A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Who teaches lesson to whom

Shivay's unexpected arrival sent a jolt through the group.

"Bhaiya! We thought you'd be busy discussing profits," Rudra teased.

"Why would I be talking about business at a party?" Shivay inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Annika, ever the quick wit, jumped in, "Because your head is permanently occupied with work, right?" She playfully high-fived Rudra, both stifling giggles.

Shivay feigned a stern expression. "Are you two mocking me?"

"Bhaiya," Rudra chuckled, "we're here to enjoy the party, not to poke fun at you... too much."

Their lighthearted banter was interrupted by Akash Shrivastav's arrival.

"Miss Annika," Akash addressed her, "I thought you were chatting with your boyfriend. I wasn't aware you knew the Oberois personally."

"Annika, maintaining her composure, replied politely, "Mr. Shekhawat, I've organized events for them in the past. We're friends."

Akash, still harboring his misconception, pressed on. "But I thought you and Shivay were a couple." His statement left both Shivay and Annika speechless.

"Why would you think that?" Om queried, confused.

Akash gestured towards them. "Look at them! Matching outfits, complementing each other - anyone would make that assumption from a distance."

A hush fell over the group as they all turned to Shivay and Annika. Akash was right. In their blue attire - Shivay's sharp tuxedo and Annika's flowing gown - they did indeed resemble a striking power couple.

"You're absolutely right, Mr. Akash," Om chimed in, a hint of amusement in his voice. "They certainly seem to be color-coordinated."

Rudra, never one to miss a playful jab, chimed in, "Bhaiya, did you and Annika Didi plan your matching outfits beforehand?"

Shivay and Annika exchanged a surprised look, then replied simultaneously, "No!"

Annika added, flustered, "It must be a coincidence. We just happened to choose the same color."

Akash chuckled. "Well, Miss Annika, regardless of the color scheme, you've pulled off a phenomenal event. I was skeptical at first, I admit, but you've truly exceeded expectations. And thank you for bringing my parents. It completely slipped my mind to pick them up myself."

"Making events memorable is what I do, Mr. Shekhawat," Annika replied modestly. "There's no need for thanks. You were preoccupied with guests, and as the event manager, it's my responsibility to ensure everything runs smoothly."

Akash smiled in appreciation, and was about to speak further, when someone called his name.

"Excuse me, I need to attend to that," he apologized, gesturing towards the person who summoned him. With a final nod to the group, he took his leave.

From afar, Kanika watched the scene unfold with simmering rage. Annika, surrounded by the Oberoi brothers and now even Shivay, seemed to be the center of attention. The playful banter, the coordinated outfits pointed out by Akash - it all fueled Kanika's fury. The Oberoi brothers, who had arrived with her, had abandoned her at the entrance, completely neglecting her.

With a venomous glint in her eyes, she turned to Natasha. "Let's go introduce you to the event planner," she declared, her voice laced with malice. "And perhaps remind her of some manners."

With a predatory smile, Kanika led Natasha towards the group, determined to take Annika down a notch and reclaim her stolen spotlight.

Kanika, feigning pleasant surprise, chirped, "Annika, what a delightful surprise! I never expected to see you at such a high-society event."

Annika, feigning ignorance in return, replied, "The world truly is a small place, Kanika. I wouldn't have expected to see you here either." (In truth, Annika had spotted Kanika earlier but chose to play along.)

Natasha, nudging Kanika impatiently, interjected, "Annika, Shivay, this is my friend Natasha. Natasha, this is Shivay Singh Oberoi, the renowned business tycoon, I'm sure you've heard of him. And this," she added dismissively, "is Annika, a small-time event planner."

Natasha, oozing with fake sweetness, extended a hand towards Annika. "Hello, I'm Natasha Malhotra," she emphasized, dropping her family name like a social weapon. "Naturally, I've heard of Shivay, but this is the first time I'm seeing you. Perhaps it's because you're, as Kanika said, a small-time event planner."

The remark stung, sending ripples of offense through Om, Rudra, and even Shivay. Before anyone could react, Annika countered coolly, "The feeling's mutual, Natasha. I haven't heard of you either, despite your illustrious family background."

Natasha bristled. "What do you mean you haven't heard of me? I'm Rakesh Malhotra's daughter, the future heiress to Malhotra Industries! My grandfather is a director at Mumbai's leading hospital, and my other grandfather is a prominent politician. Who are you, anyway? What family do you come from? What's your full name?"

Annika met her gaze unflinchingly. "Annika. Just Annika."

Kanika gasped, feigning shock. "You don't have a surname? Does that mean you don't even know who your parents are?"

Natasha piled on, her voice dripping with condescension, "Oh dear, how utterly unfortunate. Unlike me, everyone knows me and my family. In any mall, I simply need to say 'I'm a Malhotra' and they'll clear out the entire store for me!"

Annika remained undeterred. "People know me too, but for my work, not my last name. And they know you because of your family name. Without it, you're nothing. You boast about your family's achievements, not your own."

Natasha sputtered indignantly. "What do you mean, 'they know me because of my family name'? If I say 'I'm Natasha,' they'll recognize me instantly!"

"Prove it, then," Annika challenged. "Call your favorite designer from my phone. Tell them you want to order a dress, but don't reveal your full name. Let's see if they recognize you for who you truly are."

Overconfident, Natasha snatched Annika's phone and dialed her designer's number, putting the call on speakerphone. "Hello, Mr. Rajput? It's Natasha speaking."

A voice crackled through the receiver, instantly wiping the smug smiles off Kanika and Natasha's faces. "Sorry, I don't recognize the number. Who is this? I don't have any client named Natasha."

Natasha, flustered, stammered, "I'm a friend of Kanika's. We're both clients of yours."

"I'm afraid I don't know a Kanika either," the voice replied. "Could you tell me your family name so I can check my records?"

Before Natasha could utter another word, Annika snatched the phone back. "You see," she said, a triumphant glint in her eyes, "neither of you has any real individuality. You rely solely on your family names. I, on the other hand, have built my reputation on my own merit. People recognize me for my work, not who my family is."

With a final dismissive flick of her hair, Annika turned and walked away, leaving a speechless Kanika, a fuming Natasha, and three stunned Oberoi brothers in her wake.