It ended when they tapped on each other's perky noses. Both of them burst into a laugh after.
"Such laughs have sparked in my home after a long-long time! "said Shakti who was busy wiping a tear of joy after looking at the siblings.
"Well, you see uncle. More merry is yet to knock on your doors," shouted Omkara, standing by the gates.
Rudra saw Om and waved, smiling at him. Their smiles were more words than a person used while talking.
"Om," Rudra called out while Om gave Shakti a long, affectionate hug.
"Dad, the dinners getting cold, now will you leave Om?" pouted Anika.
"Oh, somebody is jealous," Om perked against Anika's shoulder.
Anika made a face after giving Omkara the eyes that would kill him if looks could actually kill.
"Annika Didi, you leave these two, and let's go have food, or else this will turn into a dangerous conversation- one you do not want to be part of."
"Yes Anika, Shakti uncle was just asking me to get you a date with my colleague, Tarun," Omkara added.
"You were right Rudy," Annika grinned, while Rudra pulled her by her hand to the dining hall.
Rudra's mouth watered after having a look at the delicious dinner. Annika laughed, "So Mr.muscles, looks like, after this meal, your abs will definitely- turn into flabs."
Rudy gulped, thinking about the guilt he would feel after enjoying this meal.
"Naah didi, who cares?" his spoon struck the hot cheese lasagna, while his fork twisted noodles. On the other hand, Annika served naan and chilly paneer to herself. Her eyes widened when she saw Aloo puri, she kept a spot reserved for it on her plate.
Anika's eyes run through the deserts. From gulab jamun to sandesh, there was a total of twelve sweets.
But Anika's eyes searched for one, Rasgulla. This had been her night-time guilt snack for weeks now, and her dad forgot to include these! She took Rasmalai instead, but Rasgullas were just that, Rasgullas. Many juices were kept too. But the mixed fruit one was brought for Anika only. Rudy drank his vegetable protein ones that's why.
One after the other, they tasted the delicacies made just for them. The food reminded her of Anika of her mother, Pinky. After the accident, she didn't recall a thing about her past. Her dad, Shakti told her that her mother died when she was young. Even though she doesn't remember how her food tasted, her taste buds did.
After their bellies were full of foods from all over the world, they felt so lazy, they couldn't raise their eyes to move too.
"Ugh, Rudy! I don't think I 'l be able to get up before tomorrow."
"Didi, what do you speak of tomorrow- I won't be able to get up from this chair for a week."
They both sat there, warming their seats until the doorbells rang. When it rang twice, they remembered no one but them was down. The maids left after wrapping the dinner and Khanna was on holiday. Omkara and Shakti were chatting upstairs.
"I guess they are on the first floor," Anika's eyes roamed about searching for someone- anyone to open the gates," Rudy- go and open naa"
Rudra was almost asleep in his chair," Noo didi, I'm so tired."
"Rudy"
"Didii please"
Anika tsked. She knew Rudy had been in London since last week, "But just this once, okay?"
He nodded smiling. The Oberoi's had a franchise coming up there. Anika was busy handling the branches in Mumbai, along with Omkara. So, Gauri and Rudra were assigned with helping out for the European branches. Anika visited them too after she was done with California.
After a long long yawn, Annika managed to get up and walk, when she realized her right foot was getting cramps.
She hated it when this happened. When she was in school, once in an assembly, she fell before her entire classroom because these antsy tickles. They've been a part of her long enough for her to hate them unconditionally. Yet, she walked as they weren't numbingly strong at the moment.
But when she reached out to the door and pulled it open, her feet were ice numb.
Annika knew she'd fall so she closed her eyes. But she didn't. When her eyes fluttered open, she noticed two blue eyes looking into hers.
★ ☽ ★
Words: 1317
The 1k word limit has officially said tata to me.
Next chapter, something really sweet is coming up.
Vote! Comment if you like. And thank you for spending your time here!
CHAPTER 3
Start from the beginning
