Part 3
It was now four days since the Oberoi family had gone back home and Anika was finding the place extremely boring without them around, especially without Shivaay. She would laze around the house being bored; she had decided that she would make the most of this holiday but without him she couldn't bring herself round to do much. She would start her day with a bit of yoga then once she was fresh she would have her breakfast and begin cooking which she enjoyed. After lunch she would read a book or watch a bit of television and then in the evening she would browse the web looking for something interesting. After dinner she would sit with her mum and watch Indian television serials which she found boring at first but then something clicked and she was eager to watch on.
That was how she had spent the past three days but on the forth she decided to go out and meet up with her friends. She gave the girls a call and asked them to meet up in the Mall, Bhavya was up for it immediately as she was also bored, Gauri said she would come around as she had something urgent which she needed to share with them which made them both excited. Later that afternoon Anika left her house and got on the bus making her way to the Mall, Bhavya reached there at the same time as her and they settled in their usual spot by the fountain and waited for Gauri.
Bhavya: I'm so glad you called me today...seriously I was so bored I thought of giving you guys a ring...
Anika: I know...I couldn't stand another moment at home...especially after last week...I wish I was back on the beach...we should've stayed longer... - making a face
Bhavya: I wish we did...there's nothing to do here... - then slowly changing the topic - ...did you only call Gauri?
Anika: Yeah...apparently Rudra has his cousins around so he's out and about...and I don't think Omkara will come...and Shivaay... - slowly thinking and wishing he was here
Bhavya: - smiling - Have you heard from him?
Anika: Yeah we chat once everyday...he sounds like he's having lots of fun... - sadly
Bhavya: Aww...don't worry about him...I bet he's also missing you loads...
Anika: - sadly - I don't think so...I don't think he's even thinking about me...going back and meeting his old friends...having a blast...the last thing that will come to his mind is me...
Bhavya: - placing her hand on Anika's shoulder for comfort - Anika...going back home doesn't mean he isn't missing you...he's just got lots of catching up to do with his friends...but I know for a fact he hasn't forgotten you...so don't think like that...
Anika: I hope what you're saying is true...
Bhavya: Come on cheer up...
Anika: I'd love to but...I miss him so much...everything just seems a bore without him...
Omkara: - walking towards them - That's not fair Anika...even our company is not that bad... - smiling
Omkara and Gauri stood there with their arms linked onto each other. Omkara sat down next to Anika and put his arm around her shoulder and Gauri sat next to Bhavya.
Anika: Omkara...I didn't mean it like that...I just mean...
Omkara: - cutting her off - ...Just chill Anika...I'm just messing...I know how much you miss your lover boy...
Gauri: Cheer up Anika...
Anika: Thanks guys...
Bhavya: C'mon Anika...that's what we're here for... - giving her a side hug
Anika: Okay... - smiling fully then turning to Gauri - ...so Gauri what was the urgent news you had to give us?
Gauri and Omkara shared a look with each other smiling widely leaving the other two feeling curious.
Bhavya: Will you two tell us what is going on? - nudging Gauri bringing her back to reality
Omkara: Calm down girls... - smiling at their eagerness - ...go on Gauri...
Gauri: Well... - looking from Omkara to the girls - ...the day we came back and I went home with Omkara I was invited to his home for lunch and then the next day...Omkara and his parents came home to ask my parents... - could not carry on
Anika: Go on...
Omkara: Long story short...we're getting engaged... - quickly
Anika and Bhavya jumped up in excitement and hugged Gauri, Bhavya hi5 Omkara and Anika gave him a side hug.
Bhavya: Wow that really is great news...
Anika: Congrats guys... - very happy
Gauri: Thanks... - beaming
Omkara: That day me and my parents went over to Gauri's house with a proposal and they were very happy...Gauri said yes right away and immediately they started going through with dates...
Anika: But...are you guys ready to get married? - looking from one to the next - ...I mean...you still have your education and work...
Omkara: Yeah I know...that's why we decided that for the moment we'll get engaged and maybe next year or the year after we'll get married...once I get settled in a good job and if Gauri wants to carry on with her education she can...
