Hi everyone :) I want to thank God for giving me the courage to write and thank all you amazing, wonderful readers who continue to read this story :)

Thank you for reading :)

Please do not forget to read Chapter 30 Part 2 available after this :)

Please do read Chapter 31 that is now available as well :)

Author's Note: I will say that I do not condone the actions that Shivaay is taking and portraying in this chapter and the actions he will take in the future chapters. What I am show Shivaay as is purely due to storyline and dramatic purposes only and none of this should ever be done by anyone to anyone else.

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Friendly note: Twitter Account name: Iridescentlove4 made this amazing video based on this story all on her own by putting in a lot of hard work and using my favorite song with amazing Shivika scenes! She deserves a lot of appreciation from all of you because the scenes in the video are on par with the storyline and it is as if the story has come to life, so please please watch the video and appreciate her because she deserves it! :)

https://twitter.com/Iridescentlove4/status/1206086937800523776?s=20

If you are not able to click the link then please do go on my Twitter account called JasmineDarcie to click the link for the video as I retweeted the video :) Thank you :)

Author's Note: This chapter has long monologues for Shivaay and Anika which were necessary to understand their thought process and allow them to emotionally connect with the readers. The next two updates will have less of these, but these monologues are essential to understand their thought process. Thank you for understanding :)

Thank you for reading :)

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Shivaay's Point of View

https://youtu.be/2xMgo3f5RT8

Tracing my hands against the wall, I looked towards the small wooden brown box in front of me that laid in the closet. A box in which I had kept all my memories...memories of a past in which for once I had found peace before I ruined it with my own sins.

Closing my eyes shut, I felt a tear slip down my cheek as a bitter sense of pain and angst erupted inside of me. An unfulfilled desire igniting inside of me as I felt the touch of her soul that I kept hidden within inside of me.

All my life, I have only witnessed greed, selfishness, rage...love was something that was known about, but never felt or touched until...you came Anika...You ignited a hallow piece of me that no one else dared to touch or come close by. Without fearing that you might get broken by my salvaging desires, you took a step towards me and you continued to mend me despite the fact that I didn't want to be mended. You brought me close to feeling love before I threw you out of my life, but damn...when I lost you was when I began to love you...

Why did I commit such a sin by betraying you Anika? You didn't deserve this from me considering how selfless you were in loving me. My breath trembled as I clasped my hands against my mouth wanting to scream, but failing to do so as the barriers I hold still don't want me to break down.

I love you Anika and I know I might not fully know the meaning of love, but I do know that this love I have for you requires me to hold you, keep you, and protect you from every single thing in this world. I have a desire to admire you...to graze kindness against your soul...and to give you the happiness and joy that you deserve.

I know what I will do tonight may hurt you, but...it is for the best Anika. My eyes falling down towards the red memory card for the camera, that held our dirtiest secrets, in the palm of my hand as I looked at the small wooden brown box in front of me on the dressing room table.

Grabbing hold of it, I unlocked the box and slipped the memory card inside of it as I took a deep breath trying to not contemplate too deeply into the situation. It is best I do not let emotions get the best of me tonight...It best that I focus on the need to achieve this desire...most importantly achieve Anika...

Anika's Point of View

https://youtu.be/w64i7HP8xVI

Dragging my feet across the wooden floor, I walked in silence as my body ached and twisted in pain. The empty room seemingly haunting me as it ignited the sense of hallowness that I had been holding on to ever since I was imprisoned in my own life by my own loved ones.

A sense of angst clenching on to my soul as I felt disgust overcome me. My hands running through the rich red velvet colored kameez I wore as it resembled a bride's purity and honor...something which I had lost a long time back.

My eyes closing shut as I felt tears spill down my cheeks with realization of all the sins I had committed...sins that were now coming back through fate and asking me to now give up my freedom and happiness to them.

Lifting my gaze towards the mirror, I looked towards myself one more time as shiver went down my spine in disgust. The naiveness I once held over being a bride and someone's wife breaking down and shattering in an instant as I looked at myself and only saw sins that I had allowed to touch me and entangle me in their webs. If only I hadn't committed the biggest sin in my life then perhaps I would not be suffering today.

Flashback

My eyes fell on to the deep red shades of the saree as I ran my hand through it feeling the softness of the fabric as it ran over the small intricate golden and pink pastel colored flowers that were sown upon it. He loves this color on me and now finally I will be coloring our love with this shade...

I felt my cheeks redden as I smiled looking at myself once more as I saw love had completely intoxicated me. An unusual liveliness in my eyes...a particular glow and shyness across my cheeks from the realization that I was soon going to be his and our love was finally going to be complete and fulfilled with a sacred blessing from the divine. Feeling my heartbeat increasing its pace, I felt my hand against it taking a deep breath trying to calm my nerves, but failing do so as all I could think about was what was to come tonight...

He's finally going to be mine...only mine.

Fixing the small diamond nose ring, I bit my lip feeling incredibly nervous and anxious as I clasped my hands together in an attempt to maintain composure. It's ok Anika, this is normal. You will be fine. I smiled once again as I placed my hands against my cheeks not being able to bear a sense of timidness and shyness that had overcome me.

Hearing the door open behind me, I immediately turned around as my heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight in front of me.

There he stood looking like a vision. An innocent smile placed on his lips as his blue eyes stood still holding pieces of love that I somehow could capture. I looked up towards up and down taking in what he was wearing. My eyes tracing the crème colored kurta that clenched and fitted each and every muscle of his enhancing his features. His face red as he appeared to fix it appearing uncomfortable...I bit my lip realizing I never have seen wear something traditional and gosh he looks handsome, but also funny in it as well. The way he is standing quite stiff tugging on its edges is too funny to handle considering how stern and serious he tries to project himself to the general public. I let out a small giggle placing my hand on my mouth trying to suppress it as I looked at him.

Shivaay raised his eyebrow as he made his way towards me as I turned around continuing to giggle as I looked into the mirror tightening the screw on the small pair of golden earrings I was wearing.

"You are going to break hearts today..." His voice low and husky as it made its way to me. My eyes immediately looking at his reflection in the mirror as I felt my cheeks redden as I heard his compliment.

"Including yours?" I replied with a teasing smile as I looked into the mirror as his smile widened before he took a step closer towards me lightly brushing his chest against my back as I lowered my gaze feeling shy from the proximity our bodies held.

"Maybe...but then I will have you to heal it..."He whispered as I felt his hand trace towards the side of my neck as I felt goosebumps slowly emerging from his touch that felt foreign, teasing, seductive.

Suddenly, I felt a soft, tender touch on my neck as I closed my eyes shut grabbing on to the end of my pallu. His lips slowly grazing the side of my neck as I let out a sigh finding solace in it.

"You will piece this heart together...and..." He laid another kiss as I lowered my face, my the long locks of my hair falling on it, biting my lip as his seduction began to weaken me.

"And?" I whispered in curiousity as he pecked the edge of my neck once more.

"Make me a prisoner to your heart..." He spoke softly as he slipped his hands around my waist pulling me against his chest. A small smile appearing on the tip of my lips as he kissed my shoulder nuzzling his nose against it.

"Well I think you already succeeded at that..." I spoke slowly untying the knots to my heart as I looked into the mirror towards his reflection. Shivaay let out a small chuckle against my skin before placing his chin on my shoulder.

