BEFORE 5 YEARS.

Anika pov. 

Why it's only me to go through everything, They knew everything from the start, And called me in the last moment, Don't I deserve to live with my mom, Why they always do this, I know being a girl in a trivedi family is a curse, I thought they completely forget about me until yesterday when I got a call from my grandfather, Mr. Sathyajit Trivedi. I confirmed it twice when he called me for the first time in 17 Years. I moved into Los Angels with my mom's sister when I was eight. I left my family, Mom, friends, School everything in a half-a-way to get into my new life. 

I was confused when mom slapped me multiple times to accept chocolates from my chachu, Dad's stepbrother, and grandfather adopted son, Nivansh Trivedi. Over then, My dad was no more, He passed away in a car accident. I didn't cry in his funeral because he didn't leave me any memories with me to miss him. But tears crossed in my eyes when I saw my mom in a very distressed state. She was my everything. But when she decided to send me with my maasi, I was shattered. My Massi introduced me to Los Angels when I was just 8. I had my room, my own private space, Own life with my new friends, In fact, life long friends, RON, Easton, Stephnie, and Priya. 

After a few years, My massi divorced her husband as he cheated on her. And my maasi is not like my mom, whatever husbands do, Wives didn't fail to take care of him and shower him with love. On that spot, I have decided, I won't be like my mom at any point in life especially not the one who's dependent on his love to lead the life. That thought eventually allowed me to recall the incident because of that my mother distanced herself from me. Of course, Nivansh chachu offered me chocolates, But in the bathroom. He tried to touch me and I have no idea about that. Before anything worse happens, My mom saved me from that situation. 

I was blank, Completely blank when I realized someone who snatched me my luxurious life from me actually saved me from the terrific world. But here I am ignoring her and having a limited conversation with her for the past few years. I immediately called my mom, But I was silent, She understood everything, She didn't let me speak anything but consoled me to lead my life, fearless, Adventurous and most importantly she didn't want me to depend on anyone. And I made it as my principles to live life. Never been into any kind of relationship, I love being another daughter to my maasi and a cool buddy to my friends. People even doubted my sexuality when I calmly rejected many proposals, But I laughed out to them. I know I am a woman and I don't have to prove it to anyone. 

Everything was perfect, I graduated, I started doing my internships, Jobs and also started to save money, Become a little bit responsible with my life but still, there's a void. And I don't want to fill this void and become dependent like my mother. Friends say that I am phobic to commitments. Maybe they are right but only one difference, I am doing this to myself because I don't want to get hurted in the end. 

Out of sudden, I got a call from India, I never been to India in these 17 years, Not even once, Even to see my mom, She visited me here four times on my birthdays and we spent quality time together. But when she come to know that her mom is ill, It's the fourth stage of cancer from my grandfather, I was shattered, I pushed away everything which came to my vision, and decided to go to my mom. 

"What happened to her?" - I asked my grandfather who didn't forget about me yet. I know I will be a newly found granddaughter to my grandfather. I don't know, I wanted him to console me and give me hopes but he didn't. My mom hardly opened her eyes and looked at my tired eyes. 

"Pancreatic cancer, Last stage." - The doctor said and continued to say many things but I concluded with one thing, She didn't have time with her when I died to became independent to take care of her. I laughed at fate to play with me like this every time, It always keen in breaking my expectation into pieces. 

"If we proceed with surgery, There might be a chance." - The doctor said finally. 

"Then What are you guys waiting for? Go ahead, This is our hospital, Please save my mom." - I cried to the group of doctors who stood opposite to me explaining the situation.  

"Before that, Mr. Trivedi wanted to talk to you." - They said I was scared, I don't want to meet Nivansh Trivedi ever in my life. My heart beats against my chest thinking about meeting Nivansh Trivedi who was misbehaving with me on that day. 

"Mr. Nivansh Trivedi?" - I asked shivering to the core inside. 

"No, Mr. Sathyajit Trivedi." - They replied, There was a huge relief. The next moment, I was standing before him in his cabin. He even didn't ask me to take a seat. But asked his assistant to bring paper. I was continuously stared at him confusingly. 

"Take your seat, my granddaughter." - He said glancing the bond. I took the seat before him and waited for him to start. 

"Well, How was your trip? How are you?" - He asked me smilingly with his firm black orbs, He has his own selfish reason to bring me here. But I wasn't allowed to ask him about it directly. I always taught by my man, I should keep my eyelids low while I am talking with my grandparents. Should answer them, Should never question them. I have practiced it since the moment I was born. 

