There were four days left before Anika would leave the house. Yes, he was counting down to the day when he would get less time to spend with her. Each day went so quickly, the opposite of what he wanted. Shivaay longed for the day's to stretch and drag, creating more time for him to "subtlety" flirt with her.

Flirt, I know right? Never would anyone have presumed that such days would come in which Shivaay Singh Oberoi would do such things. Not even his brothers could guess it would happen. Tiny things like purposely bumping into her, making her smile with his small talk and jokes, and casually creating that ever so slight contact between them.

These few weeks he spent with her weren't enough, not even close. They didn't get lots of quality time together either.

If that wasn't bad enough, she was getting married, according to Gauri. He's not sure how much of that he can believe, but from what came out of her mouth, it sounded extremely possible. That's something he has to confirm with her directly.

Maybe this was an impulsive decision of hers. Anika getting a little angry over his reaction to her buying a house, didn't go unnoticed of course. He saw her face and mood change when he said those things to make himself seem less invasive in her decisions.

So he thought and thought, what could he do about that? How could he possibly attempt to change her mind about marrying whoever she was going to tie the knot with?

A few days ago, following something he heard her say, Shivaay decided to give Anika a gift. Not something small like a necklace or bracelet, but something meaningful that would be like a dream come true for her.

A ting sound on his phone alerted him of a message, which confirmed his plan. Everything was set, prepared and ready for her. He just had to find her and take her to the place.

He knocked on her room door, hoping she was there. A voice from inside called out "one minute", but it was Gauri's. The door lock clicked open, and the door suddenly jerked open with the force she pulled it.

His future "Saali" was stood dressed in a bathrobe, with a white coloured beauty mask on her face and a bottle of nail varnish in one hand.

Shivaay: Oh Bete Ki

Both startled and scared, seeing Gauri like that all of a sudden made him jump.

Gauri: Oh My God!

In response to his words she exclaimed, unable to believe what he just said

Shivaay: what happened to you?

Gauri: what happened to you?

Emphasising on the last word "you", she smirked at his confused face.

Shivaay: Kya matlab?
(What do you mean?)

Gauri: aapne "Oh Bete Ki" bola
(You said "Oh Bete Ki")

Shivaay: tumhara iss bhoot wala chehra dekh kar kohi bhi dar jata
(Seeing your this ghost face, anyone will get scared)

Gauri: voh nahi
(Not that)

She irritatedly mumbled before continuing.

Gauri: you used Anika Di's language

Recently she noticed the sparks that blew between them, but she wouldn't have expected him to be using her language so soon. Maybe her sister wasn't as innocent as she claimed to be.

Shivaay: Kya, Anika ko apna khud ka language milta?
(What, Anika gets her own language now?)

Gauri: Oh Bete Ki is part of her vocabulary

Oh yes, he has heard her say it quite frequently.

Shivaay: There were other's, right? Like "Khidkitodh", "kanji aankhon", "tadibaaz" and.... "michi michi"

Unsure about the last one, he raised his voice a little so she would correct him.

Gauri: first of all it's michmichi, not michi michi

With dull attitude, she corrected his error

Gauri: and secondly, how cute

Teasingly, she raised her eyebrows and grinned at him

Shivaay: tumhari behn bhi ese chill kari hai?
(Is your sister also chilling like this?)

Gauri: nahi, voh shayad Tej Uncle ke saath hogi
(No, she might be with Tej Uncle)

Shivaay: okay thanks

Letting her finish whatever she was doing, Shivaay rushed off to take Anika. He didn't say much once finding her, only a simple "come with me".

Anika: mein kahi nai aari
(I'm not coming anywhere)

Tej: haan Shivaay, tu isse kaha leker jaara?
(Yes Shivaay, where are you taking her?)

Tej defended Anika instantly, as they were busy in their talks

Shivaay: Bade Papa, voh mujhe Anika ko kaam pe leker jaana hai
(Bade Papa, I need to take Anika to work)

Anika: work?

Unsure on what he was thinking, she narrowed her eyebrows.

Shivaah: voh wala kaam
(That work)

Some sort of signal was exchanged between the two men, and Tej immediately sided with Shivaay

Tej: Anika jao uske saath
(Anika go with him)

Anika: Tej Uncle?

Shivaay: trust me

Yes she trusts him, but she was so confused with what was happening. Taking her hand in his, Shivaay directed her out of the mansion, letting her grab her phone and purse on the way out. They got to the car and she silently took her seat.

Anika: kam se kam batao ki hum kaha jaare hai?
(At least tell where are we going?)

Shivaay: office

Simple one word answer and no further hint on his face.

Shivaay: it's a surprise

Instantly intrigued, Anika bounced up and down in her seat a little. She wasn't sure what she envisioned this surprise to be.

Anika: hum aapke office mein kyu nahi hai?
(Why aren't we in your office?)

Getting down from the car as he stopped the car, Anika straightened her kurti and walked alongside Shivaay. She was told that they were going to his office, but they're location was nowhere near the Oberoi's office.

