A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch-9 Heartbeats and Hesitations

In the opulent silence of the Oberoi mansion, Annika's heart skipped a beat at the tentative knock on the vast walk-in closet's door. "Come in," she called, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

The door creaked open, revealing an unexpected visitor - Priyanka. Unlike the rest of the Oberoi family who greeted Annika with forced cheer or a calculating glint in their eyes, Priyanka's demeanor was refreshingly different.  She seemed hesitant, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and a hint of something akin to sympathy.

"Hi," Priyanka said shyly, her voice barely a whisper. "I just wanted to... welcome you, I guess."

Annika offered a small smile, appreciating the genuine gesture. "Thank you, Priyanka. That's very kind of you."

Priyanka shuffled her feet awkwardly for a moment before hesitantly stepping forward. A small, beautifully wrapped package appeared in her hand, which she extended towards Annika. "This is for you," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing a light pink.

Annika took the package gently, her curiosity piqued. "May I open it?"
Priyanka nodded shyly.

Unwrapping the paper, Annika's eyes widened in surprise. Nestled inside was a delicate bracelet, handcrafted from intricately woven threads and adorned with sparkling beads. It was a beautiful piece, infused with a personal touch.

Priyanka beamed. "Thank you. I made it especially for you. I'm practicing jewelry designing and hoping to open my own brand someday."

Annika's smile widened. "That's wonderful, Priyanka. I'll definitely be cheering you on."

Priyanka seemed to relax a little, a hint of warmth replacing her initial shyness. "You should change your dress and come down for dinner soon," she advised. "We have a bit of a regimented schedule here. Dinner is served at a specific time, and if you miss it, you might not get anything to eat."

Annika chuckled, a welcome sound in the opulent silence of the room. "Thanks for the heads-up, Priyanka. I wouldn't want to miss my first Oberoi family dinner."

A shy smile played on Priyanka's lips as their eyes met. As Priyanka turned to leave, a flicker of hope ignited within Annika. Perhaps, amidst the whirlwind of this unconventional marriage, there might be pockets of genuine connection, unexpected friendships waiting to blossom.

Stepping out of the expansive walk-in closet, a sense of renewed purpose settled over Annika. Taking Priyanka's advice to heart, Annika selected a simple yet elegant dress, a silent compromise between her usual style and the expectations of her new life as Mrs. Oberoi.

A glance at her watch confirmed Priyanka's earlier warning. Dinnertime was fast approaching. With a deep breath, Annika steeled her nerves and pushed open the heavy oak door of her new room. The grand Oberoi mansion seemed even more imposing as she navigated the unfamiliar corridors, the silence broken only by the soft click of her heels against the polished marble floors.

Reaching the dining room, Annika hesitated for a moment. The heavy oak doors loomed before her, seemingly guarding the unknown territory within. With a resolute push, she opened them, and the sight that greeted her was both surprising and intimidating.

A long mahogany table dominated the room, gleaming under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. Eight place settings adorned the table, each meticulously arranged with intricate napkin folds and gleaming silverware. The Oberoi family was already assembled, their eyes turning towards Annika as the door swung open.

Conversation ceased abruptly as she entered, an awkward silence descending upon the room. Shivay gestured towards a chair beside him, his voice formal yet polite. "Annika, please join us."

Annika offered a small smile in return and took her seat, the weight of scrutiny settling heavily upon her. She met each gaze head-on, her chin held high, determined not to be intimidated by this unfamiliar social landscape.

The meal that followed was a formal affair, punctuated only by the clinking of silverware and the occasional cough that served to break the stifling silence. Conversations, when they did occur, were polite but stilted, revolving around mundane topics like the weather. Annika felt like an outsider at a formal banquet, every move she made, every word she uttered, seemingly under intense scrutiny.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the meal mercifully came to an end. Relief washed over Annika as she rose with the others. As they exited the dining room, Priyanka appeared from a side corridor, her eyes filled with concern.

"How was it?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Annika managed a weak smile. "Interesting," she replied, the word a vast understatement.

Priyanka squeezed her hand sympathetically. "Don't worry, you'll get used to them. They're all a bit… much… to handle sometimes."

A grateful smile played on Annika's lips as Priyanka's words offered a much-needed ray of sunshine in the otherwise frosty atmosphere.  Their conversation was interrupted by Shivay's curt statement.

"Annika," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, "we should likely head upstairs. It's been a long day."

Annika offered a curt nod in response, her smile vanishing as she followed him out of the dining room.  The air crackled with a tense silence as they walked, a stark contrast to the warmth she'd shared with Priyanka just moments before

Reaching his room, an awkwardness descended upon them.  Dominated by a king-sized bed and a plush couch, the room offered a silent question – where would they sleep?

Shivay cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Annika," he began hesitantly, "you should take the bed. I can manage on the couch."

Annika's brow furrowed. "Mr. Oberoi," she countered, "this is your room. You should take the bed."

A back-and-forth ensued, a polite yet persistent debate about sleeping quarters.  Annika wouldn't budge on him taking his own bed, and Shivay, ever the gentleman, insisted on offering her the comfort.

After a few minutes of this courteous battle, Annika sighed, a hint of exasperation tinging her voice. "Alright," she said, a touch of amusement creeping in, "how about we both sleep on the bed?"

Shivay's eyes widened in surprise.  His hands instinctively flew to his chest, a subconscious reaction to protect her modesty.

Annika, however, remained oblivious to his gesture.  She simply moved towards the bed and began arranging the pillows, creating a clear division down the middle.

"See," she explained, turning towards a still-stunned Shivay, "this side is mine, and this side is yours. We won't cross the line."

Shivay, both amused and impressed by her quick thinking, could only manage a nod.  Muttering an excuse, he retreated to the bathroom to change into sleepwear.

Upon returning, he found Annika seated at the dressing table, carefully removing her jewelry.  She placed everything on the table except for her mangalsutra and a pair of bangles.

"Annika," he said softly, "you can go ahead and change now."

Annika nodded and disappeared into the walk-in closet, emerging a short while later in her sleepwear.  Shivay was already lying on his designated side of the bed.  She climbed in on her side, turned off the light, and offered a polite, "Good night, Mr. Oberoi."

Shivay, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, replied, "Good night, Mrs. Oberoi."

Despite the unconventional sleeping arrangement and the lingering awkwardness, a strange sense of peace settled over them as sleep claimed them.  The future remained uncertain, but for now, an uneasy truce had been established.

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