"Acha ji?" He questioned as I nodded feeling hesitant in his presence.

Somehow the realization of having my place being changed in Shivaay's life has somehow led me to feel more shy and hesitant around him. I mean I have always been shy around him, but today is just making me more nervous and timid.

"Well...don't worry this will soon change...I will become your prisoner and you will become my boss..." He teased as I rolled my eyes leaning my head against his shoulder as he chuckled.

Placing my hands on top of his as they laid on my waist, I captured his attention as his laughter appeared to simmer down. His eyes slowly moving towards my reflection as he looked at me. For the first time, he appeared to be at a loss of a words as he appeared to trace my features...an unusual sense of captivation seen in his eyes. He has looked at me adoration before, but today the way he is looking at me is different...there is depth to the way he appears to trace and cherish my features. A soft smile appearing across his lips as he continued to look at my reflection.

"No Shivaay, I will always be vulnerable to your heart. This love I have for you has completely intoxicated me and now wants me to color myself with your shades, likes, and desires...This Anika is now only yours'..." I spoke tenderly as Shivaay's eyes widened appearing stunned by my choice of words. I felt a tug on my heart as for the first time I had somewhat openly expressed my feelings for him. For some reason he makes me vulnerable...his love makes me vulnerable.

Slowly, twisting me around, Shivaay placed his hands on my shoulders as he appeared to smile. Setting his eyes in mines', he captured me in an instant. "And now this Anika will be mine forever...my wife...my soulmate..."

A sense of pride awakened inside of me as I realized my love was going to finally be fulfilled...that I was finally tying myself in a sacred relationship with the man I love...a relationship that will last for our entire lifetime.

Without any hesitance, Shivaay slipped his hands on to my cheeks as he looked into my eyes. Without saying another word, he lowered my face placing a kiss on my temple...marking me as his...marking his love.

As I looked into his eyes, I captured his love for me as I noticed his eyes softening for the first time. The coldness of his brash demeanor somehow loosening as for the first time he appeared to soften. He has been kind to me so far and loving, but he tends to keep his stern demeanor, however, tonight the demeanor has appeared to fall away.

"I love you Anika." My eyes widened as I heard the words slip out of his tongue. The moment capturing me in an instant as I heard genuineness and honesty in the loving words he just spoke. I felt my cheeks redden feeling shy once more. What has gotten into me? Why am I behaving so timid and shy in front of him? Is it just because now I am taking a place in his heart officially through marriage?

His finger slipping underneath my chin as he forced me to look up towards him. "Hm? Now this is not the response I expected..." He spoke as he appeared to give me a teasing smile.

Knotting my pallu around my fingertips, I looked away not knowing what to say. I have said "I love you" to him so many times, but today it feels different.

"I don't know what's gotten into me, but...this moment is surreal and...I am just feeling very..." I began to stutter not able to fully express myself. Shivaay let out a small smile before immediately pulling me into a tight hug as I buried my face into his chest feeling slightly embarrassed from sense of awkwardness around him.

I felt him lower his face downwards towards me as he placed his lips against my forehead. "Your shyness is seriously going to do something to me one day...I have never seen a woman get so shy before me..." He whispered as I shook my head back and forth not wanting to say another word.

"Ok...don't say the three magical words now, but after the wedding huh?" He spoke softly as I giggled looking back towards him as my eyes fell upon his unbuttoned kurta.

"We will see about that," I whispered as I trailed my fingertips to his button as he raised his eyebrow knowing I was teasing him in my own timid ways.

"You are going to drive me crazy one day..." He spoke as I looked at him confused before slipping the button into its small buttonhole. "Crazy in what?" I questioned.

"Crazy in your love..." He spoke as I rolled my eyes feeling overwhelmed by his cheesy line.

"Cheesy much Shivaay?" I noted as I giggled, grabbing the end of his kurta pulling him closer towards me.

He sighed before shaking his head back and forth as he slipped his hands around my wrists looking straight into my eyes. His eyes having a sense of flamed intensity as he looked towards me.

"I am telling the truth. Once Shivaay chooses something or someone then he develops an obsession...a need to have that person in front of his eyes...He goes crazy and will go to the ends of the world to keep that person and to hold on to that person...Before it used to be things Anika, but now it a person which is you..."

I felt my heart skip a beat as the huskiness of his voice full of a sense of obsession appeared to captivate me...The bitterness yet possessiveness tracing goosebumps across my arm as I felt a shiver go down my spine. Indeed, women should always run away from grey shades that men carry, but somehow his grey shades are what attract me...The way he wants to hold me and keep me is something that no one has ever wanted...not even my parents...It is wrong of me to want such...It is wrong to like the idea of becoming someone's obsession, but yet... this is what I pulls me towards him...this love that is passionate, intense, seemingly grey is what makes me want to be his.

"Will you let this Anika fly though?" I questioned as a small smile played across his lips before he pulled me closer against his chest.

"This Shivaay will help you fly and let you fly...but this Anika is only mine...only Shivaay Singh Oberoi's and no one else's..."He whispered as I bit my lip looking away feeling shy as I heard the scale of his love for me...Well then this Anika is ready to only be yours' Shivaay and she hopes that she can always be yours.

I felt tears slowly build up in my eyes upon the realization of how lucky I am to get a life partner who will always support me and allow me to fulfill my dreams... This Anika was never allowed to fly by her parents...I wish my parents were different. I wish they accepted Shivaay, so I didn't have to run away from home and get married in such secrecy if only they understood.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Shivaay question with concern as he placed his hand at the nape of my neck pulling my face up towards him.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I looked up towards him. "I-I wish m-my p-parents allowed me such freedom that you will give me...Your presence will give me...If only they could've understood and listened to me then they would be here tonight," I whispered as Shivaay sighed wiping my tears away in an instant with warm, comforting touch.

"I understand Anika...Parents are like this at times. They sometimes can get selfish in name of honor, pride, and reputation...My family is the same or else I would've told them about you, but you don't know what a mess they are and what a big issue they will have with our difference in class," He spoke with a sense of bitterness as he appeared to look out in the distance lost in deep thought.

I sighed realizing how common both of our problems were...Indeed, it is tough being raised in a family where your wings are cut off at an innocent age and you are expected to live according to rules and norms that confine one's own desires, wishes, and needs and wants.

I squeezed my hand on top of his as he looked back towards me. "Well then I guess it will be only be the both of us for now, but I am sure our families will get convinced soon...hopefully," I spoke softly as Shivaay smiled wiping any remaining tears on my face and enveloping me into a tight hug.

Suddenly I felt a warm touch brush against my cheek as my eyes widened with realization he had slipped a sweet, surprise kiss.

"What is this?!" I exclaimed becoming red as a tomato once again as Shivaay shrugged his shoulders before slipping his hand into mines'.

"Hm...it's called romance. You should get used to it since I will be your husband in about an hour," Shivaay remarked as I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh really?" I questioned as he chuckled leading me through the small seating area and towards the main door of the hotel room.

"Yes, don't worry I will also train you," He remarked as my eyes immediately shot up towards him quite surprised by his open flirtatious remark considering it was a rarity.

My cheeks turning a deep shade of red as I realized the double meaning of his statement...butterflies slowly fluttering inside of me as I realized tonight will be our first night...Oh gosh, clasping my hands together, I felt a sense of nervousness upon the thought of it and how close we would potential be...I felt my cheeks heat up as I stopped the thought and I avoided his gaze diverting my attention towards the small entrance mirror fixing my hair once more as I fixed my saree feeling a little self-conscious since I rarely wore one and somehow felt my flaws were showing.

