Well, the story is slowly going towards the end... Kidding! I have more drama in store for you XD Anyway, I have a few things in mind so I decided to try and respect what you wanted but I can't promise you anything :) Some of you who already read my books already know that whatever happens I always try and give you a happy ending, right? So, I'm telling you again, just trust me ;)
After some more talk with Pinky aunty who told me about her almost worshipping the ground on which Jhanvi aunty was walking, she left me on my own and I changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top before leaving my room. I went to the kitchen to get myself some juice and as I was about to get inside, I heard Shivaay and Gauri talk.
"Do you think she will like it?" Gauri asked.
"Come on, Gauri, you know how your sister is fond of chocolate! Of course, she'll like it." Shivaay answered.
"Thank you jiju. I don't know how I could have gone through this on my own. You're really a gem." Gauri said.
"Don't thank me. I know how hurt Annika is about this current situation. To be honest, I know she's not angry with you. It just happened that you were there and she lashed out her anger on you. I don't say that she was right but I try to understand how she feels. You and I have a similar past. I mean we both began our lives with a parent missing but what about her who got the chance to be hugged, kissed and loved by your mama? And then how she met with my mother, coming back home and have someone else living as your late mother has been like a catastrophe in her peaceful life. It shattered the equality she was used to have in her life. I accept your papa's presence in my life only because I didn't know how it felt to have a father, he completes something in my life that I didn't even know existed but if I was in Annika's shoes, if my mother had remarried without my consent after the death of my father I would have probably felt the same way. I would have felt cheated. We shall let her take her time and accept these new changes." Shivaay explained to Gauri and I couldn't help but break their moment by going inside the kitchen.
"Oh, Di!" Gauri said and I moved my head from side to side before going to them to hug them both.
"I love you guys." I sobbed. They hugged me back and I felt Gauri hot tears on my shoulder. I parted and cupped her cheeks.
"Stop crying, I'm sorry." I said before kissing her forehead. I could feel Shivaay hand on the small of my back as he softly gave a squeeze to my waist. "I shouldn't have been angry towards you, I'm sorry." I said and she just hugged me again.
"I understand, Di." Gauri simply replied.
"You girls are so sweet." Shivaay before kissing the top of my head.
"Now, come Annika." He said, held my hand and lead me to the counter. "My sweet little sister made something for you." Shivaay added. He pulled the chair for me to sit. Then Gauri came with a tray.
"Here's my special hot chocolate to warm up sad hearts!" Gauri said and I smiled in appreciation. It was a cup of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, with some chocolate sprinkled on it and a cherry on top of it.
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I took a sip of my beverage, closing my eyes in utmost bliss. There were marshmallows under the whipped cream... damn! I was literally having a food orgasm!
"Do you want some? I mean it's weird having you watch me drink this delicacy! By the way it's so yummy Gauri!" I said, it was better than the hot chocolate she used to make three years back.
"Don't worry about us Annie. We had ours a little while ago. As much as I loved it, too much sweetness is not good for me. I already have to bear this sweet little cutiepie over there!" Shivaay replied, pulling Gauri's cheeks while she moaned in pain.
"Well, Gauri, I guess you have two versions of elder siblings now! The one who pampers you and the one who terrifies you!" Daddy said walking in the kitchen while chuckling. He came to us and peered over my shoulder to see what I was having in my hands.
"So you made these sweet treats to your siblings but not to me your handsome father?" Daddy faked a cry and I laughed. Such a Drama Queen he was!
"Don't worry daddy, I have saved some for you and for mom. They're both in the fridge with less sugar because I know you're trying to stay fit." Gauri said with a big smile.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Why don't you all three come and join us in the living room? You didn't tell us how was your "get-together"." Daddy said and I hummed. Taking my cup from the tray, I made my way to the living room, closely followed by Shivaay and Gauri. We all sat together on the couch and talked about our little trip to the farmhouse. To be honest, the more time we spent together, the more I could feel at ease with having a new addition to the family.
"Annie, did you go and check on the items that came from England?" Daddy asked.
"Oh, I forgot! I'm going." I said.
"I'll come and help you." Pinky aunty said and we both went to the store room.
"Some of them were clothes that I kept in your closet. I didn't want them to get dirty that's why I didn't put them in this storeroom. Most of the stuff here are for decoration purpose only." Pinky aunty explained and I just nodded.
"Thank you. All right. Let me pick this and you take this box over there." I said and she nodded.
She followed me to my room as I tried to hide my excitement. One of the items that had come was Shivaay's painting of me. As soon as I got into my room, I unwrapped it with a big smile.
"Wow, that's one beautiful painting Annika. Did you model for it? I can see some similarities between you and the woman represented. Shiv also like to paint. He made a painting of me, of landscapes. He said the only people he would ever represent on canvas besides me would be the love of his life and their children. He used to sign an unusual way though. He signed the painting he made of me on the eyebrow." She chuckled and admired the painting before gasping.
"Tell me it's not true!" Pinky aunty whispered as she looked at my wrist. I mean the one on the painting. I looked at it just like she did and a cold drop of perspiration ran down my back. She had discovered where Shivaay had signed the painting!
