Part 20
She let herself into the room and placed her bag carefully on the chair by the worktop table and lay on her bed looking up at the ceiling. She closed her eyes and a picture of Shivaay flashed into her mind, she felt a pang in her chest once again as his voice filled her ears...
*Shivaay: Mum...I'm going...I need to get back to the office...I'll see you later...*
Her eyes were closed and she pained to see him, tears rolled out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she wish he could be here with her...
Anika: I miss you Shivaay...I miss you so much... - crying silently into her pillow
The next day Anika decided not to let her emotions get the better of her and thought it was best to get started with her work without any distractions. She placed her belongings at a side of the work top and took out what was necessary before walking over to the equipment cupboard. She smiled as she opened it; knowing that she was ahead and was given the opportunity to have first choice. Looking over at the reels of fabric available her smile widened as her eyes fell onto the exact colour she wanted for her first outfit, she made a grab for it but was suddenly brought back to reality realizing that it was way too heavy for her to carry, she dropped it and sighed.
??: Need some help?
Anika: - turning around she came face to face with a guy from the group who smiled sweetly at her - Oh...umm Ranveer...please?
Ranveer: Of course...
He took out the reel of metallic turquoise fabric and carried it over to Anika's workstation.
Anika: Thanks a lot...
Ranveer: No problem... - with another sweet smile he left
Anika unreeled the fabric and cut out the amount she was going to need then placed it to a side before going back to the cupboard to get the rest of equipment. She came back a few moments later and took a deep breath with a huge smile as she was about to begin her production, she silently prayed as she lay her pattern pieces out over the fabric and began cutting.
She had cut out the big pieces of fabric and was about to get started on the smaller ones when she felt a hand on her shoulder making her turn sharply.
Ishana: Hey...you've started already? - looking over her shoulder
Anika: Oh hi...yeh...I came here early...thought I would get started right away...
Ishana: - smiling - You're really on the fast train...
Anika: - nodding - ...What are you doing today?
Ishana: Working on my pattern pieces... - rolling her eyes - ...wish I could start making like you...
Anika: Maybe if you had started earlier...
Ishana: I know...but I just got held up in the SPA for the first week...until it hit me last night that we only have two weeks left...time has gone so fast...
Anika: Time flies when you're having fun... - grinning
Ishana: Tell me about it... - sighing loudly - ...okay then I'll see you in a while...going to get started on this now...
Anika: Okay...all the best...
Ishana: Thanks...I'm going to need it...because I'm just not in the mood...
Anika smiled as she watched Ishana walk away from her to find a clear space to start working. She looked around the production room to see most of the group had now got started on their paper patterns. She was the only one who had started on her fabric and she felt proud of herself; she was happy that she was not mislead by the available facilities which could have distracted her intentions, instead she used her time wisely and was clear minded about her goal. She turned around and carried on cutting out her fabric carefully with a satisfying smile.
Two hours later she had completed cutting out all her fabric pieces and tidied up her work station before pinning the outfit together. Her concentration level was so high that she did not notice most of the group had left the room and others were tidying up. She snapped up as she heard a loud click next to her ear, she dropped the fabric in her hand and swiveled around in her chair to see her friends standing there laughing at her.
Anika: Huh?
Piya: Are you okay?
Anika: Umm...yeah... - coming back to reality - ...I was just concentrating too hard...I didn't notice when you guys came...
Ranveer: That's what happens when you're a workaholic... - smiling
Ishana: Exactly...
Anika: Guys...it's not like that...I'm just...
Ishana: - cutting her off - ...Just nothing...if you're not a workaholic then pack this all away and come and have some lunch with us...
Piya: Yeah...you've been working hard all morning...it's time for you to take a break...
Anika: Umm...you guys go ahead...I'll catch up with you in a bit...
Ranveer: I knew you were going to say that... - laughing
Piya: Come on Anika...
Anika: Seriously I'm fine...you guys go on...
Ishana: Are you really not hungry?
Ranveer: She's super human...
Piya: I believe you... - laughing
Ishana: Please... - pleading
Anika: You guys won't drop this will you? - making a face
The three of them shook their heads in unison making her smile.
Anika: Fine...
They cheered as she stood up and put her things away carefully making sure she had everything organised correctly and she didn't miss anything.
Piya: That's more like it... - smiling
Anika: Come on...let's go... - placing her bag over her shoulder and following them out
Ishana: Right...let's have some lunch...I'm starving!
Ranveer: Me too...
They walked out of the workshop and made their way through the garden towards the dining room for lunch. It was already crowded as they eased their way through to grab their lunch before settling down near the window area where some of the other group members were.
