A Bargain Made with Frosting

ch 12. Crossroads: From Shared Meals to Separate Lives

A tense hush hung heavy in the air as the Oberoi family gathered for breakfast. Dadi, impeccably dressed in her silk saree, sipped her tea with a furrowed brow. Annika, her eyes slightly puffy from exhaustion, picked at her toast, her nerves on edge. The other family members stole nervous glances at Shivay, who sat rigid, his jaw clenched tight, an uncharacteristic tension radiating from him.

Finally, Shivay cleared his throat, the sharp sound echoing in the vast dining room. All eyes snapped to him, the anticipation thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Dadi, everyone," he began, his voice firm and resolute, "I've made a decision."

Dadi set down her teacup with a delicate clink. "What is it, beta?" she inquired, a hint of apprehension creeping into her voice.

Shivay took a deep breath, before saying  "Annika and I are moving out of Oberoi Mansion."

A collective gasp rippled around the table. Dadi's face paled, the color draining from her cheeks as her lips formed a thin, disapproving line. Pinky, however, couldn't contain her glee. A sly smile played on her lips, which blossomed into a full-blown, triumphant grin.

Annika's stomach lurched. She wasn't sure what to expect from Shivay's announcement, but the seriousness in his eyes sent a wave of unease washing over her.

"Move out?" Dadi sputtered, disbelief coloring her voice. "But Shivay, why? What on earth has happened?"

"With all due respect, Dadi," Shivay countered, his gaze unwavering, "this house has become more of a battlefield than a home. It was tolerable for me, but Annika doesn't deserve the kind of treatment she received yesterday."

Pinky, unable to contain her smugness any longer, chimed in with a saccharine tone. "Oh, Shivay, you're overreacting. It was just a little rasoi ritual. All the bahus go through it."

Shivay's jaw clenched in frustration. "There was nothing ritualistic about forcing Annika to cook in a makeshift shack with questionable ingredients, Mrs Oberoi. Dadi, everyone deserves respect, and that includes Annika. This Oberoi mansion, with its stifling rules and hidden agendas, doesn't offer that kind of environment."

Dadi's gaze darted towards Pinky, a flicker of anger replacing her initial disappointment. She then turned back to Shivay, her voice trembling slightly. "Shivay, I apologized for Pinky's actions. Don't leave the house because of her mistakes. What about your responsibilities here?"

"Dadi," Shivay countered, his voice laced with a hint of frustration, "Mrs. Oberoi's behavior won't change, and you know that. As for my responsibilities, I can fulfill them just as effectively from my own place. I'll still be involved in the business. I can commute and manage things remotely."

Dadi studied him intently, a flicker of understanding softening her gaze. "But Shivay," she said gently, "where will you go?"

Shivay straightened his shoulders, a hint of defiance in his posture. "I have a penthouse apartment located right in the heart of Oberoi Industries and my company. It will be much easier to manage both businesses from there."

Dadi sighed, a hint of resignation tinging her voice. "Very well, Shivay. If this is what you truly want, I won't stop you. But remember, the doors of Oberoi Mansion will always be open to you and Annika."

The breakfast table remained a battleground of emotions. Dadi's disappointment hung heavy in the air, while Pinky's hidden resentment simmered beneath her forced smile. Annika, still grappling with the suddenness of the decision, felt a silent urge to discuss it further with Shivay.

***************************************

Back in their room, Shivay instructed Annika to pack her things. He explained he would take her to the penthouse first, then head straight to the office. Annika, however, was upset by his impulsive decision.

"Shivay," she began, her voice laced with concern, "Why are you overreacting about yesterday's ritual? Honestly, it didn't bother me that much. How can you just leave your family behind like this? I was starting to feel comfortable here, and I thought I could build relationships with them."

Shivay's jaw clenched, and his anger flared. "Annika," he countered, his voice tight, "Mrs. Oberoi had absolutely no right to treat you the way she did! You don't have to put up with that kind of treatment, and you certainly don't owe her anything. Remember, this is a contract marriage. We agreed not to interfere in each other's personal lives. Forming a bond with them wasn't part of the deal. Besides, if you stay here, you'll risk forgetting the boundaries of our contract. It's best if we leave, focus on our individual work, and maintain a respectful distance."

Without waiting for another word, Shivay stormed out of the room, leaving Annika speechless. "Just pack your things quickly," he called back from the hallway. "I'm waiting for you downstairs in the car. My stuff is already there, and I'll collect the rest later."

An emotional rollercoaster left Annika standing at a crossroads. Shivay's protectiveness, though sweet, felt stifling. Leaving the Oberoi mansion, a place that had begun to feel like home, was a bitter pill to swallow. Dadi's warmth and Priyanka's acceptance were the connections she craved, not this isolation.

Packing felt like severing ties. Each belonging, a fragile thread to the life she was leaving behind. Memories of yesterday's kitchen challenge flickered – a test she'd aced. A flicker of pride ignited within her. Could she face this unexpected uprooting with the same strength?

The once-vibrant room stood empty, a stark reminder of the warmth she'd started to feel within the mansion. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bags and headed out. Shivay was waiting impassively by the car, his face an unreadable mask. He didn't look at her as she loaded her things into the trunk.

Shivay started the engine, the car pulling away from the mansion with a mournful whine. The journey unfolded in a tense silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic hum of the engine. As the familiar streetscape blurred past the window, a bittersweet ache settled in Annika's chest.

They arrived at Shivay's penthouse, a monument of modern luxury. Annika knew this was a pivotal moment in their relationship. But the question remained – would it be the end of their story, or the beginning of a new chapter?