I want to begin by thanking God for getting me this far on forty chapters and for helping me continuing to write. I also want to thank all readers who have been reading this story for so long and continue to read it :) Thank you for your patience and I am so sorry I had slowed the story down, but it's just I was feeling low, however, now I am feeling better and read to hit the speed on this story by getting over these wedding chapters hopefully by next week :) Because after that we have the honeymoon of course!

MATURE CONTENT WARNING: This chapter mentions the usage of a gun and violence related to it only for entertainment and storyline purposes only. Usage of arms is dangerous and shall never be done and is prohibited by law. If you face a mental health issue then please do avoid reading such and contact your doctor or healthcare provide or a mental health helpline to get the help you need. This is a serious issue and I want to always make sure I make myself clear regarding this matter.

Cover Haldi Photo Credit: Prabhu Prakash

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Please do listen to the songs if possible during the update as it adds a very nice atmosphere to the story :)

I do not own the lyrics to the songs played or mentioned in this chapter.

Thank you for reading and if you wish please do comment, vote, and share.

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Shivaay's Point of View (Mature Content: Mention of gun and related violence)

Sometimes we have to hide our true beings for the sake of those who we love. Those who come so close to our heart that we begin to fear... if they find the truth of our being they may just abandon us...And so we put on masks...in various shades and colors...even shades of yellow may represent grace for some, but for others it is a reminder of sin that was committed by them...

https://youtu.be/npZrDkt-LCo

Running my palms gently against the haldi, I attempted to pursue myself that putting it on me today would not harm me...not remind me of that fateful day when this haldi...this exact yellow shade took part in the sin that was committed that day twenty years ago.

Feeling a hand touch my shoulder, I looked up towards Ma who kept a set of tears in her eyes as I felt anger crawl on to my heart not liking her crocodile tears considering she also took part in allowing my innocence to be snatched.

"Shivaay beta, you do not have to do this haldi...I-I know you do not want to be reminded of what happened in the past, so why did you decide to hold this ritual?" She questioned as I clenched my jaw tightly looking up towards the entrance of the tent seeing Anika from far away who was beginning to make her way down the lawn towards us.

There she is holding hope in her eyes...finding small bits of her dream being fulfilled in sharing these key rituals that will vow us together and ensure our bond becomes stronger. She has waited for this day so long and how can I be selfish and deprive of her from these moments in which she will slowly build her love for me?

"This is not about me, but my Anika. Now I do not want you to speak another word about this. I do not want you to even mention to Anika what happened twenty years ago. Do you understand?" I spoke to her as she sighed wiping her tears away giving up that I will get convinced on not pursuing this ritual.

"Sir, I needed to just give an update to you," Brody interrupting our conversation as I looked up towards him before following him down the stage not wanting others to catch light of an important topic on hand.

"What is it Brody? Has security been tightened yet or not?" I questioned as I looked into his eyes sensing a problem is likely at hand.

Brody taking a deep breath as he sighed looking back ensuring no one else would hear us. "Yes, security is tightened sir that I assure you. But...he is back sir. He landed just this morning..." His voice trembling confessing the presence of a man from the past.

My eyes widening as I felt the ground beneath me beginning to form small quakes breaking itself apart not able to bear the past is beginning to rumble beneath it. Screams from that fateful day when Chaaya disappeared beginning to erupt within my ears as I clasped my hands together trying to rub off fear while maintaining a calm composure.

"Keep an eye on him and find out why he has come back. I want every detail on where he is and what he is doing," I hissed to him as I began to trace my hand against my waist feeling a black plastic metal hiding underneath it.

My hand not once trembling as I continued to hold on to the piece of metal feeling a haunted scream erupting in my ear with claws of sins jumping down my heart igniting it....wanting to burn bits of grace it held....only to dig purgatory into it.

Slipping my hand under my kurta, I wrapped it around the gun I held beneath the fabric...a gun that symbolizes my truth...my true mask that no one has seen not even Anika. Without saying another word, I waved Brody off before making my way up the stage putting on another mask as I plastered a smile on my lips looking at my bride who was making her way towards me.

(Mature Content Ends)

Anika's Point of View

A red embroidered phulkari raising itself above me, with my cousins waving it matching my slow pace, as I walked in silence feeling everyone's eyes slowly moving towards me curious of the bride who hid herself underneath the veil...wanting to see what love she held for the man that dared to only incite fear in the minds of others.

Letting my feet brush against the layers of marigolds skimming itself underneath the bare lawn, I raised my eyes up feeling the long chandeliers of marigolds mixed with lilies and roses falling down above us. The red curtains of the large tent continuing to encircle in large waves setting an ambience of only love.

No matter how much we desire to continue to confine ourselves in a shackled illusion that appears to keep us away from the darkness existing outside of it, sometimes we have to leave it, because we do not want to just breathe, but live ....And as I enter this path, all I can think of is what happened hours ago when I left my own home and my parents to complete the haldi in my new home with Shivaay...how I had unshackled myself from a cage.

Flashback (A Few Hours Ago at Anika's Home after the Roka)

We stood in silence near the doors of my home looking at each other as my father let his tears fall. My eyes lifting towards Shivaay who stood besides me keeping his silence wanting this moment to only be between my family and I for one last time.

With trembling hands, I took a hold of my father's who stood before me revealing a trail of tears that were beginning to fall down from his heart. My mother standing besides him finding herself detaching unable to see me as her daughter, but a mere stranger that she prayed would leave her home and free it from its haunting presence.

"A-Anika...y-you w-were the light to my l-life a-and I wanted to do so much for you. You deserved more than what I gave you and I tried hard to give you a home where your dreams could be nourished and fulfilled, but t-that never happened... I-I f-failed a-and so did your m-mother in r-raising your properly with moral values o-or else this is not h-how w-we would be marrying you off...You know that a-as w-well...We a-attempted to b-blame you f-for what you d-did, but perhaps w-we failed as p-parents w-which is w-why you d-drifted away from us and s-sinned..." His tears taking hold of his voice as I tightened my grasp on his hands seeing a father's love run from him.

Feeling my breaths trembling, I clasped my hand against my mouth not able to bear his truth as I lifted my eyes towards Shivaay seeing my father's lines affecting his thought of love finding himself entering a dark muck over what had happened two weeks ago on our revelation.

"P-please d-don't s-say such. Y-you b-both d-did not fail. Y-you both d-did not f-fail. Y-you both gave m-me the r-right v-values and b-beliefs. Y-you both did e-everything to give me a home and I-I k-know you both tried to give me love w-which I a-always have only wanted.. n-nothing else, b-but just l-love..." I spoke as I attempted to weave the right letters together that may just join our bond once again...the bond of a mother and father to her daughter...a bond that I still desire despite knowing that it has given me less love and more suffering.

Lifting my gaze back to Shivaay, I noticed him looking towards me trying to understand if I was backing on my word and beginning to see his and my relationship as a mere sin that I committed. My hands continuing to shake as I held them in my father's ready to speak the truth.

