Part4
Annika and Sahil spent the night making their house habitable again. With heavy hearts they had started, but slowly with unearthing of their old stuff, memories returned and they started talking animatedly just like before, jokes and sarcastic puns. It was just past 10 pm when Sahil went silent. She picked up the sleeping boy and tucked him into bed.
Annika gave up the pretence. She really missed Shivaay and it was burning like a hole in her chest. She picked up her phone and stared at his number, tempted to press the dial button. Perhaps if I hear his voice, I may feel better? She had underestimated how much he meant to her, and how difficult this separation is going to be.
No, I can't call him. I asked for this time apart. I must to make the effort to keep my word.
It was a long battle through the night, pacing and hiding her phone from her own sight, she learned that Shivaay had crept past her will power, causing her to be like a hormonal teenager in throes of her first love. She gave up trying to sleep and decided to do some laundry and household chores.
While in the bath, she heard Sahil bustling about getting ready, when she came out he gave her a hug and was leaving in a hurry. Frowning and yelping at him to wait, she found him high-fiveing Shivaay in the kitchen before leaving in his car, with his driver.
Shivaay.
Here, in her house.
In her kitchen. Cooking breakfast.
She stood there in her jeans and blouse, damp hair pushed to one side, gaping at him. He was looking gorgeous, in his grey waistcoat, sleeves rolled up and making omelettes.
Did she dream him up? You know, from thinking about him too much all night?
Shivaay turned towards her and raised an eyebrow. When she didn't respond, he shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. Somehow, the sound jolted her out of her silence, and she hurtled herself into his arms for a tight hug. She knocked the wind out of him in surprise, and he rocked back to steady himself. Running his hands over her back, he smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"You could have just called me last night. We would have both gotten some sleep that way..." he scolded softly. She just made an angry sound and hid her face. "Promise me, you will call me or text me whenever you feel like it, okay? You left the house, NOT ME. Anytime, even at 3 a.m. okay? Promise?"
She nodded into his chest, and he patted her head, until awkwardness set into her. She moved away, and without shyness he lifted her chin and pecked her lightly on the lips, "Good morning..." She felt her insides warm up as she greeted him back.
"What are you doing here, Shivaay?"
"What do you mean? You left Oberoi Mansion, you never said anything about Me not coming to your house."
Annika felt like she should have protested to that, but she was so happy to see him she just let it slide. Inwardly smiling at his obstinacy, she allowed herself to enjoy this feeling, being with him. He led her to the table and sat next to her for breakfast.
"Don't you usually have breakfast with your brothers? Did you leave them to come here?" she asked quietly.
"I'd have two breakfasts everyday just so I can do this, okay? .." he patted his stomach proudly. "I'd get a bit pudgy after this one month, but then I can work it out. Oh ! This leads me to a great idea! Would you like to work out with me...?" He said this by looking suggestively into her eyes, and she coloured furiously, unsure why.
He watched her blush rosily with an amused smile. He reached over and ran his thumb over her cheek absently. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he whispered, "Relax , I was only talking about jogging. But other exercises are also possible..."
That earned him a halfhearted punch in the arm, and she turned abruptly to gulp down a glass of cool water. He didn't even bother to hide his laughter. They had a companionable breakfast together, talking about their plans for the day, and what's going on at home. She was going to set up her business and he had gotten hold of a friend to help her get started.
He left for work with a kiss, and Annika felt deliriously happy. She'd never had a boyfriend before, this felt close to it. He called her at lunch time, just to say Hi. By evening time, Annika found smiling to herself is a new habit of hers.
Shivaay was working late today, and Rudra and Saumya were hanging out with her. They had a noisy laughter-filled dinner and a movie, they left at almost 11, and she was ready for bed. She picked up her phone , refusing to overthink, she sent him a message wishing Goodnight.
A few seconds later, her phone rang.
"Hi..." Shivaay said, and Annika didn't have words to describe the feelings his soft gentle voice invoked. "I thought you'd be asleep by now, glad you messaged.."
"Just turning in for the night..." she replied softly.
"Yes, you can ask that the guard you posted outside also." She quipped wryly.
He laughed softly, "Nothing ever escapes you, does it? "
"Nope, rarely... I'm sharp like that. OK, leave that. How was your day? Have you eaten?"
" Busy... Meetings after meetings. " he elaborated on his long day and she listened. After a long while of silence on her end, he called her name, wondering if she was still there.
"Annika? Are you still there? " Hearing her again, he wondered if he had bored her but she had clued in perfectly, understanding all the boring business stuff as well. One topic led to another and they ended up lying down in bed and chatting for hours.
It became a routine for the rest of the week, he would come for breakfast every morning. He would look sceptically at what she made (when it was her turn), and brandish a fancy container of breakfast from Oberoi House. She'd pout cutely, and he'd eat her dishes quietly, and kept his opinions to himself. He'd kiss her lightly before he left for the day. She could get used to that display of affection.
