DEMONS OF THE PAST: Shivika OS, Ft. Rikara, Rudra

"Thank you, Shivaay said as Anika handed him his coffee, lightly stroking her chaand bracelet and going back to reading his book.

Anika too went back to clearing a few accounts of her event management unit, while sipping an identical Saira Bano which she had developed a liking to over the last two years of marriage.

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. The Oberois had only last week wrapped up Om and Gauri's marriage, and it had been one hectic week. Naturally, everyone had taken this Sunday as a much awaited breather.

"Sir? came in Mishra, with a bunch of papers. "We needed your signature.

Shivaay signaled him to keep the files and wait. He was reading a cliff-hanger, and it was difficult to take his mind off that.

"Anika, he dragged. "Please sign kar do yaar.

Anika rolled her eyes. "You are making this a habit, Shivaay.

Last year, when Shivaay was to go to London for three weeks, he had a signed a power of attorney against Anika. This made her signature equivalent to that of Shivaay's, and invested her with the powers of taking decisions on his behalf. While she had nervously accepted it, as Shivaay cited no work must lag when he was away, this had been extended beyond her liking.

Nowadays, Shivaay almost handed over a part of his work to her. She too had begun to take interest in the empire, but this was just unfair.

Look at him enjoy his book, and make me work.

"Please, yaar. Kar do na. Just make sure the tertiary clauses have been added, Shivaay went on, not even as much as looking up from his book.

Anika's jaw fell open in shock and anger. "I am not your secretary, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, she announced, throwing the flies right at his face.

Shivaay got startled as the papers flew across his face, and his shifted from his angry wife to a meek Mishra on the door.

"Mishra, Shivaay said, clearing his throat, as Anika too strengthened up, realizing his presence. "Give us a minute, he said curtly, as Mishra gladly left the room.

"Paagal ho tum! Shivaay declared as soon as he thought Mishra was out of earshot.

Meanwhile, in the corridor, Rudra saw a worried Mishra pacing up and down.

Poor Mishra. Bhaiya must have scolded him again.

But as he approached nearer, he heard raised voices of his Shivaay Bhaiya and Anika Bhabhi. Although he couldn't make out much, he did catch a few words like paagal, tadi, overacting, and sadu. The usual stuff.

He raised an eyebrow at Mishra, while he just helplessly shrugged in return.

"Beta, tu ja, Rudra told him sympathetically. "Now is not the time.

"But sir, the papers, Mishra ventured.

"Now is not the time, Rudra repeated, flashing his signature grin, as Mishra understandingly left.

Mr and Mrs SSO were in form, he thought as the bickering went on.

While the youngest Oberoi brother was just trying to figure out what to do, and wondered if he should disturb the newlyweds for assistance, he heard Om calling out Gauri's name. He looked to the other side, only to find his Chulbul Bhabhi dash out of the room while a panting Om followed.

Rudra jogged behind them, only to witness yet another fight.

Gauri was pointing a finger at her husband. "Humaare peeche bilkul mat aaiye, warna Ganga maiya ki kasam, hum chat se kood jayenge, she warned him as she made her way to the terrace.

Chulbul Bhabhi also in form, Rudra thought, and saw a defeated Om fall back on the couch.

"Bechare mere dono bhai, Rudra said to himself, flicking off invisible tears from his cheeks. "Yeh dono toh phass gaye shaadi kar ke. Ab yeh amazing Rudy akela kya kya kare.

Right when he was going towards Om, he heard the sound of water splashing from Shivaay's room. He laughed. "That means: fight over.

Over the years, everyone in the Oberoi Mansion had figured that no matter how much badly Shivaay and Anika fight, regardless of whose fault it was, once Anika had exercised her takyakalam of throwing water at Shivaay, he dropped the fight at once, for he knew that it was the last straw for his wife, and any argument beyond that was only dangerous.

So Rudra confidently walked in their room, and as he had thought, saw a dripping Shivaay silently sign some papers as Anika stood over him, still glaring.

"Bhabhi, he announced himself, walking towards. "Do you mix something in your aqua weapons?

"Hain? Anika asked, confused.

"I mean, Rudra replied, "If any of us throws water at Bhaiya, humaari toh Oh My Mata ho jayegi. But when you do it, Bhaiya SSO se ekdum...