"I-It is just that a-all my l-life I-I have only l-listened to my v-values and b-beliefs, b-but I-I felt s-shackled b-by them...s-so l-listened to my heart f-for once and m-my heart t-told me to be with Shivaay b-because fate decided that he w-would be the f-father of my children and b-be my s-soulmate..." Taking a grain of strength, I let it scatter across my heart persuading it to once tell the truth.

Shivaay's eyes coming across to me as I met them letting tears grapple my heart that began to now sing love for him without any shame. An ugly love, but one that is now beginning to cleanse. A soft smile touching his lips reaching the reflection of his eyes where his soul began to embrace my lines learning that I never saw our actions as a sin, but a mere act of love that we both dipped in.

"It is better you both now leave. Time is passing and it will be better for us to part now when time is on our side," My father spoke gently as he sat down in silence on his chair finding himself leaving the moment and dwelling on my lines unable to believe in love.

My mother looking towards me as she held dark fog in her eyes wanting to drape me with death wishing I never took birth in her womb.

"Even while leaving, you failed to realize your mistake. You have committed a sin Anika and that is the truth. Your sin has brought down our honor...has uncloaked our pride...has taken our integrity. You have sinned and at this naïve age, you may be valuing love above honor, but later you will learn what the consequences are of doing such... Shivaay it is best you take her now...It is best we end this ritual and allow you to take her with you because to be honest I cannot allow her to be in our home any longer. From now onwards, Anika is your responsibility and not ours...If she makes a mistake then you will decide what to do and how to make her repent. Once a daughter leaves our home, she can never return back..." She spat her poison out on our bond beginning to kill it slowly one by one.

Shivaay standing still not once speaking, but reveling in her words trying to gauge on to her meaning while I grasped on it remembering her decision that from now on I am never welcomed in this home.

"How can you all say that Anika can never return to her home? This is her home where she grew up and lived her entire life...where she breathed her dreams...took her steps to fulfilling her hopes. In this home, her memories live and you both live whom she loves dearly. So, how can you just say she can never return?" Shivaay questioning their act of abandonment before kneeling down next to me and wrapping his arm around me while I kept still letting tears crawl.

My hand grasping his back tightly trying to reign his temper that always snatches away his humanity.

"Anika y-you are my life beta. I always loved you as my daughter, b-but the truth is that you were the crown of honor of our family a-and due to what has happened we have to now part...Y-you are welcomed to come to o-our home as a guest, but...n-not as a d-daughter. Y-you cannot come back. You have to stay in your marriage no matter what happens between you and Shivaay. B-because after what has happened between you and Shivaay...all of it from marriage to divorce to now a child being involved the whole society knows about you two. This society will continue to now judge you and if this time you both falter in fulfilling your marriage...God knows what will happen... You have to leave and n-never look back... Y-you cannot come back to o-our home n-no matter what we will not take you in." My father piercing a coffin of death into my heart where my love laid for them that was now burying itself ready to never come back.

Taking my father's hand, I looked into his eyes that held their own tears trying to search for his love for me and finding it somewhere in lurks, but becoming overshadowed by his broken trust.

"P-please forgive me...I-I am sorry Dad. I am so sorry...I love you and mom so much and I swear if I had it in me...I-I would h-have t-tried to f-follow t-the p-path that w-would have a-appeared r-right to you both, b-but...I-I c-could not...A-and I am sorry. B-but f-fate has t-taken i-it's d-decision..." My voice coming out as a bare whisper as he kept still looking at me observing my tears trying to forgive, but failing as he did not speak another word.

Shivaay's eyes meeting my tears as he pulled me up from the ground. Looking at my parents, I tried to find love one last time, but failing to find it. They stood stuffed with rage deprived of their heart seeing me as an omen that needed to leave their sacred place.

"If you both want to abandon your daughter who shares your blood with you both...A daughter who is both of your reflection...who has always loved you and done everything to ensure you both have everything you need...a daughter who always has thought of you both before her...If you both want to abandon a gem of daughter like her then fine. I promise that my Anika will never turn herself towards you both if that is what you want. I promise to continue to love her and fulfill my duty as her husband to a point that she shall never be abandoned by me like she now is being abandoned by both of you..." Shivaay unraveling the demonic voice that somehow was latching on to love and becoming my voice.

My lips quivering as I attempted to hold courage, but aware that it was slipping away not able to bear that now time has come to leave my shackles and enter a cage of love waiting on a new path...Perhaps, this is the path fate has chosen for me...a path of leaving my parents forever.

My hands dipping into the thaali holding layers of rice and coins. The grains of rice running behind me as I began to pour my memories down a jug from which I can never pull them out. Trailing my feet against the frame of the door, I let my tears crash looking back at my home feeling the remnants of love that my parents had laid in each and every corner of it before chaos came and snatched away my everything.

Flashback Ends

https://youtu.be/3nw6306Bg9s

For love one has to forsake others the way I did in the form of my parents who no longer are mine. They stand here in this haldi, but have already detached themselves away from me and I have to accept that because now I cannot turn back time and stop myself from loving Shivaay...I cannot. He already has made a place within my heart and I cannot let it go.

Love. A mere shattered illusion or a being in itself? Perhaps, love is an enclosed gem which many walk on barren lands to search for and only some are able to take a glimpse of it...only some able to treasure this gem. If it is a gem that only some may be able to enclose in the palm of their heart then what happens once love is captured...is it able to be nurtured and given a better life or does it wither away due to one's own demons?

Who knows what and where this love will take the both of us? No one knows except only him and I who weave our own hopes, dreams, and desires in the gem of this love which we continue to appreciate and intoxicate ourselves with it...

Love has begun...the time has come to only love and wait in patience...on what will happen.

"Oh mere kanna de chamkan jhumke , Oh mere kanna de chamkan jhumke... O mainu vekhe hawa vi payi ghum ke... Tera mera saath purana ae Ral-mil asaan tod nibhana ae," My cousins beginning to sing the folk songs as they raised the red phulkari above me while the ladies began to beat the dholki lightly in a rhythm of love.

A shy smile touching my lips as I looked through the orange hues of my sheer veil capturing sight of him who found himself encaptured by me. Raising himself up from a golden colored oval shaped sofa, with a canopy of roses and marigolds raising above it in a wide frame, he held a mesmerizing smile looking towards me unable to believe how we both slowly were completing each and every ritual towards marriage finally becoming one once again.

"Dil de behnde jede Honde pyaase pyaar de.... Har dum sajjna te jindri vaar de... Har dum sajjna te jindri vaar de..." My father and Thayya ji joining the sing along with my cousins as they began to lead me down the path towards Shivaay who kept still finding the lyrics singing his love which he now cherished only for me.

Letting my feet run gently against the soft marigolds, I let my sharara trail itself behind me allowing its orange hues merge with the yellow shades below me. Wrapping the end of my dupatta across me and laying it on my arm, I continued walk down towards him.

"Oh vekhi hovi na tu harjayi... Oh vekhi hovi na tu harjayi...Maar devegi beparwayi...Tera mera saath poorana hai....Ral-mill ke asa tod nibana hai.... Lathe di chadar utte saleti rang mahiya.... Aa ba'o samne, aa ba'o samne.... Kolo di rus ke na langh mahiya.... Lathe di chadar utte saleti rang mahiya.... Aa ba'o samne, aa ba'o samne.... Kolo di rus ke na langh mahiya..." Everyone joining the sing along of the folk song as I lowered my gaze feeling shy how everyone was beginning to feel our love able to embrace it and allowing it to smolder them too.

