Chapter 43
Shivaay and Anika have reached the camp and they are going to prepare food.
..
..
Shivaay looked at the arrangement to make food, there were earthen pots on ground, lots of smoke was coming out due to burning of cow dung cakes or "eww ke kande" in his language. Vegetables were kept in a basket; some people were sitting on the ground and chairs and chopping them into plates and baskets.
..
..
..
..
Anika nudged his shoulder "Kaisa laga arrangement?" (So, how is the arrangement?) He frowned and looked around "Isse arrangement kehte hain? (You call this arrangement?)"
Anika smacked on his arm to stop him from making disgusted faces "Ap kud kud matt kijiye, ye abhi takk ke saare camps mein se best arrangement hai" (Don't start ranting now, this is one of the best arrangements till date)
Prateek joined them "Ye best part hai village life ka; I came for this kind of experience aur office se kuch din ki free chutti mil jayegi" (This is the best part of village life. I came here for this experience and also for the free holiday")
Anika looked at him, he should really know to whom he is saying all these things, her thoughts were cut by Shivaay's question "So, where do you work?"
Prateek looked at him in confusion "Bro everyone here is from the same company." Shivaay started saying "No I'm not, Im..." but Anika stomped on his foot "He means to say that he is an exception; he works for Design and Decor but he was allowed to volunteer."
Prateek looked at them suspiciously but shrugged his shoulders "Same thing bro"
Anika pulled him to the side "I told you, yahan apni identity nahi batani hai" (I told you that you have to hide your identity in this camp)
Shivaay bit his tongue and smiled sheepishly, Anika could only shake her head at the drama "Acha aisi shakal matt banayiye jaise kisine apko maarne ki dhamki di ho" (okay, now don't make that face like someone is going to murder you)
Anika glared at him when he mumbled "Tumhara koi bharosa nahi hai" (You can do anything)
He immediately turned away and asked his next question to Prateek to save his precious life "Waise what's with the suspense about Superior 4, naam bhi nahi pata hai kisi ko na hi kisi ne shakal dekhi hai? (What's with the suspense, nobody has seen or met Superior 4?)"
One team member confidently stepped ahead "My uncle knows them, they're from London and from a very rich background, but they want to achieve everything on their own. That's why they're hiding their identity, I know their names also"
Everyone's interest was piqued and Anika looked at her employee in amusement when he confidently boasted his knowledge "AGCS means Aanya, Gargi, Chhaya and Shraddha" he was looking way too composed while sharing this fake info. She couldn't stop herself from asking "Are you from Sales department?" He immediately nodded his head "How do you know?" She chuckled at him in amusement, he is the perfect choice for the said department "Nothing just a wild guess."
Shivaay hummed in response to that man and Anika rolled her eyes, so this is how the rumour mill starts? But it's good for her that Shivaay looks convinced with this information. She wants to make things right between them before revealing her identity.
Akash was quiet.but he decided to open his mouth at the wrong time "But they're hawtttt.."
Anika looked at him, this one is really going to get an earful from her, before she could say something Prateek jumped into action "Shut up dude, they're girls not this hot tawa, stop objectifying them like this. Miss A ka karate chop yaad hai Singh ke special treatment ke liye? Tujhe bhi padd jayega kisi din" (Shut up dude, they're girls not some hot cheetos, stop objectifying them like this. Do you remember how Miss A showed her fighting skills to Singhania, you will also learn a good lesson")
Shivaay noticed how Prateek respects girls, maybe he reacted a bit badly when they met for the first time, but right now his curiosity was high for the piece of information he has just received "What karate?"
Prateek chuckled and moved his hands like a martial arts expert "You don't know? Singh ne office mein kisi ladki ke saath misbehave kia tha, Miss A ne aisi laat maari thi ki din mein taare dikh gaye usse, bas ye matt poocho ki kaha maari (You don't know? Singhania misbehaved with some girl in our office, Miss A kicked him so hard that he could have seen stars around him, but don't ask where she kicked him"
Akash scrunched his nose, he witnessed that epic scene from the first row "Ouchhh, yeah I remember dude, I was there. Singh won't be able to have children till next few births."
Prateek grinned widely and showed his wrist "Doosri baar toh poocho hi matt...Miss G ne pehle usko giraya phir Miss A ne toh haath ki haddi hi tod di" (Don't even ask about the second time, Miss G tripped him and Miss A broke his wrist bone)
Shivaay widened his eyes, when he tried to learn about AGCS Corp he came to know about a similar gossip but he never expected it to be true "Ye boss hai ya gunde hain? (Are they bosses or goons?)"