Shivaay sighed before placing his hands on my shoulders. "You look beautiful...How many times do I say that it is your soul that is your ornament and it is the one that gives you beauty...a beauty no one has," He spoke against the side of my ear as I shook my head finding myself captivated by his words that had an unusual depth to them...a depth that only a few have...This is what I love about him, he never points and picks at my flaws, but makes me feel beautiful in his own subtle ways.

Suddenly a fresh bouquet of red roses appeared in my line of sight as my eyes widened quite surprised.

A wide smile appearing across my lips as I looked up towards him. "What these roses are for me?!" I exclaimed as suddenly excitement and joy jumped inside of me as I ran my hands through the roses.

"They are just roses Anika," He muttered casually as I placed my roses against my nose smelling their fresh fragrance. I giggled as I looked at them.

"I love surprises and oh my God thank you!" I squeeled as I wrapped my arms around him pulling him into a tight hug as he chuckled against the side of my neck.

"Anika you are a mystery to me. The smallest things impress you for some reason. What are you made of?" He questioned as I giggled.

"Hm? Well I could give a scientific answer to this that I learned in my past semester in medical school, but then I think you probably don't want to hear it huh?" I remarked wittingly as Shivaay chuckled pulling back from the hug.

"Hm?...Chemistry and biology...maybe you should tell me?" His voice lowered and a bit husky as he looked me up and down. My eyes immediately lowering as I realized he was seemingly going overboard with the flirting today.

"Um...I...um...stop!" I yelled defensively as I pulled on his arm as he chuckled entwining his hand into mines'.

"Hm...well we have our entire lives ahead to address this matter, but for now shall we go? Ready to be Mrs. Shivaay Singh Oberoi?" He questioned as he opened the door. I smiled laying my head against his shoulder.

"Ready to be yours forever..." I whispered knowing how cheesy the line was, but how much truth it held. Shivaay looked back towards me immediately as I suppressed a smile, but failing as we slipped out a small laugh before walking out the door.

Flashback Ends

https://youtu.be/hU4prO_JXJk

But it was never forever. None of it was forever. If only what we had was real then perhaps...it would still be you and me Shivaay...Only you and me. Everything was real to me, but I guess it wasn't to you since it was just a game.

Sometimes I wonder Shivaay if all the vows and each and every promise we made to one another really meant nothing to you...I hope it didn't. I hope at one point you found some realness to them...but then if you did then you wouldn't have left me.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek as my mind drifted to the night that we were getting ready to marry one another. The innocence, the shyness, the unspoken joy...how I wish all of it was real for you Shivaay as it was to me.

Don't think too much Anika...don't ponder over your misery. The memories will only burn on your heart like ashes, nothing else. But, then I cannot stop thinking about everything from our first meeting, to our wedding, to our marriage...I cannot stop thinking about it and that scares me knowing that I shouldn't be thinking about him...However, each and every second, he appears in my thoughts ever since the day of engagement.

As I stayed as a prisoner in my room since five days, I have only thought about him. Only him. Only about the memories we shared.

I took a deep breath as I stared at myself into the mirror. My eyes not being able to recognize myself as I felt a sense of dissociation from my body. My eyes still seemingly red from lack of sleep for days and tears that have been never ending. My lips seemingly swollen as I ran my hands against them biting into the dark red lipstick I wore.

"Anika you are looking beautiful," Priyanka's voice paused my thoughts as I looked at my reflection not finding beauty, but disgust and ugliness that appeared to overwhelm me from realization of a relationship I was going to enter will break my own values and morals.

Where were your values and morals when you decided to be with Armaan? Huh? My conscience questioned as I closed my eyes shut feelings tears slip down my cheeks. I shouldn't have made this decision in heat of the moment. Relying on fate, I decided to date Armaan, but things should have ended the night of the carnival...or the day after I...I became intimate with Shivaay...In the moment of proving to Shivaay that the night meant nothing to me and that I did not love him, I decided to be with Armaan to show him that I was moving on...Of course later on, perhaps, I developed a small attraction for Armaan in the three weeks we were together, but I shouldn't have developed this attraction considering that I already became intimate with Shivaay...It was wrong of me to do such.More than that, I became intimate with Shivaay once again in the club and after that night things did change. Somewhere, I would not lie, but my heart softened for Shivaay after how he protected me, but then I should've left Armaan, but couldn't as he already asked for my hand in marriage from my parents...God, I have created such a huge mess all due to my own actions...How can I be so wrong?... So wrong...how could I let my anxiety and fear get me to such a point that I could not clearly think for myself?

I am horrible. I am worthless. There is sense of ugliness that my soul now carries due to what I have done and this ugliness is burning me day and night with guilt that I cannot even look at myself in the mirror knowing what I have done.

Priyanka and Gauri smiled as they raised the red velvet colored dupatta over my head before placing it on the loose waves of hair falling down my back...Tears spilling on to my cheeks in an instant as I placed my hand on my mouth biting into it as I felt revulsed.

"Anika...what's wrong?" Gauri questioned softly with a sense of concern as she placed her hand on my shoulder. I kept my eyes lowered wiping my tears away from the back of my arm, that was not covered in mehendi, not knowing what to say.

"Yes Anika, please don't cry. What's wrong?" Priyanka questioned kneeling down as she looked up towards me.

I wish I could tell you what is wrong Priyanka. I wish I could reveal my heart out to you and tell you everything...the entire mess that my life is in at the moment, but then...what will you think of me? What will you think of me after knowing the truth about Shivaay and I? The truth will be bitter for our friendship and so it is best I keep my silence.

"What happened?" My eyes immediately shooting up as I realized it was Mom standing in the doorway of the room. Immediately clasping my hands together, I looked down not wanting to make eye contact as I felt a sense of fear come back to me remembering how the last five days have passed...A sense of numbness apparent across my cheek as the bitter memories came back. Memories of how since the past five days, I have been kept locked inside of my room...How Mom would occasionally slap me when I resisted and told her that I didn't want to marry Armaan...I gulped nervously as I tried to block the memory from my mind not wanting to think of it.

"Anika is crying and we are asking her what is wrong, but she not's saying a word," Gauri noted as I bit my lip trying to keep my peace and not incite Mom's anger by merely looking towards her as it will remind her of my desire to not marry Armaan.

Mom took a deep breath looking towards me in the mirror trying to gauge on to my state of emotions before looking towards Gauri and Priyanka.

"Arre beta, it is completely normal for a soon to be bride to get teary eyed knowing her wedding is just around the corner. You two are married and you both should know how it feels knowing that once you two were brides," Mom said letting out a peculiar laugh before she walked up to us standing right behind me.

I felt goosebumps raising behind my back from fear of what she will do. "Ok, you both go and get the rest of the girls together to hold the phulkari since that is part of Anika's introduction during start of the sangeet. Also, Jhanvi ji needs your help with some arrangements for the catering downstairs, so come on go!" Mom ordered as Gauri and Priyanka smiled before looking back towards me.

"Acha aunty, the mehendi artist came late, so Anika's mehendi still needs to dry for another hour, so the sangeet will start a little late, but I will let everyone know ok?" Priyanka told Mom.

