Meeting You || ✓

Chapter Nine

It's You ~

Five Days Later

"See, I know—-" Shivaay interrupted on the other line, "Annika. It's totally fine. Just get him here. Just come to Mansion. I'll be waiting"

Annika hummed and rested the call.

"Didi, are you taking Avi to Oberoi Mansion ? Shivaay bhaiyya agreed ?"

"He agreed, Rudy. But I don't think it's right. I can't help but think of it as he's doing a favour by responding to the advance of me being his close acquaintance"

"Didi, you're simply stressing out. Just get Avi to Mansion. He's so excited to meet him"

Annika rebuked, "All are your doing. One, you're sharing a buddy tag with a ten years old neighbour boy. Two, you told him about Shivaay. Like why you ?!"

"Didi, I blurted as he told me that he sincerely adores Shivaay bhaiyya. Take him with you nahh"

"Okay. Wait" She pulled out her ringing phone.

"It's him. Hel..."

"Annika. Don't bring him. I..I I can't—-some other time. Please. I'm sorry.." He abruptly hung up on her.

"Rudy, I'll be back" She immediately stormed off the apartment. She could feel his worry in the voice. She know; she'll never be more ready and there are things she can only learn by getting out there.

She took slow steps inside the Oberoi Mansion. She could sense an unneeded silent ambience. She looked quizzical at a lady who was sitting on the living room.

"Hello, Miss Annika" Omkara greeted her.

"He..hello. Where's he ?" She asked looking around. Omkara pointed towards his bedroom.

"Is he fine ? What happened ?"

"He's buying time to accept the situation. This lady is the one he was looking for all these years. And, when she's finally here, he's just gobsmacked"

Annika's brain stuttered for a moment. She looked at the lady and bothered not to reciprocate the smile she's flashing. She sprinted towards his room and knocked continuously.

"Annika ? You ?!" Shivaay asked opening the door. "That lady—-tha—" She stammered making him worried.

"Annika hey. Relax. Yeah, she's the one. I'm just feeling too overwhelmed that I couldn't react. I should—-" She cut in, "How did you confirmed ?! What if she turns out to be a fraud ?"

"Even I was dubious. But, she said something that—-" She interrupted yet again, "What is it ? Wha..What she said ?"

"Relax Annika. Such an enthusiastic mood it got you all today. Come with me" he chuckled and took her inside the room.

Every part of her went on pause as she saw the mini camera in his hands. Her mini camera.

"She dropped the camera in shock that day. I kept it safe with me. You see this ? Ash. The lady exactly narrated the incident to me. She dropped her camera, Ash is her nickname, so on. So, yeah finally...like finally I found her"

She looked up from the camera and asked, "Are you...are you sure she's the one ? Surely ?"

"What's going on here ? Shivaay, she's waiting for you"