[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Gauri - G]
A few days later at Oberoi Industries
S: I think this is a good strategy to increase customers
A: Shivaay, do you want to go out?
S: Umm why?
A: Because I'm really hungry. Is that a good enough reason?
S: Okay, let's go. But I'll pay and you won't create any scene, deal?
A: Fine you can pay, let's go, please. Rats are doing dance competition in my stomach
S: You're mad you know
They reached the parking lot and Shivaay headed towards his car
S: What about your champa?
A: Ooooh you remember the name. I'm impressed.
He gave her an annoyed look
A: Chanda needed it today, I came here in a cab
S: Get in then
They were waiting at a traffic signal when a little boy knocked on Shivaay's window. He was selling heart-shaped balloons
Boy: Bhaiyya bhaiyya please buy one balloon for your girlfriend
Annika suppressed a giggle
S: We don't want any balloons
Boy: Bhaiyya please buy one, she will be very happy.
S: Here, take this money and eat something and you can keep the balloon.
Boy: Thank you Bhaiyya, you and your girlfriend look like hero heroine
S: She's not my girlfriend
But the boy had already left.
S: Stop giggling
A: Why the hero doesn't like it when I laugh?
Shivaay took her to one of his favorite restaurants.
S: My brothers and I love coming here.
A: You can see the ocean from the rooftop
S: Yeah
They got a nice table and placed their order
A: You got any plans for the weekend?
S: I have a meeting with some Japanese clients tomorrow
A: Seriously Shivaay, how much do you work! Do you spare any time for yourself?
S: I do, and I spend that with my brothers and my daadi.
A: What about your 'Me time'? What do you like to do for yourself? What are your hobbies, besides cooking?
S: I don't have any hobbies
A: Then find something that you like. Your brothers have a life besides their work and family. You should too. Go out with your friends, travel for pleasure, read, I don't know, whatever gives you pleasure.
S: Okay enough lecturing, concentrate on your food. Weren't you dying of hunger?
A: I'm not lecturing, it's just a suggestion
S: Anyway, what are your plans for this weekend? Visiting the orphanage?
A: No, I'm gonna see your brother tomorrow
Shivaay gave her a questioning look
A: Omkara is conducting a workshop, I've signed up for that
S: Interesting. Is painting your 'Me time'?
A: Yes, it's one of my hobbies
They continued eating, Shivaay kept noticing how engrossed she was, thoroughly enjoying her meal.
S: How's your friend Chanda?
A: Oh she's on the moon these days. Rohit finally proposed to her, he went down on his knees and everything. All they talk about these days is the wedding and their future together
Shivaay's expression changed for a brief moment but he covered it up
A: What was that?
S: What?
A: That look in your eyes. What's going on inside your head? Did I say something offensive?
She sounded worried, worried she might have said something wrong that hurt him.
S: No, of course not
A: You're hiding something. Tell me, what's wrong?
S: It's nothing Annika
A: You're lying I know, something triggered you. It's okay if you don't want to share it with me.
A(in her mind): I wish you'd trust me enough to share your true feelings. But it's okay, take your time
S: It's really nothing Annika. Anyway getting back to Chanda and Rohit, you must be the bridesmaid
While Shivaay tried to compose his feelings, Annika went on and on about things she had to take care of for the wedding.
S(in his mind): How do you always see through me? I can't tell you what triggered me because I don't want you to know how broken I truly am. I'm not ready for you to see me differently. I know if I tell you what happened all these years ago you'd be sympathetic but I don't want that. I like what we have. I like when you treat me like your friend. I don't want you to walk on eggshells around me.
They were almost done with their dinner when a familiar voice greeted them
G: Hey Shivaay, Annika
Annika greeted her back with her usual chirpiness while Shivaay understood the smugness behind their smiles
G: On a date
A: What?
G: I'm saying, we're here on a Date
A: Oh how cute. Shivaay told me you guys like this restaurant
S(in his mind): Wait till I see you at home dearest sister. Thankfully Annika didn't get what you meant
Om: Hope we didn't disturb you both
S(in his mind): Et tu Om?
A: Of course not Omkara.
G: Is this a working dinner for you both?
S: Yes, it is gauri
A: It's okay Shivaay, you don't need to lie for me
S(in his mind): I'm not lying for you Annika, you don't know what's gonna happen when I get home, my siblings are going to make all sorts of theories and jokes
A: Actually I was super hungry so I asked Shivaay to have dinner with me
G: of course, of course, how could Shivaay refuse
Gauri winked at Shivaay
S: Om, why don't you guys go ahead, don't spoil your date night because of us
Om: How can it be spoiled, Shivaay? Right Gauri
G: Right, in fact, it just got better
S: We're done anyway, you can have this table. Shall we go, Annika?
A: Yeah sure. You both have fun on your date night. I'll see you tomorrow Omkara
G: Bye Shivaay
S: Bye Gauri
He said it politely but he was throwing daggers at gauri.
S(in his mind): both of them will tell bhavya and rudra now and then all of them will make jokes about it. Great! I can't have one peaceful evening with Annika
A: Those two are adorable
G: I'm sending a picture of these two on the group chat. Shivaay and Annika on a date Om!!!
Om: Wasn't a date gauri but I get what you mean. Looks like Rudra's prediction might come true after all.
G: Yes, Friday meetings turned into date nights. I'm so excited
Om: More excited than our date?
G: Of course
Om raised an eyebrow at his fiance
G: Not. Of course not. Let's order your favorite ravioli
Om: Hmm good save.
*********
A(in her mind): I wish this was a date. Should I tell him how I feel? No, I don't think he feels the same way. He didn't even admit to his brother that this wasn't a working dinner. And now he'll drop me home and I'll be left all alone with my stupid feelings
Shivaay waved a hand in front of her face
S: Where are you lost? Ready to go home or still hungry?
A: I.. I was actually thinking about taking a walk on the beach.
A(in her mind): I know you won't say no if I ask you to join me, because you're a nice person. But I don't want that. I want you to choose to spend time with me.
S: Can I join you?
S(in his mind): Please say yes. I don't want to go home yet. I like spending time with you
A: Are you sure? You don't have to, I'll take a cab later
S: I want to
Annika felt butterflies in her stomach. She felt her wish was coming true.
A: Let's go then
They walked outside the parking lot and waited to cross a road. As soon as the traffic reduced, Annika held Shivaay's hand and started crossing. Shivaay had no idea how and when they reached the other side. He looked at her the moment she held his hand and he couldn't look away. They were just crossing a road but it felt like he could go anywhere as long as she took him along. He felt he could cross any roads of life with her.
Annika let go of his hand as they had reached the beach and Shivaay came back to Earth from his dreamland.
Cool wind welcomed them on a starry night. The moon shone ever so brightly while the waves crashed on the shore.
A: I love coming to the beach. It's so peaceful, away from the noise of the city. All these waves crash into the ocean wildly like our thoughts and worries, making so much noise, but in the end, they merge into the ocean and things become peaceful again. Sorry, I went all poetic
S: Don't be. What you said was very beautiful. I absolutely agree with you. When my thoughts get too loud and I can't turn them off, I try to drown the noise out with the sound of the waves.
They walked together in silence for some time, taking pleasure in each other's company. The entire time Annika battled between her mind and heart, unable to decide if she should tell him about her feelings. Her mind won tonight.
A: Thanks, for coming with me tonight, I had a great time
S: Me too
Hey guys I hope you like this chapter
Annika will spend some special time with the Oberois soon.
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