Prateek glared at him, those girls are his favourite in the whole world "Hey bro, not a word against them, I'm their biggest fan"
Anika was listening about her own heroics and laughed after looking at Shivaay's baffled face, she cleared her throat loudly "Ahmmm..agar aap logo ki gossip ho gayi ho toh kuch kaam kar lein, kahin Miss A ko ye gossip pata chal gayi toh?" (Ahmmmm...if you all are done with your gossip, can we go and do some work. What if Miss A gets to know about this gossip session)
Prateek and Akash looked around with horrified faces, what if lady hulk has placed her spies in this camp and they ran away immediately to save their life. Anika laughed at their antics, this lady hulk will surely give them a heart attack one day.
Shivaay was amazed with this new found information, he said to Anika while going towards the food prep area "Anika we may not be sure about our future but I think you should also learn self defence. You're also an independant woman who has to deal with such scoundrels on daily basis. I have seen your moves on Tia and Swetlana, I'm very sure that you can train yourself to deal with strong men too". He chuckled and added "Then maybe I will get to hear some of your stories too, but promise me that you will never try it on me"
Anika chuckled lightly and nodded her head, he cares for her but his way of expressing is a bit different. She's happy that instead of restricting her, he is trying to make her self-reliant; maybe a point was TICKED OFF from her list because of his genuine gesture.
..
..
Some people managed to make potato curry and some other were making chapattis (Flat wheat bread). When Shivaay reached the food prep area, only fluffing of Chapattis on fire was left, Anika tried to stop him but he had already volunteered to do it. He was coughing for the whole time but not backing off from the challenge.
An elderly village woman was observing Shivaay and she told the other ladies around her "Gore mauda khaans khaans kar gir jayi he (Fair boy will faint because of coughing too much)"
Others started laughing; Anika muffled her laughter and reached near him and patted his back while giving him a glass of water. He glared at her and quickly grabbed that glass of water from her hand, Anika and water is a dangerous combo and he is not in a mood to meet Panika.
Anika shook her head and she turned towards the elderly woman to seek some help "Kaaki... gore mauda ke dhuan udana sikhayi do" (Aunt, please teach the fair boy to blow away all this smoke")
Shivaay scrunched his nose, this dictionary was worse than before "Anika ye kaisi language bol rahi ho?" (Anika, what kind of language are you speaking?)
Anika pushed him back and glared at him "Shh...chup rahiye warna sab haste hi rahenge ap pe" (Shhh...be quiet, otherwise everyone will keep mocking you)
Elderly lady came to Shivaay, she gave him some sugar candy (mishri) to control his cough and asked him to move aside. She showed him how to place cow dung cakes and then placed coal & wood on it followed by blowing air through a small iron pipe so that smoke emitting from the cooking set up will go to the opposite side. He turned and looked at the old lady with amazed eyes when smoke started dissipating towards the opposite side.
Anika observed his changing expressions and smiled widely "Shivaay yehi choti choti baton se life chalti hai yahan, ye log luxuries nahi dhoondhte solution dhoodhte hain" (Shivaay, these small tricks make life smooth for them, these people don't find luxuries, they find solution")
Shivaay nodded his head with a wide smile, first lesson of the camp was learned *Don't worry about the problems try to adjust with your resources and you will definitely find a solution.* He quickly learned the trick taught by that lady and completed his work.
..
..
..
..
Everyone sat outside their rooms after dinner, cool night air was helping a lot to fight the hot temperature that burned them throughout the day.
Anika indicated towards the board in verandah "Kal se sab kaam shuru karenge, sabki duties board pe likh du, phir kuch din mein rotate ho jayengi" (Everybody will start working from tomorrow, duties are listed on board and they will be rotated in few days)
Shalini turned towards Anika "If I'm not wrong, tum do saal iss camp mein aayi ho na? (Anika, if I'm not wrong you haven't missed any of the camps in last 2 years?)
Anika smiled and showed her group photo from past two years "Yes, I have not missed any camp, I love serving people." Shalini frowned at her lightly "But I have not seen you in office, what's your department?"
Anika choked on her breath and laughed nervously, why she has to ask such a difficult question. She knows the department of everyone sitting around her but it's not necessary that they will not be aware about people from other department. Shivaay was also looking at her, he also wants to know her department. Finally she murmured "I'm one of the special consultants for Higher Management, we work permanently from home."
Everyone looked at her in amusement and Rashmi mumbled "And then there's me, I wasn't even aware that our company has this designation and people work permanently from home."
Anika chuckled nervously but breathed in relief because everyone was looking convinced. She mumbled to divert everyone's attention "Last two camps were worse than this, we lived in tents for two months."
