Shivika SS: Trouble In Paradise (Part 3 Updated) - Page 3

Ragini is trouble in paradise

"If you don't mind, sir, I wanted to talk to you about something. Mishra was shuffling on his feet in Shivaay's cabin. Along with being his man-Friday, he was also a constant well-wisher of his boss.

"Go ahead, Mishra. Shivaay did not look up from the file he was going through.

"Sir, Ms. Malhotra does not give me the best of vibes. Especially after today's board meeting, I feel extremely skeptical.

Shivaay couldn't differ, for Ragini's behaviour had indisputably been a little weird. For the first one week, it had been a great professional rapport, and she was intelligent in ways of business. But since the past two weeks, she had become a little of what Shivaay thought of as the college Ragini: the coy smile, the harmless flirting, the preoccupation with dressing over work, and with her almost forced proximity with Shivaay.

He had overlooked it, for nothing was explicit enough to worry about. Maybe she wanted to build a friendship that associates often do. But today, she had crossed some line that maybe Shivaay never drew.

The board meeting for the day was scheduled at Ragini's place, and she had come down wearing a skimpy white gown. The attendance of five men and three women had squirmed as she poured some wine for each.

They all looked at Shivaay, waiting for him to explode. While they all themselves sometimes mixed business with a little fun, they very well knew that their boss hated even the idea of it.

Ragini, as if reading the worry on the eight faces, quipped. "Oh don't worry about Shivaay, he will be fine.

Shivaay's head shot up as he registered her calling him on first name basis. He did not encourage that for any of his associates, no matter they were friends or not.

"For I have got his favourite scotch from college days. She drawled on, pouring him a single malt.

He stiffened at the mention of their past association. He had not only hidden it from his wife, but also from others, for he did not want gossip to cook up.

Ragini smiled as she saw confusion cloud on his face. She knew he wouldn't explode; it was a question about millions after all. No matter how much Shivaay has changed, the businessman in him is the very same.

Questioning eyes sprang towards him. Shivaay cleared his throat.

"Mishra, escort the members back. We will have the meeting some other day; I have a few things yet to finalize with Ms. Malhotra.

Mishra nodded, and Shivaay was certain that the man would take care that things did not go out of this drawing room. As soon as the brigade left, Shivaay barked.

"What the hell was that? You are threatening this deal, Ragini.

"I love it when you call me by my name. Come on Shivaay, have a drink. Associates do a lot more than we are doing. She stepped dangerously close to him, but Shivaay put his arm between them.

"I have no inclination of doing anything whatsoever more than what we are doing. His tone was crisp.

Ragini relaxed her body away. "Yes, I know you are happily married. But I never managed to fall out of love with you. She unceremoniously jumped into his arms, and Shivaay stiffened. "If nothing else, at least we can be friends again.

"Ragini, I don't think so. Not with you behaving like this. Shivaay didn't budge, his arms hanging across his body as Ragini's arms were snaked around his neck, her chin over his shoulder.

"I am sorry, it is difficult. I promise to be a good girl now onwards.

Shivaay cringed at the subtle seduction her voice carried, and the not so subtle double innuendo her words did. But before he could protest, she pulled away with a sweet smile. "I am really sorry.

Shivaay looked up at a worried Mishra. Poor guy was sweating when he didn't even know the major part of the drama. Shivaay couldn't blame him. He himself was reconsidering the association with Ragini on his way back. But he had returned to his office to find a fax from her brother, stating that they will be investing a fortune in the Japanese deal for the Oberois.

Shivaay couldn't help but laugh, so well played. This was Ragini sealing her apology.

Only if he realized that she was intending to seal a lot more than that, but businessman instincts of Shivaay kicked in before any other.

"Don't worry Mishra, I have taken care of it. Now please fetch a driver, I am too tired to drive back.

A still concerned Mishra left, hoping that the bad omen he was feeling was not true.

**

"You are so quiet today. Annika mumbled as they sat on their couch, Shivaay sipping his coffee, as they had just finished dinner.

"Just a long day. He couldn't get the events of it out of his head.

"You have so many long days. Annika whispered, shifting into his lap as her fingers pressed his temples lovingly.

