"Sir we will get into a problem," Rehan whispered unable to stop the visitors to pass into the apartments.

Omkara was present along with his wife, her biological mother and her stepfather. All were currently in front of guards seeking permission to greet Annika. Regardless, they still had a lot of things to cover up.

"You know us, Rehan," Omkara added sensing his need to interfere in the talks.

"Yeah, I know. But I'm working for Annika ma'am. Without her words, I can't do anything" Rehan tried to convince them, however they didn't bulge their places.

"Ask her. I'm her mother." Mrs Bajaj controlled her flowing tears. Ever since she got to know that her daughter was in a pathetic situation she cried for her daughter.

"Just a minute." Rehan walked back to talk with his employer before allowing them. Though he remembered how Shivaay was scared to meet them, perhaps the elder woman's crying wasn't a sight to see. She was shredding continues tears.

Mr and Mrs Bajaj stayed still, their eyes were stuck on Rehan. Inspecting actions of his. Having no child of their own, Vipul Bajaj considered Annika and Gauri as his own. However, he still didn't have the guts to face his eldest daughter, who hates them to the core. Though his love for Anuradha was right perhaps his actions to stay with her was wrong. He could have taken some supplementary ways to woo her. Now he has completely realised how wrong he was. Conceivably it was too late to rectify the issues.

"It's all because of you both." He heard Gauri muttered under her breathe. He could sense her displeasure in accompanying them to meet Annika. Not divulging into the matter, he remained still.

"Please come. Don't create a ruckus thinking that ma'am agreed to meet. I'm only adequate to punch you all." All gulped as Rehan warned with a cold tone. Their body quivered with his threatening.

Anyway, brushing the thoughts away all walked to the respective floor. Gauri's eyes twinkled glancing at the posh residential apartment. Glancing at the red rose plants sowed throughout the corridor she walked sidewise her husband, muttering that she would also plant them on Oberoi mansion.

She scoffed how her mother in law  Jhanvi warned her this morning, before leaving the mansion. She was strictly prohibited not to speak sickly, and she wasn't even allowed to take her daughter with her. Gauri was surprised by her behaviour, a sudden change in her. Jhanvi's eyes moistened while speaking of Shivaay. Seeing her like that, Gauri was puzzled. And was more determined to discover what's going on.

.

"Sir these are the summary of the land behind the city railway station." Sneha upheld the reports to him and he passed a grateful smile in return.

"That's great. Where is Rudra? Didn't you inform of the meeting?" Shivaay asked turning the pages of the file. He picked his fountain pen and whirled before signing up the paper.

"I'm here." Rudra barged into the cabin. Shivaay rolled his eyes at his punctuality. Though he knew Rudra was too lazy and punctuation wasn't his shoes yet knowing he groaned at his timing.

"I'm so sorry. I dozed late. Sorry." Rudra walked inside the room with his best puppy face that had would once work.

"Sleep early and get up early," Shivaay mumbled with his low tone and proceeded to check on the summaries.

Rudra smiled widely watching his brother back to work. His behaviour was normal and was still recovering, however, still, Rudra was over the moon looking at him. Seeing him in one piece made his heart swell in happiness.

"Bhaiya these are the portfolio of renowned architects. I have shortlisted a few, your selection will be final." Rudra handed over the file, which he was working on for a week.

"Hmm. So it's decided that we will tie up with Pea-Space firm. That's of Ms Arpita Mehra. " Shivaay happily placed the file down after looking at it for minutes. He got up struggling with the cast and tried standing steadily.

"But Bhaiya, that is a start-up company. They don't have experience in huge budgets." Rudra tried negotiating with him. He remembered that the company was still taking baby steps but had a good name on its account, regardless, he felt that they should bring the best team to work on this project.

"Yes. That's the reason. Even we are new in this field so it must be fair." Rust tried absorbing the words Shivaay said. But those words were too diplomatic and he couldn't appreciate them.

"Sneha inform them regarding the project. And I want them with their best designs after the field inspection." Sneha nodded at him and made a short note to call the firm by 11. Before lunch.

"That's all for today. If an emergency please call me or Rudra will work on it." All bobbed their head at Shivaay, he kept on speaking about the firm and how it should be handled.

