Next morning.

In Shivaay's Mansion.

Shivaay was all set to go back. He was happy that he is going back to his family after 6 long months. But he was little uncomfortable going back.

He left that house cause without Anika that house haunt him. Memories of her flashes infront of his eyes.

He stood infront of Anika's huge portrait.

This photo was clicked by him secretly. He looked at the portrait with loads of love and longing.

Shivaay: main wapish ja raha hun Anika. I know sab khush honge. Main bhi hun. But I am scared. Dar lag raha hai. Tumhare bina woh ghar.... it..... it haunts me. Please come back.

Shivaay wiped a single tear and composing himself he went down where Khanna was waiting for him.

Khanna: good morning sir

Shivaay: good morning.

Khanna snapped his head and stood still for a while but then smiled brightly. After 6 long months his sir, his boss, has responded back. He was so happy that he was going to hug him but stopped his hands in the midair.

Shivaay (confused): kya hua?

Khanna (taking his hand back): kuch nahi sir. Aaiye

He turned to go but Shivaay stopped him and hugged him. He was shocked at first. He can't believe that Shivaay had hugged him. He smiled even more brightly and wrapped his hand around him.

Shivaay (still in the hug): thank you Khanna

Khanna frowned and Shivaay pulled off the hug.

Khanna: thank you kis liye sir?

Shivaay: tum ne mera itna saath diya hai. Itne saalon se main tumpe chilla ta rehta hun, tumhein daant ta rehta hun par fir bhi tum mera saath dete ho. Ek awaz mein aake khade ho jate ho. Aur toh aur mere saath iss ghar mein bhi aa gaye. So thank you.

Khanna: nahi sir. Please don't thank me. Yeh toh mera farz hai. Aap chahe mujhe apna sirf ek employee maante hai par mere liye toh aap hi meri family hai. Aapko pata hai sir aapke saath kaam karne se pehle maine bohat sari jagah pe kaam kiya. Par sab mujhe nikal dete the kyu ke mujh se koi na koi galati hoti rehti thi. Par aap?....... Aapne kabhi mujhe nikala nahi. Bhale aap daante par mujhe kabhi aapki daant ka bura nahi lagta. So I should thank you. Aapne ek chote se employee ke liye itna kuch kiya hai. Main anaath hun par mujhe aap mein aur aapki family mein hi apni family mil gai hai.

Shivaay: kis ne kaha ke tum sirf ek employee ho? You are my family too. Tum nahi hote toh mera aadha kaam toh waise hi nahi ho pata. Main itna organized tumhare wajah se hi toh hun. Aur haan aaj ke baad bola na ke tum anaath ho toh (he raised his hand) ek khick ke thappad marunga samje? You are my family get that?

Khanna's eyes welled up. He felt so happy he again hugged him. Shivaay smiled and patted his back. Khanna pulled the hug back and wiped his tears.

Khanna: ek baat puch sakta hun sir?

Shivaay: kya?

Khanna: aaj aap bohat khush lag rahe hai?

Shivaay: hmm..... khush toh hun. Par aaj aisa lag raha hai ke sab theek ho jayega. Jaise.... pata nahi par aaj kuch acha lag raha hai.

Khanna: aap aaj ghar wapish ja rahe ho, issiliye shayad?

Shivaay: ho sakta hai. Par yeh ek agal hi feeling hai. Pata nahi..... Okay let's leave it. Late ho raha.

Khanna: yes sir.

Khanna was going to take the driver's seat but saw someone alright there. Shivaay smiled and said.

Shivaay: Khanna come. Aaj se tum mere saath bethoge

Khanna (shocked): sir!!!

Shivaay: abhi toh kaha maine... Family

Khanna smiled brightly and sat beside Shivaay in the back seat and the car started.

Shivaay: Khanna.....

Khanna: yes sir

Shivaay (hesitating cause he didn't want Khanna to feel sad again): woh.....

Khanna understood what he wants to ask about so his smile vanished.

Khanna: nahi sir

Shivaay's face fell as always, he looked out of the window. Khanna cursed himself because he can't find her and always sadden Shivaay.

