Chapter 71: Chapter 71

After few months

Author's pov

" Lily and Yash Raichand are sentenced to death. The court is adjourned," The judge declared and Lily broke down into hysterical sobs.

Shivansh looked at them with emotional eyes. Not with love. There was nothing but hatred in his eyes. He was fuming with rage and fisting his palm continuously.

A few days ago, Lalita's trial was held too and she got the same punishment for her sins. Death.

" Congratulations, Mr Raichand. You won the case," Shivansh's lawyer congratulated him forwarding his hands.

Shivansh ignored the lawyer and rushed towards Lily and Yash who was dragged by the police. Lily was crying and begging to leave her where Yash was silent.

Standing in front of Yash, Shivansh grabbed his collar and looked directly into his eyes with burning eyes. Shivansh clenched his jaw looking at Yash where he just looked down.

Was he guilty of his misdeeds? No, he wasn't. He was cursing himself mentally for leaving Satya's dead body like that and for not destroying the CCTV footage which led him to his arrest.

" He raised you by giving love, care and everything....a bastard like you can asked for. Didn't your hands tremble before killing him brutally? You pathetic bastard!!" Shivansh shouted on Yash's face fuming with anger and Yash didn't answer. He just kept looking down.

Leaving Yash, Shivansh diverted his eyes towards Lily and grabbed her hair tightly. She hissed in pain and got scared looking at Shivansh's eyes.

" And, you? He treated you like a real princess and that's how you............." Shivansh couldn't finish his sentence because of Yash's interruption.

Yash said calmly," He shouldn't have rejected us."

Those words left Yash's mouth and Shivansh wrapped his hand around Yash's neck. He started struggling to breathe because Shivansh's hold was too tight.

" You still dare to talk!! Bastard! Motherfucker!!! You son of bitch!!" Shivansh screamed choking Yash and the police started pulling Shivansh away from Yash.

The police freed Yash from Shivansh's hold and one of the officers assured Shivansh," Don't worry, Mr Raichand. He is our guest. We will take proper care of him and his criminal sister."

After that, the police dragged away Yash and Lily where Shivansh continued looking at their retreating figure. Looking at them he recalled his childhood memories with them and his chest tightened. Then, he recalled his father's lifeless body on that cold floor and fell on his knees. He started crying silently where people gathered around him with curious eyes.

It's been month since Satya died and after that Shivansh changed for lifetime. For a few months, he couldn't concentrate on anything else due to depression and sadness. This painful pace of his life could be a little bit easier for him if there was someone to support him emotionally. But, there was no one.

Niyati tried to come forward a few times but due to insecurities, she withdrew herself. She behaved with him casually though she was also worried and upset about his miserable condition.

Shivansh was so upset that for a few moments he even thought to kill himself. He has lost everything. His father, wife, happy family and hope. For whom he should live? The mental pain was too much for him to handle which led him to think like that.

But, he didn't do anything after thinking about Neela. How can he forget that he is blessed with a baby girl? Looking at Neela's innocent face he found a new hope to live.

In these few months, Shivansh has learned a lot. The passing time didn't heal his emotional wounds. Actually, He got used to them and learnt how to live forcing smile on his face. He would smile and act like a happy person just for Neela. Orni's return also boosted his confidence to overcome the emotional pain. Yes, Orni has returned to her real home after putting VR in the place where he belongs.

Shivansh didn't bother Niyati again and begged forgiveness. He understood that forgiveness and second chance shouldn't be asked. It should be earned. That's why he decided to be in Niyati's life like a shadow and vowed to protect her always. He doesn't care she will accept him or not but he is firm in his decision that he will always be there for Niyati.

He was still crying when he heard Neela's baby voice from behind and stopped crying.

" Papa," Neela called again and Shivansh looked behind. He found that Niyati is here with Neela.

Shivansh opened his arms smiling widely and Neela ran towards him. She jumped into Shivansh's embrace and he closed his eyes hugging her tiny frame. And after that, he felt peace. He kissed Neela's tiny head and stroked her baby hair.

Shivansh whispered kissing Neela's chubby cheeks," I love you a lot, baby."

