A Bargain Made with Frosting

ch 14 A Note of Hope

The taxi lurched to a stop with a jarring screech, pulling Annika back to the reality that awaited her. Stepping out, her bag felt heavier on her shoulder, mirroring the weariness in her bones. The imposing penthouse loomed before her, a monument to Shivay's wealth and, as she was starting to understand, his emotional remoteness.

Inside, the sterile silence mirrored his absence. A glance at the clock revealed the witching hour approaching – nearly midnight, and still no sign of Shivay.

Annika wasn't sure what she had hoped for – a grand apology, a warm meal together, perhaps even just an acknowledgment of her return? But as the vast, empty space stretched before her, a strange disappointment settled in. The silence was a suffocating entity, broken only by the low hum of the refrigerator.

Refusing to let the emptiness win, Annika poured a glass of water. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, prompting her to explore the well-stocked pantry – a stark contrast to the meager contents of her old apartment. A quick sandwich later, a yawn escaped her lips. Exhaustion finally claimed her, and before retreating to the guest room, she found herself preparing a small offering. A hastily scribbled note on a piece of paper accompanied a carefully wrapped sandwich: "Here's some dinner if you're hungry - Annika." Leaving it on the kitchen counter, she goes to her room and slipped into bed, sleep a balm on her strained emotions.

Shivay finally stumbled back into the penthouse, weary after a grueling day juggling the demands of two empires. He hadn't yet finalized a management team for the new acquisition, and the weight of responsibility sat heavy on his shoulders.  His usual routine of a late-night water break in the kitchen kicked in, and he shuffled towards the fridge. 

A covered plate on the breakfast bar caught his eye, a curious anomaly in the sterile environment. He assumed it was Mrs. Ahuja's handiwork, a thoughtful late-night snack. He approached the counter, intending to grab a quick bite before collapsing into bed.

As he reached for the plate, a small slip of paper tucked beneath it snagged his fingers. Unfolding the note, his eyes widened in surprise. A jolt of something akin to panic shot through him as he read the simple message

"Here's some dinner if you're hungry. - Annika".

The weight of realization crashed down on him. He'd been so consumed with work that he'd completely forgotten about Annika, his wife.  Shame pricked at him as he recognized the hand-crafted sandwich – not gourmet fare, but made with obvious care.  It was still warm, a testament to her recent presence.

He devoured the sandwich in a few bites, a bittersweet mix of flavors dancing on his tongue.  Annika had been here, waiting for him, and he'd been oblivious. 

Curiosity, laced with a touch of hope, flickered within him. Had Annika been waiting for him? He padded down the hallway towards the guest room.  The door was locked.  With a sigh, he turned back, the echo of his footsteps swallowing the words he couldn't bring himself to utter. Tomorrow, a long day loomed at the office, but first, he had some apologies to make.

The first tendrils of dawn seeped through the blinds, painting the room in a soft, hopeful glow. Shivay awoke with a renewed sense of purpose.  He stuck to his usual morning routine – a brisk jog to clear his head, a refreshing shower, and a quick change of clothes.  Fueled by a newfound determination, he ventured into the kitchen to whip up a healthy breakfast.

Grabbing ingredients, a newfound enthusiasm guided his search. Fresh fruit, whole-wheat toast, and a pot of steaming green tea were his usual healthy breakfast before he rushed through on workdays. Each measured scoop of oats, each slice of perfectly toasted bread, felt imbued with a silent apology.

He arranged the simple yet healthy breakfast on a tray, the clinking of china a welcome sound in the usual quiet mornings. Breakfast prepared, Shivay climbed the stairs, hoping Annika was awake. He knocked on her door, but there was no answer. Assuming she was in the bathroom, he waited for another 15 minutes. Still no Annika. Shivay decided to eat his breakfast.

He then scribbled a note on a spare sheet of paper: "Good morning, Annika. Had to leave early for a work meeting, but breakfast is waiting. I waited for you to eat together, but you seemed to be sleeping soundly. So I headed to work early. Don't wait up for me tonight. I'm unsure when I'll be back. "  He placed the note beside the tray.

With one last glance at the offering, Shivay grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door.

Meanwhile, wn oblivious Annika slept peacefully, unaware of Shivay's early exit and attempt to reconcile. Her dreams were filled with happy memories.

A rude awakening came in the form of her insistent phone. Hitting snooze a few times, she finally dragged herself out of bed after five minutes and headed for the shower. Refreshed and ready for work, she made her way downstairs, hoping to grab a bite of breakfast before heading out.

In the kitchen, she found Mrs. Ahuja bustling about, cleaning. "Good morning, Aunty," Annika greeted.

Mrs. Ahuja turned, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Good morning, beta. I hope you slept well in this big house. Shivay had an early meeting, but he left breakfast for you."

Annika blinked in surprise. A breakfast prepared by Shivay? Intrigued, she followed Mrs. Ahuja to the kitchen, where a covered tray awaited her. Lifting the lid revealed a breakfast spread, and nestled beside it, a note. As she read the note, a strange mix of emotions swirled within her. There was a hint of apology, a touch of awkwardness, and maybe even a flicker of hope.

Annika devoured the breakfast, surprised by the unexpected care behind the simple meal. Rereading the note, a blush crept up her cheeks. Tucking it safely into her purse, she thanked Mrs. Ahuja and politely declined lunch – she'd be grabbing something at the bakery. With a final goodbye, she set off for her first job of the day, the weight of the previous night's events lingering in her thoughts.

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