chapter xvii. At This Rate

Anika quietly opened the door, hoping that Gauri had slept already. The lights were switched off and Anika sighed. She had spent the entrie day with her friend because she knew news travels fast. Especially with the Oberois.

She headed to the kitchen to drink water when the door to the house was flung open once again, revealing her over-excited sister. “Di!”

Anika frowned. “Where did you just come from?” she walked to the living room and spotted Om standing nervously behind Gauri. “Isse kya hua?”

Gauri looked at Om expectantly who in turn gave her a pleading look. Gauri shook her head. Before Om could reply in yet another expression, Anika cleared her throat.

“I am really tired so you could continue this later. First tell me what is it.”

“Anika Di,” Om began, “actually,”

“Om, when did you start calling me Di? I feel old.” Anika innocently blinked her eyes. Of course they wanted something from her. Anika could have some fun at least.

“Okay, Anika.” Om stuttered and Anika fake yawned.

“Di, stop!” Gauri chided and looked at him encouragingly.

“Well, I wanted to take Gauri out.” Om smiled nervously.

“This is something you ask the family long before you begin kissing her in their kitchen.” Anika crossed her arms across her chest and both Gauri and Om looked at her with open mouths.

“I mean, not take her out as in dating but I want to take her to Mussorie.” Om meekly spoke.

Anika looked at them curiously. Deciding to take pity on her boyfriend who seemed scared of Anika whenever she played 'elder sister', Gauri walked to Anika and side hugged her.

“Di, Om had been working with artisans from Mussorie for a rather large business. Trying to expand Oberoi business and help them earn as well. They recently had a huge contract completed and Om wanted to go visit them and personally thank them. Tej Uncle's idea, actually.”

Anika nodded. “A business trip requires an assistant.”

“And we also know that you won't only regard this as a business trip.” Om smiled sheepishly.

Anika laughed along. “Well, I guess I'll have to let you take her. Just make sure she is safe because Gauri has a history of returning with broken bones from trips.”

Relief washed over Om's face. “So, I guess it's only your parents that need to be told about it, then.”

“I'll talk to them.” Anika reassured. “Now can I sleep?”

Gauri, sensing that her work was done now, smiled slyly. “Are you going to sleep or dream about someone?”

Anika looked at her in fake confusion, hoping that her sister would be mindful. There was a guy. Who also happens to be brother to the guys sje was probably going to tease her with.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don't pretend in front of me. I know you just as well as I know myself, I am sure my meaning isn't lost one you. What is up with you and Shivaay Bhaiya?” she giggled and Anika saw Om smiling a bit himself. The nerves of these two.

“Well, there is absolutely nothing.”

“Didn't seem like that when Choti Maa narrated how Shivaay looks absolutely 'in love' with you and how you bring out the best on him.”

Anika rolled her eyes. “She has extreme romantic perceptions about me and your brother which alters what she sees.”

Om nodded. “Yes but she says Shivaay kissed you. I don't remember the last time he kissed anyone other than Dadi, Choti Maa or Rudra.”

Anika smiled sweetly. “I don't think he's ever had a fake girlfriend before.”

“Fair enough. Though, you two seem hell bent on convincing anyone.”

“I have a flare for the theatrics.” Anika shrugged.

“And seems like Shivaay Bhaiya does too.” Gauri chuckled. “When's the next date?”

“Next Sunday. Though, I am guessing you guys won't be here?”

They nodded and Anika detached herself from her sister's embrace. “Now I'll go sleep. Working in office and then meeting people is tiring.”

Gauri's eyes widened. “You never told me about your date with Varun! How was it?”

“We'll talk in the morning Ri. Go sleep.”

Gauri mumbled 'fine' before letting Anika go to her room.

“And please don't stay up too long.” Anika shouted making Om and Gauri chuckle shyly.

---

Shivaay was thankful for the little normality in his life for the last two days. He and Anika had not talked, meaning there were absolutely no embarassing accidents or situations. He also had sat with Pinky like Anika had suggested and Shivaay swore his mother was minutes away from crying with happiness. He had to give Anika a point for that.

He was now sitting beside Om and Rudra by the poolside, Rudra going on and on about some rendezvous he had orchestrated in college.

“And Bhaiya, if the Principal asks to meet family, I am sure you'd come join me.” Rudra looked at Shivaay hopefully.

“I would rather let Badi Maa handle it. She should be proud of her Rudra, shouldn't she?” Shivaay snorted, going back to his cup of hot chocolate.

