Frenemy Companions

Chapter -25

☆ ' Are you happy? '☆

Annika kept sitting on her place numb. People around her gushed and whispered amongst each other.  She looked towards her brother who was equally shocked and was staring at their father.

Her gaze went back to her mom and she gave her a smile ,which said that she could go to any extent to hurt Annika.

Annika's eyes burned and her heart ached to cry but neither tears came nor a single cry left her lips.

She looked at her right and Sameer came in her vision walking towards her. His eyes blood shot and face grim.

He extended his hand and she wondered what should be her next step.

Should she just play along and get engaged?

Or should she take a stand for herself?

Gauri and Bhavya were still looking at her very concerned and confused. In fact , the hundreds of people, the media, who was covering the function was present.

Madhuri's  last words in her room ringed in Annika's ears and eyes shot up.

Annika could afford to jeopardise her life, but not her relationship with Aditya. She knew one thing this engagement will be broken off in the close future for sure!

She took a hold of his hand as he urged her too. They walked together to the stage.  She knew Sameer was forced ,or maybe emotionally blackmailed by his dear mother, whom he can never answer back, never declined for anything.

She hugged her father blinking several times.

"Are you happy? " Adhiraj asked his daughter.

Annika felt her eyes pooling with saline water, something she was dreading. She nodded in a yes smiling forcefully. She spared another glance at her brother.

He looked as if wanted to drag her out of the hall. His clenched jawline, ticking nerves told her that he was angry, confused and against the current scenario. Sanam held his hand controlling him.

It dawned upon her, it was planned so well. Every eminent personality of the country, actors, politicians, the home minister of Rajasthan and many more people were present.  Madhuri knew Annika wouldn't stake the respect of her family. It was not a unpredictable now.

She was asked to forward her hand and with a heavy heart she did. As she felt the ring on her finger. She mentally apologized to Tanya.

Tanya would be heart broken!

Sameer looked so devastated yet in place. Darn! the guy must have not even told Tanya about all this.

****

Shivaay stood there not blinking with no expressions. His eyes on her noticing the quiver of her lips and twitching of brows.

Her wet eyes, sad demeanour and aching heart filled him with agony. As the ring slid in her finger swiftly he closed his eyes and slowly released a tired sign.

He patted Aditya's shoulder to console him. Shivaay knew Aditya had questions and either Annika or her mother will have to answer them.

Aditya was protective of Annika. He cared for her like no one else.  Annika was his first child, He had looked after her practically from the age of five.

She smiled at Sameer who was grim. It was actually something that no one in the hall could think off. In the sangeet function of Aditya Singhal,  Annika's engagement!

The lights went off Shivaay offered his hand to Sanam after whispering in Aditya's ear to talk to Annika.

Shivaay knew she'd want to stay away from Aditya for now. Precisely because of what had happened. She didn't have the courage to face her brother.