Even She wants to be Loved [Completed]

Chapter 34 | That's all I need

Recap ~
In your heart

Shivaay drove at the speed of thirty much to Anika's happiness. At one point, he exclaimed disappointed with his own driving, "Anika if I drive like this we will reach by tomorrow only!"

"I don't mind. I'm with you and that's all I need" she said enjoying the cold breeze hitting her warm skin. She didn't correct herself even after realizing what she meant. Shivaay smiled, his heart was jumping in exuberance.

But soon Anika held Shivaay's shirt tightly again, this time not because of Shivaay's driving skills but because of the familiar street she was in.

Flashes of her childhood were running in her mind as Shivaay stopped the bike near a house that she very well knew. Anika could imagine her little self secretly meeting her best friend Chanda at one corner of that same house.

That house belonged to Chanda.

"Shivaay?!" She called out to him very much intimidated.
"Anika, it's fine." He assured her taking her hand in his as he led their way to the main door.

"I don't want Chanda's parents to undergo the pain when they see me." she said. Even before Shivaay answered her, the door opened. Anika stood rooted in her position when she was hugged by a lady of her mother's age.

Soon she was taken inside by Chanda's mother. Noticing her best friend's picture hanging on the wall, she could no more control her tears. They ran down her cheeks instantly, she was still missing Chanda.

There was no reason to forget her best friend despite having a beautiful family then. 

Shivaay brought some water for all three, Anika and Chanda's parents as they settled down in the hall. There was silence filled in the room while Anika looked down not wanting to see anyone around her.

"Ani...ka" Chanda's father, Sharath spoke in a broken voice. He continued mustering words, "We are sorry, we held you responsible for our daughter's death. We never understood your friendship, we never understood you instead, just blamed you without even thinking once that even you lost your best friend. We are sorry beta." he finished when Chanda's mother, Sunitha confronted "Anika we didn't realize that you are also like our daughter!"

Anika hugged them sobbing silently.

Anika's heart felt light after that day. She knew Chanda's parents didn't hate her anymore. Though she had many questions in her mind about how Shivaay found Chanda's parents, she didn't get the chance to ask him.

One fine night at the office, Anika was busy working on her laptop when ShivOmRu came running to her.

"Anika Anika Anika!" OmRu screamed in unison.
"Anika let's go!" Shivaay said much worried when she asked "What happened Shivaay?!"
"Anika I..." Shivaay was to continue but Rudra interrupted, "Anika, you need to know the reason now?! You don't trust us, do you?!"
"Of course I do Rudra! Okay fine, let's go." Anika said not asking another question and they left silently.

They reached Chowdhary mansion, Vikram's house in about two hours. Om was driving so slowly much to Anika's dismay. Shivaay and Rudra didn't comment a word about Om's driving much to her surprise.

"Guys am I the only one who feels this car to be a goods train?!" She asked frustrated on their way when Shivaay answered her, "If I speed, you tell I drive in air. If Om drives slowly, you compare to goods train!"

Anika felt weird with each one's behavior, she knew something was fishy. Rudra was unusually silent which added fuel to the fire.

Shivaay still looked worried for some reason which troubled Anika a lot. As they entered the mansion, she didn't find Vikram in the hall which was unusual again. He would wait for them every time they come to meet him.

"Shivaay what's happening?! Why are you looking worried? Is everything fine?!" She asked continuously without a second gap. Suddenly panicking she asked, "Where is Uncle?! Is he fine? What's wrong with you guys why are you not speaking up!"

She almost screamed when she heard a calm voice, "Anu, I'm here"
She instantly turned to her left to see Vikram waving excitedly to her like a kid.
"Uncle!" She called out to him in relief and hugged him tightly.

"Uncle where were you?!" She asked when Rudra replied, "In the lawn arran..."
He was not able to speak anymore as his feet were stamped on either sides by ShivOm simultaneously.

Poor Rudra.

"Why in the lawn?! At this time! It's very cold outside and what if you catch flu uncle?!" Anika demanded for an answer like a strict mother when Vikram chuckled.

"I wanted to enjoy the breeze for a while." he finally said when he received a glare from her.
"You should have covered yourself with a shawl at least right?!" She asked again when he said nodding like an obedient kid, "Right! I wont do this mistake next time beta."

Surprisingly Anika was not allowed to go to the left wing of the mansion which had the lawn to its side. All the time, they only spoke and it was very late by then.

"Uncle it's very late! I will have to go now." Anika said getting up when the rest stopped her.
"It's not time yet. How can you!?" Rudra asked her when she asked back, "Rudra are you kidding me?! Did you see the time?! It's half past eleven in the night, not in the morning!" She exclaimed.

They were still talking about the time when suddenly the power supply was interrupted. Everything seemed dark and there was a cry suddenly.

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Precap ~
Rejoiced.