THE STORY OF US – Chapter 24 by Sana

SHIVAYE’S POV

Today is the day Anika is coming to Oberio Mansion. I was the one who was supposed to pick but there was a meeting where my presence was needed. Wrapping the meeting with the heart of joy I shut my cabin and took the elevator to downstairs.

I was about to pass through the door when I heard “Mr.Oberio, please stop.” And then the person who owned the voice appeared. A short girl who is a bit with her hair tied in a ponytail. She looks exhausted and yawned stretching her arms. “Oops, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do that infront of you sir. It’s that I’m tired and I have been waiting for you from early morning till now. But that caked up girl, your receiption girl won’t allow me.” She scowled and I checked my time, Anika had already reached with Sahil.

I was confused whether I was making the right choice by asking her to move with us. I didn’t want to keep her away from her home where her father’s memories were alive but if I don’t then I will lose her soon. It’s a habit now for her to wake up in the middle of a night from a nightmare and also she keeps herself in the room. When I asked her to, I was met with silence but she agreed when I insisted and promised her that we will go back.

“Sir, you there? I think you spaced out.” The girl commented and she is getting on my nerve but Anika taught me to control my temper and over all Anika helped me to become a better person.

“Yeah, what’s your problem?” I asked and then added “Why did you come here in the first place?”

“Okay, okay! Yes Saumya, you can do this. You can and you will.” She muttered to herself and ran a hand over her face and then took a deep breath and like a click a large smile spread on her face.

“I’m Saumya Mehra, a writer and anchor in the Aura Women’s magazine. I’m sure you have heard about it because it is the best.” She introduced.

“Never.” I said but still the smile didn’t fall from her face.

“This month we are writing on the topic about Women’s equality and men’s ego. You know society’s mindset etc. I want to interview the women in your family. It is interesting and we would be really happy if you approve us. It’s see going to be a hit when rich also joins and let’s whether the society is treating them right.” She finished and looked with a hopeful eyes.

“Never.” I said again and started for the door.

“You can’t just ruin my first project like that! This is my future and please, please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?” She pleaded and I groaned.

“Why can’t it be any other family’s women?” I asked.

“So it’s a yes?”

“I mean-”

“Yes, so it’s a yes. I will come to mansion at evening and we will meet there. Thank you so much, this means the world’s all grumpy bears to me.” She smiled and before I could exchange a word she ran away.

What the hell was that?

I entered in my black limo and soon we were on the road. It was a thirty minutes drive to home and a left turn and I’m in front of him. I couldn’t control the bubbling happiness inside me as I entered inside the mansion.

“Finally, SSO jiju arrived.” Sahil sang as he wrapped his tiny arms around my waist. Someone younger than Rudra is now at home.

“Sorry for being late.” I apologized as I crouched down in the level of him.

“Not forgiven.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“What I have to do to get your forgiveness, master?” I asked pouting, something Anika used to get things she wanted always. She knew I can’t resist that face.

“I think ice cream will work.” Sahil said.

“Yes sir.” I bowed down to him and after ruffling his hair I went to the hall. The laughing sound of my family confirmed that they were having a get-together without me. How sweet of my family. They were so into the moment that they didn’t realize that I existed.

My eyes met Anika who was laughing for something Rudra said. Her hair flying and falling on her eyes that I had urge to move it with my hand. Her smile lightening up my world but there was a hole in them. Its been a long life I heard her laugh like that. The laughter slowed down and every pair of eyes stared at me.

“Shivaye.” Anika said and I loved my name so much when it came out from her mouth.

“Anika.” I said and cocked an eyebrow.

“Are you going to stand there without greeting your fiance?” She asked tilting her head and I hid a smile.

I went closer and gave her a side hug. She was close to me and that’s only what I needed.

“Please get a room.” Rudra, Om and Sahil said in unison in the monkey emoji way. Rudra kept the hands on his mouth, Om on the ears and little Sahil on the eyes.

Anika blushed and hid her face in my coat and I took her to my room. I frowned when I felt my shirt wet and then I realized that it was Anika’s tears.

“What happened, Anika?” I asked as I made her sit on my bed.

“I’m okay.” She shook her head and tried to smile but failed miserably.

“What’s wrong?” I rubbed her hands to comfort her.

“I can’t.” She cried.

“I can’t do it. Everytime I try to forget and live, I fail. Why am the only one who can’t move on from my father’s death.” She choked out and I wrapped my hands around her shoulder.

“It’s okay, it happens. Not everyone is strong but you are the strongest person I have met. You survived when you came across the truth of Rohit. If you aren’t strong then you wouldn’t be here. Everything will be alright, trust me.” I said.

“Your family is not and I feel awful for myself for my mind not being with them. All I could think is about dad.” She slowly said and rested her head on my shoulder.

“It takes time, Anika. I’m sure my family understood if there are being trouble then maybe we could stay an apartment or something.” I suggested and I would do anything for her.

“No, don’t do something stupid like that and I will never forgive you.” She smacked my chest and I scowled. “When I thought about last night I realized that a change will be good and that is why i didn’t argue. I couldn’t help myself and I have a feeling that your family will be the best to do so. With you, I’m sure that I can walk on thrones.” She completed.

“Someone cheesy is motivating herself.” I teased and the atmosphere is back to good again.

“After all I’m the fiance of Mr.Shivaye Cheesy Singh Oberio and I think I can survive Mrs.Cheesy.” She winked and continued “Go change and I will bring the tray of tea here.” She ordered and I chuckled as she made her way out of the room.

I took a ten minutes shower and changed into a black shirt and pants. I love black and it’s my favourite. After five minutes Anika came back with a tray which have two cups, one is expresso and another normal coffee. There is also pancakes in it. From the burnt state of it I can confirm Anika tried her hand in it.

“Don’t stare at me like that. That stupid stove doesn’t know anything. It is like it controls the heat on it’s own.” She whined and sat beside me after placing the tray in the side table.

“Wow, so it’s not the fault of you and it’s of the stove. Great Anika, I think we have to get a stove soon.” I laughed and she threw a pillow on me.

I was about to throw another one and start a pillow fight but interpreting us there was a door knock.

“Yes, come in.” I said and a waitress came inside.

“Sir, there is a girl downstairs asking for you.” He said and Anika raised an eyebrow at me. I love it when she is being possessive.

“Who?”

“I don’t know sir, she said her name is Soumya.” He reported and I groaned.

I completely forgot about that girl. We finished the tea and made our way to the hall. Whole family is present there.

“Hello sir, Saumya is here.” She waved and I rolled my eyes internally.

She stood in the center and prepared herself. “Hello to Oberio family.” She greeted and before she could say anything she was cut off.

“What the hell are you doing here Sumo?” Rudra burst and Soumya was frozen.

“You…” She exclaimed.

“Yeah, Alex.” Rudra grinned

“Alex?” The whole family echoed at the direction of Rudra. When did Rudra become Alex.

“Is there something that I’m missing Rudra?” Dadi asked and narrowed her eyes between Rudra and Soumya.

“He tricked me.” Soumya said ready to drink his blood.

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I’M THE WORST AUTHOR I KNOW! SORRY FOR LOSING TOUCH WITH YOU ALL BUT I HAD BEEN LOADED WITH WORK. THOSE WHO ARE IN WATTPAD, FOLLOW ME: THEDREAMSOUL AND ALSO I’M IN INSTAGRAM TOO. AS ALWAYS COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS. I LOVE YOU XXx