey, her father's last words kept running through her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about why she was still stuck in her past. This constant question replayed in her mind again and again. Her father's words reminded her of the helplessness she had felt before. Ansh could see the disturbance on her face but didn't dare console her, as he was equally confused by his grandpa's final words.

"Is this what true love is? Not leaving your partner even after death? Always taking their side?" These questions kept running through Ansh's mind throughout the journey. When they finally arrived in Mumbai, Anika's mind was elsewhere.

"Anika... sorry for your loss, dear," one of her family members said as she was lost in thought. Ansh placed his hand on her shoulder, snapping her back to reality. She raised her head and responded to them. Ansh and Anika entered her family home. She never imagined she would return to this house carrying the bodies of her parents. Fate seemed to mock her, but her father's words about moving on echoed in her mind. She steeled herself to face whatever was to come.

She went straight to her room and opened the cupboard, causing a pile of clothes to fall on her.

"Anika, do you even know anything about wardrobe management?" she heard Shivaay's voice say. She turned around, only to realize it was her imagination. Yet these illusions brought back memories of her miserable situation. She composed herself, wiped away her sweat, threw the clothes back inside the cupboard, and collapsed onto the bed. Her mind couldn't escape her father's words.

"Anika..." she heard Shivaay's voice again, this time coming from the balcony. Without thinking, she moved toward the balcony and saw a 20-year-old Shivaay smiling and waving from the ground below.

"Why?" she screamed at the top of her lungs. With no energy left, she buried her face in her knees and wept loudly, drawing the attention of everyone at the funeral.

Within moments, Ansh ran into her room. His heart skipped a beat when he saw his mother in such a state. He rushed over to her, trying to get her to raise her head, but she refused.

"Ansh... please, leave me alone," she pleaded without looking up. He obeyed and walked back to the hall, where the bodies were kept. Lost in thought, Ansh descended the steps numbly, only to slip. A man caught him just in time, preventing a fall.

Until that moment, Ansh had managed to keep his emotions in check, but when that man hugged him, he couldn't hold back any longer. He broke down, crying uncontrollably. The man gently stroked his head, comforting him.

"It's time for the last rites. Call your mother," the priest said. Ansh broke the hug, nodded, and went to fetch Anika with Nisha by his side.

Anika was still in the same position, though her tears had stopped. The sight of her would have brought anyone to tears.

"Maa..." Ansh called out, but there was no response. He turned to Nisha, who urged him to try again.

"Maa, they're calling you for the last rites," he said softly.

"ANSH! CAN'T YOU HEAR ME? LEAVE... LEAVE MY ROOM... NOW!" Anika roared, her voice echoing through the house. Everyone in the hall, including the man, heard her clearly. The man couldn't resist going upstairs to check on her. He stood at the doorstep of her room, seeing her in that state but too heartbroken to step inside and comfort her. Nisha noticed him and motioned for Ansh to leave the room.

They left, but the man made sure the door wouldn't lock, knowing Anika's fear of enclosed spaces. He quietly secured the door and returned downstairs with Ansh and Nisha. Ansh and Nisha could feel the man's care for her in that small gesture.

"Who will perform the last rites?" the priest asked after witnessing Anika's reaction.

"My father will," Ansh answered without hesitation, pointing toward the man.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi," the crowd whispered. Shivaay hugged Ansh immediately and kissed his forehead.

"But how can I?" Shivaay asked, his eyes brimming with tears.

"You saw mom, didn't you?" Ansh asked. Without further question, Shivaay agreed to help with the last rites, supporting Ansh through the process but not performing them himself. Deep down, he knew he didn't deserve to perform the final rites for her parents, but fate had other plans, and none could escape it.

After the rituals were completed, Shivaay and Ansh returned to drop Ansh at Anika's house. As they approached the house, Shivaay's eyes caught the balcony, where Anika used to wait for him whenever she heard his car honk. If he could change the past, he would. He would have chosen Anika over the family that had betrayed him at every turn. Tears spilled from his eyes before he could stop them. Ansh placed a hand on his shoulder. Shivaay quickly wiped his tears and looked at him.

"Take care of Anika... don't leave her alone. And don't forget to take care of yourself too," Shivaay said, caressing Ansh's cheek before leaving. Ansh felt as though a heavy weight had been placed on his heart. He numbly returned to his mother's room, only to find her still sitting in the same position. His legs gave out, and he sank to the floor opposite her.

"Why, mom? Why is this happening to us? Every time I think everything's fine, another storm hits us. How can I tell you, mom? He didn't cheat you... he was just as betrayed as you were. How can I tell you, mom? He still loves you just like before, and he never betrayed you. Please stop punishing yourself, mom. I can't bear to see you like this... please..." Ansh thought, his tears speaking for him.