chapter xli. Cupid Rudra Strikes

Much later that night, Shivaay had just finished with his call when Rudra barged into the room.

“Bhaiya! What is this I hear from O? You were on a date with Lady Baba? Please don't tell me you guys are getting together for the hundredth time.” Rudra flopped down on the bed, looking at Shivaay curiously.

Shivaay shook his head. “Was there any point where your dislike for her wasn't evident?”

Rudra grinned cheekily, now laying on the bed comfortably. “How was it?”

“It was okay, until it wasn't.” Shivaay sighed, keeping his laptop on the side table and laying down as well. “She was unnecessarily being rude–”

Rudra immediately turned and stared at Shivaay. “She was rude to you?”

“No, to Anika.”

“Haww, why Anika Didi?”

“Anika might have spilled wine on her dress.” Shivaay pressed his lips together.

Rudra chuckled. “Of course Anika Di did that!”

“Rudra, don't laugh.” Shivaay chided.

“Oh come on, even you want to.” Rudra showed Shivaay his tongue. Shivaay only snorted before clearing his throat.

“So, anyway. Then Anika and I had dinner but I messed up?”

Before Rudra knew it, he let it slip, “Did you try to kiss her, again?”

Shivaay's eyes widened, so did Rudra's. “What are you talking about?”

Rudra stared at him for a few seconds. “Well, you were blabbering something in your sleep.”

Shivaay frowned. “I was talking in my sleep? About trying to kiss Anika? Why would I?”

Rudra bit the inside of his cheek. Couldn't tell Shivaay of the actual origin of the story, could he?

“I don't know, you must be having dreams.” Rudra wriggled his eyebrows.

Rudra could swear he had never seen his brother blush before this day like that. “Bhaiya?”

Shivaay punched him lightly. “I never said that.”

“But you are blushing, which means it is true.” Rudra grinned.

“That is absolute nonsense.”

“Oh come on, you can confess to me that you like Anika Di.”

Shivaay shook his head. “Rudra why would you think that?”

“Why would I not?” Rudra countered sitting up again.

“Oh come on Bhaiya, what is there to not like? She is smart and funny and adorable and somehow she likes—” Rudra paused, making Shivaay raise an eyebrow.

“Likes what?”

“Likes the exact same music as you!” Rudra hastily added with a smile.

“No she doesn't.” Shivaay rolled his eyes. He remembered their arguments from the other day.

“Oh she does.” Rudra nodded solemnly. “She actually liked it when you made her listen to it but because it is you, she won't let you know.”

Shivaay was still suspicious but it did sound like something Anika would do. “Whatever.”

“Do you not want someone as fun as Anika Di around you all the time?” Rudra pouted a little.

“Rudra, go sleep.” Shivaay mumbled.

“Also, she's gorgeous, you have to agree with that.” Rudra provided with a small smile.

“Yes, she's very pretty but–”

Rudra put his palm on Shivaay's mouth. “We had a guest lecturer at the college the other day. He said do not add a "but" after a compliment. Of course, at first I thought he was tlaking about butts and was very confused...” Rudra shrugged while Shivaay rolled his eyes, “Whatever. The point is, you should totally date Anika Di!”

“Rudra. Sleep.” Shivaay sighed.

“But you never told me how you messed up.” Rudra whined.

Shivaay contemplated for a few seconds. “Well, I might have told her parents we were dating.”

To nobody's surprise, Rudra guffawed. “Of course you did.”

“In my defense, I did not know they were her parents.”

“So you were declaring her your girlfriend to random strangers? I am not sure how that is your defence.”

“I didn't explicitly say anything. They just assumed and I didn't bother correcting them.”

“Because you liked the thought?” Rudra prompted.

“No, because I do not care about strangers.” Shivaay said.

“You are no fun, teasing O is so much better.” Rudra complained.

“What do you even mean by that?” Shivaay raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you are very composed, so you don't actually react but O, I only have to mention–” Rudra paused. Oh. “He has so many fangirls, I just have to mention one name and he gets flustered.”

“Right.” Shivaay shook his head. Rudra was good at even twisting his own words.

Rudra mentally cursed himself. There were too many secrets he was carrying for the world. He was going to get crushed under them some day.

---

Anika realised talking to Shivaay was so much more easier and fun, now that she knew that he knew. All of Saturday was spent ranting about how much Gauri's lying annoyed her. Of course, she left out the parts where her family incessantly teased her with him.

Sunday afternoon, her parents were all set to leave again. Apparently, Rudra had a college fest he was attending in Pune and Om wanted to meet some artisans there which meant Gauri and two of three Oberoi brothers were going to join Harsh and Radhika for a little road trip.

Anika was surprised, mostly because she had no idea how Om and Gauri were planning to hide their relationship rendezvous in a closed space for three hours. Sounded impossible to her.

