—AUTHOR P. O. V—
Yuktha slammed her hands on the table, the sharp sound echoing through the café. “He didn’t come!? He didn’t show up!?” she practically yelled, her voice loud enough to make heads turn. Anika winced, casting an apologetic look around the room before nodding hesitantly.
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?” Yuktha asked, her tone dead serious as she plopped into the chair across from Anika.
Anika hesitated, her voice barely audible. “Not so long… just three hours, I guess.”
“Three hours!?” Yuktha scoffed, staring at her in disbelief. “You’ve been sitting here for three hours waiting for someone who clearly doesn’t value anyone’s time?”
Anika lowered her gaze, twisting the napkin in her hand. “He might’ve been busy,” she mumbled, half-defending, half-excusing the situation.
Yuktha leaned forward, her voice softening just a bit. “Anika, stop making excuses for people who don’t deserve them. You’ve been through enough. You don’t need to add unnecessary suffering to the list, alright?”
Anika didn’t reply, her fingers still fiddling with the napkin. Yuktha reached across the table and grabbed her hand gently. “Let’s go. You’ve waited long enough. He’s not worth another minute of your time.”
Anika smiled, catching Yuktha off guard. “I didn’t sit here for three hours just waiting for him,” she said softly, her voice carrying a genuine warmth.
“Then why are you still here?” Yuktha asked, taking the seat beside her, curiosity lacing her tone.
Anika looked around, her gaze sweeping across the café as if taking in every detail. She took a deep breath, savoring the moment before turning to Yuktha.
“I’m just.....enjoying myself,” she said with a faint pause. “I never knew being out could feel this good. I love this place. And the coffee—this amazing coffee,” she added, picking up her cup again. “I feel like I could drink this forever.” Her tone brimmed with excitement, drawing a small laugh from Yuktha.
Anika’s expression softened, her eyes shifting to the window. “It makes me think of all the life I’ve missed. I wish I could ask God to rewrite my story... to give me the life I actually deserved.” Her voice trembled slightly, her thoughts lost in the view outside.
Yuktha’s smile faded as she placed a comforting hand on Anika’s shoulder. She was about to say something when Anika turned back abruptly, catching her off guard. “But I’m grateful for this life too. I’m grateful that He finally heard my prayers and gave me a little hope.”
She paused, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “It’s just... I can’t stop thinking about the past. How it would have been if I’d grown up in a real home—with loving parents.”
Yuktha didn’t need to see Anika’s face to sense the sadness in her voice. Sympathy welled in her chest, but she struggled to find the right words.
“I’m fine, Yuktha. Really, I am,” Anika reassured her, her voice firm despite the melancholy lingering in her tone. “And even if I’m not, I’ll find a way to be fine.”
Yuktha looked at her with admiration. Anika’s resilience, despite everything she’d endured, was remarkable. She held onto the fragments of herself that remained unbroken as if losing them would mean losing herself entirely.
“He’s probably ugly and didn’t want to show his face—that’s why he didn’t show up,” Yuktha joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“You’re still on that?” Anika replied, laughing and shaking her head at Yuktha’s silliness.
“Anyway, forget the coffee. I heard this café has great lunch options! Wanna try?” Yuktha asked, her tone suddenly filled with excitement.
“I’m sorry, Yuktha, but I’m not letting you ditch work for me. Besides, I’ve decided to go to Ganga Ghat,” Anika said, rising from her seat and heading toward the bill counter.
“What? Why Ganga Ghat? And why alone?” Yuktha asked, following her.
“I want to talk to Shivji. And I’m not alone,” Anika replied, pausing at the counter and pointing to a portrait of Lord Shiva on the café wall. “He’s always with me.”
Yuktha rolled her eyes but smiled at Anika’s unwavering faith. They paid the bill and stepped outside.
“Let me drop you at the ghat,” Yuktha offered, concern still evident in her tone.
“It’s alright. You've already done so much,” Anika said, giving her a reassuring smile as she ordered a cab.
──⋆•★•⋆──
The warm sun kissed Anika's skin, while the cool mist from the Ganga brushed against her, carrying the sweet scent of incense sticks in the air. The serene surroundings wrapped her in a serene embrace.
