SHIVIKA – TEMPTING MR OBEROI
Heyy everyone, I hope you liked the previous post… Thnxx for comments and to my silent readers as well
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Chapter 3
Annika meets Shivaay
CHAPTER 4
Annika opened her eyes and they grew wide in apprehension. For a few, brief moments, her scrambled thoughts failed to pinpoint the reason for the odd sensation—until the events of the previous evening came flooding back, and she sat up in horror, hoping that the whole night had been a wild, ridiculous dream.
No luck there.
What foolishness had prompted her to go to Shivaay Singh Oberoi’s house in the night? Had she actually been inside his room last night? And surely she hadn’t asked him to kiss her. She groaned.
She was never going to drink again.
A fresh wave of horror rose in her and she spoke aloud.
Annika : blo*dy hell! I kissed the man. No, I ASKED him to kiss me.
Annika flopped back to the bed with a sigh and willed the universe to strike her dead or, at the very least, infirm. She simply could not risk ever facing Shivaay Singh Oberoi again. Not after that kiss.
But what a kiss it had been. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed at the thought but was unable to avoid the flood of memories that came with it. The kiss had been everything she had ever imagined. It had been more. Shivaay had seemed larger than life, looming above her, his dark hair tousled, then he had kissed her, all warm lips and exquisite man.
The experience had been so fierce and she had felt so wonderful, so free. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before, and like everything she’d ever dreamed. And it had been Shivaay!
It had been a kiss to make up for the long years spent on the edges of social events, watching him with an endless run of beauties on his arm, years of her ears pricking up anytime she heard whispers about his latest affairs, an age of reading the newspapers avidly to see if his name was present.
She shook her head. But men like Shivaay were not for women like Annika. If anything, she’d learned that last night. Shivaay was all darkness and excitement and adventure…and despite what drunk Annika might have seemed to be the night before…
Well, by the light of day, Annika was none of those things.
But, for one evening, for a fleeting moment, she had been. And what a lovely moment it had been. She’d been bold and forward and UNPASSIVE. And, while last night might have taught her that Shivaay was not for her, there was certainly no reason why the rest of the things she longed to do couldn’t be entirely attainable.
She could do the list.
Annika gasped and searched her bag for the list. She pulled out the scrap of paper and read through it once more.
Smoke weed
Fire a pistol
Gamble (at a gentleman’s club)
Dance every dance one night
Fence
Be considered beautiful. Just once.
It didn’t look like any of them were going to happen. Fence? Did people even do that anymore? She knew her brother liked it and that he frequented a fencing academy but did anyone else?
Also, Who would allow her to fire a pistol in Kolkata? Why had she put such stupid things in her list?
Suddenly she stopped and thought. She could go to a shooting range. Annika smiled for the first time that day.
Annika (muttering softly) : At least one item in my list, I can complete.
Voice : What list?
Annika turned to see her nanny who had been with the family since Akshat’s birth. Seema Aunty had dutifully helped raise Akshat, Annika and Gauri and even now, when they were grown up, continued to stay with them and she was a respectedand honorary member of their house.
Annika hid the list under her pillow and smiled at her.
Annika : Good morning, Seema aunty.
The woman snorted and looked suspiciously at Annika.
Seema : What have you done now, Annu?
Annika (surprised) : I just woke up. What could I have done? I’ll go get ready now, Seema aunty. I have to go meet someone.
Seema : Shivaay Singh Oberoi, Elite number 6 perhaps?
Annika fumbled and looked at her nanny, who wore a smug expression.
Annika : What… What do you mean?
Seema (shaking her head) : None of that, Annu. Don’t forget I’m the only one who knows how much you love the man. Also, I’m the one who received the phone call from Oberoi mansion asking for your number and when you would go there.
Annika looked at her, dumbfounded.
Annika : A phone call?
Shivaay had called here? He had actually called? That too, the land line? Why didn’t he contact her?
Turning to her closet, Annika groaned inwardly. For all the talking and kissing that had transpired, they hadn’t had the sense to exchange numbers. She squashed the urge to kick herself and turned to Seema aunty, who, oblivious to Annika’s frustration had started speaking again.
Seema : Aren’t you going to tell me where you went last night?
Annika stared at her second mother who looked back at her shrewdly.
