‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

After thinking hard for two days, Shivaay initiated the conversation. Typing 'Hey Anika! Shivaay here... Busy?', he kept his phone away. After twenty minutes, she replied back 'Hi..not really just talking with dad and sister'. And their chats continue...

Shivaay|Anika

So, enjoying your family time?

Yeah, very much and you?

Nothing just following my dad to office.

Wow, so you are from business background?

Yeah, since my grand dad time.

Hmm, so what you guys doing as main in business?

Well, everything...Yeah

Everything?.. So you must be a rich guy?

I got bored hearing this

Eh, first tell me what's your firm name?

Do you know Oberois?

OMG, The Oberois? You're not kidding ryt?😱

What do you think?😉

I don't know..😶

Wait, it's nothing to do with me okay. I'm just a simple man who still depending to my parents for money.

We're in same boat, but I'm working as part timer too, in an event company.

That means you're richer than me 😉

LOL😏😒

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

While their chats continues to day and nights, they started to get comfortable with each other. They became good friends in short period of time. Sharing their likes,dislikes and other stuffs. Sooner, their chats turn into phone calls and sometimes Skype. They both enjoyed this new feelings equally. They glad that they could maintain a healthy relationship.

Days passed, shivaay wanted to meet Anika badly. He can not just talk to her through phone calls and chats, yeah he will Skype her too, but that's not enough for him. He wanted to talk to her looking into her eyes. Shivaay is not really a fan of love in first sight. When he saw Anika for the first time, he got curious on how could someone ignore him, ignore the Shivaay Singh Oberoi. He still don't know what made him run all the way to auditorium to watch her performing, all he think was it might be some attraction. But after all those chats and phone calls, he realized that he is in love with Anika. Apart from those girls who always love to irritate him with their fake concern love dramas, he like the way Anika talk to him even after knowing him as a rich guy. Anika was so natural to him, she never ever try to impress him like other girls. It was him who try to impress Anika. This simple attitude of her made Shivaay fall for her deeply.

"Will she reciprocate the same feeling as me? Or am I going too fast to be in relationship? What if she thinks that I'm taking advantage on our friendship? "

Shivaay was in deep thoughts. He tried to flirt wth her many times and anika always took it in a funny ways. He already shared everything about him to her. Literally everything, starting from his families, friends, business to the girlfriend dramas. Thought anika never shared anything in details about her, he understand her privacy. He only knows that Anika don't have mother. And he only loves her,only Anika, not her family or other things. He have nothing to do with her family backgrounds and pasts. He too indirectly told her that he's very much single. All Shivaay wanted to know is, what is anika feeling about him. And for that he need to meet her in person. All the late night talks only make him more desperate to meet her. While he behaving like a love struck teenager, Shivaay totally forgot about two souls which always spy on him. That is none other than Omkara and Rudra. It was their favourite job to stalk on shivaay. Some how Shivaay will always manage to escape from them giving some lame yet accepting excuses.

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

Shivaay successfully begged a dinner date from Anika. Not really a dinner date, because Anika will be coming with her two other friends. But it doesn't matter now, as long as he could see her face. Shivaay too decided to bring along his friends Rahul, Mathew and Noric. Dress up in a blue T-shirt and black jeans Shivaay looks dashing as usual. Later four of them joined by Anika and friends. Anika introduce her friends Chandna and Meera to them. She was wearing a white dress printed with red and yellow flowers which looks cute for her. All the while, Shivaay never took his eyes from Anika. He's watching her before his eyes after two months. Only he knows how many efforts he have put to make this day happen. Anika too smiles to him whenever their eyes meet.

By time, the seven of them started have a good bonding. Laughing to each others jokes, they had a good time all together. They boys waited for the girls cab to reach and after sending off them safely, they too went home. Shivaay totally love this meeting. But he was little sad that he couldn't talk with Anika personally. Shivaay lost in the picture they took a while ago. It was a group selfie where anika standing so close to Shivaay while posing. He smile widely to it. Then, he was disturbed by a knock and as expected, it was Omru.