Rachel: Well, well, well...if it isn't Anika... - smiling she turned to Ishana - ...I don't think I've ever seen her outside of the workshop...
Ishana: Tell me about it...I only ever see her in the workshop and our room... - teasing
Anika: - smiling at them both - ...Oh come on guys...stop exaggerating now...I do know how to have some fun...
Michael: Oh really... - laughing - ...so how far have you got with your work?
Ranveer: She's almost finished...
Anika: - rolling her eyes in his direction with a smile, then turning to the guy - ...not that far...I've just started on my first outfit...
Piya: That's far enough...all of us are working on our paper patterns...
Rachel: Yep...I just started mine today...I just couldn't get myself out of the pool last week...
Ishana: But Anika gets straight on with her work...no stopping for anyone or anything...
Michael: But...if she says she knows how to have fun then let's test her...
Anika: Huh? - raising her eye brow - ...I mean...how?
Rachel: Don't panic... - laughing - ...actually before you guys came in we were talking about the sign that's up on the notice board for our group...
Ranveer: What sign?
Michael: There's going to be a camp fire night two days later...
Piya: Wow...camp fire...that sounds like fun...
Ishana: Yep...I can't wait... - excitedly
Michael: And what about you Anika? - turning to her - ...Will you be able to make it...or will you be too busy...? - grinning
Anika: I'll definitely be there... - smiling widely
All: We Will See...
Anika: Yes we will... - happily
Two nights later, Anika was sat on her bed in her room flicking through a magazine and listening to Ishana ramble on with a smile on her face.
Ishana: I knew it...I knew you wouldn't come... - putting on her eye makeup while looking in the mirror - ...there's not even any work for you to do tonight...you've even finished your first outfit...but you're still going to sit here in this boring room looking through a magazine and planning to go to bed early so that you can get up early and get to work... - now putting on her lipstick - ...seriously Anika...I've not met anyone like you... - turning around
Anika: I'm just not up for it...I'm really tired... - moaning like a child
Ishana: Fine...you sit here...I'm going to have some fun...
Anika: Bye... - smiling at her
Ishana: Bye... - turning on her heel and walking towards the door
Anika: Have fun... - shouting after her with a smile
Ishana left the room and made her way out to the open area near the outdoor pool. As she neared she could see the bonfire had already started up and the place was decorated with lanterns, there were tables set out with snacks and there were chairs surrounding the bonfire. She smiled and carried on towards the group where she met Annie and Robin before settling down between Ranveer and Piya.
Piya: She didn't come... - to Ishana
Ishana: I knew she wouldn't...
Michael: We should've placed a bet...
They all laughed and carried on talking generally waiting for the others to turn up so they could get started on the fun. Ten minutes later the bon fire was surrounded with the members from the group, there were a few empty chairs as they waited a while longer. The laughter died down a moment later as Ranveer silenced them all and they gave him curious looks.
Piya: What's wrong?
Ranveer: Look over there...is that...?
They all turned to look at the direction he was pointing in and squinted their eyes through the darkness to see a female figure walking towards them, as she came closer they could see that she was wearing beige coloured uggs over her skinny jeans, a long white t shirt which came just above her knees and a matching beige coloured shawl over her shoulders to keep her warm. They looked up to see Anika's smiling face as she stood in front of them, their mouths were left hanging open as they could not believe she would actually come to join in the fun.
Anika: You can all close your mouths now... - smirking
She settled down in between Ranveer and Ishana who both pulled themselves together and closed their mouths.
Rachel: But Anika...what are you doing here?
Michael: Ishana said you were getting ready for bed...
Anika: Did you guys think I would let you have all the fun without me...
Piya: Yeah but we thought...it was not your kind of thing...
Anika: I love this kind of thing...I may not show it because when it comes to work, designing and making dresses I'm very serious... - then looking around at their faces - ...but I do know how to have fun...
Ranveer: Well at least you're here... - with a smile
Ishana: Yep...now let's have some fun...
Anika: Yes...when I got here and saw you guys was sitting here like a bunch of lemons...I was going to turn around and go back to my room... - teasing
Michael: The party hasn't started yet...
Ranveer: Yeh we were waiting for you...I knew you would come...
Anika: Well...now I'm here what are we waiting for?
Robin: Absolutely nothing... - coming up behind them - ...it's time to get this party started...
Annie: And our first game tonight is...
Robin: Tell a Tale...
Annie: There's two pieces of paper on your chairs...and I'm passing around a pen...you need to write one topic on the first sheet of paper...and on the second a key word...
Robin: Then fold the papers and place it in the hat that will be passed around...