Shivaay: uss shooter ne kuch kaha? Kis ne bheja tha usse?

Khanna: sir uss ne.....

Shivaay: kya uss ne Khanna? Speak up. He is the only one Anika ko kis ne marne ki koshish ki yeh jaan ne ke liye. Aur shayad hum Anika ko bhi dhund paye

Khanna: sir I know. Par police uss se bulavane ki puri koshish kar rahe the lekin woh apna muh khol hi nahi raha tha. Aur kal uss ne...... uss ne apni..... uss ne apni jaan de di sir

Shivaay (shocked): what!!!!!!!

Khanna: yes sir

Shivaay: Khanna he was the only key!!! Sirf ussi ko pata tha Anika ko kisne marne ki koshish ki. Ek toh usse dhundne mein pure 6 mahibe lag gaye aur ab yeh....

He sighed frustrated and looked away. Khanna felt guilty but he kept slient.

Shivaay (defeated): kya maine....... kya maine Anika ko sach mein kho diya Khanna?

Khanna's eyes widened. He can see pain in his eyes, he could see tiredness of finding Anika.

Khanna: nahi sir. Humne kuch nahi khoya hai. Sir aap aisa kaise soch sakte hai?

Shivaay: toh kya karun Khanna? Humare pass sirf ek hi rasta tha, woh shooter. Ab toh woh bhi nahi hai. 6 mahine se uss ka kuch pata nahi chal raha hai.

Khanna: haan sir aap himmat mat hariye. Hum unhne dhundh lenge. Main ab apni jee - jaan laga dunga. But please don't loose hope.

Shivaay: I don't want to loose hope. Par tum hi batao. 6 mahine ho gaye. 6 Damn Months aur ab tak usska ya ussko kisne marne ke koshish ki usska pata nahi kar paye hai. Ab toh lagta hai ke Anika sach mein.......

Khanna (interrupting): nahi sir. Uss din jab woh upar se giri thi hume unki body........ I mean hume woh nahi mili thi. Giregi toh niche hi toh kahin toh honi chahiye. Par woh nahi thi....

Shivaay (sighed): you are right. I shouldn't have loose hope.

Khanna smiled faintly and both looked out of the glass shield at the respective directions.

After a while they reached Oberoi Mansion. The car stopped in front of the gate. Shivaay looked at the gate while Khanna came and opened the door for him. He sighed high and stepped out off the car.

He slowly took the steps in. All the members were having breakfast without a word. He saw that the first one to notice him was Gauri. She smiled brightly seeing him. He too reciprocated back. Gauri opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her showing his hand.

She nodded and he went near dadi. He bent down to seek her blessing. Everyone were in their world so none noticed him. But dadi jerked a bit.

Dadi (mixed emotions): Shivaay

That caught everyone's attention. All snapped their heads towards her and involuntarily their face drew a huge smile seeing him except Bela. She was neutral but she did got a little angry seeing him.

It's not because he is back but because she thought he didn't save Anika that day.

Everyone stood up from their seats except Bela. OmRuHir ran to him and caged him in their embrace.

Rudra (teary eyed): I missed you bhaiyaa.

Shivaay: Rudy don't be a cry baby, come on.

They pulled off the hug.

Mahir: tune toh mana kar diya tha aane se

Shivaay: kab?

Om: arey gauri ne......

Gauri: woh hume aap sab ko surprise dena tha issiliye. Kaisa laga surprise???

Everyone (except Bela): bohat acha!!

Shivaay smiled brightly along with everyone. Bela stood up from her seat everyone looked at her. She went near Shivaay. Everyone just looked on.

But to everyone's surprise. She forward her hand to him.

Bela: welcome back Mr. Oberoi

Shivaay hesitantly took her hand and muttered a Thank you.

Bela: Gauri I am leaving okay

Shivaay: a... Bela

She turned towards him.

Bela: yeah?

Shivaay: tumhein...... koi problem nahi hai?

Bela: kis baat ki?

