Matters of Heart

Chapter- Four

Omkara stepped out in the garden in search of Annika and saw her sitting on a bench with the waterfall fountain at her back crying in anguish. He had his own complaints about her, not as his sister-in-law but his best friend. No contact for three months with him as well. They had a pact that even if she will leave the Oberoi Mansion she will call him every day. She knew very well how much both he and Shivaay needed her. Shivaay, he understood but she had gone completely dark on him as well. Now that he saw her, he could not bring himself up to giving her an earful he had earlier planned. So he stood at his spot wondering how to help her when he heard someone walk behind him as he turned to his side he saw Shivaay step in next to him looking at her with the same pain reflecting on his face.

There she was, looking ethereal in moonlight crying into her hands. What was the reason that she caused both her and him so much grief? He has to get to the bottom of this, figure out the truth that separated him from her. Never again he will let anything come between them. Their lives were about to change in more ways than one. This truth about her lineage has brought new challenges in their lives. His first task was to find that uncle who was trying to harm her. With two empires to manage at the same time, they will have to juggle a lot of balls at the same time. He will find a way to all this mess. She will not have to do anything she does not want to. He will never take her choice away from her again. If she does not want to deal with the bells and whistles that come with her birth, he will deal with them for her. But first, he needed to know the truth that made her leave him. "What are you going to do Shivaay?" He heard his brother ask.

"I need to know the truth, Om." Shivaay said, "The wound of separation can only be healed by the truth. She should be able to trust me by now to tell me anything. I failed in showing my faith in her which led to her mistrust in me. I will never make that mistake again."

"Tread carefully Shivaay." Omkara warned, "It was not easy for her at all. I witnessed the pain and grief she went through trying to protect you."

"She was in pain and yet you did not come to Om. I thought we shared everything. No secrets between brothers, but I was wrong." Shivaay said still looking at her. "You chose her over me."

"How could I not Shivaay? She was giving up her reason to live for you. She gave up you for you. Anyone who can love my brother to such extent will always be first to me." Omkara said wistfully smiling at Annika.

"Fine! "Shivaay said dejectedly as he understood where Omkara's sentiments came from but that did not mean that it hurt a little less. It was very small of him but at times he was jealous of the bond his wife had formed with his brothers. "Now go away, I need to talk to my wife," Shivaay said.

"You know Shivaay if we gave her a choice that she has to pick one of us to talk to right now, she will pick me instead of you," Omkara stated confidently and laughed when Shivaay seethed at him, "Fine I will go!" Omkara said and went inside to give some space to these love-sick people.

So beautiful, so selfless, so generous, so loving was his miracle called Annika. He must be really broken that the universe bestowed her upon him, Shivaay thought as he walked towards her. It will take him forever to figure out what had he done right to have her love him unconditionally. A lifetime would not be enough to pay her back for everything she had done for him and his family. It was his turn now, to fix all the wrongs done to her, take all her pain away. From now on, Annika would only know love and happiness but he frowned when he reached her because he noticed something about her and he realized that it was something he really did not like. There was no sindoor on her forehead and she was not wearing her mangalsutra as well. Shivaay rubbed her ring in his pocket that he carried with him everywhere. One thing at a time he thought to himself.