Everyone scribbled onto the piece of paper excitedly and conversations started up instantly as they waited for the games to begin. A few minutes later they were all set, everyone had written their words and placed it in the hat eagerly waiting to hear what was going to happen next.
Annie: Okay...now that we're all ready...here are the rules of the game...
Robin: You must include the two things which you've drawn from the hat during your story...
Annie: And that's all...you can freely tell your story and interest us all...
Michael: That sounds good...
Piya: Yes...let's begin...
Robin: And we will start with... - walks around the circle and places it into someone's hands
Rachel: Oh no...not me...
They all begin to cheer her on as she started to tell the story. As the hat was passed around the story became more and more exciting. Sometime later Ranveer placed the hat into Anika's hands and using her English subject experience and her creativity she began to narrate a long love story which ends tragically hooking all her listeners to her each and every word until the very end where she found almost everyone sitting at the edge of their chairs waiting to hear the rest but she stopped at a cliff hanger making them all moan loudly as she handed the hat over to Piya who had tears in her eyes.
Ishana: Anika...that's not fair...
Ranveer: You have to finish that...I want to know what happened...
Michael: We all want to know what happened...
Girl 1: Go on Anika...tell us...
Anika: - smiling - Sorry guys...I've passed on the hat...it's Piya's turn...
Rachel: You've left it at such a point no one can even carry on...
Boy 1: At least not Piya...she's in tears... - everyone laughed
Piya: Anika...please carry on... - wiping her eyes with a smile - ...that was going really well...
Annie: Definitely Anika...you're such a good story teller...
Robin: You really are very creative...and I think... - correcting himself - ...we all think you should carry on...
Anika: - blushing - But...I can't...I mean...it was just a...
Ranveer: Go on Anika please...
Anika: But I don't even know...
Ishana: - cutting her off - Yeah please Anika...I really was enjoying that...
Rachel: Anika...Anika...Anika... - chanting
Anika: - holding her head in her hands as they all start chanting - Oh nooo...
Everyone started cheering her on and she had no other choice but to give in and carry on the story from the top of her head as she also did not have any idea what was going to happen. Twenty minutes later she came to a close on a happy note making everyone cheer her on.
Annie and Robin then drew their attention to the snack tables and they settled down munching on marshmallows, crackers, crisps and chocolates. They toasted their marshmallows over the bon fire while chatting away about the awesome events of the night. Sometime later when they had finished munching Annie and Robin got them ready for the second game of the night. They made a circular barrier around the bon fire for health and safety before announcing to the group that they were going to play Blind man's Bluff. They all looked around at each other excitedly as almost all of them had not played this game since they had left primary school eight to ten years ago.
Annie chose the first person and placed a red cloth over his eyes spinning him around twice she let him free and he moved around the open area trying to catch someone. Five minutes later the unlucky person was caught and it was Piya, she moaned as the red cloth was placed over her eyes and everyone cheered as they teased her while she walked around like a zombie. But no longer than three minutes she had caught Ranveer who looked around with a confused look to see who had pushed him into her arms.
A moment later he was walking around like a zombie with the red cloth over his eyes using all his other senses to catch his prey but for some reason he was unable to touch anyone even after eight minutes. He stopped for a moment as his senses pricked up feeling a figure close to him; they were surrounded by lots of giggles and shouts as he made an instant grab for the closest person holding them tight in his arms. He smiled breathing in the scent of her almond shampoo from her hair, with one hand still around her he took off the blindfold with the other and came face to face with the most beautiful sight.
Anika stood in his arms, extremely close to him, their noses were almost touching and they were both lost in the moment. An image of Shivaay flashed into Anika's mind as she longed for him, she imagined him standing right in front of her, being so close to him, their noses touching each other, he bent his head about to kiss her, she closed her eyes for a moment until the loud giggles and shouts disrupted them and they were brought back to reality. Ranveer carried on looking at her as someone took the blind fold from his hand and placed it over Anika's who was still in shock.
The game carried on for a longer while then the party came to an end, they all realized it was too late and they dragged their sleepy feet off to their rooms and heading straight to bed. Anika stayed awake for sometime thinking of the small encounter which happened with Ranveer, but her mind was focused on Shivaay...thinking of him she fell asleep wishing silently that he could be here with her.
The next morning Anika got up early; she got dressed quickly and left the room even before Ishana had woken up. She made her way down the corridor and through the lounge to the dining hall, she was the first one there and just in time to have breakfast. She ate up quickly and headed to the workshop where she knew she would be alone and would be able to clear her mind. Walking in to the production room she made her way to her workstation and got right on with her work.