Bhavya: That's awesome guys...I'm really happy for you both... - giving Gauri a side hug
Gauri: Thanks Bhavya...I was so shocked when they came...Omkara didn't even let me know...it was so unexpected...but I think mum and dad knew...because they stayed for lunch which mum had already prepared...
Anika: That's sweet...so when is the engagement? - excitedly
Omkara: In two weeks...by that time all the preparations can be done...and Shivaay and his family will be back by then...and you... - turning to Anika - ...you need to help me out...
Gauri: Huh? Why? - just as confused as Anika
Omkara: - putting his arm around Anika's shoulder in a friendly gesture - Because...Anika is my oldest girl friend...and I need her help...
Anika stayed quiet as she slightly agreed with him while Bhavya and Gauri refused.
Gauri: No way...she's my friend and she'll be on the girls' side...
Bhavya: Of course she will...
Omkara: - turning to Anika and ignoring the girls - So Anika you'll help me with choosing my suit and decorations in the hall and...
Bhavya: - cutting him off - That's not fair Omkara...Anika you're with us...
Gauri moved Omkara's arm from around Anika's shoulder and Bhavya pulled her towards them and they started discussing their plans when Omkara pulled her back to him.
Anika: - stopped in the middle - Guys...calm down...we have two weeks to discuss what's happening so can we stop playing pass Anika now...
They all laughed and settled down; Omkara went to get drinks and ice cream while they calmed down and started talking excitedly about the upcoming event. An hour later they left the Mall, Omkara and Gauri walked Anika and Bhavya home.
Anika thanked them for lifting her mood and said bye before walking into her house. She closed the door behind her with a smile on her face then walked into the kitchen, it was empty and she looked around curiously, it was five o'clock and as usual her house was quiet. She walked into the living room to find her mum and dad sitting there in silence looking very anxious; she looked from one to the other as they turned towards her when she entered the room.
Sakshi: Anika beta...come and sit down...
Anika: Kya huwa mama... - then turning to Ram as she sat down - ...is everything okay papa?
Ram: Everything is fine...
Anika: Then why do you both look so serious...please tell me what is going on... - seriously
Sakshi looked at Ram wanting him to start the conversation; he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before starting to talk.
Ram: Anika...there's something we need to tell you...we should've told you this earlier but...we never got around to it...however this is the right time...
Anika: What is it papa...
Ram: I know this might have come to your mind many times but you've never asked...you know that you have family but you've never mentioned why we don't keep in touch...but today we want to tell you the entire truth of what happened...and why we never mentioned it before...
Anika: Papa...its okay if you don't want to talk about it...
Ram: Nahi Anika...you have the right to know...we have kept this from you all these years but it's time that you know...my Ba...your Daadi is still alive and I have a brother... - Anika listened in amazement - ...your uncle and aunt lives up north in Yorkshire...when you was a baby there was a family feud which made us separate and I promised myself not to ever mention my family...Malika and your mama know but I had warned them never to even think about them that is why you never found out...at the time it meant a lot to me and I did not once contact them in these seventeen years and I had almost forgotten that I had a brother...
Anika: But papa...suddenly like this...I mean...I understand why this was never mentioned but now?
Sakshi: Beta...we all had tried forgetting about this...but in November... - thinking - ...the same time as Shivaay's accident we got a phone call from your chachu...Ba was not well...she was critical and in hospital...she asked to see us and we went immediately forgetting about the seventeen years of anger...we needed to be there for her...
Ram: Meeting us again she recovered...we did not understand how badly this had affected her...my anger and your chachu's hatred had driven her to this state and we felt really horrible...we forgot everything when we saw our mother's smile...
Anika stayed quiet, she found this news very surprising and did not know how to react to it.
Ram: Anika...we're sorry we could not tell you this earlier...we wanted to tell you as soon as we came back in November but then Shivaay's accident and you was not in a good state...then your exams came in the way...we decided it was best to tell you once everything was out of the way and it would not affect your studies...
