It was too late - A Shivika ff

Chapter 18

Hey guys, back with the  next chappy.
Don't forget to vote, comment and share with friends!

__________________________________

While Shivaay had been inside the ward, there was a different panchayat going on outside. 

Shakti," Ab toh Shivaay ko pata chal jaayega ki Anika theekh nahi hai, bas uski tabyet firse kharab na hoye."

Rudra," Nahi chhote papa, he won't come to know. I've switched off the lights inside and told him not to touch Bhabhi, he won't come to know now."

Jhanvi," But till when will we keep avoiding this situation, he will come to know today or tomorrow, and he has the right to know."

Om," What right Mom? Anika bhabhi did not even list him as an emergency contact, she is that upset with him. With what rights is he going to destroy the world for her? With what rights is he even going to talk to her? Ex-husband who should be preparing for his engagement?"

Dadi," Puttar, dil ke riston ko kisi mohar ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Dil jude hote hai na, wahi rishta bann jaata hai."

Tej," I really don't think it is our place to decide what equation they are sharing or will share after Anika gets conscious. It's their call, Anika's call, she's the one who faced a lot. And I think Shivaay owes her this much that he accepts her decision."


Om looked at him in shock. He never  imagined that his arrogant business-minded father would some day say something about the family that would make sense, and considering Anika, never in his wildest dreams. 

Om," For a change I think Mr. Oberoi is right. They can sort it out after Bhabhi is fine, which brings me to the point...Rudra! Why the hell did you tell Shivaay that Anika bhabhi is fine?"

Jhanvi," What?! You lied to Shivaay?"

Rudra," So what else would I have done? Aadhi raat ko uthke 'Anika! Anika!' chilaane lagg gaye the. Agar mai aisa nahi bolta toh ussi samay drips kholke Bhabhi ke ward mei aa jaate and saara raita fail jaata."

Om," Yeh Shivaay bhi na!"

Dadi," Usko dosh mat de puttar. Jab ishq hota hai na, tab ishqbaaz aisa hi karte hai."

Rudra," Par Dadi ishqbaaz na aise ek doosre ka dil bhi nahi toodte hai."


A nurse interrupted any further conversation saying that Dr. Mathur had asked the patient to be left alone and it was then Om had called Shivaay to come outside. 

Shivaay came out, somewhat lost in thoughts and face expressionless. 

Om," Shivaay?"

Shivaay," Huh?"

Om," Chale?"

Shivaay," Kahan?"

Shakti," Beta hotel mei."

Shivaay," Hotel? I cannot go to the hotel."

Rudra," Why not?"

Shivaay," I need to stay here with Anika. What if she needs something in the night? What if she gets up? I need to be here to see to her na, how can I go?"

Dadi," Puttar tu abhi abhi theekh hua hai, teri tabyet firse bigad sakti hai, tu aaj chal aaram karle, waise bhi kal subah aana hi hai."

Shivaay," No dadi, I cannot leave her alone in the hospital."

Om held Shivaay's shoulders and made him look at him.

Om," Listen Shivaay, you have not yet recovered completely, and so you need to rest. As for bhabhi, the hospital staff is here. We will come back tomorrow morning, it is just a matter of a few hours. Don't be stubborn, come with us."

Shivaay," But Anika?"

Rudra," Bhaiya, don't worry, I'll be here. If we have any problems, I will call you."

Shivaay," No I will not leave Anika and go."

Om," Shivaay, don't be stubborn. If your health deteriorates again, then you will be on the stretcher and Bhabhi will be playing outside."

Rudra," Waise bhi bhaiya, Dr. Mathur said that if you don't go home tonight, he will not let you meet bhabhi."

Shivaay," Fhat the wuck! That doesn't even make sense. Why would Dr. Mathur say this?"

Rudra," Because you are his patient and if you fall ill then he has to put his concentration on two people and if you are fit and fine, then he can give all his attention to bhabhi. Bhaiya go to the hotel, I promise Bhabhi will be fine. Bas ek baar apne Rudy ki baat sunlo? Please?"

Still unconvinced, Shivaay was staring the hospital floor, letting all the arguments fill his mind. 
Dadi came and held his hand.

Dadi," Zidd mat kar Billu, hamare saath chal. Ru hai idhar, sab theekh ho jaayega."

Looking at Dadi's pleading eyes, Shivaay let out a sigh and nodded his head.
Shivaay," Let's go."


Leaving Rudra to take care of Anika, the Oberoi family retired to their hotel rooms, uncertain of what the next day will hold for them, but never giving up on the tiny ray of hope in their hearts. 

**********************

Shivaay could not sleep.
He turned over, and looked at a sleeping Om. He noticed the frown lines on his brother's forehead, the appearance of bags under his eyes and the stress on his face. 

'What a headache have I been to my family!' he thought. 

