CHAPTER 3
Shivay loved Sundays. These are days he doesn’t have to go to office. He liked relaxing on Sundays waking up late, playing games with Niki, watching movies and finally very laid-back dinner with Niki. His sister used to call his Sundays Niki-day. Even her annoying serial couldn’t keep him away from her on Sundays. Shivay was totally looking forward for this Sunday as last Sunday Niki went out with her friends to work on her college project.
When Shivay came down the stairs around noon, he was surprised to see his sister dressed in her best and shouting orders at the servants.
“What is wrong? “Asked Shivay as he settled on the couch with newspaper
“Bhai, it is already 12 and not half of what I want is ready.“ she complained as she sunk beside him with a pout.
“What is the hurry for, Niki? It is Sunday. “
“Bhai, don’t you remember we are having guest? “ asked Niki appalled
“Who guest? “
“Bhai, I told you I am inviting Annika for lunch.“ said Niki narrowing her eyes not pleased by her brother forgetting her lunch plan.
“What? “ shouted Shivay sitting straight on the couch. “Why? “
“What do you mean by why? “
“Niki, she is working for us. Business ends outside this house. Have you ever seen me inviting anyone working with us? “
“Don’t be a meanie, Bhai. And if it makes you feel better then, I have invited my friend Annika for lunch and not your model. Remember the shoot is already over. “
“But, Niki... “
“Please bhai, don’t ruin it for me “
Shivay didn’t want to argue with his sister, especially when she is this excited. So, he agreed reluctantly. Moreover, Annika Sharma is not as bad influence on his sister as he feared. Well, he still hates the stupid show. But, Annika was completely different person. He learned that she is only couple of years elder to Niki and they both kind of behave like friends with each other minus the occasional fan girl attitude of Niki. So, yeah he can live with another Sunday being wasted.
Annika reached sharp at 2 wearing a beige embroidered kurti and white leggings. Will this girl ever look less pretty in anything she wears? Shivay wondered.
“Hello, Mr.Oberoi.“ she said giving him her bright smile.
“Ms. Sharma.“ he nodded
They have still not come to first name basis unlike his sister who conveniently calls her ‘Annika’.
“Thanks for inviting me.“ Annika said looking at the Oberois once the three settled in the living room.
“Oh! Pleasure is all ours.“ chirped a happy Niki.
They didn’t have one awkward moment of silence with Niki Oberoi blabbering 100 words a minute. But, the moment she left to attend a call from professor, Shivay and Annika felt the infamous silence occupy them. If that wasn’t enough, while going to attend the call Niki casually ordered her brother to give Annika a tour of the house.
“So? “ asked Shivay looking everywhere but her
Annika looked up at him
“I...umm..... A tour?”
“Sure “ Annika agreed
Showing around the house was a very lame activity according to Shivay. What was he supposed to tell? ‘ This is kitchen ‘, ‘This is lawn ‘. Duh! So within five minutes they were already in the first floor looking at the game room completing more than half of the house.
“Why do you hate me, Mr.Oberoi? “ asked Annika once she they were standing right in front of the huge TV in the game room.
“Excuse me? “
Shivay clearly heard what she asked. He just didn’t know why she asked that.
“I am sorry. I thought this detached treatment of yours is reserved for me. Is this how it is with everyone? “ Annika asked
“What?... yes.... I mean no.... what? “ Shivay stammered probably first time in his life.
Annika laughed out loud at his confused face. She has definitely caught Shivay Singh Oberoi off guard.
“It is not you.“ he said after a long pause
“Oh “
“I mean it is not you as in you. But, it is definitely you who is on the screen.“ he confessed
“What? “ asked Annika bemused
“Well, Niki is crazy about your show. In fact she is the one who suggested your name for the campaign. It has always been me and Niki. We used to spend most of our free time together. But, now she is always immersed in watching your show and the other times discussing them over internet. I ... I miss my sister. “
“You think I stole her from you? “
“Not you, but you know what I mean, right? “
Annika nodded as she moved ahead and sat on the fluffy couch near the pool table. Shivay followed suit and sat beside her.