Shivaay's smile widening as he made his way towards me ready to take me besides him while I slightly giggled feeling giddy once again seeing him admiring my features. Pulling on the end of my veil, I held it around my fingers continuing to walk letting my smile rise against the large, golden nath, round nose ring, I wore which carried its way down the corner of my lips.

My feet moving forward suddenly slipping against the flowers. I began to fall forward with a small heave of fear escaping from me until I felt a hand grabbing hold of mine letting his arm wrap around me into an embrace. My eyes closing shut sensing his strong cologne making me aware of who the protector was. A soft smile touching my rose-colored lips as I gathered some strength out of my shyness lifting my gaze up to meet his.

"God only gives mercy once and he gave it to me in the form of a beauty like you," He spoke tenderly making my cheeks turn a shade of burning red as I lowered my gaze feeling his hand trail down the sheer golden embroidery of my sheer orange sleeve.

"Anika beta be careful please. A life depends on you," Daadi spoke making a small laugh escape from Shivaay as he wrapped his hand on the small of my back before helping me towards the sofa.

"No one can harm Anika and my child until I am here," He spoke gently as he held my hands helping me climb up the small stair steps of the stage and settle on to the sofa.

My mother pursing her lips tightly as she grabbed the ends of my sharara helping to settle it down the layers of pink colored flowers settled on the stage. My fingers lightly drabbling against the yellow shades of haldi that surrounded the both of us. Shivaay letting a small smile throwing me a flirtatious wink before taking a seat next to me a bit too close for comfort.

https://youtu.be/1iNP78Mo6s0

Taking a seat closer, he held a pair of bracelets wrapped in white flowers and a single rose. Slipping his hand into mine, his eyes revealed a sheer glimpse of naïve appreciation seeing himself as unworthy of me.

His warm touch gracing against my wrists letting the flower garlands wrap around them...The garland, an innocent Khushboo of devotion, embracing my bundling heartbeats that wavered beneath my wrists. The end of my bangle appearing to stick against the fabric of his heart as he lightly brushed his hand against it finding the bangle as a symbol of a threaded love forming between us. Lightly tugging on the bangle, he tugged it off from his vest as I smiled looking at him.

My fingers gently brushing against the ends of his golden colored vest letting them linger against an open button of it. His eyes meeting mine finding himself a little surprised by my dare of touching him in front of mass guests who had come to join us for the haldi festivity.

"Wow, a blushing bride like you has guts to show some affection to her groom. What happened to the shy, innocent Anika?" He questioned as I giggled letting the warmth of my hand brush against his creame colored kurta feeling the rapid beats of his heart before closing the buttons of his golden colored vest.

"Acha ji? Only a groom can express admiration for his bride...Brides also have rights to admire...appreciate...and be slightly enticed...by their grooms especially those who are as handsome as you..." My voice slightly shaking as I whispered a subtle compliment. His eyes widening biting his lip firmly becoming slightly tempted. His eyes wandering down my lips before furthering down to secrets of my cleavage that was now layered with heavy curtains of fabric.

His hand taking a hold of mine as I slightly struggled trying to get it released seeing everyone's eyes turning towards the both of aroused with curiosity about the unusual couple we were.

"Why do you always choose the wrong time to give me a slight compliment? Even a slight word of praise from you is rare and when it happens...you do not know what you do to me..." He whispered leaning against my ear making me giggle hearing the desperation of lust in his voice indicative of many things he wanted to do to me right now.

"May she be protected from evil," Daadi speaking kindly breaking our small conversation as we turned seeing her making her towards both of us. She took a bit of her eyeliner placing it behind my ear. A soft smile touching my lips as I looked at her while Pinky aunty made her way towards me showing a scowlish smile.

"I think it is best we all begin the Haldi now since the wedding is soon in a few hours. We should not indulge in further small talk," My mother breaking her silence as she made her way towards me taking a seat right next me.

"We also do not have all day to continue to lag this haldi. We also are very busy people who have other things to do besides indulging in such rituals," Pinky aunty reprimanding my mother in a low voice ensuring Shivaay will not hear either of them.

The women quickly beginning to arrange the aarti thaali laying large metal bowls of haldi before us on the glass table. We both sat in silence observing the joyful atmosphere where guests found themselves lounging on bar stools or finding themselves enjoying a dance on the dance floor. Everyone appearing to embrace our unity with many giving us smiles while also holding curiosity on how exactly we both got back together.

"Acha, chaalo let's start the haldi before the auspicious time passes," Daadi speaking with a smile as she began to take our aarti. Her fingers placing a small tiny dot of vermillion on our temples while she continued to chant small prayers.

Pinky aunty and my mother taking four diyas lighting them up with small flames before beginning to lay it beneath our feet on all four corners of the sofa ensuring our love would be blessed with light.

"May you both be protected from any evil and may this haldi mark a new beginning for both of you." Daadi pressing her hands on both of our heads making us smile hearing how she too wished our union shall not break this time. Daadi taking both of our wrists tying a red thread, gaana, ensuring only luck shall grace us and not any ills.

Our eyes meeting each other finding a childish eagerness within us to quicken time and make it night where we both shall reunite once again just like years ago. Finding this moment as a dream, I felt myself entering an illusion as slowly the ritual began to take place where I found myself layering myself with a shade of yellow.

Turning our palms upwards, we found our fate lines joining each other ready to set us on a path of vows that we both were going to take with each other soon. A yellow dash of haldi brushing itself wet against the flesh of our hands making a heartbeat drop within us reminding that we both are beginning to color each other in a shade of innocent love.

Shivaay leaning closer to me as I shyly smiled wanting to hear his sweet nothing. "And so she finally has submitted to love coloring herself with a vow that she shall only pray for him as her soulmate in each and every lifetime..." He whispered making me giggle hearing his lines before looking up seeing Thayyee ji and my mother taking a dash of haldi.

Lifting my veil slightly, they let the warm paste run against my temple for peace and the nape of neck ensuring my heart will hold only loyalty to Shivaay. Continuing to blush, I kept my gaze lowered as I felt their hands lay small dots of haldi against my red colored cheeks.

"May you stay blessed at your own home," My mother giving a distant remark trying to hold the gap of differences between us. I weakly smiled finding her eyes somewhere still hold some love for me. Her eyes glistening lightly appearing to find bliss in Shivaay and I sitting next to each other ready to form a new bond.

"Of course, hamari Anika will have a blessed life with many children," Thayyee ji spoke trying to lighten up the mood.

"Oh they will be blessed for sure considering the arrangements they have made especially at the bar!" Thayya ji slurring his words clearly appearing embittered with alcohol as he made his way to Shivaay smoldering some haldi on his temple while Shivaay flinched not liking his touch.

"Stop will you! He is our son-in-law!" My father reprimanding Thayya ji as he quickly took a dot of haldi placing it on Shivaay's temple and then mine.

