The man next door

Just an apology

Anika enters home in a disheveled condition, shocking Pinki.

"Anika what happened? How did you get so dirty dear?" asked her concerned MIL.

"Mom I was just helping a child to clean up but ended up making a mess of myself" Anika cried. It wasn't a complete lie, he was a grumpy kid only.

On the other hand, Shivaay realised Anika was not an idler. She was the only lady apart from his mother who had helped me in his daily chores. He was reminiscing the time Anika had been inside his house, her grumpy face when he laughed at her, her anger when he called her slow, her childish prank and the hidden pain behind her smile. 

Nikhil was having night duty that night and Pinki had fell asleep at 8 like usual. Priyanka and Anika were having a movie night. It was around 9 when the door bell rang. Priyanka rushed to check who is at the door. It was Shivaay.

Shivaay had thought of apologizing to Anika for throwing her out of the house so rudely on the first day. But seeing Priyanka at the door, he was flabbergasted. Thankfully he had carried a cup with him, he asked for a cup of milk. 

"I will ask my bhabi", Priyanka replies blushing. 

'Wierd', Shivaay thought.

Anika came outside to help after Priyanka told her that a hottie is outside, asking for milk. She bought the milk jug to give it into the cup of the man who is waiting outside, only to realise its Shivaay. 

"Oh so its you. Looks like you actually want to become my neighbour", Anika laughed and poured the milk.

Shivaay was about to apologize when Priyanka reached there once again.

"Where do you live?" she asked.

"Next door", Shivaay replied.

"Oh so we are neighbours", she sounded excited, "Bhabi, do you know him?"

"We just saw each other a few times", Anika was quick. She knew from Priyanka's words that she was having a crush over Shivaay and Shivaay was too rude for sweet little Priyanka. Moreover what if he was playboy and he would break her little SIL's heart. 

The duo wished Shivaay a Good night and continued with their movie.

The next day was Saturday. On Sundays, Nikhil would be at home so Anika always cooked her best dishes and prepared everything of Nikhil's choices so that he could relax. So on Saturdays, she would be out for grocery shopping. 

It was morning 7o' clock and Anika was busy bargaining with the shopkeepers. Shivaay had come to buy bread and milk for breakfast when he heard Anika's voice and saw her bargaining. Bargaining was a thing which amused him strangely. He had always failed at it while his mother or aunts had managed to get the same thing in half the price. According to him, ladies have an inborn talent for bargaining.

He bought 2 ice creams and kept waiting. When he saw that Anika had finished buying all the things, he stopped her and gave her the ice-cream. She looked at him with questioning eyes and frowned. Forcing the ice cream cup into her grip, he told, "I need to tell something."

Anika was too busy, "Say."

"Can we sit? Don't worry I won't take much time."

Anika nodded and sat with him at the shop. "Now tell me."

"I think I should not have thrown you out that day."

"Good realisation", Anika replied sarcastically.

"I mean you are a good neighbour" he said shuttering.

Seeing him unable to speak out his feelings, she giggle and said, "Its okay. Past is past. Now we are all good."

Anika put forward her hand for handshake. "Welcome to our neighbourhood. I hope you shall have unforgettable memories here" Anika greeted smiling. Seeing her hearty approach, Shivaay shaked hands with her and said, "Thank you".

Anika started having her ice cream again, "Your fingertips are rough. Show me your hand."

Shivaay who was busy in his ice cream was taken aback by the sudden change in the environment. She had turned from a formal greeting to a casual talk with a long-time friend within a second.

"Come on fast. Show me your palm." Shivaay did as he was said.

Examining his palm, she asked, "You play guitar right?"

Shivaay replied, "Yes", unconcerned about his fingers.

Anika suggested, "Clean your hands and then apply a lotion to your palm every night. And apply some cream on the fingertips whenever you are free. They are all cut. See them yourself."

Shivaay remained uninterested and hummed.

"Shit its late. Its already 8.30", Anika replied hyper after seeing the time on her phone. She ran away even before saying a bye. In fact Shivaay was also too busy in his ice cream and mobile to check if she was saying a bye or not.