Broken Hearts and Strange Girls || Shivika AU FF

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈

Meera grunted in frustration as Shivaay's phone was busy for the eighth time this week and she knew the reason very well. That Indian-Italian girl in his house.

"Di?" Kushal poked his head through his sister's bedroom door. "Are you okay?"

"Just peachy, thanks."

"Hey, what's wrong?" Kushal asked gently as he entered and sat beside Meera on her bed.

"Kushal, what do you think about that Annika?"

"Annika? You mean, Aishwarya Bhabhi's sister?"

Meera shot him a look. "Do you know any other Annikas?"

"No, I suppose not," Kushal shook his head. "Why are you asking me about Annika?"

Meera sighed, falling into her bed once again. "I don't know, Kushu. I hate the way she's so close to Shivaay all the time."

"Di, I assure you, Annika has no interest in Shivaay," Kushal smiled. He quite liked Annika and her bold, carefree nature amused him. 

"But Shivaay...Kushal, Shivaay hasn't returned any of my calls today. His phone is busy all the time, and I can hardly get a hold of him. On top of that, Ma called last week. And I was right to think that news of us dating would appease her for only some time. She's breathing down my back again, asking me to seal the deal," Meera rubbed her hands over her face. "Who will explain to her that marriage isn't a deal at all?"

Kushal nodded thoughtfully. "Meera Di? Can I ask you a question, if you don't mind?"

Meera hummed in response.

"Do you want to get married to Shivaay?"

To that, Meera propped herself up on her elbows, her dark eyebrows furrowed. "Of course I do! Shivaay and Meera. That's how it was always meant to be."

"Clearly, Shivaay never thought the same..."

"Kushal..." Meera trailed off in a warning tone.

"I'm just saying! Shivaay hasn't ONCE shown any interest in this relationship, or whatever you're trying to pursue with him. Not five years ago, when Papa approached him with your hand, and not when he was off gallivanting with that Rana girl. Not even now, when you are his girlfriend. Instead of bloody answering your phone calls and text messages, he's chatting up his sister-in-law's sister. Wow, Shivaay Singh Oberoi, wow," Kushal shook his head, his scowl only growing larger. "And, Di, what boggles my mind even further is the way you just take it. You take all this disrespect he's handing you and just quietly accept it. I have half a mind to kill that man, I swear—"

"Kushal! Please."

"Di, why do you still love him? After everything he does to you...why?" Kushal asked in desperation.

"Kushal...it isn't about love. Not the romantic kind, anyway. It's about family. Papa and Ma both want to see me settled with a man who is educated and wealthy enough to support himself and me. And they see that man in Shivaay."

"Di, from my understanding, pyaar na ho toh kuch bhi nahi hota. If being with Shivaay doesn't make you happy, then you don't need to marry him. I would rather you laugh in a hovel than cry in a mansion."

Meera smiled widely at that, ruffling her brother's hair fondly. "You're all grown now, is it?"

Kushal nodded. "Yes, that's exactly it. I know you've grown up hearing, 'Meera, Shivaay is the perfect guy for you. He'll keep the money flowing,' and whatever else all those aunties say. But I am here to tell you that none of that matters. If the guy can't respect you or love you the way you deserve, then—and pardon my language, Di—fuck him!" Kushal exclaimed. 

"Kushu!" Meera swat his arm with a wide grin on her face. "In all seriousness," Meera began, "don't worry about me, Kushal...I'm going to be happy." 

The siblings shared a warm smile before Meera's phone buzzed. Meera's eyes darted to the screen, which had been discarded in agony mere minutes ago. 

"Is it Shivaay?" Kushal asked. 

Meera lifted the phone to see an unfamiliar set of numbers. She sighed and shook her head. "It's from Australia. It's probably a client. I should get this." 

"I'll leave."

"Bye, Kushu," Meera smiled. 

Kushal smiled back at his sister meekly. He wished that Meera would just wake up and see how incredible she was, and what she truly deserved. He knew Meera had been told her whole life that love grew where the money watered. He knew their parents had always been hard on Meera, and her whole life purpose had been reduced to being Mrs. Oberoi one day. 

No one had ever asked Meera what she wanted, and now she was in too deep to know herself.