"May you both find love in each other and continue to cherish until time ends," My father speaking as he smiled softly placing his hand on Shivaay's head appearing to have given him more of the blessing than me.

"I am not misbehaving!...My God, I am wishing our Shivaay continues to earn sooo much money, so he can continue to give us maaaany parties!" Thayya ji exclaiming loudly in a slur as Shivaay let out a small chuckle looking at him as he waved a bundle of money over him only to put it back in his pocket.

"You are supposed to give this money to an employee not keep it!" My father continuing to scold Thayya ji.

"Lo ji! Ab mere paise hai mein decide karunga kisko dena ya nahi! Bas paise var ne te dono par! Aur Shivaay itna ameer hai toh uske employees ko mere paise se kya matlab?!" Thayya ji continuing to slur as my father scowled him before dragging him off the stage while Shivaay and I continued to laugh seeing Thayya ji stumble across the dance floor completely having lost it.

The dholki began to play loudly in the background with many women singing and dancing to folk songs trying to be in a competition with the stereo music that was now turning on loudly in the background inciting many people to dance on their own tunes on the dance floor.

One by one each and every relative made their way towards us attempting to color us in yellow shades. Their fingers brushing the haldi on our flesh while they continued to chatter and compliment the both of us as a couple. Shivaay keeping his distance only allowing them to touch his temple finding himself on the verge of losing his patience and temper not liking random fingers touching him.

"God, I hate this...Who knows what all of these have and they are rubbing their fingers on us?" Shivaay mumbling next to my ear looking at Pinky aunty who dipped her fingers in a bowl of haldi.

"Shivaay please stop being rude...We have to be kind to them since they are attending our wedding..." I whispered back to him holding a smile.

"Hey! Hold on! Don't put this much haldi on me and my wife...only temples and maybe cheeks for her, but that is it...Do you understand or am I just speaking Farsi to you?!" He began to scold Pinky aunty without any shame as I sighed clasping my cheeks in the palm of my hands knowing he is hopeless. Pinky aunty finding slight annoyance with him as she rubbed her hands together before obeying him and placing a small tikka on his temple.

"Abhi toh haldi hai aur itni heavy jewelry," Pinky aunty slyly spoke eyeing the golden diamond necklace running against my neck before merging with the heavy earrings collapsing down my ears. Her palms merging the haldi together as she placed them against my cheeks continuing to observe my jewelry.

"Because our Anika is deserving of such affection from her to be husband. Very few are lucky like her...such as you perhaps. Maybe that is why I can smell the smoke of burning jealousy," Thayyee ji taunted with a smirk before fixing the large gold and diamond laced side tikka on the edge of my hairline letting her hands run down my dark brown waves that fell off my shoulders.

Pinky aunty slightly gasping quite taken aback by the comment as I sighed feeling slightly ashamed of how Thayyee ji had spoken against her.

"Ma...please keep your silence. I gifted my wife this jewelry with my own money that she has a right on as well. So, I am warning you that it is better you keep silence or worse may likely happen...Do you want a repeat of the roka?" Shivaay holding a subtle temper that was lightly boiling within him as I wrapped my hand around his pressing my thumb into him and gesturing him to not say more.

A grumble escaping from Pinky aunty as she took a seat on a chair next to us before continuing to mumble her grudges against the both of us not liking one bit how we were failing to listen to her atrocious concerns.

His gaze meeting mine as I shook my head telling him to keep quiet knowing if he spoke more the matter will worsen. "Please let's keep some peace for the sake of enjoying this moment...let these two see their parents' wedding in bliss..." I whispered placing my hand on my womb letting out a small smile catching his attention as he looked at the two that laid wrapped delicately within me.

Smiling slightly, his anger appeared to disappear upon sight of them before looking towards me and shaking his head in agreement. "Only for these two, I will keep quiet or else I was going to teach her a lesson," Shivaay continuing to growl as I smile lightly placing my hand on my womb thanking them for the assistance.

"Shivaay is correct Pinky. Please keep some silence for now since there are so many guests around especially family members and close friends. We must not let them know about the differences that somewhere exist between all of us," Daadi trying to talk some sense into Pinky aunty while she rolled her eyes and continued to fix her earrings mumbling a taunt to Priyanka who chewed on her own envy eyeing my jewelry.

"Arre Daadi ji please do not try to talk some sense to her. She will not understand at all as only those with a brain will be able to. She has a khaali dimaag," Thayyee ji speaking once again as my eyes widened hearing her jab. My hand taking hold of hers' as I tugged on it angrily not liking how she was further fueling the fire.

"P-please Thayyee ji do not speak more for my sake. Pinky aunty has a right to express her opinion and we should respect it," I whispered to her hearing a chuckle escape from Shivaay who liked the insult Thayyee ji had thrown at his own mother.

Pinky aunty's eyes appearing to soften looking towards me slightly confused by how I had somewhat taken her side.

Daadi holding a frail smile as she placed her hand on my own mother's shoulder. "Well you have given her some good values. A good bahu is one who supports her mother-in-law despite how much spite she may show towards her even in public," Daadi noting as she leaned over and kissed my forehead pressing her blessing on to it.

Pinky aunty forming a small frown while she fixed her dupatta as she looked towards me trying to read me and figure if I was genuinely showing respect to her. She rolled her eyes before looking towards Priyanka.

"Priyanka aaj kal log kitne nakhli hai na?" Pinky aunty whispering a taunt only for me to hear as Daadi began to place haldi on Shivaay's hands. Pinky aunty's words slightly piercing me and tinkling the edges of values I hold which she appears to question.

"Haan woh toh hai. Uper se sati Savitri lekhin indaar se puri ki puri khatiaya," Priyanka whispered back letting out a small trinkled laugh. My eyes shootinh up hearing her insult that threw pieces of filth on to me which wanted to fold me into a desert of obscenity.

Tears slightly touching my eyes as I lowered my gaze beginning to fidget with my fingers nervously feeling each and every guest's gaze to be questioning me...looks that attempted to unlayer my past and press a disgusting, mucky, lewd impression upon me. My being recoiling itself inward finding itself rummaged with a plate of dishonor that itself cannot get rid of.

This is going be a tough path that I know. Shivaay loves me and has accepted me with open arms, but his family may never accept me because of how I have gone against each and every belief of theirs....They are deeply conservative and they find respect in only those girls who are chaste and have honor unlike girls such as I who have forsaked their honor...girls who sometimes conceive without a relationship that is accepted by society...girls who sacrifice their own dignity for the sake of love.

"Anika beta, are you feeling fine?" Daadi's voice breaking me out of my thoughts as I looked up feeling tears escape from my eyes. Clasping my trembling hands against my cheeks, I hid my tears before weakly smiling towards her.

"Y-yes...I-I am alright. Thank you f-for asking," I whispered inciting a smile from Daadi while Shivaay looked at me curiously finding himself unable to believe my statement.

Shivaay's hand trailing down to my fingers gently trying to take a hold of my attention while I kept my silence looking ahead and holding my tears not wanting to reveal them to him aware he will lose his temper on his family once he finds them.