"Billuji ban jaate hain, Anika finished his sentence, as they both shared a high-five and laughed heartily as Shivaay glared at them.

While Rudra's laughter died in his stomach at meeting Shivaay's glare, Anika only stuck out a tongue at him.

He shook his head. Yeh ladki paagal hai.

"Give these papers to Mishra, Shivaay said, handing them to Rudra. As soon as he obediently left the room, Shivaay pulled Anika towards him, as she came crashing to his chest.

"You kept me away from my cliff-hanger, he whispered, leaning in so that water from his hair teasingly dripped over her face.

"Well, Anika replied, combing her hands through his wet hair. "That brought you closer to me.

Shivaay arched an eyebrow. "Closer, he said huskily, pulling her in and running his stubble over he cheek. Anika giggled as it ticked her.

"Waise, Shivaay said, pulling away a little and holding her by the wast lightly. "You needn't be proud of taming me at all. The credit goes to me.

"Woh kaise?

"Because only I can tolerate you.

"The words are: because I love you.

"I'd rather show it.

Shivaay leaned in and breathed over Anika's lips when they heard Rudra go "ahem.

"Leave, Rudy, Shivaay ordered, not taking his eyes off Anika, as she squirmed in his hold.

"Sorry to disappoint you Bhaiya, but there are more important matters at hand, than your romance.

Shivaay spared him a death glare. "Like what? he spat.

"Om is in trouble.

Shivaay immediately softened, as Anika too began to walk towards Rudra.

"What happened?

"Kya hua?

They both got worried, as Rudra laughed. "Hona kya hai? Biwi se pareshaan hai.

"Rudra, his Bhaiya and Bhabhi said in unison, wiping the stupid grin off his face.

"Arrey aap dono khud hi puch lo, Rudra said, pulling them two out of the room and taking them to Om, who was still sitting on a couch, head in his hands.

"Om, Shivaay said, sitting in front of him as Anika sat beside him. "Kya hua?

"Yaar, Om said, panic written across his face. "Gauri is super mad at me.

"Kya kiya tune?

"Maine kuch nahi kara yaar, bas ho gaya.

"Kya ho gaya? the three shouted in exasperation.

"Usko mere cupboard mein Riddhima ki photo mil gayi.

"Oh.

"Usme sirf Riddhima nahi thi.

"Toh?

"Saath mein main bhi tha. He paused. "Kaafi saath mein.

While Shivaay and Anika were biting back smiles, they heard Rudra guffawing in the background who eventually fell beside Om, hands on his stomach, shaking with laughter.

Om slapped his head.

"Tera toh raita phail gaya, O, Rudra said between his laughter riot. At this, even Anika lost control, and let out a loud chuckle.

Om looked at his dear Bhabhi with an expression of betrayal.

"Arre Om, she said, quickly gathering herself. "Don't worry, main baat karti hoon na Gauri se.

Just at that moment, a visibly furious Gauri was coming down the stairs. Anika ran up to her, pulling her towards the rest of them. Omkara stood up at once seeing her, his face turning into that of a puppy, only to make Rudra laugh harder.

Shivaay stepped aside, letting his wife take charge. She was much better at these things.

"Kyat tu bhi Gauri, Anika ventured, "itni si baat pe naraaz ho gayi. Toh kya hua photo mil gayi? Thank the god ki kisi unknown ladki ke saath nahi mili, nahi? she said, signalling Rudra to help. She let Shivaay be, she was very well aware that her husband was no good at placating unless the person in question was her.

"Bilkul! Rudra helped. "Chulbul Bhabhi, meri biwi ko toh aisi ladkiyon ke photo milenge jinka mujhe bhi naam nahi yaad, Rudra said, laughing at his own joke as usual.

Gauri rolled her eyes. "Why should Omkaraji take your example, she said, her eyes vomiting fire towards her poor husband. "He should learn from Bade Bhaiyya!

Shivaay smiled, but it evaporated the next moment as Gauri continued. "Bataiye bhojai, aapko mili hai kabhi uss cheapdi Tia ki photo Bade Bhaiyya ke paas? she asked Anika.

Shivaay knew too well that this was igniting unwelcome memories, so he quickly interjected. "Arrey Gauri, he stammered. "Chhodo nah yeh sab, batao did you guys decide on honeymoon plans yet?