"Fine, Dadaji. How are you?" - I kept my volume low and asked him even I yelling inside saying my mom was dying there, And I am not here for the casual conversation. 

"I am fine, Beta. Thanks for asking. I am glad, You didn't forget your manners even after staying abroad for the continuous 17 years." - He said looking at me, I kept my gaze in the table. I was silent, I know answering to him while he was speaking will make him crazy. 

"Daddaji, Mom." - I asked him when I can't keep my calmness for a long time. 

"I know, Beta. It's sad. And Doctors said we can do surgery to keep her alive for some more days." - He said I couldn't hold up my tears. 

"I have a solution for that." - He said and forwarding the papers which he was studying before a while. 

"I will permit the doctors to do surgery only if sign in this bond." - He said looking deep into my eyes. 

"Bond!" - I whispered in shock what kind of bond it will be.

"I have arranged your wedding with one of our merger of my business circle." - He said, Those words heard thundered my heart, I couldn't able to think anything beyond. I dared to raise my eyelids to him.  

"Marriage?!?" - I asked him in a weak tone. 

"You're behaving like someone who has a boyfriend waiting for you, I know about you, You're determined to make yourself a better person. I appreciate that And I had hope in you, After all, You are my granddaughter. Now it's time, Anika. You have to marry the person I have chosen for you as Anika Harshavarthan Trivedi." - He said without having any emotions with him. I was startled when he did that, But I am ready to take any risks to save my mom. 

"I am ready dadaji, But Please save my mom." - I pleaded to him. 

"Smart." - He smiled looking at me, But when he urged me to read the bond, I was confused again. But when I opened it, I found all my nightmares written in that piece of paper. I started to sweat inside the well airconditioned luxurious cabin. 

"It's written, I shouldn't divorce or get separated from him without your permission." - I asked him in a very frail tone. 

"Yeah, You should consider asking me before you take any decision." - He said looking at him. His assistant looked at me with pity eyes, I quickly shrugged off my vision and continued to read it. 

"Dadaji, It says I should keep trying on babies until a boy is born."- I asked him, This time, I couldn't hold up my tears. 

"Boys are one who forwards the family! As you were born as my only granddaughter I left with no option, Beta." - He said in his usual sugarcoated tone. I gulped the lump formed in the throat due to anxiety formed. 

"It's a trap, Daddaji. What if I didn't get pregnant after marriage? And anything misfortune happened?" - I asked him gathering up all the left out courage. He laughed at my question up to my surprise. 

"You're getting married to the most eligible bachelor of the city, My dear. And It assured in your horoscope that you both are made for each other, And what did guruji say, Mistra?" - He asked his P.A who was standing next to him looking at me with pity eyes. 

"Soulmates!" - Mishra ji said looking at him. He couldn't match his eyelids to me. Soulmates, I haven't met him once in my life, I want to cry, yell. And tore the bond into pieces but I stopped. 

"What if he has some problems?" - I asked him, His facial expression changed.

"Simple, I will make you marry someone else. So there might be no issues. It's mentioned in the bond. Look" - He said, Ruthless. I couldn't able to trace his words. 

"And about trying for a boy, You're free to visit our hospital and get to know about the gender of the baby before they are born. If it's a girl, It's up to you and your husband wish to keep her or abort her. But you have to give me a boy."- He added, My heart stopped beating for a while hearing his ruthless words, My mom automatically witnessed my mom's condition after she gave birth to her, Why she always kept me away from my family. How ruthless he's? How can he do this to his own granddaughter?

"And if a boy didn't bear, You have to re-marry. I need an heir to forward this family." - He said, There were only tears left in me, Signing this document, I would put myself in the cage for the rest of my life. But on the other hand, I can't let my mom die and be selfish. If she can distance me from her to save me, Why can't I save her by signing these papers?

"I love you, mom." - I murmured and took the pen and signed the paper. Now my life will not be my life anymore. It's done. 

Anika opened her eyes when the speed brake hitten by the Uber driver, She was jumped and Landed in her seat. 

"Excuse me." - She asked the uber driver. 

"Sorry!" - The driver said and pointed his finger towards the old lady who was crossing the road, A smile appeared in her face Even though she wasn't in the state to smile. Shyla begged her not to resign the job but she didn't want anyone to trace her and keep tabs on her. She was so done with that life. And now, She has to live for her daughter. She keeps her decision on hold and the uber dropped her in her daughter's gymnastic classes. Waving at her, Her daughter approached and jumped to her. Anika engulfed her to the tightest hug and also promised, She never let anything happen to her.