Shivaay: main wapish aa gaya hun toh

Bela (sternly): mujhe kyu problem hogi? Aap ka ghar hai. Aap jab chahe tab aa sakte hai, jab chahe tab jaa sakte hai. Why will I have any problem?

Mahir: Bela.....

Bela: what?? Kuch galat bola maine?

Mahir: this is not the way you talk

Bela: ohh so ab aap mujhe sikhayenge Mr. Sehgal baat kaise ki jati hai

She snapped.

Mahir: Bela.....

Shivaay: Mahir.... you know what main yahan se issiliye chala gaya tha. Tum dono meri wajah se kyu lad rahe ho?

Mahir: she can't behave like that

Shivaay: kya galat kiya ussne? Sahi toh keh rahi hai. It is my house

Mahir: yes it is but....

Shivaay (interrupting): cut it Mahir. I repeat she had not done anything wrong. Maafi mango uss se

Mahir: Shivaay......

Shivaay: I said apologize

Bela: I don't want any apology Mr. Oberoi. Mujhe bura nahi laga. (Looking at Mahir) bura toh apno ki baat ka lagta hai. (Looking back to Shivaay) and now I don't share any relation with Mr. Sehgal

Mahir felt zillions of stabs in his heart as she said that. Bela took a short look at Mahir and left the screen. All sighed Shivaay placed his hand on Mahir's shoulder.

Soumya: jiju (Mahir) I am sorry. Bela di ke taraf se main aap se maafi mangti hun. Please...

Mahir (interrupting): it's okay Soumya. Tumhein maafi mangne ki zarrorat nahi hai.

Pinky: haaye rabba yeh sab kab theek hoga??

Rudra: jab Anika di wapish aaiyegi, choti maa

Tia: par kab aaiyegi di? I am fed up with all these now.

Shivaay: don't worry Tia. Main usse dhundh lunga. Woh bhi bohat jaldi.

Tia: yeh pichle 6 mahine se keh rahe ho Shivaay. But still you can find her.

Shivaay: yes I know and I am sorry for that. Lekin ab main usse dhundh ke hi rahunga. Aur agar main nahi dhundh paya toh Bela toh dhundh hi legi

Mahir: Bela??

Shivaay: off course

Mahir: woh bhi......

Shivaay: yes Mahir. Tujhe nahi pata?

Mahir: uss ne kabhi bataya hi nahi

Shivaay: uss ne kisiko nahi bataya. Par tujhe kya lagta hai woh aise haath pe haath rakh kar baithi rahegi?

Gauri: that's true.

Jhanvi: I just wish Anika jaldi mil jaye.

Soumya: hum sab bhi yeh hi wish kar rahe hai aunty.

Tej: come on everyone have your breakfast. Aur aaj koi office nahi jayega

Shivaay: kyu?

Rudra: bhaiyaa. Aap finally 6 mahine baad aaiye hai we want to spend time with you.

All smiled and sat on their respective seats. Shivaay stares the seat beside him which was Anika's. He caressed the seat and smiled faintly.

All had their breakfast and chatted a little with Shivaay. After sometime Shivaay was passing by Gauri's art room where she work. He saw her painting something was seems she was lost in some other world.

He stepped in and seeing the canvas he was shocked.

Shivaay: Gauri....

Gauri came out of the trance and looked back.

Gauri: bhaiyaa aap?

Shivaay: yaa.. but tum yeh.....

Pointing towards the canvas. She turned and closed her eyes. She made the same thing yet again.

It was Anika's

(I don't know who made this. But I found it in Surbhi's Insta post)

He looked around and found many more canvas filled with her paintings.

(These photos are edited. 😜😜)

And many more. We can say the whole room was filled with Anika's paintings, pencil sketchs and what not.

Shivaay went near Gauri. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she hugged him tightly letting her tears flow. He wrapped his hand around her and stroked her head.

Shivaay (consoling her): shhh..... nahi Gauri.....

Gauri (sobbing): bhaiyaa.... aap...... aap unse kahiye na. Ke..... ke ab toh wapish aa jaye. 6 mahine ho gaye hai. Ab itna wait kare hum.

