Dearest Shivaay, || Shivika AU FF

𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕕

The engagement party had started mere moments ago. People had already begun flooding the great hall, where Anika's blue and white decor hung brightly, livening up the space evermore.

The event planner herself was to be found rushing past everyone and frenetically cross-checking everything. However virtually perfect the party was, it was lacking something or the other in Anika's eyes.

Turvi and Vaibhav Kapoor were far too busy socializing and making important connections. Who cared that it was their daughter's engagement party, anyway? There were more important things to be done, like confer with the fashion designers and articulate businessmen.

Tia looked absolutely gorgeous in her white evening gown with a blue velvet belt. The dress was a little revealing, with a deep V neck and a slit up one leg, but it suit Tia.

Anika was pacing the hall when she bumped into a guest in a blue dress. She looked up to meet the eyes of her dear sister. "Gauri?" she asked, completely shook.

"Di," Gauri said cheekily. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at home with Mausi and Sahil!" Anika screeched.

"We're here, too, Didi!" little Sahil exclaimed. Gauri pat the little one's head before turning back to Anika. "We were at home, but then we got an invitation from the Bagh— Mr. Oberoi," Gauri corrected herself as a rich old lady passed by. Anika winced. "Please don't call him that, it trips me up."

Gauri cocked an eyebrow. "Then what do I call him, Di? Jiju?"

Anika shot a dangerous glare. "Shut up, Gauri."

Gauri rolled her eyes and looked around. "This is a nice venue. Maybe I'll have my wedding here one day," she said in admiration. "Ri, this is Oberoi Mansion," Anika stated. Gauri's mouth practically fell to the floor.

"They live here? Hey, Shankar ji, what do they do with all this space? How many of them even live here, like 20? Di, this place is as big as our entire mohalla! Rukmini Aunty would faint if she ever saw this place!" Gauri rambled. "Di, do you think they'd let us get married here? As a favor to you for planning SSO's wedding?"

Anika looked up, unamused. Was this girl really her sister? "Gauri, I work here as a favor to Dadi."

"Dadi! I want to meet her, I haven't seen her in forever! Di, can I meet her, please?" Gauri pleaded. "Do whatever you want, but don't talk to anyone and please don't gouge the food."

Gauri pouted. One of the things on her agenda had just been prohibited. "Anika ma'am, the caterers are here," one of the servants said. Anika realized her job and quickly left, leaving her sister to her own sources.

Gauri looked around for Sahil, but the young boy had already darted back to his mother. Without anything else to do, Gauri decided to roam the palace that was Oberoi Mansion.

While walking, she ran into a woman with shoulder length black hair. She turned around, and Gauri winced on seeing "her" beard. The woman with short hair was actually a man with long hair.

"May I help you?" he asked, and Gauri was surprised to hear his rather deep voice. Maybe she was still getting acclimated to the fact that the man was actually...a man.

"Um, hi. Sorry, no, I'm fine." Gauri was just about ready to leave when the man's voice stopped her again.

"You look oddly familiar." Oh, curse all that is social interaction. "Haan ji?" Gauri asked. "Are you,
by any chance, Anika's sister?"

"Spot on," Gauri said with an awkward laugh. The man smiled brightly. "I'm Omkara! Anika's friend."

"Omkara Singh Oberoi? Cause if that's the case, then you're a little bit more than my sister's friend. You're also her boss's brother," Gauri said with a tinge of her trademark sass. Omkara laughed. "Your name?"