"Yeah, baby! I'm in the mall... okay, I'll buy everything and come home," Anika walked into the mall while talking to Ansh. They were secretly planning Nisha's birthday party—Anika's attempt to lift Ansh out of his depressed state, though she still hadn't figured out the reason behind it. Her efforts were well-meaning, but little did she know, only his dad could make him truly feel better. She went straight to the stationery section.

"Pencil carving tools," she asked one of the store assistants.

"On the third row," he replied. She smiled slightly and walked toward the aisle, picking up a 9B pencil and carving tools.

"What else did he ask for? Glitters or thermal balls?" Anika asked herself, confused, and decided to call him.

"Baby! Thermals or glitters?" Anika asked as soon as Ansh answered the call.

"Glitters will stick to the bottle, Mom. Thermal balls are better—get the small ones," Ansh replied.

"Okay, baby!... Can I ask you something? Why can't we just order these things? Only three days left until her birthday," Anika asked Ansh through the phone.

"Maa, it's her birthday! I want to gift her something I worked hard on. It will be the best gift. Even if it's not perfect, she won't complain when she sees the effort I put in," Ansh smirked over the phone.

"Okay, baba... and the cake? Chocolate truffle?" Anika asked.

"No, Mom, red velvet," Ansh said.

"I thought you'd only order red velvet for me," Anika teased, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh... is Mumma jealous?" Ansh teased, sensing her playful tone.

"Maa, red velvet is for the person closest to my heart. You both are very close. If you're Mercury, she's Earth," he explained through a science metaphor.

"So, the Venus position is vacant?" Anika asked.

Dad already took that place, Ansh thought but didn't say.

"Okay, baby... I'll be home soon," Anika said and ended the call.

While walking through the supermarket, Anika noticed a three-year-old girl jumping, trying her best to reach the chocolates, but failing. Amused, Anika approached her with a smile. "What flavor?"

"Cadbury Marvelous Creations," the little girl replied in a cute voice. Anika chuckled.

"Small one or big one?" Anika asked.

"Bigger one," the girl replied.

Anika grabbed the big one and handed it to her, kneeling down to be at her level.

"Thanks, aunty," the little girl said with a sweet smile.

"Only thanks? No kiss for helping you? How rude!" Anika exclaimed playfully.

"But Mumma said I shouldn't talk to strangers," the little girl frowned, making Anika adore her even more. She gently pinched her cheeks.

"Tinu, there you are!" a woman, presumably the girl's mother, called out. Anika turned around, and both women froze in shock.

"Ishana," Anika whispered, recognizing her old college mate, who had once been Omkara's girlfriend. Anika had assumed Ishana and Omkara got married and that Tinu was their child.

"Mummah! This aunty helped me get chocolates!" Tinu introduced Anika to her mother. Ishana forced a faint smile.

"Hi... Ish," Anika greeted her, awkwardness filling the space between them.

"Hi..." Ishana replied just as awkwardly. It was clear they both felt uncomfortable.

"Tinu, let's go. Papa is waiting over there," Ishana said, avoiding Anika's eyes. Anika instinctively looked around for Omkara but didn't see him.

"Papa!" Tinu ran and hugged a man Anika didn't recognize. She was stunned. She remembered how serious Om and Ishana were about their relationship. Ishana quickly excused herself, not meeting Anika's gaze.

"I thought you both were serious..." Anika's words slipped out, unable to process what she had just seen.

"What? Serious?" Ishana turned back, her eyes blazing with anger.

Anika remained silent, realizing too late that she had overstepped.

"For your kind information, Ms. Rao, or Mrs. Whatever... who gave you permission to comment on my personal life?" Ishana snapped. Anika stood quietly, regretting her words.

"I'm sorry, Ishana. I didn't mean it... it just slipped out," Anika tried to calm her down.

"Oh, everything just slips out of your mouth, huh? Destroying my life must've happened without your knowledge too," Ishana lashed out, leaving Anika confused.

