Shivaay stands under the mango tree for few minutes,alone.Later he picks up his sun-glass that he threw away from his hand to save Anika.Then he walks towards the main entrance following a decorative stone-paved way.At the mouth of front door he meets an anxious Pinky and her school time's best friend- Mrs. Vasundhara Trivedi.
Pinky introduces Shivaay to her and they exchange greetings.After that they settle inside the house,in the drawing room.At one point of talking Vasundhara says-
V: I have heard and read a lot about you Shivaay dear.Finally got to meet.You are a great example for your contemporaries and every other business person.I really appreciate your business talent and spirit of achieving the best.God bless you dear......Shivaay says smiling-
S: You are a very seasoned businesswoman and those words for me,will work as inspiration.Thank you so much.
P: What's this Vasu?Have come here to meet each other and exchange some happy talks.But you two are up to business.This is not done.
Both Shivaay and Vasundhara laugh.New refreshments come for Shivaay and Vasundhara hands over a glass of juice to him.While taking that Shivaay notices a photo-frame on the sofa-side table.He asks-
S: Aunty.....If you don't mind,can I ask you something?
V: Sure dear.
S: Whose photo is this,beside you?Vasundhara takes a look at the frame with great affection and love then says smiling-
V: Yeh meri choti beti Annika,uski photo.
S: You have such a grown-up daughter?You look quite young though!She laughs on that and says-
V: Thank you......Actually I have three children...Had actually.......She stops and looks sad.There,Pinky gestures Shivaay.
S: I am sorry Aunty.If you..........
V: No,no.It's okay.I think Pinky has not told you anything about me.
P: Janab ke pass time hi nahi hota meri baat sunne ko.Tu khud hi pooch le Vasu.
V: Come on Pinky.He is a busy person and I know it from my personal experience.
S: You were saying something Aunty.....
V: Well,Geetika,Annika,Sahil are my three children.Two years ago.....Geetika,my elder daughter died in an accident.Now I have only Annika and Sahil and the memories of my Geetika........Vasundhara shies.Pinky hugs her side-way,pressing her hands.
S: And your....husband?
V: Harsh died when Sahil was a month's old.Geetika and Annika were 11 and 5 years old then.He had a cardiac arrest and........Shivaay gets shocked.
S: You are a very brave woman Aunty.Despite all the cruel challenges of life,you have managed it so well.Hats off to you.
P: Can we plz talk something else?Aur Shivaay tujhe kya aaj hi sab kuch janna hai?Vasu is not going to flee away........He looks away smiling.
V: Why are you scolding him?Personal information is important both in private and business life and Shivaay knows it.That's why he asked...............I was thinking to settle down in USA then changed the decision.Annika finished her schooling back in USA now got admitted at Queen's College,in Mumbai.Her first year has started for graduation.
P: Queen's College?Priyanka,my daughter also studies there.
S: Very good co-incidence!She is in second year,studying Economics.
V: Annika got admitted during fall admission,recently.She has chosen English literature for higher study.Her first choice was Psychology then she changed it don't know why............................Talks go on and afternoon turns into evening.
Shivaay and Pinky take their leave of Vasundhara then head for Oberoi Mansion.Pinky invited her dearest friend and her family to visit OM which she accepted.Shivaay is driving while Pinky is attending calls.He is humming a song and driving at the same time.Noticing that Pinky says-
P: Kya baat hain?My son is looking and sounding so happy?Kya,raaz kya hain?
S: You know Mom,I have learnt a great lesson today.And the lesson is if a person ever wishes to tell anything,he should think twice,thrice before saying that.Otherwise it has the chances of getting backfired on that person.
P: Aaj tak mujhe lagti thi ki mere bete sirf dusron ko sikhata hain.Is it a self-realization or what?And yes,forgot to ask,what took you so long to enter inside?Me,Vasu,we both were worried.
S: Aap ki hone wali bahu ne rukh li thi!He murmurs.
P: What did you just say?Hone wali......
S: I got late because I....I was sightseeing!Simple!
P: You know na that whenever you repeat word or sentence that means either you are very nervous or to lie intentionally.What happened?Tell me the truth.
S: Leave it na Mom....And you know my secret that's enough.Don't disclose it to anyone plz.
P: Will disclose to none but your wife........Shivaay smiles rather a blushing smile.
