Healing Him | ✓

23.

"We did it." She cheered. She high-fived Shivaay who shared her smile with the same eagerness. They just have cracked the deal, crucial for the company's development. He was really happy to have her by his side, she stayed up with him late at night helping with the presentations and the files. And in the end, they were able to have the collaboration. She held as much credit as he did.

"We should celebrate." She giggled. Mishra looked up excited at the prospect. Shivaay looked confused. "It was just a deal." He spoke. Annika rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on, Shivaay. Loosen up a little." Mishra nodded along with her words but quietened down seeing Shivaay's glare. "I'll be outside, sir." He bowed while walking outside backwards.

"Look out." Annika winced as he bumped into the glass wall outside. Shivaay sighed.

"Hey, it's mom." Annika perked up seeing the caller ID on her phone. Shivaay smiled. "Come here." She converted the call to face time.

"Shivaay!" Her mom's happy voice came out. Annika cooed seeing Shivaay's flustered expression.

"How are you, my son?" She asked. Annika watched him and her mother talk. Occasionally laughing at his reddened cheeks at her mom's comments. She pinched his cheeks. "You are the cutest." She giggled, and the red spread down to his neck. She sighed happily, "Let him be." Her mother admonished.

Sudha, was the happiest now. Even through the screen she could feel their happiness with each other. This was what her daughter has missed. She watched them laugh together, how his cheeks reddened seeing her smile. And how her daughter's smile widened seeing his. Unknowingly, their relationship was getting deeper, she prayed silently hoping that the world would keep this pure bond, untainted from its evil.

"Also, Shivaay, I wanted to talk to you about something." Annika said fiddling with her jacket. How am I going to tell him the news? I can't stay at his house forever. I know he has no problem with me staying there, but I have seen his grandmother's reluctance to have me over for that longer period of time.

He looked at her curiously, wondering what she had to talk about.

"I have been looking for flats-"

Shivaay frowned.

"Why?" He asked, his frown deepened. Why is she moving out? Does she not like it there? She just came back and he's not letting her go. He had gotten used to seeing her face as the first thing in the morning. Was he being clingy? Is she uncomfortable? "Is something wrong? Did-" he shook his head refusing to hear her words.

"Before you go there. There's nothing wrong, Shivaay. Trust me, I am the happiest there don't you dare thinking that you have done something wrong." She glared at him and he failed to stop the smile that spread on his face. She likes it there. Then why is she even leaving?

"Then, why are you even leaving?" He asked. "You can live with us as much as you'd like-"

"Till when, Shivaay? I don't want to be a bother-" I want to stay too. But I can't live there forever can I?

"-it is my pleasure, that you are staying with us. It's just us and Dadi in that huge mansion. And if I am being honest, I don't want you to go." Please don't go, Ani.

Annika sighed, his eyes dropped and she knew she is not leaving anytime soon. "We will meet in the office, Shivaay." Who are you even trying to persuade, Annika? Him or yourself?

"It won't be the same." He muttered to himself, his voice low but she caught the words.

They both dropped the topic.