"Sure no problem at all. Now you both go alright?" Mom ordered them.

Priyanka smiled as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Acha now Anika please don't ruin your makeup with all this crying alright? Today is just the sangeet and the wedding is tomorrow, so save your tears for tomorrow ok?" Priyanka ordered as I weakly smiled shaking my head as Priyanka and Gauri walked out of the room.

A sense of silence emerged inside of the room as I kept my eyes set on my hands staring at the mehendi that laid on them...mehendi that seemingly colored my palm lines awakening the fate that laid inside them....telling it that now was the beginning of my reckoning.

Suddenly, I felt a large force against my cheek as my head immediately swung to the right. A stinging burning pain erupting against my cheek as I felt her fingernails scratch against my skin. Biting into a scream, I felt tears slowly slipping down my cheeks as I closed my eyes shut wanting to escape from the moment in an instant.

"This is what you deserve...This is a warning to you that you shall not create problems tonight at the eve of your wedding day. Do you understand?" Mom spat as I took a deep breath finding my tears beginning to suffocate me and hold my throat into a chokehold as I wiped my tears away in silence finding my cheek numb from the slap she laid upon it.

"Who are you trying to show these tears to? Huh? Don't you dare think that you will cry your way out of this wedding because that will not happen! Do you hear me?!" Mom's voice echoing loudly through the room as I trembled keeping my eyes still avoiding looking at her as I knew that would further fuel her rage.

"Y-Yes," I stuttered as Mom shook her head. I sighed as I shook my head realizing how I somehow was now losing control of my life...Even if I do want to fight for myself, I likely cannot...My parents have assumed key control of my life now and even though I might try to run away, what is the use knowing that I will be tarnishing my parents' reputation once more and that is a burden that I do not want to carry.

Mom sighed as she walked to the dresser in sitting in front of me as she grabbed a pair of golden silver colored chandelier earrings.

"Don't you dare throw filth on us this time Anika...don't you dare," Mom hissed as suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my ear as she forcefully pushed in the earring into my ear.

"Ouch!" I yelped placing my hand on my ear as I felt her rough hand against mine as she slapped it away.

"The pain will be worse for you and your father and me...if you decide to call off this wedding..." She whispered eeringly as she screwed the back of the earring tightly. Fear slowly inching inside of me as I felt her words had an underlying threat to them.

The skin on my neck going cold as she placed the choker necklace against it, slowly tightening it as I gulped nervously. "Anika, you are the face and pride of this family and if dirt is thrown against this family due to you then you shall face consequences for it."

My eyes widened as I immediately looked up at her reflection in the mirror meeting her threatening gaze as she looked towards me. At the moment the woman standing in front of my eyes is not my mother, but a woman whose entire mind has now become twisted upon the idea of pride and reputation not carrying an ounce about her daughter and her happiness...Indeed this was the true reason why I ran away from home to marry Shivaay...because my parents have never treated me as their daughter, but a liability or a burden that they have to control as this burden is upon whom their reputation is based upon...Shivaay gave me love and attention and I was a fool to fall for it, but I needed it to extinguish my loneliness...However, how was I supposed to know that he was just betraying me? Is it wrong to want love? Perhaps it is...

Tears made their way down my cheeks as I found my body going numb giving up in the moment realizing that circumstances were now running out of my control...Fate has made a decision for me and I cannot do anything, but accept it.

Shivaay's Point of View

Tracing my hand across her face, I attempted to feel her touch that stood as an illusion in the photograph I held. Her innocence reflected in her eyes as she looked at the camera shyly standing next to the hotel room's window the night of our wedding. Purity and beauty screaming out loudly as she wore red which represented the color of our love...her love. If only I could've allowed this love to capture me in that period...If only I would've not resisted to the feelings I began to develop for you...then perhaps she would've still been with me.

I smiled slightly as her beauty appeared to captivate me...Anika this innocence of yours' has made my heart a prisoner to love that I have for you...How can someone be so innocent, so pure...so kind? I have never met anyone like you in my life and that is what pulls me towards you...Never would I have thought love would make me so vulnerable and prisoner to it...But, Anika you have made me like this and now I want to be only yours' and I want you to only be mine...

A tear fell on to the photograph as I wiped it away not wanting my sadness to even touch her picture. If only I would've learned to value those vows...If only I would've learned to value you as my wife...I am so sorry Anika for how I treated you, but now I will heal you. I will fulfill those vows...I will value when you finally become my wife.

Laying down the floor, I found myself encountering piles of photographs I had kept...photographs of Anika and I...I smiled as I slipped my hands through the photos pondering over the immense memories we had shared with one another...Now more memories will be made Anika.

I heard my phone beginning to vibrate against my bed as I picked it up lifting myself up from the floor.

"Hello. Is everything ready?" I questioned knowing who it was on the other line.

"Yes sir. Everything is set the way you want it to be. Are you sure about this?" He questioned one more time as I clenched my teeth tightly.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi never makes a wrong decision. You work for my PR, so just do your job. Do you understand?" My voice setting out a tone of command as I walked towards the mirror looking at my reflection...as I felt the dark night fall on to my face...

"Understood," He replied as a wide smirk appeared across my lips.

"Wait until I command it. Alright? Not one move will be made until I call you..." Without saying another word, I turned off the phone.

Tracing my fingers lightly against the wooden dresser, my eyes fell on to the photograph laying innocently. My eyes falling on to the muse of the photo...Anika, now it is time...time to get everyone out of the way...now our time will begin...our journey will begin...I smirked as I looked at the photograph as I drummed my fingers against the wooden dresser before looking at myself in the mirror.

My hands tracing down to the buttons of my shirt as I slowly unbuttoned it one by one. A small smile playing across my lips as I looked at the mark across my chest tracing my hand against it...this mark shows my love for you Anika...I always thought no one was worthy of my love until you came...Only you are worthy over ruling this heart and you are the only one I will allow to rule over me...

I know I shouldn't touch darkness to have you Anika, but what can I do? This love can make one go to great lengths and that is exactly what I have done. This unrequited love I have for me is not letting me live...it is like a bitter poison mixing into this heart each and every day making it suffer and gasp for life...Thus, I need to heal this suffering and this can only be healed if I have you....

Grabbing the bottle of whiskey, I took another large sip of it tasting it bitterness and attempting to consume my sanity with it as I let it roll off on to the floor.

Anika you are only mine...only mine. You made the wrong decision of choosing revenge over committing yourself to me...You decided to utilize this moment of weakness I developed when I confessed my love for you to hurt me and make me feel the way you did when you saw me with Tia by getting engaged to Armaan, but it is ok...I see that love in your eyes and I know you love me...Afterall, you are Shivaay Singh Oberoi's choice and of course you would have this grey streak in you, but no worries...After tonight, this entire mess will end and then our journey will begin...I do not give a damn what the world thinks Anika, I only know that this was the way to warn the world that you are my choice and only mine...that no one can touch you and love you besides me.

Fate is now in my favor and now Shivaay Singh Oberoi will not lose this battle. Tonight, I will win the battle. No one else, but me.

Anika's Point of View

https://youtu.be/2oTxdKx_iDg

My hands staying still, appearing to have lost their grip as I laid them in my lap staring at the mehendi that colored them trying to catch on to my fate lines.