Shivaay: yeh dekho
(Look at this)

He finally spoke after reaching the door of a fairly huge property.

Anika: I see a building

Not the answer and reaction he expected, but that will do for now. After all, he didn't think she'd guess what was happening with so little clues.

Shivaay: andhar aao
(Come inside)

Like a gentleman, Shivaay let Anika go inside first. He closely monitored her confused expressions as she looked around the large room.

Anika: yeh sab khaali khaali kyu hai?
(Why is this all empty?)

Shivaay: pata chalega
(You'll get to know)

The suspense was killing Anika as they walked into the lift. When the doors opened to reveal the second floor, her confusion still hadn't cleared.

Anika: yeh sab aap mujhe kyu dikhare?
(Why are you showing me all this?)

Shivaay: I'm planning on opening a small side business here

Anika: oh, bohot acha building hai
(Oh, it's a very nice building)

Walking towards a room she figured would be the main office, Anika admired the view outside the glass windows.

Anika: konsa business ke baare mein aap sochre?
(What business are you thinking about?)

Shivaay: that's for you to decide

Certain she misheard something, Anika turned around and looked at him, perplexed.

Shivaay: I want you to start your event management business here

The words were still processing in her brain, yet he spoke on.

Shivaay: meine suna ki tumhara sapna hai, yeh kholna
(I heard that it's your dream to open this)

Receiving no response, Shivaay again called out for her.

Shivaay: Anika, you heard it right?

After that confirmation, Anika's eyes began scanning the floor. She could tell the building was newly constructed, no furniture whatsoever and a few tool kits lying behind.

Shivaay: kya dhoond rhi?
(What are you looking for?)

Anika: penchakas
(Screwdriver)

Shivaay: penchakas kyu?
(Why a screwdriver?)

Anika: shaya aapke dimag ke pench dheele hai
(Maybe the screws in your head are loose)

Shivaay: I'm fine, I promise

Still not convinced, anika glared at him accusingly, as if he had done a crime. One eyebrow was raised and both hands were on her hips

Shivaay: you don't believe me do you?

Anika: yakeen karne ki kohi baat nahi, par aap ese nahi kar sakte. Ese Bade decisions, carefully soch kar banate
(It's not a story of trust, but you can't do like this. These big decisions are made after thinking carefully)

Shivaay: voh toh meine already kiya
(I've already done that)

It was evident from her facial expressions that she still couldn't process what was happening. I mean, she did technically get offered her dream job like that, almost instantly. He understands her surprise and shock... partly

Anika: have you thought this through?

Shivaay nodded, suppressing the wide grin that would plaster his face otherwise.

Shivaay: here let me give you something

Moving towards the corner of the room that was intended to be the office, Shivaay opened a cardboard box. It took a bit of digging around before he found a smaller gift bag. He dusted himself off and walked back to Anika.

Shivaay: yeh loh
(Take this)

Forwarding the printed gift bag towards her, Shivaay flashed a smile.

Anika: a gift?

Shivaay: a gift

His repeating confirmed that it was indeed a gift, and Anika gently took it from his hands.

Anika: no mix up this time?

Hearing the word gift, that to from him, brought back the memories from that awkward and embarrassing moment.

Shivaay: you know, I think we should just check

Anika: me too

She forwarded the bag back to him and he quickly opened it. A sigh of relief escaped from him seeing the right present in the bag.

Shivaay: No mix up this time

Anika also let out a heavy breath, as he gave the bag back to her.

She gave another glance at him before returning her attention to the gift. Her hand reached inside and felt a hard, metal object. Curious, she pulled it out and saw her name beautifully carved out on a studded nameplate.

Shivaay: you're gonna need this on your desk, when it arrives

He pointed to the large empty space in the room before returning his focus on the item in her hands.

Shivaay: yeh joh gems hai, usme studded, mujhe yeh idea tumhare phone case aur bag se mila. Gauri ne meri thori madat ki, kyuki meine uske saare questions ke jawab diye
(These gems that are studded in here, i got this idea from your phone case and your bag. Gauri helped me a little, because I answered all her questions)

Anika: it's beautiful

Her eyes began to tear up a little, feeling all this love and care. Shivaay didn't delay on noticing this, and wiped away the tears with his finger.

Shivaay: hey, meine tujhe kush karne ke liye yeh sab kiya. Yaha toh tumhare aankhon ke waterfalls shuru hue
(Hey, I did all this to make you happy. Here your eyes have released the waterfalls)

She giggled on his remark.

Anika: Shivaay are you sure?

Shivaay: sure as I'll ever be

Anika: matlab pakka?
(You mean definitely?)

Furrowing her eyebrows, she looked him in the eyes. Those mesmerising, dreamy, mysterious eyes.

Shivaay: pakka
(Definitely)

He smiled seeing her finally accept the gift, or so he thought.

Anika: I still think you are being to generous

Shivaay: Anika

In disbelief, Shivaay took her hands in his and looked up to her eyes.

Shivaay: Aur joh tune kiya humare liye, uska kya?
(And what you did for us, what about that?)

