The man next door

A step apart

"Anika I have an offer for you", Mr. Hansda informed Anika while she gave the medicines to his mother.

"What now?", Anika asked disinterested. She was fed up of his regular lame jokes.

"A school is bringing 25 students and 7 teachers for excursion. The agency has given me the responsibility to become their guide. But my skills to manage children suck. So if you could help", he requested.

Anika was shocked to see that he was finally speaking of something useful. He had irritated the hell out of her for last 4 months.

"When are they coming?", she inquired immediately.

"Tomorrow after. I shall pay you after I get the money", he immediately replied.

"Text me the location", Anika agreed without any second thoughts.

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Shivaay stood on the deck of the ship, staring at the large waves. She would have loved this view- the never ending water and sunrise, if only she was there. Last one week was exciting for everyone, except him. Everyone was busy making plans of what to do and what to buy, whereas he just wanted to stay back. 

"Look over there. The islands can be seen slightly."

Shivaay looked back to see one of the boys lending his telescope to a girl.

"Children these days", he laughed to himself.

"Its the happiest phase of their love. Their hearts are innocent and their intentions are pure", Miss. Paul chuckled. Shivaay turned his head to see Miss Paul standing next to him, with teary eyes. Not everyone knew her heartbreaking past. The woman was in her 20s when she fell in love with a married man. Although a decade had passed since their break-up, the wounds of humiliations and insults were fresher than ever.

"You should stop thinking of your past", he said and left. Who was he to judge her when he himself was in love with a married woman?

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"Is everything ready?"

"Yes sir. The breakfast parcels are ready", Anika said, standing near the shore.

"You don't need to be so formal", Mr. Hansda nagged.

"I am very professional", Anika reasoned, ending the conversation.

The horn of the ship called them to get ready for work.

Mr. Hansda started greeting the teachers while Anika welcomed the students. 

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Shivaay was the last one to get down the ship. His eyes fell on the happy crowd of students and teachers, the tour guide was greeting the teachers with garlands and headbands while his assistant was gifting chocolates to the students. 

Shivaay's POV

I can't see her face but the students seem to like her. She finally turns her head and I can see her at last.

 I must be hallucinating. It must be another dream.

Is it really her? 

Anika

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Anika was busy with the students. She had expected them to be rude and demanding but they seemed pretty decent. Their uniforms looked rich but they weren't arrogant. It was a relief.

"Where is Shivaay sir?", one of the students asked.

Anika's POV

Did I hear it right? Did she take his name?

No no. He wanted to become a singer, its obvious he won't be here with students. It must be someone with the same name. If he was here, I would have already seen him with the other teachers.

"There he is", one of the girls pointed towards the ship.

I blankly follow the girl's finger and our eyes meet. My fear is coming true. It can't be.