A Bargain Made with Frosting

ch 15- Flour, Family, and a Forgotten File

Two months had flown by in a whirlwind of work for both Annika and Shivay. Their schedules had become completely misaligned, leaving them like ships passing in the night. Annika would be fast asleep by the time Shivay returned home, utterly spent from her shifts. Mornings offered no respite; exhaustion kept her slumbering long after Shivay had left for the office.

One glimmer of hope - a morning where Annika had awoken early - was dashed when she discovered Shivay hadn't even returned home the previous night.

Despite the physical distance, their communication remained strong, albeit unconventional. Notes became their bridge. Annika, after experimenting with new recipes late into the night, would leave a slice or two for Shivay, along with a note inquiring about his day and sharing a bit about hers, perhaps mentioning the new creation she'd left for him to try. Shivay, in turn, would whip up breakfast and reply on the same note, offering his feedback on her culinary endeavors. Sometimes, he'd request a specific dish for dinner, or even ask her advice on what to prepare for breakfast.

One such day, Shivay rushed into the penthouse, his brow furrowed in concentration. He'd forgotten a crucial file needed for a critical evening meeting. As he unlocked the door, an unexpected sight greeted him. Warm light spilled from the living area, casting a welcoming glow over the usually sterile space. Laughter and conversation filtered through the air, a stark contrast to the usual quietude. Confusion etched itself onto his face.

Hesitantly, he stepped inside, his entrance unnoticed for a moment. The scene that unfolded before him left him speechless. There, nestled on his plush sofa, sat Dadi, elegant in her silk saree, surrounded by his cousins - Om, the ever-serious one, Rudra, the mischievous one, and Priyanka, the epitome of style. Half-eaten pastries, coffee cups, and untouched cookies sat on the coffee table. They were all deeply engaged in conversation.

For a moment, Shivay could only stare, his mind struggling to process the scene. "Dadi? What... how...?" he stammered, disbelief thick in his voice.

The sudden sound alerted them to his presence. All heads turned towards him, surprise flickering across their faces. Dadi, was the first to recover, a wide grin splitting her face. "Shivay! What a lovely surprise! We were just catching up with Annika here."

Shivay approached Dadi to seek her blessings and then hugged his surprised cousins. Meanwhile, oblivious to Shivay's arrival, Annika emerged from the kitchen. "So, how do you like my surprise?" she asked with a playful glint in her eye, "sweet or bitter?"

Rudra blurted out, "Bhabhi, your surprise is bitter... I mean, your surprise is Shivay Bhaiya!" He pointed towards Shivay, who was now sitting on the couch with his back to Annika.

Shivay turned towards Annika, his gaze lingering on her. He was genuinely surprised to see her. Annika was a vision of domesticity in her casual kurta and apron. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and flour dusted her face, hair, and clothes. A dollop of frosting adorned her cheek, and she held a rolling pin in her hand. Annika, on the other hand, was shocked to see Shivay there.

"Mr. Oberoi, what are you doing here?" she stammered. "You should be in the office working."

Shivay raised an eyebrow playfully. "Annika, it's my house, and I can come whenever I want. First, you tell me what's going on here. Why aren't you at work, and why is my family here? And why did Rudra say I'm the bitter surprise?" Rudra, sensing the playful undertone, hid behind Om, fearing the potential consequences of his teasing.

Annika offered a sheepish smile and gestured with the rolling pin. "I invited everyone to celebrate Priyanka's small achievement. She finally got her first order for her jewelry design! I took a leave from my work to celebrate this news." She moved towards the table, picking up a plate of cookies. "And the surprise was... well, this cookie. I've been experimenting with a new recipe - personality cookies. They have funny messages hidden inside that describe someone's personality. You're not really a surprise, don't give yourself so much importance," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Shivay's chuckle echoed in the room, a welcome sound after the seriousness of the day. A warmth bloomed in his chest, a rare sensation these past few months. "Personality cookies, huh? Let's see what this one reveals about the CEO who forgets crucial files for critical meetings."

His gaze lingered on Annika, her face dusted with flour and her hair adorably messy. This version of her, relaxed and in her element, was a refreshing change. He reached for a cookie, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar a warm invitation.

The message hidden inside the cookie, written in a delicate script, simply read: "Stubborn." He choked back a laugh, the playful description surprisingly accurate.

Rudra snatched a cookie without waiting his turn. His eyes scanned the word: "Impulsive." He let out a loud guffaw, earning a playful swat from Annika. Priyanka, intrigued, bit into hers. It read: "Elegant." A blush crept up her cheeks as she received compliments from everyone. Even Om joined in the fun. His cookie revealed the word "Mature."

The afternoon melted away in a warm haze of laughter, conversation, and the delightful flavors of Annika's creations. After an hour or so, Shivay finally had to tear himself away and return to the office with his forgotten file.

Dinner was a delightful affair, a collaboration between Annika, Om, Rudra, and even Priyanka. Dadi, ever the gracious host, expressed her gratitude. "Thank you for the lovely surprise, Annika," she said, pulling Annika into a tight hug. "And thank you for taking such good care of Shivay."

Annika blushed but replied with a warm smile, "It was my pleasure, Dadi."

Goodbyes were exchanged, promises to visit again made. As Annika waved goodbye to Shivay's family, a bittersweet feeling settled in her stomach. Stepping back into the penthouse, she surveyed the remnants of the afternoon's revelry - a scattered living room, dishes piled in the sink. Exhaustion tugged at her, and with a sigh, she decided to leave the cleaning until morning.

Late that night, Shivay returned to find the living room and kitchen in disarray. A pang of sympathy shot through him. Annika must be exhausted after playing hostess to his family. He found a tray covered with a plate and a note waiting for him in the kitchen. This time, the note was from Rudra: "Bhaiya, today I helped Bhabhi make dinner. So please send me some pocket money in exchange for helping her." Shivay chuckled, the playful demand warming him from within.

He finished his dinner, then tidied the living room and kitchen enough for Mrs. Ahuja to efficiently clean up in the morning. As he slipped into bed, a wave of introspection washed over him. Annika, despite his initial protests, had formed a beautiful bond with his family. He prayed that the past wouldn't repeat itself and hurt his family again.

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