Sitting in the car staring at the trees go by Annika wondered  how life changes in just a blink of an eye. A stray tear rolled down her eye. She closed her eyes reminiscing everything that happened in the last 4 days.

After she has fainted dadi had forced her to shift base to Oberoi Mansion so she could carry out her work easily. She had told Annika that the decision should be taken strictly professional as she is doing this purely for the smooth functioning of all the events, though she also added it would be easier for Annika to work without any worry. Rudra and Prinku had also voiced the same opinion saying that since she stayed alone she could stay here and this would help Prinku also stress out less. Though Annika was very reluctant but when Shivaay also nodded in agreement she said yes.

Everyone was very happy and her work over the next two days carried on smoothly. Her relation with Shivaay also became less stressful though she would still call him Billuji which annoyed him to no ends but she somehow just liked irritating him until that day when he yelled at her and showed her that there can be no Amicability between them.

The whole family had gone out for a function but Dadi didn't want to go due to the pain in her knees and since Annika was at Oberoi Mansion, Dadi had forced everyone to go. Shivaay had given Annika a long list of Dos and Donts but she assured him all will be fine. But looks like the gods didn't want all to be fine.

It was 8.30 pm Annika had just gone to the store  room she had informed dadi she will come in a few minutes and then give her the medicine which was very important due to her Diabetes. Annika was looking for a few items when there was a short circuit at Oberoi mansion and due to which the lights had gone off. Annika being scared of darkness froze in her spot sweating profusely and whispering to herself "it's just for a few seconds nothing will happen" but the lights didn't come on. She sat down in her spot crying bitterly rocking her self to and fro.

After a few minutes the only thing she heard was Shivaay screaming her name she jolted and opened her eyes to see the lights had come and Shivaay screaming, she ran down the steps only to face the wrath of Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

Though Shivaay was slowly adjusting to Annika he wasn't very comfortable with the idea of leaving Dadi alone with Annika and hence he returned back to mansion making an excuse. when he entered home he saw dadi fainted on the sofa and Annika not in sight. He lost his cool. He immediately ran to dadi room gave her the medicines and asked Khanna where was Annika. He said he had last seen her going towards store room talking on the phone and that was it for Shivaay. He yelled Annika name, as soon as he saw her he walked towards her with long strides, anger clearly visible in his eyes. Holding Annika hand tightly, he dragged her to where dadi was sitting with eyes closed and twisted her hand harshly saying, " how dare you Annika, how can you be so irresponsible. We gave you the responsibility of staying with Dadi and the only thing I told you was give her medicine on time but no that also is too much for you. Oh I forgot your a professional so you would require money nah for even doing something outside your contract terms. How could you stoop so low. It's somebody's life we are talking about". Annika tried to speak in between, "Billuji", but he just raised his hand still twisting the other one hurting her. He continued shouting, " how could you even realise the pain of losing someone so precious to you, you don't understand cause she isn't your dadi, you don't even have a Dadi so you don't know". Annika was stunned would be an understatement. She had thought that Shivaay understands her but she was wrong. She just looked at him not making any movement. Dadi stopped Shivaay saying, "Billu what are you saying atleast listen to Annika" but Shivaay was in no mood, " dadi I have always kept quiet with all her shortcomings and jokes cause it was only about me but this is too much. I can tolerate if she is irresponsible towards me but this is you and she should know she is wrong she can't take everything for granted and not play with peoples lives." Annika hadn't uttered a word. She just stood there silently devoid of any emotions on her face just staring at Shivaay.

Shivaay pushed her lightly leaving her hand making Annika stumble. She somehow held herself. Shivaay held dadi hand and took her in. Annika continued standing there shedding tears. It's been almost 2 days and she has barely spoken to anyone. She maintains distance from all the family members. She addresses everyone with Mr or Mrs or Sir and Ma'am though everyone has reprimanded her she still doesn't stop. No one could decipher this sudden change in Annika. Annika had barely come in front of Shivaay. Though Shivaay was restless he just shrugged it off.

The car jerked,  making Annika look around to see the Oberoi Farmhouse and her eyes full of tears remembering everything. She had come here to finalise the place for some of the functions. Shivaay was also coming here. Ideally she was to send her assistant but the poor girl had taken ill and last minute Annika had to come as she couldn't cancel. Thanking the driver she walked out of the car. She was 10 minutes late. As she entered the gate she saw Shivaay and before she could say anything he started ranting, " Ms Annika don't you even value time. I thought you would atleast value time since I know you don't value lives". Annika was really hurt she was replying, " Mr Oberoi, I... and was cut by Shivaay, " please save your excuses for someone else". Just then the driver entered, " Annika Ma'am, that accident lady's bag was left in the car". Shivaay look puzzled. " please could you give this back on your way, they would be really worried". The driver nodded and left. Annika looked towards Shivaay saying, " Mr Oberoi I do value time and I do value lives, actually there was an accident whilst coming here, we helped the person reach hospital and that's why were a little late, I apologise. I know what happened two days ago you haven't forgiven me but at that time also I didn't purposely do anything. I have tried to explain to you but you don't listen. It's ok I know am only an employee but the least I wanted was an opportunity to explain myself". Saying she walked into the house leaving behind a guilty Shivaay.

The whole evening Annika was giving instructions to the workers and reporting a few things to Shivaay. She refused to indulge in any  other conversation with Shivaay. When Annika had raised her sleeve to put her hand in water to check something Shivaay noticed the swollen wrist and finger marks still on. He didn't realise in anger he had hurt her again physically. She had not once questioned him about his behaviour but had only apologised again and again for hurting Dadi.

It was almost 8pm the workers had left. The drive from the farmhouse to the mansion was almost 2.5 hours and it was already raining heavily. They had to leave immediately.

Shivaay had called dadi telling her that they were leaving from farmhouse and would be late as it's raining. Oh shit!! He cursed and dadi asked, " what happened" he replied, " nothing it's raining and lights have gone and the generator isn't working as we haven't serviced it".

Dadi worrying asked, " Billu where is Annika?" Shivaay relied very casually saying, " she must be somewhere I don't know".

Dadi almost screaming," she is scared of darkness Billu" , making Shivaay stunned, "that's the reason that day she didn't come on time to give me medicine cause lights had gone and she was scared. Please Billu find her, darkness frightens her she faints and her BP Really goes low".  Shivaay assured dadi he will find her and hung up.

His heart was beating fast at the prospect of Annika fainting, he walked through the house calling out to her. He had switched on his mobile light entering one of the bedrooms and what he saw freaked him out making his heart ache....

..... to be continued .......