The Deal - SHIVIKA SS - Last Chapter updated in Page 17 - Page 3

Annika was running around the house, muttering to herself. There was a party that evening with few of the Shivay's business associates and Annika was the event planner, as usual.

"These Oberois are very intelligent, always running some discount scheme. Especially that Bagad Billa...Why else would he marry me otherwise?! He must have thought, let's marry Annika.. I will get an event planner for free, along with a wife. And why do these people have one party or the other always? I have never worn or even seen a normal, everyday clothing since I have come to this house. Do these people even have normal clothing or is their wardrobe full of fancy clothes? Why don't they just open a clothes showroom? I need to ask for a salary from Shivay for all the work I have been putting in. Slave driver..." on and on Anika talked.

As always, Shivay was just in the vicinity of Annika. It is always curious how he is around Annika, whenever she is in trouble or most importantly whenever she is the cause of trouble. As though he has some extra senses when it comes to her. And for all his annoyance about her ramblings, he always listened. So, there is no way he could have missed all that she has to say about the current affairs of the Oberoi Mansion.

He quietly crept behind her, as close to her as he can dare, and whispered in her ear.

"Excuse me? You were saying something? "

She let go of whatever basket she was holding, with a squeal and tried to turn around. Her Charulata' did not support her this time as she slipped on the rug. Shivay quickly caught hold of her by her waist, with all the reflexes he learnt and all the poses he practiced since meeting Annika.

There was few seconds where they both were lost in each others eyes. Shivay quickly recovered, "So, you were talking about me again? Why is that you are always talking about me, or thinking about me?"

"No way...in your dreams... I never talk about you, or think about you...huh!!!" Annika sputtered.

"If you say so..." Shivay smirked while moving away from her, "By the way, one day is almost over. You have not made any attempts to win the challenge so far."

"You don't worry about that. I know what I am doing and my plan is in place already." Annika uttered proudly.

Shivay raised his eyebrows at that and quietly went to his room, with a slight smile on his face.

It was several hours after their conversation that Annika's plan began to take shape. She had found out that there was a Rohit in the invitation list. With little effort she was able to get all the information about him from Rudy. He even managed to find Rohit's number, called him up and introduced Annika. She was lucky that Rohit turned out to be quite a good friend of Shivay and was totally willing to participate in her prank. Anything to bring Shivay a notch or two down he had said. With a quick discussion between Annika and Rohit just before the party and everything was in place. The party was in full swing when the plan was set in motion.

Shivay was only half paying attention to what Mr. Mehtha, a respected businessman, was saying. The other half of his attention was claimed by his wife who was walking around the party, making sure everything is working smoothly. He was mostly annoyed and irritated with all the men in the room.

"Look at all these stupid men...ogling her..." Shivay muttered to himself. "And why am I muttering like Annika. Oh God!!! I should stop this nonsense of adopting her characteristics at once..."

The strain of the waltz poured through the room, signalling everyone the beginning of the dance. It was an English-Ballroom themed party, something which Annika always wanted to try at least once. There was a magic in wearing the beautiful and delicate gowns twirling around the legs while moving along the music.

"Fhat the Wuck!!!!!" exclaimed Shivay, steam running out of his ears, his face red with anger. "Or jealousy" whispered his mind. For he saw his wife dancing with his friend, in an intimate way. He quickly grabbed a lady next to him, without bothering to look who she is and made way towards the bane of his existence.

Annika observed her husband from the corner of the eye, "He is coming this way" said to her partner. Promptly, Rohit snagged his hands on her waist, pulled her a little closer. They all met in the middle of the ballroom.

"Rohit, I did not realize that you knew my wife." Shivay gritted his teeth.

"I met him while doing some event planning for his company." Annika replied quickly.

"Yes, and I found her very charming. Shivay, I am almost jealous of you. You married her before I could make a move. This is not fair. Everyone should at least get one chance to woo the lady." Rohit added with a grin.

Blood boiled, hands clenched and eyes spit fire when Shivay looked at the way Rohit was holding his wife. Only the years of experience in controlling his emotions held him in check.

"May I dance with my wife now?" he asked, as politely as he could, given the circumstances.

"No, you may not. You get to spend all the time with her. Now it is my turn. She is spending all her evening with me" Rohit swept Annika away.

Only one thing kept Shivay from tearing after them and drag Annika back to his arms. He had seen the twinkle in her eyes just as she turned away.

"Little Minx!!! So this is her plan..." he chuckled to himself. "It is time to for you taste the same medicine, Annika..."

Much later, Annika was left wondering why Shivay let go of her and did not bother to find her at all. She expected him to react violently, as he had when she played the same trick on him. He almost destroyed her phone to stop her from talking to an imaginary Rohit. She had hoped to trigger his anger, leading to the declaration of his feelings. This has not worked so far. The reason became clear to her soon, when she looked across the room.

A scantily clad woman was talking to Shivay next to table filled with snacks and drinks, her hand placed on his arms, her cleavage directly in the line of his eyes. They both were laughing at something, having a good time. Annika narrowed her eyes, she was the same woman who was dancing with Shivay sometime back. She marched towards them, preparing to give a long lecture to both of them. Just as she stood behind Shivay, he turned at her with a grin, his eyes shining mischievously.

"Here you are...have you met Miss. Malini? She is one my close friends in the Businessman Club and is an exceptional businesswoman." he pointed at his companion, before Annika could utter a word.

"Oh Come on, you flatterer. You always flirt with me so." Ms. Malini tittered, her hand caressing Shivay's arm. Shivay had picked his partner in crime well, having known about Miss. Malini's infatuation with him for years, although he had not encouraged her till then. However, he was always cordial to her for the sake of his business relationship. Only today, he crossed the line he was maintaining. Anything to win. The poor woman was totally unaware of his schemes and the undercurrent between the two sparring partners. She was quite happy to be noticed after all this time and there was indeed nothing wrong with some harmless flirting.

"Whatever I said is the truth Miss. Malini. And I do enjoy your company" Shivay insisted, noticing the mounting red on Annika's face and also that she has not uttered a word so far, a first for her.

He continued fueling the fire, talking to Miss. Malini, while completely unaware of the looming disaster. When he did notice, Annika's hand was already very close to the jug of water kept on the table. He did understand the nature of the crisis, but could not know who the intended victim was, himself or Miss. Malini or both. One can never know with Annika. In any of the scenarios the consequences would be severe. Before she could do any damage, he snaked his arms around her waist and quickly dragged her behind a pillar, away from the party goers. Miss. Malini was left hanging, mid sentence and bewildered.

Shivay pushed Annika against the pillar, placed his hands on the pillar, caging her.

"What was that? Why were you so close to that woman?" Annika asked angrily.

"What were you doing with Rohit?" Shivay asked with a smirk.

"Nothing...he came to me and we spent some time together..."

"So did Miss. Malini. She wanted to talk to me..." Shivay went very close to her, almost touching his entire body against hers. "Did you like it?" he whispered in her ears.

"Huh..." Annika was beyond the capability of speech.

"Annika... concentrate...did you like tasting your own medicine?" Shivay asked again, in her ear.

"What do you mean? What medicine? You are the one who takes them always. Why should I take? I do not have any disease now. I am healthy..." Annika was revived from her momentary distraction.

"Shhh..." Shivay placed his finger on her lips, "I know what you did, with your plan, with Rohit. Trying to make me jealous... It did not work..."

"Whatever...I still have three days..." Annika quickly recovered her attitude.

"Yes, you have three days..." Shivay moved away from her. Before she could move from her position, he quickly came back and breathed in her ear "Good Luck".