He would call her whenever he had free time, just to check up on her. And when his days went up till late, she'd call him just before she went to bed, to make sure he had eaten and will take rest. Their late night chats were the best. About nothing terribly important, but somehow the hours just vanish , just listening to each other talk about anything.
Some not so great news came at that weekend during their midnight chat.
"Annika , I need to go away for business for about a week. I can't postpone it. It's overseas and the schedule is out of my control. I've left Khanna to keep security round the clock for you, and Rudra, Om say they will come by everyday with Prinku. Will you be okay? "
"I'll be fine, Shivaay. I've always managed by myself."
"Yeah, I know. But you will message me, I'll be worrying about you."
After a moment of silence, she replied, "And I'll be missing you.."
Annika never knew she had it in her to mope, but that's exactly what she did the whole week he was away. She was crabby and weepy, lost all her appetite altogether, somehow got some work done in between. She slept badly, and woke up to see one stupid message that came in at 4.30 am from him. The one message to reply the 27 messages she had left the last 2 days.
Angry and unhappy, she remembered Mallika's story, how she too received no communication from Shivaay, and their relationship ended. Feeling even worse, she resolutely ignored him for the following 2 days.
At 3 am on the 4th day, she was fast asleep when her phone rang shrilly, jolting her up. She answered the phone with her eyes closed, and heard an angry Shivaay scolding her from miles away.
"-----what is this behaviour huh?! Don't you have any sense to reply to messages? Not even one? HUH?! Wha- What is wrong with you? Do you know I've been imagining all sorts of sc..scary things happening to you? Seriously, woman, you...you drive me up the wall..! ---"
She clutched the phone to her ear, smiling stupidly at the irate concern in his voice. Who'd have thought, that one day she'd love Shivaay Singh Oberoi's angry voice scolding her at 3am?
"Annika ??!" he called out, thinking the connection was interrupted.
"Haan..." she murmured softly. She heard him mutter to himself on the other side, calming himself down.
"Annika , say something !"
"It's 3 am, Shivaay. My brain is still asleep..." and he laughed in reply, Crazy woman.
"Are you okay? Everything alright with you? "
"Yes, everything is fine..." she grumbled cutely.
"Then why haven't you replied any of my 20 messages? " the anger had come back in his voice.
"Like you replied to my 27 messages..." she complained back.
"Seriously ..!! The network is problematic here and I get messages all at once and didn't get time to !"
"Same here, network problem." She curtly snapped.
An audible sigh came from the other side.
"Listen, let's not fight huh? Wasting money and time. I missed you..." he said silkily.
Suddenly she was wide awake. "Me too..." Just like that, the anger on both sides melted and they went back to smiles and sighs.
"When are you coming back? I'm fed up of this.." she whined to his amusement.
"Soon, just 4 more days.." and she proceeded to complain cutely some more.
"What can I bring for you when I come back?" he asked before ringing off.
"Nothing. Just bring yourself back.." and she could hear the smile in his voice as he said goodnight.
***
Shivaay swerved the steering wheel expertly as he manoeuvred the streets leading to Annika's house. It was a torturous week long trip this time, all he could think about was to get back to Annika.
Missing her was an understatement. She has become an obsession! He would think of random things about her at most unsuitable times. How her eyes twinkle when she laughs, the sound so infectious. She has this sexy little pout when she is blushing. How her smile makes her eyes close, because she smiles so wide. Damn! Thoughts of her are invading his every moment, at work, in the middle of a meeting, there in all of his free moments. Now he just can't wait any longer to see her and he had dismissed his driver at the airport , driving straight to her house to surprise her.
He parked quietly and rushed up her porch , only to be stunned at the sight in front of him.
Sahil was riding piggy back upon a tall lanky man's back, and laughing uproariously. The man ran with the boy up and down the living room, gathering things from here and there. Curious as to who the hell this stranger was, Shivaay was about to call out, when Annika herself came into the room.
"Hey!! Sahil, don't tell me you're going to make him carry you all day ? Let the poor man breathe also! HEY!! Don't mess with the carpet I just cleaned that ! " She noisily chased after the duo mock-angrily as they ran from her, squealing happily. Shivaay felt like an intruder watching them.
He watched as the man, with Sahil on his back collapsed on to the couch and Annika pounced on them, playfully tickling and laughing gaily. Shivaay felt his face go numb with anger and dread.
"Stop it !! You guys are messing up my clean house! Cheeky fellows! "
"Sahil !! ROHIT !! Hey !! " Annika laughed merrily as they trio happily played.
Shivaay walked off then, his mind reeling with shock and anger. He'd seen enough.
*Yes!! Next chapter is coming very soon.. I won't delay it as long, promise! *
Kumkum Bhagya
Tu Dhadkan Main Dil
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