Seema : Come on Annu, You never could keep a secret from me. Now, Tell me, Where were you and how come you came back at 1 in the night?
Annika : I am allowed to have secrets, You know.
Seema aunty laughed but Annika took out her clothes and as she made way for the washroom, She saw her nanny making the bed. She was just lifting the pillow to fluff it when she saw the paper under it.
Seema : What’s this?
Annika : No, Seema aunty. Don’t look.
But she had already read the contents and perused a red faced Annika.
Annika : It’s a list.
Seema : Of things that you want to do? You want to gamble and drink and dance? Oh Krishna, You want to fence? Even if you wanted to try something different, Why didn’t you go for a list which was safer? Or perhaps logical?
Annika couldn’t bear looking at her and instead looked at herself in the mirror.
Annika : Maybe I want to know who I am exactly. What does Annika like? I just want to find out.
Seema aunty huffed and went through the list again. Her eyes widened.
Seema : You didn’t waste any time at all, Did you Annu? You have completed the most difficult task already.
Annika couldn’t help the little smile that played across her lips.
Seema : You were with Shivaay Singh Oberoi last night!
Annika’s flaming cheeks spoke volumes.
Seema : Well, If anyone possessed the courage to follow through her list, It would be you, My dear. An Elite, going and gambling in a normal pub? Whoever heard of that? And if you’re going to Oberoi Mansion, you can’t wear that.
Annika looked at the bundle in her arms, a full-sleeved kurti and jeans.
Annika : What’s wrong with this? And how do you know I’m going to Oberoi Mansion today?
Seema : The phone call, Ofcourse. I wrote down the message for you.
Annika handed over the pile to the woman, then reached for the note.
Please tell Annika that my sister Swara Allesandra Bose will be waiting for her at 11:30 in my house.
There was no turning back now.
Annika : Very well. Let’s go to Oberoi Mansion.
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For the second time in 24 hours, Annika found herself on the steps of the Elite number six’s house, The grand Oberoi Mansion. But this time, It was to meet Miss Swara Bose, Shivaay Singh Oberoi’s sister who was half italian.
Curious and eager, Annika pressed the bell and waited until the doors opened. She was led to the living room by a maid and waited for Swara to arrive.
Annika perused the showcase filled with tiny sculptures. She found idols of Ganesha, Krishna and other Indian deities. She noticed few statues that reminded her of Greek mythology such as Medusa’s head and a cyclops or a centaur.
A voice broke her perusal and she turned to meet Shivaay Singh Oberoi.
Wait, No.
This was Mahindra Singh Oberoi, The carefree one of the twins. He looked exactly like Shivaay but Annika knew she could point out the differences between them at once.
Shivaay was more reserved, his manner clipped and curt, whereas his twin had an easy smile, wicked and carefree. He was definitely more relaxed than Shivaay, though Shivaay had seemed pretty relaxed last night when they were kissing.
The memory raised a blush to her cheeks.
Mahi : I would love to know what you’re thinking right now.
Annika stared at the man mortified. She had just stood there staring at him almost rudely without greeting him.
Annika : Mr Oberoi, Good morning. Er… Rather Good afternoon.
Mahi winked at her and smiled.
Mahi : Good afternoon, Miss Mishra. I see you’ve been studying my babies.
Annika (surprised) : You made them?
Mahi (shaking his head) : No, I collect them. I have a fondness for statues. I have made a few though they’re not very good.
Annika (warmly) : I’m sure they’re perfect.
Mahi stared at her and then chuckled.
Mahi : That sounded sincere.
Annika : It is.
Mahi : Thank you then. Though you will disagree when you look at them. My tiger looks like a horse and my horse, a pig.
Annika’s lips twitched.
Annika : Then tell that you’ve made a horse and a pig. People will applaud you.
Mahi (laughing) : Well, Your wit is certainly a delight, Miss Mishra… To me, At least.
Shivaay : And your delight is the most important requirement, is it, Mahi?
Annika stiffened as the irritated words sailed across the room, dark and ominous. She attempted to maintain the illusion of calm as he entered the room, his gaze upon the two.
Seeming to sense her nervousness, Mahi winked at her before turning a wide, open smile toward his brother, and spoke.
Mahi : Of course, it is, brother.
Shivaay’s scowl deepened. He turned to Annika, spearing her with a piercing stare. A bright blush colored Annika’s cheeks, and she tore her gaze from his, looking anywhere else. Mahi noticed her discomfort and came to her aid.
