Soothing the Fire-Shivika FF UPDATED(Chapter-20 on pg-144)06/09 - Page 87

Originally posted by: --Nargis--

I'm just as hungry...please update soon!!😛

Originally posted by: sandy11WARIS

eagerly waiting for the update. plz plz plz plz plz update the next part soon. 🥱

Originally posted by: AYUSHIVISHU

will be waiting for the update

Originally posted by: charmingkiller

Loved your ff

It is really good

PM me tooo

Ch-16

So firstly, I apologize for the late update. And then I apologize again because from now on, updates will become quite infrequent since my school re-opens tomorrow (before y'all get confused, Sunday is a working day in my country😆)

Secondly, a lot of you guessed right about the woman- Annika! I'm sorry to burst the bubble of anyone who guessed and willed it to be someone else, but Daksh falling for Annika only is essential to the story. And also, don't hate Daksh just yet! I'm not giving anything away but don't just assume that he'll be the same psychopath from the show (he might be, but don't just assume ;) )

With that, let's get on with the story. This chapter is dedicated to Chhaya (water9786)- thank you for your help love! :*

Hope you all like this :)

Daksh was absolutely smitten by Shivaay's wedding planner. As soon as she had walked in, he hadn't been able to look away. It wasn't that she was flawlessly stunning like a model, or anything of that sort. But she had a glow to her that was hard to miss, even at first sight. She appeared simple and yet gorgeous, dressed in that plain white kurta and jeans that ended just above her ankles. Her hair was long, and curly at the ends, and there wasn't any trace of make-up on her face. She was wearing long, dangling leaf-shaped earrings that almost reached her shoulders, and her left wrist was adorned by a charm bracelet. In the few seconds it took for her to walk from the door and towards the sofas where all of them were, Daksh had checked her out thoroughly, and repeatedly. Shivaay had then introduced her to Daksh as "Annika...my wedding planner. The hesitation had not been noticed by Daksh, who was already forwarding his hand towards the beautiful lady. When she took it, Daksh did not spare a second before placing a light kiss on the back of her hand. She blushed, albeit in embarrassment, and his heart soared. Soon, she was ushered away by Pinky to inspect one of the many designs that were yet to be finalised. Although the wedding itself was almost a month away the numerous functions to take place would be starting in two weeks only. As soon as the ladies were gone, followed by Om and Rudra who had work of their own, Daksh turned to Shivaay.

"Shivaay, my friend, may I just say that you have a gorgeous wedding planner?"

Shivaay laughed at that, but not without pride. If it had been any other guy, he would have been fuming with jealousy. But he knew Daksh well- he was a charming man, and entertained himself by flirting with every woman he came across. Shivaay wouldn't want anyone, literally anyone, flirting with HIS Annika, but Daksh was his friend and some harmless flirting with his soon-to-be bhabhi was acceptable, especially since Shivaay knew that Daksh was never serious about any woman. Moreover, soon the Kapoors' secret would be out and everyone would come to know what position Annika held in his heart, anyway.

"I know," Shivaay replied with a wink, and then left for office, not before unsuccessfully looking around to catch a last glimpse of Annika.

Daksh realized that even his guarded, indifferent best friend wasn't immune to the wedding planner's beauty. But ofcourse, there was no way the Great Shivaay Singh Oberoi of the Oberoi khandaan would think even twice about anyone who didn't possess the infamous NKK. Daksh knew as well as anyone else that Shivaay didn't do love- he only did business, and this marriage was the greatest proof of that. Daksh shook his head at his friend's stupidity. If only he would let his carefully-guarded heart free for once, and indulge in the pleasure that was love! But no one would be able to get that through that thick head of his, Daksh thought, sighing. And anyway, right now, he himself had other things to worry about. Namely, get himself acquainted to the pretty lady who had caught his eye. So after freshening up, he started wandering around the halls to look for her. It was then that Tia walked in. They had met before a couple of times, and Daksh had never really liked her. She was sweet, but a little too sweet. And her relentless talks about the Universe and Reiki and all that bullshit really got on his nerves. Oh well, guess he'd just have to put up with her. Plastering a wide smile on his face, he moved forward to greet her.

"Tia, hey!"

They exchanged pleasantries.

"When did you come, Daksh? I hope you're staying for the wedding?"

"Yes, ofcourse. And I arrived just a while ago." He replied jubilantly. They chatted for a bit, before Daksh started getting restless to see Annika again.

"Anyway, Tia, you must have a lot of preparations left to do for the wedding?" He asked.

"Oh yes, I do. In fact, I should be getting to it right away. I need to help Annika and Pinky aunty with the designs for the-"

Before she could continue, Daksh interrupted.

"Do you mind if I tag along and help? I don't have anything to do for the rest of the day, anyway."

Tia had no problem with that whatsoever, and Daksh punched the air in excitement as he followed behind her to where Annika would be.

