Anika's POV:

"Sorry, I didn't recognise you"

"Arey! Aap toh hame janthe nai. Hum hai Gauri Malhotra." She gushed, hugging me as if she had known me for years. "Your event planner"

"Ohh" I remembered, hugging her back hesitantly.

"You are looking very familiar" She said pulling back. "Aur aapka rangoli bhi bahot acchi hain" Her eyes scanning the floor, pleasantly.

"thank you" I was never used to this kind of first talks. I was a very shy person. It was hard for me to start conversations but once I get used for them, no one could stop me from blabbering. I felt her warm and friendly. She was quick to mingle and I sort of loved it.

She walked inside and I followed her. Pinky ma, Badi ma and Dadi were busy in inviting the guests.

"Namaste!" She greeted.

"Who are you?" Pinky maa asked, startled by her enthusiastic figure.

"Hum.."

"Gauri" Badi maa said, already guessing her. "Event manager" She nodded erratically.

"I m very impressed with your work" She immediately bent down to take dadi's blessings.

"thank you dadiji"

Everyone liked her especially Badi maa. After all it was her choice to choose their agency.

Just then I saw Omkara coming up to us and his eyes flickered to her. His posture became rigid and his face hard, emotionless. But what grabbed my attention was his eyes. He was trying strong to surpress his pain but was failing miserably. Earlier when Shivaay brought the topic of her, I observed this same expression. But why?

He eyes met mine and composed himself, behaving as if nothing happened in the last few seconds.

"Hey" Gauri waved when she saw him. He paused, looking at her for a moment.

"Hii" He murmured and the next instant he was gone. He was as quick as a super hero. One thing was clear for me. It was related to Gauri. Did anything happen in between them? I had to find out.

I walked upstairs thinking about him intently when the electricity suddenly went off. God!! I closed my eyes breathing fast. It was dark every where again. The garden scenario I had two days back was still lingering in my mind.

How much ever I try, I couldn't let go of it. It always brought back the memory of that night which I hated to remember.

I could hear voices from down stairs, Pinky maa shouting to turn the generator on. I slowly looked, opening one of my eye. I was a stupid. I knew it was dark still yet I opened. A shiver ran down my spine and I gripped a handful of my long kurti tightly. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead and running along the front of my neck.

God! Please save me. And then suddenly I was bumped in to a hard frame. At that moment, I was too scared to even think. I wanted to shout but could barely open my mouth.

A cold hand touched my forearm, gently sweeping my arm. A sudden wave of relief passed at his familiar touch and I leaned on to the person. No one spoke. All we could hear was my ragged breathing slowly calming to normal.

I could feel his comforting scent and warmth around me. I wounded my arms tightly around his waist, breathing deeply.

"Are you alright?" He placed both of his hands around my waist and pulled me in to him. A lonely tear escaped. I felt safe all of a sudden. I was shivering and trying hard to control my tears a few minutes ago. And it was now long gone by his exceptional touch.

"I am scared of dark" I whispered, pressing me as close to him as I could. I felt safe with Arnav too. But with Shivaay it was a different kind of feeling. A more safer feeling. I didn't know how to name this feeling but it held a very special place in my heart.

"I know" he paused "that's why I followed you" His words surprised me. I never told him about this. Then how did he know?

"I am here with you" He placed his palm on my cheek and wiped away my tear, rubbing my skin gently with his thumb. "Don't worry"

His words resonated in my ears. No one had ever told me these words ever in my life. I always faced my struggles myself. There was no one to comfort me, to assure me that everything would become right. But now, standing in his arms and hearing that some one was there for me gave me tingling sensation inside.

My heart swelled and I felt tears running down my cheek, soaking his shirt.

"Shhhh..." He hushed me but I was not in a position to hear anything. "I want you to come with me now" he announced.

"But where?" Suddenly lights lit up the entire mansion again and I pulled back. He looked at me intently and placed his palm on my head caressing my hair.

"I will only take you there if you stop crying" He pulled me a little closer and softly pecked on my forehead.
My heart skipped a beat and I stood stiff like a statue. Did he just kiss me? Why was he doing this to me? Where were we heading our friendship to? What was happening with us? I had a lot of questions like this. I wanted to ask him but nothing came out.

"Get ready in 5 minutes and meet me down" He walked in to his room casually.
..............................................................

A/N: Hola guys,
I am back. I know I m very late. It has been 10 days. I m sorry. Now that my holidays are over and I am back to my normal schedule, it got delayed a bit.

First of all a very big thank you for all your love. Its already 47k views and 2.75k votes and more to come. Please keep your appreciation and support coming. I need it.

So, how is this chapter?

How will anika figure out her feelings? Where is Shivaay going to take Anika?

What is bothering Omkara?

To know the answers, stay tuned to Saathiya. But till then keep guessing. Write to me your views, what you like.

Dont forget to press the star below.