Omru was curious on Shivaay's recent behavior. They told Shivaay that they came to have some obro talks since Shivaay is too busy to care for his brothers. While discovering his new found feeling, Shivaay failed to look after his brothers. He is guilty for ignoring them. Shivaay decided to tell them about Anika, maybe they can help him out in some way. He told Omru about everything except her name. He don't want reveal her name and photo without knowing Anika's feeling towards him. Even after a lot of pleading from Rudy, Shivaay was strict enough to not to show her picture to them. But both Om and Rudy was so happy knowing about Shivaay's love. Om advice Shivaay to be more serious in this relationship and don't take it as a time pass while Rudy took promise from Shivaay that he should always make time for his brothers. Shivaay realized how ignorant he was to his brothers all these days and promised to never repeat again.

Meanwhile in girls hostel, Anika was surrounded by her friends. Meera and Chandna, they share the same hostel room too. Both of them never fail to notice Shivaay's constant gaze on Anika while having dinner. They can clearly predict that Shivaay have feelings for Anika. While both of them teasing her, Anika only could tell them that they are a good friends. Anika knows Shivaay belongs to a rich family and rich boys always find a girl equal to their level which Anika is not. She too remember how Shivaay told about some girls tried to impress him. He is way too far from her in both status and personality. How can he love a average looking middle class girl she thought.

At the same time, Anika couldn't deny how sweet and gentleman he was. Shivaay always give priority to her comfortableness and that behavior of him attracted Anika a lot. She also love his carefree and caring nature. There is not at all any arrogant like other rich boys. More than that, his humbleness and the respect he gave her attracted Anika way too much. The way Shivaay care for her and his loving nature always made Anika to admire him. She can not deny the fact that she likes him. But is it love? She have no answer. She don't want to grow unwanted feelings and lose her friendship. If she only knows Shivaay have feelings for her too. Anika choose to ignore the teasing from her friends.

By days pass by, Shivaay and Anika's bond grow more stronger. Anika too started to have some love kind feelings towards Shivaay but she decided to keep silent. Shivaay will never love someone like her she thought. Their late night talks extended to early morning talks only to rewarded by dark circles. Shivaay became an online mentor to Anika. She always love the way Shivaay teaching her not bothering the time. Not forgetting that Shivaay too became an alarm clock for Anika. Waking her up in the morning, reminding about her assignments and meal time, Anika genuinely happy and overwhelmed over his caring and loving nature.

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

It has been almost eight months since they know each other. Both Shivaay and Anika loves each other and both of them knew it. It's just that no one dare to confess it directly. After getting confirmation that Anika too have feelings for him from her friends, Shivaay decided to propose Anika. After a serious discussion with his friends include Chandna and Meera, they came out with a vacation plan. So that Shivaay and Anika can spent some alone time and Shivaay too can propose Anika.

When Shivaay approach Anika for  vacation, first anika was hesitant. She know that she'll be very safe with Shivaay and his friends. But she was not sure whether her friends will agree or not. Poor soul never know about the drama her friends did. Finally they decided to go for a two days picnic in a forest. Two days and one night to be prescribe. They can have adventurous activities like hiking, rafting, water fall and at night they can enjoy setting up campfire. It was their plan. Shivaay royally denied when his friends gave him some proposal ideas. He don't want to make it so grand like his friends told, all he wanted to do was express his feelings to her, to give her the trust, to make her feel his unconditional love. More than showing off, he wanted to express his love for her. Their plan was going to picnic on Saturday, staying back that night and coming back on Sunday evening after sunset and everyone happily agreed for it.

As planned everything went well. The seven of them which is Shivaay, Rahul, Mathew, Noric, Anika, Chandna and Meera reach the place early morning. They spent their first day on hiking and rafting. Being  a clumsy Anika, she was too fast to reach the clift top and Shivaay too tried his level best to keep up with her fast steps. There is a time when anika almost slipped off due to the damp soil but Shivaay was fast enough to pull her towards him. After that incident Shivaay never left her hand, he hold her hand into a tight grip. Same goes while rafting, Shivaay make sure she was safe. Anika too equally enjoyed his care and protection. Soon dusk surrounded the bright sky, at first everyone planned to watch sunset together but they are too exhausted after hiking and rafting, so everyone decided to have an early dinner and short nap so that they can enjoy the camp fire later. While everyone sleeping, Shivaay sneakily went out to prepare for his proposal things.

Later, everyone was seated in a round around camp fire. They enjoyed to the max by cracking jokes, dancing and singing. Anika too sing a song all the time looking at Shivaay which only made Shivaay fall more for her. While everyone was too busy in uniting Shivaay and Anika, they failed to notice another love birds who already started their dating phase. This news come as shock to everyone. They are Mathew and Meera. Shivaay cursed himself under his breathe for taking too long to propose Anika even after so many months, while his friend was too fast than him. Finally they ended their night with a couple dance of the new love birds Mathew and Meera.

