Posted:
A/N: RiKara are married but ShivIka are not. And since it's pre-marriage, including Saumya seemed more apt.
Warning: 3000+ words đ¤Ł
Had to cut the title short, even that was long :P
19th December, 4 pm
The Oberois had gathered in the main hall, all thanks to Mallika. She was here, with an invitation for all the young Oberois for a Christmas party. She had, of course, invited the elders as well, but they had politely declined, not really interested in celebrating.
So now, Mallika had asked Saumya for a marker and a bowl, quickly writing everyone's names on the chits she had made, mixing it well in the bowl. She picked out a sheet for Anika, since the woman in question wasn't here and went around everybody, asking them to pick the chits.
When everyone would pick a chit, she would mutter 'yellow' but when it was Shivaay's turn, she didn't have to tell anything. She was sure he'd pick the blue one. She had, after all, dated him enough to know his likes and dislikes. Since he chose to remain the same ol' Shivaay, his tastes were bound to remain the same. He picked the blue one subconsciously and Mallika patted herself, mentally.
She had take in upon herself to make sure both her best friends get married. To each other. Apart from the confusion of whether she'll have a Bhabhi or a Jiju, everything was perfect.
So when Anika finally arrived at the Oberoi Mansion, Mallika turned around. She didn't know it was her. But the way Shivaay's eyes glowed indicated her arrival.
She excitedly handed over that chit to Anika, grinning. She knew what she was to do.
"Mallika, yeh kya hai?" Anika asked curiously.
"Anika, there's somebody's name on the chit. Everyone had been given one, we are going to play Secret Santa on the 25th!" Mallika clapped her hands excitedly.
While everyone else's face glowed, Shivaay groaned and Anika looked clueless. "Mallika, it's high time you grow out of this." Shivaay was about to toss the piece of paper aside when Anika interrupted, "Is it a game? I'll definitely play!" There. Shivaay decided that maybe, Secret Santa, after all, wasn't such a bad idea.
Shivaay was suddenly quite and Mallika grinned.
"Well, it goes, like you'll buy a gift for the person whose name is on the chit. Then the person has to guess who it is. The one who guesses wrong, in the end, serves a punishment. Before you guys complain, yes, a little bit fun." Mallika winked in the end. This was going to be so much fun.
"Now shoo away!" Mallika waved her hands. "Go to your rooms or whatever, have a look at the names and decide the gifts quick! Only 3 days, guys! You'll have to send your gifts to the Rana Mansion, the person's name mentioned on it."
And so, the Oberois went to their rooms, shaking their heads at Mallika's excitement while she dragged Anika with her to the Rana Mansion. Anika had a Christmas Eve Party to plan!
*
24th December, 9pm
Shivaay stopped his car outside the Rana mansion, sighing in relief. If he would have been even a tad bit late, everyone would have pretty much murdered him with death glares.
Handing over the car keys to the waiting servant there, Shivaay hurried inside.
He was greeted with loud cheers and a very excited Mallika! "Thank God you are here Shivaay! We can finally start with the most awaited game!"
He formally greeted Siddharth who asked him to let himself a bit loose. "C'mon Shivaay! It's Christmas Eve! Try enjoying buddy!" was what he had said and what left Shivaay confused. Enjoying? Buddy? Seemed like Siddharth was already high.
He made way to the gang seated in a circle. Om, Rudra, Gauri, Priyanka, Saumya, Mallika and Siddharth. His eyes searched around for a certain event planner.
"Shivaay sit down already! Anika is coming in a few." They all chuckled, Shivaay looked flushed but he ignored the remark and took his time, looking at the hall decorated in all the Christmas stuff. A huge tree, stars and lights, little toy Santas, reindeers, socks and mistletoes.
He shook himself at the sudden thoughts that clouded his senses and sat down. He felt his body tingle and knew that she had walked in.
"Well, Anika Didi is here! Come quick, we are about to begin with the game!"
Anika smiled as she sat down between Rudra and Mallika, directly in front of Shivaay. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Anika looked away, excited for the game to begin.
