Till Death Do Us Apart...(COMPLETE VERSION)

It starts with an accident. A man is killed in a car crash; the car had a head on collision with the truck.

 Brief about Ayan (the victim); happily married, software engineer in a private company, highly qualified about 32 years old.

When the family was told about the accident, it was very traumatising for all everyone,  Shanaya was worst affected. When the body was shown to them, Shanaya feels unwell and pukes in the toilet.

Brief about Shanaya; married to the victim for the past two years, highly qualified, used to work as an IT Consultant in a private firm.

After one month of grief, Shanaya gets a job opportunity at a New York based company.

Shanaya decides not to go as she wanted to be there for her family. Everybody else on the other hand insists so much that Shanya reconsiders her decision. Finally, she decides to go to New York and start her life afresh. Shanaya pays a visit to her doctor as she was facing some healthproblems. The doctor informs her that she was pregnant. Shanaya has mixed feelings, she doesn’t know how to react, life was there to give her another chance but with the baby now. The idea is not taken well by Shanaya but after a lot of discussion with her parents and in-laws, she finally leaves for the US.

Shanaya finally arrives at her long awaited destination, New York City. Everything goes as planned until….

Brief about Agent X8 (not so known Ayan):

CIA Agent: Information Technology Dept. Underground as previous mission failed.

Ayan was alive, not many were aware of the truth; Shanaya never knew her husband's secret assignments, and all she knew was that he used to leave the country frequently for work. Ayan was involved in the making of a confidential programme. He was caught stealing classified information from his employer.

The people who he was working for (The CIA) decided to keep him under the wraps as they couldn't afford to lose such a valuable man. For this Ayan had to agree to some policies.

The Policies:

Remove all family connections. (Involved the faking of death)

Participate in the training camp for further missions.

Resume field work as soon as the new identity has been made.

It was tough for Ayan to choose but by accepting these policies his family was guaranteed safety and protection from the people who wanted him killed. Miranda Price, senior officer and on-field agent manager. She had taken the responsibility of Ayan and wanted him up and about so that he could resume his work.

Brief about Miranda Price:

Ex- on-field agent specialises in field training, in service for the past 20 years, family died in a car crash, recruited Ayan 4 years ago.

***

Meanwhile, when Shanaya was getting ahead in life, she received a phone call from a mysterious caller. The caller said that it was regarding her late husband & mentioned that it was something to do with money. Shanaya had no choice but to meet him. Shanaya met the man, he introduced himself as John Sullivan, he claimed that Ayan was on a project with his company and had delivered their company a very good software programme. He offered Shanaya a cheque of two million dollars saying that it was the fee guaranteed to him for his services and as he passed away it belonged to his family. She thanked him for his services.
Her financial recovery gave her happiness but it was nothing compared to her sorrow of loosing Ayan.

One day while buying some groceries, she bumped into a man. She moved on with her stuff but the man kept on watching her. He even followed her secretly to her house. Ayan was puzzled; millions of questions rose and in his mind and was his wife pregnant? Then it struck him, the person behind all this could be none other but Miranda. The very next day he asked her about his wife. Why was she in New York? Who got her there? Did she know?  Miranda explained that they had guaranteed her safety to Ayan which could only be possible if she was right under their eyes. Also the money promised to him was given to her through Sullivan.

When Ayan asked Miranda about his wife being pregnant, she went blank. She knew it all that time but could never tell Ayan as she thought that he might get distracted and wouldn’t cooperate. But the truth was out, Ayan felt guilty. He started to blame himself for the damage of everything, the fact that he had abandoned his wife and unborn baby had crushed him.

Miranda tried to calm him but he wouldn’t listen, the thing Miranda feared had happened.

For the next couple of days Ayan felt helpless, deep within he knew that he had to be with Shanaya but then he also admitted that by just controlling his feelings he might be able to give Shanaya protection and a life. One day he just couldn’t control his feelings and approached her while she was buying her stuff. But while on his way he was stopped by Miranda, who had kept a strict eye on him since the day he had known the truth. She told him about the seriousness of the situation and begged him to control his emotions.

 Ayan was furious but he had no other option but to obey her.