She pulled the hug off. Shivaay's eyes were moist too but he didn't allow them to fall.

Gauri: don't you think yeh game ab khatam karni chahiye? Hai na (he nodded yes) toh kahiye na unse ke wapish jaye.

She hugged him again and sobbed. He had nothing to say he just stroked her head.

After a while she stopped and broke the hug. Shivaay cupped her face and wiped her tears.

Shivaay: mujhe Rudy ke tarah mood theek karna toh nahi aata. But as I promised main usse dhundh lunga. Aur aisi daant lagaunga dekh na tum. Sab ko kitna rulaya.

Gauri nodded.

Gauri: haan daant na aap. Bohat buri hai woh.

She said cutely while Shivaay kissed her forehead.

Shivaay: but you promise me ab se tum ro-ogi nahi.

Gauri: ab nahi roungi

Shivaay and patting her head he left. While looked at the painting and said.

Gauri: please come back

*********

Some where in Saudi

A huge Mansion can be seen with lots of guards wearing everything black and riffles in their hands gaurding the Mansion.

Few cars stopped in front of the Mansion. Everyone got put of the car except from one. One of the gaurd ran and opened the door.

A man came out of the car. Everyone bowed their head in request or say terror. He looked so scary. The gaurd standing near him started shivering out of fear.

He took his steps towards the main gate. As he entered in maids came running towards him. One of them took the bag from him, one took his wrist watch, one forward a glass of cold water to him.

"Ilham kahan hai?" Asked the man to one of the maid.

Maid 1: huzur woh apne kamre mein hai.

The man took few steps forward but stopped hearing the voice of another maid.

Another maid: rukiye huzur....

Anger rose in him. He closed his eyes. He said in a dangerous voice without turning.

Man: kon hai jis ne Bilal Ahmed ko rok ne kis gustakhi ki hai???

Maid: gustakhi muaf huzur. Par woh apne kamre mein nahi. Balki piche baagh mein hai.

Bilal: toh mujhe pehle yeh kyu kaha gaya ke woh apne kamre mein hai.

Maid 1: muaf kijiye. Par shayad woh abhi gai hai.

Another: haan huzur woh abhi wahan gai hai.

Bilal turned towards the maid. Both of them shivered just by seeing his dangerous face.

Bilal Ahmed *ignore the background*

Bilal: agli baar galati nahi honi chahiye

Both: ji huzur.

Bilal turned and went to garden. He saw a beautiful lady in black with her head cover with a black dupatta. Her back was facing towards him. She was just adoring the white doves in the cage. He smiled seeing her.

"Ilham......" he called her name and she turned. She passed a smile and he went to her.

Ilham *imagine her smiling*

Ilham: Assalam walekum Bilal

Bilal: walekum salam meri jaan

She smiled and turned towards the cage.

Ilham: kya hum aap se ek darkhast kar sakte hai?

Bilal: Ilham aap humari hone wali begum hai. Aap hukum kijiye.

Ilham: can we set these doves free?

Bilal (frowned): kyu??

Ilham: hume acha nahi lagta. Inhe aise pingare mein bandh dekh kar. These are meant for the sky. Not the cage.

Bilal: par aapko toh yeh bohat pasand hai na?

Ilham: haan pasand hai. Par aise nahi. Please Bilal

Bilal (smiling): theek hai. Agar yeh karne se aapke chehre par muskan aati hai. Toh mujhe koi problem nahi hai.

Ilham smiled broadly and opened the cage and one by one she set the doves free. They happily fly in the sky. Forming circles and all.

Bilal: aap khush hai?

Ilham: bohat.

Bilal: chale? Aaj hum saath khana khayenge.

Ilham: theek hai.

She walked forward while Bilal signaled his gaurds. They nodded and shot the doves.

(The used silencer in the guns so Ilham can't hear any thing)

*******

Do tell me how do you like the chappie?

Please ignore the error. Cause I have not rechecked this time. 😜😜

Love Love

M. S. ❤