"Ani is my best friend!" Kiara said in a low tone when Rudru troubled her by saying Anika was his best friend. Anika didn't like the sadness on Kiara's face. Finally, everything was revealed to Kiara. Kiara finally knew about her father but was shy around him. What surprised her the most was that she gelled with Shivaay, as if she had known him for a long time.

"Then, Shivaay is my best friend," Rudru played with her. When she got pissed off, Om didn't interrupt but admired. Anika felt the pain as he had missed her infant and toddler stage. Gauri also seemed off. Anika knew the reason, even though she was utterly shocked when she came to know about the truth. Gauri's mother was initially against her relationship with Om, but Om was clueless about whether she was against him or anyone in general. He soon found out she was against the concept of marriage as her married life had ended not once but three times, and she had an extreme hatred towards wealth. When Gauri found out about her pregnancy, eventually, Gauri's mom found out about her cancer, which was in the last stage. Her mom initially didn't like Om and also learned about his fake engagement with Isha. Even though Gauri knew about it, the meeting with Isha, who convinced her mother that Om and she were in a casual relationship, destroyed Om's character from her mother's perspective. Also, his constant ignorance during the tough phase added value to her suspicion. It was her mother's call to end the relationship and relocate to a place where nobody could find her. But Gauri called Anika as soon as her mom died when she was full-term pregnant. When Anika asked her to open up everything to Om, she was completely against that, saying it was her mom's last wish and she was scared if he knew about the baby, he might snatch her away from him.

"No, both Shivaay and Ani are my best friends," Kiara said to him in a determined tone along with a glare. Rudru acted scared.

"Finger on your lips," Kiara said in the same tone. Rudru did the same when everyone chuckled.

"Kiara, don't speak like this to elders," Gauri said to her, asking her to come to her.

"He's teasing me, Mumma," Kiara complained to her while glaring at Rudru, who enjoyed her childishness like everyone, but Om was stuck, unable to start a conversation with her, which was witnessed by everyone.

****

"I know it was my mom's last wish that I shouldn't end up with any men and lose myself. Throughout my pregnancy, even on her deathbed, she begged me not to trust any men, especially Om. From her perspective, he was just a spoilt brat. But I know about him. I should have stood up for him. But over that phase, all three went mad due to that deal. It was such a tough phase, and we can't blame them for not being with us when they started losing themselves," Gauri said in a low tone when Anika and Gauri finally got time for themselves while all the others dozed off for afternoon naps. Their emergency packing, which was always available in their private jet, helped them and was enough to stay for a couple of days.

"I can understand. When Shivaay came back, I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I don't know if it was the grief I handled all alone or the guilt of leaving him alone during the tough phase. You know he just needed two days to convince me," Anika chuckled at her.

"But Anika, what I handled was way different from yours..." Gauri said. Anika heaved out a deep breath when she finally relaxed to discuss it with the person who knew about everything.

"You know, for a brief moment, I thought he came home only to have sex with me and I was just his object of pleasure. That's why it ached me so much. I thought he didn't value me in his life. And I also thought he saw me as a person who is not good for anything other than being his..." Anika stopped her flow of words when Gauri kept her palm above hers.

"It's normal to think about that when you suffered two miscarriages alone... But it also made you so much stronger, Anika," Gauri said when tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes.

"I was depressed and alone. You don't know how many times I have tried to end my life, but only one thing stopped me from doing that, Shivaay. What would have happened to him if I had done something so foolish? I don't know if the past Anika would say this, but this Anika knows if she had done something like that during then, Shivaay would have followed me," Anika expressed her grief to her.

"Leave that... Everything ended... And you are the reason behind putting some thought into creating their own, unique operating system which currently tops the market. And that phase finally ended," Gauri said with a smile and hugged her tight as her success.

"Gauri, Mom insisting about kids... It's troubling me a lot..." Anika broke down on her shoulder and patted her back.

"She didn't know anything, that's why... I know your strong decision of not telling this to your parents... But Shivaay deserves to know. He's the father. Previously, it was different, but now everything fell into the correct place, Ani. Relax, take your time, and speak to him... Without opening up this thing, you can't move on, and those things will continue haunting you..." Gauri said while hugging her. Anika nodded to her while hugging her tightly. They were silently hugging for a long time.

"Then, how did Om react when he came to know about Kiara?" Anika asked when they broke the hug.

"That jerk figured it out when he heard her name, Kiara. He chose that name for our child when we were in college," Gauri said with a chuckle.

"He created a scene while breaking the vase when we both argued our points. When I cried, he melted as usual and apologized for the mistake he never made. He called Isha and cleared the air of suspicion. I knew my mom was very much scared of me. I know anyone who lived her life would never trust any human, but it's my Om after all. There were no days in these four years that I didn't think about him. I don't know; I think he became a part of my soul long before. And despite all the fears and trust issues, I love him with all my heart," Gauri declared her love. Anika was very happy.

"And this guy was living with this ring, trusting he'd propose to me whenever he found me..." Gauri showed her ring. Anika expected that, but the ring was as beautiful as the lady present before her.

"Oh my God! I am so happy for you..." Anika hugged her best friend after talking to her heart weighed less than it was before.

****

Om was beyond shocked when he learned about the incident that happened with Gauri hours before they visited. The accused's wife visited Gauri and asked her to take her complaint back. When she was confused, Anika cleared the air by disclosing everything. But Om was not ready to take it back. He was keen that his entire life get ruined not because Gauri got involved but because it should be a learning lesson to all the men who take advantage of a single mother. But Anika had no chill when she exposed his identity on a regional news channel. Om thanked Anika but also got concerned about his family and decided to take them back to Delhi, where they currently reside.

"Any plans for the wedding...?" Rudru decided to change the topic when they were in their private jet traveling in silence due to the tension created.

"Om, a court wedding is enough..." Gauri initiated when Om was all stressed.

"Listen, I am saying this for the last time, I want a proper wedding with a proper destination honeymoon. Don't try to cut me off..." Om said in a determined tone.

"Well, I can give you a very proper honeymoon," Gauri said as it changed his expression.

"No such comments..." Om chuckled. After a solid four years, Om was finally laughing.

"Talking about honeymoon, ours is still overdue..." Shivaay said while moving to her ear, which gave her goosebumps.

"Even I can give a very, very proper honeymoon... Forgot your birthday present, Mr. Oberoi," she said in her bold moment, which made him go harder in a moment. He immediately changed his posture and sat flat. Anika chuckled and hit his shoulder.

"Say hmm... I will escort you to a private place in this Jet and there are so many things to explore over there..." Shivaay said while moving close to her.

"No chance... Can't you wait till we get home?" Anika asked him back with the same smile.

"I can, but what if our place is filled with guests again...?" Shivaay asked her back.

"I think we don't need our whole place to do our work..." Anika whispered with a smile and moved a little closer to him.

"So... tonight is the night... uh"

She moved closer and gave a soft peck near his chin.

"I just can't wait..." she told him.

"I am taking my sleeping Kiara to the next suite, and couples... enjoy..." Rudru said on an irritated note when both couples were enjoying their own time. Everyone chuckled. Due to that, Kiara woke up from her nap and searched for her mom. When she gazed at Anika, she widened her arms for her. Anika quickly held her up and hugged her back to sleep. Seeing that, Shivaay wanted a family. And he would convey it to her soon. 

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