While training, Ayan spotted a young girl. He asked about her from his colleague. She was known as Agent Mist, newly recruited from the minor section. Ayan observed her for many days. He managed to have a polite conversation with her and to him she seemed a nice girl. Within days she became his good friend. Miranda was aware of Ayan’s friendship with Agent Mist and thought that he decided to move on. But Ayan had different plans. As Mist was a minor she wasn’t allowed field work, Ayan had the perfect opportunity. He told Mist about Shanaya and their unborn child. While listening to his story, Mist felt sorry for him. Taking the opportunity he asked for her help. ‘How?’ she asked. ‘By spying on her’ he said.

Shanaya was waiting for her turn to come, she couldn’t believe that she had completed three months of pregnancy and moreover she had lived without Ayan for three months! She cried and remembered her sweet memories that she had shared with him. The receptionist called out her name. Shanaya wasn’t keeping well but the doctor assured her that it was all part of being pregnant. She told her that the baby was alright, Shanaya definitely felt the relief, and after all it was the closest thing that she had of Ayan. When she headed back to her home she found a girl waiting near her door. ‘May I help you?’ Shanaya asked.

‘Yes, if I am not wrong you are Shanaya. I am Kathryn and I will be sharing this house with you’ the girl said. Shanaya was confused because she had never opted for sharing an apartment, so from where did this girl had come. The girl was pretty looking. Shanaya thought that she might have been sent by her landlady so she invited her in their apartment. ‘How did you get this address?’ Shanaya asked. ‘Actually this house belongs to my aunt and she told me that you were staying here and she said that you wouldn’t mind me for a couple of months but if you do I could leave’ Kathryn said. Shanaya thought for a moment but then she could definitely have someone to look after her in that condition. Somehow the girl seemed to be trustworthy as if she was god sent. She agreed to Kathryn's offer. Kathryn smiled and they both talked, Kathryn said that she would move in as soon as possible.Kathryn left to get her stuff while Shanaya prepared dinner for two.

Kathryn left for her hotel where she had kept her stuff. While she packed her suitcase the door behind her shut. She turned back but no one was there. But then in front of her stood a man; Ayan (disguised yet again).

 ‘You are better than I thought. How is she?’ he asked. ‘She seems to be fine but she is definitely not how you described her’ replied Kathryn also known as Agent Mist. Ayan sat near Mist, he watched her pack her things. He could finally feel the relief that Shanaya had someone for her. 

‘What is the next move? Do I just need to take care of her or there is more?’ she asked. ‘Right now I just want her to be safe. Thank you’ replied Ayan. Mist smiled and continued to pack. After packing her stuff she took a cab and headed for Shanaya’s house.

Shanaya had prepared her favourite food. In the back of her mind she had constant thoughts about Kathryn. She just wished that she doesn’t regret this quick decision of hers. Trust was something she didn’t give away to everyone easily. Kathryn reached the apartment on time. She loved the food that Shanaya had cooked.

Days passed, Kathryn was well settled with Shanaya. Both of them had grown fond of each other. Shanaya told Kathryn about her past life, about Ayan and his family, about the baby she was carrying and stuff that she wanted to share with someone for a long time. Mist informed Ayan about Shanaya and her life. ‘She misses you a lot, she always talks about you’ she said. Ayan wanted to meet Shanaya. He had missed her immensely. ‘What? No, this was not part of the plan. Miranda Price will kill us both!’ shouted Mist. ‘Yeah but that will only happen if Shanaya gets to know. I swear she will not’ said Ayan. With lot of discussion they came to a conclusion. 

***

‘What happened here?’ asked Shanaya. ‘What? Oh! I thought I will clean the house today’ replied Kathryn.

‘You should do it more often. This place is literally sparkling, is someone coming tonight?’

‘Yes, a friend. I am meeting him after ten years. I hope you don’t mind’

‘No, not at all, in fact I have plans of my own tonight.’

‘What?'

‘Yeah, it is Ayan’s birthday today. I thought of celebrating and I even thought I will ask you but since you already made plans, I guess it is just me and the baby’

‘I am so sorry I wouldn’t be there.’

‘It’s okay, enjoy your night’ Shanaya said. She then went inside her room.

Now what? Kathryn thought.

