"May I have this dance?" The blue-eyed man I had been making every effort to ignore, much to my colleagues' annoyance,if I might add, extended his hand.
I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, baffled and more so, appalled that a guy would be so ridiculously foolish ask me, Annika Singh Sharma, for a dance. I looked to the girls at both my sides, and I realized he had really intended to dance with me, not with Gauri or Soumya.
"Excuse me?" I dared to say, and I could see his ego shine right through his eyes, his confidence threatening to dwindle.
"I said, may I have this dance, Ms. Annika?" he said again, in a more authoritative tone.
"I'm sorry, I'll have to sit this one out." I attempted refusing as politely as I humanly could, and turned on my heels at once, heading straight to the bar without a second thought. A few shots and I should be good to go.
I glanced back momentarily, just in time to see him pull Gauri to the dance floor, and swept her off her feet, leaning in to talk to her as she giggled.
Something which resembled anger flared in me as I ordered a shot of tequila, determined to drown out this budding feeling that had been occupying unknown territories in the depths of my stomach.
He didn't look a tad bit dejected as he spun Gauri around the dance floor, looking dashing in his navy blue suit and that silly polka dot tie as flashes of silver spiraled around him, thanks to my sister's beautiful dress. I squinted my eyes to look again, as I downed the bitter contents of the tiny glass which I knew would award me some peace of mind. Soumya waddled over to me in her long strapless gown, fan-girling and I rolled my eyes, ordering another.
"Waw, Anni, look at Shivaay !" she crooned and I raised my eyebrow, stunned at the familiarity. Then again, everyone seemed to love him and he seemed to be everyone's friend. Gauri and Soumya were allowed to call me, Annika because they were my left and right hand at work. But though Shivaay was my equal I made sure he maintained a purely professional relationship with me and my staff. However, he seemed bent on making our ten days working together at my firm a friendship saga. The bloody bas***d dared to propose a merger deal with my company and I couldn't refuse because it was a pretty damn good deal. I had to admit, he was intelligent, brilliantly persuasive with that radiant smile of his. I couldn't let him outrun me, so I might as well be on the same page as him. We were pretty much rivals, both heading the business industry with our individual companies. If I knew he'd swoop in and win the hearts of my staff and have them fawning over him every day, I'd have rejected. Okay, maybe not.
I sighed.
"I mean Shivaay Sir." Soumya corrected herself.
"It's okay, our deal has been finalized, he's not gonna come to my firm anymore, call him whatever you want." I waved her away non-chalantly.
"No no, he's gonna come back for updates, and pleaseee when you have to visit his firm for appointments, can you take Gauri and me along. Pleaseee." She begged and I scoffed wondering what magic this moron had done.
"Why don't you both just go work for him instead then? After all, he's not too far away from us anyways." I snapped, much to my own surprise.
"Di, relax, that's not what I meant." I saw her face drop and I cursed myself. What was I doing.
"Sorry I guess it's the tequila finally working its way into my head." I gave her a weak smile and touched her shoulder guiltily.
"It's okay. Anyways, why are you here alone at the bar. Let's go dance!" She cried excitedly.
"You can go ahead, I don't feel like it." I refused, though pieces of me felt tempted to join the girls.
"Come on, it's our celebratory party. Your party. Your and Shivaay Sir's deal got finalized and now you're both leading in the entire business industry. You put on that ravishing off the shoulder, black, tight dress of yours, and those perfect pewter heels to sit at the bar? Really now, Di? Your whole staff is celebrating and you won't? What type of boss are you?"
"Congratulations! Your f*cking lecture worked. Just let me have one more shot, one more, then I'll come." I rolled my eyes. These girls will drive me mad. Especially Gauri. I caught a glimpse of her being spun by Shivaay yet again. What the actual... Anyways, as long as she was having fun.
"YESSS!" Soumya yelled as she ordered three shots. I saw her signal to Gauri who frowned as she left Shivaay's arms and came to us.
"Finally, you remember you have two sisters?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
"Oh please, Di, don't tell me you're jealous?" She raised her eyebrow expectantly.