"What? Destroyed your life? What do you mean?" Anika asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Right, you wouldn't know. Everything happens without your knowledge. Well, let me spell it out: Omkara left me because of you. After you left Shivaay, he started destroying himself, and that affected Omkara. So, yes, indirectly, you ruined my relationship," Ishana spat before storming off, leaving Anika shocked.

"What is she saying? I left Shivaay, and he started destroying himself? Why can't I think straight? Is it true? Has he been living in guilt for 14 years? Oh my God, what did I do? Why didn't I ask? Why didn't I meet him before I left? God, please... prove me wrong... please... I can't bear to think of him in pain..." Anika's thoughts spiraled, replaying the image of Shivaay's pleading eyes in the hospital and the moment in the lift.

****************

"Shivaay, are you mad? How can you leave us like this?" Om asked, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Bhaiya, please don't do this to us. We can't live without you," Rudra cried, devastated by Shivaay's decision.

"Omru, I've made up my mind. Daadi has given me her blessing," Shivaay cupped their faces, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Bhaiya, please... don't leave us. Take us with you if you have to go. I'm begging you," Rudra sobbed.

"Rudy, don't be a crybaby. You're 30 years old now. You both have your own lives. Stop worrying about me. Focus on your careers and your personal lives," Shivaay advised gently.

"I promise, Bhaiya, I'll do anything you want. You want me to get married? I'll get married. You want me to take over the business? I'll do that too. Just don't leave me," Rudra pleaded, holding Shivaay's hands tightly.

"Rudy's right, Bhaiya. You're staying with us, no other option," Omkara said firmly.

"It seems like you both want me to suffer more. Every day I spend in this house suffocates me. Being the eldest son, carrying the Oberoi pride... it's killing me. Do you really want me to stay and die inside, piece by piece?" Shivaay asked, his voice breaking. Om and Rudra fell silent, hearts shattered.

"Let him go. He'd rather live peacefully in hell than suffocate in heaven," Shakti interrupted. Shivaay thanked him for understanding.

"How long are you planning to stay in Canada?" Om finally asked after a long pause.

"A short break... that'll last a lifetime," Shivaay smirked, tears streaming down everyone's faces.

"When's the flight?" Om asked, wiping his tears.

Khanna entered with the luggage, shocking both Om and Rudra.

"3 PM," Shivaay said with a sad smile.

"That means we have 4 hours and 40 minutes to spend with you," Om said, stunned.

"Actually, it's a connecting flight from Delhi. I have to leave now," Shivaay frowned.

"If you've decided, there's nothing to say. Let's go. We'll drop you off," Om sighed, taking the luggage from Khanna and heading to the car.

Pinky came running from her room, yelling for Shivaay. But Shivaay didn't look back, getting into the car without a word.

"Khanna... drive through Rao's mansion," Shivaay instructed, putting on his sunglasses to hide his tears.

Khanna took the turn and stopped outside the mansion. Shivaay silently prayed for one last glimpse of Anika and Ansh before leaving them forever.

Tears welled up as Anika stepped out of a car, holding shopping bags. Ansh came out of the house, smiling, and took the bags from her. She handed them over, her back still turned to Shivaay.

*"Anika... turn around, just once..."* Shivaay pleaded in his thoughts.

As if she heard him, Anika turned toward her car, and Shivaay captured the image of her in his memory. He smiled through his tears.

"Thank you, God," he whispered. Om and Rudra watched him helplessly.

"You can go, Shivaay. I thought we'd stop you at the airport, but now I understand what Chote-Papa meant. But don't forget, you have two brothers here," Om said, and Shivaay cupped their faces in gratitude.

"Thank you," he whispered, overwhelmed.

***************

"Maa, what happened? Why do you look so low?" Ansh asked as he took the bags from her. She forced a smile and shook her head, but her mind was elsewhere.

Anika's heart raced. She could hear Shivaay's voice in her head, but when she turned, there was no one there.

"Maa, what happened?" Ansh asked again.

"Left my phone in the car," she replied quickly, grabbing her phone. But she felt a deep sense of loss, as if something precious was slipping away. She tried to push the feeling aside and went inside, pretending everything was normal, though Ishana's words and Shivaay's face kept haunting her.

