The Heart Gets What The Heart Wants/FF ShivIka(Ud:May08 Ch:34a/pg141) - Page 21

Originally posted by: MahaSrilu

KICK OUT TIA
ASAP
AMAZING UPDATE I LOVED IT...

~Maha~

Originally posted by: --Nargis--

Pappa and Bade Pappa seemd ot be the biggest CUPIDS for Shivika...and not only is it sweet but its beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time, because poor Annika, she has never known such relationships...such love, familiarity, and apnapan!! I fear if Tia/Pinky are successful in separating Shivika...no matter how much Shivvay stands to lose, Annika stands to lose far more. This is a beautiful story you have weaved...thank you.

Chapter 12: On the menu tonight for Dinner: A Surprise-Filled Buffet followed by Sweet Disclosures for the main course and for dessert Startling and Stark Facts

With the prepping all done by the Oberoi staff under Annika's supervision, Om and Rudra completed their celebration buffet' in honour of their favorite and only Bhabhi's new contract and career. On today's menu was Choley Puri', Paneer- Palak,Rajma and Jeera rice, fresh green salad, tall cold glasses of lassi and of course sizzlers with green tea for Shivvay and Tia. For dessert gajar ka halwa' sans poison as a garnish and crme brulee, again for Shivvay and Tia, with saira banu'.

As Saumya and Prinku put up the decorations and the congratulations sign on the wall, Om and DevRu laid the table with the delicious spread they had prepared, on the dining table.

With nothing left to do, since the younger ones and Om refused to let me help with anything, I proceeded to supervise the staff cleaning the kitchen with my back to the kitchen entrance.

It was a couple of minutes later that I felt more than saw Shivvay's eyes burning my back. I knew he had just walked in as the air was charged with this strange energy every time he did.

I was never surprised that he did that to a room when he walked in considering he was a walking-talking bomb with the shortest fuse on the world record that was just waiting to go off.

I knew he was aware that I always registered his presence but I never gave him the satisfaction by owning up to that unlike he had. It drove him crazy that he had admitted to feeling my presence' more than a couple of times in the past but I never had, either by word or action. And why should I, I thought enraged at his conceit, considering this was a temporary arrangement he had forced upon me twice in the span of one week , and both done to stroke his pride and vengeance.

I ignored him as the tears started smarting in my eyes at the thought and quickly walked into the dining room to stand next to Om and DevRu.

I could swear Om had sensors on his head that immediately sensed anyone in pain or anguish because he spun around and looked straight at my face with a worried look. Then he looked over my shoulder at Shivvay, whose eyes still bore into my back, and narrowing his he shook his head in a negative to warn him.

I felt Shivvay leave seconds later and composed myself as Om sat me down and DevRu got me a glass of water.

One by one everyone entered and took their places at the table and the banter that went with a big and noisy family filled my ears like a soothing balm.

Saumya thanked Om for the salad at which DevRu pouted and said it was his idea since he knew she was trying out different salads nowadays. She gave him her usual fake and teasing sugar sweet smile as Om broke up their argument.

"Ok.. Ok ... guys stop! Let's not forget we need to congratulate the guest of honor for today's surprise dinner before we all dig in. Everyone please join me in raising your wine, juice, lassi and green tea cups to Anni , congratulations on landing the perfect job. So,on on the count of three all together now ... One, two and three"

"Congratulations!!", went everyone and even Shivvay to my surprise while Tia looked around lost and confused as even Pinky Aunty smiled and raised her lassi glass.

"How come I am the only one who does not know about this!!" she asked as she looked around the table at all the smiling faces and Pinky Aunty in particular while wearing an accusing look on her perfectly painted face.

Pinky Aunty's smile disappeared and she lowered her lassi glass as the poor thing fidgeted her seat with a pleading look towards Shivvay, who sat on the other side of Tia, that said that said 'help me'.

Shivvay started to speak when he was rudely cut off by Tia turning away from him and towards a very miserable looking Pinky Aunty while she continued in a slightly angry tone, "You knew this Pinky Mum and you did not think it important to tell me??!! I thought you said I WAS your daughter-in-law!"

At this point Pinky Aunty was downright embarrassed by Tia's tone and questioning and that is when I decided I had had enough of this drama.

"It's because it was about me", I said firmly keeping a control on my rising temper, "and Pinky Aunty knows you don't care two cents for what I do, what happens in my life or about my small problems and insignificant victory's because you have a more important life than mine. Don't you remember, you yourself stated that very clearly the day of the 'round round bread ritual' when you insulted me in the living room?

Then I turned to glare at Shivvay, who I was mad at because he did not stop Tia from insulting Pinky Aunty, and decided to continue since I was on a roll anyways, "It was also when you told me that you and Mr. Oberoi, the one sitting silently beside you like the cat got his tongue, would offer me enough money to end this humiliation I was going through by staying at the Mansion. But then the very next day he goes off and sells my house and in his immense generosity offers that I can stay here for a few days till I got my life in order."

