Just clearing my draft 😁

A short shivika tale!

Khanna- sir, he is here.

Shivaay kept the glass aside and prepared to leave but she held his hand to stop him.

Annika- you're not even halfway done, eat up first.

S- it's ok, I don't really feel hungry.

He freed himself and stood up, she insisted again.

A- still, you gotta eat something. Want to faint and fall somewhere?

S- Annika.

He was pissed this time, twitching his lips he passed a fed up look and she sighed watching that.

A- ok go then, you're not my only attention here.

As soon as she finished , there was this noise she had been anticipating any second now.

Pinky- ok ohhh ohh ohh, don't cry my baby. Parenting didn't end with just giving birth to her , you have to take care  of the child too. When I went to your room, I found her on the floor, and she's been crying for how long I don't know! Oh my baby!!

Pinky kept saying sweet nothings while juggling the child in her arms. Annika watched him for a second,he just shook his head in disbelief and went from there.

A- but how? I keep pillows around her all the time.

She immediately walked towards pinky and tried to carry her 3 year old daughter Mrithula who seemed to enjoy being with her daadi more now. She didn't approve off from Pinky's arms when Annika approached.

P- you want to brag about your genious plan or what? Can't you see, she's crying?

Pinky kept taunting her, Annika without paying attention just concentrated on her child who finally bid adieu to her favorite daadi and floated in her mom's arms now.

A- are you ok?

She checked all over her body for any wounds, and then wiped her tears slowly. Meeti looked fine now, she just coiled her arms around annika's neck and rested keeping head just between her chest and the collarbone. And soon she started playing with her mom's chain like everytime, as if it's her favorite toy. That shining thing.

A- she's fine now, don't worry.

P- thank god for that. What if she really got hurt or something? You should be more careful, I know you can't do completely well but at least try to be a little responsible.

Annika silently arranged plates for herself as well as everyone , still carrying Meeti with her. One by one everyone came down to the dining hall by then.

Rudra- good morning bhabi! Why is my little doll so moody today ?

He asked noticing Meeti being all quiet curled up to her mom only. Annika sat down on one of the chair, and started eating .

P-  my poor baby fell down from the bed, all because of her mother who couldn't invest time to take care of her well. And see even now she has happily started eating , what about meeti then?

Everyone were quiet, Rudra just didn't care of all the drama pinky has been doing, he neared his seat towards annika's and started making faces to cheer up Meeti.

Jhanvi- pinky, Annika is meeti's mother. She knows what to do and when to do.

P- as if.

A- she has not even brushed yet, and it's too early for her breakfast, she won't eat. I'll give her some milk after I finish.

M- choco!

Came the baby's squeal of happiness, her favorite item it is and in her dictionary milk is the synonym of choco. She exclaimed and went back to business of playing with the thin chain Annika wore.

A- hmm choco.

S- you mean to say the party has decided on the candidate already?

' yes , I thought you'd help but I hear rumours from everywhere that not me but that Singhania is going to be announced as the next candidate '

Shivaay just tightened his lips and smiled on hearing it.

S- there's nothing to worry, when I give my word , it's either 100 % true or 100 % true there's no inbetween.

' but I '

The man stopped saying anything when shivaay looked kind of annoyed, his tight jaws and sharp stare spoke that much.

' ok, if you say so '

He left saying that, shivaay looked disturbed though.

S- I hate it when people question me like that. Khanna, what's happening at the cabinet meeting?

K- I doubt that the leader has got second thoughts on your decision. I hear so.

As soon as he finished shivaay stood up with a jolt , Khanna almost shivered for a second seeing the force. He stepped back immediately.

S- and why am I hearing this only now and not any sooner?

K- sorry sir, first I thought it was a rumour. But recently Singhania has been spotted going to the leader's house frequently, they've become a good acquaintance now.

S- nothing can move without my knowledge . They're doubting my decision you say? Even at this minute this second, I can bring a completely new person and make him the winning candidate in the election.  After everything I've done... Ok then find out the connection between them. I know what to do after.

K- yes sir.

S- my schedule, ready?

K- hmm, first we have a meeting with the infotech solutions director . It's about the last prototype we passed.

S- get the wheels ready then.

Khanna then quickly ran out, shivaay went to his room to pick the files.

A- you should not allow her inside your room Om, I heard she spoiled your art again.

Annika complained while packing lunch in the kitchen.

Om- come on Annika, how can I even say no to this adorable lady here hmm? How can I meeti?

Mrithula who was found sitting on the counter with Om, seemed fully lost in relishing  her choco.

A- she's got a load of people to pamper her so I'm restricting myself to be the only strict one . It's tough you know to be tough on her especially when she makes that face.

Om smiled listening to that.

Om- I know, gauri almost snatched the brush from her last night for scribbling on my board but seeing her puppy like face, even she fell for it. When I went to the room, both were on it, mission scribble.

A- really?

Annika laughed imagining Om's reaction then, she then filled her bottle with water . Shivaay came there just then,he quickly sipped some content of juice and prepared to leave.

A- when will you come back?

S- don't know.

He quickly caught the glass which Meeti just kicked by mistake and placed it far from her. Pressing a soft kiss on her cheek , he left.

Om- does he even sleep anymore?

