Leaving You ~
"I don't want to hear anything, Shivaay. Enough is enough" Jhanvhi cried.
"I don't want my kids to engage in conflict and get their health deteriorated for an unknown human" Jhanvhi spoke looking at Shivaay and Omkara, sinuously.
All the while, Shivaay kept looking at her. The stress attack sucked out every ounce of energy from him. He's tired but his brain keeps on going as if it were on some Olympian. Her turning away didn't motivated anything either.
"Shivaay. I want you to promise me" Jhanvhi began drawing everyone's attention in the ward.
"You will not talk about her again. You've done enough to find her. No more. Nothing! Promise me" Jhanvhi extended her palm.
Shivaay looked at her. It's the unshed tears in her eyes. The emotions felt bruised the same way as with a physical bruise. She excused herself and left the ward.
She walked inside the restroom and closed the door behind. She'll cry over a sad ending, but for herself there was never a drop. She was always the flower child to her parents. A person who will mentally detach herself completely and say nothing when she feels disappointed with something or someone.
She prefers to be low key, stay in her lane whole life. But, when she's around him she find herself in a space where her expectations arise. She's in love - not with the person she adored, the person she get to know.
After sometime, she cleaned her face and decided to drive back home. Once, reaching the apartment, Rudra sprinted towards her.
"Didi, what happened ? How's he ? What happ—-to you ?" He cupped her face concerned. She nodded nothing and hugged him.
"Rudy, let's go to Hyderabad. I want to meet papa and mumma" She said withdrawing from the hug.
He couldn't say anything seeing her eyes. In those tears were the proof of her uncertain mind and unexpressed heart. He nodded smilingly while caressing her hair.
"No, Vincent. Abort everything. Thank you for everything" Shivaay said and rested the call. He passed the phone to his mother and closed his eyes.
Jhanvhi caressed his hair to sleep. His mental state is currently torn between punching the wall and if someone give him a long hug, he might cry.
~
15 Days Later
"Annika, please yaarr. You denied to attend the promotions. At least, don't ignore the farewell party. Please..." Adithya whined over the line.
"Okay, Adithya. I'm coming. Share the location" She rested the call.
In these fifteen days, there were formal messages and calls. Even the strong feelings expire when ignored and taken for granted. May whatever, they decided not to break the unbuild relation between them. It's not an ignored feeling, just an awkward silence.
She returned to Mumbai with Rudra.
"Di..." He called keeping his hands on her shoulder from behind. "What are you thinking ?"
"Nothing, Rudy. Everything is going to end today—-" He interrupted, "You're sad that you won't be meeting him anymore ?"
"I didn't met him for the past fifteen days, Rudy. When something reaches an end, it's natural to feel sad. Just—-leave it. I'll be back soon. Hmm" She caressed his arm and left.
"You're right, didi. When something reaches an end, it's natural to feel sad. But, unless the 'something' is close to your heart, you won't feel sad when it comes to an end" He sighed looking down.
"Annika" Adithya exclaimed hugging her. She smiled patting his back a little. Everyone smiled greeted her.
She turned around feeling a tap on her shoulder. There he was, smiling so enchanting as ever.
"I thought I wouldn't get to meet you before leaving India. Thank goodness. I can leave in peace now"
"Where...where—-I mean wherever you go, in whatever you do, you'll reach the great heights. Good luck" She said and he nodded with a small smile.
"I'll—-I'll get going. Good day" She turned around to feel a tug on her wrist.
"At least..." he began and she turned around to him. He continued, "I deserve a goodbye. Mm"
They stared at each other. Real love is never painful unless it is the pain of parting - they felt in their insides.
"Goodbye. Shivaay" She said slowly and walked away after informing everyone.
"Goodbye" He whispered to himself whilst seeing her leaving.
Annika reached her apartment and straightly stormed inside her bedroom. She slide down the wall and cried slapping palms above her mouth. An unexplainable feeling stung her.
"Shivaay...." Omkara called him.
"Come inside, Om. What are you waiting for ? Come" Shivaay said while packing his stuffs inside the luggage.
"I'm sorry, Shivaay"
Shivaay turned around.
"I just wanted to end your sorrow. It pained me to see you unhappy despite having everything perfect around you. I can never betray you. Please understand me" He apologised sincerely.
"I understand your intention, Om. Don't be sorry. It's fine. We all do mistakes. Some gets to repent, some—-It's fine. We can't judge someone's attitude until we've felt their pain" he said. Omkara looked up at him.
"What nonsense Miss Annika ?!"
"You can't judge someone's attitude until you've felt their pain. Don't do this to him. Nothing is more worse than a false lie to comfort"
"You—-you..."
"She's not the girl. Isn't she ?"
Omkara nodded in negative.
"Stop this, please"
"Om! Om! Where are you zoned out ? By the way, miss me. Okay ?" Shivaay smiled and resumed packing his stuffs. Omkara patted his back and left the room.
Annika sighed wiping her face when when three continuous knock hit the door.
"Di.. what—-did you cried ?"
"Nothing. Rudy"
"You have a visitor, didi. He's waiting for you in the living room" She looked at him confused and walked towards the hall.
"Mr Omkara ?"
Omkara stood up seeing her.
"I just want to ask you something" He said she nodded to him.
"That day..how did you know that she's not the girl ? What made you stop me ?"
She looked down without answering him.
"She know. Because my didi is the girl that Shivaay bhaiyya has been looking for"
"Rudy!"
"Not now, didi. At least not now" Rudra held her hand.
"Then...then why ? You saw him searching for that girl all this while. You kept silent. Why ?!" Omkara shouted.
"I'm not answerable to you"
"Yes. You're not answerable to me. But you're definitely at responsibility to answer him. I'm not talking about the fangirl. I'm not talking about the screen writer. I'm talking about Annika! You!"
"Your mother is right. Because of me, an unknown human you two shouldn't be in conflict. Either his health. And he already promised her"
"He promised but...." Omkara paused. Annika and Rudra gave him a perplexed look.
"Ma, I promise you. But, if she comes to me in any day, this promise shouldn't restrain me"
"Only if she comes to you. The real one. But, you're not going to do anything. Promise me" She said and he kept his hand above hers.
"Didi! Didi!" Rudra shook her shoulder.
"Whi..which country he's—-" Omkara answered, "Canada. He left to Quebec City. Are—-Are you going to him ?"
To be continued ~
Just two more chapters to go ~
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Gratitude, Love Comrade