Dil tadap k kehta hai

14

[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Rudra - Ru, Gauri - G]

Oberois finished their Diwali pooja. They sat with the family pandit, talking about auspicious timings for different rituals.

Pinky: Pandit ji, please check my Shivaay's kundli also. When will he get married?

Pandit: Good, thoughtful deeds will lead him to his life partner. Today is a very lucky day for him, he'll cross paths with her.

Pinky: Oh my maata, Mr. Malhotra is coming over with Sonya todays only. Mummy ji, do you think Sonya will be my daughter in-laws?

Daadi: we'll find out Pinky.

Meanwhile, ShivOmRu were with some of their family friends, eating, and chatting. A driver came to talk to Shivaay and he had a paper bag in his hand

Driver: Sir, this bag was left inside the car. Who do I give this to?

S(in his mind): Isn't this Annika's? She must have forgotten it when we got back. Could be a Diwali gift, I should give it to her

S: Give it to me and get a car ready, I'm heading out

Om: where are you going Shivaay?

S: I'll be back soon

Shivaay drove to her colony, he remembered dropping her at this particular gate months ago. But now he was getting cold feet.

S(in his mind): I don't know her house, how will I give this to her? And what will she think? Shut up Shivaay, you've come till here, finish the task. Since when have you started thinking about what someone will say? But how do I know which house is hers? Should I ask someone? No, no, the neighbors might misunderstand. I don't even have her number. Wait, she made that group, I can get her number from there.

He looked through his phone and called her.

****

A: I'm sorry Sahil, I'll get your gift tomorrow, I promise. I bought it but I don't remember where I put it.

Sahil: but you remembered Gauri didi's gift

A: Please don't get mad Sahil, I'll get your favorite pizza also for dinner. It's Diwali today, don't spoil your mood

Sahil: I don't want any pizza. You promised you'll get something special for me on Diwali. We didn't celebrate my birthday also because of the lockdown.

A: I know, but I'm sorry. I'll get it tomorrow

Annika's phone rang, an unknown number was calling. She received it

A: Hello

S: Annika

She recognized his voice instantly, wondering why he called

A: SSO?

S: Can you come to the main gate of your society? The one where I dropped you last time

A: You're here?

S: Yes and the watchman has been eyeing me badly. Can you come?

A: Okay

A(in her mind): What is SSO doing here? I hope everything is okay