Om questioned watching his brother jump and rush for work like that. Annika sighed before answering him.

A-  I spend most of the time with Meeti nowadays, I believe he does.

Om- I wish he could stop. I mean, the IT sector is fine but the political thing, the influence he has on such stuff is, is literally illegal ,it could be dangerous . Only you can stop him Annika, I know it.

She had a faint smile on her face when he finished talking.

A- I'm running late.

S- yeah make sure it's completely soft , smooth, firm. I've sent the measurements.Inform me after when it's ready.

He hung up and carried on with work. Just then Khanna knocked and came in.

K- sir, prototype testing is completed.

S- good, did they provide sign off?

K- yes sir.

S- great, go ahead with the production release. I need no last minute buffers like previous time. Master code is also updated, I just did it.

K- sure, and sir about the thing you

Shivaay spoke before he could complete.

S- Leader Mr. Sahni and Singhania are soon to become family , I hear wedding bells in their houses.

Khanna was surprised.

K- how did you

S- you think I sit here awaiting  your response ? I know to do some fieldwork too. Why so surprised?

K- sorry sir, we have to do something about it. They have even planned for an engagement which is happening any time soon now.

S- I have a plan.

Khanna grew cautious immediately, that reaction of shivaay's is scary every time, he never gets used to it.

A- sharmi! How many times have I told that every law is very very important ? Still you haven't written anything for Newton's law question .You think you can get on like this? I need to meet your parents .

' miss... '

A- no excuses , I'm going to send a message to them.

The bell rang for lunch break , she gave sharmi a threatening glare once again before leaving the class with a bunch of answer sheets.

She settled for lunch with her best friend Devi who also seems to work at the same school.

Devi- so how was your day then?

A- hmm... Let me try, I didn't get an ounce of sleep last night because of Meeti who has this terrible sleep cycle when it comes to night , not to blame her though she sleeps in the afternoon so it's tough to get her back to bed at night. Then as usual my aunty kept taunting this morning as if I pushed my daughter out of bed, and... You see this scar? Boiling oil spill while cooking breakfast this morning. And I'm sure many are going to fail in my class this time, I could sense it so well , only this otherwise my day went so good.

Devi chuckled at her friend's overdramatic voice and pulled her hand to take a look at the wound.

D- did you apply anything?

A- no time.

D- stupid it's gonna bubble up.

A- you know what I just don't care anymore .

Devi noticed her indifferent behaviour.

D- Annika I really think you should talk to shivaay about your MIL situation. I mean she's going overboard these days, you're so stressed I can see that.

A- there's nothing you don't know. She didn't support our marriage at first cause she thought I'm not good match for him. We married in spite of her denial though, she was angry for that. But after Meeti, at least she's talking to me.

D- really? Talking of taunting? And shivaay? He doesn't care or what!

A- we've decided to not make a problem of it.

D- after all these years, I still can't get you sometimes.

There was a sudden commotion is the campus. All the parents had come to take their children back home. Seemed like they were worried because of the riot happening in the surrounding. Reason, Mr.Singhania's supporters were enraged as their leader has been denied his seat for the upcoming election. The children were given half day leave, everyone were asked  to go home.

D- come with me.

A-  you're kidding? your house is not even in the direction of mine.

D- so what come on idiot, you didn't even bring your two wheeler today!

A- I'll be fine, don't waste your time.

D- annika!

A- I've already booked a cab, I can't cancel and pay penalty for that.

D- sure?

A- yes bye.

It was still tracking for a cab nearby and she already sent her friend off with a lie. Well indeed they live in different directions so it's gonna take a hell lot of time and Devi has to return late alone. Annika didn't want that , situations considered.  When the tracking failed again, she shook her head in horror and dialed him.

' Thank you so much sir!  I didn't expect that the table would turn this quick, I just spoke my worries this morning and now they're all gone. I got an official word from them that I have been chosen. '

Shivaay shook hands with him.

S- this is just the beginning, if you need to win. You've gotta do as I say.

' sure, sure '

S- ok, now the first 50C is going to

His mobile started ringing suddenly, he twitched his lips in disappointment.

A- hello, shivaay? Shivaay in school they've announced

S- annika I'm busy , not now.

She sighed in defeat when he hung up and tried for the cab again, luckily she got one confirmed soon.

Mrithula started giggling as soon as she saw annika walking inside.

A- isn't it your nap time baby?

She picked her up and asked, Meeti immediately yawned showing her signal.

P- you're back already?

A- half day.

P- Meeti maa , sleepy baby? Come, come with me.

Annika resisted when pinky approached .

A- it's ok I'll take care today.

P- ok but make sure she doesn't fall again.

A- hmm.

She went to her room carrying the baby.

She squirmed a bit and woke up just to find Meeti kicking the last pillow - the protection barrier down in sleep. So this is the backstory, playing football in sleep .Annika leapt forward and pulled her back to herself, she was soon surprised  though .

A big cushion like thing supported the edge of the bed blocking way down. It was attached on the edges. Annika smiled looking around.

A- Mrithula Shivaay Singh Oberoi, I'm jealous of you girl!

She cocooned her daughter to herself and kept caressing her hair softly.

To be continued...

Wanted to try something different, please vote and comment if you like my story 😊