Anika was in deep sleep which is disturbed by her vibrating phone. It flashed Shivaay's name, anika was confused on why Shivaay should call her now. "Shivaay is everything okay?" Asked anika worriedly right after answering his call. Shivaay smiled listening to her sleepy voice. "Anika I'm sorry for disturbing you, can you come out now if you don't mind? I'm waiting outside" said Shivaay and without waiting for her reply he ended the call. A confused Anika, slowly walk out of her tent. Shivaay chuckled looking at her still sleepy face and messy hair. Anika was wearing a hello kitty pyjamas looking all cute.

Ani : Shivaay why you call me here? You haven't sleep yet? ( asked anika yawning)

Shivaay look so nervous. This is the first time he going to propose a girl, he never knew what her answer will be but he decided to express his feelings to her, at least he can sleep peacefully after that.

Shiv : Ani, can you follow me to some place? I want to show you something.

Ani : Now? Shivaay...

Shiv : Do you trust me Anika?

Ani : of course I trust you, but it's too dark here. It's not safe to roam around this time.

Shiv : Just follow me Anika, we are safe.

Anika just nodded and followed Shivaay. He lead her to the waterfall. There, Shivaay decorated the wooden bench with some candles, rose petals and glow in dark lights. It looks simple yet beautiful and the reflection of glowing moon on the waterfall made it more beautiful. Anika left speechless to the view infront her. Anika already assumed what going to happen next. Shivaay grab a bouquet of ninety nine red roses and gave it to her. Her heart stated to beat fastly when shivaay kneel down and grab her right hand. Shivaay started to pour out his heart. It's never cheesy but very genuine to overwhelm Anika. He ended his proposal with " I've decided it's you whom I wanted spend rest of my life, it's either you or no one else. I love you Anika." Anika's happiness has no bound. No one can make her more special than this. But she was confused at the same time. She know she love him but why can't she tell him the same, Even after he goes on his knees ? The guy which most of the girls drool over and dying to be his, has proposed her. Apart from all the rich and beautiful girls, what made him to propose her, she wonder?

By looking at her face Shivaay understood what she must be thinking. So he continue, "Anika, I know what you're thinking. You don't have to answer me now, take your own time. Don't hesitate to tell me even it's a NO. I just wanted to confess my feelings to you long time ago and I did, now I can sleep peacefully. You have all your rights to choose your life wisely okay. It doesn't mean your answer should be yes." Can someone more gentle than him she wonder. She wanted to scream yes but she can't. She need to share this with her friends first because she's too happy to take a decision. Maybe her friends can help her. "Shivaay, I really don't know what to say, you made me so special and happy. No one ever done such things for me, it's make me so happy yet weird. I don't know it's a mix feeling. I..I..can you understand that I.." Anika stammered. "I told you anika, you don't have to hurry. Take all your time, I can wait" Shivaay finished.

Shivaay clearly understood her inner turmoil. He know her answer will be positive but he have to wait. He can wait his whole life to hear a YES from her, after all she's worth to wait. Then they move back to their camping site. Anika carefully keep the bouquet inside her luggage, she thank herself for bringing the big luggage despite all the teasing from her friends. It perfectly fit the big bouquet, then she drifted to sleep with all blushing face, she can feel butterflies in her stomach. She decided to tell her friends once they back to hostel.

The second and last day went on by watching sunrise, playing in waterfall and enjoying a barbeque lunch. They really enjoyed allot. They also promised to plan such trips on every semester break. All this while, anika and Shivaay stealing glances on each other. They find it awkward to start a conversation. While their friends thought that Shivaay never propose Anika, they thought he messed up a beautiful opportunity. Because Shivaay don't want to tell his friends now, he wanted to tell them happily after getting a yes from anika, so for that, he have to wait. Later, the boys drop girls in their hostel safely and went back to their apartment. Shivaay planned to stay with Mathew and Noric in their apartment that day. All he wanted now is to hear her voice. He can understand her situation but he already started to miss her especially her chirping voice talking to him. Will she say yes? What if she says No? No one can predict a girl's mind, they can change their mind fraction of seconds but still he hope she will say yes.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