Dearest Shivaay, || Shivika AU FF

𝔸𝕞𝕓𝕚𝕘𝕦𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤

Shivaay's announcement had definitely raised questions in everyone's mind. Pinky was stressed because her heera beta seemed more and more reluctant to get married as the days went by. Jhanvi and Dadi were mostly worried about the spacing of events and rituals. Tej and Shakti were concerned with the business prospects and what postponing the wedding would mean for their company. Om and Rudra weren't as stressed as they were hopeful that this was a step in the right direction for Shivaay. Priyanka rummaged through her mental closet for different outfits, gauging how she'd balance out her dieting plan to fit in each dress. Ishana was mostly indifferent to this whole thing. She just wanted to go home to her sister, Mona. 

In this tangle of thoughts, opinions, and apprehensions, Shivaay and Anika exchanged their feelings wordlessly. Anika's eyes held questions, and Shivaay's held answers. But the thing was, Shivaay was unaware of the answers that his eyes expressed to Anika. Whereas Anika only subconsiously understood the true reasons. 

Sometimes, things like this took place without our own knowledge. Interactions would happen between two souls, unbeknownst to the bodies that housed them. And perhaps, the same was happening with Shivaay and Anika. Perhaps, they too, were only half-aware of this conversation taking place. Perhaps, they too, were unaware of the plain love that everyone else could see. 

His eyes seemed to seek something from her. Solace, maybe, from the scary world he resided in. It was full of expectations and artificial love, where he was left to fend for himself and his brothers. Maybe he searched for unconditional love. Maybe he wished her to love him more than his brothers, past the point of dying for one another. 

Her eyes seemed to seek something from him, too. Maybe she looked for shelter from the taunts she beared. She lived in a world where everyone berated her for being an orphan. For having no family. She lived in a world where she would have to tolerate the pebbles thrown at her, and shield her siblings from the insults, as well. Maybe she searched for solace, too. 

The same thought graced their minds simultaneously: would they continue to search for something in one another, like this—in a world where doing so was forbidden? Would they continue shrugging off this desire to spend the darkest nights in one another's embrace?

At that moment, Shivaay and Anika regained control over themselves and their rogue thoughts. Shivaay and Anika's response to the question they had asked themselves? No, and yes. 

Anika would stop searching. And she would shrug off every desire regarding Shivaay. She was working off her debt to Kalyani Singh Oberoi by getting her grandson married. She had her own family to love and protect and she needed no one else. She'd continue fighting back these feelings as she'd fought against the world her whole life. 

Shivaay decided the same. He had his brothers, and that was enough. And he was getting married. There was no need to entertain such thoughts about his wedding planner. What did he know about her background, anyway? She had no naam, khoon, khandaan. She was middle-class, and Shivaay was first-class. 

With these thoughts, both tore their gazes apart, ignoring every urge to look back. But if they listened, perhaps they'd notice that they had lost something very precious. Their very own hearts. 

And so, it began. Meticulously working around Shivaay Singh Oberoi, avoiding all possible contact. Sometimes, asking his family members of his taste and preferences. Doing everything in her power to just walk properly, not falling and slipping every damn minute. 

It was hard, of course, with her being his wedding planner and roaming around his house seven hours of the day. But Anika was Anika. She managed. 

It was somewhat easier for Shivaay. He'd make excuses of having a business meeting, staying out of the house for long periods of time, much to his mother's dismay. After all, he was the groom. But if Anika was Anika, Shivaay was also SSO. He managed. 

A whole day passed by, the two souls avoiding one another as best as possible, both fearing even the slightest contact. But then, it happened. 

Anika was wrapping some lights around the pillar while talking on the phone. It all happened extremely quickly. Her hand slipped and hit the outlet, resulting in an electric shock. She winced loudly, catching a passing Shivaay's attention. He quickly ducked behind the pillar opposite to her and his eyes widened in fear as his gaze traced the redness on her fingers. 

Luckily for him, Rudra was passing by. Shivaay quickly pulled him over, much to his surprise. "Rudy, listen. Anika got a shock. Go ask her if she's okay," he instructed. Before Rudy had much time to react, he was pushed by a worried Shivaay. 

"Uh, Didi, are you okay?" he asked, approaching Anika. Anika frowned and looked up. "Yeah, I'm fine. Yeh lights bhi na, current maare mujhe." 

"Oh." Rudy looked over at Shivaay, who glared at him dangerously. "Mera matlab, OH! Oh, kitna jal raha hoga, na Didi?" 

Surprised by his sudden change in tone, Anika looked up at him curiously. Her eyes involuntarily traveled to where Shivaay was standing, observing Anika's wound too carefully to see her glaring at him. "No, Rudra. I'm fine," Anika said, a bit harshly, pulling her hand away. "Didi, I'll get you first aid, haan? Just wait here." 

Another glance at his dearest Shivaay Bhaiya, who told him to tell her not to work. Rudra sighed. Why was it always him, caught in the middle of this Billu-Billi jhagda? "And, Didi, you should take a break. Just sit down for some time. I'll be back, okay?" 

When Rudra left, Anika rolled her eyes and simply continued talking on the phone with the caterer. "Bhaisahab, aapko kya lagta hai? Bade ghar ki shaadi hai, toh paise barbaad karo? Nahi, bilkul nahi! Main aapko ek phooti kaudi tak na doongi, sune aap? Nahi, aap meri baat suniye, aapk—" The caterer cut the phone. Anika fumed as she began walking. "Haww! This is their customer service? Arey bhai, Oberoi khandaan hua toh kya hua? Iska matlab yeh toh nahi hua ke hum batwa phaad ke paise de sakte hai!" As she continued to ramble, she didn't notice when exactly she reached the other end of the hall. 

She also didn't notice when a brand new red carpet was brought in, and her foot tripped over it. Luckily, or unluckily for their conscious selves, Shivaay's strong hold was able to grasp her just before she fell on her face. Their gazes got tangled together, time stilled, the only movement the flickering of their eyes as they looked deeply into each others' orbs. 

Rudra, who had just returned on finding the first aid, scratched his head as he searched for his beloved Anika Didi. He finally landed on the two lovebirds, who had refused to speak to one another moments ago. "Yeh lo, Bhai. 2 minute kya gayab hue ke Anika Didi teleport karke Shivaay Bhaiya ki baahon mein gir gaye. Yaar, yeh Billu-Billi itne jaldi jaghadte hai, aur usse bhi zyada jaldi, dono ka milaap ho jata hai? Yeh ho kya raha hai, Bhagwanji?!" he said exasperatedly as he left the room. 

Anika Didi didn't need first aid anymore. She had wound up in the arms of her medicine anyway.