**

Shivaay waited impatiently for Mrs. Kapoor to show up. He had all the contract papers ready, and had already filled in Mrs. Kapoor on the details about the new deals over the phone. She had seemed ecstatic at the prospect of new business- it would only mean more money for her, at the end. Shivaay couldn't stop smirking. If only she knew...

He was going through the papers one last time to re-check everything thoroughly- any more mistake would simply not do. It was at that moment that his phone started ringing. The caller ID read Mrs. Kapoor (the cheapdi), courtesy Annika. Shivaay smiled at that, before frowning. Why was she calling when she was supposed to be here herself? He got the answer pretty soon.

A close friend of Mrs. Kapoor was extremely ill, and was admitted in a hospital in Thailand. It was absolutely essential for her to fly over there this instant. Shivaay growled in frustration, and broke another one of his phones in rage. The signing of the papers would have to be postponed for a week.

**

"Don't think you can fool ME with these high prices, Tiwari Ji. I won't give you a penny more than 2000 Rs for these lights!"

If Daksh had been smitten before, he was absolutely bowled over now. Annika had such an amazing disposition, he had never met anyone like her before. She seemed sweet and caring, but with an attitude that was necessary for an independent girl like her to make it in the world. The way she was bargaining with the light-men now, he could see the fire in her eyes. It was evident that she was an honest person who wouldn't let others reap off money from the Oberois, no matter how rich the family was. He didn't realize he had been staring until Annika waved a hand in front of his face.

"Daksh ji, where are you lost? I asked if you want to have tea? I'm making some for myself."

Daksh came out of his reverie. Smiling, he replied that he would love some tea.

"By the way, Annika," he called out as she was about to leave. "Call me just Daksh, okay?" Annika only smiled, and left for the kitchen. Daksh sighed as he watched her leave. He had only known her for a couple of hours, and his heart was already starting to beat faster whenever she smiled. Just to be able to spend time with her, he had spent the last few hours going around the house running errands for her. She had refused to take his help at first, but he had insisted. They chatted alongside working, and with every passing moment, Daksh felt himself getting attracted to her even more. He was pondering over whether he should tell Shivaay about his new crush, but then decided against it. His friend wouldn't understand the perils of the heart. No, for the time being, he would keep this infatuation of his to himself, and try to befriend Annika. Daksh considered himself a good judge of people, and from what he had seen of her, he guessed that although she was friendly to everyone and got along with people really well, she didn't let people in very easily. She was a mysterious enigma to him, and he was determined to find out as much about her as possible. Wondering who would be the best person to help him in this mission, he decided in pursuing Pinky aunty. After all, wasn't she the one who spent most time with Annika, helping with the wedding preps? He went in search of her.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Annika was humming a song while preparing tea when she felt two arms slide along her waist. She gasped.

"Shivaay, what are you doing? Someone might walk in any moment!"

"I don't care." He replied petulantly, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Reducing the power on the stove, Annika turned around to face him. He looked visibly upset.

"What's wrong, Shiv? And how are you back so early? I thought you said you have a meeting with Mrs. Kapoor?"

Shivaay sighed deeply, and moved to prepare some black coffee for himself. Annika gestured that she would do it. Leaning against the counter while she brewed him some coffee to relax, Shivaay recounted to her what had happened.

"So now, I have to wait a week before I can put the plan into action. A whole damn week!" He exclaimed in anger.

Annika handed him his mug of saira bano, and cupped his face in her hands.

"Relax, Shivaay. It's only a matter of a week. I'm sure everything will turn out just fine after that."

"I hope so," Shivaay muttered, taking a sip of his coffee. It was delicious. Putting the mug down, he was about to lean in on her lips, when they heard the sound of whistling just outside the kitchen. Hurriedly moving away, they tried to go back to their tasks and appear normal. It was Daksh who walked in.

"Hey Annika, have you seen Pink- Oh, Shivaay! You're back early?"

"Yeah, I needed to collect an important file. Just came to the kitchen to grab some coffee. Did you need anything?"

"Oh no, I just wanted to ask Annika if she has seen Pinky Aunty." Turning to Annika, he repeated the question.

"Yeah, she's in her room. She had a headache so she's resting. In fact, I was about to take tea up for her, too."

Daksh nodded, and offered to go along with her. When he saw Shivaay not budging and eyeing Annika with an emotion in his eyes Daksh couldn't decipher, he asked curiously.

"Well, aren't you going to collect your file?"

"Yeah, yeah, I will." Shivaay replied hurriedly, before leaving. Daksh furrowed his brows in confusion. Shivaay had a coffee machine in his own room- why would he come all the way to the kitchen? Shaking his head, he decided to not waste his time deliberating on useless thoughts, and followed behind Annika, offering to carry the tray of tea for her. After they reached and Annika left the room, Daksh stayed behind to have a chat with Pinky.

Chapter-17