chapter xxxv. Absolutely

Varun's face was passive and Anika's white. There were too many ways things could go south and there was possibly no way in which neither Shivaay nor she would be humiliated.

Anika didn't know if she was supposed to choose. She looked at Shivaay who looked as confused as her, if not more.

Varun turned to Misha with a small smile. “Well, let's get that table.”

Misha grinned. “I'll go check where the waitress went.”

Shivaay looked at them awkwardly for a second befor excusing himself. He gave Anika a look that was probably supposed to be meaningful but... The meaning was lost on Anika.

“So...” Varun began, chuckling. “I mean, I know you haven't really valued me ever since we were kids and come on, I get it Shivaay Singh Oberoi is definitely more handsome and much more rich but I never really took you for someone who'd play with someone like that. You could have simply told me the first time we met, Varun, I have a boyfriend and just am not ready to tell me parents. You could have gone about this a hundred different ways but leading me on was a terrible thing to do. I expected better, Anika.”

“It's not that-” Anika tried explaining but Misha was back, looking at them in question.

“Where did Shivaay go?”

Anika sighed. “He'll be here, we should go in.”

That, they did. A table near one of their large glass window panels, water flowing on the other side like an artificial waterfall.

Misha and Varun began discussing a little about their individual ideas and all Anika could do was avoid Varun's gaze whenever he turned towards her. Anika took out her phone.

Okay, where are you?

I am right outside, wondering if it's a nice idea to come in.

Oh please I am definitely not dealing with this alone.

It was your dearest best friend who put us in this situation.

Ugh, what are we even going to do?

Idk. You come in here quick or I am about to start crying.

Wait what?

Did Varun say something to you?

ANIKA!

Anika scratched the back of her ear, picking up the menu in front of her. She smiled at Misha who giggled a little.

“Of course, we shouldn't be talking business. I mean, the entire point of this was for me to get to know my friend's girlfriend and a potential business partner.”

Shivaay came in, looking slightly worried. Anika smiled at him innocently making him roll his eyes.

He sat down, not before whispering “Evil.” in Anika's ears making her grin.

This, however, didn't go unnoticed by either of their lunch companions. One looked at them affectionately and the other pressed his lips together, looking away.

Anika realised this was going to be the most awkward lunch of her entire life.

---

Anika had thought, Varun's words wouldn't affect her much but apparently, that wasn't true. It had been exactly 27 minutes since Varun and Anika stood by themselves and somehow Anika's guilt kept piling up every minute.

Alright, she wasn't exactly guilty about the whole dating Shivaay thing, simply because it wasn't true. On the other hand, Varun was clearly very hurt and Anika just wanted one chance to explain it. Past appetizers and soups, they were waiting for the main course.

Misha was currently talking about something from their school days, back when they actually had been best friends. Varun's jaw was clenched as he read the simple 'We need to talk.' text from Anika.

Her phone pinged.

I don't want to. If you are worried about me telling my parents or yours, don't worry I am not about to tell people I liked a girl who clearly didn't care.

It felt like a punch to her gut. The magnamity of how much Varun was hurt caused a sinking feeling in her stomach. Anika blinked the sudden tears in her eyes. She needed to get out of here.

Anika texted her friend from work.

Call me now. sos.

Misha's phone rang instead, who excused herself from the group entirely. Anika stared at Varun who was looking at her and Shivaay with raised eyebrows.

Now would be a good time for that phone call, Anika thought.

Shivaay only opened his mouth to say something when Anika's phone rang and she looked at the phone with mild panic. For the theatric effect, obviously.

“Hi.”

“Bata, what's your emergeny?” Shruti mumbled, sounding distracted.

“Wait, I have that file.” Anika furrowed her brows for effect.

“Oh wait, escape situation! Kisse jhoot bol rahi hai?”

“I am actually out for a lunch with... friends?”

“You used headache as an excuse at work. Ass. Shouldn't have gone to the lunch then.”

Anika tried stiffling her grin.

“So, could you give me fifteen minutes. I'll be there. I am still close to my house.” Anika bit her lip.

“I have half a mind to actually come over and get all the details.”

Anika cut the call, looking at the two men apologetically. Misha came wearing a similar look.

“I need to go home.” Anika quickly spoke making Shivaay roll his eyes. Of course she did.

Misha chuckled. “I was going to say the same, although I have to go to work.”

“Yeah, I brought a file with me at home, some accounts with our previous florist and they need that. A colleague's going to come get it.” Anika smiled.

Shivaay looked at her abashed. “You really are leaving me with this lover-boy of yours.” he muttered under his breath.

Anika didn't answer, only smiled.

“I can drop Anika at her place. It's on my way to work.” Misha offered. Anika thought for a few seconds. Well, might as well take help and save fuel.

Anika nodded, looking at Shivaay expectantly. He moved out of the seat, giving her space. When she was standing, he looked at her in concern.

“Is everything okay?”

Anika chuckled and whispered. “Varun thinks I am a terrible woman and hates me for playing with his feelings. So that's that.”

Shivaay looked at her with worry and them his gaze shifted to Varun who did look really pissed. “Wow, he must really like you.”

“You guys could take the ordered food as take-out?” Misha suggested while Anika all but ran out of the restaurant. Misha was mildly amused.

Shivaay nodded and smiled at her before sitting down again. Misha followed Anika, apologising to both of them again.