Anika: Papa...that's okay...really...
Ram: The reason we had refused to let you go with Shakti and Pinky was... - Anika looked up suddenly - ...is because...they are coming here for a few days...
Anika: Kya? - shocked - ...I mean...I'm sorry... - controlled herself
Sakshi: Haan Anika...Ba, your chachu and chachi and your cousins are coming over from tomorrow...they'll be spending a few days with us...
Anika sat in shock taking in this news; this was the last thing she had expected to hear; it repeated in her mind several times until she realised her parents were laughing at her shocked expression.
Ram: It won't be as bad as you think... - grinning
Anika: It's not that papa... - fixing her expression - ...it's just a bit of a shock that's all... -smiling, then thinking silently - ...at least it's not what I was thinking earlier...this news is way better than mama and papa knowing about me and Shivaay... - sighing
Sakshi: What are you thinking?
Anika: - grinning - Nothing mama...just like that...
Sakshi: Don't worry...you'll only have to share your room with your cousin Priyanka...
Anika: Priyanka...and who else is coming?
Sakshi: Your Daadi, Tej Chachu and Jhanvi Chachi...
Ram: And their kids... Abhay, who's the same age as you... Priyanka, a year and a half younger and Sahil...
Anika: Nice...
Ram and Sakshi filled her in with all she had missed out and about her new found family over dinner. They told her what they had gathered from when they had spent a week at their house in Yorkshire and she showed her interest by asking question after question wanting to know more about them.
They spoke till late in the night until Sakshi told her to go and rest as the next day they had to clean the entire house ready for their guests; she said goodnight and made her way upstairs to her room. While getting ready for bed she thought about her cousins who she would meet tomorrow and how they were going to be. She jumped into bed and cuddled her pillow thinking about sharing this news with Shivaay. She grabbed her phone from the dresser and pressed Shivaay's number then held the phone to her ear with a big grin.
A moment later it was washed away as he cut the call, she moved it away from her ear and looked at it with a curious expression before trying again but the second time it was also cut, she was now fuming.
Anika: You know what Mr Akru Oberoi...if you don't want to talk to me that's fine...I don't care...go and have as much fun as you want to...when you want to talk to me...or come to me...don't bother...see if I care...I hate you... - looking angrily at his photo
She put the phone back on her dresser and turned on her left drifting off to sleep with a frown on her face. She thought of Shivaay having a great time in a club surrounded by his old friends and other girls, cutting off her call and dancing close to others. The dream had got worst and she found herself sitting upright in bed sweating away; she turned to her bedside clock to see 3:50am. She frowned and tried to go back to sleep but the same dream haunted her until 8:00am when she jumped out of bed angrily. She had not slept properly all night and she walked around her room as her head throbbed; she decided to have a bath to cool down.
Half an hour later she walked out of the bathroom fully dressed, she dried her hair and put it in a neat ponytail then tidied up her room, making her bed, opening the curtains and the balcony door letting some fresh air in. Slowly her mind drifted back to her phone and Shivaay, she walked towards the dresser and decided to try once more. She pressed Shivaay's number and slowly moved the phone to her ear hoping she got an answer, the least she would do is have a go at him.
VM: The mobile number you are trying to call is unavailable at the moment...try again later...
She moved it away from her ear roughly, looking angrily at the phone she cancelled the call and banged the phone back onto the dresser.
Anika: Right Shivaay Singh Oberoi...if you can have fun without me...then so will I...
Leaving her room she went downstairs and walked into an empty kitchen; it was quite early and her parents were still asleep. She made herself a cup of tea and sat at the breakfast table thinking about Shivaay with a frown on her face, silently cursing him until she heard a noise from upstairs fifteen minutes later. She stopped frowning making up her mind not to think about Shivaay anymore and just enjoy herself when Sakshi walked into the kitchen.
Sakshi: Anika? - yawning - ...You're up very early...
Anika: Haan mama...I couldn't sleep...
Sakshi: Looks like you're very excited to meet your cousins...
