SHIVIKA – TEMPTING MR OBEROI
Heyy everyone, I hope you liked the previous post… Thnxx for comments and to my silent readers as well
PREV
Shivaay places a bet with Daksh
CHAPTER 6
Annika had thought tonight was going to be different.
She had expected Gauri and Omkara’s sagaai to be a huge event. It would be perfect. And it was— The entire house had been cleaned and scrubbed until the floors shone, the lights had been changes and the curtains were new. The sofas and other chairs were kept to one side to give room for dancing.
Annika had expected Gauri to shine and she did. Never away from Om, She was resplendent in a pale gold saree while Om looked magnificent in his brown sherwani. But the two seemed positively ethereal as they stood next to each other, their love clearly visible in their eyes.
The guest list had been carefully vetted by their mother, and only the Elite and the under-Elite had been invited besides close friends and family.
Yes, The celebrations were perfect and special.
However, Annika had expected the night to be special for both the Mishra sisters.
Still, here she was, relegated to the corner of the room, no one even thinking of approaching and talking to her. As usual, She was forgotten by all.
Well, not all. She did have company with the other ladies and gents who were ignored by the rest of the party. They almost formed a club.
Annika (thinking) : A club of lonely people whose only crime in life was that they wanted to be heard rather than seen.
She preferred the solitude usually. It was peaceful and she didn’t have to evade the troublesome people who cared that she had money and not her.
But tonight was Gauri’s betrothal party. Tonight was Annika’s first major Elite event since she had begun crossing items off her list. And tonight she had honestly thought that things might be different. After all, as the bride’s sister, did she not earn special recognition at an event wholly designed to celebrate the pending nuptials?
Watching the people on the dance floor, she let out a little sigh. Evidently not.
Her friend Bhawna heard her and turned to her sympathetically.
Bhawna : It’s no use thinking that which won’t happen. No one is going to ask us for a formal dance. Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll still have fun dancing later.
Annika : I’m sure you’re right.
The words were wrung from Annika, who took the opportunity to excuse herself. Certainly that would be a more preferable course of action than strangling one of the Elite’s most beloved bookworm.
Keeping her head down to limit the number of people she might be required to acknowledge, Annika made her way to the dining room, where a huge amount of refreshments had been kept in the form of a buffet.
Kachoris, Samosas, Dhoklas were kept in hot cases with bowls of sweet and spicy chutney as accompaniments, Paneer manchurian, tandoori chicken balls, spring rolls and momos, both chicken and vegetarian were also present. Jalebis, Rasgullas, Badam Halwa and Ras malai had been prepared by the Mishra’s cook for the function.
Besides all these, Crispy corn nuggets and Macaroni and cheese balls were also present as well as mini burgers topped on a stick. Ofcourse there was a huge chocolate cake waiting to be cut soon. There was every kind of juice imaginable– soft drinks, fresh fruit juice and the bar was completely stocked as well.
Annika (softly) : Maybe I can get a small vodka to lift my spirits.
She was interrupted by Mr Daksh Khanna a few feet away from her destination. Annika pasted a too-bright smile on her face and turned towards the man, who flashed her the toothiest grin she had ever seen. Unable to keep herself from doing so, she took a small step back from the beaming man.
Annika : Mr Khanna!
Daksh : Miss Mishra.
She paused, waiting for him to continue. Seeing that he wasn’t going to say anything else, she decided to speak.
Annika : I’m happy that you could join us tonight.
Daksh : Not as happy as I am to see you, MISS Mishra.
Annika grew perplexed. Did the man mean something with the emphasis on her unmarried state? Surely not? He had never spoken more than once or twice to her.
Daksh (smiling) : You look lovely tonight.
Annika (flustered) : Why, Thank you.
Was it possible that the man had more than the usual number of teeth? How could anyone smile so much?
Daksh : Will you dance with me, Miss Mishra?
