"You found parts of me I didn't know existed and in you I found a love I no longer believed was real."
- Unknown.
The sky sprinkled with stars, the rhythmic waves of the sea, the sand between the toes, the cool breeze and him. Anika smiled, she couldn't be happier, standing next to Shivaye, when the twilight faded into blackness.
She was surprised when the car ride came to an end at the beach, her favorite place after her home, in her dad's arms. She had thought they were going to an elegant and expensive restaurant for dinner because the high heels, the beautiful silvery dress, and the makeup never match up with a beach vibe. But it was Shivaye, the man full of surprises.
Since the day he entered her life, he was always a part of her. He made her happy and he was the best gift her heart has ever know. Because of Shivaye, she met many amazing people like Om, Rudra, Priyanka, Dadi, Mallika, and Siddarth. Shivaye was always there for her, understood her, cared for her and loved her like a friend. He is the reason why she smiled more often now and he was important to her.
Anika realized that her like for him turned to another feeling that she wanted him more than a just friend. She wanted him to be with her forever. She wanted him to be permanent in her life and she wanted him to be hers, to call him 'my man'.
She was in love.
She was in love with him.
She was in love with Shivaye.
She was in love with Shivaye Freaking Singh Oberoi.
A part of her wanted to tell him the three magical words but another part of her was scared of thinking what if she lost him, what if he only considered her as a friend, what if he goes away from her which was something that she can never ever think about - a future without him.
Anika looked at him who was looking at the sea but she knew his mind was somewhere, he was thinking about something. And she wished it was about them, Shivaye and Anika.
It seemed like forever until Shivaye glanced at her, she took his breath away and he couldn't help but steal glances at her. Anika has ditched her heels now and shivaye took off his shoes too, walking on the golden sand barefoot now.
He knew Anika was a look-at-the-star person, she didn't need the luxury to be happy and he decided that the beach was the best place. When he first saw her, descending the stairs like a princess, the word 'beautiful' had slipped out of his lips momentarily and he knew, the next time he was going to meet his best friends, they were going to tease him to the end.
He wanted her to be his.
He wanted her to be his woman.
He wanted her to be his first and last love.
Anika has become a part of him now. He can’t think about a world without her. Shivaye realized, he loved her and it wasn't some stupid attraction. She had an effect on him and everything about her was amazing. Anika’s one smile was enough to make his day.
He wanted to tell her but what if she rejected him and if he adds tension to her already stressed life, instead of making her at ease as a friend. There were thousands of thoughts in his mind but he needed to tell her that he loved her because he doesn’t want her to be someone else, call him selfish but he wanted her all to himself.
Shivaye and Anika stood there looking at each other having a battle inside them whether they have to confess their feelings. The sky, stars, sea, and sand were all watching their moment.
Shivaye slowly started walking towards her and she stood there her eyes boring into his greenish blue eyes which showed so much love for her and which confused her more.
There were so close that they both can feel each other’s breath. He looked at her chocolate orbs while she stared back at it. She felt a shiver ran through her spine which was like a pleasure. They both knew they were going to do it.
Shivaye looked at her hair, beautiful eyes and everything until his eyes stopped at her pink lips. Anika wanted to run her hands through his hair and then she found his eyes on her lips. He leaned closer to her and she closed her eyes but she felt his breath on her ears. They were so close.
“I love you, Anika.” He whispered, her heart beated fastly and loudly that she doubted he could hear it too.
This was real and not a dream. Was she hallucinating that Shivaye was confessing the thing she wanted him to be? Was it a dream? But truly it was the reality, a magical and beautiful reality.
She was about to turn around and face him but before that, his lips crashed on hers. She stood there shocked knowing that his, Shivaye’s soft lips were on hers now and he was kissing her. She felt weak on her knees and started kissing him back. It felt magical for them and something that they didn't want to end. They pulled apart only when they were in need of oxygen.
Shivaye lifted the chin of Anika who was having a hard time looking at his eyes but she knew she has to do it too.
“I love you too, Shivaye,” she said with a million dollar smile on her face.
“Say it again, ” Shivaye demanded, making Anika blush.
It was the moment for them. They weren’t the perfect human beings but they were perfect for each other. Sharing their happiness, pain, and sorrow together, no matter what happens. They will always be there for each other and it was true love.
She stood on her toes and whispered to his ears like he did, "I love you, Bhagad billa.” She laughed and kissed his cheek, running away before Shivaye could pull her towards him.