Why is it that fate continues to make me walk on thorns not once allowing me to touch the hidden beauty the thorns' beholder holds...why can I not touch the rose petals? Why can I not have a right to life's beauty? Why is it that only life's ugliness is set in these fate lines and nothing else? Will fate continue to pierce me with such ugliness or for once allow me to touch happiness?

Closing my eyes shut, I tried to hold back my tears, but failing to do such. What have I done? How am I going to face myself moving forward in life? How will I allow Armaan to press his rights upon me as a husband? A sense of disgust escaping my heart upon the mere thought of feeling a stranger's touch upon me...No how can I allow such thing to happen?

But you allowed Shivaay to touch you...wasn't he a stranger that night? My conscience spoke as my eyes immediately opened as the thought touched me. The night's memories rushing back vividly as I felt my heart drop in an instant. Each and every touch of his from that night becoming ignited upon my body as each and every moment we shared came back...The sensation of disgust extinguished as my heart began to beat fast, my cheeks reddening, as shyness, nervousness, and that unusual feeling of lust began to overwhelm me.

I don't know what happened to me that night...I was the initiator...I was the one who allowed him to lay his hand upon me, but why? Why did I allow such to happen? I shouldn't have. Why was he not a stranger to me that night?

"Anika!" My eyes shot up as I realized it was Priyanka. Quickly wiping my tears away, I looked up towards her weakly smiling.

"You look gorgeous! I am telling you that Armaan's jaw is going to drop seeing you like this!" Priyanka exclaimed happily as I let go of my smile. Beauty? It's a mere illusion. If the soul is filthy and full of ugliness then no beautiful ornament in the world can create true beauty that is reflected in purity of the soul which I don't have.

"Honestly, you are already looking like a bride. You already have this glow to your face which I have been noticing recently...probably Armaan's love has affected you right?" Priyanka teased as I sat still not finding amusement in her words.

"Thanks..." I mumbled as Priyanka raised her eyebrow looking at me curiously.

"Anika...are you sure you are ok?" She questioned curiously as she walked up towards me.

"Um...yes...I am just a little nervous that is all..." I replied attempting to end the conversation knowing if I spoke more, I might just break down.

"Well don't be ok? We all are here for you, especially me. If you are getting nervous about how you will adjust in this family and everything then do not worry ok? I am here for you to help you navigate this crazy family," Priyanka said giggling as she ran another comb through their waves.

I slightly smiled as I looked up at her feeling comforted by her words. "Thank you for always being here to support me," I whispered as Priyanka hugged me tightly.

"Everyone needs a kind and an amazing friend like you who always is so selfless thinking about the other and not for themselves...No wonder Armaan fell for you," Priyanka chuckled as I sighed placing my hands in my lap.

"Waise...I hope you didn't mind Jhanvi aunty and Tej uncle's decision to hold the sangeet here at the Oberoi mansion tonight," Priyanka noted as I shook my head.

"This whole family is always worried about their image and what society will think of them which is why they decided to host the sangeet and wedding here. I hope you don't mind...I am sure you would've wanted the sangeet to be held at your home," Priyanka noted concerned as I sighed placing my hand on top of hers.

"Don't worry, I understand. I don't mind at all," I spoke softly reassuringly.

"Acha now wait for some time for your mehendi to dry alright? I have to get going and help Ma with her hair because the hairstylist messed up. I will be back!" She called out as she quickly walked away.

Barely gathering energy, I slowly got up lifting my sharara as it fell at the ends of my feet. A sense of suffocation approaching me as I felt rough heavy golden threaded embroidery pierce me. I took a deep breath as I made my way towards the window trying to calm down my anxiety that I felt was slowly creeping up.

My eyes falling down towards my mehendi as I looked at it once more. It's time Anika...the time has come to face your fate. Now you can do nothing except give into fate...a cruel fate in which your yourself partook and did the deeds that have led you to this destiny.

https://youtu.be/mycKc2UWOqM

Suddenly, the room went dark as I felt a warm touch brushing against my bare back entwining itself with the dori falling on to it. My heart skipping a beat as I knew in an instant who it was as I felt his fingertips running through my back.

"Shivaay?" I spoke as I felt him lean against my back tracing his hand down my arm igniting goosebumps along the way.

"I love how you can recognize me in an instant...You know me in so many ways that no one else does," He whispered as I felt his finger wrapping the end of my dori around his fingertips as my back trembled under his touch.

His lips brushing against my ear as I felt a small shiver go down my spine. "You are going to break hearts today..." My eyes widened as the moment in instant brought me back to the past...the day of our wedding rushing back to me stroking on to a broken heart that I held.

I felt tears slip down my cheeks as the bittersweet memory returned back to me. A memory that I cherished once, but now see it as the beginning of a betrayal. I felt him smile against my ear as his fingertips traced the ends of my earrings appearing to admire them before moving his hands slowly up and down against my arms.

"You look absolutely ravishing tonight...A true beauty in every sense," He whispered softly as I felt my stomach fluttering upon hearing the compliment.

His hand brushing against my mehendi covered hand as slipped his hand on to it slowly lifting it up in the air as the moonlight fell upon our hands blessing our fate lines. My eyes falling on to my palm as his fingers slipped against the mehendi that was still moist.

"This looks beautiful on your hands...but something is wrong here..." He spoke and suddenly he smeared his thumb against Armaan's name that was imprinted on my palm.

"Shivaay!" I exclaimed stunned by his action as I immediately turned my head towards him as he looked towards me with a wide smirk as he lowered his gaze looking at my lips.

I felt his hands run along my waist as he immediately turned me around towards him grabbing a hold to my wrists in the palm of his hands. His eyes speaking danger as he looked up at me pursing his lips together.

"Only Shivaay Singh Oberoi is written in these lines of fate Anika...only I have the right to have you...claim you..." He spoke as he began to walk towards me taking slow steps as I took a small step back following his lead.

A sense of fear arising inside of me as I looked into his eyes that had turned a dark shade of red symbolizing bitter anger and sense of darkness he was holding on to. His threat immediately jumping inside of my mind as I remembered from the day of my engagement...Oh my God, what if he actually does do something?...No he possibly cannot do that...I felt a tight knot of fear and anxiousness forming inside of my stomach as he made his way towards me.

His eyes capturing my gaze as I looked into them finding myself allured by the mystery they held. Suddenly, my feet slipped against the end of the sharara as they hit the bed. My body tumbling down as it dipped itself into the bed.

My eyes falling on to him as he stood still standing tall above me. His eyes appearing to move slowly down from my face as he appeared to take in my features each and every inch of it with an unusual passion ignited in his eyes. His gaze initiating a sense of panic mixed with an unusual attraction inside of me as I noticed a sense of seduction in his eyes as a slow smirk began to play on his lips.

Without any hesitation, placing his knee on to the mattress, he lowered his body towards me as I felt my body going still. My nerves slowly catching the best of me as I began to feel my heart pound against my chest loudly setting my body on fire as I felt it inflame to a deep shade of red upon awaiting the thought of what he will do.

His hand appearing to slip against the button of the white collared shirt he wore as he unbuttoned it. My eyes widening as I lifted my head up immediately trying to pull my body up, but failing to do so as my body dipped further into the mattress. What is he doing? What is happening?

The moonlight falling upon the both of us as I caught sight of his eyes thatappeared to fixate upon me as he unbuttoned another button of his shirt slowly. A sense of seduction apparent in how he held me in his attention focusing solely on where I was lying down.

