3.5 Challenge I
Annika
That woman was single handedly responsible for bringing complete chaos in his organized life.
Her lingering scent in the car did little to help now - almost six-seven hours later and even the cool air conditioning of the car didn't help with the throbbing headache anymore.
Checking his watch for the millionth time in the last hour, Shivaay jumped out of the car and started pacing up and down the small lonely road for the hundredth time that day.
It was 4:26 PM.
Groaning, he realized that he still had to wait another thirty-four minutes.
Suddenly, the shrill voice of his phone distracted him as he went to receive the fifth call in the last ten minutes alone... trying to hold on to the last threads of his patience, he almost growled orders for his team to continue on the liabilities conference without him there.
"No Mishra! We cannot mortgage the land for the loan right now - it's not long-term. We might have to sell it if the upcoming High Court Order ends up affecting us."
He moved towards the hood of his car then. His mac waiting for him there, he stared intently at the excel sheet with the liabilities and assets details that Mishra had sent him almost two hours ago.
"Mishra - look at 15, we need to make sure that the team passes through that one quickly... do you get it? Smooth talk them into 12-16 and get them to focus on the advantages for 20-35 instead."
"Oh and get someone from accounts and legal to sit in with you on this one"
He ended the call and just as he shut the mac with the slight thump, a wince escaped him as the gash under his bandaged hand protested at the contact.
Closing his eyes as even more frustration seeped in, he resumed his pacing... this time with even more impatience.
4: 32 PM.
Damn it, twenty-eight minutes.
Groaning, he opened his phone and dialed his secretary Sarah.
"Push the board meeting with the London office for 7:30 PM our time, and let them know that I will be joining them on video."
He commanded softly yet firmly...not bothering to really wait for the replies.
"Yes I know its last minute - so?"
"Good"
"What's the update for the CSR? Get someone from bade papa's team to call me by tomorrow. We need that before the end of December."
"Okay - email the newsletters to me."
"Also, have Khanna call me with an update about security within the hour."
Ending the call then, he looked at the time on the screen. 4:36 PM.
Sighing, he shot a hopeful look at the old double door of the building in front of him.
Wasn't this supposed to be her first day? Who works till 5 PM on their first day? Did she HAVE to finish everything today itself?
His phone's ring interrupted him again and he barely glanced at the screen before answering.
"Yes -"
"Threatening calls? Tia, what are you talking about?"
Just what he needed, another security issue
"But aren't you at the Oberoi Mansion Tia?"
"No - I don't think it's anything to be worried about Tia. In any case, I have already gotten Khanna to assign three security guards for you... so you can go wherever you want."
Without waiting for her to respond, he shut the phone and resumed his pacing.
Something just felt off.
He had this nagging feeling all day that he was being watched. He had looked around as he continued to walk back and forth distractedly... but the whole street was empty... trees on either side... he could actually never have guessed that there was a working place of any kind in an area like this. It didn't make sense.
He cast another hopeful look at his watch now - 4:53 PM.
Okay Shivaay... only seven more minutes.
But before he could celebrate anymore, he felt the familiar presence of her behind him.
Annika
He turned just in time to see her walk through the heavy double doors and he ignored the slight skip in his heartbeat as he stared at her glowing face.
Her eyes were sparkling and suddenly all his frustration... the headache... the nagging leftover ache on his palm... left him.
Her eyes widened as she saw him standing there.
Wanting to roll his eyes at that, he really felt proud of himself was resisting that urge.
What - she thought he was going to let her remain here in this stupid... amidst nowhere... in this Gulmohar Lane' all by herself?
It was unthinkable.
And hadn't he been here when she had come down for lunch and they had gone and eaten at the shadiest looking cafe together?
He still couldn't get over the shock of seeing her eat that huge chole bhatura there. Oh no - he was fine with the lays packet - actually come to think of it even that had dust on its packet.
No wonder he felt queasy all afternoon.
That woman was going to be the end of him.
All these thoughts jumbled around him as he saw her quietly walk and stand before him with her arms crossed.
Her laughing eyes stilled his thoughts then and calmness enveloped him.
None of it mattered. She was here... safe... that was enough.
But even then, he was curious to know what she was finding funny here so he quirked his eyebrow silently in question.
A giggle escaped her and his eyes widened.
Was there something on his face?
He hurriedly patted down a hand down his face.
Confused, he stared at her as the mirth still showed on her face.
She shook her head in response.
Why was she so confusing?
"I can't believe that you actually didn't go to work today"
Her laughter still apparent, he narrowed his eyes at her question.
"I told you I couldn't leave you alone here."
Huffing, he actually saw her become slightly indignant... almost like this morning.
"Aapki problem kya hai? Iss jagah mein kya galat hai?"
She had to be kidding!
"You can't be serious - look how lonely this area is."
"Lonely? Arey, office hai yeh...log hai andar... aur waha... Shuklaji wala jo lunch cafe tha? Right mein hi toh hai."
Of course - this woman was completely crazy.
Not wanting another row, he shook his head at her.
"Chalein?"
"Kaha?"
"Shivaay - count one to hundred... you can do it!"
Holding on to the last therads of his patience now, he finally replied... "Ghar, aur kaha?"
So he was surprised when Annika gave him what he could only interpret as some sort of a knowing look.
"Ab kya hai Annika?"
Her eyes still glistening with mirth, "Aap ko meri chinta ho rahi hai?"
He ignored the way his heartbeat sped up... "Aisa kuch nahi hai. Mujhe meri family ki chinta hai... tum tum ho... musibat magnet ho... aur dadi aisehi pareshaan hoti rehti..."
He could still see her eyes filled with laughter and this time, he couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"Aap maan lenge ki aapko meri fikr hai, toh aapki height kam hojayegi?"
He didn't even blink at her height reference now.
Because knowing her, this was too tame. She would come up with more.
"Aisa kuch nahi hai"
"Mein ek din aapse manwa kehi rahungi ki aap ko meri fikr hai."
She was actually challenging him?
"Tum Shivaay Singh Oberoi ko challenge kar rahi ho?"
The laughter gone, her eyes now sparkled in the slightly dull sunlight.
"Mein chaubees ghanto mein aapse bulwa kar rahungi ki aap ko meri fikr hai... deklijiye."
Her confidence slightly unsettled him. He had never felt this vulnerable before. This was all too new.
Was he actually this worried about her?
Silently shaking himself, he moved his hand through his hair and walked away from her towards the car.
"We will see. Now get in."
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AN: Took a little extra time to add in a few details!
Will hopefully be able to update another one over the weekend.. do leave in a line about your thoughts guys! Like it? Love it? Hate it?
xx