When the doorbell rang, Anika offered to open the door while her parents made sure they had everything. She smiled at Rudra who for some reason hugged her.

“You are God-sent Anika Di.” Rudra smiled. Anika accepted it. She wasn't unwelcome towards such praises.

Om only smiled at her and looked at Rudra weirdly. It was then that she noticed the third one standing there with an annoyed face.

Anika looked at him in questioningly to which he only shook his head. “I told Rudra you spilled wine on Tia so...”

Anika chuckled and let him in as well.

As Rudra and Om introduced themselves to Mr. and Mrs. Trivedi, Shivaay stood beside Anika.

“I'll accept thank yous in the form of respect and appreciation.” He mumbled with a smug look.

Anika turned to him, crossing her hands across her chest. “What does that mean?”

“Why do you think Om is accompanying your parents to Pune?”

“You arranged for a meeting in Pune?” Anika looked at him in confusion.

Shivaay pressed his lips together. “I might have casually mentioned how your parents already love me, simply because I was so courteous. Then I said, if I were to actually marry you, that would prove so helpful, you know. Not having to impress your parents as an actual boyfriend first.”

Anika mentally groaned when Shivaay even mentioning a not-happening marriage had her heart racing. Then she grinned.

“That is genius. I don't think the three of them can last that long without letting it slip.” Anika giggled softly.

Her heart leaped when Shivaay smiled charmingly. This man was going to be the death of her.

To save her from premature death, Rudra came to them with a sly grin. “Anika Di, I had a dream last night.” He looked at Shivaay pointedly.

Anika didn't fail to notice Shivaay's annoyed face returning.

“What was the dream?” Anika asked.

“Well, it was me dancing at your wedding.” Rudra grinned.

Anika laughed a little. “Oh really?”

Rudra nodded.

“Who was I getting married to?”

Rudra put an arm around her shoulder. “He was very handsome.” He smirked at Shivaay.

Anika nodded. “So you do think I deserve someone who looks good. Was he smart though?”

“How is he supposed to know that in a dream?” Shivaay deadpanned.

“I don't know? Maybe he was getting some vibes.” Anika shrugged.

“In the dream?” Shivaay frowned.

“Oh I did. Lots of vibes. He was very dumb, Anika Di.” Rudra shook his head in fake-disappointment before grinning at Shivaay.

Shivaay sighed. There was no way Rudra was ever letting him live this down. For all the times he had complained about Vidhi before, Shivaay apologized to the higher ups when she called him.

Shivaay picked the call while Rudra told Anika other details of whatever "dream" he had.

“Sir, Mr. Choudhary cancelled the meeting.” Vidhi timidly spoke.

“Again? This is the third time Vidhi. What exactly is going on?”

“I have no idea.” Vidhi mumbled over the phone. “I have been trying to ask around but there is no actual answer to why.”

Shivaay cut the call, frowning.

“What's up with you now?” Rudra asked.

“The meeting I cleared my entire schedule for today got cancelled. Again.” Shivaay clenched his jaw.

Their discussion was broken when Anika's parents were finally ready to leave. Shivaay greeted them, although Harsh was a little cold about that.

Shivaay looked at Anika with an amused smile when Radhika hugged him who only rolled her eyes playfully.

---

They were now in the parking lot, Om loading the bags in the car.

Shivaay and Rudra stood a little away from the others when Rudra slightly shoved Shivaay.

“What the hell?” Shivaay glared at Rudra.

“You make such elaborate plans to spend time with her. I feel sorry for you.”

“What are you– What elaborate plans? To spend time with whom?” Shivaay asked, although he knew the answer coming his way.

“Come on, you specifically mentioned you had your entire day free now.” Rudra shrugged.

“That was just to prove the point that the meeting was very important for me but apparently not for them.”

“Don't worry, if you are awkward about iy, I'll help you.”

Before Shivaay could even understand what that meant, Rudra skipped to where Anika stood, listening to her Mom talk about how she had to control her alcohol and not embarass herself before her colleagues unless she wanted to be trademarked as the alcoholic spinster.

“Mumma, please.” Anika scrunched her nose. “It was one time.”

“And you have been on desk job ever since. Do you not remember how much you whined and complained when that happened?”

Gauri gently dragged her mother to the car and made her sit when Rudra tapped Anika's shoulder. “I have a very important responsibility for you.”

Anika smiled in amusement. “What is it?”

“I'll be gone for three whole days. Please make sure Shivaay Bhaiya doesn't die because of boredom.”

Anika chuckled. “And how am I supposed to do that?”

“I can't share my own secrets, right? Find your own ways.”

Anika shook her head. “I will try my best, if I remember him.”

Rudra rolled his eyes. Of course.

He bid the two of them bye and jogged to the driver's seat. After a lot of 'byes' Anika came to Shivaay with a soft smile.

