Conceivable – Part 3
Link to Part 2:
——————————————————————————————————————————————
The following morning when Anika visited the temple, she was greeted with a very familiar figure. She could recollect a few vague memories with her and with a brief introduction; she could recollect her connections with the beautiful woman standing in front of her. Her eyes dampened thinking about her mother, but she regained her composure blinking back her tears. This woman had provided her mother immense support which reasoned them for being the best of friends. She softly smiled at her and the two of them along with Sahil went inside the temple. The temple provided Anika a calm, peaceful surrounding which she dearly longed for. She had a very busy and hectic week at work coming up and this was the best possible option for calming down herself and attaining inner peace of mind.
After a while, the trio slowly walked out of the temple matching Sahil’s pace. Anika talked to the woman for some more time when Sahil nudged her. He wanted to spend his weekend in his ‘Anika Didi’s’ company and since, he couldn’t recollect any memories attached with the woman standing in front of him, he found it absolutely boring. Being the friendly, yet strict sister Anika was, she glared at him and shutting his mouth, Sahil looked away. He couldn’t argue with his sister. They’d a huge age difference and she was like his second mother. The vague memories he could recollect about their ‘Maa’ only helped him to relate and connect between both these women, his Anika Didi and Maa. “Okay, Aunty ji, we’ll leave now,” Anika politely said and relief washed over Sahil’s face. After all, he was a kid and being amidst two ladies who were talking amongst themselves wasn’t a great company he preferred to be with. Although, Anika was older than him and resembled a lot to their Maa, he was always happy with her around him. She was the most caring, adorable and friendly sister.
Although, Anika wanted to leave, but upon requesting, she’d to accompany her mother’s friend. She couldn’t have behaved so rude after all she did for them and especially, for their Maa. She apologized to her brother secretly who seemed a little pissed over her decision. Hadn’t she told she’d spend her weekend with him? He’d been eagerly waiting, but he knew he couldn’t help it. Sahil stared out of the posh car that they’d sat inside while the two women continued talking. The cold air blew across his face and he felt afresh. He knew they couldn’t spend the entire of the weekend in each other’s company anymore, but he thanked God for the other day which although, he didn’t know how it’d be spent, but he could at least hope. He smiled at the thought and his eyes widened seeing this Aunty’s house who’d snatched away his sister. In a matter of fact, she stayed in a huge bungalow, similar to one palace which he’d read in his History books. The house had been built excellently and how he wished they’d a similar house, but he was happy with all he had. His Didi had taught him not to be greedy and be satisfied with what he had in life. He glanced back at his sister adoringly. After all, she was the best sister.
The three of them stood at the doorstep of the house while Anika nodded to all of ‘Aunty ji’s’ talks. Certainly, she talked about all interesting topics and she could’ve replied a lot more than what she was doing, but her throat felt dry. She couldn’t talk anymore and she’d decided; As soon as they’d enter inside, she’d ask for a glass of water. She looked around at her surroundings and it felt strangely familiar. Had she been to this house before? Oh, yes, she’d visited here as a small girl. But the thought troubled her. It seemed like she’d recently visited, but she couldn’t remember. She regretted her forgetfulness and mentally, cursed herself. Letting go of her thought, they stepped in together and the site that was beheld in front of her amused her. Oberoi Family? She was at the Oberoi Mansion?
“Mummy ji,” the woman beside her called and she immediately looked beside herself. She was Pinky Oberoi. Shivaay’s mother. What had she gotten herself into? She clenched the hem of her kurti tightly and nervously, looked around the hall. Everyone in the hall stared at her, the elders happily, Shivaay’s wife, Tia, blankly and Shivaay and Om scared. Had Pinky found out everything? Tia and Pinky were the only who hadn’t been informed about Shivaay’s affair since, Pinky blindly trusted Tia and Tia could’ve created chaos. “Mom, do you know Anika?” Shivaay asked and immediately realised he could’ve remained quiet. He could’ve let his Mom explain herself first. He breathed out a sigh and seeing the trouble nearing, he bowed down his head.
“Shivaay, you know her?” Pinky asked out of sheer curiosity. Was he able to recollect his childhood memories? If so, then she was yet to realise that her son was extremely intelligent and had an intense memory. She couldn’t recollect the last time the two of them had sat and talked for a while peacefully, but she needed to. Carrying out all the responsibilities and bringing him up took all her time to realise how grown up his son was now. Of course, she was wary of Shivaay managing the entire Oberoi Empire and she was proud of him, but in between their individual different life styles, they’d never gotten the time to sit and properly talk. She mentally made it a note to have a proper talk with him as soon as possible. She reminisced the times when there wasn’t anything she didn’t know about, but now being immersed in their own lifestyles, they weren’t wary of each other’s needs. Her eyes dampened at the thought and she resolved to talk with him as soon as possible.
Shivaay looked up at his Mom to answer when Om said, “She works in our office Choti Maa. Haven’t you met her before?” Shivaay mentally thanked Om. He didn’t know how, but the fact that he could reason he knew Anika as an employee had slipped from his mind. He breathed out a sigh of relief and looked at Pinky. “But Mom, how do you know her?” He didn’t have the slightest clue of how his Mom knew Anika. They didn’t know each other neither had they met before, at least he knew so.