Anika closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the flowing water, the priests' soft chants, the rustling wind through the trees, and the gentle lapping of the river against the ghats fill her senses. It was as if the essence of peace itself had descended upon her, washing away the worries weighing on her mind.
Time seemed to stand still as she sat there, her thoughts quieting like the calm surface of the river. She didn’t realize how long she had been sitting until she noticed the golden hues of the setting sun reflecting off the water.
Taking a deep breath, she gazed at the flowing river, then turned her head toward a distant temple, her thoughts becoming a quiet prayer.
“Those who have no one will have God by their side,” she whispered, repeating the words a priest had once told her during her first visit. Her eyes softened as they fixed on the temple. “From that day on, you became my only refuge, my only support, and I believed in you and everything you’ve done. I know you know what all has happened and what all is happening in my life is unfair. But I also know that you know what to do.”
She paused, her voice trembling as emotions swirled within her. “I believe you and in your actions, Shivji. I left my life in your hands when I was eight, and I didn’t ask for it back when I was insulted, when I was beaten, and when I was tortured to death. And I’m not going to ask for it back now. I’m still letting you guide and decide what happens in my life because I know you’ll choose what’s best for me. But I want you to know one thing… I’m tired. I’m really tired of everything. I’m tired of putting all my hope in something that I don’t even know will work or not.”
Her voice broke as tears flowed freely down her cheeks, mirroring the river’s endless stream. “So please make this work because if it doesn’t… I’ll stop hoping. I’ll stop believing. And I’ll stop… living. Please, Shivji. I’ve had enough injustice done to me. Don’t make me cry again. These should be the last tears I shed.”
She wiped her tears with trembling hands, drawing a deep, steadying breath. “Om Namah Shivaya,” she whispered with quiet resolve. Rising from the spot where she had been seated for hours, she began walking toward the boats, seeking the solace of the river’s embrace.
As she walked, her steps light against the stone ghats, a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck. The feeling of being watched. She froze mid-step, her senses sharpening as she tried to pinpoint the source of the unseen gaze.
Anika looked back, her eyes scanning the area, but she found no one. Unease settled over her as she surveyed her surroundings carefully, hoping to spot the source of the strange feeling. But there were no one. Shaking her head, she turned and started walking toward the boats again.
But then, she felt it—a presence behind her. The sound of faint footsteps echoed her own. She stopped abruptly, her heart pounding as she quickly turned back, only to be met with empty space.
Her grip on her bag tightened as fear crept in. She forced herself to move, but the footsteps returned, louder this time, almost matching her own. Panic set in, and she broke into a run.
The sound of someone running behind her followed, growing closer. She risked a glance over her shoulder, but before she could see anything, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her into a dark corner.
A hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her scream as she struggled against the grip.
“Calm down, Anika, it’s me! Yuktha,” a familiar voice whispered urgently.
Anika let out a shaky breath of relief, her wide eyes meeting Yuktha’s equally terrified gaze.
“I got a message saying someone’s going to kidnap you,” Yuktha explained, her voice trembling with fear and concern. “I came here as fast as I could. I’m glad I made it in time. We need to get out of here—now.”
Yuktha grabbed Anika’s hand, pulling her along before she could ask any more questions. They ran, their footsteps echoing against the stone ghats.
Finally, Yuktha stopped at a secluded spot, dropping onto a stone bench to catch her breath. Anika collapsed beside her, panting heavily.
“Who sent you the message?” Anika asked, her voice hoarse from the running.
Yuktha was about to answer when her eyes widened in terror. Anika frowned, following her gaze, and turned around to see two men in black masks sprinting toward them.
Without a word, both women shot to their feet and started running again. Anika looked at Yuktha, signaling toward the temple in the distance. “The temple—there’ll be a crowd. We can hide there,” she managed to say between gasps.
Yuktha nodded, understanding, and they changed course toward the temple. Just as they neared the safety of the crowd, a strong hand grabbed Anika and yanked her backward. She screamed, her cry cutting through the air and catching Yuktha’s attention.
Before either could react, both were dragged toward a car. Anika looked up in terror, her breathing erratic, until a familiar voice broke through the chaos.
“Beta, it’s me! It’s me. Don’t worry.”
