Hi everyone. Missed me? I tried my level best to finish all my works and it's done. I'm on my mid-semester break now, but still since its Diwali... yaar don't ask. Having so much of work to do. Anyways, thank you all for understanding and being patient!  Love you all lots. This one is for you guys.

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The Oberoi ladies including Anika were still chatting in the living room when Shivaay came to Oberoi Mansion.

'Billu! How come you are so late? I thought you'll be here within 20 minutes after the call!', Dadi teased him.

Only after that did all of them realized that Shivaay was a bit tensed.

'Shivaay? What happened? Why are you so tensed?', Jhanvi Aunty asked. Shivaay just avoided looking at her and went up to Dadi to get her blessings and sat next to Anika.

'Shivaay??', Anika looked at him with a 'you can tell me' look.

'It's good that all of you are here. Actually I needed to inform something. There's some critical finance issue going on in our New York branch and it requires my presence there. So Dadi, Anika and... Mom (after quite a long pause), I'll be flying there tonight. Khanna will be coming with me and Om will look after the things here. Ms. Chanda is checking on the tickets. I'll confirm my flying time with you guys as soon as I receive a word from her', Shivaay informed them.

'But Shivaay tonight itself??? Is the issue that bad???', Anika asked worriedly.

'Apparently!', Shivaay confirmed her. Dadi and Jhanvi Aunty gave him their blessings.

'I'll take my leave now. I'll call you guys before boarding the flight', Shivaay assured them.

'Anika, do you want me to drop you back home or you wish to stay here for a bit longer?', he asked as he was leaving.

'I'll come with you!', Anika uttered without thinking for a second and left with him not before hugging both Dadi and Jhanvi Aunty.

While they were in the car, both of them kept quiet. At one junction to Anika's home, she stopped him and insisted him to go to his home. Shivaay even though reluctant at first, he brought her to his home after her constant pestering. As soon as they reached his home, Shivaay went upto his room and took his mini suitcase out. Anika was right behind him.

'How long will you be there?', she asked.

'Not quite sure. I'll have to be there until all the issue is solved', he informed her mindlessly as he was hurriedly taking a few suits from his wardrobe.

'Take a larger suitcase then. I'll help you in packing', she offered and went ahead into his wardrobe to take out the bigger suitcase. She struggled to pull it out as it was placed on the top shelf.

'Anika, what are you doing?', Shivaay stopped her from taking the suitcase out by pushing it in with one push. It was as if he was showing his anger on the suitcase.

'I'm taking the suitcase out. Helping you to pack! Nothing else', she uttered a bit afraid. (Not of him but the way he behaved).

'I've done my packing. See!', he showed her the mini suitcase which is compact with his clothing.

'This small one is for how long? You'll be needing more suits right? Have you taken all your things? Your pharmacy shop... I mean... your medicine box?? Your gadgets?? And then, your chargers?? How about your special shampoo and shower gel??', Anika was bombarding him with all those questions coming to her mind without even giving him a gap to answer.

Too bad Shivaay knew how to make her quiet. He grabbed her neck with both of his hands and smashed his lips on hers. Anika opened her mouth when she gasped at his sudded action. Shivaay took this chance to deepen the kiss. Soon, they broke the kiss as both needed to catch up their breath. They rested their foreheads on each other with a satisfactory smile Im both their faces. Shivaay's one hand was on her neck and the other around her waist while Anika's one hand was around his shoulders and the other was holding his arms.

'Kitna poochegi yaar tum? (How many questions will you ask?) At least stop to breath!', he told her while being in the same pose.

'How can I do that?? You're taking my breath away to New York! And that too don't know for how long! I can't even come with you as I don't have American visa. I'm worried Shivaay!', she cribbed.

'Don't worry too much Anika. It's good in a way that you'll be here. It will be motivating me to finish my work fast and return here back to you! So please, stop worrying!', Shivaay requested to her.

'Okay!', Anika said with a sad smile.

'Alright! Ohw! Ms. Chanda just messaged that my flight is in another three hours. I should lead to the airport now', he exclaimed as he hurriedly zipped up his suitcase and leave his house.

Shivaay calls upon a driver to get him to the airport. He rushed into the car meanwhile Anika was just following him.

'Anika, stay here. I'll get Om to get you a driver back to home...', he was interrupted by her.

'Shivaay, I want to see you off at the airport, please!', she asked slightly teary eyed.

Shivaay passed her a faint smile and got her along with him in the car. Again they were quiet throughout the journey but this time around, Anika hugged his right hand closer to her while resting her head on his shoulder. Anika was sad and teary-eyed. She didn't want Shivaay to see that, hence she didn't make an eye contact with him at all.

Just then, the driver informed them that they've reached the airport. Anika breaks away from Shivaay and wiped off the tears that escaped her eyes and turned to look at him.

'Stay here. Don't come in. It will be harder for me to go then!', Shivaay instructed her lovingly as he cupped her face.

Anika just nodded agreeing. She knows that even if she goes in, she'll be more sad. She then proceeded to plant a kiss on his jawline.

She then whispered into his ears, 'Have a safe flight. Stay safe and come back to me safe and sound. Call me as soon as you reached and I love you!'.

Shivaay threw his arms around her and pulled her closer to his chest into a hug.

'You also look after yourself well. I'll miss you and I love you!', he reassured her and broke the hug.

'Okay love, I'll be leaving now!', he said as he opened the door and got out from the car. Anika stayed inside the car and waved him goodbye. He also waved back and vanished into the crowd through the glass door.

PRECAP : A leap of several days. Maybe a fortnight.

- To be continued -

P.S. So I know this is quite a short update. Will come up with longer updates next time. Till then, happy reading!