Anika arrived at the Oberoi Mansion, determined to focus on work. But the air inside the house felt heavy, as if the walls themselves carried the weight of last evening’s revelation.
She entered Shivaay’s room, where her team was already setting up the furniture. Her eyes flickered toward the luxurious space, once a place where she moved freely, now feeling new yet familiar.
Her colleagues were busy discussing the setup, but Anika’s focus wavered when she noticed Om passing by.
She quickly stepped out, calling after him. “Om?”
Om paused, his face holding a mix of exhaustion and frustration.
“what happened yesterday?” she asked, her voice careful.
Om sighed, rubbing his temple. “It was really bad Anika”
Anika waited for him to continue.
“Shivaay ne try kiya… par koi usse baat nahi kar raha tha. It was like he wasn’t even there.”
Anika’s heart clenched. She could imagine the scene.
“Are you okay?” Om’s eyes searched hers.
She looked away. “Yes”
Om gave her a look but didn’t press further before walking away.
________________
As Anika wrapped up her work, her colleagues gathered near the main hall, chatting excitedly.
“Anika, are you joining the club tomorrow?” one of them asked.
“Club? Why?” she repeated.
“It’s been a long week, we deserve a break. It will be fun like last time” David added
Anika hesitated. Normally, she wouldn’t have considered it. But right now, she needed something—anything—to keep her mind from spiraling back to Shivaay.
She gave a small nod. “Lets go”
The decision felt liberating. Maybe, for one night, she could escape everything.
"We can wrap up the work now"
"You guys carry on, I have something to do" Anika packed her bag and marched outside.
She stood outside Dadi’s room, hesitating before knocking.
A soft voice answered, “Aaja.”
Dadi sat on the bed, her expression unreadable. The warmth Anika always felt in this room seemed distant today.
She took a deep breath before stepping in.
“Dadi…”
Dadi folded her hands in her lap. “Kaho.”
Anika swallowed. “Shivaay ki galti thi, main maanti hoon… par usne yeh sab aap logon ko hurt karne ke liye nahi kiya.(I agree Shivaay is at fault but he didn't do all these to hurt you)”
Dadi remained silent, so Anika continued.
“He didnt want his family to worry about him. He has always been the perfect grandson, the perfect son and the perfect brother. Usne apne dukh ko hamesha chhupa kar rakha.”
Dadi’s lips pressed together. “Par iska matlab yeh nahi ki jhooth sahi ho jata hai.(This doesn't justify the lies)”
Anika nodded. “Bilkul nahi, par unhe alag feel karane se cheeze sort to nahi hogi na?(But making him feel isolated won't solve the problem right?)”
Dadi looked away.
Anika’s voice softened. “Aap mujhe hate kar sakthain, par please, usse maaf kar dijiye. (You all can hate me, but please forgive him)”
Dadi’s gaze snapped back to hers. “Tu use defend kyu karrahi hai? You don't owe us any explanation. It was my grandson whose idea you agreed upon”
Anika exhaled, knowing there was no point in denying the truth.
“Kyunki Shivaay ek acche insaan hai.” Her voice wavered slightly.
Dadi watched her carefully as she continued.
“He never misbehaved with me, he protected my image in front of everyone jab hum dobara mile. He made me realize my dreams. For me he is the definition of light, jisne mujhe iss raah ke liye support kia”
Dadi observed her closely, and for the first time since yesterday, her eyes softened just a little.
Anika lowered her gaze. “Rahi baat explanation ki, I do owe that. Aap sab ne mujhe dikhaya ki parivaar ka pyaar kya hota hai. The way I felt in those days exceeded anything I ever felt in my life. The love, the care, the warmth. Jitna hi Shivaay zimmedar hai, utni hi mai. It might be his plan but I joined in and I stayed in”
Dadi didn’t say anything, but her silence was contemplative. Anika knew she had planted a thought.
She took a step back, pressing her lips together. “Bas yahi kehna tha. Mai chalti”
With that, she turned and walked out of the room, hoping—praying—that she had done something to fix what was breaking.
_____________________
Anika reached home, exhausted but unable to shake off the lingering thoughts of Shivaay. Her conversation with Dadi kept replaying in her mind. She had stood up for him. Because he deserves it.
With a sigh, she pulled out her phone and hesitated for a moment before finally unblocking his number.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she typed:
Anika: How are you?
She stared at the screen, half-expecting him to take his time replying. But almost instantly, her phone buzzed.
Shivaay: Perfectly fine. What about you?
His casual response made her frown. Was he really okay? His entire family was avoiding him, yet he sounded unaffected.
Anika: Pakka? You are behaving as if nothing has happened.
Shivaay: What do you want me to do? Rona shuru kar du?(Shall I start crying?)
She rolled her eyes.
Anika: Mujhe laga tha jab main nikal rahi thi, toh aap dikhoge(I thought when I was leaving your house, I might see you)
Her message was meant to be casual, but the moment she sent it, she realized how it sounded. Before she could type something else, Shivaay’s reply popped up.
Shivaay: Tum chah rahi thi mujhse milna?(You wanted to see me?)
She shut her eyes for a second, regretting her choice of words.
Anika: I didn't mean that
Shivaay: Agar mujhe dekhna tha toh seedha keh deti. You missing me a lot?(If you wanted to see me, you could have told)
Anika blinked at her phone, completely thrown off by his flirting. Soon another message popped up
Shivaay: Tell me the truth. If you are missing me so much, give me a few minutes and I will be outside your house.
Her mouth fell open as she sat up straight.
Anika: Pagal hai aap? Is this the time to flirt?(Are you mad?)
Shivaay: So you are saying had it been some other time, you would have accepted my flirting?
Anika groaned, gripping her phone tightly.
Anika: I am going. Good night
Shivaay: Okay. Par ek cheez yaad rakhna—family ko sach pata lagne ka kaam ho gaya, par tumhe jeetne ka mission abhi bhi chalu hai. Good night and sweet dreams Anika.(But remember one thing, family knowing the truth is done but me winning you is still ongoing. Good night and sweet dreams Anika)
Her fingers froze over the keyboard.
Anika stared at his message, her heart thudding louder than it should.
She could argue with him all she wanted, ignore the way her pulse quickened at his words, but deep down, she knew one thing—Shivaay Singh Oberoi never loses.
ESTÁS LEYENDO
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Romance"The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly" Shivaay Singh Oberoi, a heartbroken lover whose ex betrayed him after a successful relationship of 5 years. His faith on love ceases to zero. Anika, an aspiring Interior designer does local plays...