"Anika, what's wrong? If you are not feeling well then we do not have to do this haldi. I know already you might be feeling fatigued due to the pregnancy and then all these rituals," He spoke making a warm smile appearing across my lips hearing his concern for me. My hand taking a hold of his wrapping it into mine.

"Shivaay I am enjoying every moment of this day because after this we may never be able to relive this moment of becoming one. I know I am speaking a cliché, but it is true...Days like these we have to make memories no matter what the struggle, conflict, or issues one may face on their own...This day is not about me or you, but us as a couple." My lines splintering out from my heart that found itself elated upon the sight before it...a sight of finally capturing a love it had prayed to hold for many years.

I should not be focusing on the taunts or pricks of anger that those surrounding us may attempt to spew because the truth being is that this day will never return...our wedding day will never return and I should only focus on building memories of Shivaay and I...memories I know we both will come back to one day when we have a conflict...we find each other unbearable...or might actually find ourselves further falling in love...this day will remind us of each and every ritual we took part in that vowed us to one another.

"Bibi and Papa ji yahan?" My mother's lines instantly breaking me out of my thoughts seeing my mother turning pale with her eyes reaching a sudden still as if she has seen a ghost. Raising my eyebrow feeling curious, I looked towards where her gaze was headed only to feel my heart jump back unable to grasp on to who I was seeing making their way towards us.

A group of bodyguards surrounding the elderly couple who raised their heads high with pride layered with heavy jewels of luxurious wealth that inclined itself in the gray pearly hairs of their skin glistened with rubies on the elderly woman and seen in the golden heavy chains the elderly man found himself wrapped in.

"Nani and Nana..." I whispered with my mouth slightly opening looking towards the both of them feeling a rush of vague memories from my childhood years enter me. Memories of many summers with the both of them back in the Central Valley flashing across my eyes...summers where I tasted laughter and touched the borders of love.

Nani holding a small smile on her lips while Nana fixed his turban keeping a sober look just like he had learned from his years of being a brigadier general in the army. My smile widening feeling tears crawl into my eyes as I looked back towards Shivaay who appeared confused not able to recognize the couple.

"Shivaay they are my Nani and Nana whom I always told you about remember?" My voice breaking with tears remembering that it has been years since I had seen the two considering I was only eight when I saw them the last time. Shivaay holding a weak smile as he nodded hearing my lines before looking at my grandparents who made their way up the stage.

"Bibi and Papa ji," My mother holding a sense of excitement with tears streaming down her cheeks as she herself has not seen them in years as well. I do not know what happened when I was eight, but it was about twenty years ago when my mother suddenly dropped all contact with her parents completely cutting them off.

Nana glazing himself from my mother not once acknowledging her presence as if she did not exist for them while Nani took a stand besides my mother before exchanging greetings with Daadi and Pinky aunty.

Nana giving me a small smile placing his hand on my head as my smile widened looking towards him. "Sat Sri Akal. How are you Nana ji?" I questioned seeing his eyes slightly glisten with tears appearing to acknowledge love for me while I kneeled down to take his blessings.

"No beta please, girls in our family never touch feet. Waise, today I am only here for my granddaughter or else I would not have come. It is only because of you I am here as how can I miss my only granddaughter's wedding?" Nana speaking kindly holding me back up as I gave her a fragile smile before Nani walked up to me placing her hand on my head.

"How is my granddaughter? My God, you have grown up have you not? You were so little when I saw you last and look now you are getting married my ladli bano," Nani spoke with a smile as I laughed hearing my childhood nickname as she placed a tikka of hadi on my temple.

Keeping his silence, Nana kept his eyes on Shivaay who held a passive smile before taking his blessings as he knelt down. Nana touching his head lightly with his eyes appearing to carry an unusual darkness covered with a blessed grudge. Looking at him bewildered, I attempted to understand Nana's unusual sense of indifference towards Shivaay.

"So you are Shivaay Singh Oberoi?" Nana questioning placing a tikka of haldi on his temple before crossing his arms behind his back looking at him intently appearing to inquire him.

"Sat Sri Akal...Yes, I am Shivaay," He spoke with an unusual sense of politeness keeping a smile, but failing to incite one from my Nana who held a graved look.

Nani showing me a smile before placing her hand on my head again as she looked towards Shivaay also forming a small frown on her face. Her fingers dipping into the haldi as they trembled lightly barely brushing Shivaay's cheek with it as she appeared to gag slightly. A sense of repulse flashing across her lips while she scrunched up her nose looking back at me with a questioning look.

Sheer layers of confusion wrapping itself around me as I began to feel my heart beating quickly knowing that something appeared to be hidden in those sober looks of Nana and Nani who continued to hold a frown on Shivaay. Nani and Nana appearing to observe Shivaay keenly as if they knew him from before finding themselves acquainted with him to a point they did not like him.

"Well, I am Mr. Kuldeep Singh Randhawa and this is my wife Mrs. Jaginder Kaur Randhawa," Nana speaking in a sense of formality eyeing Shivaay up and down with a sense of familiarity as if he has known Shivaay before as well.

"Are you both that famous political couple who represent a district back in the Central Valley?" Daadi intervening and breaking a subtle tension that was lingering in the air ever since they came.

Nani raising her eyebrow appearing to catch on to a look of greediness that glistened from the green hues of Daadi. Rolling her eyes, Nani began to wave her face with her hand before walking next to me and taking a seat.

"Of course, we are the Mr. and Mrs. Randhawa. I am surprised you recognized us now, but oh well what can we do about such normal, day-to-day folks such as you," Nani laying out a classic taunt as she always did. Nani finds pride in her strong political connections and the wealth she has carried off from her royal lineage back in Punjab, so of course she would be giving off royal taunts. And you thought the number of lunatics were enough in this story.

"Day to day? We seem as such folks to you? Do you know that we are the Oberois one of the wealthiest family here in the states," Daadi raising her head up and committing a strong, but very cheesy taunt before gesturing Pinky aunty to get up from a chair so she can sit on it.

Nani rolling her eyes while Nana kept his silence fixing his mustache and continuing to look at Shivaay up and down. Suddenly, Nana wrapping his arm around Shivaay strongly taking a seat next to him. My eyes widening with stunned current hitting me as I began to quiver nervously seeing Shivaay clenching his jaw tightly with a shade of red rage flickering in his eyes reflecting his dislike for Nana.

"You be careful of me boy. You have wronged us by impregnating my granddaughter out of wedlock. Do you know that?" Nana's voice bruised with temper as he looked into Shivaay's eyes piercing his threat into him.

My head shooting towards my mother with bugs of anger running across my body becoming aware she likely had told her parents about my pregnancy. My mother lowering her gaze avoiding me knowing she had committed a mistake by confessing such to her parents who feed off a very backward and conservative thinking.

"What are your intentions? Are you trying to avenge us? First you married my granddaughter then divorced her now you have made her pregnant with your child...what do you truly intend to do with my granddaughter?" Nana jumping on a defense acting as if Shivaay was an enemy from across the border. His green colored eyes shooting blood at Shivaay while he pursed his white mustache with his fingers inciting a threat of a dictator found in movies.