Mahi : Really, Shivaay. Is there any necessity for you to adopt the ” I am Elite number 6 ” look? Miss Mishra is helping us after all. Speaking of which, Where’s Swara.
Shivaay spoke without looking at him.
Shivaay : She’s in her room. I asked her to wait. I wanted to speak with Miss Mishra alone.
Annika’s heart began a rapid hammering. What could he possibly have to say to her that his brother could not hear? Mahi nodded, and smiled warmly at her, offering her a reassuring wink.
She smiled back, unable to help herself.
Shivaay waited for the door to the room to close before waving Annika into one of the nearby chairs, seating himself across from her. She dipped her head, pretending to be enthralled by the pattern on the chair in which she sat—eager to appear as though he were outside her notice. It was a fool’s errand. He was not a man who went easily unnoticed.
Shivaay : Miss Mishra, I wanted to discuss Swara before you meet her.
Annika fought back a pang of disappointment. Must he be so business-like?
Annika : Ofcourse.
Shivaay : I would like you to teach Swara all about the Bengali Elite and make sure she can handle herself among the strict and conservative ladies and gentlemen. I would prefer if you teach her here, At Oberoi Mansion and not in Mishra Nivas.
Annika stiffened.
Annika : Our house is well guarded and no one will utter a word on your sister’s presence, Mr Oberoi.
Shivaay : I’m sorry, but I won’t allow it. Swara is resistant to joining society and eager to return to Italy. She is likely to cause a bit of havoc before she accepts that her new home is here. Your mother and her friends are pillars of the Elite—women for whom ancestry and reputation are paramount and, while Swara is quite likely to be tarnished with the soiled reputation of our mother, she will meet and belong in the Elite. I will not jeopardize that opportunity.
He spoke with complete certainty, as though the one true path to Swara’s success was the one he had planned. And, yet, there was no mistaking the urgency that laced his tone. He was right—Swara Bose would need far more than Annika’s support if she was to succeed in society. She was the daughter of a scandalous woman who had run away and an Italian merchant—not Bengali, probably not a Hindu, barely legitimate in the eyes of Bengal Elite.
But Shivaay Singh Oberoi would not allow the dark history of his family tree to tarnish his sister’s future. The fact that the brothers Oberoi had committed to bring Swara into society’s fold showed their mettle and, as a proud and committed sister herself, Annika respected their decision. These were not men who failed.
Annika : I am eager to meet your sister, Mr Oberoi.
A simple enough sentence, but one that carried an unmistakable meaning. I am with you.
He paused, watching her with the piercing, knowing gaze and, for the first time in a decade, she did not look away. When he spoke moments later, it was with a softer tone.
Shivaay : To be honest, I thought you might not come today.
Annika : To be honest, I did consider it.
She got up, her earrings jingling as she did so. She tucked a loose strand behind her ear, and waited for Shivaay to say something. But, he stood and watched her, before taking three steps towards her.
He looked at the blue sleeveless kurti and tugged the hair that she had just tucked in. He bent down and whispered.
Shivaay : It looks better this way.
He stepped back and Annika cleared her throat, knowing she was blushing.
Annika : Maybe it’s time I meet your sister.
He held her gaze for a long moment, as if reading her innermost thoughts. Eventually, he seemed satisfied by what he saw. Without speaking, he stood and went to send for his sister.
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The first thing one noticed about Swara Bose was not her beauty, although she was most certainly beautiful—with arresting brown eyes (who knew brown could be considered pretty), porcelain skin, and a mass of rich waves that most women would commit serious bodily harm to have for themselves.
It was not her delicate features, or her sultry voice, accented with her Italian.
No, the first thing one noticed about Swara Bose was her frankness.
Swara (firmly) : This is extremely stupid. Why should I learn who belongs in the Elite and who doesn’t? I’m not going to stay here for a long time and besides, Who ever wants to be in a stifled society?
Annika swallowed back a laugh.
Annika : I know it can seem a bit much, but it’s not that bad.
Swara sighed.
Swara : I still say it’s needless. My brothers would benefit if their scandal of a sister does not enter this world.
Annika (gently) : Nonsense. Your brothers would love it if you enjoy your life here. Get to know the people, complete your MBA… You have a year left, I think.