He closed his eyes, leaning backwards. This was the most comforting after a tiring day.

"You smell different. Annika wondered, even as her hands moved to his eyes and she softly ran her thumbs over his eyelids.

Shivaay stiffened, suddenly feeling the need to get out of her hold. To not tell her about Ragini was one thing, but to hide from her all her recent weird activities was another.

He quickly got up, leaving behind a confused Annika. "I'll go change. He left.

Annika shrugged. After a few relaxing days, Shivaay was back in the busy mode with the impending Japanese deal. She went ahead and arranged the sheets, waiting for him to come back. She would give him a nice massage.

By the time he came, Annika was collecting clothes to put in the machine for a wash next morning, and Shivaay handed her his own clothes in tune with habit. As she went out to put them away, he lied down to take his medicines.

"Shivaay! Annika's urgent voice came from the corridor, and he looked up to find her marching towards the door, his white shirt in her hand.

"What's this? She was pointing at the collar of the shirt.

"What's what? Shivaay looked on, clueless.

"There's a lipstick mark, and it is definitely not mine.

Shivaay frowned, not understanding at first, but then soon recalled Ragini's hug. He mentally cursed. He did not even realize when did that happen.

Annika noticed the change of expressions on his face, and her heart sank. Was he...? All the apprehensions she had so nicely put away came back in glory.

Shivaay walked towards her, his eyes downcast, pretending to look at the mark but actually just buying time.

"I was attending a conference. People there hug each other, Annika. He hated how confidently the lies tumbled out of his mouth.

"I know, by now I have been to plenty of your conferences. No one hugs in a way that their lipstick comes in contact with your shirt collar, tucked away under your coat. She shot back with an equal confidence, even as her eyes welled up.

"Well I must have removed my coat! Takes no genius to deduce that one. Shivaay looked away, trying to look as much annoyed as he would have at a false allegation.

Annika did not say anything for a while.

"It still does not leave a... She began feebly, hating to question Shivaay like this. But it was eating her up.

"Oh shut up! He blasted. "It's just a lipstick mark for god's sake, not that I was making out with someone. Had I been doing that, I would have been smart enough to hide the... He stopped, inhaling sharply. All he wanted to do was hold Annika and tell her to just lie down with him, put her hands on his face, but here they were, fighting.

"Oh. She kept the shirt away. "Thanks, that's really comforting. She was expecting him to assure her that he won't do such a thing in his dreams, and he was giving possibilities of exactly the opposite.

She walked off, and Shivaay did not have the words to stop her. All he could do was curse Ragini, but how does that help his case anyway?

**

Sahil had arrived the next day, and whisked away Annika to keep her all for him. Shivaay hadn't spoken to her since last night, and he wouldn't mind the duo going around alone otherwise, but right now he desperately needed to talk to his wife.

He felt terrible, but what else could he do? They said right about lying, once you're caught in the web, there is no way out. It would have been so much better had he told Annika about Ragini right in the beginning. Now, her wrath would only be double the amount, and Shivaay's fear triple.

Shivaay tried her number several times, but she refused to take his call, or answer his messages.

When he returned home, expecting her to be there, he instead found a note.

Sahil and I will be spending the night at my house. Please rest and take your meds.

She loved leaving him notes, instead of messages, whenever she would be late. But unlike this once, he loved them too, for they were full of smiley emoticons, romantic salutations, and her unique diction. But this one was just plain and cold, her anger vibrating though the paper.

He crumpled up the note and threw it away. Shivaay at once dialed for her landline.

As expected, Sahil answered. "Hello, SSO.

"Give the phone to you to your didi.

"She won't come on the line. She's fuming, you know.

"Sahil, please, try. He knew his brother-in-law was on his team.

"Don't you think I have been trying all day? The kid spoke in a hushed tone now. "But you might have given her some real good tadi this time, for she is really pissed off.

Shivaay sighed. He thought maybe he would give her the night to cool off.

After a little chat with Sahil, he hung up and tried to catch some sleep.

But Sahil faced the fury of a jealous woman on behalf of him. "He's not coming?! She was shouting.

"You did not want him to come. Sahil reasoned.