"What a perfect 'made for each other pair' the two of you are??!, "I continued in mock admiration, " and of course generous to a fault I must say and by that I mean you two are 'generous to' people you have used and shattered because of 'your faults'", I ended with a silky smile towards Tia and that was that.

I had a very stunned and shocked audience looking at me as I picked my lassi glass and smiled at everyone and said, "thank you for the lovely treat and all the good wishes. I think I am going to make better use of my mouth by digging into what has been so lovingly prepared for me."

Then I turned to Om and waved my hand in front of his face saying, "Om!! Please get rid of the shocked expression, it makes your face look less handsome, and pass me the delicious looking chooley puri'."

DevRu recovered first and immediately sprang from his chair and reached for the dish to pass it to me. As he did that everyone snapped out of the limbo and started picking up the serving dishes and began to serve themselves.

I felt Pinky Aunty's thankful look but refused to meet it as I did not want her thankfulness for something I would have done for anyone sitting at the table here - barring ShiTia.

The rest of the dinner was finished with the banter and teasing returning to normal except in the case of our special couple. Well I thought, if you know how to dish it you should know how to take it as well, as I put another morsel of the delicious chooley puri' in my mouth. Shivvay just went back to stealing angry glances at me that I completely ignored.

With the main course done the desert was served and Badi Ma brought everyone at the table, up to speed with my new job position.

She told everyone that she would train me with the hospitality and sales part while Bade Papa would help me with the business negotiation side and could Papa to train me with handling the financial part so that I could handle that portion in the future as well till I could afford an accountant to do that for me?

Of course Papa was happy to do so and looked towards his wife for support and received it in the form of a vigorous nod accompanied with a bright smile.

She continued to say that Saumya and Prinku said they would help with managing her webpage and respond to the inquiries for now, Om with suggestions for the layout of how the conference rooms should be set up and Rudy with the web design.

Once Badi Ma was done, everyone assigned to help me with my initial weeks, smiled and nodded in agreement.

It was then that Shivvay spoke up with a surprisingly wounded voice and a look to match it, "I guess she would not require any input from me so I will excuse myself now and take my coffee to my room", and made a move to get up when Badi Ma placed her hand in his arm gently and looked in my direction.

Shivvay stopped midway and followed her gaze to rest on mine and for some reason the look he wore broke my heart into a hundred pieces. I tried to counter that feeling by recollecting every nasty and vile thing he had done to me in the past 2 weeks but realized to my dismay that I was failing in that attempt miserably.

Damn! The man and his beautifully expressive eyes I thought and sighed in defeat as I nodded a 'yes' to Badi Ma.

The action did not go unnoticed by Shivvay whose eyes went a dark blue from the dull grey instantly. He sat down slowly, his eyes never breaking their contact with mine and now they wore a slightly confused look mixed with disbelief.

Badi Ma called his name twice to grab his attention and he reluctantly tore his eyes away from mine and turned towards her. Badi Ma explained to everyone that Shivvay would be helping me understand the most important aspect of business.

How to research on current and potential clients and put together a portfolio based on their background. He will train me on how to do market research based on their fiscal figures and stocks. This will help me put together a mix of clients so that I would have contracts throughout the year and not have to worry about down time.

"Are you prepared to invest your time though Shivvay? This is not a hobby but a commitment you are taking on for the next month or so and I want to be clear about that. I had thought of asking my nephew Rohan to do it but since you inquired I am offering it to you with Annika's consent", she asked in a frank no nonsense voice.

Hearing no response from him she added, "I will understand if you need a few days to think about it considering..."

"I did not hear you ask anyone else if they agreed to it or not when they were designated their part in helping Annika, then why are you waiting for an answer from me?", asked Shivvay looking straight at Badi Ma with a surprisingly innocent and questioning look.

Badi Ma closed her eyes for a few seconds, sighed and then in a voice that clearly held a pain for saying this to him replied, "Because son, none of the others in this room who is supporting her in this new beginning, is divorcing Annika Shivvay Singh Oberoi and cutting her out of their life forever, except you. This is a bigger commitment for you than for any of us because it means you are going to have a mentor/protege relationship with her just like me, Tej and Shakti bhaiya but while we still stay connected to Annika and bask in her achievements in the years to come you will not."

Shivvay visibly stiffened at that remark, held his breath and went absolutely still.

She touched his arm gently and stroked it as though trying to make it what she was going to say next less painful and continued, "It will be 'like it never happened' in your life because after you divorce her you will have to make a clean break and never look back. By then you will be married to Tia and I know for a fact that Annika will cease all communication with you at that point. So you see, you are going to be investing time, energy and dedication in someone whose achievements you will never be able to enjoy or be proud of. "

Shivvay's head snapped in my direction and I saw realization setting in at Badi Ma's words as he absorbed everything she had just said.

Tia started to laugh and said in a voice full of sarcasm "So basically again we Oberoi's are helping Annika out and doing her a favour by giving her a job and setting up shop to secure her future. How is this any different from the money I offered her earlier? It is still an act of generosity and a donation towards her secure future, right?"

