Punches

Shivaay had started pulling Anika to a secluded corner, looking around to make sure no one was following them, even if only through their eyes. Anika's gaze was stuck to her feet, her heart beating faster by the minute.

She tried hiding the excited smile, failing miserably. She had just looked upwards when she saw Shivaay crashing into someone.

"Oh God! I am sorry." Shivaay hurriedly apologized. The wine that the man had been holding was spilt on his kurta, and Shivaay looked at him apologetically.

When his eyes fell on a terrified Anika, he knew something was wrong.

"By the way congratulations, Shivaay." The man grinned, forwarding his hand.

Shivaay took it, still trying to put a finger on who it could be.

"Thank you. And sorry that I don't recognize you." Shivaay pursed his lips, still trying to remember.

"Oh, I believe we haven't been introduced yet. Actually I am Anika's friend,"

And just like that, for the umpteenth time that night, Rudra saved Anika yet again.

"Bhaiya!"

Shivaay turned around to find Rudra standing on the centre stage, dangling a red box in his hand.

Shivaay's eyes widened, and he quickly ran his hand in his pockets, trying to find Anika's gift.

Oh God!

Rudra grinned at him mischievously.

Shivaay wouldn't have noticed foul play if he hadn't caught Anika looking at Rudra gratefully, Rudra blinking his eyes in assurance and then Gauri engaging in a conversation with the  mystery man.

Let's take care of the task in hand.

"Rudra, give it back."

"Nope." Rudra winked.

Opening the box dramatically slow, Rudra gasped as he saw a ring in the box. Closely examining it, he wondered why Shivaay chose it. Before Rudra could introspect further, Shivaay came and snatched the box. Pocketing it, he glared at Rudra who raised an eyebrow in return.

"Bhaiya, why the apple though? I mean, if it is for Ani, oops, Anika Bhabhi, you should have gone for a watermelon. That's how your love story began."

"Shut up Rudra, it's not like you think. There is no love story."

You didn't let it happen, you idiot.

"Haan haan, lie all you want. We'll see when time comes." Rudra huffed.

Shivaay's eyes wandered, trying to find the long haired man again. He saw him talking to Radhika. Understanding that he'll be interrupted if he even tries approaching the man in question, Shivaay decided to use a 'detour'.

Moving towards Avinash, he excused them from Shakti and Tej and asked him,

"Uncle, the guy Radhika Aunty is talking to-"

"Oho Shivaay, no need to be jealous. We invited Daksh here, I mean-"

"Daksh?" Shivaay exclaimed, shock evident.

"Oh you didn't know? I know he is Ani's ex but he's a great guy!" Avinash smiled, unaware of the raita that he spread. Or maybe, a step towards cleaning up the raita Anika spread.

"Oh, he must be."

Did Anika not tell her parents about Daksh cheating on her? Guess she was terrified of the guy himself.

Taking a decision to teach the guy a lesson, for first trying to make a move on Anika and then even ditching her, Shivaay decided he'd do a little something for his lady love.

-

Daksh was talking to Gauri when a waiter came to him.

"Sir, someone has asked me to ask you to go to the garden. Wanted to talk to you personally." The waiter smiled.

Gauri looked at Daksh in amusement. Daksh looked around and found Mahira staring at him. She smiled at him and he grinned back.

"Excuse me, my lady." Daksh winked at Gauri who only chuckled.

"You two are such lovebirds."

It was only after a few minutes that Gauri realised, Daksh had moved to the garden, Mahira was talking to Anika and Rudra, and Shivaay was missing.

Please it shouldn't be what I am thinking.

-
Daksh moved to the garden, tapping his feet. When Mahira didn't come for a few moments, he understood somebody else had called him here. But the question was, who?

He was about to move back to the mansion when Shivaay entered, his hands folded across his chest.

"Oh Shivaay! You called me here? I started wondering if someone wanted to kidnap me or something. Looked like an episode of some crime thriller."

"Are you not even one percent ashamed of your actions?" Shivaay asked, looking at Daksh with disgust.

"Excuse me?" Daksh was confused.

"I know Anika and I were in a relationship earlier but I don't think I am ashamed of anything. Just because I showed up at an ex's roka doesn't mean I am shameless, as you consider me to be."

Shivaay didn't know what made him angry but he had no control over himself and didn't realise when he punched Daksh, square in the jaw.

Daksh stumbled backwards, shocked and due to the impact.

"Ow shit. Are you mad?" He rubbed off the blood.

Shivaay punched him yet again, and Daksh looked horrified. This was way too much for even your fiancé's ex.

Daksh took no time to aim a punch right next to Shivaay's eye.

Shivaay rubbed roughly at the bruise that was going to turn purple soon.

"So you can cheat on someone and show up on their marriage functions?" Shivaay angrily stared at him, his breaths ragged. He pushed Daksh, again with a punch aimed at his chest.

Daksh coughed a little and looked at Shivaay in confusion.

"Dude, get your facts straight! I did not cheat on anyone!"

Shivaay bent a little, grabbing Daksh by his collar.

"Oh, so now you'll lie. It's pointless."

Shivaay was about to attack again, his fury increasing by the minute, when a hand pushed Shivaay away from Daksh.

Shivaay saw Om and Rudra balancing Daksh while Anika came in front of Shivaay. Her eyes were glistening and she looked distraught.

Shivaay cupped her face, looking at her with assurance.

"Om, Rudra, please take Daksh to my room from the back gate." Anika whispered, still looking at Shivaay.

Turning a bit, she rubbed at her eyes and looked at Daksh apologetically.

"Daksh, I am so sorry. Om, Rudra and Gauri will explain things. Just try to not let this reach the elders."

Daksh looked at Anika in confusion. "Oh God Anika! I hope you haven't done what I think you did." Anika bit her lower lip, trying to control and not cry.

"Anika, what's happening?" Shivaay looked at her incredulously.

"Shivaay I will explain. Just give me a few minutes."

"Sure."

They stood there as they made sure Daksh, Om and Rudra sneaked in.

Anika took in a deep breath, trying to take control over her thoughts.

Shivaay saw her struggling and grabbed her by her arm.

Only the Oberois and Trivedis were left in the hall and so Shivaay dragged her, in front of all, to his room, locking it from the inside.

Then taking her to the pool, he motioned her to sit as well and they sat there on the ledge, their legs dipped in the pool.

Shivaay kept his hands on her reassuringly, waiting for her to speak up.

"Daksh didn't cheat on me. He broke up with me because he realised I hardly put any efforts in the relationship. Plus, he deduced that I was already in love with someone." Anika softly whispered.

So sorry for not updating the whole of yesterday and even 12th May considering it's 12:30 already. How is the update? I wasn't happy with chapters 10 and 11 either and hardly have hopes with this one.

Comment your theories, if any. We are pacing towards the end of the story :)

What is going to happen next? Is someone going to interrupt them yet again :P

Sleeping away,
BlackManiacx