"Ahahahaha, Rudra began in a teasing tone. "Kya chupa rahe ho Shivaay Bhaiya?

Omkara began to laugh too, but stopped at once as Gauri squinted at him in anger.

Anika was already mildly fuming when Shivaay made another futile effort. "What nonsense Rudy. Chhodo nay eh sab. We are all relaxing after so long, let's do something.

"Ek minute, Anika interrupted him to his dismay. "Gauri, tere Bade Bhaiyaa koi chui mui lajwanti nahi hai, ek number ke chantubai hai. She threw a look at Shivaay that had him silently pleading, but Anika went on. "Tu photo ki baat kar rahi hai? Mujhe toh uss cheapdi ke poor ke poore kapde mile the inki almari mein!

"Hawww! Gauri exclaimed, looking at her dear Bade Bhaiyya in disappointment, as Om got a little happy with the radar shifting on Shivaay.

"Who bhi ekdum kate chite 2 rs kapde, jinme kapda kam aur holes zyada the Anika whispered to Gauri, although in everyone's earshot. Shivaay did a mental face palm, as Om couldn't help but smile as Gauri's lips shaped up in a huge O.

"Ahem, Bhabhi, Rudra said. "That's called lingerie.

"Chup kar! Anika reprimanded him at once, as Shivaay glowered at him, making Rudra dunk behind Om. "Mera toh yeh soch soch kar bura haal ho gaya tha ki unn kapdo ke pehen kar inn dono ne... Anika couldn't finish herself, and closed her eyes, shaking her head fiercely and pushing away images of that Tia with her Shivaay.

"Anika yaar, Shivaay moaned, already fearing how he will deal with her reignited memory of that time. She had been furious, and had coaxed Shivaay to divulge details, which he had escaped with a lot of difficulty.

"Phir aapne kya kiya bhojai? Gauri persisted, a frown deep set on her head.

"Karna kya tha, Anika hissed. "Ek jug uthaya, inn par khaali kiya, aur phir teen din tak baat nahi ki. But she regretted this as soon had she completed, for she saw Gauri look at Omkara with challenging eyes, as he looked at Anika with a defeated expression.

Oops. At the memory of that lingerie incident, Anika had completely forgotten about the original intention of bringing Gauri, and was instead putting ideas in her head.

"Lekin Gauri, she tried. "Tum aisa bilkul mat karna, Om bohot shareef hai, usne aisi 2 rs harkat bikul nahi ki hogi, she said, looking sideways at Shivaay and twitching her lips annoyance.

He rolled his eyes at his wife. He'd deal with her once they are in the solitude of their room.

"Aap rehne dijiye bhojai, Gauri said to Anika, while looking at Om. "Hum toh pura ek hafta baat nahi karenge, she declared and left the hall.

Om grimaced. "Thank you, Bhabhi, he sighed, while Anika struggld to apologise, he also left, following Gauri to the room and praying for his life.

"Phail gaya raita.

But little did Anika and rest know that when Om entered their room, Gauri pounced on him and attacked his lips furiously. Too stunned to respond, he just stood there, frozen. Gauri pulled back after a while, and whispered. "Hum aapko kisi aur ke saath nahi dekh sakte, you are only mine.

Om grinned at his feisty wife back in action. He picked her up in his arms, and proceeded to make her his.

Back in Mr and Mrs SSO's room, Anika was ranting about how furious she had been at findingTia's clothes and how careless it was on Shivaay's part, when he spun her around and took her in his broad arms.

"You remember how angry you were, you remember throwing water at me, but don't remember how I made it up to you? Shivaay asked, a naughty smile playing on his lips.

Anika only blushed in response.

"Well, I got you am even more tuchi luchi dress, as you put it. And that was fun, wasn't it? Shivaay grinned, nuzzling at ear as Anika turned a deeper shade of red, burying her head in his shoulder.

"If we have remembered and replayed so much from that night, why not this too? Shivaay offered.

Anika smiled. She went up on her toes, and placed a kiss on her husband's lips. "Okay, she spoke against them, leaving shyly.

"I'm waiting, Shivaay called out after her, and needless to say, they had a good night.

Surprisingly, demons of the past turned out to be a good thing for the Oberois.

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Love, and courage for the current track,
Arushi. 😃