#Fun Fact - Humans could never "land" on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune because they are made of gas and have no solid surface.

Shivaay was infuriated at the scene unfolding ahead of him. His wife and bade papa were bickering over some sort of dress and its price. Rolling his eyes over them, he leaned over the little desk and thought about the past few days with his brother in tow.

He did control his ragging emotions however it was too much. Too much to tolerate. His wife and his brother had created destruction in his life and home. Nevertheless, of that, his day would start with mushy and wet kisses and later on, concluded with him scolding and screeching at his wife along with his brother to switch off the television and head off to bed. Rudra and Annika had thickened like that of siblings and somehow he felt left out at times. They were much like each other.

Messy, clumsy, lazy, with no filter attached to their words and sarcastic, both somehow got together much his sorrow. Their habits synced well.

A day after his entry, Rudra had cried expressing his sorrowful life and complained about his father to Annika. He wailed and begged her to help solve the issue because he couldn't stay at Shivaay's place without his karaoke sets and video games. Shivaay somehow anticipated Annika to console him with sweet words or try reaching the issues. Unfortunately much to his sadness and laughter, she had proposed a deal, more like a business strategy, saying that she would only help him if at all he buys her a few dresses for winter from his first remuneration since she was ready to fly to States. And the main reason for this is that she didn't aspire to stress her husband, she knew her husband was already stressing himself about the admission process and living expenses. So she didn't want to be a burden on him.

"That's not fair!" Rudra had exclaimed with an alarm.

"Everything is fair in business. I am giving you an offer contemplating that you are my brother-in-law otherwise would you be charged more. You want more?" Annika raised her brows with her legs crossed, Indian style.

"Umm. No. Fine."

"So winter collections. It is done."

"But my first salary-" Rudra cried out dramatically forcing his eyes to water. "-what about it?"

"See and listen to me, what is your pay?"

"Ohh. I'm the least of all. Twenty-three lakhs and six months shoot might even get extended."

"So twenty-three. Excluding taxes, tariffs and other things, it would be twenty. I'm thinking of opening a fund or policy in your name for ten, accordingly give a few to Sasur Ji as the first salary and ask sorry for your behaviour. And coming to me you need only a few thousand. You will think before you spend okay?"

Shivaay was truly flattened hearing all her calculations. He didn't stop them knowing that she was doing it for Rudra's wellbeing, he was immature and would likely spend on unnecessary things. And this was the best of all.

"Ok deal." Satisfied with her calculation Rudra scooted toward her and whispered. "You are a great match for my kanjoos brother. He cries whenever he sends excessive." And automatically pink colour spread her cheeks. It was a compliment plus insulting with sweet words.

"Chup idiot!"

Rudra was glad his brother didn't hear their murmuring.

Shivaay had laughed hearing the negotiations both idiotic people were having. Rudra was too naive to stumble into her words and actions, later he promised to work on her clothes and she promised to help him to mend relation with his father.

And then the helping program started the next day. Her frequent visits to the Oberoi Mansion, chatting softy like a lady, bringing in Rudra's topics surprised Tej a lot. She irritated him however at the end of two days it was an open secret of the deal. Huffing at her melodramatic and whimpering sessions Tej had booted her out, asking her to only visit when needed.

"My sweet daughter-in-law is here to talk about her brother-in-law, my son. Now get out. You are only allowed in as my daughter not his sista. Got it?" He had growled making Annika roll her eyes at the sight.

And that was the start of her mission #helpRudy even though Rudra had many times jeopardized her moments with her husband.

She would do anything for a deal. For winter collection and help her husband.

Today was the same case.

The entire Oberoi family visited a reputed designer clothing line for their dinner party. As per Rudra's suggestion, the family had agreed to wear similar clothes showing off their harmony, as he said.

Tej was too amused with Annika. At first, he thought her a little bratty kid having her life revolving around her loving parents and her fantasies. But at his utter dissatisfaction, she was the epitome of calmness with a pinch of crazy ideas running in her mind.

She was too simple and similar to him. He concluded.

As the ladies began wandering length around the corner, Tej sat and observed her. She and his lad were looking at some dresses, and in precise Shivaay was forcefully asked to review the cloth.

"Annika just take it. It's nice." Shivaay flipped the short maxi and showed her.

"No. It's not. Did you see the price? It's too much." She rolled her eyes watching the price tag and blew a sigh with irritation rilling up. "I will take you to sasta bazaar. I and baba always go there." She added.

"I will pay it." Shivaay smilingly said as he showed his plastic money waving at her sight. "You already loved it. Take it." He urged her.

"Sista papa is paying for all of us. In fact, he already paid a lump sum." Tej slapped his head with his palm as his younger son interrupted and also spoiled the shot.

"Really?" Rudra enthusiastically nodded his head before grabbing a few turtle neckline shirts.