"But he always comes. She complained like a baby, and went off. Annika was disappointed. No matter how angry she was, he never let her spend the night away. He would always show up, and take her away SSO style. Why not this time?

Was it him, or her? Had she gone too far with her insecurities this time, or was there a kernel of truth in them?

**

Annika beamed as she heard a horn bark late afternoon the next day. There was only one man in the chawl who did that.

She stopped herself from running to the door, as Sahil answered the bell. From the corner of her eye, she saw him pick the boy in his arms as Rudra followed with two heavy shopping bags.

"Gifts! Rudy announced, as Sahil excitedly started to go through them. Shivaay's eyes wavered, and he found her behind the door.

"Bhabhi! It's been so long. Rudra, at once sensing the tension, pulled out Annika and gave her a quick hug. Annika laughed, nervously looking at Shivaay.

"Sahil, chal room mein. The brothers left the couple alone.

Shivaay abruptly walked to the kitchen, and came back with a jug of water. He handed it to Annika, who rolled her eyes.

"This is no solution, Shivaay. Even if she missed him, she was still mad.

"Leaving the house isn't one either.

"Not that you really cared. She couldn't help but taunt.

"I don't believe you. I was calling you like an obsessive lover all day.

"But you never came to take me back home. She paused. "Like you always do.

"I thought you needed some time off.

"That has never stopped you before.

Only if Shivaay could tell her that he was guilty this time. He did not come because a part of him knew it was his fault, he had wronged her, and had no face to go with to his wife. Somewhere, he felt the right within him to carry her back to the mansion had gone missing.

But alas, he couldn't tell her this. So he wound her in his arms instead, whispering. "I am sorry, I behaved like an ass. But you know I'd never do something like that to you, right? The past week has just been tiring, Annika. While he referred to the Ragini drama, he knew his wife would understand that he was talking about work. He wanted to tell her everything, hiding his problems from her was ever so strenuous. But he couldn't so he settled for saying the same words with a different meaning.

He escaped in her air. He was actually tired, of running away. He needed her to comfort him. "I hate fighting with you, it is exhausting. He mumbled against her hair, and Annika melted, taking him in her arms and stroking his back.

She mentally scolded her once again for letting Dadi's words take a toll on her. This man would not even imagine hurting her, forget cheating. Had she not been caught up in those thoughts, maybe she would not have reacted this badly.

"I am sorry I doubted you. She kissed his ear and cheek. "You have been so busy, I miss you.

"I know, I hate this as much. He pulled back, kissing her jaw. "I will come home early today, we'll talk. I am trying, Annika.

"I know. I will wait for you. She gave him her best smile, the one he was longing to see, and with that both of them left for their respective offices, looking forward for the day to end.

**

"She was in rehab, Shivaay. I am sorry. I thought all the work will distract her, but destiny plays weird games. I never knew about you two.

Shivaay cringed. Ragini had gone crazy today. They met at her place to lock a few documents when she showed up in a drunken state, tears running down her face. Before Shivaay could ask, she had lunged at him, wailing that she loved him to the point of madness.

She had forced Shivaay out of his coat, and was begging him to kiss her. Thankfully, after an ordeal of a few long minutes, her brother had showed up, saving Shivaay and putting Ragini to sleep.

"Rehab? It brought back bad memories, and Shivaay shivered a little while sipping on some water he had been offered as a consolation.

"She was heavily taking drugs, we never found out why. Until now, I guess.

"What nonsense. Shivaay retorted, understanding the implications of Samarjeet's words.

"Listen; please do not terminate the deal. I will talk to her, I will personally take care that this does not happen again.

Shivaay simply nodded, not even in the state to take decisions right now. He politely excused himself, wondering what mess he had landed himself into.

Samarjeet watched him leave, wondering if this man was the reason behind his sister's state, the reason he had been hunting for so long.

**

Shivaay felt a fraction of his tension dissolve as he took in the aroma of his room: his favourite lily candles had been lighted, and the room smelt like a Thai massage room.

He automatically smiled as he sensed her behind him, turning around to find his wife in a long black silk dress. Her eyes screamed that how much she missed him.

