Nikhil's POV

I am not the same Nikhil who I was before 8 months ago, I have changed a lot from the old arrogant Nikhil. This marriage has changed me ...

When Ananya first came into my life I absolutely despised her and thought she was the reason for all my problems However, that thought has slowly changed. I realised Ananya is a gem of a person and I was hurting her for no reason. Why am I blaming her because my parents forced me to get married to her ? She was on the same boat as me ...

Everytime I believe that Ananya is recovering shes disappointing me, like yesterday seeing her like that in the rain hurted me a lot, seeing her in pain is making my heart bleed. I still don't know when I started liking her, was it when we went to Manchester ? Or did the sympathy i had towards her turn into liking her ?

I don't know the answer ....

The only thing I know is that I am eager to share my life with Ananya ... I want her ... But for that Shreya is in the way ... comparing Ananya with Shreya has just made me realise how toxic Shreya was. More than love it was always her demanding things in the relationship and feeding me with toxic information but  an innocent soul like Ananya made me realise what I thought about love was wrong. I have to end it soon but would I be in the wrong to leave Shreya and try and start a new life with Ananya ?

Will Ananya give me a chance ? For the past few days I have been getting restless with these thoughts. Priya is my another worry, I don't want her to live the life he way she is living it now ... She is not the type of person who should stay home and live a depressed life. Priya has a great potential to reach heights but Its going to be a difficult task to bring her out of the pain shes going through now.

I still can't take in Varun's death, his health was progressing really well after the car accident but the Cardiac arrest ? It was an unexpected shock ...
Varun was able to speak as his health was progressing, once when I went to see him with Priya what he said to me holding my hand was that "Nikhil don't hurt my sister", I still have him saying that ringing in my ears. Maybe was it that which created a soft corner for me in Anu ?

I don't know ...

Today I didn't go to work, I wanted to take Ananya out for the evening as it will be a change for Ananya. She was sitting in the garden when I approached her she removed her headphones and smiled at me. I went and sat next to her in the bench not keeping much distance.

"Hii Anu I wondering if we can go out today ?" I asked her curiously expecting her reply to be a no.

She thought about it for a while and replied "erm yep sure Nikhil but where?'

I was overjoyed hearing her response " maybe to the Park ? It'll be fun to just sit on the grass, watch as other people go by and just relax" I suggested

"Yep that sounds like a nice idea, are we going now ?" Ananya asked me

"Yep why not " I replied

"Then I will go and get ready !!" Ananya said and left. I then went to get ready as well.

Authors POV

Nikhil too then went to get dressed, he didn't want to dress too formally like he always does for work. After a lot of thinking Nikhil finally decided to wear a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Nikhil normally never really bothers much about what he wears but today he wanted to look the best ...

After getting ready Nikhil went to the living room, there he saw Ananya already waiting for him. She was wearing a black crop top paired with a long floral ankle length skirt exposing a very small portion of her stomach. She had let her waist length hair loose. One thing Nikhil noticed about Ananya was that she always wears her manglasutra, she always tooks it in her dress but it was easy for him to know what it was.

"Anu are you ready ?" Yes Nikhil let's go

Nikhil felt as if Ananya was another person after what happend yesterday night. She was more cheerful and energetic today.

Ananya got into the front seat of Nikhil's car, there car journey was a  silent one but it was  comfortable silence. After a 10 minute drive they reached the park.

They both got out of the car and starting walking together to the park. Nikhil felt like holding her hand but he refrained from doing it as he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"Shall we sit here ?" Nikhil asked Ananya pointing at an empty space below a large tree.

"Yep sure" Ananya replied

They then settled themselves below the tree and started watching there surroundings and the children playing near the kids area. However, Nikhil's eyes were on Ananya admiring her pretty face.

"She's no where close to Shreya" those words started ringing in Nikhil's head, he deeply regretted what he had said then. He mocked himself thinking how blind he was in the past.

