chapter lx. A Not-So Dry Welcome

Shivaay and Anika were in his car, the radio playing Sawaar Loon. True to her word, Anika was ready by 8am to go meet her parents. Shivaay, who had been sure she'd take at least till nine, had to hurry.

“Why isn't Khannaji coming with us?” Anika asked. “Isn't he your bodyguard or something?”

Shivaay turned to her for a second. “You think I'll be needing a bodyguard. Are you so sure your father is going to kill me?”

Anika laughed. “No, I was wondering, how do you decide if he's coming with you.”

“I'll explain it in detail someday.”

About fifteen minutes after nine, Shivaay and Anika were out of Mumbai when Shivaay's phone rang. He clicked the button on the wheel, Rudra flashing on the screen of the car.

“Bhaiya?” Rudra's voice surrounded them.

“Yes, Rudra?”

“Are you with Anika Di?”

“I am. You helped everyone force me to go with her, remember?”

Anika smiled too when she saw Shivaay's victorious smile.

“Hey Anika Di!” Rudra ignored Shivaay.

“Hi Rudra.”

“I expected more from you.” Rudra commented, making the two of them frown.

“Expected more of what?”

“Honesty.”

Anika looked at Shivaay. He shrugged.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“I know you and Bhaiya are dating!” Rudra whispered making Shivaay look at Anika in shock.

I did not tell him. He mouthed.

“Rudra, what are you talking about?” Shivaay asked, clearing his throat.

“Chalo, chalo. You are no better than O and Gauri Di.”

Shivaay furrowed his brows. “O and Gauri?” He was pretty sure he never told Rudra he knew about them.

“Waise a genius never shares his tricks but before the two of you kill each other in a game of who told Rudra, I'll explain. Last night, something about the two of you was very different. When Saumya had told me that the two of you decided not to date, I was so upset. I mean, for the first time in forever, Shivaay Bhaiya liked someone AND that person liked him back. It was like once in a Blue Moon situation. Why would Shivaay Bhaiya be so dumb to let it go? Then, yesterday, I saw the aankhon hi aankhon mai baatein the two of you were upto. Therefore, I concluded, you two were lying. Just like O and Gauri Di.”

“What do you mean by Om and Gauri, Rudra?” Shivaay asked, yet again. Something did not fit right.

“Oh well, you don't have to pretend like you don't know. Before I could call you with such accusations, I had to be sure. You took one of your laptops with you, ek mere paas hai na yaha. Lucky for me, your Whatsapp was logged in. I checked your texts with Anika Di.” Rudra sounded proud but Shivaay and Anika only looked at each other wide-eyed.

“You read our texts?” Anika asked while Shivaay took his phone and quickly logged out of all possible devices, eyes darting between his phone and the road.

“Rudra, why would you do that?” Shivaay looked flustered. Anika would have probably enjoyed it if she wasn't feeling embarassed herself.

“I needed confirmation. If anything, all your inappropriate texts helped me. Don't worry, I will try everything I can to erase them from my memory.” Rudra's voice sounded low but excited. “So, I know you know about O and his rendezvous, I know that you and Anika Di planned last night and I fell for it. I know you are very cheesy and I know Anika Di has the best pick-up lines.”

Anika burried her face in her hands. “Why would you not log out?”

“I did not know Rudra would invade my privacy like that!” Shivaay glared at the screen, as if that would do anything.

“Bhaiya, I am so happy for you!” Rudra said instead. “I cannot believe it. Shivaay Bhaiya is dating somebody. He has a girlfriend. His love life has hopes! Anika Di, you are an angel.”

Shivaay smiled, despite the nagging annoyance. “Ho gaya?”

“I want to hug you both.”

“Oh, thank God we are miles away already.” Shivaay chuckled.

Rudra groaned. “I should come to Pune.”

“Just so you can hug us?” Anika smiled.

“Yes and also because I know Shivaay Bhaiya must be nervous. He has only done business meetings before. The meeting-the-parents kind is his first time. He'd need the support.”

“I think I can handle it.” Shivaay shrugged.

“Yeah, when we were going to Pune with them, Uncle stared at O the entire time like he was going to kill him! And that was O, simple, seedha-saadha O. You are Shivaay Singh Oberoi. You bet he will not let you go easily.”

“I am glad you are not here, Rudra.” Shivaay pressed his lips together. “If this is how you are planning to support me, please do not call for the next twenty-four hours.”

Anika laughed. “It's okay. My father is not some professional assassin. He's a man with two daughters that he loves immensely.”

“Anika Di, that makes him sound scary, which is why I never meet any of my girlfriends' parents.”

“Rudra, you get new girlfriends every other day. I am not you.” Shivaay furrowed his brows.

“Yes, yes, I know, I saw your messages.” Rudra's mirth was evident in his voice.

“Bye.” Shivaay cut the call before Rudra had the chance to reply.

He turned to Anika who hit her head against the head rest dramatically. “I am not ready for Rudra to tease us.”

“Neither am I, Anika, neither am I.”