He ran after her and grabbed her waist, both falling down on the sand with Anika on top of Shivaye. They stared at each other and Shivaye leaned forward but Anika shoved him aside and stood up, sticking her tongue out to him.
“Anika, don’t be a baby. ” Shivaye whined like a little child and it increased her laughter, something that will never make Shivaye staring at his girl.
“Awe...you look so cute,” Anika said, pulling his cheeks.
“I am not cute. You can call me handsome, charming, hot and dashing but not cute.” He said pouting and Anika had to cover her mouth from laughing. The moment to see Shivaye pout was amazing and definitely cute.
"Okay, sing a song for me.” She said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Baby, you know I am very bad at it,” Shivaye said, honestly thinking about the moment how he closed his own ears when he heard his voice. Anika blushed hearing him call her ‘baby'. She felt so special.
“Fine, do something for me then,” she said with puppy eyes and Shivaye thought for a long time tapping his chin and finally his face lit up.
“Wait here, love. I will be right back.” He said jogging towards the place where he parked his car and Anika’s smile became wider hearing him refer as her his love. The man really knew how to make her happy. There was nothing she ever wanted other than him.
Shivaye came back grinning and showed her what he got, a guitar. It was the memory that his grandfather left for him. He always played it when he was alone as if his grandfather was sitting there giving him the company. The only person who heard him do it was himself alone, not even Omru. Anika was special and she needed to hear it or more than that he wished to know her opinion.
“Wow Shivaye, you know to play it. That’s freaking amazing.” She said with excitement and they sat down on the sand.
He started playing it and it didn’t take even a second for Anika to realize the song. So, she started to sing along with her melodious voice.
You know I’d fall apart without you
I don’t know how you do what you do
‘Cause everything that doesn’t make sense about me
Makes sense when I’m with you
It was ‘Wanted’ by Hunter Hayes. A beautiful song which feels like it was just written for them. Shivaye was just like that, for him, Anika was now important and without her, the world seems to be a dark black hole. Like she is his sun which lighted his world and helped him to shine brighter.
Like everything that’s green, girl, I need you
But it’s more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you want it too
They both looked at each other and silently laughed thinking about their first meeting on the train. The destiny has played its role in it and it wanted them to be together.
Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Anika snugged closer to him and wrapped her hands around his torso feeling the moment. It made Shivaye feel so warmer and both of them couldn’t ignore the butterfly fluttering in their stomach.
Wanna hold your hand forever
Never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Shivaye put his head over hers and pressed his lips to her hair. The small gesture made Anika feel so happy and content.
Anyone can tell you-you're pretty
(Yeah)
You get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty’s deeper than the makeup
And I wanna show you what I see tonight
Shivaye had seen many women around him all the time and some of them gave their attention to him. Of course, no one will be able to resist him but this girl who captured his heart wasn’t like them and Shivaye felt attracted to her beauty. Something he can’t point out about her had him spellbound.
When I wrap you up
When I kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you to mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
Never let you forget it
‘Cause baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
Anika had never thought she would be loved for her who she was other than by her father. Most people stuck around only because of the wealth the family owned or to take advantage of her but she knew the person who had even stolen her sleep and came in her dreams loved her truly, for who was and will be.
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
Their eyes twinkled and shined like the stars in the sky. This was their story and fairy tale. This moment to be forever was their dream now.
You’re more than everything I need
You’re all I ever wanted
All I ever wanted
They completed each other. She was his happiness and he was hers. It was only each other they wanted.
And I just wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Shivaye came closer to her and entangled his fingers with hers. Anika looked at their intertwining hands and smiled and they both sang the last lines together.
Wanna hold your hand forever
Never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Yeah baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
‘Cause you’ll always be wanted
Shivaye and Anika were once again kissing forgetting their life’s toughest, hardest and bitter memories behind them. They were living the moment.
“You sang so beautifully, Anika.” Shivaye complimented her.
“Thank you and I never knew you can play the guitar. You are seriously amazing.” Anika said and her surprise was clearly evident in her words.
“Come on, I am Shivaye Singh Oberoi." He chuckled, remembering their first meet again. Both of them laughed hard clutching their stomach and the smile wasn't leaving their face.
The moment was beyond perfect with the night witnessing their Love. They lay in the sand with Anika’s head on his chest and his hand wrapped around her. It felt like a dream for both of them. Only if everyday was magical like this moment.
Thank you so much ❤️