Neela asked touching Shivansh's wet cheeks," Papa, were you crying?"

" No. How can I cry after seeing my baby girl's adorable face," Shivansh said.

Neela replied wiping away his cheeks," Don't cry, Papa. When I will grow up and strong like you, I will beat those who hurt you."

Shivansh said giggling," Will you be a boxer, huh?"

Saying that he started twirling around her and Neela's sweet giggle started echoing through the whole area. Niyati couldn't control herself from smiling and took a photo of Shivansh and Neela.

Shivansh's eyes fell on Niyati and he gave her a sad smile. She returned the smile and looked down due to awkwardness.

***************************************

After some days

" Congratulations, Ms Niyati Verma. You are now the executive director of this company," one of the board members congratulated Niyati shaking his hand with her.

Everyone started clapping for Niyati's success and her eyes welled up looking around. She never thought that one day she will be successful like that.

She is now independent, happy and living peacefully with her baby girl.

" Thank you so much everyone for supporting me and thinking me worthy enough to handle such an important position. I promise that I won't disappoint you," Niyati said to the board members and everyone clapped their hands again.

After that, her colleagues came forward and congratulated her on her success. Her joys knew no bounds and she can't wait to share her excitement with her baby girl.

Niyati came out of the office and found Shivansh standing there with a bouquet in his hands. A slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips looking at her.

On the other hand, She was surprised by his sudden appearance. He never visited her in her office since they were living like strangers. They were living under the same roof for Neela.

" You are here suddenly?" She questioned coming forward.

Shivansh congratulated giving her the bouquet," Congratulations on your success."

" Thanks, but how do you know that?" Niyati asked surprisingly and took the bouquet from Shivansh's hands.

Shivansh answered chuckling," That's a long story but don't think I am stalking you."

" Aren't you?" Niyati questioned and Shivansh bit his tongue. She knows that he keeps his watch on her all the time.

After that, Shivansh asked her with hopeful eyes," Would you have lunch with me?"

Niyati raised her brow when Shivansh added," If you don't mind."

Thinking for a few seconds, Niyati agreed. The moment she said yes, his face beamed with pure happiness. He didn't show his overjoyed expression and kept calm.

" After you," Shivansh said like a gentleman opening the car door for Niyati.

Shivansh and Niyati were sitting inside a private cabin of a five-star restaurant and waiting for food. Both of them were silent due to awkwardness. Shivansh was looking at Niyati without blinking his eyes and she was looking here and there.

" Umm...Where is Neela?" Niyati questioned breaking the awkwardness.

Shivansh answered shortly," With Orni."

"Hmm," Niyati hummed when Shivansh complimented looking at her sky blue colour dress," Blue suits you."

Niyati thanked him smiling awkwardly when the food arrived. Her eyes grew wide noticing all of her favourite dishes. She looked at Shivansh with amusing eyes and he gave her a warm smile.

" To celebrate your success," Shivansh said in advance noticing her surprised expression.

After the dinner when Niyati prepared herself to leave when Shivansh offered his hand in front of her. She looked at him questioningly and found him smiling.

He asked softly," Would you dance with me?"

" Ummm........ok........" Niyati agreed giving her hand in his hand.

Soft music was playing behind and both of them were dancing. Shivansh's hands were wrapped around Niyati's waist and she was resting her hands over his shoulder. She was uncomfortable by his close proximity after a long time but very soon she overcame the awkwardness.

Their eyes were locked on each other and they didn't say anything to each other. Their feelings for each other was genuine and pure but both of them avoided showing their feelings.

If two lovers remain friends, it's either someone is still in love or someone is still hoping for a second chance.

" I wish you more success, Ms Niyati Verma," Shivansh said suddenly pulling her up by her waist.

She laughed loudly and asked balancing her hands over his shoulder," What are you doing?"

" Just teaching you another step of dancing," Shivansh answered twirling her around and her giggle echoed through the whole room.

She said taunting him playfully," And, don't expect that I will be saying, you are the best dance teacher in the whole world."

" You seriously know how to make people laugh," He said laughing and twirled her more.