"Of course not. But don't you think he's a bit old for you?" I asked, testing her out.
"Well clearly you rejected him so why not me? Besides, I'm not that much younger than you Di. What's the problem?" Gauri builds up her case well.
"I'm just not surprised that after being rejected by one sister, he goes for the other." I said lazily.
"It's more like me going for the other brother." She said with a wink.
"What?" I scrunched up my nose, puzzled.
"Oh come on, don't act like you don't know."
"Wait are you serious?!" I tried to say indifferently, while my insides feel a sudden jolt.
"I was talking to him about Omkara. But I'm glad to know it affected you. Guess you're not all stone after all." She said playfully.
Before I could respond, the bartender returned with our shots, and my head was swirling with thoughts as we clinked our shot glasses together.
"Wooo" we all screamed, and it reminded me of the good old days.
"Come on Di, let's go danceee" they both sang, dragging me to the dance floor and I let them.
I felt rejuvenated as we pumped our fists in the air, the beat of the loud music coursing through our veins. I looked at my two girls and for once I felt like we were equal. We were just some girls in our 20's out getting drunk and having some fun. We sang to each other and our hips moved to their own accord as beads of sweat made their way onto our faces. I hadn't had that much fun in the longest time. Just when I felt ecstatic, I saw the three of them making their way to us and I frowned, ready to move away.
Omkara touched Gauri's shoulder from behind and she turned, welcoming him with a more-than-friendly hug.
She turned to me and they both revealed what we had already suspected, they were both together. Great. Just when I thought I would get to say goodbye to the oldest Oberoi brother, save for the fact that our companies were joint, I could tell my life was gonna be entwined with Omkara's. By extension, the very sapphire-eyed devil. I had to admit though, I always liked Om the best. He reminded me of myself sometimes, his love for art and poetry, his calm air. Those were the very things that made me who I am, yet lately I had been feeling like anything but myself. For a good reason though. I shook those thoughts out of my head and hugged the both, telling them how happy I was for the duo. I could see Shivaay smiling at my gesture but I ignored him.
I thought I was drunk and hallucinating but I saw Shivaay's jaw drop as well and Omkara's and Gauri's. What the actual f*ck. There my little sister was, my baby, her arms around Rudra, another baby, swaying to the beat of this stupid song. These girls were bent on making my life a living hell.
Immediately, I stalked up to them, demanding to know what was going on.
"Annika, let them be. They're having fun." I heard this insufferable git say from behind me.
"This is between me and my sister. Who the hell are you to tell me to let it be?" I jabbed a finger at him dangerously.
"If you haven't realized, this is about my little brother, as well, thus making it my business." He said, matter of factly.
"If you didn't realize, your little brother, though I know he's a cute and lovable person, is a full time player and right now he has his arms around my baby sister." I shot back.
"Di what's going on?" Soumya asked, as she and Rudra both tried to stop the ongoing argument.
"Nothing you guys carry on." Shivaay said, waving them off.
"You are my equal in business, not here. You are NOT my mouth piece either. Soumya, Rudra, what are you doing?" I asked.
"We're dancing, Di?" Soumya said innocently.
"Annika Di, we're just dancing. I mean if you have a problem with us.. you know...then..." Rudra said politely, sensing the tension.
And then I saw the look on Soumya's face. A pleading, embarrassed look. I realized I was doing it again. I was being overprotective, once again embarrassing my baby sister who was not so much of a baby anymore. Shit.
"Uhh you guys carry on." I said after a few moments, giving her an apologetic smile.
I saw Soumya giddily take Rudra's hand and lead him to the dance floor, before which, he whispered to me, "Di I won't hurt her."
And somehow I believed him, because there was this protectiveness in his eyes that almost mirrored that feeling brooding in me.
I sighed. I looked at Gauri and Om, happily dancing together, clearly in love. I looked back to Soumya and Rudra and saw her pouting while Rudra pinched her cheeks. She was about to walk away but I saw that grin on her face and I knew she was just pretending. Rudra pulled her to him and kissed her forehead and they both laughed their hearts off as they continued dancing. Life looked so easy.
But looks can deceive.
