Frenemy Companions

Chapter -20

Annika walked forward along with Shivaay to receive Sanam who had arrived at the palace.

The schedule was set. Firstly she would be welcomed traditionally with Aarti and folk songs sung by the village ladies. Then she'd be escorted to her room. It the later evening the dress trials are planned for Sanam.

"I hope Om and Rudra would have handled everything there. Specially the stuff that had to be brought here" Shivaay said.

Annika hummed in response but didn't say anything. Shivaay looked at her and  found her lost in thoughts walking cluelessly.

He hit her forehead slightly and she  turned to him annoyed.

"Welcome back to Earth, care to share the reason of your distress" he asked.

She didn't say anything for few minutes but then couldn't stop herself from sharing it with him.

"You know according to rituals mom should be the one to receive bhabhi. I was wondering if mom knows this or not. What if bhabhi's family felt bad about it? "

"Firstly stop worrying about the things not in your control. I am sure aunty knows this, then also she couldn't make it on time, it must be something important.

Secondly, you know right that Sanam lost her parents,  it is just her uncle and aunt along with some close relatives. They are all good people.  You have not met them right?" He asked

"No I haven't " She answered.

She wasn't there at the time of their engagement so couldn't meet them.

They saw the cars entering the driveway then one by one everyone got down.

Annika took one of the thals with kumkum and did Sanam's tilak  welcoming her warmly with a hug.

All the guest were welcomed with garlands and Aarti. The old village ladies sang one of the folk songs welcoming the bride to be.

Annika decided to accompany Sanam till her room while Shivaay went with Mr and Mrs sighania's , Sanam's uncle and aunt. The rest of people were escorted by the staff.

"Bhabhi if you have any problem please call me. Or you can call Shivaay too. " Annika smiled saying

"Thank you Anni. I would definitely come to you or Shivaay bhaiya if I need anything.  I see your trust in him has increased " she said teasingly.

"Yeah , he has been a lot of help to me. Thanks to God that Shivaay was here or renovation wouldn't have wrapped up this soon." Sanam smiled listening to her.

"Although he's irritating,  annoying and sometimes a total jerk but whenever there's a problem I just have to call him. He has solution for everything " Annika continued talking freely not realising that it would later  cause her trouble.

Her phone pinged with a message and she stopped.

"Om ,Rudra,kartik are here bhabhi. I have to leave." Annika rushed out of the room.

Sanam kept looking at her direction for a moment then smiled.

Aditya thought that her Shivaay bhaiya had soft corner for Annika. He loved her. She too occasionally felt that.

But Aditya didn't note that Annika too had a place specially for Shivaay . She just prayed for Shivaay  and Annika to end up together.

****

"Don't talk to me!" Kartik said the first thing after meeting Annika.

"Okay I won't " she replied nonchalantly knowing very well about his drama.

Shivaay along with Omru rolled his eyes at her nonchalance, for once she couldn't act accordingly and keep the drama going.

"I will seriously not talk to you. What do think you were doing when you came here without telling anyone. Do you have any idea how much worried we all were!" Kartik poured his pent frustration however he was not angry, his tone was at normal octave.

"Sorry kittu, next time I would tell you before I go anywhere " Annika pulled his cheeks.

"Don't treat me like a baby. And last time  too you told me the same thing but didn't keep the promise."

"Okay , okay now kartik forgive this idiot sister of yours for me. Because we are running late. She needs to look after the tilak arrangements for tomorrow " Shivaay intervened trying to be of some help. 

Kartik was still passive but then let go of the matter and hugged Annika who was waiting for apology to be granted to her.

"I have let go of this matter. But bhaiya will not" he warned her of the upcoming storm.

Annika smiled unsure of her response. For sure she was doomed.

"Omru and kartik go and rest for a while.  In the evening dress trials are planned and Shivaay please tell khanna ji to make a note of who is residing in which room.

Although it is our palace I'll forget the room arrangements " She completed and they all nodded.

Shivaay messaged khanna for the same and Omru left to there room with Kartik.

"Lunch?" He looked on waiting for an answer.

"Sure" She accompanied him for lunch.

On her way she called Sameer to ask about his arrival but he didn't pick up.

At last she dropped him a message and sat to have lunch. The huge dinning table was empty. Shivaay took the head chair and she to his left.

"I hope till tomorrow morning the flowers will arrive. Or the decor would be difficult " Annika said serving herself some curry. Though she talking to him but her mind was totally on a different thing

"All the dresses are here?" He asked observing her.

"Yeah, the trials would start in sometime " she replied.

"You seem worried! " He remarked but didn't ask the reason.

"No I am not" she lied. She was great at speaking lies just that people knew her too well.

"Yes, and I am mad" he joked.

"Bad joke!" She pushed her plated aside and served herself with some Rabri.

"You have started eating too much sweets. Wanna get fat or die of diabetes?"

"Well none of them actually.  Sweets release happy hormones, if you don't know" she smiled sarcastically.

"How ironic right? There was a time you were always happy.  Now you have to eat sweets, chocolates and watch silly cartoons to laugh and smile" Annika stopped eating.

His demeanour had suddenly changed. She wondered how he knew of her watching cartoons.

"I saw you watching last night " he answered as already knowing what's going on in her mind.

Annika took a spoonful of the dessert and ate it. She had no explanation of her doings.  It was hidden fact that she was somewhat going to depression. And she never wanted that, so these attempts were to make herself happy.

One thing she didn't got was how every time he knows everything about her.

And why she never snaps at him now a days like she used too.

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Seher