An hour later she looked up with a bright smile and sighed happily as she looked down at her outfit; she had finished all the small details and even ironed it down to the seam. She placed it on the mannequin and admired her work until she felt a hand on her shoulder almost making her jump out of her skin.
Ishana: Calm down...it's only me...
Anika: - holding onto her chest - ...You didn't have to scare me like that...
Ishana: Sorry... - apologetically - ...but you scared me this morning as well...
Anika: How? - looking curiously at her - ...What did I do?
Ishana: You were gone by the time I woke up...but then I knew I would find you here... - placing her bag down and turning to face Anika seriously - ...but forget all that...I need to speak to you...
Anika: What's wrong? - looking closely at her - ...Is everything okay?
Ishana: Not with me...but I think something is up with you... - Anika gave her a curious look and waited for her to carry on - ...what happened last night?
Anika: What happened last night? - curiously
Ishana: Oh come on Anika...stop repeating what I'm saying and tell me what's going on between you and Ranveer...everyone saw what happened last night...it's so obvious that something is going on between the two of you...so just tell me...
Anika: WHAT??? - loudly then controlling herself - ...What? ME? And Ranveer? Ishana are you serious?
But before either of them could say another word they turned their head towards the door where they could see through the glass that the other members of the group were coming in and they decided to talk about this later.
Ishana: - changing the subject altogether - Anika this outfit is beautiful...can't believe you worked so fast and you've finished one of your outfits already...
Anika: Thanks...
Rachel: Wow Anika...you've finished...this is really gorgeous...
Annie: Well done Anika...you really are very talented...
Michael: Last night you blew us all away with your story telling talent and now with this creativity of yours...
Piya: Anika...you truly are amazing... - giving her a side hug
Robin: Well done... - smiling at her then turning to everyone else - ...looks like everyone else needs to get a move on...
They all agreed and started moving to their work stations talking about last night and the projects and deadlines. While Anika took her outfit off of the mannequin she heard a low cough behind her which made her turn, she came face to face with Ranveer making her back away a little as she noticed the closeness.
Anika: Oh umm...Ranveer...hi... - awkwardly
Ranveer: This is really beautiful...
Anika: Umm...thanks...
Ranveer: You're going to win this competition...mark my words... - coming close to her
Anika: - moving further away - Uh-umm thanks Ranveer... - then looking away - ...excuse me...
Anika moved carefully around him and made her way back to her work station feeling very awkward. She tried to get on with her other project thinking it was best to get started on the second and get it out of the way quickly. But as much as she tried she just couldn't seem to concentrate, as the images of last night and Ishana's words flashed into her mind she felt awkward and without thinking twice she packed away her things and headed out of the room and out of the block until her feet carried her to the garden where she settled down on the bench and let her mind run wild.
*Flashback*
Ranveer: Well at least you're here... with a smile
*
Ranveer: Yeh we were waiting for you...I knew you would come...
*
Ranveer made an instant grab for the closest person holding them tight in his arms. He smiled breathing in the scent of her almond shampoo from her hair, with one hand still around her he took off the blindfold with the other and came face to face with the most beautiful sight. Anika stood in his arms, extremely close to him, their noses were almost touching and they were both lost in the moment.
*
Ishana: what's going on between you and Ranveer...everyone saw what happened last night...it's so obvious that something is going on between the two of you...so just tell me...
*
Ranveer: You're going to win this competition...mark my words... coming close to her
*End of Flashback*
She opened her eyes which instantly landed on a figure sitting in the lounge area. She then sighed as she pictured Shivaay sitting there; she looked up at the sky and wished that he could be with her; she missed him so much. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder making her turn...
Ishana: Are you okay?
Anika: - nodded - I'm fine...I've just got lots on my mind right now... - still staring into the distance
Ishana: I'm sorry about before...
Anika: It's okay...
Ishana: Seriously...it really isn't any of my business what's happening in your life...sorry if I was rude...
Anika: Ishana...it's okay really...but there's just one thing...there really is nothing between me and Ranveer and there never will be...
Ishana: I believe you...
They stayed silent for a while until Ishana noticed something fishy and turned to Anika.
Ishana: Anika I don't want to alarm you or anything but...why is that guy over there staring at you?
Anika: Huh? - looking in the same direction - ...Who?
Ishana: Don't make it obvious...but the guy in the lounge...
Anika looked further and noticed the guy was looking at her then he turned away. Anika sat upright in shock to take a closer look as her mind was filled with curiosity...
Anika: - thinking - Shivaay?
That's all for Part 20!
Hope you all enjoyed it..
Please do leave your comments! 😳
Edited by -Anilaa- - 7 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