Annika stepped towards him, snaking her arms around his waist as his hands rested on her cheeks. She took him in a soft, prologue of a kiss. He kissed back slowly, savouring the feeling,taking her Aloe Vera soap in, It was all so perfect.

Annika's hands moved up, grabbing his collar and deepening the kiss. She bit his lower lip, causing him to groan. Shivaay felt a dislocated ache, realising how much need he had put Annika through. His hands travelled south, caressing her breasts. She arched, and Shivaay's lips at once travelled down the neckline and rested on the hollow of her neck. She held his head there, as if requesting him to stay just like that for a while. Shivaay happily obliged, and they settled in a long, slumber hug.

After a few minutes, Shivaay looked up.

"Hey. He laughed, all his worries forgotten. She was his medicine, the most effective one at that.

"Why don't you go freshen up? I am waiting. She tugged at his tie.

Shivaay nodded and left.

He quickly undressed. He decided to take a quick shower and get rid of all the sweat. His back, however, stung under the cold water. He turned towards the mirror, intending to inspect his back, and was met with a horror: there were evident nail marks along his back.

"Ragini. He murmured, annoyed in one moment but fear clutched him in another. "Annika. It was a chilled whisper. What would he tell her? A lipstick mark could be justified, but not nail marks on one's back. He swallowed a growl of anger: he had to stay away from her.

Shivaay slowly slipped into his night clothes, dreading each second. Finally, he heard her knock.

"What's taking you so long?'

Till when could he delay this? He got out.

He shut his eyes as she ran her fingers through his beard. She was beginning to lean in when he lightly pushed her. "I have got some work.

"What! The usually composed Annika could not conceal her temper.

"I just got a call; I have a conferencing to review immediately. Shivaay didn't even know what excuse he was making as he saw anger and hurt flash in his wife's beautiful eyes.

Annika swallowed, trying to gather some patience. She did not want to pick a fight again.

"I'll wait. She tried to sound as optimistic as possible, and Shivaay's heart broke. What was he doing, hurting this woman who takes all his shit in a heartbeat?

He just nodded, to afraid to open his mouth and begin to sob in her arms. She went away, and Shivaay willed himself to walk till the study.

He remained there, crying silently, worrying uselessly, for nothing could get better unless he did not tell Annika everything. And that would make things worse too. Oh, the evil irony.

Three hours passed, and once he was sure Annika would have fallen asleep, he stepped in.

He saw her sleeping, her forehead creased, and her lips in a grimace, patches of dry tears stained across her cheeks. Shivaay lied down next to her, maintaining a painful distance as his fingers itched to reach out to Annika. He had to end this, but how? Regret groped him. He remembered her words:

I can fight the entire world Shivaay, I can fight God too, but I can never fight you.

How would she take this? How would she bear this? And, oh good heavens, how would her bear her anger? If she could not fight him,even he could not stand a shred of anger from her side. His world had collapsed many a times when Annika had stopped talking to him, threatened to leave him, was battling death: the memories made him shudder.

He could not; he would not let another trouble in their paradise, he resolved obstinately.

But lies were more stubborn, much more arrogant than Shivaay Singh Oberoi. The seeds had already popped themselves into shoots, and all it takes is a little sun, a little water for them to be fully grown. And Shivaay knew that there was no dearth of those catalysts in this case.

(I did not write on the Ragini-Shivaay scene because I get michmichi, what with the MMS shown yesterday, my eyes hurt 😆 you can just imagine a toned down Priyanka Chopra from Aitraaz if yiu wish.

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Love,
Arushi.

Oh god this is soo real... his guilt... His regret.. the way he is firced to push her away... Annika's hurt... Its sooo heartbreakingly beautiful...

Please please update soon...

if he had said the truth at the first place... this would have never happened... Now when Annika will come to know about this...it will cause some much problems

Loved the way you're writing this no Ragini Shivaay just a touch of madness from her character

Aitraaz is one of the movies because of which I hate priyanka

I love her anyway

Thanks for updating so soon

Cannot wait to read more...

Update soon...

Shivaay is not yet confident to share the details of his encounter with Ragini to Annika. He landed himself in a bigger mess. The more he tries to come out of it, the deeper he is pulled into it. This man digged himself a grave.