Hello 👋
Had this idea over a year ago and planned the whole story in my head, but when it came to writing it, I just couldn't.
Credit goes to Imaginator8 for allowing me to write this story as the track clashes with on of her deleted books 😊 big thank you again.
Been reluctant to publish it as I wasn't sure if I would get good response, but nevertheless here I am.
Please shower your love on this book by clicking the vote button if you enjoy it and check out my other books if you haven't already ❤️
Okay, here's the first chapter...

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A young girl, the age of 27, was running along an endless, isolated road. The heavy rain crashed down around her, but it didn't seem to bother her at all. She ran to save her dignity.

Suddenly, a speeding car zoomed across the road towards her when........

She found herself on the side of the road with a man checking to see if she was fine.

Man: Are you okay?

She simply started at him with a blank face. Not even a small whimper left her mouth, unusual considering the minor collision that had just occurred.

Man: Okay, I am Shivaay. Now tell me your name.

He stood there confused. Following a hectic meeting, the businessman judged the long empty road ahead of him and pressed his foot down on the pedal. He knew speeding was wrong, he's been reprimanded previously for it, countless times in fact, but it felt necessary today again, in order to release his anger on the failure to procure the sought after deal he worked so hard for.

When his headlights shone upon a running figure, he quickly shifted his foot between the pedals, but he knew it was too late to avoid hitting her.

Accepting his faults, he got out of his car and expected an earful on reckless driving, so his confusion was understandable seeing her give no response at all.

Girl: Voh.......mera naam....Ani......Anika.

The girl finally spoke as she looked ahead, her face showing an indescribable expression.

Shivaay: Okay Miss Anika, do you want a lift to your house?

Anika: Main ghar nahi jaa sakti.

Her breathing suddenly quickens and a shiver runs across her body causing her muscles to tense up.

Shivaay: okay, well do you have any friend or relative at whose house I can drop you?

Anika: Kohi nahi hai.

She says, losing the expression on her face, as if returning back to reality.

Shivaay: Acha agar tu yaha baarish mein kadi rehti toh zaroor bimaar hogi. Let me take you.

She suddenly looks up to meet his blueish-greenish eyes for the first time as his hand slowly claps her soaked arm. His figure looked awfully similar yet the dark atmosphere and torrential rain blurred her vision.

Anika: kaha?

Shivaay: mera farmhouse. Yaha se door nahi hai

Anika: lekin voh humme dhoondega?

Shivaay: kohi nahi dhoondega okay

Shivaay helped her walk to the car as she continued to quiver.

She couldn't quite figure out why she wasn't resisting, considering the scenario that led her to run on the road in that manner: like a maniac. But trusting her gut feeling she went along with him.

He assisted her into the car and he himself got in to drive, much more carefully than before.

After a few streets they stopped across a small house. Shivaay opened the door and then helped the woman inside. He lead her to one of the rooms.

Shivaay: Acha iss cupboard me se kohi kapre pehen lo, mein change karke aata. You can use that washroom.

Anika: H.....haa

She disappeared into the smaller room. Then she stood infront of the sink and looked in the mirror.

Hair is a mess. Lipstick ruined. Eyes watered as her black eyeliner smudged down her cheeks

Anika: Nahi nahi nahi yeh kaun hai?

Looking at her reflection, she was confused after seeing what was in front of her.

Anika: Mein ese nahi lagti. Ek mint meri handbag.

She frantically moved around and searched for a bag in the washroom. With all efforts in vain, she opened the door with a sudden bang and looked around. Now Shivaay was calmly waiting for her but stood up alarmed when she barged out of the room.

Shivaay: Excuse me, kuch dhoondri hai?

Anika: Bag......mera bag.......usme mere kuch cheeze hai.......m....mujhe....voh mujhe chaye......I need it......abhi.

Shivaay: Tum yaha bag ke saath aayi nahi, balki road per bhi kohi bag nahi tha tumhare paas

Anika: Mujhe chaye voh.....

Her eyes widened and she began to panic. Her skin felt hotter and she shivered even more than before. Her breaths became more uneven by the second.

Anika: Nahi.....

Shivaay went to comfort her. On any normal day he couldn't care less, but for some reason seeing her in such a state led him to unconsciously offer her help.

Shivaay: Okay calm down Anika.

She didn't calm down; not one bit. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Her movements became a lot more quicker and sharp, with her foot tapping the floor.

Anika: Aise kese nahi? Meri saman hai usme.

Shivaay: Please calm down.

He held her shoulders gently and made her sit on the near couch. Taking a glass of water he offered it to her. She didn't react so he raised it to her lips. Her breathing became more even and her body relaxed. Those hands that were constantly shaking had become so still.

Shivaay: agar aapko kuch chaye to batao mujhe, I'll help you.

Anika: Aapka naam kya tha?