I began walking away, before any light bulbs could switch on in Shivaay's head, lest he ask me to dance again but I was too late.
"One dance, please." He said, his hand latching onto my pinky finger as he tried to hold on as quickly as he could, knowing I'd run away.
"I'm tired." I replied lamely and shook his hand off.
Surprisingly, he let me, and I headed to the outside part of the lounge, dying for a breath of fresh air, something to clear my head.
Thank God, it was empty.
I leaned on the railings and looked out at the city in front of me. I always adored views like these. We had booked a famous lounge in Rockefeller Plaza and the sight was truly overwhelming. City lights and vast open spaces ignited something in me. Sometimes I felt so huge, sometimes I felt so minute. Sometimes, looking at bright lights and big cities made me feel as if anything could happen, anything was possible. Sometimes, my problems felt like a burden, and other times I felt like those problems made me who I am today. I spent all my life, taking care of my babies. My two loves. I looked to the stars and smiled. I knew they'd be proud of what we have accomplished.
"I miss you Mumma. I miss you papa" I let it escape my lips as they tremble.
Before my tears could fall, I saw a hand holding out a handkerchief in front of me. I turned and saw the man I had expected to see.
"What do you want?" I snapped, and wiped the tear that was falling.
He just stared at me, his eyes oozing warmth. Warmth I did not deserve after the way I always snapped at him when I didn't have to be cordial or professional.
"What do you want?" He asked, stressing on the you.
"You can't use my questions against me."
"I'm not against you" he whispered so softly, and I didn't quite know why, I felt the tears that I had been holding up threatening to fall.
"Don't" I stopped him, holding up the palm of my hand as I saw him come even closer to me, ready to wipe them away.
"Why?" he asked, his voice thickening as if he were the one in pain.
"Because I don't need someone to wipe my tears. I have both my hands. I can do it myself." I said arrogantly, wiping them away and walking past him to head inside.
"I never said you couldn't wipe them yourself. I just wanted to. Sometimes it's okay to let someone else do things for you, Annika." He said and I saw his reflection in the glass door approaching and he was coming closer to me.
For some reason, I did not move. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe I was tired. Maybe I just didn't want to.
"You don't even know me" I said, not knowing what else to.
"You think I don't know you, but I do."
"Oh please," I scoffed as I continued and turned to him, "I'm the leading business woman in our country, I'm all over tabloids. Anyone can claim to know me. Let alone you, who worked in my firm for the past two weeks."
"That's true. But I know you, I know what other people don't" He said and I'd be lying if I say I was not intrigued.
"Oh really?" I challenged him.
"I know that you are The Annika Sharma. I know that you were just ten when your parents' house burnt down. I know that Gauri and Soumya were just seven and five years old when it happened and they barely remember anything. But you do. I know that ever since you've known yourself, you've worked hard. You've spent your life taking care of them as if they were your own kids. You've fought with the world for them. You're the strongest, most self-dependent and impressive woman I have ever met. I know that you look for the smallest happiness in life because life has taken a lot from you. I know that underneath all the good things you focus on, there are things that you struggle to push out of your memory every single day. There's hurt and grief and anger even. And you ignore it because you don't want to brood over things of the past. But the truth is, you've bottle it because you've had no one to tell it to."
"Are you done?" I asked him in a bitter tone as I look away.
"Not quite. I'm doing pretty well, aren't I?" his lips twitched slightly upwards.
"You can think whatever the hell you want to." I shrugged my shoulders trying to evade the truth behind his words.
"There's more. I know that there's something in you. The world's biggest female business tycoon has a fear. You're afraid of letting other people make you happy. You want to see everyone happy but you're afraid of someone else doing it for you. When I stand in front of you, you flinch." He ended off in an almost inaudible voice.
"Shivaay..."
"No. Look at me, then you can talk. I don't trust your words when you're not looking into my eyes."
"I'm happy the way I am. I really am. I don't need anyone else." I revealed as I looked directly at him.
"Are you telling me that or yourself?"
"I don't have time for this" I sighed.
