SOMETHING (BEAUTIFUL) UNFINISHED

Chapter 1: Home

So, to left past in the past, she kisses Harry. He gives in. He always gives in to her, he's always known when not to push because he loves her. He loves her the way she loves... him. She feels his tongue gently swipe across her bottom lip, she adjusts herself on his lap and he groans. Gently nipping at her bottom lip, his hands moving from her hips to grab her ass.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. "Fuck" he groans, as he reaches over to the nightstand to grab his pager. "Babe, it's the hospital, 911. I'm so sorry. I don't know what the emergency is, I don't know if I'll be home in time to take you to the airport"

She smiles at him, perfect Harry. Perfect Harry who loves her, who spends all day saving people and then comes home and saves them. "It's okay baby, I'll call you when I land in India, okay?"

"Okay, I love you Annika. You can do this, whatever you want. However much you want to say or not say, I'll follow your lead, okay?" Buzz Buzz Buzz. "Fuck, okay I've got to run"

A quick kiss and he's gone. She sighs as she walks to their closet, grabbing a handful of clothes and slowly packs her bags. Fuck. I don't want to go. I don't want to do this. Can I do this? For a minute she wonders if she can keep it up. It's easier when she doesn't have to see them, it's easier to evade questions. To lie.

At least this trip should buy her years before she had to return, unless one of her other siblings decided to get married. Annika chuckled to herself, I don't see that happening.

Sure, Gauri was a few years older and happily in a long-term relationship with one of her dad's associates, but she opposed all things traditional, especially marriage. Sahil, well he's a hellion, has been since he was born but he's new to the family business, and young. He is having more fun playing the field than settling down.

This trip will buy her time.

An hour later and she's at the gates of Trivedi Mansion in Goa. I forgot how big this place is, like a god damn fortress. She thinks to herself as she rolls down the window and calls the main house.

"Annika, oh my baby you're home, you're here" She hears her mom on the other side. Oh great, she's already crying. "Come in, come in, come in" The gates immediately open.

Annika smiles to herself, it's easy for her to forget how much she loves them. How much she misses them, until she speaks with them. It's why she couldn't say no to Siddharth when he called. She wonders who all is here, it's a Wednesday, she's not sure how many of her dad's employees will be by for dinner. She wonders how many people are angry with her, for leaving the way she left, people don't normally just walk away from the family. Family. Well, that's a fucking concept isn't it.

Annika smiles to herself when she pulls up to the main house. Mom can barely contain herself. She's crying already. Siddharth and Gauri are teasing her for it, of course. She misses them. She misses all of them. It's better this way, it's safer this way. She reminds herself as she steps out of the car.

"Annika, oh my baby. I've missed you" Jyoti cries, as she pulls Annika in for a hug.

"Hi mom, I've missed you too" Annika sighs as she hugs her back. God I've missed you, I needed you, I needed you so much. She lets go of her mom and goes to Harshvardhan. "Daddy."

The family is close, they've all been close, but Annika and her dad always had a special bond. He knew she wasn't meant for this life, and he loved her for it.

"Gudiya, we're glad your home, they've missed you" He slightly gestures to her siblings still on the porch. Of course, he doesn't say he has missed her, because he's the only one whose seen her. Annika always makes sure he visits when he is in London for business. He's the only one who knows, the only one she's been honest with. "Let's get you in the house, I'll grab your bags. Go say hi"

Annika makes her way over to her brothers and sisters, she goes to Sahil first. He's older, they all are, but you change a lot from 15 to 21. He's taller and obviously been working out but he also seems more solemn and less rascally. The family business will do that too you, she reminds herself.

"Sahil, I've missed you. Look at you! When did you grow up?" She hugs him, he hugs her back, he's never been one to hold grudges.

"I don't know sis, maybe sometime in the last 6 years?" Gauri says from beside her. Anyone who didn't know Gauri would have bristled, her remake sounding cold and calloused but not Annika. Annika always knew when Gauri was teasing.

"Gauri, gods I've missed you." The sisters hug, she feels like Gauri may squeeze the life out of her.

"Welcome home sister" Gauri whispers, and she means it. She has missed her, Annika has missed her too.

Finally, Annika gets to Siddharth. He's just staring at her before he pulls her in.

"God, Annika you're home." He whispers into her ear, "thank you, thank you for coming home"

That does it, Annika has held it together until now. She feels the tears starting to gather and she pulls back to look at him. "I've missed you too bhai".

Jyoti sniffles behind them, and Annika turns to see her Mom and Dad just taking in the scene. Harsh's arm around Jyoti as she smiles and cries. Some things will never change, a mother's love being one of them.

"Alright, let's get you in and settled, Mom will make you some tea. How does that sound?" Harsh states as he starts ushering them inside. "I picked up some of your favourite tea cakes from the bakery downtown" he smirks at her; everyone knows how Annika loves tea cakes.

"Thank you, Daddy." Annika turns to head inside when they hear a car coming up the drive. She looks at Harsh, "are we expecting more company?"

He looks ruefully at her, "I have some business to finish tonight, why don't you head inside with your mom. Siddharth, Sahil and I will join you later"

Annika sighs, it's easy to forget about the family business some days, but the job always comes first. She starts to head inside when a boisterous voice calls out to her.

"Annie! Holy fucking shit, no way. It's really you eh. Come home for big bros wedding huh?"

"Tushar, hi." Annika waves at the very big man hurling towards her.

"Fuck that shit, gimme a hug" Tushar picks her up and twirls her around. Annika laughs, she feels so small when he does this because he's so big. He puts her down and smiles at her. She's always been a favourite; they all love her. She thinks it's because everyone knows she wasn't supposed to have this life, so they feel protective of her.

She looks over to see more guys getting out of the blacked-out SUV. Omkara, Sandesh. They are all happy to see her.

Then she see's one more emerge from the other side of the car and suddenly she can't breathe. It's too late to escape inside, she's already here. He's here. And suddenly it feels like everything has stopped because he's looking at her. He is fucking looking at her and she can't breathe.

You can do this. You can do this.

Shivaay

Author's Notes : Hi! So be kind, this is like my favorite trope and this story is special. It's been long since I've posted something that is not a one shot. If this is a bit confusing wait for it, it will make sense gradually. I hope you will love it as much as I do. Looking forward to your thoughts. Do not forget to vote please my silent readers It's a request.

Happy Reading. Stay Safe.