Anika: - smiled thinking - Hmm...let's see...at least that will take my mind off of that Chachundar...
Sakshi made her a proper breakfast and while she was eating Ram joined them with a bright smile.
Ram: Good morning...
Anika: Morning papa...
Ram: Looks like someone is eager to meet her cousins... - looking at Anika's smile
Anika: Ji papa...I think I'll get to work right away... - getting up
Sakshi: Anika at least finish your breakfast...
Anika: I've had enough mama... - moving away from the table
Sakshi: You've got a very bad habit of not finishing your food...
Anika: - grinning like a mischievous child - Mama...I'll go start cleaning upstairs...
Sakshi: Theek hain...
Anika went upstairs to the guest room, as she entered the room she could see white sheets covering everything, this room was rarely used and Anika was ready for her favorite job, spring cleaning! She tied a hand kerchief over her mouth to avoid breathing in the dust and then got started, pulling the white sheets away filling the room with dust clouds. She opened the windows, dusted every surface in the room, changed the bed sheets, sprayed the room with fresh fragrance and Hoover the floor. Two hours later she took the hand kerchief away from her face and looked around at her handy work, the room actually looked lively unlike the dead and dusty place it was two hours ago.
Ram walked into the room and got a shock.
Ram: WOW!...What happened in here? - looking around
Anika: It's clean...that's what... - smiling
Ram: Good job... - clapping her on the back
Anika: Thanks... - turning to him - ...hey what are those for? - pointing to the flowers in his hand
Ram: Final touch... - handing them to her
Anika: - placing them in a glass vase on the dresser next to the bed - Great!
Sakshi walked into the room with the same expression that Ram had.
Sakshi: Wah Anika...this place looks beautiful...
Anika: Thanks mama...I think Chachu and Chachi should have this room...what say? - turning to them
Sakshi: I think so too...
Anika: Okay done...now you two stay here and admire it while I carry on... - moving past them like she was in a hurry - ...I have lots of work left to do...
Ram: - laughing - What else is left?
Anika: - turning in shock - Papa...this is only one room done...there's another three rooms to do...I'm going to the one next to yours...Daadi will stay in there...
She rushed out leaving them looking after her with big smiles on their faces. They were happy that she had taken this news in a good way, just as they had expected. Sakshi went back downstairs to carry on cooking and Ram had to go to work. Anika finished tidying Daadi's room in an hour and half then Sakshi had called her down for lunch; the two ladies ate then Anika rushed back upstairs to finish up., She did the boys' room then finally her room which Priyanka was going to share with her. It was four o'clock when she had Hoover the entire house and flumped down in the conservatory; she was exhausted.
Sakshi: - walking towards her - Finish?
Anika: Finally...
Sakshi: - laughing - Tu bhi na Anika...who told you to do so much...I told you to let me help...
Anika: Nahi mama...you know I like spring cleaning...just a teeny bit tired...
Sakshi: I can see how tired you are...here have some water... - handing her a glass
Anika: Thanks mama... - gulping away
Sakshi: Rest for sometime then go and freshen up...
Anika: Theek hain mama...
She leaned back in the lounge chair stretching all her muscles and almost falling asleep in half an hour until Ram had walked into the conservatory making her wake up.
Ram: What happen Anika...had enough? - grinning
Anika: - yawning - Just a bit tired papa...
Ram: Go on...go and freshen up...they'll be here soon...
Anika: - eyes snapped open - Huh? What time is it?
Ram: It's six o'clock...
Anika: What? - jumping up - ...It's so late...
She rushed upstairs and into the shower, quickly getting dressed she felt excited to meet her family. Fifteen minutes later she was ready and made her way out of the room at the same time the doorbell rung making her stop. This was the moment; she was going to meet a whole group of people she had never seen in her life but she was extremely close to. Her feet carried her automatically down the hall and down the stairs where she came face to face with a group of unfamiliar people...
That's all for Part 3!
I hope you all enjoyed it..
Please do leave you comments and likes :)
Edited by -Anilaa- - 7 years ago
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