“Why did you come here?”

“Well, I had some time to kill before the meeting and I thought Om trying to please his future in-laws would be funny.”

Anika chuckled. “And now?”

“There is no meeting anymore. I'll find some or the other work to pass time with.”

Anika looked at him for a few seconds, wondering if she should ask him. “You know, you could teach me to cook something.”

Shivaay raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“I have three days without Gauri around. I'll managed after today because it is jam-packed with work but today...”

Shivaay thought for a few seconds before shrugging. “Why not?”

---

About two hours later, Anika and Shivaay were sitting on the living-room floor, the centre-table pushed to the corner for more space. Their backs rested against the sofa after their early-dinner.

They were currently in an intense match of snakes and ladders with the bet that every time your counter lost to a snake or the other person's used a ladder, you had to take a bite from Anika's burnt attempt at a brownie. So far, Shivaay had managed to have the bad luck only once where he very easily picked the better parts.

“Shivaay, I am sure the brownie actually tastes good. It's not all burnt.” Anika looked at him with a bright smile.

Shivaay smiled back. “You might think acting cute would work. It won't.”

Anika's cheeks turned pink as she grudgingly took another bite. She shuddered as the bitter taste spread in her mouth.

Shivaay smiled as his counter stood on 97. Anika closed her eyes, praying for a two.

As soon as the die stopped rolling, a loud clang and the leftover brownie was all over the game board. The die jumped and rolled under the sofa.

Shivaay stared at Anika who smiled sheepishly.

“I am sorry, it slipped.” Anika maintained the best poker face.

Shivaay frowned. “You are such a sore loser.”

“No, I am not!” Anika have the perfect 'haww' expression.

“Oh, you saw that it was a three, so you let the plate fall.”

Anika shook her head. “It was a two and I thought you'd be disappointed so I was saving you from the heartbreak of going back to square one.”

Shivaay rolled his eyes. “Now we don't have a die. How do we prove I win?”

“Oh, zyada hava mai matt udo. We'll make chits. I'll bring them.”

“Oh no no no, you bring them here. Knowing you, you'd probably not add a three in it at all.”

Anika dramatically gasped. “Look at you carelessly throwing around accusations.”

Shivaay's eyes flickered with mirth but his face otherwise was impassive.

Anika snorted. “You are obsessed with winning.”

So she ran inside and came out with a sheet and pen, quickly scribbling all the numbers onto them.

When Shivaay finally chose one, Anika quickly grabbed it from his hands. Shivaay frowned.

“Give it to me.”

“No I won't.”

“Anika, you know what they say about sore losers.”

“What?” Anika furrowed her brows, trying to remember. Seeing her distracted, Shivaay made a move. Anika quickly squealed and leaned behind, her hand as far away from her as possible. Shivaay tried leaning but Anika kept doding it.

Annoyed, Shivaay grabbed her elbow and pulled her hand forward. Suddenly, their faces were too close, their breathing heavy. Shivaay stared at her face, his Adam's apple bobbing.

“Anika, give me the chit.” Shivaay's voice was hoarse as he looked her in the eyes.

Anika nodded her head sideways, as much as she could without their faces touching.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) for them, before anything could happen, Shivaay's phone rang, and they sprang apart.

Shivaay cleared his throat and moved away, looking for the treacherous piece of technology while Anika took a deep breath and looked around awkwardly.

Mom

Shivaay sighed, putting the phone on speaker. He began picking up the leftover brownie pieces from the game board, speaking a soft “Hey Mom.”

“Shivaay, where are you? We are waiting for you. Your father wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh shit.” Shivaay mumbled. “I was with Anika.”

“Of course you were. This is why you didn't realise you had to be here.”

“I am sorry Mom. I'll be there. I was just,” Shivaay picked up his phone, “we just finished this round –”

“Shivaay!” Pinky sounded scandalized. “As much as I love you and Anika, I don't need the details of your bedroom.”

Shivaay's eyes widened as he looked at Anika who turned red in the face.

“I was talking about Snakes and Ladders.” Shivaay mumbled softly, closing his eyes.

Shivaay picked up his coat and stood up, putting the phone off the speaker and on his ear.

“I'll be there in twenty minutes.”

He cut the call and smiled at Anika awkwardly. “I have to go, I am sorry I am not helping clean this mess.”

“It's okay, I got it.” Anika smiled back, even more awkwardly.

Shivaay had probably never rushed out the door sooner than this.

---

This one's the longest update in the whole book, methinks.

I hope you enjoyed it, I cannot wait for your comments.

Also, I am sorry if I don't reply to comments, Wattpad's been acting up since the last couple of days. Please know that I appreciate all the comments and all the votes so much!!!!

Dumber: Shivaay or Anika?😏