***

‘Happy Birthday’ said Mist. ‘Who told you? Shanaya?’ asked Ayan, she nodded.

‘We have to change today’s plan, she is busy celebrating your birthday’

‘But it has to be today, Miranda is about to send me on some mission. I have to see her before I leave’

‘Yeah, But I don’t know where she is going. She didn’t tell me’

‘She didn’t tell you or you didn’t ask?’

‘Both’

‘I think I know where she is’

Mist had no idea where they were going. But she could see the desperation on Ayan’s face. He had to disguise himself. ‘Almost there!’ said Ayan enthusiastically. The smile on his face was a mile long, he definitely seemed very happy. The taxi stopped at a restaurant called Ichiban.

‘Shanaya and I had come here for our anniversary a year ago. She really liked this place, but I got to know her location by the tracker I had placed in her necklace.

‘When did you put the tracker?’ mist asked.

‘While I was following her in the supermarket, I caught hold of her necklace that she wears very often. Luckily she has been wearing it tonight too’ he explained.

And there she was, dressed beautifully in a black dress which highlighted her four month foetus. Ayan was in tears but he controlled them. Mist caught his hand and went towards Shanaya.

‘Shanaya? What a coincidence!’ said Kathryn, pretending in an aw of surprise.

‘Kathryn! What a pleasant surprise’ Shanaya said.

‘Shanaya, I would like you to meet Aiden, my friend from college. Aiden this is Shanaya, my apartment mate.

‘Pleased to meet you’ said Shanaya.

They both shook hands with each other. Ayan (Aiden) wanted to hug her but he couldn’t do that. He knew he had restrictions. They all decided to share the table with Shanaya. After a decent conversation and Ayan being sure that Shanaya didn’t get to know a thing, they ordered their food.

Shanaya was enjoying the company of the two. Aiden seemed very much like someone she knew, someone very close to her, someone like Ayan. She noticed the way he laughed. His smile reminded her of him. She got emotional and rushed to the washroom.

‘What did I do?’ asked Ayan.

‘You must have done something. I think it is enough. You should leave now!’ ordered Mist.

‘What? No!’

 ‘You don’t utter a word. Leave and I will handle from here’.

Ayan had no choice but to leave. He didn’t mean to upset her.

‘What happened? Where is your friend?’ asked Shanaya.

‘He left; he got a call from his workplace. Are you alright?’ asked Kathryn

‘Me? Yes, I am fine. I think I should go home, I am not feeling that well’

They both left the restaurant shortly after Shanaya complained of headache. After their meeting, Shanaya had not been keeping well. She was vomiting on and off. This had got Ayan worried; he was blaming himself for Shanaya’s ill health. Mist was confused, she was getting panicky as she had to take care of Shanaya and had to calm Ayan.

‘Don’t you worry, she will be alright’ she said

‘It is all because of me. I shouldn’t have met her. AND WHY ARE YOU NOT WITH HER?’ shouted Ayan

Mist got angry. Her level of patience had reached its top level; she was doing all of this because she cared for Ayan. Now she had too much of it.

‘Don’t get mad at me. Handle your stuff on your own. You left her, I didn’t’ yelled Mist.

She knew she had said too much. Ayan wasn’t ready for this, before she could say anything, he left the room. She tried to call his name out, he didn’t respond. She went to look for him but she couldn’t find him. Then it occurred to her. He had gone to see Shanaya.

She rushed for him to stop but too late, he had already reached the apartment. When Mist entered she saw no one except her and Ayan, standing in the apartment which was definitely ransacked. Pieces of glass everywhere, fear crept through their veins. Shanaya was nowhere to be found.

‘What happened?’ said Mist. Ayan wasn’t responding, he was too confused at the moment. Suddenly the phone rang. Ayan reached for it.

‘Hello?’

‘Ah! Agent X8, long time’ said a man.

‘Who is this?’
***

Ayan rushed towards his car, Mist followed him. ‘Shanaya has been kidnapped by the people who were after me. The man has sent me the address, we will find her there. It was dilapidated factory outside New York City. Mist knew this was some sort of game being played with Ayan. He held his gun in hand, she was unarmed. When they went inside, they found Shanaya chained to a pole and a moustached man standing beside her. ‘Ayan?’ whispered Shanaya.