“Young girls tend to do girly stuff, Mr.Oberoi. There is nothing wrong with it. My mom used to complain to me all the time that I don’t love her anymore. But, that is not true. It just happens. It is a phase you know. There are sure certain things Niki cannot discuss with her elder brother. She needs her girl friends “
“But we were very close... “
“You still are. You know, when we both chat, she cannot help bringing up her brother in every other sentence. She loves you, completely adores you. Also she loves other stuff that girls enjoy at this age. So, just let her be. “
Shivay chuckled as he shook his head.
“What? “ Annika asked
“I never thought I will be having this conversation with you. “
“Better me than a psychiatrist “she said shrugging
“Why will I go to psychiatrist? “asked Shivay finding the thought alarming
“That is what people generally do right? Never sit and discuss about the problem with the other person. Choose to spend thousands on counselling. “
“True “Shivay agreed. He has surely met the kind of people she is talking about.
“But that doesn’t mean that I am not going to collect my fees “ Annika said chirpily
“Oh Yeah! What would that be? “
“Maybe, you can construct my house for free when I built one “ Annika said thoughtfully
“And I pray you do that soon “ Shivay wished smiling genuinely.
Niki did notice the change of air between her brother and new friend, however she didn’t comment on it. All is well that ends well.
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“Cut” the director said irritated at Annika for fumbling for the third time. He was on the verge of swearing, if Annika didn’t get it right the next time. Annika took the dialogue papers again and began to read the lines. Aryan chuckled at her plight.
“Shut up.“ Annika warned her good friend “You have to just lie on the hospital bed pretending to sleep. Not profuse love for three pages. “
Annika opted for her caravan to read through the scene paper. Her director was kind enough to give her time till the end of lunch break to be ready for the scene. “I expect it to be over in one take after that.” he had told her. So, Annika was busy doing what she loved doing, acting in front of the camera.
“...And I will never forget what you did for me. I will always love you and trust you. Please come back to me Suman. I am incomplete without you. ” Annika finished the rehearsal by falling on the couch and shedding tears.
Unremitting clap broke her from the mood of the scene. She looked up to find Shivay standing near the door of the caravan looking like the tough tycoon that he is.
“Mr.Oberoi, What a surprise? “ Annika didn’t let her voice betray her surprise
“A good one I suppose.“
“Sure.” she said as she invited him and they both settled on the small couch cum bed.
“I never knew you could act well, Ms.Sharma “
“Now, should I be flattered or offended? “ asked Annika narrowing her eyes
“In my defence I don’t watch TV or movies “ Shivay said lifting his hands in defeat.
“I have to believe you, especially after my source has confirmed that “
“Someday I am going to eavesdrop on you and my sister’s little gossip session to know what you talk about me.“
“Are you sure you can live through hearing it.“
“Let me try.“
They both laughed at the easy rhythm their conversation has set in, a complete contrast to the initial awkwardness.
“So, what brings the great businessman to our humble studio? “
“Well, I was visiting a site nearby. Heard you were shooting here, so thought I will personally invite you to the launch party of the township. “
“That is so nice of you, thanks.“ she said with a bright smile.
That was the end of their little rendezvous. Definitely, nothing that the newspapers splashed the next day happened.
Is Telly town’s queen eyeing the Business King?
Our very reliable source informs us that business tycoon Shivay Singh Oberoi dropped on the sets of ‘Dillagi’ yesterday afternoon. When the suave Mr.Oberoi has no intention to enter the showbiz business, we can almost certainly assume that it was to meet Ms.Annika Sharma with whom Mr.Oberoi’s company Oberoi Construction has been associated for a new campaign. Our man of sources added, “They both spent more than a couple of hours inside the caravan alone and even shared lunch together. The shoot was stalled owing to his presence. They seemed pretty close. When Shivay sir was leaving he hugged and kissed her on the cheeks.” So is another love story between a tycoon and an actress brewing? Follow this space to get more updates on the love story.
“Bloody Hell.“ Shivay swore as he threw the newspaper away.
“Did you actually go to meet her on the sets? “Shivay would have answered his sister’s simple question easily if not for the queer gleam in her eyes.
“Niki, NO “he warned as he knew his little devil was preparing to don a cupid’s hat in her mind.
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