Varun snorted. “I am out of here.”

“Varun wait.” Shivaay spoke before he could move. “What did you tell Anika?”

“You can ask your girlfriend?”

“Do you really think she'd ever date me?” Shivaay chuckled. People really would believe anything, won't they?

“Yeah.” Varun furrowed his brows like it was obvious.

Shivaay shook his head. “The last time we met, Anika was planning my murder.”

Varun sighed. “That was obviously some inside joke. What are you trying to say?”

“I don't want to step up here but Anika and I are definitely not dating. She really likes you. I mean, she sent me pictures of the two of you after the first time you met, I have first hand seen how her mood changes when she's around you.” Shivaay gave Varun a small smile. “I mean, she's a little weird, her life's most definitely a mess but she's an amazing person. Maybe give her a chance to explain stuff?”

Varun sighed. “Do you think I over-reacted?”

“Oh I don't know what happened but...” Shivaay trailed off. “She definitely didn't go home because of work. She's just too good at making excuses.” Shivaay smiled fondly.

---

Anika sat in Misha's car, smiling a little at her.

“Anika, did you guys fight because of me?” Misha asked.

Anika shook her head. “No, that's crazy. I mean, I know there was some talk about you guys but, I didn't think much of it.”

Misha grinned. “Thank God. I mean, you know I do like Shivaay, a little bit. Come on, who wouldn't? The thing is, I realised that I wouldn't want to marry him.”

Anika frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, have you seen the way he looks at you?”

Super guilty because my almost-boyfriend found out that we were apparently dating each other, Anika thought, despite the slight somersault in her heart made in her chest.

“I mean, what's the point if he would never look at me that way.”

Anika only smiled. “You deserve better than his annoying self anyway.”

Misha only giggled and dropped her off.

---

Anika rummaged through the stuff surrounding her when the doorbell rang making her frown.  Dragging herself throught the door she was mildly surprised to see Shivaay.

She stared at him for a few seconds before grinning. She almost shut the door again but unfortunately for her Shivaay held it with his hands.

“Ha ha, very funny.”

Anika shrugged. “Had to try.”

She let Shivaay in who raised his eyebrows. Her eyes were red and she did look exhausted. She walked to the kitchen and Shivaay followed.

“I talked to Varun a little bit.” Shivaay said before he looked around the kitchen floor. “What were you doing?”

Anika shrugged. “Cleaning the kitchen? Restocking? Whatever.”

Anika sat on the floor again before noticing the bag in Shivaay's hand. “What's that?”

“Oh, well I didn't know what flavour you liked so... Now you have five tubs of ice cream?”

Anika looked thoroughly pleased. She grabbed the bag and checked the tubs, looking impressed. “Nice choice.”

Shivaay shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. To his surprise, Anika grabbed two spoons and settled on the floor, looking at him expectantly.

“What? Sit down.” Anika mumbled.

“You're eating all five of them now? At least keep some of it inside so, you know, it doesn't melt while you are devouring the others.”

Anika sighed. Shivaay was too smart for her good. She grabbed two and raised the bag for him. Shivaay shook his head and took them, keeping it in the freezing unit.

Shivaay looked at the ground for a few seconds before removing his coat and sitting down. Their backs rested against the counter, Anika sighed.

“You don't have work?”

“I am sorry.”

Anika looked at him in confusion.

“I mean, you are doing so much for my love life, for –” Shivaay paused and Anika looked suspicious. “I mean, it isn't fair to you that the one guy you like formed opinions about you, because of me.”

Anika smiled softly, opening the tub of mint choco chip and handing it to him.

“Well, I deserved most of what he said.” Anika shrugged. “He still found out from someone else that the girl he was going on dates with was someone else's girlfriend. I also might have been a huge jerk as a kid.” Anika dug her spoon in the tub, eyes closing when she felt the cool ice cream on her tongue.

“Even I am called names that I totally deserve but don't like so much.” Shivaay's voice was soft as he took a bite of his own.

Anika hit his shoulder with hers making him look at her. “Oh, if you promise to never tell anyone I said this, I can say that you are pretty sweet for someone who's paraded around as a stone-cold idiot.”

Shivaay grinned, cracking open the other tub. Anika took a spoonful before he even had the chance to and winked at him.

“What did you tell him?” Anika asked mouth full of ice cream. Shivaay scrunched his face in disgust.

“Well, I told him I'd never be lucky enough to date this weirdo.” Shivaay looked at her casually.

“You are not serious.” Anika mumbled, pushing an irrate strand of hair behind her ear.

Shivaay looked at her for a second too long before grabbing another spoon of her ice-cream. “I told him you were absolutely in love with me but we'd never date so you were ready to make-do with him.”

Anika rolled her eyes. “Of course, how can I not be. You are literally God walking on Earth. That definitely helps my chances with him.”

“I am absolutely adorable and helpful.” Shivaay looked at her with a smug smile.

“You are not.” Anika shoved him a little, hating how no part of her disagreed with him.

Anika stared at the ice-cream tub woefully, for it was finally time for her to accept, maybe she did have a teeny-tiny crush on him.

---

Well, this is not exactly what I had in mind and I hate half the chapter but if there's something I learnt, I need to continue writing.

Also, rejoice for Anika finally has accepted her fate and destiny.😌