CHAPTER 9
INTENSIVE PLANNING
Tucking into their entrees, Shivaay and Annika were at ease; with each other and the conversation. Soon the conversation shifted to a specific topic relationships. Annika had brought it up. "So how is India's most eligible bachelor (According to Pinky aunty) still single? " Shivaay laughed, "Well, looks like he has not found his match until now Annika blushed again. "You tell me, you spent so much time in Europe, no English guy caught your eye? I mean Prinku and Soumya have some sort of a thing for British accents! "I wouldn't say no, I have gone on dates, had a short lived relationship, but I always left before it was too serious. I was scared; to be honest, I did not want to be committed to someone when I was figuring out my own life, it was not fair to the other person that I wasn't giving my 100%. No one deserves that! So yes, English guys have caught my eye but not long enough to capture my heart.
" What about now? Would you say you have figured out your life? Do you have space for another person? Shivaay asked. Making eye contact this time she whispered " It would seem so, I think I am at good place in my life. Just have to find a job or something and then I might at a really really good place. "Annika Shivaay asked in a serious tone, "Have you considered working for your family's company. It would be a wasted opportunity otherwise. You have the skills, I have seen it firsthand. You would always have Bade Papa or me for any guidance! You have already struggled so much, don't you think it's time to take over something that was destined for you? Shivaay waited with bated breath for an answer, he was expecting an explosive answer and almost cursed himself for bringing up a sensitive topic when they were supposed to be having a fun time out. What came next surprised him, Annika slumped her shoulders and replied " I'm not sure Shivaay. I have definitely thought about all my options, it does not feel like a family thing to me though, I've been so detached to it all my life that I would almost feel like I'm taking over someone's family business without an iota of experience. I can't do that to my grandparents' legacy. I also know that this is what they would have wanted for me. So I am confused. I think I just need some time to make that decision. I don't want to rush into the opportunity or lose it. She gave him a small smile and continued her meal.
With the big talk out of the way, they were back into their usual bantering routine, while the dessert plates were being taken away, Annika looked at her phone and yelped. There were at the place for over two hours they needed to go back to their shop. She mentioned this to Shivaay and they quickly got out of there. Reaching their shop once again, Annika went inside to talk to the uncle, he showed her sample of what he was able to come up with and the possibilities of the final design within two days before Jhanvi's birthday. Annika was pleased, sending photos to the gang she waited around the shop wandering. Something caught her eye, before she could ask for it, she got responses from the group they were happy with the product. Finalising the details and paying the man some money in advance, she took some details of the workers to track the progress and finally left. The piece that caught her eye was completely forgotten.
They went back home and gathered in Rudra's room where all the minute details were being planned. They were currently fighting over the wine and cocktail list, there were two mortified guys in black in the corner who Annika assumed were bartenders. They wanted to have a special cocktail for the night in honour of the birthday girl. It was well known that Jhanvi had a penchant taste for wine and was one of the main reason for the Oberoi vineyards that they acquired almost a decade ago. All sorts of cocktail names were being thrown around, Pina colada' Bloody mary' Margaritas' Cosmos!'. Om shook his head, these will be on the list anyway, and the bartenders can make them if someone asks for it. We need something new. Rudra responded "New? There is nothing new! We have to create one then The gang slowly turned their heads towards Rudra. Chaos followed! It was a great idea. They just had to figure out the right mix now.
Sensing that it was getting quite late, they sent the bartenders home with instructions that they come up with ideas for a new cocktail. The gang brainstormed for a while and then headed to their rooms. Annika and Soumya were walking back together when Soumya exclaimed. "Di! I almost forgot, we have to go to a dance class tomorrow. Annika was puzzled "Dance class? "Yes di! Prinku was telling me while you went to sort out the birthday gift, she booked us girls in for a dance class, she had an idea to present something at the party. We are all booked, you, me, Prinks, Dadi and Pinky aunty. Tej uncle is taking aunty under the pretence of some meeting so she won't know. Annika nodded in agreement, "Sounds great! Do we know the teacher? Soumya responded "I think Prinks knows her from a summer workshop a couple of years ago, she teaches kids as well I think.
"Awesome! I'm looking forward to it then, in the morning right? Better go and get some sleep then! Soumya nodded yawning and both the girls headed to their rooms. The next morning the gang got ready quietly, the boys had gone somewhere doing their own things, the girls had to wait until Tej took Jhanvi with him to work, he messaged them giving the green signal. They rushed out their room and quickly grabbed some breakfast and soon the girls were piled in an SUV heading to the studio. The driver was given strict instructions regarding their alibis if someone asked. Prinks had gone to meet a friend and was meeting Annika and Soumya later for a spa day. Dadi and Pinky were at a Baba's satsang. The driver nodded and asked the ladies to give him a call when they were about to leave.
They ladies went into the studio just in time to see a class finishing. They were little kids grooving in sync to the latest hit on the radio. The chorus had ended and the kids cheered, the instructor waved at the group of ladies and asked to wait for five minutes, she handed the kids their belonging and went outside with them to see that they were picked up by their respective parents/drivers. She went back in greeted her favourite ladies with a hug. Introductions were made for Annika as she was the only unfamiliar face.