"Bhaiya I will come with you." Rudra jogged towards Shivaay. Shivaay was still limping, pressuring one of his legs. Rudra was amused to see Shivaay with the casual dress even surprisingly his footwear too. Overdue he realised that he could not wear the shoes, so he had the flippers on.

His eyes jerked as his brother suddenly started barking on his phone. His eyes travelled from the flippers to his brother's face and settled down over there. Pushing away his thoughts he concentrated on his words.

"Khanna I'm going to dump you in the dustbin. Why aren't you there? I will ask Annika to fire you. You are no use. Damn" Rudra's eyes went wide, listening to his swears. Khanna was the only one with them and now he was also on the verge of being detonated, Rudra was scared to death.

Just thinking of the thoughts Rudra had goosebumps crawling on his skin. He knew Khanna's importance in Shivaay's life, yet he couldn't question his brother.

"Idiot Khanna," Shivaay muttered angrily and turned to watch Rudra. Only to see him rooted to the ground as if he had heard some terrible news.

"Khanna. You are dumping him?" Rudra spoke with minimal effort. It came out like a question, urgently needed to be solved immediately.

"Oh my God. Look at your face." Shivaay started laughing beholding his pale face. Rudra furrowed his brows looking at him confused. Why was he laughing?

"It's his wedding his weekend. And I had worked hard to get an appointment with a spa for Khanna. He ran away without considering the treatments. So this is the reason I was shouting at him. I had promised Mitali a good looking man." Shivaay shook his head, disappointed with Khanna's behaviour. He wasn't only disappointed but also extremely angry with him.

"I thought... Never mind. I can come with you. You know what I mean." Rudra fiddled with his fingers, hoping for a 'no' as an answer.

"Yup. You can have the cakes I and Khanna made. Come" Rudra was shocked with his answer. He had guessed that he would decline him. Not after suffering all for him and his brother Om.

.

"Would you like to have something? Coffee or snacks." Vipul eyed his eldest stepdaughter. She was behaving oddly, not showing her genuine hatred. His breath synchronised with his heartbeat. He felt as if the organs were just about to jump through his ears.

"Jiji, coffee along with something light would be fine." Gauri smiled answering back at her.

"Leela, please get the brownies with coffee," Annika ordered domestic help and walked back to the hall to face her relatives.

"How is he?" Om asked glancing at the whole house and finding that he wasn't present at home.

"He went with Khanna Ji for a spa. He will be back in a few minutes." Annika answered looking at the wall clock.

The living room was another piece of masterwork. The tortilla coloured walls looked perfectly combined with the brightest lights arching through the corners. The greyish beige settee was more than enough for people occupying now. Few goldenrod cushions were laid on the sofas along with a few other black ones. The room was modern-themed with black and light brown colours.

"The brownies are sugar-free. Damad Ji was very concerned about Annika's health, so he has used dark chocolates and sugar-free. It's lit' sweet." Chachi Ji added looking at their sour face.

Gauri was surprised. As she knew her elder sister never had any health problems. But as her aunt spoke, she fell into deep silencing thoughts. Thinking of Chachi Ji's and Annika's sudden change in relation.

"Monali you said you work as a receptionist?" Anuradha asked seeing her as if she lived here. A mother in her grew envious of Monali as she was in her place. And she was deprived of it.

"Ji haan, maine naukaree chod de hai. Annika ke tabeeyat thek nahin the." Anuradha wanted to ask more about her health. After all, she was her mother, she had all rights to know. But she was interrupted by a loud screeching voice.

"Annika. Kya voh bewakof ghar aaya tha?" Annika walked to the door only to see Shivaay muttering angrily along with Rudra.

She facepalmed. This wasn't the right time to bring Rudra with him. And most importantly, Shivaay was present and was just a few seconds away from basting on the guests inside.

"Bewakof?" She scratched her scalp at not understanding.

"Where is that Khanna? Bhaag gaya in between his spa treatment. I'm not leaving him today, you had saved him many times but not today." Shivaay warned her for taking his side.

"Khanna Ji was with you right. He didn't come here." Annika followed him into the living hall where all were present.

Their hands were dripping wet, especially Mr and Mrs Bajaj. Sacred to face him.

"What the fuck" 

*****

Holla guys.
NO, PROOFREAD.
Do vote, share and comment. Also, share in your message board if you like it.
Waiting for your comments. 🖤🖤:-P