S: I can explain
A: No, no need, I'm happy for you (She gave him a pained smile)
Annika had never been so mad at anyone before.
S: I have some family issues and I went to England to blow off some steam, I met Mallika, and one thing led to another. I should have responded to your texts
A: This isn't about vacation, how could you just...? I thought we were...(her voice breaks) I thought we were friends
S: That's exactly what we are. Just friends
A: right (she nodded weakly)
S: right so it's all sorted, we'll go back to the way it was? (he suggested)
A: great
S: You know before... (he was talking about their kiss before she went to Delhi)
A: yes I get it
After she left, Sarthak informed Shivaay about a meeting he needed to attend with Annika later that evening.
Annika walked out of the office. She needed some space to process this new development. She spent some time at the beach alone, just walking.
She reached the office where she was supposed to have her meeting. She saw Shivaay at the reception
A: You don't need to be here
S: Umm why? We're partners, remember?
A: Yeah, I don't have much confidence in your partnership since you ghosted me. You can't just march back in here like nothing's wrong. This world doesn't work according to your moods and whims. Just because you say everything is fine doesn't make everything fine
Shivaay didn't say anything, he just nodded.
A: I'll coordinate with Sarthak. He's your employee, he'll update you. I don't need you anymore
S: Do you really mean that?
A: I do, please leave
S: right (he replied, pain evident in his voice)
*********
On Saturday, Annika and Chanda went to the orphanage to spend some time with the kids. She thought this might be a good distraction from her disastrous love life. But once again, fate played against her. Both of them saw Shivaay giving Mallika a tour of the place.
Mallika: Hi Annika
A: Hi
Mallika: Shivaay told me you teach arts and crafts to the kids, it's so cool
A: Yeah, we try to do whatever we can, for the kids
Annika avoided looking at shivaay.
Chanda: If you don't mind, can I ask something?
Mallika: Sure
Chanda: How did you guys meet?
Mallika: We used to date back in school but then we broke up. Recently we met again when Shivaay came to England to see the cricket world cup. We started talking, about how we both missed each other and all, so we decided to try again, rekindle the old flame. You know how first love is
A(in her mind): Unbelievable, he went to watch cricket matches and got back with his ex.
Chanda: Oh nice, yeah first love is crazy.
Shivaay, who had been busy with his phone till now, joined their conversation.
S: Mallika has her own architectural firm in London, she is immensely talented. Don't undersell yourself, love. She always does this.
Mallika looked at Shivaay adoringly with googly eyes, his arm wrapped around her waist.
A: That's really nice Mallika, anyway, excuse us, we have to go meet the kids now
Annika and Chanda went to the art room and got on with their art session
Mallika: She's upset
S: I know
Mallika: Is this really..
S: yes
He cut her off before she could complete her sentence and they left.
Chanda: So, what do we think about Mallika?
A: Not now Chanda
Chanda: Okay, can you at least let that pencil go? You're gonna break it, look how tightly your fist is wound
Annika hadn't realized how tightly her fingers were coiled around a pencil.
Chanda: How about you go home and I handle the class today?
A: Okay
Annika went back home and tried to process her feelings
A(in her mind): How could he do this to me? Did our kiss mean nothing to him? Over two weeks I waited for him to call, or text and he was out there enjoying with his ex. I'm an idiot, I fell for an emotionally unavailable guy like him. I'm done with you Shivaay, do whatever you want, be with whoever you want.
She went to her room and uncovered the portrait. She looked at it one last time before packing it up.
Hey guys I hope you like this chapter
OmRu will meet Mallika soon.
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Tu muskuraye har jagah
FanfictionShivaay Singh Oberoi, a very successful and famous business tycoon, had a bad experience because of which he does not believe in marriage or romance. The only people he loves are his brothers and his grandmother. Annika Trivedi has faced more than...