"Shivi hold this." Annika hurriedly stuffed the yellow max into Shivaay's arm and went ahead to grab a few more clothes ranging from a variety of different types.

Anarkali to ripped jeans. A chiffon saree to short denim. Everything.

Tej and Shivaay just stood rooted to the ground gapping at her with amusement written all over their face. Shivaay broke out laughing seeing his wife who animatedly ran from one side to another.

"Why miss a chance!" Annika sheepishly smiled as she dumped all the clothes on the billing counter. It was a pile.

"Smart move Ms Hotheaded," Tej commented as he passed his debit card to the woman at the counter.

"Sasur Ji you are a billionaire. One zero missing wouldn't cause much difference. And Shivi is my husband, so I can't think of consuming his hard work." He raised his brows being offended by her.

"So I don't work hard? Only your Shivi does?" Tej enquired with a stern look. Shivaay wanted to bang his head on the nearest wall or earth to scatter and swallow him. His wife was a walking-talking disaster. Always prone to such.

"Not like that." Annika rubbed her nape as she began. "You are experienced while Shivi and I are still immature. We are following your path. You are an inspiration to us. Many more of the country." Tej was visibly happy about her successful diplomatic answers to divert him. Breaking into a small giggle, Tej walked ahead to his wife, who was too busy with the selection.

"You should learn from my daughter. Wah! What answers she has and money-minded she is!" He exclaimed happily. "You should learn to save your husband's money as she did. However, you love shopping."

"That is my baby! Such a sweetheart." Pinky walked into the conversation along with her husband, who broke into a brighter smile.

"Sonu is best," Shakti surmised.

•••

Rudra and Shivaay sat on the high stools of the ice cream parlour leaning toward the desk and indulging in the ice cream. That is when Rudra pipped in with his best puppy face.

"Sista is coming with me to the sets." He informed lowering his eyes and ears.

"Why? She has exams. It's just a few days away." Shivaay gritted his jaws as he shoot a glare at his younger brother.

"She- is coming to look at the contract papers I signed up. In short my assistant. She is such a good bhabi better than my brother." Rudra tsked with pitiful eyes.

"Hmm. Whatever. What's the deal?"

"Huh." Rudra shuttered with his words. "No deal. There is nothing. That sort of."

"No bargain, no Annika. I know her very well. What is she taking to help you with this time?" Shivaay smirked as he continued to dig into his brownies.

"I promised to help with taxi charges." Shivaay furrowed his eyebrows in complication. "She said petrol and diesel charges are roaring a lot and she needs to travel a lot for visa process. So-"

"She too much sometimes." Shivaay chuckled. "Ignore her." Rudra nodded at him.

"You talk to papa about me." Rudra butted up. "You love you lot. He might doesn't listen to me but you. Please. Help."

With a straight face, Shivaay refused and continued feasting on the vanilla ice cream, and ignored him.

"Hey! Shivaay!" Shivaay twirled his face hearing his name being called from a distance. To his surprise, a young lady waved her hands in the air and approached him.

"Remember? Adhya? Worked together in a cafe?" She asked as she stepped into his private space.

"Yeah, I do." He smiled as he shook hands formally with her.

A couple of minutes later after asking about well-being and all Adhya fiddled with her fingers and nervously chewed her lips. Trembling to ask something.

"I have been wanting to ask you something for a long time. But you were unreachable." She says as she kneels on one knee.

Rudra stood dumbfounded by the turns of events. Till months back he thought of himself as Romeo of the Oberoi family and much to his dismay his elder brother had outsmarted him by marrying his sista.

Taking this as appropriate revenge against his brother for always teaming with his father, Rudra pulled out his phone and began clicking pictures of the scene ahead.

"I like you a lot, Shivaay. In a romantic relationship. I have tried to contact you for days but couldn't. I wanted to tell you before but I was scared. Today im mustered out my courage. Will you be my boyfriend?" The lady in her knee says.

A huge crowd gathered surrounding them.

"I'm sorry." Without wasting a minute further Shivaay said in a calm and composed way. And helped her to stand on her feet. "I'm already someone's husband." He mumbled showing off his wedding rings which stayed on the ring finger of his left hand.

"What?" She visibly paled.

"I'm married Adhya."

"You didn't tell me."

"We haven't been friends so that I could tell you. We were just co-workers in the same place. I'm unhappy that I have indirectly played into your feelings."

"I love you Shivaay. I attended the event only because of you." She cried hysterically throwing herself on Shivaay. Annoyed with it, Shivaay struggled with her hold and was about to push her when he heard her, his wife's voice.

"Shivi-" he swirled to glance at her. Tears looked down her cheeks.

***
I don't know what it has turned out.
Reviews are appropriate.

But do vote, comment and show your support because I take an effort to pen down everything and in return, I get less than previous chapter votes. Not that I mind, perhaps, his demotivates at the level. Try to keep a consistently good number so that I can continue and not keep it on hold till my free time.