"Is it because you're in denial? Is it me? Did I do something ? Say something?" He asked, his hand flailing as if he were groping for something, some sort of explanation.
I couldn't help but laugh at the turn of events. Here I was, the broken one, and he thought he did something wrong. Oh the irony.
Part Two (Third Person POV)
"No" she chuckled as she turned to finally look at him.
"Then what is it? Annika..." He uttered her name with utmost reverence and she looked away, and walked towards the balcony again, staring out at the concrete jungle flooded with lights before her.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said in admiration.
"It is," he said joining her. "But what if you weren't there to look at it?"
"What?" Bewilderment masked her face.
"If you weren't there to look at this beautiful city, that's been rebuilt and uprooted so many times and still looks this breath-taking, would it be less beautiful?" He questioned, looking at the air- trains chug across the railways in the distance.
"I don't understand. I mean, obviously. The city doesn't change if you don't look at it. It's still beautiful. Actually, someone who doesn't look at it loses out. Do you like the city as much as I do?" She dared to inquire.
"I love the city, it's incredible. It's just like life, isn't it? During 9/11, it was a tragic mess. Now it's been reborn from its own ashes. It exists on its own, but when we admire it, it lives." He stated, captivating her in a way she did not know was possible.
"That's the best way to put it, really. I didn't know you had a way with words like that." She looked to him, genuinely smiling at him for the first time that night, with a subtle tenderness.
"Thank you. I think life is just like that. You can exist on your own, and be fully content. Or you can choose to truly look at what's in front of you, and it doesn't make your life any more beautiful, but it makes you feel more alive."
She held in a breath as she realized where he was headed with this entire talk.
"I know you don't need anyone. I know you can do anything and everything on your own and be totally satisfied. But what if, for one moment, someone could look at you the way you look at the city? What if there was someone who doesn't complete you or make your life better, but he just made you feel better. Don't get me wrong. You don't need him, you're The Great Annika, you don't need anyone apart from your sisters. But wouldn't that be nice?" He said, teasing her along the way, but ending with his words a little huskier than he had started.
"I..."
"Shhh you don't have to say anything. Just think about it. You can leave now if you want, I won't keep you back anymore. But before you do, a guy's got to take his chances, so I have to ask, one dance?" He held out his hand to her and for some reason, she shook her head in defeat and placed her palm in his.
The way his eyes shone in that very moment, made her insides fuzzy and she knew that he had never looked at another woman like that before. Those exquisite specks of green embedded into his sea-like orbs were created just for her.
He held her hand and slid his other arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him as she rested her palm on his shoulder. She was so close to him that when she inhaled, his scent flooded her senses, wreaking havoc on her diminishing self-control and sanity. He smelt of the green tea and grass his woodsy cologne was made off, a scent she had grown to recognize since the first day he entered her office, mixed into the perfect configuration with whatever heavenly shower gel he used.
I'm trying but I keep falling down
I cry out but nothing comes now
I'm giving my all and I know peace will come
I never wanted to need someone
"You look gorgeous tonight, by the way, if it isn't obvious." He said casually, as if it were the most mundane thing to compliment her, almost as if he were greeting a stranger with a simple Good morning. She knew she was beautiful. But for a man with pure intentions like Shivaay, to sincerely compliment her, sent chills spiraling down her spine and red tinges spreading across her cheeks.
"Thank you." She managed to whisper, staring up at him in amazement.
Yeah, I wanted to play tough
Thought I could do all just on my own
But even Superwoman
Sometimes needed Superman's soul
She dragged her eyes away from him and cast a glance at the lights and black outlines before her. It looked like a landing platform for angels, lights of every color twinkling, disappearing and reappearing before she could blink. They swayed to the mellow beat, as the lyrics of the timely song intimately wrapped around the core of her very being.
"Did you have any other interests? I mean beside business?" he asked, and for a second, she thought he was trying to make small talk, but she gazed at him and realized he genuinely wanted to know.
"Uhh I love cooking and baking. I think I spend most my time at home in the kitchen. Other than that, I love reading and writing as well."
"Wow, I never knew that. Is there anything you can't do? Om has competition then?" he joked.