---

Almost three hours later, which included a stop for what Anika claimed was the best Vada Pav he'd ever have, Shivaay saw Anika sit up excitedly. “Take a left.”

Shivaay did, smiling.

“See, that's my Chachu's house.” Anika pointed to the first house.

Shivaay nodded before freezing. “You won't make me meet the entire family, right?”

Anika looked at him curiously. “We can if you want to. Chachu is way more lenient than Dad is. And you are definitely meeting Sahil.”

“Who?” Shivaay took another left, as per the GPS instructions.

“My brother, of course. His approval is of utmost importance.” Anika nodded her head gravely. “Sahil has an excellent judgment. I always trust what he says.”

Shivaay narrowed her eyes. “This feels like a trap. You told me this trip was something and now you are completely throwing me off my game. Don't complain when your Dad declares me incompetent.”

They could see Anika's home when Shivaay stopped the car abruptly. Anika looked at him in confusion. “Cold feet? Are you going to take a U-turn and never return? I mean, if that's the plan at least let me get dow—”

Shivaay had loosened his seatbelt and turned to her, taking her in a kiss. His hand held her face. Anika kissed him back before pulling back suddenly.

“We are in my colony! And you did this right in front of Varun's parents' home. I just broke off any dreams they had of seeing Varun married.” Anika hit him on his shoulder.

Shivaay grinned. “I needed courage.”

“Oh really, so what were you doing before the first time we kissed?”

Shivaay sat back, starting the car. “I wonder.”

---

As they pulled in front of Anika's house, Anika quickly opened the door. Before Shivaay could even get a word out, she was on her three feet, excitedly walking towards the door. Shivaay took a deep breath, getting out. As he locked the car, he straightened his suit jacket. He could do this.

Anika had told him her father had an affinity for gardening. That explained the lush green lawn between their gate and the house. Maybe he could begin his conversation by complimenting the way the lawn smelled. Shivaay heard a hissing noise but ignored it. Could be anything.

Shouldn't have.

Before he knew it, the sprinklers started throwing water all around them, easily drenching Shivaay. Anika, who had been hugging her mother turned when Radhika gasped. Anika's hand was on her mouth.

“Why are you standing still? Come here!” Anika laughed when Shivaay's legs finally started working again. Shivaay jogged towards the dry porch.

“I am so sorry beta, Harsh must have turned the sprinklers on. He is very particular about his lawn.” Radhika apologised. “I'll go get you a towel.”

As Radhika left, shouting “Harsh, your laadli is here!”, Anika turned to Shivaay.

He frowned, running a hand through his hair. “I am sorry if this sounds rude, but I am pretty sure he did this on purpose.”

Anika's shoulders shook as she pressed her lips together. “Maybe. Or maybe it's just your luck.”

“Shut up!” Shivaay shook his hands. “Great, I am drenched in gardening water the first time I meet your parents.”

“Hey, you look hot.” Anika innocently smiled making Shivaay grin. Before they could continue, Harsh was at the door, arms across his chest.

“Sorry, didn't realise you guys were here.”

Shivaay only nodded, gladly taking the towel Radhika brought for him.

“I'll show Shivaay to the guest room, he can change there.” Harsh provided. Anika turned to him and raised an eyebrow, a small smile evident.

“Sure.” Shivaay said, following Harsh.

Minutes later, Harsh was back. Anika who was sitting on the couch with a glass of lemonade in hand, stood and quickly hugged him.

When she pulled away, Harsh made her sit down and smiled. “So, how's your leg? And you head?”

“It's great. Tell me this, did you turn the sprinklers on on purpose?”

Harsh shrugged. “I might have heard your car and then seen the two of you.”

The way he looked at her made her realise he probably saw them kissing from the window. Anika's cheeks heated.

“I mean, if you're planning to torture Shivaay, I am all in for it.” She said, hoping her assumption was wrong.

Radhika, back with a tray of snacks frowned. “Don't you two dare trouble him. He is such a nice man.”

Anika scrunched her nose. “Aap itni protective kyu ho rahi ho? Treat him like you treat all my friends!”

“But this one is your boyfriend?” Radhika shook her head. “When you two get married–”

At that, both Harsh and Anika interrupted. “If.”

Radhika looked at them in amusement. “Right, if you get married, he shouldn't have such traumatic memories. If I let you trouble him, he will break up with you.”

Anika pursed her lips. “Shivaay kind of knows what he got into when he started dating me.”

“And we are not going to torture him.” Harsh smiled. “I just want him to fear me a little bit. A world-renowned businessman scared of me? Sounds like a dream.”

---

Sksksks, I hope you guys had fun :P

Update dedicated to the birthday girl, the one who bribed me with aloo tikkis. alootikki123 Comment 🍔 when you wish her, please🙈😂

Also, check out "The Indelible Hues" by me, maybe? The concept's a little different but I am quite certain you'll enjoy it. I have started re-posting it. The introduction, prologue and chapter one are up already.

Let me know what you guys thought of the update.

Dumbest character this chapter?