It's been four days since the fiasco which had occurred at the warehouse. Rahul was arrested but due to his mental imbalance he was moved to a rehab institution and the media coverage on this was extensive, but strategically wherein the victims name wasn't present anywhere.

"You have visitors, your family, the attendant screamed", banging the door. The room was dimly lit and cold, and in the centre of the room tied to the chair with his head hung low sat Rahul, he wanted to raise his head and see his parents , his family sitting on the other side of the glass but due to the special treatment he was receiving he just couldn't move courtesy Shivaay Singh Oberoi. The physical pain was excruciating but it was nothing compared to the pain he was feeling internally with all that had happened. He was away locked up and his father who was a heart patient had suffered another stroke and was now paralysed and his mother didn't know anything of business, his brother was too young and now expelled from college and  he wondered what's going to happen. He had vowed now to destroy the happiness of Shivaay and Annika. They couldn't just live happily and he would ensure that till he is alive.

The revelation that Annika's attacker was Rahul had left the Oberoi Brother's in shock and hurt. Shivaay just couldn't fathom the truth that his best friend and someone he considered like his brother had done this to a girl, let alone his girl. How can someone be such a monster. How can someone trust their near ones when they themselves are the culprit. How does one cope with this?

The last few days had been tiring for Gauri as well. She was nurturing Annika like a mother. Annika would wake up to nightmares, screaming and scratching herself but with the soothing touches she had received from Gauri she had calmed down and was now much better. Gauri, however still couldn't remove the image from her mind of the first time Annika had woken up after she was here. It still haunted her but her Shivaay Bhaiya has helped her through it.

Gauri would forever be indebted to Shivaay for everything he did for Annika and She could make out the love he had for her but then talking to Om-Ru she realised this is something Shivaay had to figure on his own, cause the older brother was in denial at another level.

Annika was recovering well and had started to come out of her room. She even spoke to Om and Rudra, though she needed time to be more comfortable but Rudra wasn't complaining.

"Bhaiya, you called me.." , spoke Gauri on entering his room.

"Yes actually!!" He spoke keeping his file down and gesturing her to come and sit on the sofa next to him.

"Gauri, I know this is going to be difficult but I think you need to return back to to college.." spoke Shivaay very calmly looking at Gauri.

"No Bhaiya", she almost screamed.

"Am not going anywhere, I can't leave my di like this.." she was vehemently moving her head.

Annika walked in the same time with Om and Rudra.

"Shivaay is right you know.", spoke Annika now caressing Gauri hair and sitting next to her.

"Gauri, your exams are coming up and I don't want you to spoil your one full year for me it's only a matter of a couple of weeks. Please go complete it and come back.." .

Gauri wanted to refuse but she knew no point arguing with Annika and she wanted to complete her education so she could return back and start staying with her sister soon.

"Ok, but promise me you will take care of everything and not be careless and take your medicine on time..." Gauri spoke non stop only to be reprimanded by Annika.

"Haan Meri Ma.. will do all as you say." They all chuckled looking at Gauri pout.

Few hours later dropping Gauri at the airport the brothers and Annika got back to Oberoi Mansion, having dinner retired to their rooms.

Annika, went towards the pool side and sat at the edge dipping her legs in the pool, when Shivaay came there, he called her once twice but she was in deep thought. He tapped her once and she jerked getting scared but calmed down looking at Shivaay.

He sat next to her close enough that their shoulders were brushing against each other. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable but she didn't push him and he sat there as is.

She stared at the water for a few seconds before turning to him, interweaving their hands she looked at how perfectly their fingers fitted. She coyly looked upto him, her cheeks turning pink slightly she spoke, "Thank you Shivaay, for everything for all you Have done for me..." he wanted to interrupt but she beat him to it.

"Please let me talk today, with a lot of courage am doing this.." he only shook his head and she continued. " when I was with him in that room I can't tell you how scared I was and only your thought came to my mind. I was petrified but knew somewhere deep down you would come and I can't be more thankful to you.." and she leaned up to place a chaste kiss on his cheeks making his cheeks looks red of whatever was seen through the stubble.

"I need something from you today Shivaay and I hope you wouldn't say no.." she looked straight into his eyes and he just couldn't form words and only hummed.

"I want to move out of here, go back home.." she stopped abruptly seeing the stiffness in Shivaay's posture and how he tightened the hold on her hand.

"No no no Annika, I can't let you go back.. I promised Gauri to take care if you and am going to honour that promise.." he spoke like a child bobbing his head from left to right.

"Shivaay I ain't asking you to break your promise, am only saying I want to move back. You can keep the security there, like you have done before but please let me go back. I don't feel right staying here. This is more about me and not about you. Please understand." She looked up at his face with so much of hope and a cute little pout on her lips that he had to relent.

"Ok, am letting you stay on your own, but not in your house... and this ain't up for discussion. You take the offer or leave it.."

"Ok fine, bagadbilla.." she murmured.

He just rolled his eyes and continued, "you will move to the company apartments, and this shouldn't be a problem All heads of departments stay there. I will get it ready.."

She agreed and sighing rested her head on his shoulder closing her eyes and he wrapped his arms around her, both feeling the content in their heart of being close to each other without fear.