Hello! IB lovers this your Neha-17 back with an another Chapter. Thanks for your lovely comments . Please do keep commenting and let me know if you need any changes or if you liked any part. I know this is a long Chapter and you won’t find it boring….But I have incorporated the IB Mandir scene where Shivika meet ..If it was to be happened in America. Sorry I am late as this chapter took long than expected.
Chapter 3
Anika was very furious. That was reflected on her delicate face which had turned red. Then she shouted Clarie let’s leave now and left the beach without glancing at Clarie and taking big steps.
Anika POV-
How could he touch me and put the sliding belt of my top,right on my shoulder? Well I agree he did to save my respect but If I meet him again, I will teach him a lesson for life. He is just a stranger and never in my life I gave this much liberty to any man. How could he not insult me? As at the first place he had lost an argument against me ,then he behaved sweetly and finally back with a bang taunting me ,in front of my friends. But somewhere I was thinking, how my body sensed a current when he touched me. This had never happened before nor I was lost in any kanji akhe and took any time to respond. Why did my senses become numb? How could he affect me ? OMG! Such a unexpected day I never had in my life. Clarie had kept mum and was walking quietly beside me. She cleverly knew it was like touching an exploding bomb when I am angry. Still after sometime she mad an attempt.
Clarie: Anika, I am sorry dear. I never thought that man is so cunning as I was lost in his charm. Ani, please talk to me…
Anika: OK! Who told you to get him? Bye, I am leaving for my apartment.
Clarie: Don’t be so rude. I felt as if you both have a connection. He was almost like you smart, cunning, cute,lots of attitude AND…
Anika: Are you praising him or me? AND…. What?
Clarie: AND…..never lose an argument. Of course I am praising you( in mind- well both of you). Well it’s ok dear everyday is fun. Now please forget this and don’t spoil your mood too! Chilax! Baby.
Still isn’t it so uncommon to find a person common like you!
Forgive me too. Next time if I meet someone dashing still I will keep mum. Promise!
Come on, should I try more to persuade you? Want to have Ice cream,Chocolate ??
Anika: Haha…it’s Fine, Clarie I want a dinner treat from you, then I will forgive you. Your mom cooks great lasagna and ravioli. I am dying to eat since last time I had it.
Clarie: Dear, you can come anytime,Babes! Bye, I have to meet Jamie too.
Anika : Sure babes! Take care and have fun she said winking.
SHivaay POV-
I enjoyed the grudging look on her face. She looked such a cutie with her red face that, I wanted to hold her and take her away with me. I was almost laughing all the way in the car. Never ever in my life, I have encountered with such a mysterious girl. Anyways it was her fault to yell at me initially. But the moment I touched her I felt heavenly! Why am I thinking so much about her? I don’t get bothered by anyone.
(This was surely untrue this time.)
While I was lost, suddenly I heard ring tone of FaceTime video call on my Mac. Surely,it must be my darling brothers Omkara and Rudra. Om was one year younger than me , now he is 21 and Rudra is 18 years old.Oh! I miss them so much.
As I picked up the call…
Rudra: Bhaiya(Brother), come on hug us virtually. O (Rudra calls Omkara O) hug me na. I am missing O’bro moment since long time. Spread your hands soon. Why did you leave us ,bhaiya ? I won’t talk with you.
(After 2 mins..)
Om: Rudra, moment is over. Stop your bone crushing hug.
(Shivaay was laughing on the other side seeing them.)
Om: Hi! Shivaay. How are you? I hope you have adjusted well. Missing you, bro.
( His face turned a little sad)
Shivaay: Yep Om, How are you? How is everyone? I am fine here. You both should plan a holiday here. Missing you both a lot!
Om: Ya, we will think about it. Everyone is fine ,except Mr. Oberoi . He is upset and angry that I have left my studies and I am venturing as an artist. Studies don’t interest me anymore . I find satisfaction and immense happiness as an artist. It gives me pleasure, when I play with clay/mud I feel attached to it. They always teach me to be grounded. My sculptures are spectacular of my imagination and colours are depiction of filling a soul less life.
SHivaay: Don’t worry Om, he will surely understand one day. Rudy, how was your day?
Rudra: (Finally gave in to speak).Bhaiya, I know you have left us to study MBA but I miss you a lot. Your room is so lonely. I sleep with O now.
And Om stop your never understanding philosophical talks. It’s my turn now.
Rudra: Well, my day is busy with girls. I have found two dates. I learned new thing in Bio about reproduc…..
Om and Shivaay (in unison): Shut up, Rudra! Rudy ki baate ladkiyo se start hoti hai and ladkiyo pe khatam. ( Rudy’s talks start and end with the topic girls).
Both were laughing.
Rudra: Its okay enough now both of you. I will complaint to Dadi when she returns from Tirupati. Bhaiya how are girls there? Did you meet someone?
(Before realising what he is saying ..)
Shivaay: Yes, a girl who is complete packet of attitude.
Om and Rudra(in unison): Great going , Shivaay Bhaiya……..
Rudra: I don’t want foreigner bhabhi as she won’t understand my Hindi shayari.
Shivaay: I not here to find your Bhabhi,Rudra. I just met her on a beach she was competing me in quarrelling. But I know how to deal….
Pinky rushed in to take the laptop…
Pinky: Chalo tum dunno mujhe bhi bolne do mere here bete se. Shivaay beta kiasa hai tu? Tere bina ghar bohat suna lagta hai. Par mein khud ko samjhati hu ki mere beta Harvards mein padhne gaya hai. ( Come now, let me also talk with my son like a diamond. Shivaay, how are you? The home is so lonely without you. But I have to understand you have went to study in Harvards.)
Omkara: Choti ma it’s Harvard University.
Pinky: Vahe Om. You knows na Shivaay how muchs your mom love you? Kabhi phone ya videos calls Kara Kar. Tu tho meri sunta he nahe.
( Yes, Om. You know Shivaay how much your mom loves you? You should make a call or video call at least. You don’t listen to me.)
Shivaay: Mom I am busy with work. I also miss you. You are so understanding hence I know you won’t feel bad.Bye, everyone.
Pinky: Rukh Shivaay..sunn ( Wait Shivaay listen)
Shivaay: Ya, tell
Pinky: Kal tuje ….. Mandir mein Pooja Karne Jana hai. Hamare Panditji ke cousin uss temple mein hai, meine muhrat dekh ke time decides kiya hai. Unhe Bol dena jaldi kaam hojaega. Kal ke din Oberoi foundation hua tha so yaha Rudra and Omkara bhi pooja karenge. Maana mat karna, tujhe mere kasam.
( Tomorrow you have to perform a ritual at Shivalaya temple. Our priest is cousin of the priest residing there. Also I have pre decided the auspicious time and your work will be done soon. Tomorrow is Oberoi foundation day so Omkara and Rudra will also perform Pooja here. Don’t refuse; it’s my promise to you.)
Shivaay had an urgent assignment to be submitted tomorrow but finally finding no way to escape he had to agree. I have to manage somehow, he decided.
Shivaay: Okay,mom. Bye, all. Let me do my work now.
Shivaay is doing MBA( Master’s in Business Acadamy) at Harvard University. He has secured the position due to his great taste in business. Surely, he is profoundly talented and intelligent.
The next day-
Anika POV-
It has been many days since my stay in America I haven’t visited the Sivalaya temple.
The temple is famous for its magnificent construction. Surely, I should visit today afternoon during my brake. I feel so bliss and contended at temples. The peace at the temple was my only support during my loneliness during my childhood.
Due to her mixing nature, Anika was loved by the Indian community here at Shivalaya temple. Even the Priest ( Panditji) found her so innocent. She used to help everyone and take part in the functions whenever she had time. The Shivalaya temple had different regulations unlike in India. People used to book time for devotion online as here we stand in queues. This method was adopted as people here were busy and had a schedule which they followed strictly. Ten minutes were allocated to Darshana and twenty minutes to perform rituals/Abhishek. Anika was wearing a white top and floral long skirt and looked beautiful. She was singing with NRI children. Suddenly, she stopped when she notice a familiar face which she had encountered yesterday.
Anika (in mind): Oh Fish! What is he doing here? Well temple is a place where anyone can come but now? Is he following me?
The man came and was searching for head Pandit(priest). He was none other than Shivaay. Anika was hiding behind a pillar and eaves dropping the conversation.
Shivaay: Panditji, my Mom would have told you about the Pooja. I have no booking but due to an urgent work, I want to perform the Pooja now. Make the arrangements soon and manage the situation.
Anika(in mind): How egoistic and bossy he is? Are the other people who have booked free? I need to do something..
Anika to Panditji: Panditji this is wrong,ask him to wait. He should have manners and courtesy to wait, others won’t be happy.
Panditji: I know beta but my cousin is his family Pandit. I can never refuse to my brother. Also, they belong to a very rich family and treat my brother with due respect. I will manage others. I have no other alternative.
He left and began the pooja.
Anika POV:
Now I have to do something. I don’t like mending of rules due to the prestige of someone’s family. Let me find something in the storeroom.
At first she found a bat, she desired to break the cover glass of his car by hitting it. But then she didn’t want a crime to be registered on her name as CCTV cameras will surely catch her. Then she came with another idea and executed it.
Shivaay (in mind): Thank god! The Pooja was completed without wasting much time. Now let me soon submit the assignment. The time allotted is 2pm and it’s almost 1:30pm. As he went…He was shocked to see…
Shivaay: Oh no! What a tragedy now I can get late. Nooo….
One of the rear tire of his car was punctured. He was blaming the situation…
Shivaay: It seems someone has purposely done it. Why did mom ask me visit a temple at first place?
He was running his hands through his hairs angrily and made a call.
Anika(in mind): Great job, Ani.
Anika carried a Pooja plate so as not to look suspicious. She had analyzed which side won’t be captured by the camera. Then she acted as if her plate is fallen and punctured the tire with one of the sharpned nail which she found at storeroom.
Anika was smiling victoriously while looking at Shivaay and could not stop laughing seeing the frustrated state of Shivaay. Then she went towards him.
Anika- What happen Mr. Shivaay? Why are you so angry? Is something wrong? Do you need any help?
Looking at her, he liked the way she was looking. But he was furious and understood who had ruined his time.
Shivaay- So, you have played such a cheap prank! ARE YOU MAD?
Anika (was still laughing): Yes, it is my idea of troubling you. After all, you can’t judge a person by his/her dressing. A person is judged by their nature,behavior and deeds. Why should I care what will anyone think what I am wearing? Their thinking should be good. I have my freedom, my body and my interest to get dressed. How can you tease me? Well, I have done this as were mending rules at the temple for your own benefit. Even others have their work. How tadibaaz are you?
Shivaay: Tadibaaz? What the wuck which language is this? You don’t know what important task I have. Maybe you must have got enrolled my scholarship. You have that middle-class attitude. You an arrogant girl.
Anika( became angry): Pointed her index finger towards him and said …Hey! you..
Before she could complete, Shivaay angrily caught hold of her finger then pinned her against the car door and glared at her…
They were so close that there wasn’t any room for the air to pass by..Anika could not say or express anything when he was so close…She was blank.
Then, Shivaay heard the horn blow and released her.
Shivaay: See, the service I get is so fast. A new car came for me just a call away. You wouldn’t have experienced this.
Anika( back to herself): Surely, I knew you would do this. But I have wasted 15 minutes of yours, mister.
Shivaay was furious but he looked at his watch and he knew he had to go to university first.
I will give her revenge back in my way and left with his signature hair step
Precap: Shivaay: Yes, she is my girlfriend.(to Anika)
Thanking you,
Neha-17