Anika was about to protest, but Shivaay managed to speak first

Shivaay: mujhe nahi lagta ki mein voh kar sakta, joh tune kiya. Apne Papa ko kohne ke bavajood, tune doosre log ke baare mein socha, joh at the time bilkul strangers the. Agar tum nahi hoti, toh shayad Bade Papa ki halat...
(I don't think that I could have done that, what you did. Despite losing your father, you thought of other people, who at the time were complete strangers. If you hadn't been there then maybe Bade Papa's condition...)

Tej was the man he aspired to be, his role model. Shivaay's own father didn't have as much of an interest in business so when he got into the industry, his bond with his Bade Papa only thickened.

When Tej landed in hospital that unfateful day, Shivaay received the shocking news on the phone as he was returning to India from a meeting. It really had worried them all, since Tej had an underlying heart condition.

Then Anika came and saved him with a single signature on paper, hiding her many emotions deep inside her. She kept her own grief on hold and came to assist someone else.

Shivaay: meine aur Bade Papa ne dono milke yeh decide kiya, ki hum tujhe yeh opportunity denge
(Me and Bade Papa both decided that we'll give you this opportunity)

Anika: I can't believe it

A dream come true, it certainly was. All the beautifully decorated events she attended when she was young had heavily influenced the job she wished for. She saw herself, at a very young,
in the shoes of those planners who had the skill and creativity to do something like that.

Anika: Shivaay aapne meri bachpan ki khwaab poori kardiye
(Shivaay, you fulfill my childhood dream)

A few more tears dropped from her face, and she couldn't help but fall onto his body. Stunned, Shivaay's body stiffened but he soon reciprocated the hug. Her arms stretched around his waist as she took in all the happiness.

It was a while before the both parted, but at least now Anika's face was beaming with excitement.

Anika: mujhe already pata hai ki mere pehle clients kaun hoge
(I already know who my first clients will be)

Shivaay: khud ki shaadi nahi plan kar sakti
(You can't plan your own wedding)

Anika: relax Shivaay, aapko kuch nahi karna
(Relax Shivaay, you don't have to do anything)

Oh shit, she actually said that. Anika widened her eyes and tried to see if Shivaay made sense of her words, and unfortunately he did. He placed his hands on his waist

Shivaay: so this is your way of proposing?

Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, what had she landed herself in?

Anika: n...nahi toh, mein kaha propose kari hoon
(N...no, where am i proposing to you?)

Shivaay: phir kaun hai yeh pehla client?
(Then who is this first client?)

Anika: Khannah Ji ki behn, uski shaadi hori hai
(Khannah's sister, she is getting married)

Shivaay: Khannah ki behn?
(Khannah's sister)

So that's what Gauri was saying that day; she was going to attend his sister's wedding, not her own.

Anika: ek minute, aapne socha ki meri shaadi hone wali thi aab?
(One minute, did you think my wedding was going to happen now?)

Shivaay: no, kyuki tune toh abhi tak propose nahi kiya
(No, because you haven't proposed yet)

He smirked and folded his arms.

Anika: mein kyu? Aapko propose karna hai.
(Why me? You need to propose)

Shivaay: really?

Anika; yes, flowers, balloons, music, the whole lot

Getting lost in her dreamy thoughts, Anika explained the perfect proposal to him. Shivaay was keenly taking mental notes on this, he was sure to need this information sooner or later.

Shivaay: kaam pe vaapis aao aur decide karo, inmein se tujhe kaunsa theme chahiye furniture ke liye
(Come back to the work and decide, from these which theme you want for the furniture)

Pulling out his phone from his pocket, Shivaay showed her the various designs. Anika enthusiastically selected one.

Shivaay: can I take you out for lunch?

Anika: abhi?
(Now?)

Shivaay: mein soch raha tha ki already time ho chuka hai, aur jab hum bhaar hai toh kyu naa uska faida uthate?
(I was thinking that it's already time, and since we're out now why not take advantage of that?)

Anika: theek hai
(Okay)

Shivaay successfully managed to create an excuse to take Anika out again. Hopefully these peaceful and enjoyable dinners out are something that can continue after she departs from the Mansion...

Precap: something's not quite right in a delivery

Om: Rudra ko kese yeh sab mila

Khannah: kisi fan ne bejha

Om: kohi uska fan kese ho sakta?

Khannah: pata nahi, kohi group iss naam se

Khannah showed Om the delivery form that was handed over in the postage.

Om: yeh naam meine kahi padha

************

Hello my beautiful readers, I need your help on something.

Now from my writing you can probably already make out that I am not the best in Hindi. I am improving day by day though.

I really want to learn how to read and write the Devanagari script, presently I can only read one letter 😔

What would you suggest is the best way to learn? Are there any helpful websites or apps you know of?

I'm not sure if it will but I do know lyrics to songs, so will trying to learn the script based on the written lyrics help?

Any help or ideas will be much appreciated

As we're on the track of language, what all languages do my readers speak??? I'm just curious...

Thank you do much for the love ❤️