chapter xliii. Of Third Angles

Anika was most definitely devastated. This seemed like payback for everytime she had rejected guys telling her they had a crush on her simply because she thought relationships were pointless.
She wasn't exactly sure what she had been expecting from Shivaay because... Well because he was him.

It was just supposed to be a crush. Damn Saumya for putting ideas in her head. Anika had spent the entire week coming up with too many scenarios of how it could go, none of which included being rejected even before she could say anything.

Thursday afternoon, as the workers wrapped up the last of crates, Anika, Shruti and Rohit say on plastic chairs they had picked off the stack. The sun overhead was relentless and they were all a mess. Rohit had a new girlfriend and after apologising a million times for how he had behaved in the past, they were talking again. He had been a good friend before that fiasco, afterall.

Saumya came to them looking famished. “When I agreed to this internship, I didn't think you'd be torturing me like this.”

Shruti chuckled and handed Saumya the water bottle. “You did a good job today kid. I have no idea why Anika is being hard on you.”

Of course, Saumya knew. She felt terribly guilty but also upset. What the hell had Shivaay Bhaiya been thinking?

Anika shook her head. Her phone rang and she picked it up without even looking at the caller id.

“Hey Anika?” Varun's voice came through a second later. “If you are free right now, we could grab lunch?”

Anika looked at her wrist watch. “I am actually at work and like, on the other side of the city. By the time I reach home and get ready, it will be way past lunch time.”

“Wait, where are you exactly?”

As Anika narrated current location, her friends looked at her curiously.

“I can come pick you up from there directly. It's like a fifteen minute drive from where I currently am.”

Anika looked around apprehensively. Well, might as well...

“Let me warn you, I am a mess right now.” Looks and emotions wise.

Varun chuckled. “I am sure it won't be that bad.”

Anika smiled. As she cut the call, Shruti grabbed the phone, looking at it curiously. “Wait, this is the guy your Mom was setting you up with! Shaadi-vaadi pakki karli kya?”

Anika scrunched her nose. “Nahi yaar. We've been going for lunches every once in a while.”

“Do you like him?” Rohit looked on curiously.

Anika shot a look at Saumya before shrugging. “He's nice, handsome.”

Shruti rolled her eyes. “Is there chemistry? The certain way you feel around him.”

Anika would have screamed if not for her surroundings when the first thought she had was Shivaay. Dumb man wouldn't leave her alone.

“I guess?” Anika pouted. “I mean, I don't know.”

“Come on Anika, you work in this business. You should know how important the chemistry is. Imagine the wedding ceremonies if there is none?”

“There are things more important than that Shru. The marriage is more important than the ceremonies.” It was Rohit who said that. “And even those need a certain chemistry. Like I have with–”

“Nia.” All three girls chimed in.

“We are aware.” Shruti rolled her eyes.

“Come on Anika, let's make you look a little better and then we are coming along to meet your prospective forever.”

Anika sighed. Might as well.

---

Shivaay had sent Anika a message stating that he had work at the office so she'd have to come there instead of their usual rhythm of him picking her up.

The man sitting in the elevator only smiled this time.

Anika walked on the floor, smiling at Vidhi. “Hey!”

“Hi Anika!” Vidhi grinned. “Shivaay Sir is on an important con-call. You can wait here. He'll be done in a few minutes.”

Anika nodded, looking around. The décor had changed a little since the last time she had been here.

It was only a couple minutes before Vidhi's intercom rang.

“Hey Vidhi. Is Anika here?”

“Yes Sir, should I send her in?”

There was a silence for a few seconds.

“Actually no, I guess we could leave already. Tell her I'll be out in a minute.”

“Okay.”

She looked at Anika with a smile who only blinked her eyes. Anika let out a deep breath. She could do this.

Shivaay walked out and Anika noticed how immaculately dressed he was. It did look like he was wearing one of his best suits. He gave her a smile before standing in front of the elevator. Anika came and stood beside him.

“Hi.” Anika said.

“Hey.” Shivaay let out a sigh. “Haven't you been off the radar all week?”

Anika pressed her lips together. “I was busy. So many events.”

“Looks like that desk job was the only reason you had so much time to agree to Gauri and Om's stupid little idea.” Shivaay out his phone in his pocket, now giving her his full attention.

“Yeah, I needed something to pass the time.” Anika nodded seriously.