Rashmi breathed in relief, she chose the right year for activating her social service bone "That's amazing yaar, hum toh ek din mein hi thakk gaye tumhara toh teesra saal hai" (That's amazing yaar, we are tired only in one day and you are here for the third time. )
Anika shook her head "Kuch din ajeeb lagega phir acha lagne lagega" (You will find it weird for few days) Prateek, Akash and Shalini also nodded in agreement but Anika heard Shivaay's comment "Dekhte hain, there's too much to learn and it's too hard to live here"
Anika looked at Shivaay, he was looking irritated but she was grateful that he was doing this for her. She was unsure at the time when she gave him this offer and he messaged her almost at the end of two months. When 20 days were left she thought that he's not ready and somewhere it hurt her a little but his message came as a shock. His words looked convincing and she was sure that he was doing it willingly.
Now she will try everything possible to make him comfortable, even if it means sending him back and giving up on this relationship, she whispered to Shivaay "A car comes back with supplies in 10 or 15 days, whenever you like you can take a ride back to Lucknow Airport". Though unconvinced but Shivaay nodded for that offer, Anika was a little disheartened but she knows she cannot pressurise someone to go out of their way and do some thing for her.
Prateek came back after checking the board "Anika meri duty to Akash ke saath hai, tumhara kya?" (Anika, my duty is with Akash, what about you?)
Anika pointed towards her partner "My duty is with Shivaay, Health education and Hygiene."
Prateek mumbled to Rashmi "They just can't stay away from each other", she managed to muffle her laughter after seeing Anika's glare but muttered "Right, they're just like Bonnie and Clyde, inseparable."
Akash got up from the stairs while dusting his pants "Chalo phir sone chalte hain, kal subah jaldi uth kar kaam pe lagna padega" (Let's go and sleep, we have to wake up early for work)
Everybody retired to their rooms after a tiring day, Shivaay had a hard time while sleeping on a namesake mattress, jute bed and no AC or fan. As Anika said earlier window side bed was really a good choice.
Shivaay was continuously tossing and turning in his bed, he got up to drink water, when he turned towards his bed he noticed that Anika was spreading a light weight mattress on his bed. He was going to say something but she indicated towards others, they had already dozed off.
Shivaay smiled and laid on his bed thinking about Anika's gestures and the villagers he met today, lack of many facilities has surely made their life hard but it has not lowered their spirits to live it happily, maybe he can learn a thing or two from the people he has despised throughout his life.
Anika was thinking how Shivaay has given up all his luxuries to be with her but she will stand with him on every step of his journey to support him. She knows this isn't easy for him but they have to take a decision about their relationship. The basics of any relationship are TRUST, RESPECT, SUPPORT, LOYALTY AND ADMIRATION. These testing times will surely make them understand each other in a better way which wasn't possible if Shivaay never understood the real meaning of life. He has to learn that life isn't about money, it's about the little things which make it special. She drifted in deep slumber thinking about the possibilities of her future.
..
..
Next day
Anika woke up and followed her morning routine, she tried to wake up Shivaay but she wasn't sure how it's supposed to be done. Finally she poked a finger on his arm and noticed his half open eyes, one day these eyes will surely get her in trouble, before he can catch her staring session she composed herself and mumbled "Good morning"
Shivaay smiled looking at her angelic face, it was shining due to early morning sun rays. He closed his eyes again only to listen to her melodious voice but soon the same voice gave him a new shock
Anika moved closer to his face, she was admiring his morning look, unkempt hair and his smile held her captive for few minutes and then she shocked him again "Uth kar washroom use kar lijiye phir line lag jayegi" (Wake up and use the washroom otherwise there will a long queue after some time)
Shivaay was half asleep when he mumbled "What line?"
Anika chuckled and she indicated towards the direction of washrooms "Arrey common washrooms, bataya tha na?" (I told you about the common washroom?)
Shivaay's sleep and angelic beauty imagination was long lost, he looked at her with horrified expressions only to hear her muffled laughter. She controlled and patted his shoulder to bring him back from his daze "Abhi chale jayiye, washroom thodi der pehle hi saaf hue the" (You should go now, washrooms were cleaned some time back)
Shivaay heard her advice and moved towards the washroom, only to get a new shock. He turned around and looked at Anika; she was following to help him with the basics.
Shivaay glanced at the small room in front of him and turned towards Anika while thinking "so much to win her back". Anika looked at his unsure eyes and nodded her head before pushing him inside the loo.
Shivaay turned around after checking the facilities in that matchbox sized washroom "Anika, how am I supposed to use this?"