Ananya was engrossed into her surroundings but Nikhil got bored after a while "Anu, it's a bit boring just sitting here it would be better if we have a conversation... "

"Mmm sure ... but about what ?" Ananya asked a bit confused because she couldn't think about anything she could speak to Nikhil about.

"Ermm I can start something, forgive me if it's stupid" Nikhil said smiling

Ananya just returned a smile politely

" Do you have any ambitions or dreams that you want to pursue ? " Nikhil asked her just to unlock a conversation.

"Ermm dancing was my passion and it still is but now I feel like working and entering a field in relation to what I studied and maybe continue dance as side or as a stress buster.
How about yours ?" Ananya asked back

"Ermm since childhood this idea of taking over the company started by grandfather was drilled into so I never had much ambitions in the childhood. I studied architecture and take me wrong I do enjoy architecture and after completing my masters I took over the company after a good one year gaining experience. What I want to do now is to expand the capabilities of the company more" Nikhil replied

"Wow that sounds nice, do you make plans of buildings ?" Ananya asked curiously

"Yes of course I do but I mainly check the plans other architectures have created and take care of the office work" Nikhil said

"Wow your job sounds fun !! " Ananya politely said

"I can take you one day of you want" Nikhil suggested

"I'd be happy and eager to visit your company. Shall we start walking ?" Ananya asked and Nikhil nodded.

They then both started walking and discussed each others college life, about friends and just life in general. Ananya was starting to enjoy Nikhil's presence and their formal conversation which was turning into informal conversations now. But her heart was warning her to see Nikhil no more than a friend.
Eventually they came across the lake area where people were feeding the ducks.

"Anu wait here for 5 mins" Nikhil said and rushed somewhere. After what felt like 10 minutes Nikhil returned holding a packet of bread "come let's feed the ducks", he said excitingly and then gave her a piece of bread and started feeding the ducks. Nikhil took various pictures of Ananya feeding. Eventually he called her to take a selfie, Ananya was hesitant at first but she gave in and clicked a selfie with him.

"Anu do you want to watch the sunset ? Look we can see it really well on top of that hill" Nikhil said her excitingly, Anu nodded smiling and they walked to the hill to watch the sunset.

They sat together on the hill Nikhil closed the gap between them sitting close to her as possible, Anu started moving to keep the distance but Nikhil held her hand and indicated her to stay where she is. He then placed his hands around her and made her leans onto his shoulders. Anu tried to move away but Nikhil didn't let her and even her heart didn't let her move away she felt a sense of protection when sitting like this in Nikhil's embrace. Together they watched the colours of the sky change and watched as the sun settled below the horizon.

"Anu ?"

"Hmm ?" Anu replied

"Can I advise you something ?

"Yes " Anu replied knowing what was coming her way

"Don't ever feel as If you have no one, you have me I will be there for you in your every need as a support system, friend or who ever you want me to be. You have my parents and grandpa who loves you like their daughter and Priya who is like your sister, just because none of us are blood related to you don't think we don't love you." Nikhil advised her

Ananya nodded and a lone tear escaped from her eyes, Nikhil noticed it, he lifted her face from his shoulder and wiped it. "Like I told you yesterday I don't want to see your tears, I want to see your smiling face always agreed ?" Nikhil asked be palming her face

Ananya nodded again this time smiling. Together they then walked back to the car this time holding hands.

"Did you enjoy it today ?" Nikhil asked Ananya

"Yep it was a beautiful evening" Ananya replied. 

"Shall we go back home then?" Nikhil asked

"Yes" Ananya replied

And they left the park with content hearts because of the small progress they made in their relationship.

.................................................................

Hope you've all enjoyed this chapter :)

Nikhil is changing right?

Let's hope the tragedy Ananya faced in her life won't affect her so much anymore !!!

Will Shreya come and break their happiness ?

Will Nikhil accept Ananya into his heart and push Shreya out of it ?

Does Shreya have anything to do with Varuns death ......?

Will come back soon with another chapter :)