It began with Mallika herself, who excitedly tore away the wrapping paper and looked at the gift.
"Oh My God! This is so pretty!" she exclaimed as she took out a miniature showpiece. It was Mallika and Siddharth, from their reception, Siddharth's hand around her waist, hers around his neck.
"I don't even have to guess! It definitely is Om."
Shivaay looked at Om in question, who answered his brother. "Well, Mallika and her twists. We have to reveal the wrong ones in the end."
"I know I have the perfect guess Om!" Mallika grinned, nudging Siddharth to open his. He obliged and found a pair of cuff links. "Honestly, how am I even supposed to guess!" Everybody chuckled and he shrugged. "I'll take the punishment rather than pointing out the wrong one."
"Idiot." Mallika muttered under her breath, making everyone chuckle. "I bet he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of his 'arch-rival'." She air-quoted 'arch-rival'.
"What happened to, 'loosen up Shivaay'?" Shivaay smirked, making everyone roll their eyes at the duo.
"Whatever Oberoi!" He looked around to see majority of them staring at him and chuckled nervously.
It was Om's turn next and he opened the gift very carefully, making everyone groan. Fed up of his elder brother, Rudra took the gift and tore it open, handing it back to Om, who glared at him. Rudra shrugged and asked him to open the box.
He opened it and was surprised to find a set of a very different sort of oil-colours, recently released in the European countries. It was said that they had the renaissance' sort of ingredients in it and Om was excited about using them. He looked around the people and spot Priyanka looking nervous. "Prinku! Gotcha!"
Priyanka only shrugged, asking for the game to be continued.
It was Shivaay's turn. He went to the tree and found a huge parcel for himself, heavy, thin and long. He walked back to the group and worked on opening it, patiently yet quickly, lest Rudra grew impatient.
When he was done, he saw a large photo frame, full of various pictures of him, his brothers, his family. His eyes didn't fail to notice Anika in a few pictures and he wondered who it could be.
"Bhaiya, show me what it is! O looks pretty mesmerized." Catching Rudra's smirk, he made a wild guess. "Rudra?"
He then showed it to everybody else. He noticed Anika and Mallika smiling warmly, Rudra looking excited and Gauri, Priyanka and Saumya pretty much in awe.
"Whoever gave this gift knows Shivaay pretty well." Om commented.
Shivaay's gaze was still trained at Anika, whose cheeks grew a little red and he knew he was wrong. He failed to notice everyone else's smirks and the game continued.
It went to Gauri who received a pretty pair of earring and said Saumya's name, Saumya got a diet plan and kicked Rudra in front of everyone.
"Ow! What was that for? Not a compulsion that it's me. Anybody can be concerned about your health!"
Rudra was given a packet of new flavoured protein shakes and a face pack and guessed it to be Prinku while she in turn found a necklace that looked handmade. "Gauri Bhabhi!"
It was Anika's turn at last and she opened the pack. She opened it to find a turquoise dress in it. She opened it completely, took the dress out and rolled it out completely. All the girls were awe-struck and gushed about how pretty it was.
Anika thought how nobody told Mallika's name and automatically thought it to be her new best friend.
Now that everyone's turn was over, Mallika asked people to point out the wrong ones.
"Shivaay Bhaiya, you were definitely wrong. I don't have the patience to do that sort of handiwork." Rudra called out.
"Well, Rudra Bhaiya even you were wrong. I honestly am fed up of you using more face packs than me." Priyanka complained.
"Sorry Anika, I wish I was the one who gifted you that. I don't really have that eye for what looks perfect on whom." She grinned while all of them shared knowing glances. They had all picked up yellow chits, knowing 'somebody's' obsession with blue and it did show out in Anika's dress.
"So who exactly gave the cuffs?" Siddharth looked around, confused.
Mallika wrapped an arm around his shoulder and grinned. "Hubby dear, that was me, trying to confuse you! Look! I got you."
*Turned out really long đ Scroll down for the awaited part ;)