Prinks took charge "Annika didi meet Ishaana, Ishu meet Annika didi The girls hugged. "Ok its nice to finally meet you Annika di, I always kept hearing about you from Sumo and Prinks. "Aww! They are just being nice Ishaana, I heard nice things about you too. I'm excited for this now! The girls laughed and Ishaana started the class "So ladies, Prinks obviously told you the concept, we are acting out some bits and pieces from Jhanvi Aunty's life. I would usually allocated a set character to each of you since it's almost like a play, but let's do something different, you can all take turns enacting her. Ready? "Yes! they all chorused. Hence, began the splitting. Ishaana would start their play with the first song! Soumya would join in as Tej, followed by Dadi and Pinky is Tej and Jhanvi and so on.
Almost three hours later, with sweaty body and happy minds they left the place with Ishaana to grab some food and drag her back to the mansion to have some girl time. They had some yummy dosa at a nearby place and meanwhile called the driver to pick them up. They had all headed back home and were assembled in the living room chatting, soon Jhanvi headed in with an irritated expression, she had been excited initially when Tej had asked her to come to work with him, she had taken a break for a couple of months due her back problem and was itching to get back to work. She had spent a good part of the night before looking over reports and agendas to ensure that she wasn't going unprepared. Going in this morning she realised that the meeting she had prepared for was actually next week and Tej had looked at the wrong day, when she insisted that she would head back home, he asked to stay and help him with some other projects. What she ended up doing were menial tasks like putting letters in envelopes, filling out paper in the printer tray and replacing coffee filters. She wouldn't have minded the distraction if it wasn't for Tej hovering over her the entire day.
She finally saw him head over to the restroom and made her escape. She had plunked herself on the couch and propped her legs onto the coffee table, the girls were trying to control their giggles. Poor Tej! He had tried hard to keep Jhanvi out of the way to not spoil the surprise. Annika was not able to control her laughter anymore and got up and practically ran to the kitchen announcing that she was making tea for everyone. Jhanvi had soon turned around to ask what the rest of them had been up to. They had all relayed their well-practiced alibis. It was then she noticed, "Oh Ishaana beta! How are you? I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you in the midst of my rant. Long time, come here! Let me give you a hug! Ishaana smiled and went up to her, she was always fond of Jhanvi Aunty. So calm and caring, yet fierce and stubborn when she needed to be. She was someone Ishaana looked up to and would hopefully be like. "So how are things with you? Teaching and dance classes are going well? Holidays now right? You must be busy. " Ofcourse aunty! The usual, I have set times this time for classes instead of setting up a summer camp like last time, that was chaos, managing so many hyper kids was crazy! Thank god for Prinks who came and helped, otherwise it would have been a fail. Annika and Soumya had come back with tea and snacks for everyone. The ladies once again relaxed.
After insisting that Ishaana stay the night, they had all eaten dinner and proceeded for their night time routine, reading and sleeping for the elders and secret party planning for the youngsters. They had all once again gathered in Rudra's room. Rudra was excited to see his Ishu didi as well. Best holidays ever! They were waiting for Shivaay and Om. The others brothers had walked in, amidst conversation about various types of drinks and what would make the best cocktail. They had paused looking at the slightly larger congregation. After greeting their new member. They continued yesterday's conversation about making a signature cocktail.
Catching up on the conversation, Ishaana said "Why don't we try some combinations? We need to try to know whether it might work or not, who has the liquor stash? Agreeing to what she said, the guys had dispersed to various parts of the mansion to bring all sorts of alcohol that they had, and Prinku got her sacred bottle of expensive vodka that she had gotten as a present but had not dared to drink yet. Looking at the selection of fine alcohol in front of her, Ishaana asked for some chilli powder, strawberries and mint leaves. Finally gathering everything, she took a shot glass and measured out equal parts of vodka and sprite with a dash of whiskey and raspberry flavour. She put chili powder on the rim and a slice of strawberry and dropped a pinch of chopped mint leaves.
She looked at her creation and passed it forward for the gang to try. She saw shocked expressions and mentioned that she worked as a part time bartended when she was studying and loved making new drinks. Annika exclaimed, I worked at a bar too, but I was just bussing tables. They hi fived each other and mentioned for the rest of them to try. Everyone had taken a sip. Om said " Woah! That is good, its really sweet on the first sip, and the chilli hits and its hot but then the mint cools it down! Its perfect. "Exactly! Its like aunty's personality, she is sweet but can be fierce and has a temper but is genuinely a nice person! Ishaana retorted. Om was flabbergasted, that was the most accurate depiction of his mother, even in a drink, Ishaana had gotten her true essence. He was impressed. Reminding himself to pay more attention to this girl in the future, he asked everyone else if they were ok with the drink.
Upon their agreement and Shivaay's suggestion that they should name it after her, the gang forwarded the recipe of "The Jhanvi' to their bartenders. After finalising the last minute minute details regarding lighting and sound effects, they send texts to the respective workers and then called it a night. The boys went to their respective rooms and the girls had decided to camp out in Prinku's room.
The party in the next update! Hopefully you like it so far! Do let me know.
PS:: A massive massive thank you to Seema, Samiksha, Aakrithi, Sri, Rohnit _Ruhi and Narbhi Forever. For those who still comment and haven't been mentioned, please leave your names, I would love love love to thank you personally for all your support!
Also a major thanks to all the wonderful readers that like my updates! Next goal is to get one of you to reply! He He!
PPS: I have no idea about how that cocktail would actually taste, just used some sort of creative liberty, if anyone has tried something similar or would suggest a change do let me know. And hopefully the dance part will make more sense the next update, which is why I did not want to elaborate here.
PPPS: (Last one I promise!!) Since my readers are so lovely, the next chapter might be out today as well!!!
Lots of love
Vinu xx
Edited by missreddy7 - 8 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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