"W-What a-are you doing..." I stuttered nervously, feeling a sense of anxiousness and fear, as I began to pull myself up before he leaned forward closing the proximity of our bodies.

"Shhh..." He whispered as he slipped his hand on the side of my waist grabbing on to it tightly as he dug his nails into it. Without an hesitation, he immediately pulled me against his chest. His nose brushing mines' as the smell of alcohol filled my senses indicating that he was completely drunk. The heat of bodies slowly merging with one another as I felt my skin light up as if it was on fire...my conscious telling me to step away, but my body not willing to as the heart had taken control.

"Only I have the right to love you..." He whispered against my lips as they began to quiver in fear...pure fear thinking about what this man might be capable of. I felt his hand tracing against the cold mehendi on my right hand deepening his touch into it as he felt each and every inch of it before rubbing his skin against it tenderly in an attempt to join our fates with one another. His hand caressing the mehendi with no shame as he appeared to rub his obsession into it.

"Shivaay...please...stop..." I spoke keeping my gaze lowered as a sense of shyness erupted inside of me. From the side of my eyes, I noticed his teasing smile as he looked at our hands appearing to entwine his fingers into them merging our skins together as the mehendi melted and merged with his skin as melting our fate lines against one another in the burning heat of our skin.

Raising my hand, he trailed it towards his chest as my heartbeat began to quicken its pace in nervousness as he led it towards the bare skin peeking through his shirt. Twisting his hand, he turned the palm of hand towards his chest. My hand trembling in nervousness as I looked at the bare skin wanting to pull away, but failing to do such. He smiled slipping my through his shirt and placing it on to the bare tones of his soul.

I sucked in a deep breath as I felt my heart dropping miles down inside of me as my gaze stood still upon what I saw. The moonlight falling on to his skin as silence caught on to me. My body going still as my eyes trailed against the letters encrypted against his chest. Anika.

"Shivaay..." His name coming out as a hymn as I immediately looked up towards him stunned.

His hand wrapping around mines' as he smiled lowering his gaze towards my name that laid encrypted across his chest. Tears forming in my eyes as I couldn't believe what I was seeing leaving me at a loss of words. My fingertips slowly tracing over the letters that laid on his left upper chest, touching the depths of his soul and engraving it, as I looked keenly towards them trying to understand if what I saw was correct.

Why did he do this? Why would he do this? I mean the Shivaay that I know would never do this. Never. How much pain he must have gone through? I thought as I looked at the fresh ink on the tattoo running my hand across it tenderly smudging the mehendi against his skin.

"W-Why?" I questioned as I looked up towards him feeling tears run down my cheeks as the gesture had left me shell shocked with a complete loss of words or comprehension about his actions.

He smiled as he leaned forward wrapping his hand across the back of my neck looking straight into my eyes. His eyes appearing to lift the veil of darkness as they appeared to mirror the pure intentions of his soul. "This is nothing Anika. Nothing. Anyone can get a tattoo...But I got this to symbolize the truth...our truth...which is that only one person has resided, resides, and will always reside in Shivaay Singh Oberoi's heart and that is you Anika...Only you have had the courage to face my bitter battles...break my barriers...and make me vulnerable to you...I have never loved anyone in my life...until you came...Your innocence, your kindness, your pure soul melted this heart and made me fall in love with you...I love you..."

His words hitting directly at the barriers my heart held as suddenly I felt him string the cord of my heart that hadn't been strung in years...His simple words somehow breaking me down into pieces as bittersweet emotions cracked inside of me...To hear that an unlovable is loved by someone is a feeling that one cannot express...For days, I have sat in isolation in my room locked away from the world feeling unloved as no one heard my screams, no one came for me, no one fought for me...no one loved me.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I lowered me head leaning it slightly against his shoulder. Pain and angst slowly erupting inside of my heart putting it in a chokehold as I closed my eyes shut letting out the screams of pain and suffering, through my tears, as I remembered what I faced at the hands of my own family since the past few days...how they didn't listen to me, how mom laid her hands on me, how I was isolated completely from the world...

"Anika, what's wrong? Please don't cry...please," He spoke tenderly as he wrapped his arm around me and placed his hand on my cheek lifting my face up.

My eyes closed shut as I didn't want to face my reality. The truth of my life. The fact that am I stuck in the dirtiest and messiest trap in my life. The fact that my fate is pushing me towards a forced marriage. The fact that tonight in this moment, I am attempting to find comfort in a man's arms who betrayed and broke me to pieces. The fact that the man who claimed that he never loved me is now finally expressing his love...a type of love that I don't even know can be called love... a type of love that can again be a manipulative lie...But most importantly, the tears laying on my chees are burning on to my heart and slowly reaching the depths of my soul as I realize that I am alone. All alone.

"Anika...speak to me..." He whispered as I shook my head continuing to cry as I felt my chest beginning to heave for breaths. My breaths rumbling and tumbling against my chest as I attempted to gasp for air, but failing to do such. A sense of weakness dropping on to my arms and legs as vulnerability hit me...a desperate need to give up winding down upon me as I pulled my knees up to my chest placing my head into them as I continued to cry finding comfort in my tears as a way to release the overwhelming mountain of emotions that have fell upon me...sadness, helplessness, anger, and perhaps...love.

Does he really love me?...Has Shivaay truly fallen in love with me? Why does my heart want to believe him, but then my mind is stopping me from doing such knowing how last time I got lost in the depths of such love when sacrificing myself to him and binding myself in a sacred relationship with him only to be betrayed.

Even if he may not truly love me, do I love him? The question making my heart drop in an instant as I felt it tremble and twist even upon the thought of a possibility of loving him...Remnants of a broken love appearing to gather themselves and build life inside of them relishing in the idea of loving him once again with the same about of passion it did before...But, I don't know if this broken heart has the energy to love him...I don't know if it is possible...the thought of loving him ignites fear inside me...fear that if I allow him to love me and respond to his love in turn, he might just break me and this time I might not be able to repair and build myself up again.

What a mess has my life become? What a mess have I become? How can I even think about the possibility of loving Shivaay knowing that tomorrow I am going to become another man's wife? How much lower can I stoop than I already have?

Closing my eyes shut I laid still in solace of tears as I felt Shivaay's fingertips beginning to trace themselves slowly through the locks of my hair. My body flinching immediately closing itself into a shell as I felt his touch. Lifting my head up, I let his hand slip away as I looked into his eyes. As the moonlight fell upon his eyes, I looked into them seeing a sense of sorrow in them as they peered at me.

Push him away Anika...Push him away for good. You have to let go of him now. If you let him stay here another minute, your heart will give in. You will give in...Send him away. Your fate has been decided and now you can only give into it.

"Don't. Please...I beg of you to let me go...I beg of you..." I whimpered as I took another small breath as it rumbled back up making me feel breathless once more as a sense of panic touched me once more.

"Anika...I can see it in your eyes that you still love me. I can see it Anika...I can feel that same love that you had for me years ago. Listen to your heart once...please..." He spoke with tenderness as I sighed shaking my head biting my teeth into my kameez's sleeve not wanting to say another word.

This is not the time to dwell into one's heart and question it ability to love you Shivaay...The time has now passed. There is now use in dwelling in such unknown, mysterious feelings that we seemingly have entangled ourselves in...fate is pushing us away and pushing me away from you towards another man...This was how it was meant to be.