They both broke into grins.

“Thank you. For being such an excellent fake girlfriend.” Shivaay walked into elevator, nodding at the man.

“I mean... It was...” Anika trailed off, just staring at him.

“Easy.” Shivaay answered.

And Anika could swear the second he looked into her eyes, she most probably was dead.

---

For the first time in all these weeks, a part of Anika had been wishing Shivaay's date was a disaster.

Of course, the universe (most likely cursed for her by Tia, Anika mused) seemed to be playing a cruel joke.

Mallika was beautiful and she and Shivaay clicked off rather quickly. Anika was, as usual, seated by the bar, wondering what sort of matchmaker actually sat and witnessed her heart being broken like that.

Anika snorted as she realised she was going to turn into an alcoholic soon enough, much to her mother's horror. Why did she have to like this man, of all people? She found herself staring at their table once again. Shivaay looked genuinely interested in whatever it was Mallika was saying.

If it had been an older version of her, even two weeks ago, she would have celebrated when the dessert arrived at their table. Why would it not? Shivaay had hand-picked her from Pinky's list.

When they were finally done, Shivaay walked her to the door of the restaurant. For the few seconds the glass doors were open, she heard Mallika say something along the lines of “See you next week, then?”

Anika sighed, gulping the last of her glass' contents. Shivaay walked in as she kept the glass back on the table.

He sat on the bar-stool, looking at her with mirth.

“How drunk are you?”

Anika asked the bartender for her bill. “Not much. I guess.”

When the bill arrived, Shivaay took it. “Wait, why is there only three glasses of wine here? Did you not eat anything? And you got drunk on an empty stomach?”

Anika thought for a few seconds, slightly dazed. “Three glasses aren't much. They are very careful with that. Plus, I had food before I came to your office. I was hungry then.”

Shivaay looked on as Anika jumped off the stool, stumbling a little. He held her arm tentatively.

“Anika, you're scaring me. Is everything okay?”

“Of course it is.” Anika grinned. “Can we go home? I have something early morning tomorrow.”

Shivaay paid for her and walked behind her.

“I wanted to tell you something.” He began, almost fifteen minutes into the drive home.

“What is it?” Anika asked, tapping her nails against her phone screen.

Before Shivaay could say anything, her phone rang.

“Hey!” Anika softly spoke into the phone.

“What? No!”

“Now? Isn't that too late?”

“Well, I guess we could.”

“Alright? Meet me at my house in half an hour. I'll be there.”

Once she dropped the call, Shivaay looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Who was that?”

“Oh, Varun.” Anika smiled.

“And what were you guys talking about?”

“Well, we were supposed to meet tomorrow morning but now he says he has a call early in the morning so we'll have to meet quickly.”

“You could meet after the call?” Shivaay's eyes darted from the road to Anika.

Anika waved her hand with a “Pshh”.

“Anika, I am serious. You are drunk. Gauri is at that International Art Summit. I don't—”

“Shivaay, it's okay. I trust him. I've known him since forever.” Anika interruped, making Shivaay frown.

“You knew him as a kid and only have known him for a month or two now. I am not sure why you think you can trust him.”

Anika shook her head. “You shouldn't have to worry. No need to. Trust me.”

“I do. I don't trust him around a drunk you.”

“Come on Shivaay, you're going way off-base here.” Anika stared at him pointedly, until he sighed.

They reached her house and Shivaay was definitely not pleasantly surprised to see Varun there already.

“Hey Anika.” He smiled. Anika grinned as she stepped out of the car. Shivaay did the same.

“Goodnight, Shivaay.” She smiled at him.

Shivaay smiled back. “Goodnight.”

As Anika walked to the elevator, Shivaay looked at Varun for a couple seconds.

“Hi Shivaay.” Varun grinned. “I am sorry for the way I behaved the last time we met. Totally messed up.”

“It's okay. You were right in your place.”

They stood in an awkward silence for a couple seconds before Shivaay turned to his car again.

“Hey, make sure she's okay.” Shivaay bit the inside of his cheek before sitting in the car again.

---

First of, that little exchange between Shivaay-Anika was inspired from Will and Angie from Single Parents. Talk about true heartbreak.

Cannot wait to hear what you guys have to say :D

Dumber: Shivaay or Anika?

Also, I promise. Good times are coming back. Soon. Ish. 😬