Frozen - Shivika FF | ✓

Chapter 17 : Together Yet Not

"Mom, please. We are going to Chandigarh only. As it is we a going ti say just one night and head to Shimla." Shivaay explained. The past five days had past very smoothly.  They had covered their hotels at Jodhpur, Bikaner and were now at Jaipur. 

Anika had been a very easy companion. She wasn't loud or jumping into things kind of Anika. She was quite mostly, but Shivaay had noticed that spark of excitement in her eyes. She was savoring every minute of their travel. It was like an adventure for her. 

Shivaay didn't need many evidences to conclude that the newness had her enthralled. However, she barely spoke to him. Only necessary exchange of words took place between them. They slept on the same bed were together almost throughout the day but she seemed to be so far away. 

"Anika, can you pass that," he said pointing to his neatly laundered shirt. She nodded and quickly walked over to him  handing him the shirt.

"Anika!" Pinky said with a bright smile. 

Shivaay glanced at his laptop screen. Exactly what he wanted, to divert his mother's attention to Anika so that she dropped the topic of Patiala. His mother hailed from a very conservative family of Patiala. Shivaay wasn't really fond of his mother's maternal home or his mother's relatives just like his father. 

He quickly moved away picking up his phone. He walked into he balcony of their room and sat on the chair comfortably while Anika answered his mother's questions. 

He smiled, his attention was on Anika's voice. He never thought he'd actually admit to this, but it felt so good to hear her talk at length. Although, he could sense restrain in her voice as she answered and told his mother about the city. 

"Oh, we saw camels. They are pretty huge. No, I haven't sat on one. It's scary. When we visited the city palace, I saw this girl get on a camel. Her shriek was enough to warn me to never do that."

Sitting with his back facing her, Shivaay smiled heartily listening to her.

Anika glanced at Shivaay who was seated on the balcony. That man was too cunning. He had put her in a fix and had disappeared. Pinky aunty had never been so sweet to her like she was right now. 

The Oberois were confusing people honestly. They always made sure to surprise or shock her with their hidden colors. She never thought Pinky could be so affectionate towards her. Was she really or was it all a sham? Anika had learned one lesson, to not trust anybody. 

This world was full with selfish people. Nobody did something for others. They only did things for themselves. Nobody considered it a treasure to have someone's trust or love. They all blindly wanted what they wanted. Shivaay was a clear living example.

"Anika, where is Shivaay?" Pinky asked after some time of sharing anecdotes about travel. 

"Uh," she glanced towards the balcony. Her lips formed a hesitant smile looking at Pinky and Daadi. "Billu ji!" She called and glanced at the screen to find a radiant smile on his grandmother's face.

"Billu?"

Shivaay rolled his eyes and walked in. He absolutely hated when Anika addressed him like that. 

"Hi, Daadi!" He said pulling a chair beside the one kn which Anika sat. Anika's gaze moved around consciously as he sat very close to her, slightly leaning towards her to be in the frame.

"Where did you run off to Billu?"

"I was just getting some work done, Daadi!" Although he barely had. His entire attention was on the ladies virtual conversation.