*********

Shivaay re-read the bond twice, Thrice, and multiple times, He was shattered when he come to know how Anika was forced to live her own life. And He was how much wrong, His heart fell for her in guilt But the anger reached him to her grandfather's office. The receptionist said He was in the meeting, And he didn't have an appointment to meet him. But he least bothered to her approached the meeting room, But he was stopped by his 60 years old Personal Assistant, Rakesh Mistra. 

"Mr. Oberoi, What are you doing here?" - He asked holding his hands and stopped him from reaching Sathyajit Trivedi's cabin. 

"I didn't come here to meet you, I came here to confront the ruthless, Mr. Sathyajit Trivedi." - He said, Rakesh's eyes fell on the bond which he crushed in his hand, Mistra's heartbeat started to beat fast. 

"Mr. Oberoi, Whether it's because of the bond?" - He whispered to him, Shivaay was shocked because he knew it was written in the bond it should be confidential, Even Anika is not allowed to share it with shivaay.

"How do you know?" - Shivaay asked him shockingly. 

"We aren't supposed to discuss it here, Shivaay." - He said and tried to drag him outside. 

"I am here to see him, Not you, Mr. Mistra." - Shivaay said looking at him. 

"You're making things worse for Anika. If you confront him about this, She might face many legal challenges from her Ruthless Grandfather." - He said which eventually stopped from reaching him. He already gave her many troubles and not anymore. 

"But there are many questions which are yet to be answered."- Shivaay said with welled up eyes. 

"Maybe I can answer some of your questions." - Rakesh said patting his shoulder looking at his distress state. He understood how much he misses her. He has taken him to the coffee stop nearer to the office. 

"Anika said you're addicted to coffee, That too, For Americano, Without sugar." - He said ordering Espresso for him and a latte for him. Shivaay was surprised, He knew she knew his preferences in her fingertip, But he had no idea, She would share it with everyone. 

"You both talk?" - Shivaay asked him firmly. 

"Yes, Very frequently, She is like my daughter. And also her father was my best friend, I know her since she was a month old. We both used to share many things." - Rakesh said sipping his latte. Shivaay didn't bother to drink his coffee as he badly needs to know about her. 

"How did it happen?" - Shivaay asked pointing the bond. 

"Blackmail, Shivaay. She was always a loving and emotionally dependent child, When her grandfather blackmailed with her mom's condition, She left with no options other than signing it." - He said, Shivaay's heartstrings for hurting already hurted bird.

"And Shivaay, I always said this to you, But you never give your ear to me. She has nothing to do with Trivedi's taking over your New city project, She was a victim, not a culprit. It was done by Nivansh Trivedi." - He said, Shivaay never given to his words thinking he's lying because of Anika. But now, He realized, He's right, She wasn't involved in any of the shits he blamed her always. He couldn't raise his head in guilt. 

"No offense, Shivaay, I asked her multiple times to leave you. But she never listened to me, She said, You love her beyond boundaries but you didn't know to express it, And she also said, Even it's forever, She will live with it."- He said which broke his heart into pieces again and again. His heart assured him, That he never deserve her pure love. Tears crossed his eyes when he thinks about the moment when he bashed at her for no reason, Even though she stayed silent and accepted everything. 

"But out of sudden, She came to meet Grandfather and said, She needs a divorce from you. It's surprising for me Because before two days, We discussed it with her, She said she never give up on you, But after two days, She told me about the decision." - He said. 

"When did it happen?" - Shivaay asked him keeping his heart stone. 

"Before 2 years." - Rakesh replied. 

"It means before Arush's birth." - Shivaay asked him. Rakesh didn't reply anything but nodded yes. 

"Her grandfather said he will only permit her to divorce you, Only if she's ready to get married. But she wasn't ready to get married to someone else. So he just mercilessly asked her to give birth to a son and divorce you."  - Rakesh spelled looking at the coffee. Shivaay couldn't able to hear anything. He was just has gone blind and deaf at the same time.  She wasn't doing anything on purpose but on the other hand, She was traumatized to hell. He bashed himself for the thought that she's making babies with him to stick with him forever. He looked at him in disgust And recalled his sarcastic laugh when she said she's pregnant for the second time. You deserve this shivaay. 

"I have to go, sorry! Please." - Shivaay said when the guilt hanged him to an extent. Rakesh always thought Shivaay was not a correct match for her, But seeing his condition, He thought he should say the full truth behind it. And the reason behind anika taking this drastic step was not him but his daughter, Naina.

***********

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