“I wouldn't have asked you,” Rudra began, “if not for the Om going to Mussorie.”

“As if Om would ever lie to anyone.” Shivaay raised an eyebrow and Om stiffened, nodding lightly.

“But O can hide the truth na.” Rudra suggested and chuckled. His inside joke that made Om glare at him.

“Anyway, when do you come back from Mussorie?” Shivaay looked at Om.

“Uh, in a week, I guess. We have a few trips to various working places planned.” Om explained.

“Oh my Maata!” Rudra said softly making Om and Shivaay curious. “Now I will be all by myself for the whole week.”

“I am here Rudra,” Shivaay rolled his eyes.

“But you are too busy romancing your apparently fake girlfriend. Mujhe toh lag raha hai aap dono ka alag scene chal raha hai.” Rudra wriggled his eyebrows.

Shivaay pressed his lips in a thin line. “You know the truth, why would you even think of this ridiculous possibility?”

“Because Choti Maa has some very entertaining stories featuring both of you.” Rudra giggled.

“All of them are Mom's expectations, alright. Nothing else.”

“Oh, but the cheek kisses say otherwise.”

“You say as if there have been many. There were two because the situation demanded.” Shivaay rolled his eyes.

“Two?” Om and Rudra spoke in unison.

“Yeah, one which you noticed and one with Mom.”

“I noticed a kiss?” Om furrowed his brows.

“Yeah, Mom was watching us, when you were going to drop her.”

When there was no reply, he turned to Om who was still lost.

“I didn't know of any such kiss.”

“You didn't see us that day?” Shivaay asked.

Om nodded negatively.

“Mom didn't tell you?” Shivaay was shocked.

They shook their head.

“Anika didn't complain either?”

Again, they nodded in a no.

Oh shit.

Om and Rudra's smiles grew wide and Shivaay looked away, wondering why he couldn't just shut up.

“At this rate it won't only be kisses, haan Bhaiya? I mean, you know each other for not three weeks or something and you have already kissed her twice.” Rudra laughed and for the first time in a long time, Shivaay's cheeks burned red.

“Shut up Rudra.” Shivaay mumbled, getting up.

“O, kahi matchmaker ki jagah match toh nahi le aaye aap?” Rudra and Om continued to laugh as Shivaay walked to his room, closing the French windows with a loud sound for effect.

As he sat on his bed with the laptop, Shivaay looked at his phone. One new notification.

Weird Woman: Hey!

Wow, you actually can start a conversation with a greeting!

Weird Woman: I knew this was going to be difficult.

Truly, very out of your element. I don't think you can hold normal conversations.

Weird Woman: Nevermind, say whatever you want. I need a favour.

And what makes you think I am feeling favourable towards you?

Weird Woman: You agreed to this one!

What?

Weird Woman: You might know that your brother is taking me sister with him to a nice hill station.

I do.

Weird Woman: And my sister is all set to leave tomorrow. With a minute problem.

She is fretting that I won't be eating anything. I had a maid before Gauri shifted to Mumbai but I can't seem to contact her. Then I remembered the half brokered deal with you. Please come over a couple days and teach me how to cook?

I have an office to run.

Weird Woman: I know, you can come over tomorrow morning? Lunch for the next five days, I'll manage at the office canteen. Dinner might be takeouts but you just need to assure Gauri that we have a deal.

You have a penchant for lying?

Weird Woman: Well, if you agree to teach me alternately, I might not have to lie ;)

I'll see.

Weird Woman: I am not giving you months. Come over at our place tomorrow. We'll cook lunch. Pleaseeeeee.

I have a meeting.

Weird Woman: At five, I know. I asked Vidhi before messaging you.

Shivaay frowned. Vidhi could work for everyone but him, couldn't she?

Weird Woman: Don't get angry at her, she is just helping out a friend.

By giving out confidential information.

Weird Woman: Come on Shivaay! You said you'd think.

Alright. I'll come tomorrow but not after that.

Weird Woman: Thank you so much!!!!!

Also, you'll see how fantastic I am as a student. You'll have to come again and again. 'Matter of pride', remember?

Sleep and let me work. Or else I won't come.

Weird Woman: You are working now?

Rome was not built in a day.

Weird Woman: Alright. Night!

Night.

---

Yeah, laugh. I wrote one more. I should take drastic measures.

Updated because Payal said I should. Baaki tum dekh lo.

BlackManiacx