Anika chuckled and gave him a bucket of water "We are lucky, at least this is a proper washroom or they would have fixed bio toilet and bathroom units. For your kind information, they are smaller than this one"
Shivaay shook his head and slammed the door on her face "I'm sure you did all this purposely, saare badle abhi hi logi na?" (I'm sure you're doing this for revenge)
Anika pushed the door open to hand him a towel "Bilkul sahi socha hai apne, main badla lene wali Adi Nagin hu, ek ek baat ka hisaab barabar karungi" (You're totally right, I'm the avenging snake and I will take full advantage of this situation)
Shivaay looked at the washroom and then looked at her, what should he first complain about, her PJ or this bathroom?
Anika finally went out of the washroom "Mere jawab se mann ko thand padd gayi ho toh jayiye jaldi, warna koi aur aa jayega" (If you have found peace then go inside otherwise someone will come and beat you to it)
Shivaay somehow managed his first day in that suffocating little space and complained to Anika "Humare to store room bhi iss se bade hote hain, kitne chote chote washroom hain, claustrophobic feel ho raha tha mujhe (Our store room's are bigger than this mini washrooms, I was feeling claustrophobic)
Anika waved her hand around the room "Mr Oberoi, welcome to the real world." Shivaay shook his head and glared at her "Yeah, turn everything into a lesson for me"
Anika smirked at him, he rolled his eyes and walked away, she was enjoying it too much.
Shivaay mumbled something and turned away to avoid her teasing gaze, he started looking through his clothes, there were only three piece suits and his night clothes, he recalled Anika's warning and cursed himself for ignoring it. Yesterday was somehow managed in trouser and shirt but when he looked at everyone they were carrying loose and comfortable clothes and now it made sense to him.
He was rejecting his clothes one by one when out of nowhere some track pants, tshirts and caps landed in front of him. He looked around and Anika was throwing them in his luggage.
Shivaay looked at her with questioning eyes, she pointed towards his three piece suits "Mujhe pata tha aap apni tadi ke maare sirf Three piece suit leke hi aaye ho, isliye maine ye kapde apke liye pehle hi le liye the" (I know, you would have only brought three piece suits because of your attitude, that's I brought some spare clothes with me)
Shivaay was looking at her sceptically but she shoved two pairs of floaters and sport shoes in his hands "Arrey bilkul naye hai aur apke size ke bhi" (They're brand new and will be a good fit)
Shivaay laughed mentally and he wiggled his eyebrows "You know my size?"
Anika replied without understanding his double meaning entendre "Arrey maine dekha hai apko" (I have seen you before)
Shivaay was about to roll on the floor and her face was giving him more reasons to laugh. She glared at him and smacked a pillow on his face "Cheapde kahi ke" (Cheap man) and Shivaay got another opportunity to laugh after looking at her flushed cheeks.
Anika smacked on his shoulder and she shoved a pair of Tshirt and track pants in his hands "Acha jayiye yahan se, pehniye inko. Agar maine kapde rakhe nahi hote to suit buit mein paseene wale Rajkumar banke ghoom rahe hote poore din" (Okay, go from here and wear them. If I wouldn't have thought of it, you would have been the sweating prince, decked up in his three piece suits)
Shivaay was busy in gawking at her, he wants more of this, their morning talks and her frown while choosing his clothes every morning will be a sight for his sore eyes. Anika looked at him and nudged his shoulder, he cleared his throat and mumbled "Ye acha hai, jawab nahi mila toh ajeeb ajeeb se words bol do, jo mujhe samajh bhi na aaye (This is great, if you cannot find an answer then confuse me with your weird imagination)
Shivaay was about to leave but Prateek walked in followed by Rashmi and Shalini. They laughed at both of them, Anika's cheeks were looking flustered and Shivaay was looking confused but they were looking like a cute couple
Prateek chuckled and walked towards them "Hey beautiful, kabhi kabhi hum logo se bhi baat kar sakte ho tum dono" (Hey beautiful, sometimes you can talk to us also)
Anika looked away from their teasing gazes and started settling Shivaay's clothes like it's a part of her routine.
Shalini and Rashmi gave each other meaningful looks and they chuckled at her "Anika, are you both dating?"
Shivika looked at them with horrified eyes but Rashmi laughed and nudged Shalini's shoulder "I don't think they're dating." Shivika were about to breath in relief but she added "They're more like husband and wife, always bickering like old couples and look at her how she is busy in arranging his clothes."
Prateek and Shalini looked at each other and all of them started laughing when Anika dropped his clothes abruptly while jumping away from each other.
