THE STORY OF US – Chapter 30 by Sana ||LAST CHAPTER ||

Thank you you much for everything. Kindly read the author’s note at the end of the story ✨

SHIVAYE’S POV

The work was unbearable and hectic today. It was like the clock slowed down and it took minutes for the second hand to move. I attended three meetings, finalized two deals and the day went on like that but Anika’s face never leaving my mind. The fact that she was alone didn’t make it any easier for me to stay and work. I hate work.

Four letters. One word. Work was my favourite word before Anika stepped into my life. It was the only thing which occupied my mind day and night. I never get tired of working but now everything changed. I felt like a normal person wanting to go home to meet his girlfriend and give her company because she is alone.

I sighed when I took the keys off and got out of the car. I threw the keys to the watchmen to park before entering home. I was met with complete silence and guessed that she would be probably in my room. I skipped the stairs to my room and loosened the tie and rolled my sleeves removing the coat. Disappointed ticked me when I realized that the room was empty.

Where is Anika?

I was about to go down and search every single room when I noticed the note under the lamp. I recognized Anika’s messy hand writing in a second.

Shivaye,

Come down for dinner only after making sure that you take a shower because no matter how much I love I hate when you sting. Don’t forget to check your wardrobe.

love, Anika

A smile made a way to my face when I finished reading it. She was full of surprises. I folded the piece of paper and put it into the drawer before walking into the bathroom. I stripped from my shirt and pants letting the cold water take away my tiredness. When I was done, I wrapped the towel around my waist and went to my wardrobe. The navy blue tux, my favourite colour caught my eyes and I was again surprised at her.

I probably would look more like a teenage girl now holding it in my hands and dancing around. It felt like being a kid again and the last thing I want is to for her to see this. I hit my head and changed into it with a smile plastered on my face.

I didn’t know what she was planning. Maybe we could go out and have dinner. Or else she may have ordered something and we can eat while watching something in living room like the last time.

I came down the stairs and I had to stop myself from laughing when I saw Anika in my tee and her sweat pants. Her hair pulled up in a messy bun with her hair strands peaking out of it. She was dancing or more like swaying her hips listening to whatever song was playing in the earphone. I swear this girl will be death of me.

Grinning I made my way and wrapped my arms around her waist pulling to me and she gasped dropping the spatula in her hand. She turned around and relief washed over her when she realized that it was me. “You know that you are a jerk, right?” She asked hitting my chest and before it could get hard I caught her wrist.

“Yes, your jerk.” I said and she ducked her head blushing.

A few minutes later she lifted her chocolate brown eyes and scanned me from head to toe. Slowly, a smile appeared on her face. “You look handsome.” She complimented. Something she doesn’t do often, maybe she doesn’t want to feed my ego more.

“See who is wearing.” I grinned

“It’s because I chose it and actually I meant the the tux is gorgeous.” She scoffed.

“Whatever helps you sleep, Anika. But I can’t say the same for you.” I said and her eyes flickered to her own body.

“Thank you so much for stating the obvious.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed. “Don’t dare come near my food, okay? I will kill you for sure and I will be right back.” She threatened before disappearing out of the kitchen.

There was a tablet and a recipe book on the counter. The papers was crumbled and that’s when the aroma hit I realized one thing.

Anika was cooking.

She was cooking for me. Something that she was terrible at but still she was taking a lot of effort for this date like thing. She would do anything to make me happy and pleased. Like me, she would take the challenges and walk through the thrones for our relationship.

The heels clicking in the marbled floor confirmed that my queen arrived. Anika was standing there being the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on. The navy blue dress hugged her body perfectly and damn, she is more than that.

We stared at each other for a while. My eyes not leaving hers and I didn’t wish to take my eyes off but she didn’t move too. Just then something struck her and she rushed to the stove. “Go sit in the living room, I will call you once it’s ready.” She pushed me out and I pouted even though I left and took a seat in the cream colored sofa.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and it was a missed call from Om. I called him back and he picked it in the first ring.

“Hey bro, how are you?” Rudra’s chirpy voice said. “Hey Shivaye, are you there?” The elder one spoke.

“Hello, I’m good.” I said wanting to add ‘more than ever’ but I seriously can’t bear them teasing me all day and night. “How are you guys?” I asked.

“The wedding is going great but we miss you.” They both said and I smiled. They are pillars of support for me, my brothers but stupid and idiot.

The whole family went to Delhi to attend one of the distant relative’s wedding also the groom is Om’s close friend. I couldn’t leave the business behind but I was not that enjoying person anyway. Anika said she would stay with me even after I insisted her to go and have fun.

“How is Anika di?” Rudra asked for his best friend and I rolled my eyes.

“She is fine as well.” I replied and asked “How is everybody?”

“Grand.” Rudra said but Om interpreted “Shivaye, we will get back at you soon, Dadi is calling for us” He hung up quickly before I had even time to say bye.

They are the best thing that happened to me with Anika. We had a made a castle of memories together and our brotherhood was greater than any other relationship in the world. We grown up seeing our parents arguing and living with envy for each other but that didn’t separate us. No matter how worse the situation is we will always stick together. Dil Bole Oberoi being our word.

“Shit, this can’t be happening.” I heard Anika from the kitchen and I rushed to her. She was standing there with her face on the palms and the smell of burned pasta filled the place. I instantly knew what upset here.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I murmured to her shoulder as I snaked my hands around her waist. I don’t care if the food is burnt or not but my heart was already filled with love for her.

“I ruined the night, didn’t I?” She asked sadly and I shook my head.

“The night has only started, Anika. It’s okay and I’m sure that I can make something for both of us.” I said gently to her.

“But it would be late by then.” She said looking at the white clock hung on the wall.

“How does pizza sounds?” I asked at her with a tint of hope.

“Pizza sounds great.” She grinned and it took only a few minutes for me to order a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese as Anika liked and also two bottles of pepsi.

We made our way to the living room and plopped down the couch. “I am a terrible cook.” She muttered.

“At least this time you didn’t burn the kitchen so I guess that’s progress?” I asked raising an eyebrow and she scowled.

“You are not making it any better for me.” She said and I laughed. “I swear I will kill you.” She said hitting my arm.

“Are you going to be a nun for the rest of your life?” I teased and she frowned not getting what I said.

“Trust me, there are so many handsome men out there.” She played along slightly smirking.

“But I’m best right.” I smirked.

“Unfortunately, yeah.” She said and I couldn’t no more keep my smile. She winked before getting up and connected her phone to the speaker before walking towards me with something shining in her eyes.

“May I have this dance, Mr.Oberio?” She asked as she forwarded her hand and I took in a blink joining it together. She was the lead now and my boss and I love it when she does that.

She kept her hand on my shoulder and mine settled around her waist pulling her in. We swayed as ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri played in the background. I twirled her around and she smiled as she came crashing back to me. I lifted her up and twirled in the air. Our eyes locked into each other and the rest of world turned silent for us. She rested her forehead against mine and our nose almost touching. We leaned closer but before our lips could meet the doorbell ring breaking my moment with Anika.

We pulled away from each other and I safely put her down. She blushed deeply before sprinting to kitchen telling she will set the table but I shook my head and pointed to the couch.

The pizza delivery man greeted me as usual before handing me the box. “Thank you, sir. Have a good day.” I paid him and he sped off.

“Pizza is love.” Anika said as she grabbed the box from my hands and I put the bottles on the small tea table. ‘Pizza’ the words made me remember Malika and Siddarth. The best friends I ever had in my life and still there sticking with me but they are the weirdest and adorable couple I have ever met.

“Then who is me?” I asked sitting beside her as she took a slice from it.

“You are Shivaye.” She simply said before taking a large bite in it. She moaned and licking her lips said “This is the best pizza.”

“I mean if pizza is love, then who am I?” I frowned and she laughed.

“Pizza is a tough competitor, Shivaye.” She said through her second one and I took my first. She was right, the pizza really was amazing.

The conversation starting from pizza went down the line to other things. We talked of anything and everything. Anika would try to make a joke but would fail and I will laugh seeing her loser cute face. We talked about that day when our path collided in the railway station. If it hadn’t been the weather then I wouldn’t have her in my arms now.

The way I thought she was a servant but the shock I had when I realized she was my cilent’s daughter. I was embrassed would be an understatement for the year it was more than that. Working with Anika and bringing her here. The encounter with Rohit made me flinch. They way we started sharing everything with each other and damn, it was fate that brought us together.

“I love you so much, Anika.” I whispered to her before I crashed my lips on her. It took her by surprise and she returned it. Soon we were apart for oxygen. It was the best feeling in the world.

“I love you too.” She said resting her head on my shoulder.

“I love you three.” I teased.

“Okay, I know you are an idiot but you doesn’t need to make it obvious to the world.” She said laughing.

I couldn’t come with a comeback answer for her because I was staring at her. She laughed with her eyes twinkling and laughing forgetting everything and enjoying the moment. “Hey, can you please give me the tomato souce?” She asked as she was about to take her last bite of pizza for the day.

“Here it is…” I handed her and Instead of spreading it she took an empty plate and started drawing something. I was curious but she wouldn’t let me see it so I went back to munching on my pizza.

I was about to get up when the plate was hanging infront of me. The words scribbled by Anika in her messy handwriting made my heart stop. Those words were something that I was longing to tell her but now the tables turned and she is the lead, boss.

The words read, ‘Will you tie knots with me on January 1st, love Anika.”

“Thank you.” I said to her before intertwining our hands together for always. “The best thing that happened to us is we.”

THE END

I never thought I will see the day when the story comes to an end. I don’t know but I have built a relationship with this one. The were days of not wanting to write anymore and stop without a perfect end. I have got a lot of awesome friends through this book and I have been able to learn a lot of new things which helped my writing.
Trust me, I’m proud of myself for this even though I knew there would be more better books than this but all I know I cherish this and take it as one of my best moments in my life. I would be adding a thank you note separately because I want to appreciate each and everyone of them who supported me and showered so much love to this story.

Thank you so much, this means a lot to me. You people are the best and I’m happy to cross my path with you all. Without you this book wouldn’t be here and so the credit is for each one of you. Thank you tons again and love you all. Share this story if you think it is good enough and please scroll back and see if you missed to vote in anyone of the chapter. I never thought a tiny little star have the power to brighten someone’s day. So vote and please, please comment down your journey of reading this book let it be positive or negative but I’m curious to know. So I hope to see your feedback popping in my comment box soon. Do you want an epilogue?

I would also like to thank TellyUpdates which was the origin for this story. To all my awesome friends whose name I would definitely mention in the next thank you note. Thanks for everything. God, I’m being emotional now *two box of tissues please*

Love you all, Sana ?