xxii. A Girl With A Mission

Anika walked down the stairs, her bag and phone in one hand each. Putting the phone to her ear, she waited for Gauri to pick up.

"Hey!" Gauri's sleepy voice came through a couple rings later.

"This is not fair. I am being woken up so early by your prospective sasural and you are out there, vacationing with your boyfriend and still sleeping." Anika whispered, lest someone hear her.

Gauri chuckled. "We had the event last night so I slept really late. Om's gone out for some morning walk or something. I have no idea. He did wake me up to say something but I don't remember anymore."

"At least one of us is enjoying."

"Oh come on, Om's family is very cool. It is fun being around them."

"Yes but you do not have his mother constantly shipping you together."

"Well, I know how to keep my secrets. You should have secrets. Now it is a lesson learnt for you. The next time you find yourself a boyfriend, fake or not, don't go around shouting about your relationship in the face of his family."

Anika groaned as Gauri laughed. "I hate all of you. You, Shivaay, Om, myself. In that order."

"Okay now do you have something to tell me or should I sleep?"

"How was your event?"

"Nope."

"Arey?"

"I'll call you in the evening. I really need to sleep."

"Gauri sun toh-" but the call was already dead.

She frowned at the phone.

"Who is at the receiving end of your tantrums this morning?" Shivaay's voice came from behind her.

"My dearest sister who has effectively ruined my life. If she wouldn't have introduced me to Om, your brother wouldn't have had the ridiculous idea and I wouldn't have to wake up to see your face the first thing in the morning." The two of them had begun walking down the stairs, Shivaay still setting his sleeves.

"Welcome to the club of elder siblings having their life ruined by their younger ones and complete strangers." Shivaay shrugged.

"Oh wait. Before that, what was that when you left the room?" Anika frowned.

"What?" he looked completely clueless, shifting to the other hand.

"Talking about," she pointed to the two of them, "us like that." Shivaay looked up to find Anika making a disgusted face.

"It's called the art of revenge. When my sex life is being discussed by my Mom and a psycho woman I met like 4 weeks ago, I find it fair enough to irritate that psycho woman to the exact same level. What better than having her all flustered?"

"Yes but that way, you are still discussing your sex life just that you are getting me dragged into it?" Anika looked at him in confusion.

Shivaay chuckled. "I was only quoting my Mom. Helping you understand what she meant. I thought you don't really get bothered at all. It sort of breaks my heart that the only thing that can shut you up is the idea of us."

"Shut up." Anika mumbled, shoving her elbow to his side which Shivaay easily dodged. She might not like him very much but Anika was aware that he was attractive. She was not blind. She had very easily compartmentalized that their relationship was professional and maybe sort of like relatives or something since Gauri and Om were a thing. She had managed to not think about Shivaay like that at all but if he kept talking, she'll not be able to stop her brain from going in that direction. Stupid man, can he not take a hint? Anika knew herself very well. Focus.

"Good morning Shivaay. Good morning Anika." They heard Janhavi's voice.

"Good morning aunty." Anika smiled.

Shivaay walked to Janhavi and began talking to her quietly. Anika stood there awkwardly before Shakti and Tej came too. As everyone exchanged greetings and walked to the dining table, Anika was left behind.

To her rescue, Rudra came from behind.

"Good morning Anika Di!"

"Hey!"

"Did you see Gauri's Di's posts from last night? Damn, she and O are really enjoying Mussorie."

"Oh I completely forgot." Anika opened her Instagram. Swiping through all of Gauri's stories, she frowned.

"She's having so much fun and here I am, baby-sitting your brother."

Rudra laughed. "Well, when Shivaay Bhaiya is with his date, you could totally find someone for yourself. Sit at the bar, see if you find someone attractive. Hit them up."

"That's a nice idea. I mean, I'll have to put in a little extra efforts in getting ready but might be worth it?"

"Yeah and if you already have someone in mind, ask them to meet you. What about this guy you met last week?"

"Oh we met and it was fun and he hasn't messaged again. I don't know, what if he doesn't want to meet?"

"Oh. Maybe he is just busy and if you really liked him, being the first one to message isn't that bad an idea. Maybe he thinks the same like you do. Aise toh single hi reh jaoge."

Anika nodded.

"What are you two talking about?" Janhavi looked at them curiously.

"Oh bas dating advice." Rudra answered. At everyone's confused expression, Rudra realised. "I mean, I was asking Anika Di what I should do so I could find a girl as fantastic as her."

"Rudra, you are asking the wrong person." Tej provided.

Anika looked at him in shock. That was rude, even for him, right?

"You should ask Shivaay how he managed to woo somebody as amazing as Anika. That's the sort of help you need."

The way Tej said 'he' made Anika snort.

As everyone laughed, Rudra went to a flabbergasted Shivaay and patted his shoulder. "Nobody in this house loves you anymore Bhaiya."

"Yes Rudra, I can see."

---

Seated in his car, Anika and Shivaay were rather quiet for themselves.

"I was thinking, we shouldn't go to your place before the date." Anika suggested, breaking the rare peace.

"Right, same. I cannot handle my family."

Anika nodded in agreement.

This is so not like us. Anika thought to herself. What could they do, really? They were both equally flustered. Throughout the breakfast, one way or the other, the topic would steer towards Shivaay and Anika. Tease them, had apparently become the Oberoi family's one single goal.

"What restaurant are we going to, by the way?"

"This really cool place I found in Bandra. I am sure she'll love it. It has a garden dining as well."

"We are sitting indoors."

"Expected. Rudra told me you do not like garden dining. The bar in the garden, however, has my name all over it." Anika smiled.

Shivaay rolled his eyes.

"Here's your office."

"Thanks. The date is for 8 so you can pick me up at 7? From my place, it's closer. I need a change of dress too."

"Didn't you get the clothes for the date though. My Mom told you to."

"Yes but back then, I thought I would be sitting by myself. Now, I and Rudra decided I should really try finding someone for myself. I cannot risk my love life to sink just so I can keep yours afloat."

"So that is why you are interested in the bar."

"Aha!" Anika grinned before opening the door.

"Bye Shivaayji." Anika winked at him and stepped outside.

Not bothering to reply, Shivaay drove off, leaving Anika pleased.

"Oh so that is why you rejected me." she heard a voice from behind and frowned. Such a bad day it was. Bound to happen, Shivaay's was the first face she saw.

"Go away Nikhil."

"Hey come on, we were friends before."

"And then you got me desk-ridden because I hurt your ego."

"We can let those things be in the past."

"You need gossip, I understand. I would have told you, except there is nothing to tell."

"I don't believe you. Why would he drop you otherwise?"

"Buzz. Off."

---

Five-thirty in the evening saw Anika hurry into her house. After a quick conversation with her Mom and Dad, she rushed to get ready. She couldn't have Shivaay be late because of her.

Spending quite some time deciding on what she should wear, Anika called Gauri again.

"Di, I am busy. We have to meet some artists."

"I know, I just want your help. I want a nice dress to wear."

"It is Shivaay Bhaiya's date night."

"And I want to try finding someone as well. Why can't everyone just think it that way? Rudra is the smartest."

Gauri sighed.

"I ironed the best of your dresses and kept it in my cupboard, since you keep yours a mess."

"You are the best sister." Anika mumbled, hurrying to her room.

"You are too. Now can I go?"

"Fine. Enjoy."

"Do tell me if you find someone. Maybe sneak a picture or two."

---

Re-reading the story had me make a major plot change and all my future chapters (like the ones from the very end) are now trashed because they don't make sense anymore. That sounds fun.

BlackManiacx