Shivaay appearing slightly confused as he looked back at me appearing to question the sanity of my grandfather while boiling temper in his blue hues indicating he did not like the way he was being interrogated.

Letting out a nervous laugh, I peeked my head out towards my Nana. "Nana ji please this is not one those inquiry cells back from the military. Shivaay is your son-in-law, not a gulaam you caught in a battle," I spoke trying to lighten his mood while he continued to glare at Shivaay wanting to eat him in an instant as he continued to rage like an armed beast.

"Nana ji I promise I have the right intentions with you granddaughter which is why I am marrying her. I love her and that is why I am committing myself to her. I see her as my soulmate and I want to build a family with her which is why I will marry her tonight," Shivaay speaking a promise to Nana making me smile shyly hearing his innocent declaration of love and commitment for me.

Nana appearing to not waver as he continued to glare at Shivaay before getting up with the help of his guards. "I am keeping my eye on you my boy. One mistake and that is it for you. You do not even want to know what type of punishments I can give...A leech like you can easily be removed from this ground..." He spoke in a lowered voice making his way down the stage while continuing to scowl Shivaay as if he knew more about him than any of us. Shivaay appearing unfazed by the threat as he kept his eyes frigid carrying daggers at my grandfather.

A curtain of nervousness reaching me finding Nana's words a threat remembering his reputation of committing wartime crimes which were pardoned by the President. Nana is a dangerous man...He has an ugly past that I know of and always have heard of from others.

"This Nana ji of yours' is some man Anika. Are you sure he is okay like mentally?" Shivaay questioning me curiously as I rolled my eyes before nudging his elbow angrily.

"Yes he is fine. He is just a bit strict and has a history of anger issues...I would suggest to stay away from him and keep conversations on the down low," I advised to Shivaay who appeared to smirk letting out a laugh while looking at Nana appearing amused by the old man not seeing him as a threat.

"Cannot believe that you would do this to us Nandini. After all we have done for you and did for you twenty years ago," Nani whispering to my mother as I kept looking straight, but beginning to peak into the conversation.

"Bibi please be quiet. This is not the right time to discuss such matters with you," My mother spatting angrily as she squeezed Nani's arm tightly before throwing a fake smile to a group of women proceeding towards me and placing haldi on me.

Twenty years ago? What did my mother do twenty years ago?...Jogging my memory, I attempted to remember what had happened twenty years ago about the time when my mother had cut off all contact with Nana and Nani as well. Pressing my fingers against my temple, I attempted to run my memory, but only remembering that I had skipped an entire school year when I was eight...My mother had decided to take me to India for a year claiming she needed to go for work purposes. Feeling confused, I looked towards my mother and Nani who both began to whisper to each other veiling their conversation.

https://youtu.be/Oq_2lvzBOEU

A sudden warm touch pulling me out of my thoughts as I felt it slowly envelope itself around my heartbeats felt in my wrist. The touch appearing to steadily entice bits of seduction finding itself thirsting over a taste of me. A shy smile touching my lips as I dropped my worries knowing if he is with me then I have nothing to worry about.

Shivaay's lips playing a faint smile finding love in every bit of my features that held a glow in the name of his love. Letting his hand trail down my bangles, he wrapped it around my wrist trying to entertain himself. Dragging my palm against his, I attempted to free my wrist, but failing as I sighed in frustration. Turning my eyes immediately, I held a glare as he kept a teasing smile letting his fingers linger against my bangles allowing them to clink before finding himself liking the softness of my skin smoldering against his rough fingers.

"Stop please...what will people think of us?" I whispered looking at the crowd of our relatives who were finding themselves intrigued by the small hints of affection we were showing to each other.

"I don't give a damn what anyone thinks. You said it yourself a bride has rights to express affection and so does a groom. A beauty like you deserves admiration," He hissed with his smirk widening as he lifted my fingers up beginning to lean his lips closely against them.

My eyes shooting up as I began to struggle trying to free my hand from his as I grabbed on to the rose garland canopy above us trying to use force to release my fingers before he dared to lay tender kisses on them. "S-Shivaay...please...not now," I whispered as Shivaay let out a small laugh before slapping a dosing kiss of seduction on to my fingers making them curl up immediately.

Turning a shade of red, a shy smile touched my lips as I lowered my gaze finding Priyanka and Gauri's eyes upon us while rest of the women found themselves bickering over what songs to play for the haldi next to the group of dholki singers.

Gauri's twin boys letting out a loud laugh as they immediately ran towards us forcing a seat between the both of us. Shivaay forming a frown looking at both of them annoyed as I slightly giggled pinching their cheeks.

"Hahaha, Shivaay Thayya ji gave a kiss to Anika Thayyee ji," Luv blurting it out loud making my cheeks burn red hearing his innocent statement. Shivaay letting out a grumble before throwing a small glare to him.

"Hehehe...Thayya ji is shameless...Thayya ji is shameless," Aryan beginning to sing in a low voice as he began to poke Shivaay in the elbow.

"You two be quiet or else nah you will get a good scolding from me," Shivaay shamelessly threatening the two children with his finger as if they were his righteous enemies.

He clenched his teeth tightly throwing the little children a glare as I pinched his arm feeling tempered by his behavior with the twin boys.

"Ouch! What was that for?!" Shivaay exclaiming as I wrapped my arms around the twin boys siding them on this case.

"Shame on you Shivaay. Seriously how can you behave in this manner and scold these two? They are just being children and you are being a man child," I argued hugging both of them tightly as the two began to laugh enjoying how their uncle was being chided by me.

"I already like Thayyee ji.Hehehe...Thayya ji got scolded! He got scolded!" Aryan beginning to sing as he hugged me making me giggle slightly looking at Shivaay's face that was turning many shades not liking the insult at the hands of the little being.

"Hahaha! Yes, finally someone is here to teach him a big lesson. Always scolding us for no reason, but now he is getting a good scolding!" Luv speaking loudly continuing to chuckle as Shivaay began to boil in a temper not liking the two boys.

"And this is why I want girls. Only girls...soft spoken, peaceful, might be energetic, but not trouble like these two," He spoke gritting his teeth glaring at the energetic bundle of two who continued to press themselves between us liking how they interrupted our small moment of romance.

"Good luck Shivaay bhai, might just be a boy," Gauri speaking beginning to giggle as I nodded in agreement knowing my inner intuition is right and likely we both are expecting boys. Gauri smiling as she walked towards the both of us dabbing a bit of haldi before placing it on Shivaay's temple and mine as well.

"May your words come true Gauri that my Shivaay has a son," Daadi speaking with a hope as I felt her statement glossing over a hidden conservative belief. My heart dipping to my womb not liking her words finding a bit of wrong in her lines indicative that perhaps Daadi is showing such concern and love to me because of my pregnancy in which she is hoping for a great grandson.

Gauri rolling her eyes at Daadi before looking towards me and sliding the warm paste down my cheeks. "Ignore Daadi's words. Honestly, she cannot change no matter what. She always kept saying such when I was pregnant as well," She remarked as Shivaay sighed finding annoyance with Daadi's statement, but appearing to keep his silence due to my request.

