Broken Hearts and Strange Girls || Shivika AU FF

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗

Annika and Aishwarya were going over the final details of Annika's departure-well, it was mostly Aishwarya asking incessant questions on whether or not Annika had packed everything and knew where her passport was, etc. - when Shivaay's brown suede shoes squealed to a stop in front of them.

"I'm here! I'm here! Parking was an annoying thing-but I made it, I'm here!" Shivaay said in between his gasps for air. It was evident that the poor man had run from the parking lot to the gate, with his appearance disheveled and his hands on his knees as he panted like an old dog.

"Hi," Annika grinned, in the mood to tease, "Aunty, next year, you should sign Shivaay up for that marathon they do for charities. I'm calling it right now, Shivaay will do you proud."

Om stifled a giggle as best as he could while Shivaay simply glared. "You kind of suck, you know that?"

"No, just think about it, Shivaay! Charity marathons are only the beginning. Before you know it, you're running for India in the Olympics!"

This time, Om couldn't help his laugh. Shivaay's glare was redirected towards his brother.

"Anni, don't be foul!" Disha scowled in disapproval. "Shivaay is here to bid you farewells before your departure."

Annika rolled her eyes and placed both her hands above her chest, dramatically batting her eyes. "Thank you so much, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, for remembering that I was leaving today and coming from whatever important work you had just to see me off like a good friend! Oh, thank you for blessing us with your spare human decency!"

Shivaay shook his head in amusement, the widest of grins on his face, remarking, "Annika, you're crazy."

Annika's smile only widened. "And you're going to miss it terribly, my craziness."

Annika turned to Adi. Since the boy had discovered his beloved Annika was going away, and to another country, no less, he had been less than thrilled. To Om and Aishwarya, that was a ridiculous understatement. Their son hadn't pouted so much in his life, Aishwarya was worried that it was going to become a permanent facial feature. Her four-year-old son, with jowls.

Annika gave Adi her most dazzling smile in hopes of appeasing him, but to no avail.

"I can't believe you're leaving," he grumbled. "You're rude."

"I'm rude for going home?" Annika asked.

Adi tossed her a glare all too reminiscent of his Bade Papa's. "So rude. Rudest."

"Okay, then I promise to be back as soon as I can," Annika vowed.

Adi tilted his head. "What if the soonest you can is not soon enough?" he asked inquisitively.

Annika gave her nephew's question a moment or two of thought. "That is an excellent question, Adi. How about this? If I am late in my arrival back to India, you can punish me. Make me do twelve hundred situps! Do the chicken pose in front of the whole family!"

Adi's scowl was unmoving for a few seconds more, until it seemed as though an idea had appeared in his head rather suddenly and his eyes went bright. "Deal!"

As Annika and Adi shook hands over their new deal, a female voice crackled overhead. "Flight 47AC to Trento, Italy, is ready to board. Passenger boarding at gate 9."

Annika sighed, the sound reverberating through her soul, before she looked over at her family. "Alright, then. Time to go," she said, albeit sadly.

"We'll miss you, Anni," Aishwarya croaked. "I know you will," Annika smiled.

"I know I'm a little late to the whole shenanigan, but take good care of my sister, Om," Annika gulped, earnestly. Her brother-in-law's arm curled around Aishwarya's waist protectively as he nodded. "You got it, saali sahiba."

"It was a pleasure to have you, Annika," Jhanvi beamed widely as she leaned in for a hug.

"I'm sorry about your serving bowl," Annika said timidly. "I promise to bring you a new one."

"Make waves, kiddo!" Tej advised, extending his arm for a handshake. "I will," Annika affirmed.

"You better answer all my calls," Disha warned, feigning seriousness for only a moment before throwing her arms around Annika. "I promise!"

"You better answer all your mother's calls," Suresh agreed, with little else to add. Annika laughed, wiping a stray tear from her eye. "Okay, Papa."

"Miss me!" Adi exclaimed. "Every second!" Annika promised.

Finally, Annika was face to face with Shivaay. There was a beat of silence between the two before Shivaay cleared his throat and stuck out his arm. "Well, safe travels," he shrugged awkwardly.

Annika glanced and the hand and gave him a curious look. "After everything we've accomplished, Oberoi? You're seriously going to let me walk away with a handshake?"

"Well, I-"

"I don't think so."

And she took him in a bone-crushing hug. Well, Shivaay thought it was bone-crushing because that was the only rational explanation for why he melted into the embrace in such a manner-clearly, it was because Annika had crushed his bones, leaving him spineless, that he had become Jell-o. She let go too soon, at least in Shivaay's judgement.

"O-Okay. Um, take care, I guess," Shivaay gushed.

Annika chuckled at his state. "I didn't kiss you, Shivaay. Why are you blushing?"

Shivaay's eyes widened as his cheeks went scarlet. "I am not BLUSHING!" Covering his face, he rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Don't you have a flight to catch, Annika?"

Annika brought up her hand up to her chest flourishingly. "Okay, well if you have nothing else to say, then I guess I'll just be off, then!"

Saying so, she turned around, dragging her bag behind her. Shivaay sighed at the sight of Annika's shrinking figure.

"Shivaay?" Aishwarya's voice brought him to his senses again. "Ready to go?"