‘Shanaya you are going to be all fine. I am here’ said Ayan. The moustached man unchained shanaya. He had put the gun near her head.

‘You girl, come here!’ he said pointing towards Mist.

Mist did as she was told. He handed Shanaya to Mist but had the gun pointed towards them. ‘You are going to be fine Shanaya’

‘Thank you for your cooperation Agent X8, now let us talk…’ before he could say anymore, Miranda Price had reached for their rescue. The man tried to snatch the two girls back but this time something unusual happened. He handed Shanaya the gun. Shanaya pointed the gun towards Mist and the man had grabbed Mist by his hand.

Ayan was confused. Mist shouted at Shanaya. The man tightened his grip around her. There was silence for a moment but then, Miranda appeared in the scene. She saw the helpless Agent Mist and the confused Agent X8.

‘Shanaya what are you doing?’ shouted Miranda.

‘Shut up you bitch. Let me talk to my dear husband now’ replied Shanaya.

‘Surprised Ayan? Did you think that I was that stupid? You lied to me; you lied to me all the time.  You even faked your death. Let me suffer all that time, even when you knew that I was pregnant. You sent this stupid girl for help, yeah right! Fool someone else. Now I have had enough of it.’

Ayan didn't utter a single word, he hated to see Shanaya like this.

‘NO!’ shouted Miranda. She pointed her gun at Shanaya.

‘Shanaya don’t do anything to her, it is me who you want, not her. Leave Mist, please!’

‘Young lady I must not allow that. You have nothing to protect yourself and this man of yours will die'
Without a thought, Shanaya shot the moustached man. 'No!' shouted Miranda and Ayan in unison. 'There, I have solved that problem'
For Miranda, Shanaya was mentally unbalanced but for Ayan, she was his life. Even if she wanted to kill him, he loved her too much!

Ayan went towards Shanaya. Shanaya placed the gun near Ayan’s chin. Miranda stood helpless. She couldn’t possibly attack Shanaya as it might also kill her unborn child. Ayan’s life was already at risk.

‘Shanaya, please don’t do this, think of your child’ pleaded Mist.

‘No! I wouldn’t. I have already lost everything. I will kill him first and then kill myself too’ Shanaya shouted. She no more looked the pretty young woman she used to be. She had turned into something monstrous.’

‘I will leave in harmony only if you let me take him with me. If any of you try to follow us, I swear it will cost you three lives’

Miranda had nothing to say. She just saw Shanaya take Ayan away.

‘Do something Miranda!’ cried Mist helplessly.

‘What is done is done’

***

‘Get in the car now!’ Shanaya ordered, Ayan obeyed.

‘Drive’

‘So are you going to kill me?’ Ayan said at last.

‘I wish I could, and was it necessary to spoil it!’ Shanaya complained.

‘Miss you are undoubtedly the best actor I have known’

Shanaya smiled and pulled Ayan by his shirt. She kissed him, she longed to do so.

‘I am glad we are together, for once I thought we might not be’ Shanaya said.

‘We will always be together’ Ayan said.

‘Oh! Will Miranda have it under control?And what about the poor chap I shot? And where are the ID’s she gave?’

‘Yeah, she said she will manage, were you able to hack in the system?’

‘Yes, It was it was pathetically complicated but I was able to remove all information regarding Agent X8. Officially you don’t exist anymore. There is now Mr & Mrs Romero, we are Mexicans now?’

‘If that is what in the ID then yes, we didn’t have many options you know’ Ayan joked.
'Till death do us apart' whispered Shanaya
The Truth :

All this while Shanaya knew who Ayan really was. While unpacking her stuff , she found a letter and a pendrive inside Ayan’s journal. In the letter he explained his disappearance and the consequences if he had not left the country. He even suggested a plan which ultimately did work out. After knowing that Shanaya was pregnant, Miranda decided to help the two. All this time, Mist played as the messenger and she never got to know the truth. Ayan and Shanaya no more existed as they left the country soon after their confrontation with Miranda. Thanks to Ayan’s influential friends, Mr and Mrs Romero were able to lead a happy life with their twins.