"This heart...tells me...that now I am someone else's...that I am no longer yours'....Let it be Shivaay...let fate happen...." I spoke as I dwelled into the darkness of the room that had seemingly embraced me.

"Don't you dare say that. Don't you dare!" His words making me immediately jump back as my eyes moved towards him meeting his enraged eyes. His body stiffening as he looked towards me.

"It is the truth..." I whispered as a tear slipped down my cheek as I looked into his eyes attempting to make him realize our reality. I don't know why but it hurts me to even look into his eyes...it hurts me tell him the truth...the honest truth that fate has now decided to separate us forever...binding me in a relationship that I now myself cannot get out of. Somewhere I feel so filthy and disgusted with myself in what I have done that I cannot even peer into his eyes and right now it is taking me a lot of courage to speak our truth.

"How can you even dare to let another man take my place in your life? How can you do this Anika?" He questioned as he grabbed my arm pulling me against his chest as he looked towards me with a questioning gaze.

I sighed as I looked away not wanting to meet his gaze knowing it would incite more of his anger. "Look at me damn it! Look into my eyes and for once answer my question! Are you really doing this to take revenge from me?!" He yelled loudly as I looked away immediately knowing that they might just reveal the truth if I looked into his eyes. It is best to hide the truth and not let him know that I am being forced or else he will create problems. This is my mess and it is best he stays out of it.

"How many times do I tell you that you have no right to question me on my decisions?! Can you please just spare me and go away! Just let me go!" I spat out in frustration with the fact how adamant he was. Snatching my arm out of his grip and pushing my body forward I got up as Shivaay sat still...my words appearing to catch him cold.

If he see's this as some revenge then fine let it be. Let him think that I can stoop to a level like him. He claims to love me and know me then how can he even think I will go to such lengths to take revenge from him?

Taking a deep breath, I crossed my arms looking out the window attempting to maintain my composure, but internally losing it as havoc rang inside of me. Tears continuing to run down my cheeks as somehow I couldn't control them. A sense of revulsion tiptoeing inside of me as I counted my sins in my mind. A sense of fear present as Shivaay irked next to me with an attempt to unravel my answer on why I was marrying Armaan...His threat looming in the background that he might do something big...Will he really do it? No. He cannot. When I was his wife, he could never claim me in public then what can he do now? He will not fight for me...he better not fight for me.

"Let you go? How can I even think about letting go of you again?" I heard his voice coming out softly in the thin air of the night. A small smile appearing across my lips as I shook my head feeling a sense of anger lift itself up inside of me over why fate did this at this exact moment...why fate changed his tunes the moment fate decided to bind me with someone else?

"Why did you let go of me before?! Huh!" I yelled as I slammed my hand hard against the wall turning towards him. Shivaay immediately jumped on his feet as he grabbed my shoulders pushing me against the window.

My body wavering as I caught sight of his eyes that appeared to darken. His ego and narcissism clearly taking over as his eyes lost their softness only holding a sense of aggression in them. His hands turning my arms behind my back as he captured me pushing me closer towards him.

"Why don't you understand that now I don't want to let go of you?! I made a mistake leaving you before and I have learnt my lesson! Alright?! I was a fool to leave you and I know it, but now you are being a fool by deciding to not choose me despite knowing how much you love me!"

Throwing my head up in the air, I attempted to breathe in the convoluted mess that now surrounded me. What is he doing to me? Why is he doing this to me? Why is he continuing to repeat his same baseless claims that he himself cannot prove?

Leaning my face forward, I looked towards him as he stood an inch away from me soaking himself in anger. "How am I supposed to believe you or your love if you continue to humiliate me and treat me with such disrespect?" I whispered as Shivaay closed his eyes shut appearing to not want to listen to the truth of my words.

Tracing his hand slowly towards the nape of my neck, he inched himself closer towards me opening his eyes capturing me in his sight. "I respect you Anika for many reasons that you yourself don't know...I love you more than anything and I can do anything to prove it if you want me to do that, but I cannot see you with anyone else besides me...I have said this a million times and I will continue to say it. If you don't want to believe me right now then fine....Fine...don't believe me. I haven't come to this room to fight on this topic again...I have different reasons..." His voice lowering appearing to have a threat to them.

Raising my eyebrow, I looked at him confused trying to understand what he meant. A sense of fear rising inside of me as I looked at him remembering his threat. A small smile appeared across his lips as he looked towards me. "What reason?" I questioned as he smiled looking down at me lips and tracing his eyes back towards mines'.

"I came here one more time to allow you to choose me and give up on this decision...." He noted as I sighed taking a deep breath not knowing what to say...knowing that I myself could not give up on this decision.

"I will not give up on this decision," I hissed as I looked at him attempting to convince him that what I was speaking was my truth, but barely holding on to my adamancy as I myself do not find agreement with what fate has decided for me. Tracing my hands against his chest trying to push him away I noticed an uncanny smile appearing across his lips. Holding his ground, he did not move an inch as he leaned his body towards me making me hit the window behind me.

"I love it when you are adamant like this...challenging me, inciting my anger, acting proud that you will defeat me, but....my dear Anika you are wrong..." His eyes lowering towards my lips as he appeared captivated by them. His fingers softly, carefully trailing across my lips as my heart skipped a beat in an instant feeling a tender, seductive touch mixed with fear inching inside of me as I sensed evil in his voice.

"I love how beautiful you look tonight...wearing the color that I love to see you in... I want to do so many things to you right now," He whispered as my eyes widened astonished by his daringness.

His voice having a sense of allure as I noticed his eyes drumming up and down as they looked at me. I felt my cheeks redden as his words definitely defined their effect upon me.

The way he switches in the multiple egos he carries is something I still have not been able to understand...and something I never will.

His hands trailed slowly against the side of my waist as I pulled it away from him in an instant realizing he was on a path to seduction in an attempt to convince me. This is why he came to this room tonight...knowing that I was not going to give into my decision, he decided to seduce me. The lengths he can go to is something admirable and toxic at the same time.

He let out a small chuckle as I smelt the strong scent of alcohol from his breath. "I will love you more than you can think of Anika. You will get the love that you deserve. Only I can love you the way you need to be loved and in this moment you are thinking wrong, but it is ok...Tonight will be a new beginning for us...Tonight will mark the beginning of us...only you and me. No one else, but only you and me..." He repeated in a lowered, threatful voice as he looked up into my eyes. A chill going down my spine as an underlying sense of wickedness touched me from his words.

Beginning? What beginning is he speaking about? What is going in that mind of his? Anika...what did you think? This man get's obsessions and once he get's them he will do anything to have them....possess them. How could you not take his words to the core? You shouldn't have soaked in your sadness all these days...you should have done something....But then what? I myself was a prisoner in my own home...My heart was right that day of the engagement that he would do something demonic and now he likely will the way his eyes scream danger and immorality that both can become a dangerous mix for anyone.

"Then we will have a lifetime to spend over such fights we have and then the romance as well..." He whispered as he leaned his face forward grazing his nose against the side of my cheek as waves of eerie chills ran through my body. My mind beginning to race in fear and panic as I heard the confidence and determination in the sound of his voice...He is going to do something big tonight. My heart is telling me that he going to do something.