"Anika I can see why Shivaay bhai never let go of you, you are looking absolutely gorgeous already like a bride, right Shivaay bhai?" Gauri noted before placing another dot of eyeliner behind my ear while I shyly smiled looking towards Shivaay who ran a faint smile across his lips.

"Noors like Anika are only borne once...Noors that are fire from the outside, but hold gentle streams of love within them that add beauty of their flesh allowing it to enchant others..." Shivaay rolling out a subtle line of poetry that brushed a pink blush against my cheeks as I fixed my bangles gently. Looking towards him, I threw him a flirtatious wink making him chuckle.

"Wow, Anika what have you done to Shivaay bhai? He and poetry...my God, I cannot believe such," Gauri letting out a laugh as she took out some money from her purse before waving it over our heads.

"May Shivaay bhai and Anika never get any evil eyes and continue to have this much love that only grows," Gauri speaking with a wide smile as I softly smiled liking her prayer that came directly from her heart hitting the reflection of her eyes.

"Gauri you are truly quite kind and sweet...May God bless you also," I spoke to her as Gauri handed off the cash to an employee before taking a seat next to me and giving me a side hug.

"No Anika the truth is that when one has a good heart then they see that in others like you do. I am trying to just fulfill a new bond we both are about to form not only as sister-in-laws, but as sisters now and as friends. I mean we both have to have each other's backs to survive this insane family," She whispered in a low voice making a sudden giggle erupt from me knowing she was speaking quite the truth.

"Thank God, Shivaay bhai you made the right choice or else I swear I would have gone mad if you brought another family member like the rest of them..." Gauri muttered throwing a look of disgust to Priyanka who made her way towards us. Shivaay holding a smirk looking at Priyanka and appearing to agree with Gauri's statement.

Priyanka rolling her eyes looking towards the both of us before making her way and grabbing a bit of haldi and sliding it down my chin. Her eyes showing hints of repulsiveness as she appeared to drape me with vile thoughts mixed together with a filth. A friendship seen in her eyes now long gone as she sat before me as my sister-in-law.

"Right choice or not only time will tell...What can we say of such women who are found to be in the beds of strange men in hotel rooms?" Priyanka whispering against my ear ensuring only I can smell the sewage that reeked in her mind.

Tears taking hold of me as I felt my womb pulling inwards wanting to detach from the subtle curse she had dared to give to not only me, but also my children who were innocent in this matter. Wrapping my hand around my womb, I attempted to protect the two from the look of disgust Priyanka continued to give as she waved a bundle of money over my hair before throwing it on to the tray as if she was giving me a value in the cheap amount of money.

Shivaay's eyes turning towards me appearing to see my tears that slowly were escaping from me while I sat in silence trying to plaster a smile to Priyanka wanting to play off to him that there was no tension between his sister and I.

"Are you fine Anika?" Shivaay questioning me as Priyanka placed a tikka on his temple as I kept my gaze lowered shaking my head not saying a word knowing if I speak I might just break once again. Drinking my tears, I kept still as rest of our relatives came one by one continuing to bless the both of us.

Luv and Aryan continuing to hug me while I smiled gently looking towards them running my hands through their hair reflecting on how I likely will have my own set of twins just like them very soon.

"Thayyee ji, can we put haldi on you now? Please?" Luv questioning innocently as I giggled nodding seeing him lean down and paint his little palms with haldi.

"He is adorable," I whispered to Gauri as Luv clasped his small fingers against my cheeks before running up to Shivaay who immediately held his hand up not wanting to be finger painted by him.

"Oh Shivaay, stop being a spoiled sport. He is trying to be nice to you and now please stop behaving as an angry child with him," I attempted to reprimand him as Shivaay threw Luv a glare not liking his presence one bit.

"Here just put a dot on my temple," He grumbled as Luv let out an innocent laugh clasping his fingers against his temple before trying to hug him. Shivaay strangely not obliging with the hug detaching himself from the child.

"Now go you two and try to stay away," Shivaay reprimanding the twins sending them off while they appeared slightly saddened on the coldness their uncle had displayed.

Crossing my arms angrily, I looked at Shivaay not liking his behavior one bit towards the two boys. A slight sense of fear tugging within me realizing that what if Shivaay behaves in a similar way if we both end up having twin boys? What if he becomes aloof to our sons the way he is with his own nephews?

"I do not want their bad influence on our twins...I do not want my girls to be growing up like these two," Shivaay whispering to me.

Raising my eyebrow, I looked at him curiously unable to decode his language seeing in eyes that a deeper meaning stood on why he did not want to have sons. "Shivaay...for me I equally love daughters and sons because either way they are a gift, but what will you do if we end up having sons? Will you behave with them in the manner you just did with Luv and Aryan?" I questioned looking at him finding a small frown appearing across his lips with disgust in his eyes not liking my statement.

"We will have girls and that is final Anika. I only want daughters and you will give me daughters...do you understand? I hope you understand the expectations I have," Shivaay's commanding voice inciting a deep red current within my womb that found itself turning upside down not liking his blatant hatred.

"Shivaay...how can you say such? It is not in my hands if we will have a daughter or son. The divine already has decided and we should embrace this gift no matter what...a gift that has helped us unite. I am completely shocked by this statement of yours'. How can you hold such expectation from me despite knowing I have no control over the gender of our child?" I questioned appearing quite confused by how he has suddenly turned the tables against the both of us changing the mood to a dark shade.

A viceful chime appearing within his eyes not liking how I had dared to question his demand which he laid in front of me. Simmering in a tinge of rage, he clasped his hands against the sofa digging his fingers into it not wanting to unleash his temper upon me. My heart beginning to leap forward finding itself dabbling in fury over him considering how he is demanding for a certain gender of a child...typically for men it's sons and yet he wants daughters. I like his liberal beliefs, but still somewhat they are backward considering he is preferring one gender over the other.

My eyes wandering across the stage noticing Shakti uncle making his way towards us. Washing away my anger, I gave him a weak smile ensuring he would not catch on to our small dispute.

He gave us a smile unaware of the tempers that were raging between Shivaay and I at the moment. Anointing our temples with a dot of haldi, he gave us his blessings one by one.

"May you stay blessed Anika beta and I hope you help Shivaay find a better path than the one he is on now," Shakti uncle's words arising curiosity within me as I looked at him slightly confused while he smiled brushing his palm against my head.

My eyes meeting Shivaay who looked immediately away aware that I was questioning his father's statement that somewhere implied a deeper meaning. A better path than he is on one now? He is beginning to change himself then what wrong path is he still on?

"Shivaay...Om and I want to talk to you for a brief moment," Shakti uncle turning towards Shivaay as I looked at the both of them seeing Shivaay's eyes hold grains of irk with tension clearly being felt between his father and him.

Shivaay chewing on his lips contemplating upon the request before agreeing and getting up not once looking towards me still reveling in his anger over how I had reprimanded him for his beliefs.

My eyes following the both of them before seeing Om joining along and guiding them towards the bar in the back. Twisting my dupatta in knots, I continued to look at Shivaay feeling an unusual sense of fear within me seeing an intense conversation beginning to erupt between the three.

