Broken Hearts and Strange Girls || Shivika AU FF

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Everyone had finished dinner, but no one had gotten up, as the conversations didn't seem to cease. Suresh and Tej were recounting their old college life, while their wives were discussing the economic impact of the latest technology on their respective spouses' businesses. After all, Jhanvi Singh Oberoi and Disha Bhattacharya were quite unique in their own element and didn't need gossip to make their conversations entertaining.

Annika nudged Shivaay. It's time. Shivaay frowned at seeing her teasing smirk. Keep that off your face, will you?

What? Annika's smirk just got bigger.

Don't be coy, Annika.

I'm not being coy, Annika feigned innocence. You're the one being a coward.

I'm not a coward!

Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England, Annika rolled her eyes.

Their conversation was broken when Meera stood up hastily. "I—I'm sorry, I have to take this," she sputtered, excusing herself from the table with phone in hand. Annika noticed the phone in question was vibrating in Meera's hand with one name lighting the caller ID. Shray.

Feeling a sharp pain run up her leg, Annika snapped to her left. "What?" she hissed at Aishwarya, who had kicked her leg (hard enough to leave it bruised later) under the table. "What, what? What were you and Shivaay doing just now?" Aishwarya whispered back.

"Nothing, we were talking," Annika frowned, leaning down to rub her sore calf.

Aishwarya cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Annika asked in exasperation.

"Because you two just had a silent conversation with each other, and understood each other perfectly. I can't do that with you, and I'm your flipping sister!"

"So? Shivaay gets it. We talk without talking. Big deal!"

Aishwarya gaped at her sister. "It is a big deal, Ann! You guys have a connection!"

"Aishu, don't start that," Annika pleaded. "That never ends well. Shivaay and I are just friends. Really good friends that get each other and understand one another. You are the same way with Om."

"And Om is my husband," Aishwarya smiled, wide-eyed.

Annika couldn't do anything besides roll her eyes and turn her focus to Shivaay. He patted his mouth with the handkerchief and Annika chuckled at his gentlemanliness, subconsciously contrasting it with the way Enrico would often have ketchup all over his mouth after eating French fries.

"If I may be excused, as well?"

"Yes, Shivaay," Jhanvi granted permission and Shivaay went towards the direction of the hall, but not before kissing Adi's forehead and sending a glance to Annika. Come, now.

Don't be so hopeless that you can't do anything without me. She's your girlfriend, why should I get involved? I'm getting seconds.

Bhukkad, Shivaay thought to himself with a frown. I heard that, Annika glared at him. 

Whatever, just come soon. I can't do it without you.

His gaze seemed so genuine that it made another firework explode within her stomach and Annika felt her heart skip a beat. Annika waited until Shivaay had well left the dining hall, lest he hear her thoughts and things get complicated, to exhale sharply and yell at her heart. Don't do that again, she scolded, and Annika could almost feel the disobedience arise in the organ as it shrugged away her command and hummed to itself.

Jaisi Annika, waisa dil.

"Meera, hey."

"What's up, Shivaay?"

"I was, um...wondering if... if you're not busy, would you want to grab some coffee? Or lunch, or dinner?" Shivaay pieced his sentence together rather diplomatically.

Annika smacked her forehead at his stupidity as she watched Meera's face intently. "Sure?"

"Great! How does tomorrow sound?" Shivaay suggested. 

Meera winced. "I'm very busy tomorrow." 

"Okay, no problem. Saturday?"

"I'm free in the morning, if that works." 

"Yeah, that's fine!" 

Say it's a date, duffer. It sounds like you're calling her out for a business meeting. 

Unfortunately, Shivaay's mind-reading abilities had gone a little dead and he didn't do anything of the sort. "Saturday brunch. I'll text you the address," Shivaay finished and Meera nodded. 

"You are a wreck, Shivaay Singh Oberoi," Annika laughed as she fell back on Shivaay's bed. Shivaay frowned deeply. "What do you mean by that?" 

"You're smart enough to know exactly what I mean. That was the most bland proposal I have ever heard. You're lucky she said yes, even I wouldn't have!" 

"You've never said yes to anyone, Annika," Shivaay defended himself and his ego. 

Annika's laughter didn't seem to end. "Coffee? Lunch? Dinner?" Annika mocked in a deep voice. "So despo!" 

Shivaay rolled his eyes, unable to help the smile spreading across his face. Seeing her laugh made him laugh too. Those were just the dynamics of their relationship. It was then that a tiny little part of Shivaay dared question the one thing that he really did not want it to question. Is that really just the dynamics of this relationship? 

And with that thought, Shivaay Singh Oberoi stiffened, his grin dropping to his stomach as he swallowed back the dreadful thought. What was he hiding, that too from his heart?