Ashq Na Ho (A ShivIka OS) ||✔||

Ashq Na Ho

"Mehendi hai rachne wali
Haathon mein gehri laali
Kahe sakhiyaan ab kaliyaan
Haathon mein khilne wali hain
Tere mann ko, jeevan ko
Nayi khushiyaan milne wali hain"

Shivaay saw the women dancing around together, surrounding the one who had henna applied up to her elbows. Unlike the typical shy-coy bride, she was dancing enthusiastically, even giving the reason that henna dries faster when you move. Her soft curls bounced on her shoulder and the minimalistic jewelry shimmered like stars. But what made her look breathtakingly ethereal was the smile, dazzling between her rosy cheeks. As days inched closer on their wedding, Shivaay found it harder to believe how did he get so damn lucky. His bride-to-be was most beautiful girl in room, no, in the world, the love his life, Squadron Leader Anika Sharma.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi came from a wealthy family. Very wealthy. And here's what his Life Checklist looked like. Born? Check. Study in reputed school? Check. Study in reputed college? Check. Join the family business? Check. Marry a woman from a wealthy family? Pause. And if said in Anika's words, his checklist went tel lene when the Air Force officer entered his life.

Shivaay and Anika met the old fashioned way: via family friends. Her mother Vinamrata Sharma was a good friend of his aunt Jahnvi and the family was invited to the 50th anniversary part of their company. Sparks flew when she relabeled him from a "boring workaholic" to a "focused man who is passionate and dutiful towards his job". For the two years that Anika was posted in Mumbai, the two became acquainted then friends and eventually lovers.

If Shivaay's heart was a lock, Anika was the key to open it. She understood him and his choices like no one else did. Their relationship had right amount of intimacy and space. Neither expected their partner's life to revolve around them 24/7, but when they would be together, they were all that mattered to them.

Anika was a disciplined, diligent, quick-witted yet immaculately articulate girl. Her family had been serving in the armed forces for generations. Her late grandfather held a Brigadier rank and was a 1971 war veteran. Her father, Air Commodore HarshVardhan Sharma was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal in 1999. The youngest of her family, her 18-year old brother Sahil was a Cadet at the National Defence Academy.

Her younger sister Gauri had ventured out into the civilian world. She was a reporter with DD National. Maybe that's one of the reasons his brother Omkara fell for her: the commonality of their impeccable Hindi language skills. Well, RiKara's love-story was a tale for another time.

Shivaay tore his gaze away from Anika and rejoined the conversation when Tej took his name.

Anika glanced at the corner where the men were talking, secretly eyeing the blue-eyed one whom she was going to marry, the love her life.

Growing up, she didn't give much thought to love. More specifically, she didn't understand how dating and romance worked. And her past two relationships held proof. First one ended when college did in an amicable way, second after she threw a glass of red wine on an overbearing misogynist. If Anika were to love, she would give it her all, but never so much that she would be crippled if her partner left. She was strong, independent and complete in herself and would stay that way.

Naturally, when she shared her thoughts with Shivaay, she expected him to flee, ghost her or give a lecture. On the contrary, and to her surprise, Shivaay felt the same. Thereon, texts became more frequent, calls longer, they even found their 'spot'; a hidden yet accessible part of the beach with soft sand and smooth rocks where they would escape and talk for hours on end. Despite having very different lives, she could relate to him every time they talked. Even when she didn't, she tried to understand and respect his choices. At times they would get into heated arguments, but would resolve it by night. Life was too short for grudges and silent treatment.