Episode 04- The Bitter Surprise

Shalini didn't have to put much effort to be part of the Oberoi family. Her smile and big heart were enough to make them accept her as part of the family. The family didn't forget or replace Prakash's first wife, Maya with someone else after Shalini married Prakash. They loved Maya equally as they loved Shalini but they couldn't still understand why Maya and Prakash's relationship soured. Shalini was never the reason for their relationship to turn sour. Their relationship was already broken before Shalini arrived in Prakash's life. Prakash and Maya's love story was a fairytale one but like most broken couples, they never accepted the flaws of each other. They put their egos before each other. They never cleared their misunderstandings and their differences drifted them apart. This affected Shiv more who only saw Prakash's fault and was blinded by his mother's love. When she died, he never forgave his dad or accepted Shalini as his mother.

When Prakash's family tried to make little Shiv understand, he misunderstood their motive and drifted away from them. He was heartbroken. He felt they had forgotten her so easily and this angered as well as pained him. He blamed Shalini for his parent's failed marriage, his family's closeness towards her and his mother's death. Shalini and Prakash's marriage resulted in the birth of Preeti. He had decided to hate Preeti but he couldn't hate her. Her innocent brown eyes melted his hatred towards her. He was cold towards her but he was always there by her side. 

He was visiting the opening of her boutique. He was bringing his girlfriend, Tina Shields for the first time. He had decided to introduce her to his family. Unlike the other men who introduced their partners to the family with hopes to make them part of their lives and family, Shiv was using Tina as bait to survive his family's constant bickering. He loved Tina not too much that he would introduce her to his family. He was still exploring their relationship. 

Preeti always got what she wanted. Her father always fulfilled all her whims. She wanted to be a pop star Her father used his contacts and got a music company to record her first music album which failed miserably. The Oberoi family were the only ones who listened to her song. She tried her stint as a baker, restaurateur and now a fashion designer. Shalini wasn't supportive of her husband spending large amounts of money on every need of Preeti. She knew only Shiv could guide Preeti to the right path She also knew he would not help her if she asked. He hated her and this broke her heart. She loved her stepson and wanted to pamper him as her own. But he never respected her efforts. And here she was counting the days when Preeti would change her mind and this beautiful tiny store which was located in the central part of London would perish. She wondered how many dreams of talented people were broken to fulfil spoiled brat's whims.

As she walked around the store, she stopped at the entrance. Shiv had arrived with his blonde girlfriend. Their eyes had met. One pair was filled with love while the other pair was filled with hate. He walked away with his girlfriend without greeting her or introducing his girlfriend to her. Her eyes were welled up with tears, ready to fall from her eyes. But she controlled them. She didn't want her daughter's grand debut to be affected by family drama. 

Shiv was relieved when he found his friends - Julius and Aman in the chaos of misfits. His friends and Tina knew rage was boiling within him and thus pretended to act as if nothing happened. His friends were different. Julius wore a crisp black formal shirt and trousers while his white dyed hair stood apart. He was a quirky Chinese friend whose jokes and puns lightened the mood wherever he went. Aman was responsible one amongst the trio. His wisdom kept them away from the dangers of their wild personality.

As Shiv was hugging his friends, he saw her again, It had been a week since he had found her hurt at Hyde's Park. Her skin had felt warm and soft when he had held her in his arms. He wished he could have held her for some more time. He was expecting her to be here but why was his heart beating faster.

He didn't notice that he had walked towards her while his friends watched him whispering their thoughts about him. They had never seen him so lost and preoccupied, Tina felt strange pangs of jealousy as she watched her boyfriend fix his gaze on someone else. She tried to brush them off, assuming the woman to be his friend. But jealousy stayed, growing with every passing minute.

"Hi", he greeted Nitya politely. "Hi!", she whispered as she got lost in his wide green eyes. Her brother smiled, wondering if he was the one. He could feel the sparks fly between them, He wished he was the one who would help his sister move on. It had been five years since the tragedy struck and his sister never moved on. But today was different like the day he had seen her embracing him. He could see a little glimmer of hope shine in her eyes. Finally, he felt she was giving love a second chance. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Hi, We meet again.". Shiv smiled and greeted her brother, "Yes, we meet again!"

"I am Anish and she is Nithya."

"Shiv"

Shalini arrived just in time when Nithya's mother Roopa arrived. They greeted each other with warmth and a smile. As Shiv was about to leave, Shalini stopped him. "Roopa, this is my son.", she introduced him with pride. Nithya saw his expression change from love to hatred. "Oh, yes Shalini, we know him. He had helped Nithya when she was hurt. He is such a gentleman.", Roopa spoke. "Ah! So you are that guy who lifted Nithya Akka and brought her home like a hero. Akka spoke lot about you.", Anish teased. Nithya glared at him to stop. Shiv felt his heartache. He didn't expect her to be his stepmom's friend's daughter. "Excuse me!", he quietly excused himself leaving everyone in shock except Shalini who knew the reason for his untimely exit.