"Maa, I'm off to practice," Ansh said, dragging Anika out of her thoughts. She nodded absently, still lost in her mind.

Mallika noticed Anika's strange behavior. Hours passed, and Anika hadn't moved from her spot on the couch.

"What's wrong?" Mallika asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

That touch broke Anika's emotional dam. She burst into tears, leaving Mallika confused and worried.

"Hey... what's going on?" Mallika asked again, wrapping her arms around Anika.

"I don't know what to do, Mallika. I feel so helpless," Anika cried, her emotions spilling out uncontrollably.

"Anika... what happened?" Mallika asked gently.

"I met Ishana today," Anika stammered through her tears.

"Ishana?" Mallika asked, surprised.

"Omkara's ex-girlfriend," Anika clarified, shaking Mallika slightly.

"She got married to someone else... and when I asked her why, she told me I destroyed her life by breaking up with Shivaay," Anika continued, tears flowing freely.

"What? She's crazy. How could she accuse you of that?" Mallika asked, outraged.

"That's not even the worst part, Mallika. She said Shivaay started destroying himself after I left him," Anika sobbed, her heart breaking as she recalled Ishana's words.

Mallika fell silent, knowing deep down that it was true.

"Those helpless, pleading eyes... Shivaay's eyes kept trying to tell me something that day, but I couldn't hear him. I was blinded by anger. Mallika... I don't want it to be true. Please..." Anika cried, her voice trembling.

"You should've asked him," Mallika said after a moment, her voice soft.

"I went to his house but couldn't bring myself to step inside. I felt like I was betraying Ansh. My feelings for Shivaay have hurt Ansh enough. How could I hurt him more?" Anika asked, her heart torn between her son and the love she thought she had lost.

Mallika, unable to keep the truth from her any longer, unlocked her phone and showed Anika pictures of Shivaay and Ansh together. Anika stared at the photos in shock, unable to believe her eyes. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming, but reality set in when she remembered Ansh's depressed state.

"These aren't fake. Unfortunately, Anika, everything Ishana said was true. Shivaay started to destroy himself after you left. He became a drunkard, spending his days at the bar where you once proposed to him. Ansh found out... and even he couldn't stay away from Shivaay after learning the truth. While you were away, Shivaay filled the gap in Ansh's life... he consoled him," Mallika explained. Anika was stunned. Without realizing it, her feet began to move, leading her toward the door, her mind filled with thoughts of Shivaay.

In no time, she reached the Oberoi mansion, but something stopped her from going inside. Maybe it was her pride. She walked to the security guard and asked, "Is Shivaay Singh Oberoi inside?"

"Sir left for Canada," the guard replied.

"What? Canada?" Anika whispered, shocked.

"Yes, ma'am. He's gone... for good," Khanna added as he approached her.

"What?" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing her distress, Khanna's heart softened.

"It's a connecting flight... from Delhi. 3 PM," Khanna informed her. Anika checked her watch.

"Thank you," she whispered and hurried away. She called her P.A. to arrange a private jet to Delhi and drove to the airport as fast as she could, her heart pounding. Tears blurred her vision as her mind raced with thoughts of Shivaay.

She reached the Delhi airport only to be devastated by the time. It was 3:15 PM. She was 15 minutes too late to stop the man she loved from leaving her life forever. But she refused to give up hope. Rushing to the inquiry counter, she asked about the Air Canada flight Shivaay was on.

"Sorry, ma'am. The flight is about to take off," the attendant informed her, reigniting a spark of hope in Anika's heart.

"Please, this is urgent. A passenger named Shivaay Singh Oberoi is on that flight. His brother needs help. Please, can you call him?" Anika lied, desperately trying to reach him.

The attendant picked up the phone to inform the air hostess but suddenly paused, her expression turning grim.

"Ma'am, can you confirm the passenger's name again?" the attendant asked.

"Shivaay... Shivaay Singh Oberoi," Anika replied, her voice trembling.

"Who are you to him?" the attendant asked.

"I'm his... w-wife," Anika stammered.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but your husband had a heart attack on the plane," the attendant informed her.

"Heart attack?" Anika whispered, her world collapsing.