Anika hugged her dad as they exchanged goodbyes. She couldn't help but feel a tug at her heart. She missed them more because she knew they missed her. She was their only child. But they looked after her cousin, her aunt's son. Her single aunt had been destroyed by alcoholism and her dad took the responsibility of his sister's son. At least that way they had someone. She felt her dad's fingers at the edge of her eyes. He was wiping her tears threatening to fall off. He then quickly took her into a hug whispering into her ears. "No tears, Anika. Remember what I said during Bidaai. You are merely living with an extended family, we are still the same parents and you are our daughter just like you always were. So, no room for tears. " he kissed her forehead. Anika smiled. She was emotionally tired today. 

Soon the father-daughter duo were interrupted by others, as they all came out of the posh apartment. 

Once they were at the lift the Oberois bid them goodbye. Pinky wrapped her arm around Shivaay's waist. "I missed you, Beta!" She kissed his cheek. He smiled like a ten-year-old boy. "I missed you too!"

"And we remain forgotten!" Shakti said, wrapping his arm around Anika's shoulder. 

Shivaay beamed and looked at the two. This was family. This was home. He wouldn't leave them for a billion dollars again.

Anika simply stared at his back as he spoke to Pinky. Once they were inside Shivaay made sure he dragged his mother to her room. "Mom, I am here now. So we can talk every day. Now you need to rest."

"But.."

"No buts!" Shivaay said and Anika simply looked on admiring.

Shakti quickly wished Anika goodnight and followed his son and wife. While Anika started picking up the empty used bowls from the table. Her disputed thoughts made it to the surface again. She entered her room, pushing the door slowly. 

That was close! 

He was just about to pull the door to leave.

"Hey!" He said surprised. Surprised that she hadn't entered like a storm and smacked his face. He distinctly remembered how once when she had entered excitedly, she had almost broken his bone in the nose. He smiled at the memory. 

"Oh, I am.." She said relieved that she had opened the door slowly.

"My nose won this time!" He chuckled. 

She smiled again, lightly. 

He stared at her. What had happened to her? She wasn't giggling like a teenager. Down, she wasn't talking much. Did his surprise literally render her so speechless and dumbstruck?

"I was just going to see where you were!"

Her heart had probably forgotten how to beat ever since it gauged his presence.

"Just wrapping up things." She replied slowly. 

He inhaled sharply. Her voice, how much he had missed listening to her.

"Oh, yea...I forgot my bag downstairs.." He interrupted his chain of thoughts before he got carried away.

"This..." she asked extending her hand.

"Oh yes. Perfect." He took it from her hand. Their fingers brushed. Both felt the sparks and immediately looked at each other.

She cautiously withdrew her hand back, up to her hair making sure her hair was tucked behind her ear. He smiled at that. She did it when she was shy or uncomfortable. He couldn't wipe away the grin off his face.

She turned crimson at his stare and quickly walked inside. 

"Achoo!" He sneezed. "God! I don't understand why is this happening. It was perfectly fine up  until now!" He sneezed again.

She looked up at him concerned. He had a sort of allergy to certain things. His sneezes would be a triggered response of it. She looked around. "Oh no." She got on the bed and unhooked the set of dream catchers. "I am sorry. I guess the feathers of the dream catchers got you!" 

"Its... achoo!" He held his nose. "Okay!" He completed.

She quickly packed them and kept it away in the side cupboard. In the meanwhile, he got out his medicines from the bag. She handed him the glass of water and went about setting the bed. 

"Feels better!" He said after a brief few minutes of silence. She looked up at him nodding.

"By the way... My clothes? You ate them?" He asked brimming with amusement. His every fiber seemed excited.

Her lips formed into a grin. "No. I ...Sorry. I shifted them out and packed them. " Yeah they freaking annoyed her. Made her remember him and everything related to him, every time she opened the cupboard. That is why she had slowly changed everything in the room. Especially in the week following the one after their argument.

"That's okay. I understand." He said. " I will just take a shower." Saying so he grabbed a towel and disappeared. Before she could say that was her towel! Anyway, she could take a fresh one. Yes, he understands. She threw the pillow on the bed. If only he understood. 

Standing under the shower he reflected on the events of the evening. It was so good to be back to the warmth of India and home. But still, he felt a little warmth missing. Her warmth. She had been behaving strangely. At first, he had assumed it was her shyness before the others. But the small moment in the room left him confused. 

He had excepted her to pounce on him and give him that bone-crushing hug. It was their thing. Every time she hugged him he had to put in all the effort to not fall back, such enormous was the force of her embrace. He smiled. He expected her to go on and on talking about anything and everything. She was so reserved. Maybe the surprise did render her dumbstruck literally.

He entered into an empty room. He frowned. Now, where was she? He put the wet towel in the balcony and proceeded downstairs. She wasn't anywhere. He looked at the balcony door open. He walked over and inhaled the cool night air. His gaze fell down and a pleasant surprise washed over him. A smile drew itself on his face.

- Anami!