I bristled at Tia's remark and knew that it was payback for supporting Pinky Aunty but before I could say a word Shivvay looked directly at me and addressed her snide remark by saying, "The difference is that she earned this position and it was not handed to her on a silver platter for being an Oberoi daughter-in-law. She won it fair and square on her merit and her credentials"

Then he turned to Tia and continued in his business like voice I had heard a thousand times on the phone, " That is admirable considering this is the Oberoi Group of Industries that has found her worthy of not just being hired as an employee but is taking her on as an independent business contract."

"But", argued Tia, "for that she would need financial backing and I hope she has not convinced you to do that?"

"I am her silent partner, any objections to that or does Shivvay think I need to get your permission from now on as to where I invest my money", asked Dadi in a stern and irate voice. "You have found a financial advisor in your second wife it seems Shivvay. You make the money and she will advise you on how to spend it."

Tia turned red at that and started to apologize to her saying, "Sorry Dadiji I ..."

Dad raised her hand to stop her from speaking further and looked at Shivvay pointedly when she said "I have told you before and I will repeat myself only once more so that my oldest grandson hears it too. You may become his wife in the future but you presently are not. His wife and the Oberoi bahu is Annika Singh Oberoi till as such time she decides to divorce him."

Then she moved her gaze to Tia beside him and continued, "So when you say 'us Oberoi's' in reference to Annika being the outsider it does not make sense because SHE is the Oberoi presently not you. I would advise against anyone trying to take a jab at her because I would take that jab as a personal one aimed at me. She is my 'izzat' and my 'daulat' and I hope I have made myself clear."

Then she stood up and walked up to me, held my face in her hands gently and landed a tender kiss on my forehead with a 'meri honhar bahu' and proceeded to her room to retire for the night with a loud "goodnight all" in general.

Everyone responded and went back to their after dessert drinks and Badi Ma turned to Shivvay with an eyebrow raised and asked, "Today or in a few days or is it going to be Rohan. I know he will not refuse as he has become quite smitten by Annika in a couple of meetings so either way for me it is a win-win situation. She stays in my family, maternal or married. If she trains with Rohan she will be going to the Singhania offices for the better part of the day and I know Rohan is not going to welcome YOU there", she laughed and winked at me.

"I didn't say I would not take her on as a protege it's just that I did not get a chance to respond because I was interrupted", he said and aimed an angry look towards Tia as he finished.

"Good then it's settled. Welcome aboard Ms. Annika", Badi Ma said and raised her glass.

"What do you mean Ms. Annika, it's supposed to be Mrs. Annika Singh Oberoi!", said Shivvay in a startled voice while he scanned Badi Ma's face for any trace of humor.

Badi Ma looked at Shivvay as if he had just told her that pigs could fly, "No she is not !!! She is not Mrs. Annika Shivvay Singh Oberoi to the world outside these walls Shivvay??!!! In the eyes of the world she is single, available, unmarried and definitely a non-Oberoi. Please try and remember that when you see her at the offices and don't mess it up??!! She will be introduced as Saumya's distant cousin who is staying with us. "

"What"??!!", asked Shivvay in an disbelieving voice as he almost choked on the next sentence, "She is coming on board as Ms. Annika??!! "

To say the Bhagad Billa was not amused with the turn of events would be putting it lightly. He turned to me and fixed me with a death stare when he said, "At the Oberoi Industries we do not take fraternizing at the workplace lightly. It is strictly prohibited and cause for immediate termination."

"That is true Shivvay", responded Om with a wide grin," but Anni is not your employee she is an Independent Business Contract so these do not apply to her."

"True Shivvay", sighed Bade Papa wearing a look of mock sadness for his nephew as he looked at Bhagad Billa with a twinkle in his eye and said, "I agree with Om, and you know I rarely do. Very soon Annika is going to be very footloose and fancy free right under your nose almost every day and there ain't a thing you can do about it."

Through this whole exchange Shivvay's eyes never left my face and at Bade Papa's statement I heard a sharp intake of breath and then he said in a controlled voice, "Training starts tomorrow after lunch Mrs. Annika Singh Oberoi. Be at my office at sharp 3pm no later. You will return home with me in the evening and put in as many hours of work as I do once you get there. In the morning I expect you to read the Business Times and give me analysis of at least two topics you might have found interesting when you come in to work."

He stood up picked his coffee and continued, "You will observe, pay attention, ask questions, make notes and be quizzed on it at the end of the day. And yes!! Don't expect me to cut you any slack for being married to me!", and saying that he turned sharply and walked away.

I stared after him with my mouth open as he walked away with a very worried Tia following him with a chant of Shivvay Baby'. Then wearing the same shocked look I turned to Badi Ma and said, "If you wanted me dead why didn't you just put a gun to my head and shoot me. It would have been quick and painless compared to working with this manic."

All I got in response was laughter from everyone at the table including Pinky Aunty.

Chapter 13 - page 37

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