An Imperfect Story ||✔️||

13.

"ANIKA!"

The next second, Anika felt a pull on her wrist, so strong that it made her fall back on to the terrace floor. Anika opened her eyes and was met with a pair of blue-green ones.

Shivaay felt life returning to his body when he looked into Anika's eyes. After successfully breaking down the door, his worst fear came to life when he saw Anika standing on the ledge, leaning forward. He felt life leaving him because his life was about to leave him. He pulled her down, causing him to fall to the floor with her over him. He wrapped his arms securely around her waist, knowing Anika was safe and in his arms.

Anika: Shivaay?

Her voice brought Shivaay out of his trance. He recalled the step she was about to take. The relief vanished and the fear turned into anger. He grabbed her arms and dragged her away from edge before facing her.

Shivaay: *shouts* Paagal ho gayi tum?! Pata bhi hain kya karne jaa rahi thi?! Are you out of your mind Anika?!

Anika replied with an oddly calm voice.

Anika: *looking towards the edge and trying to break free* Shivaay, chhod dijiye mujhe. Mujhe sab samaj aa chuka hain. Yeh sab meri galti hain. Main mar jaati hoon phir saari problems khatam ho jaayenge. Aap samaj gaye na? Toh mujhe chhod dijiye.

With each of Anika's attempt to break free, Shivaay's hold got firmer.

Shivaay: Bakwaas mat karo Anika. Kuch nahi hoga tumhe. Main tumhe khudko chot pahunchane nahi doonga, kabhi nahi. Do you get that?

Anika: Aap kyoon nahi samaj rahe? Yeh saara raita meri wajah se phail raha hain. Aap achhi-khaasi apni life jee rahe they phir main apni manhoosiyat leke aapki life mein tapak padi. Tabse aapko sirf problems ho rahi hain. Mera toh track record hain, main jin-jin se pyaar karti hoon, Bhagwaan unhe mujhse chheen lete hain. Aur ab meri manhoosiyat ka saaya aap pad raha hain.

Shivaay: *shakes her* Anika, hosh mein aao. Kya bol rahi ho tum?

Anika: Main bilkul sach bol rahi hoon Shivaay. Bhagwan ne pehle mere maa-baap ko chheen liya, phir Chutki, phir Sahil ke maa-baap, Sahil ke pair mein chot aa gayi, aapki jaan kitni baar jaate-jaate bachi hain aur mere bacche ki jaan toh chali hi gayi. Agar main aur zinda rahi toh pata nahi yeh maut ka saya kis-kis ki zindagi par mandraayega. Isse baihtar hain main hi mar jaati hoon. Yeh raita khatam hi ho jaayega.

Shivaay: *pleading* Anika, aisa kuch nahi hain. Please, please hosh mein aao.

Anika: Shivaay, main waise bhi aapke kisi kaam ki nahi hoon. Main aapko baccha toh kabhi de nahi paaoongi. Tia, Tia hain na. Woh keh rahi thi woh aapke bacche ki maa banne wali hain. Yeh sahi rahega. Mere jaane ke baad, aap Tia se shaadi kar lena, woh aapke bacche ko janam degi aur aap humesha khush rahenge. Is liye main keh rahi hoon, mujhe mar jaane dijiye. Sab theek ho jaayega.

Shivaay: Anika, listen to me...

Anika: Aap meri baat suniye. Sab theek ho jaayega. Meri wajah se sab bigda hain toh main sab theek bhi kar doongi.

Shivaay: Anika...

Anika: *screams* SHIVAAY MAR JAANE DIJIYE MUJHE.

Shivaay: ANIKA!

Shivaay slapped Anika across the face. Anika held her cheek while looking towards the floor, tears finally making their way out of her eyes. She recollected every moment, every word exchanged ever since Shivaay returned in the morning. She slowly raised her eyes and looked towards Shivaay. The man had tears filled up in his eyes. His face was painted with guilt and fear, but the most prominent one was sadness and pain, immense pain. Anika chocked out a sob, then another, and another before she threw herself in Shivaay's arms, wailing and crying. Shivaay held her tightly and dropped to his knees, still holding her close to her chest.

Anika: *crying* Shiv...Shivaay, kyoon? Maine kisi ka kya bigaada hain? Kyoon main parivaar ke laayak hi nahi hoon? *wraps her hands around her stomach* Ek...ek mauka, ek mauka mila tha. Mera koi apna hota, mera apna. Jise sahi maaine mein, har maaine main apna parivaar keh sakti thi. Likin use bhi chheen liya. Har din...har din sochti hoon ki kabhi...kabhi toh koi apna milega. Likin aaj...aaj woh ummeed toot gayi. Kal tak zindagi se ladti thi, bahot ladti thi kyoonki himmat thi. Aaj, na himmat hain na taqat. Chhod dijiye mujhe Shivaay, jaane dijiye. Nahi jeena chahti main Shivaay, main nahi jeena chahti.

Shivaay: *cups her face* Aur mera kya Anika? Sab mujhe keh rahe ki khud ko sambhaalo, Anika ke liye khud ko sambhaalo. Aur main koshish kar raha hoon. Likin agar Anika...*breathes heavily* Anika bi...khar gayi toh Sh...Shivaay bhi khud ko sambhaal nahi paayega. Agar...agar tumhe k...kuch ho gaya, toh main mar jaaoonga. Mar jaaoonga main Anika. Main tumhare bina nahi jee sakta. Bilkul nahi.

Shivaay pulls Anika close to him and hugs her tightly. Anika sobbed into Shivaay's chest.

The younger Oberois, who had followed Shivaay to the terrace but stayed by door, had a hand clasped over their mouths, muffling their sobs. They huddled close to each other. Their heart ached for their Bhaiya and Bhabhi, their parent-figures who did not deserve even an ounce of the suffering they were being put through.