Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The intense vibration of his cellphone broke his concentration from the contract file. He cursed loudly and ready to blast the caller, but as soon he read the caller ID, he fury turned into curiosity and then into concern.

"Hello?!" Shivaye greet was more of a question because he wasn't expecting the caller to call him and that too in the middle of the night. But in response, he received silence.

"Hello! Anika?" He said again.

"Um!!! Billlu ji, I mean Shivaye Sir, I mean Mr. Oberoi..." Her flabbergasted voice gave away her nervousness.

"I know my names too well Anika. Everything alright?" He asked.

Again, no response. But his agitation grew when he heard vehicles sound as well. "Where are you, Anika?" She was supposed to be at home.

"At the beach," Anika replied.

"Beach! At midnight? What the hell are you doing there?!" He blasted in the end.

"I felt like visiting the beach today, so I went there," Anika replied casually as if his rude way of questioning her didn't bother anymore.

"Really?!!" Shivaye inquired perplexed.

"Really." She answered.

"Ok?! So what's up?"

"Billuji, you once said that I could ask anything from you and you will give it to me," Anika spoke in one go. 

"Yeah... I remember." Though his mind was running all the possible kirkitodh interactions with her to figure out when did this happen.

"So can I ... I mean, can my friend live in your beach house for a few days?"

"What? Why?" Something was fishy.

"You also said 'no question ask.'"

"Ok. At least tell the name of your friend?" 

"Why do you need a name?" Anika asked, annoyed.

"I have to tell guard there," Shivaye replied plainly.

"Oh. Her name is ... Champa."

"Champa," Shivaye sneered. "That's an unusual name. What's her identity ..."

"Uff! Billuji. I am exhausted, and I really need to sleep so can I go, I mean can champa go?" Anika asked irritated while pressing her forehead that was killing her with the ache.

"Of course, she can," Shivaye answered gently.

"Ok. Goodbye." Anika cut the call.

oOo

Anika didn't take long to reach Oberoi beach house, it was precisely 5 minutes. All she was daydreaming, no, night dreaming was a warm bed and cozy pillow, and she was sure that sleep would finally grace her. The guard opened the door for her without any inquiry and showed her the way to the entrance.

"O betey ki?!" Anika exclaimed gaping at the house. It was actually a beach house floating in the water. Off course, it was one of the Oberoi's residence, anything lesser than magnificent can't be expected. And that was just the start. As she crossed the wooden path to the main entrance, she looked at the exterior of the house that was basked under the glow of night lamps.

Sighing, her attention diverted to the silhouette appearing on the door.

No Damn it! Her heart exclaimed. It was Shivaye Singh Oberoi, in flesh and blood.

"What are you doing here, Billu ji? I mean Mr. Oberoi." Anika asked, shocked. 

"Welcoming you, of course," Shivaye smirked, sipping his red wine.

Anika frowned at him. "You weren't supposed to be here."

"So do you. By the way, it's my house."

"Ok," I am not going to bear his attitude, Anika said to herself. "I am going." She turned, but he caught her wrist. 

"Hi, I didn't mean that."

"Uff! Billuji." Anika cried out, frustrated.

"Ok," Shivaye put his hand in the air in surrender, "let me show you your room. We can talk in the morning."

Anika didn't move an inch and kept frowning at him. Baghadh billa and that too nice, NO WAY! But Anika gave up to the exhaustion that was creating havoc on her body and mind, and she quietly followed him. She wouldn't have paid heed to his offer, but she was too tired to argue.

oOo

Anika thought that the next time she would open her eyes, it would be morning but wrong. Again sleep ditched her. At least she slept straight for 2 hours in three days. She twisted and turned on the soft bed, snuggled more into the pillow, but it didn't work.

She then proceeded to do some yoga exercise for her sleep, prescribed by her psychiatrist, but no avail. Maybe a stroll at the beach will be fruitful. With this plan in mind, she came out of her temporary room, and after walking aimlessly for 10 minutes in the house, she finally found the way to the beach.

The water was calm this night, compared to two nights ago. Anika mused, as waves crashed to her feet.

You are suffering from some kind of stress Anika. You need to find what it is.

Her psychiatrist words rang in her ears. She was no alien to the word stress; her life was a perfect example to describe this word. But now, her hardships has been decreased by ten folds. Everything was on its way to good. She was no more an ordinary wedding planner but an executive event manager in Oberoi Industries. With this job, her career and finances were back on track. Her brother was studying in one of the best boarding schools in India.

Thinking of her brother, her eyes misted. Gosh, she miss him so much. Although she was very proud that her brother got admission on merit in that prestigious school but being away from him always make her worry.

Maybe that's the reason for stress. But didn't she sleep fitfully the night Sahil left for his school? Her insomnia strike her after a few days.

Troubled from her insomnia problem, she went to her psychiatrist who suggested her to keep herself cool and calm. And, that took her to the beach where she unexpectedly fell asleep for two hours. She always have loved beaches and maybe, there positive impact improved her insomniac condition. But she can't go there every night to sleep. So, the only solution she could think of renting a beach house but she can't afford that. Then out of nowhere, her logical brain decided to contact the SSO by using one of his two granted wishes which he bestowed on her from saving his family from the clutches of Kapoor family. She had use one by taking a hefty loan for Sahil studies until he graduates and only one wish was left.

But to think of, SSO could be the reason of her stress like he used when she was planning his wedding. Maybe, now it's the presence of baggadh billa in her office that has taken away her peace.

Think of a devil and devil is here. Anika looked at Shivaye, seated on the beach chair and completely engrossed in his work.

Go away Anika, her mind said, but she sauntered to him.

"Busy, I see," Anika said, taking a seat next to his chair.

"Yeah, trying to work on something important." She saw shivaye huffed and shut his laptop. "Maybe I need a break."

"Didn't I tell you before that you work as slow as a snail? Nights are meant for sleep, not for work." Anika said smirking.

"Really? Then were you sleepwalking and now, sleep talking to me."Shivaye counter questioned her.

"I ... I slept but then I... I..." Anika stammered.

"Leave it. You are going to give some useless excuse."

"Mr. Sadu Singh Oberoi, I don't give an excuse. They are reasons, valid reasons."

"Whatever," Shivaye said and laid on his chair.

They didn't speak for some time. The silence was too pleasant. The gentle sound of the crashing waves was hypnotic. But Shivaye wants to listen to her; it's been so long.

"So, how's work?"

"Good," Anika replied monosyllabically.

"Good?! Working under dad is just good."

"No, it's excellent. He treats me equally. He gives me a tough time but then appreciates me a lot." Anika praised about Shakti Singh Oberoi. He was the nicest man she has ever met, maybe even better than her own father if she could remember.

"Yeah, my dad is best."

"You are very lucky."

Did he hear her voice shaking? Was she trembling? He looked at her from the corner of her eyes. He bewildered when he saw her wiping her face with the back of her hand. Then he diverted their small talk to his brothers, especially Rudra antics and they didn't realize when they drifted to the land of slumber – a miracle for each other, indeed.

oOo

Thank you for reading. Did you like this chapter? I hope you do.

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