Heart's Desire

The Relentless love

Anika had accepted defeat in the battle of emotions and the myth called "moving on from his memories." She acknowledged her defeat, but she wasn't ready to accept Shivaay back into her life. She held firm on that point, yet she also realized there was no point in running away from the past. Rushing into the washroom, she threw her blazer on the bed and stared at herself in the mirror.

She saw herself looking weak and disgusted in the reflection. She couldn't even face herself in the mirror as her father's words echoed in her head. She questioned why she was so dependent on him. That question haunted her, isolating her from everyone. Was she doing the right thing by isolating herself?

On the other hand, Shivaay understood that she missed him deeply, no matter how much she tried to deny it. She still loved him, and that feeling was constant and relentless. But he also understood her anger and knew how long it could last. So, he did his best to stay away from her, though he wasn't ready to distance himself from his son. Anika's coldness hurt him to the core, and Ansh remained withdrawn, uninterested in everything. Anika began to isolate herself from everyone—Ansh, Nisha, and even Nisha's mom, who had been her best friend before her parents' death.

Shivaay entered the Rao mansion and noticed his son sitting quietly at the dining table, playing with his rice rather than eating it.

"Hey," Shivaay greeted Ansh, who turned and gave him a faint smile.

"Having breakfast?" Shivaay asked, seeing Ansh had been playing with his rice for a long time.

"Yes," Ansh sighed heavily and forced himself to take a bite. Shivaay noticed how uninterested he was, and it broke his heart to see his son in that condition.

"Well, what about your future plans?" Shivaay asked, trying to change the subject and distract him from the grief.

"Future plans?" Ansh chuckled lightly, still chewing.

"He's asking about your future plans, Ansh... you know, like whether you're going to marry a girl or a boy," Nisha interjected, poking fun at him.

"Ansh!" Shivaay exclaimed, shocked.

"Dad! You... madwoman... mind your words," Ansh said, irritated by Nisha's teasing.

"I'm just telling the truth, uncle... I think he's interested in boys. After all, he still doesn't have a girlfriend. Not even a crush. So, I think..." Nisha started, but Shivaay's jaw dropped in shock as he looked at Ansh.

"You... shut up, Ms. Awasti! Do you know why I don't have a girlfriend? Because you're always sticking to me like my conjoined twin! Most of the students still think she's my *yuck* girlfriend. But I know the truth. She's not my girlfriend, she's the troublemaker in my life! And as for the topic 'WHY ANSH DOESN'T HAVE A CRUSH?'—well, if I ever dared to look at a girl, I'd be dead on the spot. She'd start telling stories that began in kindergarten and would keep going on and on until my ears couldn't take it anymore. Tell me, Dad, how could anyone have a crush with this troublemaker constantly around?" Ansh vented, leaving Shivaay speechless.

*Ahem,* Shivaay cleared his throat while Nisha shifted her focus back to her food, pretending nothing had happened.

"Uncle, ask him... I wasn't even around for the past year, and still, no crush!" Nisha teased.

"Tell her, Dad... a normal human being takes time to recover after being affected by something for 10 years!" Ansh replied irritably.

"Uncle, he called me a disease! You can't just let that slide," Nisha complained, standing up dramatically.

"Ansh..." Shivaay tried to intervene, but the situation quickly escalated. Out of frustration, Ansh threw a jug of water on Nisha's face. She stood in shock as Shivaay covered his mouth, stunned.