Immediately turning my head towards him, I grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling him towards me as I looked into his eyes. "What are you going to do tonight?! Answer me!" I yelled as I felt adrenaline beginning to pop its way through me as my body began to feel uneasy with fear and apprehension over what crime this demonic being will commit tonight.

He smirked as he placed his hand on the wall looking up at it as I looked at him puzzled completely at loss. My eyes moving up as my mouth widened in shock realizing he was digging his thumb into a nail sticking out of the wall.

Grabbing immediately on to his wrist, I took hold of it attempting to pull it away as he continued to dig his thumb into it. "Stop! Let go!" I ordered as he looked down towards me before smiling and removing his thumb immediately.

Rich red blood streaming down from his thumb as he lowered it in front of me. His eyes shooting up towards me. "Anika Malhotra was only made for Shivaay Singh Oberoi...no one else, but me. Tonight I will prove it...But before that, let me prove it to you..." My body going cold as I looked at the blood streaming from him thumb as my heart began to pound loudly against my chest.

His hand wrapping around the back of my head as he pulled me against my chest. My mind going blank in an instant as I found myself lowering to his command allowing him to lead me. The heart taking control of my soul and allowing it to become vulnerable to the man in front. Remnants of my love for beginning to piece themselves back to together in my heart. My eyes standing still on the blood that continued to ooze out...a deep rich shade of red that was a part of him.

Without saying another word, he eyed the partition in my hair as he looked back his thumb. What is he thinking? I looked at him confused as he smiled looking into my eyes reflecting a sense of ecstasy that his soul had devoured itself in.

"You are mine Anika. Only mine," He spoke and without saying another word he ran his thumb through the parting of my hair.

My eyes closing shut in an instant as I felt my soul churn inside of me... a sense of fulfillment reaching my soul's hallowness and filling it up. A part of him immediately becoming a part of my soul as I felt his blood run against the partition representing the past that once was...My soul finding completeness once more as I realized he had initiated the path of becoming one with me.

I stood in shock as I opened my eyes feeling tears slip down my cheeks. This is wrong. He shouldn't have done this knowing what we are now...how can he claim me like this and how did I allow him to?

"What have you done?" I whispered as my voice cracked looking up towards him as Shivaay appeared to become cold.

He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the partition in my hair before looking back at me sternly. "A piece of paper cannot end our relationship Anika. I thought it could, but I was wrong. The vows...the promises...we made are so sacred and pure that even I couldn't free myself from them. Our marriage was pure...I was the betrayer, but you were the one who kept this marriage sacred and the promises you fulfilled as my wife weakened me...weakened my intentions and made me fall in love with you. The purity of our marriage cannot be tarnished by a piece of paper that claims to end it. You are mine Anika only mine and today....Right now what I did is what a husband shall do which is to claim his wife as his and honor her with this sindoor. This blood I have marked your partition with symbolizes the fact that you are now a part of me...a part of this soul and you will always be mine...What I will do tonight is what a husband shall do for his wife..."

I felt my heart beginning to beat loudly against my chest as my mind went in a sense of havoc not being able to comprehend his actions nor his words...

He has gone mad. That sense of obsession is apparent in his eyes the way he is looking at me. Something has gone wrong with him. How can he assume that he still my husband despite the fact that we have divorced ages ago? How can he say this? No. He is wrong. He is absolutely wrong, but what he has done right now is wrong. He shouldn't have done this.

"Now...don't worry anymore about Armaan and this wedding alright? You stay relaxed and calm and your Shivaay will fix everything. Then it will only be you and me..." He smiled as he leaned my head forehead laying a soft, tender kiss on it as my body froze in time. My voice caught up in the moment as I felt overwhelmed and at a complete loss of words not knowing what just happened.

"W-We a-aren't m-married..." I began to stutter as I looked at him feeling scared for him...worried that something must have gone wrong that he is speaking such puzzling and altering statements.

Shivaay sighed as he traced his hand lightly against my cheek. "I can see this look in your eyes that tells me you are questioning my sanity...Well Anika, if you know me well you know how much control I have over myself and I am in my complete senses right now. I know exactly what I am doing that will lead us to be together. We aren't married on paper, but it doesn't change the vows and promises we made. This sindoor...this symbol that you cherished so much as my wife has now marked you and this is what matters, but don't worry...our wedding will happen as well...very soon," He smirked as he bit his lip as he ran his hand down to my shoulder fixing my dupatta.

His hand slowly wrapping around my hand in which the mehendi laid distorted...a complete mess just like my fate was. The green color smudged and shattering into clumps across the palm of my hand. Lifting my hand up, he leaned forward letting the mehendi run tenderly along the side of his cheek as he smiled closing his eyes shut feeling its smoothness.

"Today is the beginning of us...our love...our journey..." He spoke as he let go of my hand as it slipped down lifelessly.

Without saying another word, he slowly turned walking out of the room leaving me lifeless.

My body slowly slipping to the ground as I wrapped my arms around me moving back and forth as a sense of unrest erupted inside of me. His eyes screaming obsession and madness appearing in my mind as I felt chills beginning to run as waves inside of my body inciting pure fear. No, this cannot happen. He cannot ruin me like this. What is he going to do? What is he thinking? My heart is telling me is going to bring my reckoning tonight. My heart is telling me he is going to burn down his entire kingdom tonight bringing me down with him.

That obsession, determination, ego reflected in each and very inch of his demeanor and words that ran out of his twisted soul tells me that he will now do anything and everything to fulfill his words...his promise that he will marry me. What is he thinking? How can he even think that we will get married again?...Why is he saying such words? Is he manipulating me again? Is he taking revenge from me again? How can he fall in love with me? That man can never love anyone except himself. He is not capable of loving someone...it's not part of his ability to do such.

But, why is Shivaay after me now? What have I done to him that has forced him to become so determined to end my wedding and marry him? He likely is being dishonest about the marriage part. Marriage is meaningless to him. I know it because I was his wife. Our marriage never meant anything to him, so how can he suddenly change?

My hand slowly touched my partition as I felt the liquid dryness of his blood that laid there. I took a deep breath as I began to cry realizing what he had done. How can he just play with my feelings like this? How can he just impose a right upon me without having any base to do so? Does he even realize the importance of this sindoor? Does he realize he has claimed me as his wife by doing such?

Shivaay...please don't do this to me. Please don't break me again....please don't break me down to a point now that I might become irreparable. Don't burn my unhealed wounds on my heart any further...I began to take deep breaths as I felt a sense of pain and uneasiness inside of me...scared that my life might just be going to the ruins tonight.

.....
Please do not forget to read Chapter 30 Part 2 available after this :)

Please do read Chapter 31 that is now available as well :)

What is the significance of what Shivaay has done? Do you think Shivaay's words were justified and did he label his relationship correctly with Anika at the end? Are they still husband and wife? What is fate indicating to them? - I would say this is my commentary on society's contrasting beliefs on marriage and significance of divorce- I am definitely not taking any sides, but presenting differing ideas....

Thank you for reading and if you wish, you may vote, comment, and share this story :)

Please do not forget to read Chapter 30 Part 2 that will be bringing a lot of drama :)

Ciao!

-Jasmine

If anyone curious the saree Anika wore for her wedding with Shivaay then it is something like this that I had in my mind:

Photo Credit: eventila.com , sareeflow.com

If anyone is curious what Anika is wearing for the sangeet then the outfit is something like this that I had in mind:

Photo Credit: dstyleiconfashion.com