Shivaay entered the police station along with his lawyer and Pinki. He had got her bail papers ready. He looked at Annika who was sitting in the prison looking at nothing particular. Her knees close to her chest, her quivering lips, red nose and puffy eyes showed her vulnerability. She was looking as if someone has snatched her soul from her body. Shivaay's heart ached seeing her condition.

      His lawyer gave the papers to the inspector who checked them while Shivaay went to Annika. He called her but she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear his voice. He called her thrice but she still didn't budge. At last, he had to shout her name to break her chain of thoughts.

      She looked at him with sorrowful eyes. Tears again appeared on their own seeing him. She cupped her face crying bitterly. Shivaay couldn't see her like that. His khidkitod annika was breaking down which was intolerable for him.

      The lady officer brought Annika out. Pinki hugged her immediately. Annika hiccuped in her mother in law's embrace. After completing the formalities, they took her home.

_________________________________________

      Shivaay sat in front of Annika who was resting her head on the headrest closing her eyes.

     'Annika!'

    She opened her eyes slowly as he called her.

     'Khaana kha ko.'('have some food.') He asked taking the plate from the trolley.

     'I'm not hungry.' She shook her head.

     'Baby, thoda sa. Mere liye, please.' ('Baby, a little bit. For me, please.') He pleaded forwarding the morsel towards her. She ate slowly not having the energy to deny again. He fed her lovingly and went to keep the dishes in kitchen and himself had his dinner after Pinki persuaded him.

_________________________________________

     Everyone left for the court hearing after two days with thumping hearts. Annika's parents were there too. They didn't know what will happen today but each one of them prayed Annika's happiness and wellbeing.

     Shivaay had tried a lot to find a proof in Annika's defence but he couldn't. His hope was breaking bit by bit but his determination didn't let him give up. Even the CCTV footage of the hospital showed that it was Annika who tampered the medicines along with some other man....

      Annika stood in the witness box lowering her not having the strength to look into anyone's eyes. She didn't know what's coming her way but feared the worst. Though Shivaay had assured her but the uneasy feeling was just not ready to leave her mind.

      'Your honour, the case is crystal clear here. I have the evidence which proves Dr. Annika guilty and i would like to present it here.' The lawyer against Annika spoke as the hearing started.

     'You may proceed.' The judge gave his order clasping his hands together.

     The lawyer played the footage in front of everyone. Everyone gasped seeing the content.

Footage content

     Annika walked out of the hospital to go home. Exactly after five minutes, she entered back stealthily and went towards the medical store.

     A person with covered face was already waiting for her there. They both exchanged the medicines and went from there through the back door.

   Video ends

    Though her face wasn't visible in the video but seeing her physical appearance, no one could deny that it was Annika only.

     Annika clutched tighter on to the box breathing heavily. Her mind couldn't grasp anything. Her heart found it hard to digest the things she had just seen. How could this be possible when she directly went to her home?

      'Your honour, the video is enough as a proof but still i would like to ask some questions to Dr. Annika.'

      'Objection your honour! Her face is not visible in the video. So how can he be so sure that it's Dr. Annika?' The defense lawyer stated his fact.

    'I can give another proof, Milord.'

     The judge allowed to proceed making Annika's heart pound against her chest. Shivaay rubbed his hands together seeing her so weak suddenly. His palms felt sweaty.

      'Toh Dr. Annika, at what time did you leave the hospital that day?'

     'At 10.' She answered slowly.

    'Did you stop anywhere in your way?'

     'No.'

    'Are you sure?'

     Annika contemplated over the question for a moment and then remembered that she stopped to buy some essentials from the grocery shop nearby her hospital.

    'I...i stopped to buy some groceries.' She replied after few minutes.

      'But there's only one grocery shop near your hospital and that was closed that day. Then where did you buy all those?'

     'No, it wasn't closed. I bought a lot of stuff from there.' She answered getting angry seeing the lawyer speaking lies.

