Promises To Keep

~•Solace •~

The entire day had been really hectic for both of them. Shivaay had already messaged Annika that he would be reaching her office in a few minutes. Quickly grabbing her phone and purse Annika made way to the elevator. She was standing outside the office when suddenly her attention was caught by a car horn. Furrowing her eyebrows she tried to see who was inside when the windows rolled down revealing her husband on the driver seat.

Passing a smile to her he gestured her to sit inside. Annika couldn't help but notice how his always perfect hair were disheveled right now. He looked extremely tired. The entire ride back home was spent in silence with shivaay asking her a few questions about her day.

Reaching home shivaay quickly went to take a shower. He walked towards the kitchen to find Annika Making dinner.

"Annika you must be tired , we could have ordered something "

"Shivaay you made breakfast for us today na ? Then let me cook the dinner atleast" Annika spoke stirring the gravy.

"Accha okay but atleast let me help you "

"Shivaay everything is done" Annika spoke with a small smile.

"Okay then I'll make the table ready for us"

The dinner was a silent affair with both of them conversing a bit with each other. They gobbled up the food since they were literally famished.

Annika walked to the room after clearing the plates and found shivaay settled on the couch. Wishing a good night to each other they dozed off.

It was midnight when shivaay heard her shouting again , her hands were tightly clutching the bed sheet and her face was covered with sweat. Shivaay ran to her as fast as he could rubbing his eyes.

"Annika Annika " he held her while he spoke.

"Annika wakeup Annika .. see it's me shivaay .. you are safe " As soon as Annika heard his name she opened her eyes instantly.

His eyes met her and she could see the concern in them. She had again disturbed his sleep. Shutting her eyes for a few minutes she opened them again. Shivaay looked extremely panicked.

"Annika it's okay I got you , you're fine" he spoke in a very soft voice. Supporting her by the shoulder he made her sit on the bed and forwarded a glass of water to her. She took the glass with her quivering hands and as she was about to bring it close to her lips the glass almost slipped from her hand. Shivaay held it immediately and made her drink water all the time looking into her eyes.

Caressing her hair he scooted closer to her. Her eyes were glistening with tears. He couldn't see her so sad but he knew it was important for her to vent out all the bottled up emotions.

"Annika Don't bottle up your feelings. I promise I will never judge you , never"  He spoke Cupping her cheek gently in a very sincere tone. Maybe it was her emotional state or her vulnerability , for the first time in life Annika listened to her heart and broke into loud sobs. She hid her face in his shoulder and cried her heart out. She was tired of all this, all these nightmares had made her crazy. Shivaay caressed the back of her head gently whispering words of assurance in her ears. He had never seen her so broken but today he had made a silent promise to her and to him that he would help her come out of this misery.

After what seemed liked eternity annika's sobs subsided and she lifted her head. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying but she still looked beautiful.

Suddenly realising what she had done she scooted a bit away from him and quickly wiped her tears. She could feel his gaze on her. She was feeling embarrassed and terrible  for crying and ruining his sleep again.

"I'm sorry shivaay, I ruined your sleep again" she spoke in a very soft voice.

"Annika there is nothing to be sorry about. You are my wife and I this is my duty not an obligation" his gentle tone made her feel better.

"I feel so terrible shivaay. Ever since we have got married you've been tolerating my nonsense. Your sleep gets ruined because of me every night. I am a useless and weak woman shivaay. I'm so sorry for ruining your life " She spoke with tears threatening to spill again.

Shivaay scooted close to her and cupped her face gently

"Annika you are one of the most strong women I have ever seen in my life. You are neither useless nor weak. It's okay to have fears Annika. Everyone does. There is nothing wrong in it. And you have made my life even better , remember this"

"But shivaay I am broken , I don't know how to love. You deserve someone better shivaay who is as caring as you are"

"Annika I promise you that whatever it is we will fight it together. Just give us a chance please" he spoke in a pleading tone.

Annika could see how he was making efforts since the first day of their marriage and she was still acting all aloof. After her parents it was shivaay who had made her feel safe and comfortable. He was ready to be with her at every step. Maybe she could give it a shot.

"I'm ready shivaay"
As soon as shivaay heard her his lips curved into a full blown smile and Annika reciprocated it.

Shivaay kept on staring at her and she averted her gaze from him. She could still feel him looking at her.

"What ?" Annika asked in a very low voice.

"What annika ?"

"W..why are you staring ?"

"You are so beautiful Annika " shivaay answered still staring at her.

"I don't. Infact I look like a mess right now" she answered back regaining her lost courage.

"A beautiful mess" shivaay answered with a adorable smile and Annika swore she could feel butterflies in her stomach. Her cheeks blushed a shade of red and she stared at her lap.
Shivaay chuckled seeing her reaction.

"Annika I think you should sleep now. It's still just 2:30 am"

Sensing worry on her face, he gently held her hand "Annika I promise you won't get that nightmare again. I'm here with you. Please try to sleep."

Still apprehensive Annika lied on the bed and covered herself with the duvet with one hand, her other one was still in shivaay's hand. Closing her eyes Annika took deep breaths and tried to calm herself. Gently caressing her hair shivaay lulled her to sleep.

After he was sure she was sleeping he tried to move when she tightened the grip on his hand. Not wanting to disturb her he lied down beside her on the bed at a comfortable distance , hands still intertwined and dozed off to sleep.

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