Its been almost 5 days that Shivaay is home. Annika daily visits the Oberoi Mansion to meet Shivaay but somehow doesn't gather enough courage. Gauri had been a constant source of support for Om and Annika during this time. Annika had a burden in her heart and she was dying each second. She didn't know how to vent it out.

The masked man was frustrated that Shivaay survived. He tried going close to Annika but then the security was tight at her house and plus he was now in Shivaay's radar. He had to lay low.

Annika had come in a little early that evening and met Dadi. "Why is the house so empty Dadi"

"Well because there is hardly anyone at home, Jhanvi and Pinky have gone to the temple and would only return by around 9pm. Omkara has an exhibition and will come late night. Rudra has gone for camp and will come tomorrow. Tej and Shakti trying to manage Shivaay business in his absence", dadi almost chuckled at the last statement.

"This has also happened because of Shivaay, he forced Om and Rudra to go as he is now better. You should meet him once." Dadi stroked her hair and walked passed.

She spoke to herself, "Come on Annika meet him, its ok if he shouts at you. At least your guilt will be a little less, how long will you run from him" , but what if he asks me to leave like that day." Her thoughts drifting to the first day Shivaay was brought home and she had decided to talk to him, forget talking he hadn't even acknowledged her presence. Her heart had broken into multiple pieces but still she had not been disheartened and had messaged him numerous times only to finally know that he had broken his phone. Her reveries broke due to her phone ringing making it silent and gathering some courage she entered his room.

He instantly recognised her presence. He knew she was coming to Oberoi Mansion but never met him after that day and he never asked for her, he was angry so kept quiet but today when he was seeing her in the room, he knew he was craving her presence but ego came in the way.

"Why are you here, Annika? You shouldn't be in the room with a characterless man like me." His words sliced her heart but she kept mum and listened to all he had to say to her.

"Please leave Annika."

"Please, Shivaay listen to me once."

"I said go from here, Annika."

"Please Shivaay once, only once. I promise I won't disturb you again. "

"What is it?", his tone devoid of emotion.

"Am sorry, please forgive me. I don't know what came over me that day...and I..." she started to choke on her own words.

"Annika, I don't want your sorry.."

"Will you be happy if I go from here, from your life?" She asked softly.

He didn't respond.

The silence broke her heart into so many pieces. She slowly walked passed him, biting her lip down to stop her sobs. As she was walking passed him Shivaay looked up to see her and her forlorn face broke his heart. He was angry with her but he didn't want her to go. He didn't know why he was quiet. His heart screamed at him to stop her but his mind overshadowed and he saw Annika reaching almost the door and he called out, "Annika" she instantly turned but his next words pierced her heart like someone was purposely trying to stab her.

"Please close the door on your way out", he turned his face to the other side.

Annika quietly walked out and Shivaay sat down on his bed closing his eyes shut tight. This interaction was seen by another pair of eyes who had seen Annika meet Shivaay but he had entered the mansion as a disguise and now was happy of the damage being done. He was almost ready to leave with Annika but stopped seeing she has closed the door still being in Shivaay room. 

But how can Annika again not talk to him. She came back in, the hurricane was about to hit Shivaay and he didn't even know. He had sat with his eyes closed when Annika closed the door but not after leaving the room but before she could come back in. She had to sort this problem once and for all and she was doing it today enough of the Tadi of this Kanji Aankh wala man.

She came and stood in front of him and sensing her again he opened her eyes, " What why are you still here I had asked you to leave", he spoke with clenched teeth.

"Am not going till I speak to you", she spoke nonchalantly as if they were buddies.

He was irked and was about to say something but what she did left him speechless like always. She pushed him on the bed and sat on top of him with her legs on either side.

"Now you listen to me Mr Shivaay Singh Oberoi, Kanji Aankh wala Bagad Billa, I want to talk to you and am going to do it anyway so don't you show me too much Tadi", she spoke animatedly waving her finger in front of his face and her one hand fisting his Kurta.

"Shivaay, I made a mistake. Will you forgive me once please. I can't bear this hatred. Please don't hate me." Finally her eyes gave way and tears streamed down her face. Can he ever bear to see her cry heck he can't see her hurt for the smallest thing and here her eyes were flowing and he was the reason, he led out a loud sigh.

His hands on her waist pulling her close,  "Annika, I can never hate you, I was just angry.. how can I hate someone whom I lov..." , he stopped midway.

"Whom you what..?" her eyes staring deep into his and her eyes still tearing and nose running and all red.

"Annika, listen to me baby, you mean a lot to me and you accusing me of being characterless really hurt me." He spoke wiping her running nose with his palm and rubbing her tears. "It pained Annika, very badly here", pointing to his heart. I don't know why but I couldn't handle the blame", he spoke so softly.

She sniffed looking at him lovingly and spoke almost whispering, " Shivaay you mean a lot to me too, but what to do my mind wasn't working at that time and I was upset and plus the frustration of you ignoring got the better of me."

"Awww, my love you know nah this merger is driving me crazy or else I would never ignore you", he was constantly stroking her hair with one hand the other still wound around her waist.

She just stared at him with all the endearments he was using for her and her cheeks were heating up.

They both were smiling like dorks, at last their hearts at ease. But .. but .. but .. the scene outside was horrific, the masked man had seen everything through the window and the scene had boiled his blood. He was holding a knife from the fruit basket in his hand and had pressed it so hard that blood was oozing non stop.

"Enough of drama and hide and seek, now this fight will be out in the open, you will pay Annika and people will shudder seeing your state. This is my promise", and he removed his disguise walking out fuming. The look of the devil finally out in the open.