Randeep’s voice brought a wave of relief that almost made her collapse, but he steadied her. “Both of you, get in the car—NOW,” he commanded.
Without hesitation, Anika and Yuktha got into the car. Randeep slammed the door and hit the accelerator, the vehicle speeding away from the ghats.
Anika and Yuktha exchanged terrified glances, their breaths coming in gasps as they tried to process what had just happened. The car sped through the streets, carrying them away from the danger that had been moments away from catching them.
Randeep glanced at the rearview mirror, his sharp eyes scanning for any sign of pursuit. Once satisfied they weren’t being followed, he turned his attention to the backseat. “We lost them. Are you both okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Yuktha rolled her eyes at the question.
Anika, leaning back into the headrest and finally catching her breath, just nodded, trying to ease the tension.
Randeep’s expression hardened. “Anika, why did you come here alone? Where’s Rudra? I clearly told him to stay with you until I returned.” His voice held a mix of frustration and worry.
Yuktha scoffed at his words, unable to hold back. “Newsflash, your son is a rogue,” she said bluntly, ignoring Anika’s silent plea to stop.
Randeep looked at her, startled. “I’m sorry… what?”
“Yeah, you should be sorry—for giving birth to him,” Yuktha shot back, her sarcasm cutting through the tense atmosphere.
Randeep frowned, clearly confused by her hostility. Anika quickly interjected, her voice soft and reassuring. “Umm… he didn’t come, Uncle. I think he was stuck in some work.”
“Yeah, right. ‘Work,’” Yuktha muttered, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Anika shook her head at Yuktha’s antics, trying to smooth things over. Randeep sighed, guilt evident in his voice. “I’m sorry, beta. I didn’t think he’d act like this.”
“It’s okay, Uncle. It’s not your fault,” Anika said quickly, her tone forgiving.
Yuktha, on the other hand, closed her eyes in exasperation, wondering if Anika would ever stop being so understanding.
“But if he didn’t show up,” Randeep continued, his tone turning serious, “why didn’t you just go home? Why did you come here alone? And you,” he said, pointing at Yuktha, “I told you not to leave the house until the marriage is over. Why are you both roaming around the city like this? Do you realize how serious the situation is?”
Neither Anika nor Yuktha answered, their silence speaking volumes. Randeep’s tone grew sharper, but before he could say more, his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, and his breath quickened as he read the message: "You can't protect her forever."
The car came to an abrupt halt, jerking both women forward.
Randeep turned in his seat, his face pale. “Anika, I’m dropping you at the house, and Mukul, my security man, will stay with you until you’re escorted to Rudra's mansion. And you,” he said, turning to Yuktha, “you’ll stay at home until everything's cleared up. And you both, don't even think about getting out of the house without telling me.
“I'll make sure Rudra comes here by tomorrow,” Randeep continued, his voice unwavering. “And, Anika, you’ll leave with him in two days, after the wedding. It’ll be a small but traditional ceremony, so be ready.”
Anika and Yuktha exchanged bewildered glances, both caught off guard by the sudden shift in plans.
Anika, her mind swirling with questions, finally mustered the courage to ask. “Uncle, you need to tell me everything. What happened? Who attacked me today? Why are you so scared? What’s happening around me?” Her voice trembled with a mix of desperation and frustration. “I need to know. I don’t want to be left in the dark anymore. Please, Uncle. This is killing me.”
Randeep’s face softened, but his tone remained firm. “I know, beta. And I promise I’ll tell you when the time is right. But for now, all you need to know is that you’re in extreme danger. You need to be sent somewhere safe. Please, just trust me and control your emotions for now.”
Anika clenched her fists, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior. She wanted to demand answers, to fight for the truth, but deep down, she knew it would lead nowhere. Gritting her teeth, she turned her gaze to the passing trees outside the window.
If doing this means I can finally live the life I’ve dreamed of, the life I deserve… then I’ll do it, She thought. I’ll do it a hundred times if it means I can be free.
———
Hello my lovely readers! As promised I posted the chapter hope you enjoy reading it. I'll post the next chapter by january Our Anika and rudra are going to meet officially in the next chapter! Are you as excited as I am? Anyway enjoy reading the chapter and leave a comment, DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE! And you'll find the link to my Instagram on my bio so please go follow.
Love you all ❤
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