A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch-10 A Hilariously Tangled Start

The opulent drapes let in slivers of sunlight, rousing Annika from sleep. Disoriented, she took in the unfamiliar room as memories of yesterday flooded back.  She sat up, noticing the empty space beside her. Shivay was gone, but the sound of running water suggested he was getting ready.

The door flew open, revealing Shivay in a crisp white kurta. His voice was formal. "Good morning, Mrs. Oberoi. Did you sleep well?"

Annika straightened, forcing a smile. "Good morning, Mr. Oberoi. Yes, thank you." This formality was stifling, but she wasn't sure how else to address him.

"Breakfast is at eight," he informed her, his gaze lingering on her for a beat too long before he looked away. A flicker of something – nervousness, perhaps? – danced in his eyes for a fleeting moment.

Annika nodded. "Thank you for letting me know."

An awkward silence descended, punctuated only by the dripping of water from the faucet. Neither of them seemed sure how to navigate this new dynamic. The situation felt surreal – married strangers living under one roof.

Just then, a loud knock on the door startled them. Before either could respond, it creaked open to reveal Priyanka, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She burst into the room, a colorful package clutched in her hand.

"Annika!" she exclaimed, her voice barely containing her excitement. "Dadi wants you to wear this!"

Priyanka darted towards Annika, placing the package on the bed before turning to flee with the same haste. Annika couldn't help but notice how Priyanka seemed slightly intimidated by Shivay, scurrying out of the room even before he spoke.

"Annika, this is..." Shivay began, likely about to offer to speak to his grandmother on her behalf, "You don't have to do this..."

But Annika cut him off. "Mr. Oberoi, let it be. We shouldn't disobey your grandmother.  She's still upset about the lack of a grand wedding, and we can't afford to upset her further," she said, recalling Dadi's subtle disappointment during dinner the previous night.

Shivay opened his mouth to protest, but Annika held his gaze. Perhaps a little display of respect wouldn't hurt. Besides, a visit to the temple might offer a glimpse into Shivay's family traditions, a small window into his world.

Slipping out of bed, Annika snagged the saree packet and retreated to the bathroom, carefully shutting the door behind her.  With a deep breath, she unwrapped the vibrant fabric, its rich colors a stark contrast to her usual attire.

However, as she unfolded the long expanse of fabric, a wave of uncertainty washed over her.  Unlike yesterday, when Mrs. Patel had expertly draped the saree on her, Annika was on her own.  Memories of fumbled attempts in her childhood, fueled by  enthusiasm rather than  skill, surfaced.  She stared at the intricate folds and pleats, a daunting puzzle with no clear solution.

Shivay, meanwhile, settled on the plush couch, his laptop open, catching up on emails.  Half an hour passed, a disquieting silence broken only by the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard. A sliver of unease wormed its way into his gut.  Thirty minutes for a morning shower seemed excessive.

Pushing aside his laptop, Shivay rose and padded towards the bathroom door.  A tentative knock echoed in the stillness.  "Annika, are you alright?" he called out, his voice laced with concern.

After a beat of silence, a muffled voice replied, "Mr. Oberoi, if you wouldn't mind, could you please call Priyanka?"

Shivay's frown deepened.  This was unusual.  He retrieved his phone and dialed Priyanka's number, only to be met with her voicemail.  Frustration gnawed at him.  He returned to the bathroom door. "Priyanka's unavailable right now.  Is there anything I can do to help?"

There was a moment's hesitation, then the door creaked open a sliver.  Annika stood there, a comical look of distress on her face and the saree draped haphazardly around her like a colorful toga.  Shivay fought back a laugh, the sight momentarily breaking the tension of the morning.

"Annika," he managed, stifling a chuckle, "what happened in there?"

Annika sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Don't laugh," she pleaded.  "It's just… I don't know how to wear a saree. Mrs. Patel helped me yesterday, but I have no clue where to even begin on my own."

Shivay's amusement softened into understanding.  He glanced at the clock – time was definitely not on their side.  An idea sparked in his mind.  He walked towards the bedroom door and locked it, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Annika," he said, "since time is of the essence, how about I help you get dressed?  There's a YouTube tutorial that can walk us through it."

Annika's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but the urgency of the situation left her little choice.  With a resigned nod, she began to disentangle herself from the tangled fabric, leaving her in just her blouse and petticoat.  The air crackled with a sudden tension, a tension neither of them had anticipated.

Shivay retrieved his phone, playing a video titled "Easy Saree Draping for Beginners." "Let's see if this helps."

He positioned himself beside her, the air thick with unspoken tension. Annika felt self-conscious. The intimacy of the situation contrasted their formal interactions.

The video played, a bubbly voice demonstrating saree draping. Shivay followed along, guiding her with a surprisingly calm voice. "Okay, first wrap the saree around your waist..." His hand brushed hers briefly. Annika tried to ignore the shivers.

As they progressed, Shivay's unintentional touches sent sparks flying. His fingers brushed against her back, his voice dropping to a murmur. Annika focused on the video, anything to distract herself.

Finally, Shivay secured the loose end of the saree over her shoulder. He stepped back to admire his work.

Annika looked down at herself, the saree draped perfectly. A smile spread across her face.

"Thank you," she whispered, surprised by her feelings.

Silence stretched between them, charged with a newfound awareness. The shared task had broken down a barrier, a spark igniting in their eyes. Just then, a frantic knock shattered the moment.

"Annika! Shivay Bhaiya! Are you ready yet? The car is waiting!" Priyanka's voice echoed through the door.

Annika and Shivay exchanged a look.  The morning had taken an unexpected turn.  Neither knew where it  might lead, but a strange sort of connection had begun.

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