Frozen - Shivika FF | ✓

Chapter 1 - Turmoil

"Anika, dear, have some more lauki ka halwa! " Pinky lovingly offered Anika.

(Lauki is bottle gourd and halwa a sweet dis made out of it.)

"Aunty.Thank you. But I don't like it. " Anika looked at the older woman apologetically.

"No problem, I am sorry, I did not know. Don't worry I'll learn slowly. How about some potatoes?" Pinky offered. 

Anika smiled and took it. The love she was being showered upon was nothing less than blessings raining on her. She reminded herself, this was the way of family paying for what their son did.

Shivaay silently ate his dinner, almost isolated. His mother did not even care to offer him the lauki halwaa which he loved. None looked at him or even spoke. All attention was focussed on Anika. After all, she had been the victim. He would have had felt the guilt for what he did, seeing his family's disappointment. But the fact that they simply diverted his share of love to her did not go well with the blue-blooded son.

He occasionally gave her glares which she very nonchalantly ignored. Finishing his dinner, he left the place. Quite unlike him. He would always wait until every member of the family finished eating.

She was unsure of what was to come, as she entered his room. She felt disgusted at times. But a part of her remembered Daadi's words about marriage and being another half of a soul. She had craved for someone to be her soulmate. Did marriage mark two soulmates? She pondered endlessly when she saw the nuptial chain around her neck and the vermilion on her head. Then followed the rushing memories of being forced. She was left standing with one foot in one boat and the other in another. She had to take her time and decide. But, her mind was always clouded, the clear sky wasn't the climate's call.

She peeped around. Daadi had made her literally claim his wardrobe and put her clothes there. She opened the cupboard and pulled out one of those simple dresses. The family had been over caring, after knowing the truth. Especially the mother. She took care to see that Anika was comfortable. Anika knew that this one fact did not go well with her husband, The Oberoi!

The brothers also looked at her with apology written faces. Prinku had been so sorry for dragging her to her family in the first place. She blamed herself and every sentence was followed by a Sorry. She told each one of them, the same thing. She did not want the marriage to be mentioned. The others thought it was for the family's son's sake she said that. Obviously not. Damn, was he the only one affected or facing consequences? She felt terrible too, at the mention of it. When the person she took to be close to her Prince Charming turned the Beast of her life. Yes Anika, he is the beast, maybe your story is that of Beauty and The Beast. You need to get back the Prince Charming! A part of her screamed.

Penny to your thoughts Anika. The man literally manhandled you almost blew up your brother, killed all the self-respect you had and had chained you down here. Do you still think there is a chance?  The other part argued.

Chained down? Isn't that what the beast did?