Continuation from Episode 52:
Next Morning
_____________
Sunflower Petals
_________________
Shakti,Jhanvi and Tej leave for Mumbai after breakfast.Om went to Trivedi Villa to bring back Priyanka before senior Oberois had left.
Rudra was supposed to go but could not because of his sleepiness.After Priyanka’s return,Shivaay goes with senior Oberois to see them off.
Trivedi Villa
______________
Mr.Trivedi is reading newspaper sitting in the hall.The one he is reading has covered Anika’s inauguration ceremony.She comes there-
-Good morning,Dad.
-Good morning dear.
-Here is your coffee.He takes the mug.
-Coffee is tasting different today.
-You like it?
-Well,of course.Who made it?
-I made it.
-You?(He sounds really surprised)You learnt making Coffee?How come?
-Shivaay drinks coffee.I wished to learn to make for him so he taught me.She blushes.
-I see.But tell me dear,how are you managing to wake up early in the morning?Is Shivaay pressurizing you?Or he loves drinking the coffee you make?
-No Dad.He never puts pressure on me for anything.I manage sometime in the morning and other time whole day.
-My daughter is really progressing in domestic affairs especially in the part of pleasing her husband.Thinking something-Do you have started learning cooking too?As you know there is very famous proverb-Way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.Did you?
Anika says nothing.Mr.Trivedi exclaims-
-Wow!I must say,Shivaay had undertaken a big task of teaching you culinary art.By the way,how many items have you learnt apart from the favourites of Shivaay?
-Mom is calling me Dad.Have your coffee!
She runs away almost hearing Mr.Trivedi laughing loud!
____________
Rest of the day Anika keeps on looking at the door in the hope of Shivaay’s arrival.Every door bell excited her.
She feels grumpy as he has not called her even for once since their last meeting.She tried to call but could not for some unknown reason.
Mr.Trivedi has teased her a lot on that.
Finally Shivaay reaches Trivedi Villa in the time of evening.As soon as he enters into the room,everyone throngs around him except Anika.Although she was dying to see him but refused to show up.
She comes in front of him only few minutes before their departure.Shivaay says nothing and Anika feels all the more restless.Mr.Trivedi chuckles in his heart!
They take everyone’s leave and head for Sunflower Petals.
Shivaay’s car is moving ahead on the busy road of Delhi.Anika has sat silent beside him.Watching that he says in his mind-
“Is she angry with me or what?”
As if Anika heard what he said-
-Did you just say something?Shivaay clears his throat-
-Have,have you…taken your medicine properly?
-What do you think?
-Must have taken.I am just asking!
-Don’t you wish to ask anything else?
-How,how are you Anika?
-Fine.Thank you.Next?
-What next?
-Your question?
-Are you angry?
-Can’t you feel or see?
-W..why?
-Because of Shivaay Singh Oberoi!
-What have I done?
-You don’t know?I am really surprised!Okay,let me enlighten you.
Why you have not called me once?And what took you so long to come?I was literally dying inside to hear your voice,to see you but you are……She stops and looks away.Shivaay gets surprised-
-Then you could have returned with Om and Prinku.I was busy regarding something important so could not but you…He looks at her-That means you missed me!
-No!
-Really?Your words are saying different thing or I have turned into a deaf!
-Those are lies.
-If those are your Lies then let me tell you my truth-I missed you Anika.Missed you,your talks,antics everything.
-That’s why you did not find enough time to call me right?You must be really happy that I was away from you?Like chutkara toh mill gayi Blunder Queen se no?
-Do you really believe what you just said?
-Yes!
-But I don’t.
-So much confidence on my words?
-Yeah.Because I can read your eyes,your indirect words even your silence!Anika turns her face remaining silent for minutes.
-I am sorry Shivaay.
-Sorry for what?
-What I did back at home.It was very childish of me.You know,everyone was laughing at my back!I should have come to you at the very first instant but…
-But your ego stopped you!Smelling some revenge theory!He tries to be serious while suppressing the vehement urge to laugh.
-Very funny.You and Dad are of same group in teasing me!Go ahead.I won’t stop you.
-Okay,okay.I am sorry.By the way,are you excited to run your office,staffs and all?
-Yes,very much.And if I need any advice,I will ask you.You are going to be my corporate mentor.
-I would love to take up the post.But what would be my payment in mentoring you?
-What do you want?
-Will you give it to me if I ask?
-Have I ever refused you?
-No
-Then tell me.I am all ready.
Shivaay looks at Anika holding the steering wheel.They both keep on looking at each other forgetting the surrounding.
Suddenly a bright flashing light falls on the window-screen of the car.A truck is coming from the opposite end.Within second,Shivaay takes the control of the steering and turns away his car from meeting an obvious accident.It stops taking a heavy jerk.He pants holding the steer.
He gets aware of Anika.Removing the seat-belt he turns to her.Deep strikes of panic is clearly written all over her face.Shivaay takes off her seat-belt too and touches her slowly-
-A..Anika,are you okay?See,everything is fine.We are safe.He pushes aside her scattered hair.I am sorry Anika,so sorry.I should have been careful.He takes her into his arms.Anika clutches his suit tightly with closed eyes and says-
-I got scared Shivaay.For a second I thought…..
-Shhhh….Don’t say anything,don’t.Calm down.I am with you.
Shivaay’s heart starts beating faster recalling the accident and the previous accident comes to haunt at the same time.Anika becomes normal gradually.Shivaay takes them back to Sunflower Petals.
No Precap