Swara nodded.
Swara : See, Another reason why I should return. I have college.
Annika : You can go to colleges here. They’ll be lucky to have you. Anyways, After completing your course, You can marry a gentleman.. Someone you find in Kolkata.
Swara (her eyes flashing) : No, I’ll never marry. Please put the idea of a marriage for me out of your head.
Annika looked at the fiery beauty and asked her why not.
Swara : I refuse to turn like the woman who bore me.
The quiet words gave Annika pause; before she could find the right response, Swara apologised.
Annika (shaking her head) : Please don’t apologise. I can imagine how difficult this must be.
Swara : My mother left my father and me when I was ten. Then years later, I find she’s done the same thing to another family. Ironic, Isn’t it, How the woman who doesn’t know to be in a family finally ended up giving me one. I have… Brothers….
She broke off and stared across the room at nothing in particular. Annika studied her for a few minutes before speaking.
Annika : They don’t seem like a family yet, Do they?
A flash of guilt crossed Swara’s face.
Swara : Is it that obvious?
Annika : Not really.
Swara : I don’t think they like me.
Annika shook her head emphatically.
Annika : That’s absolutely untrue. I’ve known you for less than two hours, yet I like you.
Swara (a half smile appearing on her face) : I think Mahi likes me. But Shivaay….. He doesn’t smile.
Leaning forward, she placed a hand on the younger woman’s arm.
Annika : I should not think too much into that. I believe I could count on a single hand the number of times I have seen him smile.
Annika (thinking) : And not for lack of watching.
Swara shifted her gaze to where Annika was touching her, staring for a brief moment before placing her own hand on top of Annika’s. When she met Annika’s eyes, the younger woman’s expression was filled with doubt.
Swara : It doesn’t seem fair, foisting myself upon them. How can they just add me to their family? I am no one.
Annika : No, Swara. You’re not no one. You’re Swara Alessandra Bose, Sister to Shivaay and Mahi Singh Oberoi, Elite number 6. You’ve always belonged here. You just had to wait for the right time.
Swara : That’s not true. I remind them of their treacherous mother.She is our only connection. I am certain that Shivaay sees only her when he looks at me. I think he will be happy to see me go in four months.
Despite her immense curiosity about their mother, Annika refrained from probing more deeply about the woman who had so callously abandoned three such remarkable children. Instead she spoke.
Annika : Your brothers may not know you, Swara, but they will. And they will love you. I predict that they will not let you leave in four months. And even if they would allow it, I hope that you will change your mind and stay.
Swara’s eyes filled with tears.
Swara : Eleven weeks and six days.
Annika’s heart clenched with sympathy for the young woman. She smiled softly.
Annika : Honestly, after spending an afternoon with you, I find that I am rather committed to your future as well. I think we shall be very good friends.
Swara offered Annika a watery smile. Taking a deep breath, the young woman straightened and brushed her tears away, choosing to put her insecurities aside.
Swara : Have you been friends with my brother for a long time?
Annika froze at the question.
Annika : A friend?
Swara : Si, I mean yes. It is clear that Shivaay holds you in high regard and considers you a friend. He was quite eager to inform me this morning that he had secured your agreement to help me enter society. If you were not friends, why would you be here?
Because I craved Shivaay’s kiss and I was probably ready to do anything.
Before she could think of something suitable to tell, Swara spoke up.
Swara : Are you his girlfriend?
Annika (startled) : ME? No. Why would you think that?
Swara studied her so carefully that Annika squirmed.
Swara : Well, Mi amico, There certainly is something that you’re not telling me. Why would you be so startled otherwise?
Annika (spluttering) : Because… Because what you said was preposterous.
Swara : Perhaps. (a wicked smile on her lips) But I do think the lady doth protest too much. Oh, Don’t worry. I can keep a secret. Segreto per sempre. A secret forever.
Annika leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing on her ” pupil “, who was grinning as though she just found out she had won the lottery.
And to think, just yesterday she had considered Shivaay Singh Oberoi the most cunning resident of Oberoi Mansion.
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Hope you liked this chapter..
I know it seems like a filler but it’s necessary and I will def try to show more Shivika scenes next time
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Will soon begin posting the story on Wattpad
Please do follow me and I’ll follow back
Username : Egeria_Anjali
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