Matters of Heart

Chapter- Two

7:30 PM, Chattarpati Shivaji Airport, Oberoi's Private Jet

Everyone was seated and ready to take off as soon as a runway was cleared for them. Shivaay had come in last and has seated himself as far away from the family as he could. Omkara was worried about his older brother. The pain and sorrow in his eyes had turned into something dead and haunted. Omkara was also worried that his father was up to something. Tej Singh Oberoi did not do anything if it was not profitable for him. It's understandable that his father is worried for Shivaay as he had been always his father's favorite. And since Shivaay was the favorite he never was forced to do anything against his will. Of course, his father defended that by saying that Shivaay, the perfect Oberoi son did not need to be told to do what was expected of him as an Oberoi. So, when Shivaay Singh Oberoi, the golden child of the Oberoi clan, perfect and impeccable in every way fell in love with an unpredictable and uninhabited street urchin, even then his father had no problem with that. At all. Omkara was in fact suspicious that his father really liked Annika even though he had never said anything outright in her favor.

There is more to this Queen and her daughter's wedding because there was no way his father would make Shivaay shake up his schedule for something as trivial as a wedding of a would-be business associate. For the first time in his life he wished his father well because if he was doing this for Shivaay's well-being, Omkara was willing to put his animosity towards him aside for a while. Him, Gauri, Rudra, and even Bhavya with her cop contacts were not able to find a single trace of Annika. Her friend Chanda had no idea where she was, no catering orders under her company. All Sahil could tell them was she Skyped him from a garden. Bhavya has gone as far as trying to satellite mapping the screenshots Sahil gave her but there was not enough imagery to work with. They were at a dead end so if his father had something Omkara was willing to declare a temporary truce with his father.

2 Hours Later, Highway to the Raigarh Palace

On their way to the palace Gauri chattered nonstop with Shivaay, Omkara noticed from the rearview mirror from the passenger seat of the SUV that was sent by the Queen to receive them at the airport. His wife has cleverly stuck him in the front with the driver, sat in the middle with Shivaay, and adjusted Rudra and Bhavya at the back of the SUV. No one manipulated Shivaay better than his wife. Gauri was debating the theory with Shivaay that Daenerys is the Prince who is promised whereas Shivaay was trying to point out the prince who was promised is in fact Jon Snow because of R+L=J. Rudra had introduced Gauri to Game of Thrones and after she was done being scandalized, Gauri was team Daenerys Targaryen and blew up her fuse anytime anyone said anything against her. 

His wife had somehow become the anchor that was keeping Shivaay afloat. Gauri had become more precious to Shivaay than him. This has surprised both Shivaay and Omkara because they both thought it was impossible for Shivaay to put anyone over Omkara. If he did not share the same bond with Annika he would be jealous of the bond his brother and his wife shared. He missed her. She was his best friend and the official mediator with his father."I think we are here," Omkara said as the car turned into a long driveway leading to an ancestral palace. His breath hitched when he recognized the garden. Could this be possible? Omkara wondered as his heart raced in anticipation. Because if he was right about this garden, this royal wedding will have fireworks, Shivaay Singh Oberoi style.

As they entered the palace they got the full royal welcome with the tilaks and malas. What did not escape Omkara's attention was how the staff was humming and whispering when Shivaay had walked in last as he was held up by a business call. He was welcomed with a more traditional tilak, a bigger mala, and a saafa. Shivaay was getting irritated with all these rituals. He was soon going to snap on one of these servants and if his doubts about this place were right it will not be a great idea for Shivaay to start here on the wrong foot. He wanted his best friend back so Omkara decided to intervene before things got out of hand. Before he could even take a step Shivaay's expression changed to realization. For the first time in the past three months, Omkara saw life flicker onto his brother's face. The lion has sensed his mate. 

Shivaay was getting irritated with all the welcoming rituals. Was it not enough that he had to clear a fortnight to attend this damn wedding that now he has put up with all these rituals? He was just a guest for god's sake and they were acting as if he was the groom. He just wanted to go to his room away from all the infuriating happiness. But he caught Bade Papa's eye from the other side of the room and reined his temper. Then the air changed, life rushed through his body, and his heart raced. Holding his breath he turned around and there she was at the doorstep of this palace. Alive and well. He made it to her in two steps and hugged her so tight that you could not tell where Annika began and Shivaay ended.

"You are okay! Oh, Thank God! You are okay!" Shivaay said breathlessly into her neck. 

It did not matter that they were surrounded by so many people. She was his truth, his life and he had her now and he will not let her go ever again, no matter what price he has to pay to keep her. Shivaay Singh Oberoi rarely made mistakes and he never repeated them. 

He broke the hug just to cup her face in both his hands and hold her close, "Let me look at you. You are not hurt are you?" Shivaay was hysterical with happiness. "Where were you?" Shivaay told her.  "I looked everywhere for you? Aise koi jaata hai kya?" Shivaay asked, her face cupped in his hands so their noses touched. "I was so worried if there was anyone to take care of you? Have you been eating properly? No nightmares at night right? Batao na...I am asking you something, Annika."

"Shivaay! You need to calm down. Your heart condition..."Annika began."Ssshhh!" Shivaay shushed her by putting his finger on her lips, "Just shut up and listen damn it...I have been waiting three months to say this." His breathing shallow and words tumbling over one another.

"But your heart Shivaay..."Annika began again worried about his health. This man and his stubbornness will be the end of her, she thought to herself. She still remembered the little episode he had after she had left the unfortunate day.

"This heart does not know how to beat without you anyways Annika. Don't you know?" Shivaay said matter of factly, holding her close, one arm around her waist and another hand on her face. "My existence is futile without you. I am sorry, I am so so sorry Annika. I did not trust you. I did not take the time to analyze why you said all those things? I should have known that my Annika will never do anything to hurt me purposely." 

And then Shivaay Singh Oberoi fell on his knees, "Punish me, beat me, kill me if you would like Annika because I am your culprit but please don't leave me again," his eyes full of tears and pain looked up into hers, "because I am incapable of existing without your love. You are my axis Annika and without you, I fall apart. You are my hope and my home. My mother gave me life Annika but you are what keeps me alive. My family, my brothers, my work, my success are meaningless if you are not there to share it with me. There can be no Shivaay without Annika." 

Still, on his knees, he took her hands in his, "Please, come back to me. I am yours Annika and you can do whatever you want with me. I love you, Annika, just the way you are, I love you, My Sirf Annika," Tears and hope shining in his eyes Shivaay Singh Oberoi waited for the love of his life to give a verdict on his destiny.

Before Annika could say anything else, the Queen of Raigarh came upto them, "Uthiye...Jamai Sa, said the Queen, "It is very unbecoming of a royal son -in -law to be on his knees in public, even though I am sure that my daughter appreciates the gesture. And she is not Sirf Annika...She is Her Royal Highness, Annika Pratap Roy, Crown Princess of Raigarh."

Shivaay got up from the sheer shock of what he had just heard but him being true to himself, took Annika's hand in his, turned to the queen and declared looking straight into her eyes, "She is Annika Shivaay Singh Oberoi and I hope there is no doubt about it in anyone's mind." 

His declaration breaking the shocking silence that had filled the room at Queen's words."We need to talk about that Jamai Sa," the queen declared.

"And Annika I think it's about time I had a discussion with you about my nephew." Tej Singh Oberoi told Annika.