He had taken his medicines, and was waiting for the sedative to engulf him, but till he time his brain was churning, it was filled with thoughts of Anika. 

Very painfully, he remembered the day he had proved shamelessly that he didn't consider Anika within the sphere of his family, the day he had left her when he was supposed to be with her, the fateful day which caused his life to take a dreadful turn. 

All those words that he had uttered, with a heavy stone on his heart and venom in his voice that he will never forget, rang mercilessly in his head, reminding him of what he had done. 

" Samajh nahi aa rahi ki yeh jhooth hai ya jo mai itne dino se mai jee raha hoo woh tha" 

" Hamare beech jo kuch tha, tumne khatam kar diya. Humare rishte ki buniyaad thi ek doosre pe trust, todh diya tumne Anika. "

" I want you to leave my house, right now."

" Pehli baar afsos ho raha hai Anika ki tum meri biwi ho."

" Aaj se tumhara aur mera rishta, hamesha ke liye khatam" 


He tossed and turned, inhaled and exhaled, but could not come to terms with the fact that he had caused a blunder by not looking beyond what was apparent. Not that you need to look behind everything, but when you have a feeling tugging at your heart that your wife is not what she is portraying herself to be, she has changed in the span of a few days which screams that something is fishy, then, you cannot help but try finding a link which connects everything. 

Shivaay had found it, eventually, and it had been difficult to accept that his mother had done everything, but maybe, it was too late.

Only if he had thought over it, only if he had tried to talk to her properly, only if he had confidently stated that his wife could not do all those things, only if he had stood by her, only if he could go back in the day and change all of that. 

But alas! That cannot happen, and this was when he felt being Shivaay Singh Oberoi was worthless, for he could not get the only thing he wanted now - to go back and change everything. 

As he thought about the pain Anika would have endured for him, tears shed from his beautiful eyes, and he was silently sobbing. He couldn't even imagine the sacrifice she had made for him, that very girl whom he had always doubted and taunted. 
His eyes kept getting heavier, for the sedative was working and his eyes were working shedding tears, he did not realize when he had fallen into slumber. 

*************************

Shivaay was wearing his suit, not paying any attention to the comforting words Om was offering him since the last ten minutes. 

It was when Om kept his hand on his shoulder that Shivaay looked at him and found himself in the real world. 

Om," Shivaay?"

Shivaay," Huh?"

Om," Did you hear whatever I said?"

Shivaay," Um..sorry, I zoned out." 

Om nodded his head and said," It's okay, I was just saying that a new day brings new rays of hope and a new energy. Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Shivaay gave a small smile, gulped down the rest of his espresso, quickly chugged down his tablets and left for the hospital.

*******************************

Entering the hospital, with Om just behind him, Shivaay could feel a new energy in the place, something pleasant, something vibrant and cheerful. He could feel it in the air, that today was meant for something big - either good or bad, and his still recovering hear ardently hoped for the former. 

On walking into Anika's ward, Shivaay saw Rudra pacing up and down in the room. As soon as he walked a couple of steps further, Rudra sprang on him and engulfed him in a hug, as he had heard the door open and he knew it was his bhaiya. 

Shivaay put his arms around Rudra and a confused Om caressed his hair, looking at Shivaay and then Rudra. 

Shivaay," Kya hua Rudy?"

Om looked around for a hint which could explain Rudra's behaviour, and when his eyes fell on the bed, they widened and bulged out in panic. 

Om, almost shouting," Rudra, where is Bhabhi?"

As Shivaay also looked at the empty space where Anika's stretcher had stood and now could see the difference in the floor tiles, he was frozen in fear of something wrong.

Shivaay," Rudra, where's Anika?"

Before the poor guy could reply, Shivaay held him by the shoulders and shook his whole nervous system out.

Shivaay," Anika is alright na, nothing happened na, where is she? Why didn't you call me earlier? Where is Dr. Mathur? How can the hospital be so irresponsible? I'm going to sue..."

Om," Shivaay at least let him speak."

Shivaay let go of Rudra and he shook his head vigorously to get his head back on track. 
With a small smile and eyes full of tears, he replied, 
" Bhabhi ko hosh aa gaya bhaiya!"

____________________________________

Hey guys, I'm extremely sorry for the late update, sincere apologies. I'll reply to all the comments as soon as I get time, right after this. 

Anika is conscious now, which is a joyous occasion for the Oberoi family. Just the thing is, will it last? 

Also, if you have any scenes or moments in mind that you would like to see within this set-up, please feel free to let me know and I'll try to incorporate them with the track I have in mind for this story. 

There's been an Ebola spread in South Africa, Kolkata is reeling under the after-effects of Amphan and Maharashtra is bracing itself for Nisarga. It's like 2020 is throwing a challenge at us everyday, but I'm hopeful that we'll make it to the end all safe and sound. Please try to stay optimistic and spread positivity. We all need it right now.

Until next time, 
<3