I am noticing that you are smiling too much today.More than necessary.Don't know why but I am feeling like the SSO who is with me now and the SSO I saw in the morning are two vastly opposite persons.So much change,within a day?Have you invented any secret formula?
S: Hmm....Had decided not to take a specific medicine thinking about its side-effect in my life.Now that medicine is going to safeguard me from every other side effect!You were talking about change na?The bigger is the change,the bigger is the force.Remember this.
P: And the source of that force?Shivaay recalls all the incidents regarding Annika especially how she fell in his arms,from the tree.
S: You want to know everything now?Let me concentrate on driving.
P: Hmm....Okay.
Taking little intervals,mother and son's conversation continues and they reach OM,eventually.
Two Days Later
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Sawapnolok
__________
Mrs. Vasundhara Trivedi is having breakfast with her daughter and son- Annika and Sahil.They are busy in teasing each other.Vasundhara is watching them over her cup of tea.A house staff comes and informs that Sahil's school bus has arrived.He leaves taking his school bag giving sweet pecks to both his mother and sister.
Annika sends him off going outside.Few minutes later she returns then occupies the exactly opposite place of her mother,on the table.Vasundhara puts on her reading glass then opens a file beside her.Without looking up from the file she asks-
V: Where had you been entire afternoon and evening two days ago?
A: Sorry?Are you talking to me?This time she looks up.
V: Are you watching anyone else in this room?Answer me what I have asked.
A: Couldn't you ask that same day?
V: You knew very well that we were having guest,did not you?Don't you think it's your responsibility to entertain your guest being a good host?
A: They were your guests.Not mine!
V: Just shut up!Vasundhara shouts and Annika clenches her fists in extreme anger.
You have gone spoiled beyond limit!Can't you become little responsible?Is that so much to ask?When will you learn?You are supposed to follow the rules not the otherwise.If I ever.........She could not finish as Annika stands up shoving away her plate and dropping few dishes around-
A: I am not your employee to follow the rules the way you like to remain in your good book!I will live my life the way I want and your interference Mom,that's the least I expect.Excuse me..........Saying all those at a stretch Annika leaves in seething anger.Vasundhara nods her head in utter disappointment.She says in her mind-
"Kya karon main iss ladki ka?"
Oberoi Mansion
_____________
Night Time
_________
Dadi is massaging Shivaay's head using herbal oil.
S: Wow Dadi,your hands definitely have magic.This is just amazing.
D: Bring your wife as soon as possible.So that I can pass on my secret nuska to her....Pinky told me...........Dadi could not finish as Pinky herself shows up.
P: Shivaay,have you bought something to gift someone?
D: Is this bothering you?
P: OMM Mummy Ji,you see for yourself then.
S: What is it Mom?
She gives something to Dadi- A pendant which is made of white gold with a star shaped diamond locket.Inspecting carefully she says-
D: This is looking like an old design but very beautiful.The one who made it or bought had a very refined taste.Where did you find it?
P: From one of Shivaay's suit's pocket that went for laundry.
S: Give it to me.........Dadi passes it on.
You are right Dadi but I did not buy it.
D: But Pinky is saying it got recovered from your suit..........As Shivaay is watching the pendant,suddenly its locket gets opened and he finds a tiny photo stuck inside.His eye-brow raises watching that and he stands up immediately.
S: Excuse me ladies,I have some important work to finish.Good night..........Saying that he goes out in hurried steps leaving Pinky and Dadi bewildering behind.
Going into his room Shivaay locks it up then gets into the bed.Holding up the pendant before his kanji eyes he says-
S: Hmm....So here you are Miss. Chili Tempered!The way you gave royal ignorance to SSO's presence that day,I must say I was quite impressed!Every girl I have met till today,every single one seemed over-enthusiastic about me,with or without knowing anything as to me.Till I met you I was very proud on my unrivaled reputation!But....You dared challenge me,Shivaay Singh Oberoi!Get ready Miss. Annika Vardhan Trivedi.You are going to meet your Match,soon.
Saying all those Shivaay rolls over on the bed grasping the pendant in his hand.Reaching near the pillows he puts it on there.Then he keeps his chin on the back of his joined hands and goes on staring at the precious piece of jewel in front of him,recalling someone to whom it belongs!