“Mummy ji, Anika is my best friend, Suchitra’s daughter,” Pinky said and both of them walked towards the entire family. Everyone nodded understanding and keeping their mouths shut about Shivaay-Anika’s affair, they blessed her. The entire Oberoi family adored Anika. Like Shivaay, all of them knew that Anika passionately loved Shivaay and wasn’t a gold digger like Tia. The family had been really upset over Tia when they’d come to know her reality, but when Shivaay had told them about Anika and made them meet her, they’d accepted their relation. Dadi had promised Shivaay, no matter what, she’d get him married to Anika and they’d have a legal relationship. It was with this hope that their relation had grown further and stronger.
Rudra walked inside the hall after an intense workout session. Seeing Anika at their home in the presence of Pinky and Tia was an absolute surprise for him and thus, just to contemplate whether he’s dreaming or not, he pinched himself. But he wasn’t dreaming. Anika stood right in front of him. “Anika Bh . . . ,” he started, but Om elbowed him asking him to keep his mouth shut. Anika greeted the two brothers and, then standing in front of Shivaay, she said, “Good morning Sir!” It wasn’t new for him. She rarely called him by his name and he’d gradually gotten used to it, although, he loved how his name perfectly rolled out of her mouth. “Good morning Anika!”
“Anika, beta, just call him ‘Shivaay’; It’s perfectly alright. You aren’t at office anyway,” Pinky said softly. Anika looked directly into Shivaay’s eyes and softly said, “Hi Shivaay!” Shivaay smiled at her and mentally thanked Pinky. The blood shot through Anika’s cheeks and embarrassed, she went away to talk to Priyanka. In her first visit to Oberoi Mansion, Om, Rudra and Priyanka had been really friendly to her. She met the brothers almost once a week, but Priyanka being a college student couldn’t manage to take out time of her routine schedule. The duo had a lot to catch upon and went to Priyanka’s room to have a brief talk.
In the meanwhile, Sahil had been extremely happy on finding out that he was at Oberoi Mansion. Rudra Bhaiya could play with him his favourite video games and they’d have a gala time. Sitting Sahil on both his shoulders, he held him properly and walked up to his room. Shivaay looked at the two of them and smiled. He really adored the little kid and his bond with his family. At his age, he bonded and adjusted with people very comfortably and quickly. He thanked God for bringing Anika into his life. How he wished that they’d have met earlier, but alas, God had his own ways. Either way, Shivaay and Anika were destined to be together and at the end, that is all that mattered to him.
On the other hand, Om who’d been snapping his fingers in front of Shivaay, finally shook him. Shivaay looked at him clueless and he laughed at him. “Thinking about Anika, are you?” Shivaay nodded and, then instantly shook his head. “I was just thinking about Sahil. He’s such an adorable kid, isn’t he?” Om couldn’t have argued on it. Sahil was a really adorable kid. Being brought up by his sister and partially, by his maternal parents, he was well-mannered and more importantly, he was really intelligent. He’d never questioned Anika about her relationship with the Oberois, but he knew it. He called Shivaay ‘Jiju’ and was very happy and excited at the same time for his sister. Om was brought back to reality when Jhanvi asked the family to come for breakfast. They all walked towards the dining hall and Pinky went to call both Priyanka and Anika. Rudra had asked to serve their breakfast in the room so that they could’ve have it while playing.
At the dining table, everyone intentionally sat in an arrangement so that Shivaay and Anika could sit beside each other. Dadi had asked Tia to sit at a different place which made her angry. She argued upon the matter, but when no one paid any heed to her arguments; furiously, she went back to her room. Anika sat down beside Shivaay seeing that was the only empty place. Shivaay slightly smiled at her, but being the shy one Anika was, she stared ahead blankly. After the food was served, everyone started eating when Shivaay held Anika’s hand under the table. Anika looked at him shocked and wriggled to get her hand out of his grip, but he refused to leave her hand. Shivaay smiled at everyone else casually and being left with no option, Anika started eating again, still trying to get her hand out of his grip. Om who had bent down to pick up his spoon, saw their laced fingers and secretly smiled. He asked for another spoon and in the meanwhile, excused himself for making a call.
Shivaay rested his fork on the plate and picked up his phone. It displayed ‘Om’, but he’d no clue of what had happened. A minute ago, he’d excused himself for making a call and now, he was calling him? He could’ve just told him whatever the matter was while eating, but . . . Was it anything serious? Confused, he picked up the call and hoped for the best.
“Shivaay, Bhai, it’d be better if you leave Anika’s hand under the table. Just in case, Choti Maa drops down something, then it’d lead to a chaos,” he said into the phone giggling. He immediately left her hand and choked on his food. Om laughed looking at him while the others looked at him a little surprised. Anika poured down a glass of water of him and immediately, handed it to him. Their hands brushed against each other’s making them feel electrified.
They looked at each other for a brief second when Pinky asked Shivaay to drink the water bringing them out of their fantasy. Shivaay gulped down the water and resolved to beat up Om. He’d been a nuisance since the time he’d known about Anika. He left no chance to pull his leg. He desperately waited for Om to find someone for himself so he could take his revenge. But giving a thought to Om’s words, he knew he was right. He thanked God for saving him from anything unpredictable and, then the thought of telling everything to his Mom made him desperate. He wanted everything to happen smoothly and make his Mom understand the reality of Tia. He left it upon God and looking at Anika, he felt all his worries flushed away. The day when he could call her ‘His’ was now, at least, ‘Conceivable’.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Author’s Note: Hey Beautiful Readers, thank you for supporting me! I couldn’t have asked for more, really. Well, here was the third part of this story. If you liked it, please don’t forget to drop down your views below. I’d be waiting to know them. Constructive criticism is accepted. ?