Annika turned to the dance floor where a new song was about to start. She had danced only twice so far, once with Akshat and once with Om. But even though she longed to dance, She didn’t want to dance with Daksh. He seemed half drunk and was acting very weird.
Unfortunately she could see no way out and started to nod resignedly when Bhawna came upto them.
Bhawna : I’m so sorry Annika. Good evening Mr Khanna, but could I just steal Annika away from you. (lowering her voice) I’m sorry Annika but I have a bit of a dress issue. Could you come with me?
Terribly relieved, Annika smiled warmly at her friend and turned to Daksh.
Annika : I’m so sorry, Mr Khanna, but she needs my help and I can’t refuse.
He gave her another beatific smile that startled the two women.
Daksh : It’s no matter, Miss Mishra. After all, We have our whole lives to dance.
Puzzled, Annika walked with Bhawna to the washroom wondering what Daksh meant by the whole lives part.
Bhawna : Isn’t that one of the Oberois?
Annika’s heart skipped a beat at the words, and she turned to follow the direction of Bhawna’s attention but she could see nothing through the mass of people surrounding them. Reminding herself of Bhawna’s terrible eyesight and given the fact she wasn’t wearing her glasses now, Annika shook her head, returning herself to the task of navigating through the crowds. It couldn’t be Shivaay.
Bhawna : Yes, you’re right. Shivaay Singh Oberoi never attends Elite events. It could be his brother though. Oh my God, it looks like he’s coming here.
Annika perked up at these words. Yes, it could be Mahi Singh Oberoi. Hopefully it was.
Unable to keep herself from doing so, Annika snapped her head back to the crowd just in time to see the tall, magnificent gentleman moving gracefully toward them, determination in his eyes.
It wasn’t Mahi Singh Oberoi.
Mahi Singh Oberoi’s shoulders weren’t quite as broad, his eyes weren’t quite as all-consuming as his brother’s. Mahi had never made her breath catch, had never set her pulse racing, had never made her think absolutely unthinkable thoughts.
No, the man approaching them was most definitely not Mahi Singh Oberoi.
But how she wished he were.
Annika glanced quickly from side to side, attempting to judge the quickest and least crowded escape route, by which she could avoid a meeting with Shivaay. Bodies seemed to close in upon them from all sides—with the exception of the direction from which he approached. She met his knowing gaze as he raised one dark, perfectly arched brow.
Annika : Mr Oberoi.
If she couldn’t escape him, she might as wellbe polite.
Bhawna : How nice to see you, Mr Oberoi!
Shivaay smiled and Annika’s stomach lurched. Did he have to be that handsome?
Shivaay : Ladies! I hope you are well?
Bhawna : Ofcourse Mr Oberoi. If you’ll excuse me, I see an acquaintance of mine. I’ll just go and see her.
Annika : But you wanted me to go with you…
Bhawna interrupted her and squeezed Annika’s shoulder gently.
Bhawna : No matter, No matter. I’ll find someone else. Why don’t you go and dance with Mr Oberoi? The song is just starting.
Annika stood still, her mind confused whether to be astounded at Bhawna’s matchmaking skills or whether she should dance with Shivaay Singh Oberoi.
Surely she couldn’t.
Shivaay : Miss Mishra?
She blinked, and looked at him.
Shivaay : May I have this dance?
He stretched an arm towards her. Annika looked at it but didn’t know whether to take it.
Men like Shivaay Singh Oberoi are not for you, Annika.
The words swept through her mind again, but seeing Bhawna’s encouraging and beaming face, She couldn’t pay heed to them.
Shivaay (softly) : I don’t bite, You know.
And the decision was made.
Shivaay swept her into the center of the room for her first dance of the evening that was not with a family member.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Once again, apologies for the short chapter.. Wanted to make it longer but I thought the upcoming scene would suit the next chapter better…
Hope you like it.
I have started posting this story on Wattpad…
User name : Egeria_Anjali
Please do read and vote there!!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-