The day was somewhat a hectic one for Anika. She was almost all over the office checking everyone's work and making sure things were in place. Vishal and Tanuja were dedicated people, they'd seen to most of the things.

It was close to lunch time. Anika sat going through the detailed contract with the designer. Vishal pushed open the door slightly asking for permission. She smiled looking up at him.

"Not having lunch yet?" he inquired as he walked in and sat on the chair opposite to hers. He was always more like a friend than an employee. Anika smiled, "Last file."

"Umm-there was a small problem, but don't worry it's taken care for." he added the latter part quickly.

"What?" she looked up immediately trying to read his face.

"The KK Photography Studios demanded for more money. They had apparently done a lot of work on the pre-wedding shoot. They demanded a double up for shooting the wedding."

"What ! How can they! We had ourselves clear..!" A frown etched itself on her face.

"Like I said, worry not, I have got Mohan Studios on it. Now, if you'd take care of yourself and have lunch that would be great! Oh-yes Tanuja is gone down to the church so she asked me to tell you she wouldn't be able to make it by lunch."

"Okay!" Anika glanced back at the file in head. He sighed, taking the file from her hand."You eat first."

"Vishal--"

"No. Eat. You've been running around like crazy since morning. Seeming nothing short of a  workaholic. That's a terrible vibe for employees to get- workaholic boss!"

She grinned."I just want everything to run smoothly. "

"It will." He reassured with a smile.

"You- had lunch?" She asked in goodwill.

"Ahh- I will, once I am sure you've eaten. While you eat, I'd brief you on what happened at the meeting yesterday. By the way how was your family outing yesterday?"

"Lovely." she smiled and then controlled her laughter remembering what happened at the mall.

"Hmm, it's nice to see you smile genuinely than look depressed."

Anika looked up and met his gaze. "Thank you, for--"

"Well. Madam, friendship is two way street. Skip the thank-yous, I'd prefer leaves, Boss!" he winked.

Anika laughed. "Oh- no. Not happening. Your holiday equals double work for me."

"Same pinch. So you owe me one for yesterday."

"Mr. Vishal, the details of the meeting, please?"

"Typical Boss." He remarked opening the diary while she walked over to the microwave and heated the lunch she had got from home.

* * *

Shivaay was reading the monthly report of the Delhi hotel but his mind was somewhere else. It was almost half crossed lunch time. His eyes kept traveling to his phone. He hoped she at least texted him asking whether he had had lunch. Eventually, giving up he silently asked the peon to get him lunch. Perhaps she was very busy with the preparations and stuff. He knew how the day before an event was at the office. He smiled, she was so much better than him at it.The company's profits and the feedback from clients showed how efficient she was. He was so proud of her.

After lunch, he finally, decided to make the call. He called her twice but it went unanswered. She never used to ignore his calls. At least not, until few months back. But whatever it was, she always texted back saying she was busy or whatever the scene was or making up something.

He grew restless. She was on his mind, every minute. Ever since he had come back he couldn't help but occupy himself with anything related to her or her! Not that it wasn't this way when he was away. He thought at least after coming back his restless mind would have peace- but on the contrary he now knew what real restlessness was like!

He called the office and asked for his call to be transferred to Anika's office. "hello," her straight voice fell into his ears and he took a sigh of relief.

"Anika- where's your phone? "

The receiver almost slipped from her hand. She never expected his call on the office phone. "Shivaay!" her voice gave away her surprise. "My-m-phone-" she looked around, her table was a mess. She finally found her phone. "Oh, it's here--um--oo--Sorry, I didn't see the calls and messages."

"That's okay. " he said joggling his head. "You had lunch?"

"Yes. You?" She smiled at his concern.

"Yeah, I just did. " 

An awkward silence followed. "Okay then, See you. Oh yes, what time do I pick you up?" He did not want to pry but hell he wanted to be there for her. 

"You don't have to, Shivaay. I will take a cab. You'll be busy and then tired. I don't know what time I'd be free. Need to check on a few things. I will meet you at home. " She toyed with the file's edge as she spoke.

"Alright. Love you!" He cut the call. A serious expression looming on his face. He almost threw the phone on his table. After a minute of silence, he picked it back up. Angrily, he took his coat off his chair and stormed off to the conference hall. Why was she being so irritating? She didn't want him to pick her up? Since when?

* * *

It was close to nine in the night. Shivaay was upset. He didn't want to call her and disturb. He knew how crazy it would be. But he couldn't stop fretting. She had sent a message in the evening saying she was running late. Half an hour ago she had said she was on the way. He knew how bad the traffic was. He had finished making a few of his business calls and other work. He had also taken a nice long shower and changed into a fresh T-shirt and tracks. He was helping the caretaker set the table. His eyes lit up when the bell rang. She entered looking tired and greeted the elderly woman who opened the door for her.

Her eyes met his. "Hi!" A spontaneous smile made way to her face. Only he could do that. 

