Anika felt devastated after hearing those words from Shivaay. She never expected such a response from him. She tried her best to console herself, but she couldn't manage it. Then, a reckless idea crossed her mind as a way to forget him. She rushed to her father's bar at home, only to find it locked since her parents were out of town for a meeting. Anger surged through her veins.

"Dhada!" she called out to the driver.

"Yes, ma'am..." he hurried to her, panting heavily.

"Take me to the bar," she ordered, getting into the car. Initially, her driver resisted, but after her threats, he reluctantly took her there. Her mind and heart couldn't bear the pain caused by Shivaay.

At the bar, she sat at the counter with a heavy heart.

"Ma'am... what would you like?" the bartender asked.

"Vodka... plain," she said without looking at him. He served it, and she downed it in one gulp.

"One more," she ordered, still avoiding eye contact. He obliged, and again, she drank it in a gulp.

"One more," she requested again. This time, the bartender didn't serve her. She looked up to find Shivaay holding the glass.

"What are you doing here?" Shivaay asked in a low tone.

"One more," she demanded from the bartender.

"Stop it," Shivaay told the bartender, who immediately complied.

"Hey, you... this is none of your business," Anika snapped angrily, signaling the bartender to give her another drink. When he did, Shivaay snatched it from her and smashed it.

"Are you mad?" Anika yelled, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Are you asking me? Look at yourself! You're the one who's gone mad," Shivaay shouted back.

"One correction, Mr. Oberoi. I was mad, but not anymore. Now I see reality clearly. This alcohol helps me forget the mistake I made. So, leave me ALONE!" she yelled at the top of her voice.

"Anika... I'm sorry," Shivaay said with tears in his eyes, and Anika looked at him in disbelief.

"Sorry? Are you serious? You think 'sorry' can heal the wound? You broke my trust. Why? Why did you do it?" Anika grabbed his collar, demanding an answer, but he remained silent, knowing how deeply his words had hurt her.

"You know what? I was happy for the past few months. Your care, your friendship—it took me to a new world, a world of joy, a world of happiness. I felt free from all the pain. But you... you pulled me out of that and locked me back in a dark room, causing even more pain in my heart. I hate you! I hate you, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi!"

"Why me? Why always me?" she cried, her legs giving out as she collapsed to the floor. Shivaay crouched down in front of her.

"I started to fall for you... I longed for the love I never got from my parents. And just when I started to yearn for your love, you broke my heart into pieces. Why does this always happen to me?" she sobbed, her heartache pouring out in words.

"Everything I wish for disappears before my eyes... You didn't even call me your friend. Am I just a classmate to you? Does nothing matter to you? Then why did you care for me? Why didn't you stay away from me? Please... it hurts," she cried, passing out before her body could hit the floor. Shivaay caught her in his arms, and his face was the last image she saw before losing consciousness.

The next morning, Anika regained consciousness but didn't open her eyes. She remembered her outburst from the previous night and felt terrible for revealing everything to him. She didn't want sympathy—she wanted love. That's why she had kept her past and her feelings to herself. She mentally prepared herself for what was to come and decided she didn't need him in her life anymore. But when she opened her eyes, the sight before her made her heart weak, and her resolve started to fade.

She saw Shivaay asleep on the couch. Her heart began to fall for him again, but her mind resisted. She got up from her bed and walked toward the couch.

"Mr. Oberoi," she called out in a cold tone. He rubbed his eyes and smiled lazily at her. She sighed.

"Good morning... or rather, good afternoon," Shivaay said, glancing at his watch.

"Afternoon?" she whispered and checked the clock.

"Yeah... afternoon," he repeated with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" Anika asked.

"I came to drop off my passed-out friend," Shivaay replied.

"Friend?" she scoffed in disbelief. Shivaay noticed her tone and stood up from the couch.

"Hey... Anika..." he reached out to touch her shoulder, but she pulled away.

"Don't touch me," she said, shaking off his hand.

"Anika... please let me explain. Please," he pleaded.

"Shivaay, I don't need your sympathy. Just leave. Please," Anika said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Anika... why are you doing this to me? Please, for God's sake, listen to me. If you truly love me, just listen to me once," Shivaay begged.

"I'm sorry, but I loved you. My love for you died when you broke my trust," she replied, tears streaming down her face.