I don't know what it is, but something is off about this family. My heart keeps telling me that it's likely just the conflict that exists between them and Shivaay which I have witnessed many times myself, but now when I look at these three men of the Oberoi family...I feel there is more to their story than what I know of and somewhere that haunts me considering their story will affect Shivaay and my marriage.

Shivaay's Point of View (Mature Content: Mention of gun and related violence)

"Shivaay, how can you deny Om a position on the board of directors? This is not something I find right considering Om should have an equal place and voice at Oberoi Hospitals," Papa continuing to argue as I rolled my eyes leaning against the bar counter finding a slight irritation that I was dragged from my own haldi for this useless conversation.

Drumming my fingers against the counter, I displayed a small smirk looking towards Om who stood behind him like a stooge holding an impish smile liking how our father was attempting to admonish me for my decision. Unfortunately, Om does not know that I am the one in true control of our father who is now a mere puppet.

"Om be a man and stop going to our father to complain about me. You are a father of two boys and yet here you are standing with Papa and making him a defense of yours'...What a brute you are huh?" I spat letting anger touch the threads of my voice before slamming my hand loudly lunging a step towards him.

Om furrowing his eyebrows taking a step towards me ready to indulge in a fight not liking how I was displaying an upper hand in power above him. Letting out a laugh, he looked at me up and down before crossing his arms and taking a step back. "Now you will tell me what a man is. You? Look at yourself first before questioning me and what makes me a man. I hope you remember what the hell happened-"

"Om! How dare you bastard?!" My voice echoing loudly as I grabbed Om's collar slamming him against the bar counter hearing screams in the back of memories that began to erupt in front of my eyes reminding me of that night and many nights before that when I was not myself...but someone else.

My body beginning to tremble as I felt a crawl of dark beings darting their fingers up to a poisoned anger encased within me reminding me of the filth I myself held which made many question me...my ability to control...my ability to wield power.

"Shivaay...stop! Shivaay...you are hurting him...please stop!" Papa beginning to command me as I tightened my grasp on Om's collar wanting to take him away to the gallows in this instant ready to pursue my hunt.

A wide smirk touching Om's lips continuing to look towards me while I began to press my fingers against the edge of my waistband running it around the black plastic metal it carried enough to allow me to incite a hunt upon those who dare to question me. A gargling, grumbling phantom beginning to dance within me trying to chant to me that I shall threaten him...not hunt him considering he is my blood, but threaten enough to push him away. In conflict, my inner being continued to plead to me to not commit sin upon my own blood despite how much he has wronged me.

"Truth hurts Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, but this is your truth and one you have to accept. I wonder how Anika will react once she finds out what your real face is...what filth you carry...what crude marks you hold, but have hidden within you making them invisible. Right now, you may be enjoying these moments with her, but what will happen once she finds out?...I bet she will leave you...I mean what woman would stay with a man like you?" Om spat with his eyes turning over many demons indicating he was becoming possessed with lustrous greed for fortunes that may at one point even push him over the edge.

A trail of dread hitting me and reminding me of that night twenty years ago that began to spin within me while I began to run my hand against the plastic metal object still lingering against my abdomen where I always kept it for protection. My hands loosening from Om's collar while I continued to ponder over what may happen once Anika finds out the truth...my truth. A truth that may just destroy us as it threatened to do such five years ago...a truth because of which I had to leave Anika.

Om taking a step towards me as he attempted to trace his steps back to me while I stood still letting my rage continuing to simmer within me enticing me to not give into his threatening words and instead implement my own method of control.

Lurking my eyes towards Anika, I saw her still distracted in conversations with others appearing to not look towards me. A small smirk touching my lips knowing that now was the right time to incite a warning to the man in front of me.

Dragging my fingers down my flesh I felt a haiwaan slowly beginning to trek his path down to a sinful object that only knows how to prey...An object that has forced me to continue to cross many boundaries and walk on paths that I did not want to walk on, but was forced to by circumstances around me.

A growling spirit embracing me tight taking remnants of humility out of me and only engorging its insanity into me. Draping my fingers around the sin, I slowly took it out as Papa let out a sudden deep breath appearing appalled by what I held. Om's eyes widening with his fingers lightly beginning to tremble finding himself haunted by the object that began to show itself to him.

Trailing a gun out from abdomen, I took a firm grasp of it before meeting his eyes as I revealed a smirk of the daemon that began to lurk within me finding itself feeding off an hallucination that in this moment I am not Shivaay, but a mere manic that has to survive by continuing to commit this sin.

MATURE CONTENT WARNING: This chapter mentions the usage of a gun and violence related to it only for entertainment and storyline purposes only. Usage of arms is dangerous and shall never be done and is prohibited by law. If you face a mental health issue then please do avoid reading such and contact your doctor or healthcare provide or a mental health helpline to get the help you need. This is a serious issue and I want to always make sure I make myself clear regarding this matter.

......

I do not own the lyrics to the songs played or mentioned in this chapter.

Part 2 is now posted and available to be read next. Part 2 has a family dance off and big drama occurs between Shivaay and Anika.

Anika's Haldi Outfit could be found under "Wedding Promo" section :).

Sorry for the delay in the update, but I live in California and currently the state is facing a rise in coronavirus cases and by law I have to stay shelter in place now for three weeks, thus, last week I was busy addressing urgent matters regarding this which did not allow me to update. However, for three weeks I am under lockdown in my home to stay safe and not get the coronavirus meaning more updates are coming likely at a faster pace :)

Thank you for reading and if you wish to comment then if possible do leave it under this individual Part 1 because having divided comments helps me understand on an individual level on how I can improve the update or the individual part or what readers thought of it. If possible only because I do know everyone is quite busy, so yes no worries at all.

Important Note:

This is a one big mystery. I am not creating new mysteries, but this is the same mystery of why Shivaay left Anika. Shivaay left Anika due to his big past. His past is connected to each and every character in this story. This mystery will be revealed slowly overtime. This is one big mystery.

I had predefined this plot and I cannot change it. This story is not going negative, but is getting new twists and turns to allow for Shivaay's redemption that will help him win Anika's heart in a justified manner. I have bigger plans for this story and for such to happen, I must run the plot and show roadblocks for Shivaay and Anika's relationship to get stronger. This story is not heading to ultra negative, Shivaay's mystery shows a different shade of his, but his relationship with Anika will only get stronger and not weaken. I promise. Shivaay and Anika's character sketch has always been different from the show and that is why this book is different. I am so sorry for disappointing anyone, but please trust me that I will not worsen Shivika's relationship, but only make it stronger. This Shivaay's new shade will never harm Anika and instead this new shade will change. This new shade will not harm their wedding and their wedding will still have lots of love. I promise and please trust me :).

Sorry if you found this update boring, but I had to split the updates in part and the next two are more interesting full of family drama, Shivika drama, Shivaay's gray shade, and a family dance off :).

Thank you for reading and if you wish then please do vote, comment, and share.

Ciao!

-Jasmine

Part 2 is now posted and available to be read next :). Thank you :).