A Secret Rendezvous

Chapter 7 B

"Is everything okay?"

Shivaay and Anika were walking down the street, hand in hand as Shivaay told her all that he could remember from the time he spent here. Anika only smiled at his excitement. When they were finally standing in front of Zest, Shivaay grinned.

"And this is where we have our first date." Shivaay winked at her.

Anika looked at the ice cream parlour in awe and walked inside, taking her time to appreciate the burst of colours throughout. She sat on one of the small wooden tables. Her gaze shifted to Shivaay who was talking to an old man on the counter, greeting him quite cheerfully and discussing things. She continued to stare at him as he laughed freely at something the old man said. This was definitely a very different side to him.

Sometime during their conversation, the man's eyes flitted to something behind Anika and he muttered discreetly to Shivaay to which Shivaay rubbed the back of his neck in embarassment. Before Anika could understand what was happening, somebody cleared their throat and Anika looked up to find an old woman smiling warmly at her.

"Well, even if you enjoy staring at him, shouldn't let him know easily. Fuels their ego." She explained.

Anika's cheeks turned pink as she smiled sheepishly.

"From what I assume, you are the reason Shivaay is smiling so brightly today."

Anika only continued smiling shyly.

By then, Shivaay arrived with a large serving bowl, filled with scoops of ice-creams, brownie pieces and various toppings. Anika looked at the delicacy in front of her appreciatively. Shivaay handed her a spoon, waiting for her to have the first bite.

Anika didn't wait and dug in, closing her eyes as she relished the best ice cream she had ever had.

"Ummm, Shivaay, this is so good." Taking another bite, she smiled.

"Well, I'll take that as my quota of appreciation and leave." The woman smiled. "And young lady, remember what I told ya!"

Anika chuckled as she went away and Shivaay raised an eyebrow at Anika. Anika only shook her head negatively. Then, as if she had suddenly remembered, she asked Shivaay to have it as well.

"Thought you'll never think of me."

As they both shared the sundae, Anika brought up various topics of conversation. It was when Anika had the last bite of the sundae that her eyes fell on the clock.

"Shivaay!" She whisper-shouted. He looked at her in amusement.

"It's ten thirty!"

"You have a curfew?"

"Obviously not. But I have work tomorrow. Let me remind you again, you are on a vacation, not me." Anika frowned.

"Okay fine." Shivaay sighed.

"Uh, Shivaay?" Anika asked hesitantly.

"Hmm?" Shivaay looked at her.

Not answering, Anika went to the counter and Shivaay looked at her with wide eyes as she bought herself another ice cream.

"Anika, you'll catch a cold!"

Anika only shrugged and moved out of the parlour and Shivaay followed her, rolling his eyes.

Reaching her, Shivaay wrapped a hand round her waist and pulled her closer continuing to walk, ignoring her surprised stare.

When Anika knew he wouldn't budge, she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder as well, continuing to enjoy her ice cream.

"You know Anika, even though we talked and got to know things about each other, this wasn't a proper first date."

"Oh, so what is a proper first date?"

"Well, agree for another one and I'll show you." Shivaay grinned.

"But, we have already had a first date. So, logically, it wouldn't really be a 'proper first date'."

"Well, this isn't really a date." Shivaay pulled away and frowned. Anika looked at him in confusion. She failed to catch the mischief in his eyes.

"Waah! You suggested this and now you aren't even happy with the date?"

"Are you happy?"

"Of course! You got me this amazing ice cream. We spent some time together."

"Anika, this is not how you express how happy you are after the date." Shivaay pulled her closer.

Anika looked at him blankly.

"What do you do, instead?"

"Well, you could go ahead and kiss me." Shivaay suggested, making her gasp.

Anika couldn't keep the tinge of red from rising on her neck, growing onto her cheeks. She looked away, trying to fight the smile.

Shivaay continued looking at her, amused as she tried to not blush. Tried. Then suddenly her eyes widened as she pulled away. She looked down to see both, her t-shirt and his shirt messed up with ice cream spread all over it.

Shivaay scrunched up his nose in disgust but one look at Anika, and they both burst into fits of laughter.

---

As much as Shivaay would have loved spending time with Anika, he knew she had to rest. They were standing outside her and Avni's room. Before Anika knew what was happening, Shivaay kissed her on the cheek. Softly whispering a 'good night' he walked away.

It was when she called out his name almost inaudibly that he turned. She quickly walked to him and kissed him as well. Not giving him a chance to react, she moved back and got to her task of opening the door. Before she could, she heard some clattering inside. Furrowing her eyebrows, she slowly opened the door.

Anika frowned when she saw that the lights were out, except a few dim ones. Was Avni asleep already?

She heard some whimpering. Her eyes widened as she moved a little more inside. For a few seconds, she stood stunned.

The moment her brain worked again, she ran outside, letting the door close itself, forgetting her keys inside.

---

Shivaay had been walking down the lobby, smiling to himself when somebody crashed into him. He turned around to find Anika, breathing heavily. His eyes widened when she pushed him against the wall, covering his mouth before he could speak. He could only watch as she looked a few times at the direction from which she had come. When she finally moved her hands off his mouth, Shivaay whispered,

"Is everything okay?"

Their first date was nothing like what I had in mind, scrapped all the ideas and you get this crap.

At this point, I iust wanted to get over with this. Sorry if it is not upto your expectations. Hopefully the next chapter makes up to it :)

BlackManiacx

P.S. Not proofread. If I start, I'll just not update for another century.