She laughed as the song picked up and braced herself for what was about to come.
Help me out of this hell
On cue, he released her waist, and spun her, gently, and spun her again before gracefully pulling her flush against him.
Your love lifts me up like helium
Her hands subconsciously linked themselves around his neck and his, on reflex, snaked around her waist, both beholding each other, maintaining eye contact. Almost as if they were in dire search for something. The stars above them smiled, for the damned know-it-all balls of gas way up in the dark, without a doubt knew better. They had already found what they had been looking for.
Your love lifts me up when I'm down down down
When I've hit the ground
You're all I need
"You look quite handsome yourself, by the way." She couldn't help it.
"Did you just compliment me? I must be dreaming." He joked and she grinned along with him.
And if you let go I'll float towards the sun
I'm stronger 'cause you fill me up
But when the fear comes and I drift towards the ground
I am lucky that you're around
"Is there something you'd like to say?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.
"No. Why?" she feigned.
"It's just that you're looking at me like there's a million things on your mind, but you're silent. It's sort of... unsettling." He admitted, looking down at her.
"Hmm." she said looking away, and once more out to the city that never slept.
He turned his head in the same direction, slowing his steps, and looked out with her.
Yeah, I wanted to play tough
Thought I could do all just on my own
But even Superwoman
Sometimes needed Superman's soul
"What if one day, there's a power cut?" she asked, in a serious tone, as her inner thoughts reached the surface, her distant voice forcing him to think her mind was lost somewhere far away.
"What?" Shivaay was confused.
"What if one day the city doesn't feel to be beautiful? What if one day, the city only remembers the ruins? The pain, the loss, the sadness, and not the light? What do you do then? Do you pack up and leave this city?" She was still staring out, but he knew. She thought he didn't, but he did. Her mind was not lost, but she could not bear to look him in the eye and seek the answers that would either quench or shatter her heart.
Help me out of this hell
Your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up when I'm down down down
When I've hit the ground
You're all I need
'Cause your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up like helium
He gandered at her for a few moments, answers swirling around in his head, as she continued to look out, almost as if she had been talking to herself all along.
"I think there's beauty in the ruins. Why would I ever leave a city that's beautiful even when it's a mess? And I don't mean the lights or these colours. There's a lot of beauty that you can't physically see... " he trailed off, only to brush his thumb on her chin before he continued, "But it's there."
You lift me up and I am found
He felt her turning to face him and he did the same.
You lift me up before I hit the ground
"Why are you crying?" he asked, and raised his palm to wipe her tears, but held back as he remembered the way she had snapped at him earlier.
You lift me up when I'm down down down
"Won't you wipe them away?" she sniffed, as her nutty-brown, almond shaped eyes pleaded with him and he knew victory was his.
You lift me up before I hit the ground
He used his thumb to brush away a teardrop on her cheek, but when another came tumbling down, he tilted his head down and pressed his lips just under her eye, soothing her, kissing those wretched tears away.
You lift me up and I am found
She drew back and inspected his face, really looked at him.
You lift me up before I hit the ground
"Annika.. I ..." He began, unable to contain his emotions any longer, but she cut him off.
You lift me up when I'm down down down
"Shhh.. I know" she beamed slightly and she saw him lean down again.
You lift me up before I hit the ground!
With no resistance, her eyes fluttered shut and she tilted her head up, meeting him halfway as their lips united. He pressed his lips tenderly against hers, sighing into her mouth, as she pulled him closer, single-handedly dismantling the cemented bricks she had buried into her soul, as he dusted off her groggy, dark corners and wove her into his arms. When he parted his lips, she smiled into their deepening kiss, letting him whisk her away to a world where she was finally alive.
The four on lookers were just in time to catch a tiny glimpse and felt overwhelmed as their brother and sister finally arrived at their long awaited destination. Giving them their privacy, they returned to the dance floor and the sisters allowed their respective partners to bind them in their love filled arms, the way Shivaay held their world in his.
Your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up when I'm down down down
When I've hit the ground
You're all I need
'Cause your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up like helium
Your love lifts me up like helium
~~~~~~~~~~~
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