"Can you really stay away from me?" Shivaay asked, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Yes, I can. It's easy for me. I've been practicing this since childhood," Anika said, turning away from him.

"Then why is it so difficult for me?" Shivaay asked, and she turned toward him, confused.

"You know, I met this girl at a party. She wore a beautiful sparkling blue gown, and I lost myself in her. When she asked me to dance, I forgot everything and just enjoyed the moment with her. Those moments were special to me. And in college, I tried my best to stay away from her, but when she offered me a seat beside her, I couldn't resist. That was the moment I stopped fighting with myself and surrendered to her," Shivaay confessed. Anika stood still, numb.

"My mom is a heart patient, Anika... how could I go against her?" Shivaay asked helplessly. Without saying anything, Anika stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry... please don't hate me. I was helpless," he cried, hugging her back.

"Shh," she said, holding him close as the pain in her heart faded away.

"Just one request... please don't break my trust again," Anika whispered, crying on his shoulder.

"Never," Shivaay promised, breaking the hug slightly and kissing her on the forehead.

Anika paused her story, feeling weak after recalling her past. She saw Ansh's face—he looked confused at first, his expression rude and uninterested when she began the story. But now, he was eagerly waiting to know what happened next.

"Then what happened?" Nisha finally asked.

"Then..." Anika took a deep breath, "exactly two years later, I found out I was pregnant. He wasn't ready for the child, so I took responsibility and gave birth to Ansh," she concluded, though Nisha sensed there was more to the story.

"Thank you, Ma," Ansh said, his eyes filled with tears.

"Anshu... why are you thanking me? I should be the one thanking you for bringing light into my life. I don't know what would have happened to me without you. You made my life complete. As for Shivaay, he taught me what love is and how to care. He was there for me when I was alone. And even when he left, he didn't leave me completely—he gave me you. You are the reason I exist. In my life, Shivaay was like lightning: he illuminated everything but only for a short time. You, Ansh, are my sun—you will never fade away from my life," Anika said with tearful eyes, and Ansh couldn't help but hug her.

"I love you, Mom. I love you so much. You're the best," Ansh said, hugging her tightly.

After making sure his mother was comfortable, Ansh went to the couch and sat down, lost in thought. His thoughts were interrupted by Nisha, who sat next to him.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Did you notice the blush on her face when she talked about him?" Ansh asked.

"Yeah, I saw it. It's the first time I've seen her like that," Nisha replied.

"I don't know why, but seeing her like that makes me feel selfish," Ansh admitted with a frown.

"Selfish? I don't get it," Nisha said.

"I want to see her like that every day. Until yesterday, I thought we were living happily as a complete family, but I was wrong. She misses him, Nisha... Mumma truly loved him," Ansh said, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Ansh... why don't we try to contact him?" Nisha suggested.

"Nisha... it's been 14 years. He's probably moved on with his life," Ansh replied, almost immediately.

"What if he hasn't? What if he's in the same situation as your mom? Just try, at least once," Nisha encouraged him. He nodded, searched the internet, and found Shivaay's personal email address. Ansh opened his email account and began typing.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Sub: IMPORTANT: A Message from Anika Rao's Son

Hi Shivaay,

This email is from Ansh, the son of Anika Rao. If her name does not ring a bell, please feel free to disregard this message.

I'm reaching out under somewhat awkward circumstances, compelled by a sentiment I hardly understand—given my mixed feelings toward you. Yet, I write for the sake of my mother's undisclosed happiness. Fourteen years have passed since you both parted ways, and though I grasp the reasons, I admire how my mother set aside her own happiness for mine.

The occasion of my 14th birthday revealed new layers of your shared past. My mother recounted the rocky beginnings that blossomed into a deep connection. She reminisced about your love, which healed her and shaped her ability to love, a gift she passed on to me. While she spared the details of your split—maybe for the best—her face lights up with joy and nostalgia whenever she speaks of you.

Witnessing her emotional response has stirred something within me. I long to see her radiate happiness daily and to potentially rekindle the fairy tale she once lived. I'm not certain if reaching out is correct, but my heart yearns to see her joyful.

Understanding that every story has two sides, I cherish my mother's approach of letting me make my own choices, gently steering rather than dictating. Today, I've chosen to contact you, hoping it's for the best.

I've included my address in this email, awaiting your response within the next three days. Should I not hear from you, I will accept that you've chosen to leave the past behind.

Farewell,

Ansh