      'Milord, may i call the owner of that shop in the witness box?' The lawyer ignored Annika's answer.

    As allowed, the owner, Mr. Abhinav kundra came and stood in the box.

    'Mr. Kundra, at what time you close your shop?'

     'At 11 in the night, sir.'

    'And what about three days ago?'

    'That day, i closed it at 8 and went to home.'

     Annika's eyes widened hearing the man's lie. Why the hell was he speaking lies?

      'I'm done with all the proofs, sir. I think Miss. Annika should be punished severely for her not so good deeds.' The lawyer smirked looking at Annika.

     Shivaay's lawyer didn't have anything to say in defence. They didn't have any proof. Shivaay cursed the time when he hired him as their lawyer.

      'Seeing all the evidences and witnesses, it's clear that Dr. Annika is guilty. But since there should be equal chance for the guilty to prove their innocence, so i'm giving 24 hours to Dr. Annika for her defense. If she couldn't prove anything, then her license will be cancelled. The court is adjourned.' The judge declared his decision.

      Annika felt as if her world came to an end. Her whole life was on the verge of collapsing. Her dedication, her hardwork, her dream, everything was going to crush. She had been dreaming of becoming a doctor her entire life and now when she was living her dream, it shattered so soon.

     She looked at Shivaay who was already looking at her. His look gave away his helplessness.

       Pinki held an emotionally drained Annika from her shoulders and took her outside. They passed by Dr. Roy and a lady who passed a smirk to Annika. Shivaay glanced at them as his eyes fell over the tattoo the girl had over her wrist. He found it strange but shrugged his thoughts away.

     They reached the home. Annika immediately went to their room and locked it from inside. Shivaay wanted to go to her but he thought to give her some time.

      The noon turned into evening but Annika didn't come out. Not wanting to wait anymore, Shivaay went to see her. The door was still locked and he knew being a stubborn girl as she was, she won't open it. So he went towards the pool side entering the room through the window.

     The sight in front of him literally killed him. Annika was lying on the floor hugging her knees close to her chest. Her tear stricken face, dishevelled hair, dried lips, her shivering form made him feel like crying. She looked like a living corpse. He felt like killing those people who made her so vulnerable.

      He sat beside her softly calling her name. She didn't say anything. He waited for a few minutes.

      'Jaana' his voice cracked as he gulped back his tears. She again burst out crying hearing his endearment.

      'Main haar gyi, Shivaay. Tumhari jaana haar gyi.' ('I failed, Shivaay. Your jaana failed.') She cried more.

     'Tum meri jaana nhi ho.' ('You are not my jaana.') His cold voice made her perplexed. She sat leaning onto the nearby table.

     'Meri jaana itni kamzor nhi thi, jo bina lade hi haar maan le. Meri jaana toh dunia se ladna jaanti thi lekin tum......' ('My jaana wasn't this weak that she accept her failure before fighting. She knew how to fight the world but you....') He left his sentence mid-way expressing his disappointment.

      She didn't say a word but kept her eyes fixed on him. He gazed into her eyes.

      'Annika, you only used to say na we shouldn't give up. Infact, we should face our problems openly. Then why are you running away?'

     'It's not easy.'

   'But it's not impossible either.'

    'I can't.'

    'But you have to.'

   'I'm scared.'

    'I'm here for you.'

    'You trust me?'

   'More than anyone in this world.'

     Annika couldn't say anything further. She just laid down again keeping her head in his lap hugging his waist. He felt like caressing her hair but didn't. She was holding him tightly. He whispered soft nothings which lulled her to sleep. Soon he too slept in the sitting position only........

     ************

Thanks to everyone who voted and commented on the last part❤❤❤

Precap:

Shivaay was checking the room where the medicines were kept. When he couldn't find anything, he started to go but something caught his attention. He bent down to pick it up analysing it carefully. His eyes widened as the realisation dawned upon him. Why didn't he think this before?........