Shivaay: Shivaay. Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

The name certainly rang a bell for her.

Anika: 99% topper?

Shivaay: St Xavier's college haa.

She knew him. Of course, how could anyone forget the most perfect student in their batch at college. From perfect grades to perfect looks, this guy really had it all. Considering his popularity, it came as no surprise that everyone in the college knew him. Well, some even worshipped him.

Anika: mein jaanti hoon aapko. Doh bhaiye hai na?

Shivaay: yes. One second tum kaun?

He has no idea who this woman is. And she knows about his brothers? What the fuck, did he just rescue a stalker? Was that incident even an accident? Did she preplan them meeting on the road like that?

Anika: mein vaha padti thi

Shivaay: Okay

Unable to actually remember her, he went along with it for the time being. If she was a stalker, he sure as hell wasn't going to let her know that he'd figured it out.

Shivaay: Please aap kapre badal do.

Anika: Acha

The girl slowly rose from her seat and walked towards the bathroom. As Shivaay reached for his phone kept on the table before him, the lights flickered on and off before there was a complete blackout.

Anika: lights jalaye......please.....light on karo.....

Shivaay tried to find his way to her as he sensed the sudden fear in her voice.

Shivaay: aap kaha hai?

Anika: l....l.....lights

Shivaay: acha ek mint

He picked up his phone to gain a source of light. Once the flashlight appeared, he shone it around into various areas of the room in search for Anika

Shivaay: Anika kaha...

He saw the girl, cowering in a corner of the room. On sensing a ray of light, she turned in his direction, her body still quivering with fear. He rushed to her side, kneeling beside her.

Shivaay: Aap theek hai?

Anika: Haa....haa mein theek.

They stayed like that for a while before the generator kicked in and power resumed.

Shivaay: Acha aap yeh room mein soh sakti.

Anika: Okay.

Anika silently went and sliped into the duvet covers while Shivaay exited the room.

Anika closed her eyes but she couldn't get to sleep. Her mind and body were both restless.

She shut her eyes tighter, hoping it would help but her efforts went in vain. She stared up at the ceiling and slowly felt sleepy. After what felt like a few hours, her eyes shut and she fell into a deep sumbler.

On the other hand, upon reaching the second bedroom, Shivaay seated himself on the bed. He took out his phone from his pocket and searched for the name Anika amongst the St Xavier's College alumni. Upon finding the name, a wave of relief passed through his body and he let go of a breath he'd been subconsciously holding. Well, she's not a stalker and her claim was legit.

Anika Trivedi. Kinda like Gauri Trivedi, a friend who his brother was courting. Come to think of it, Gauri studied in the same college too, in his brother's year. It could purely be a coincidence that their last names match but the similarity in the two girls faces seemed to not let him let go of the suspicion.

Anika. Who is this girl and why does she have such a grasp on Shivaay's thoughts?

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The next morning she woke up with a jerk and looked around the room. 7:30 it was. Shaking off the nightmare she just experienced, she got up and dragged her feet towards the washroom.

After freshening up, she got changed into her clothes from the previous day, unwilling to bother Shivaay further.

Cautiously, she walked out of the room and followed the corridor to reach the kitchen. Her eyes fixatey on the man from yesterday, seemingly making something for breakfast. He swiftly turned around hearing footsteps and Anika quickly averted her gaze.

Shivaay: Tum uth gayi? Acha table per toast hai voh khalo.

Anika: Actually mujhe jaana hai.

Shivaay: At least eat and go.

Shivaay was lowkey offended. Shivaay Singh Oberoi- The Shivaay Singh Oberoi, businessman of the year, featured on the list of the most richest men in Asia. This man doesn't simply make breakfast for anyone for them to not eat it. His attention to his bruised ego was quickly stolen by the girls abrupt sarcastic voice.

Anika: You don't even know who I am. What will your parents think? You took a random girl of the streets and gave her a place to sleep. Why are you even helping me?

Woah, he thought. Someone clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Shivaay: Look, I have no interest in you or anything like that but it's a simple act of humanity. Now please tell me if you need anything.

Anika: Mujhe ghaar jaana hai.

Shivaay: Ek kaam kar kuch khalo and then I'll drop you on my way home.

Anika: okay

Anika reluctantly sat down at the table and ate silently. After a short while Shivaay joined her and ate his delicacy.

Anika: Sorry about before.

Shivaay: No problem.

Anika: If you don't mind, I know you are the owner of Oberoi Empire. By chance ek job available hai?

Shivaay: Actually I am looking for a PA.

Anika: Mein uss job ke liye apply kar sakti?

Initially taken back by her boldness, Shivaay quickly came to appreciate her straightforwardness and considered her offer

Shivaay: Yah sure. Interview kab karna hai?

Anika: Aaj kar sakte?

Shivaay: Of course.

Anika: Toh challe?

Shivaay: Yeah let's go