"Hey!" He walked over to her side and gave her hug. She could still manage to look pretty with her hair tied in a ponytail with unruly locks dangling close to her cheek. He pressed a quick kiss on her temple. "Freshen up. Dinner is ready!" Her eyes shone, this warmth. She never wanted to miss it again. 

* * *

Seeing her tired he asked the caretaker to clear the table he had set up with the new cutlery and candles. The older lady looked at him baffled. He then carried their dinner to the room. The older woman smiled, she had known Shivaay ever since he was a small boy. Anika sure had subdued his ego and stubbornness. 

Anika was surprised to find him with the dinner in the room. She was so sleepy already. He pulled her to sit on the bed while she kept watching him with that fluttering feeling in her heart. 

She sat crossed leg with her back against the bed rest. Her mouth was already watering seeing her favorite pasta on the plate. Perfect dinner. She took a fork and dunked it into the plate. 

"Hmm..this is the best!" She exclaimed chewing.

His lips curled up and eyes squeezed to express the smile. The smile when you see your world happy. Her phone rang, she picked up the call pointing at him to eat.

He began eating while she spoke to Nia, the bride. She was awesome at giving moral support. He listened to her amused while she explained to Nia how to calm herself quoting examples from her own experience. He couldn't help but grin at what he heard. She slept with her parents the day before the wedding? He didn't know that minute detail.

"Nia, just inhale and feel whatever it is today. Trust me the new chapter will be as beautiful as the next. You need to relax. You trust Joseph, right? Then all you've to do is just feel the best moments of your life. I know it feels like your world is going to flip- there will be duties, expectations, new relations, new roles you will have to play. But remember he will be with you, by you at every step. That's enough. Now, go to bed okay and have faith that the best day of your life is on it's way."

"I feel better already. I guess I will call you tomorrow night as well!" Nia chuckled, though her low voice gave away how unsure she was.

Anika laughed. "First night isn't as nerve-racking as it is described in general. " the minute she had said that he looked up at her and they had an eye lock. Shyly breaking their eye-lock, she quickly ended the conversation.

"Hmm tell me about it!" He winked, extending the fork to her mouth. 

"It's a girl talk, you know !" She completed taking the bite. She loved it when he fed her. 

"Oh come one. I heard first night. So, there is me there. So, your first night wasn't nerve-racking? As far as I remember you were so anxious that you wore your night dress inside out. " a smug smile played on his lips.

"No..that was because I was- aah -tired. "

"So you are trying to imply, you weren't nervous?" He said his interest growing, as he fed the last bite to her.

"Why would I be?" She asked savoring the last bite.

"Why not?" He asked placing the fork down. "You want to have some more?"

"No. I am full till here!" She said animatedly placing her hand on her neck. 

He chuckled. "Tell me, why not?"

"Because I was comfortable with you."

His eyebrow arched up impressed. "Okay, but still, you were nervous."

"I wasn't!" She challenged him.

He leaned closer. "You were. Very."

She blushed slightly, "I wasn't. We had kissed before that so why would I be nervous?"

"Anika kiss is one thing. That is another. You know the difference now. I can bet you were nervous. You thought I'd probably pounce on you on bed."

"What! No." she said pushing his shoulder slightly. The inches between them had begun to get heavy with tension. " I knew you were - understanding. " she said slowly. "You always understood me better than I did" her heart got heavier. Why did he not understand now? 

He blinked at her. He knew she was getting emotional. He could feel it in her words. She slowly moved her face closer to his. She slowly pressed her lips against his giving him a long peck on the lips. 

"Anika-" he began. He couldn't wait anymore to solve this complex feeling between them. Which kept them so much in pain.

"Shivaay, I am sleepy." she said quickly. She did not want to emotionally torture herself when she was already so drained physically. 

"Okay." He said quickly putting the plates aside and getting up. 

"Good night!" He said walking out to keep the plates. 

"Shivaay-" He turned to face her as she called out to him.  

"Thank you. And you are coming tomorrow right?" The Mehras had obviously invited the Oberois. 

"Yes. But I am not sure if my wife would accompany me. She has got some work."  He replied with a grin appearing on his face.

"Are you asking your wife whether she'd be by you tomorrow?" She smiled leaning and placing her chin on the pillow looking at him lovingly

"Maybe." he looked at her quizzically.

"Then it's a yes!" 

There that charming smile was back on his handsome face.

* * *

Shivaay woke up to an empty bed beside him. He saw her running up and down the room. She was already ready for the day.

She noticed him waking up. She walked over to his side. Unable to resist the temptation she kissed his forehead running her hand through his hair delicately. "Good morning!"

He smiled at her, "Good Morning!"

"I am leaving, have breakfast before you leave and don't forget to be there on time. "

"Yes. Boss. " he pulled her face closer running his hand to the back of her head. He kissed her cheek and she gazed at him fondly. Hurriedly, she walked out, a shy smile on her face. Her hands reaching for her cheek where he had placed a wet kiss. She sighed. Why wasn't there an erase option available for feelings? She wanted to erase those feelings which were like weeds in their perfect garden of love. 

-Anami!

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