Rashmi finally calmed down and she mumbled to Anika "I think you should date him, maine ek minute ke liye bhi alag nahi dekha hai tum dono ko kal se" (Then I think you should give it a try, I have not seen you away from each other for a single minute)
Anika and Shivaay were looking at everyone with flushed faces. Now who will explain them their complex relationship status; for their family they are married, for each other they are still strangers but they are here to give another chance to their confused relationship.
Shalini laughed and pushed them closer "Just look at them, they're looking so cute and their expressions are so alike."
Everyone laughed and moved out for their job of the day
Anika immediately held him responsible for all that teasing "Aur chipke rahiye mere saath (Why are you by my side all the time?)" and Shivaay said at the same time "Waise hum dono cute toh lagte hain saath mein? (She's right, we look cute together?)"
Anika was looking at the mischief in his eyes, she's happy that he's opening up to her but what should she reply now, his eyes always makes her speechless. She looked down and smiled while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Shivaay laughed and moved behind the curtain to change his clothes "Tum hi toh laayi ho mujhe yahan aur kahan jaun main?" (By the way you have brought me here, where will I go on my own?)
Anika was suddenly feeling more flustered than before, the thought that he is just few steps away and stripping his clothes was trying to bring back many pervert thoughts too. She smacked on her forehead to bring back her wandering mind and muttered "Chote Bache hain kya ap, din bhar mere peeche ghoomenge" (Are you a small kid that you will roam around always?)
Shivaay was in a sudden jolly mood, he finally realised that Anika always had this effect on his mood but he is late to notice it. He dramatically told her "Chota bacha nahi hu, par Dadi ka billu toh hu. Socho unka billu iss gaon mein kho gaya toh tum kya mooh dikhaogi unko wapas jaake" (I'm not z small kid but I'm Dadi's Billu. Imagine of her Billu gets lost in this village then how will you face her?)
Anika chuckled and got busy in arranging his clothes again "Zyada smart matt baniye aur Rudy ka drama use karne ki koshish toh bilkul matt kariye, chup chaap kapde change karke bahar chaliye (Don't try to behave smart with me and stop using Rudy's antics. Change your clothes quickly, we have to go)
Anika was smiling widely at his words, and Shivaay was busy in checking her out. Prateek came back in the room and he nudged Shivaay's shoulder "Bro, I know she looks beautiful while smiling but stop staring at her and get some work done", before they could say anything he ran away after taking his bag
Shivika moved to their destination for the day and started teaching the villagers. Shivaay was more of a spectator because of language barrier but he was impressed with Anika as she can adjust with everyone in any condition and enjoy with them.
He has always noticed that she has a new perspective for everything and tries to see bright side in every situation, maybe he can learn this art from her. He was facing many difficulties, but with her constant support he was going through his first day better than expected.
Anika wrote the next topic on board and walked towards Shivaay "Why don't you take this topic?"
Shivaay looked around and scrunched his nose "But main kaise?" (But how can I do it?) She shook her head in disappointment "Apko language ki problem hai ya inn logo se?" (Do you have a problem in communicating or these people are your problem?)
Shivaay looked at the villagers and he made a cringy face, people were sitting on the mats, not caring about the dust around them and next topic means he will have to go near them and teach them how to do basic first aid of simple wounds.
Anika looked at him, he was only seconds away from giving disgusted expressions and it won't look nice if the villagers will notice him. She asked him to move back and called a young boy from the crowd for demonstration.
One boy stood up but he walked away in the opposite direction, everybody was looking at him in confusion, he chuckled and added "Arrey Didi itni der se bata rahi hai ki haath dhona kitna zaruri hai, bas wahi karne ja raha hu" (She is telling importance of washing hand sfrom such a long time, going to do the same")
Anika looked at Shivaay and whispered "Shivaay they just have to learn, we should never judge a person without giving them a chance". Shivaay nodded and kept looking at everyone, dust is a part of their everyday life, how are they supposed to keep themselves away from it but they are keen on learning.
Day ended on a good note, Shivaay learned an important lesson, never judge a person without giving them a chance to prove their worth, he did this many times with Anika in the past and he realised how bad she must have felt.
He also understood that its okay to have some shortcomings, nobody can be perfect but with support from right kind of people you can become complete and face unpredicted situations, like he took a wrong decision about his clothes but Anika was there to support him.
Anika was also learning few things along with him. She noticed how Shivaay was doing everything to fulfill her wish but bounding him is not the right way to deal with their situation. Her choice to offer him a ride back to Lucknow airport was a step towards letting go off the control in their relationship, maybe both of them will end up learning more than their expectations.
..
..
..
This journey will surely make them understand each others importance and give them a new perspective about everything.
...
..
Hope you all are liking this track, press STAR 🌟 to show your support
..
..
..
..
..
..
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro