An air of nervous anticipation hung heavy within Shivay's cabin at Oberoi Industries. Both Shivay and Mishra were on edge, constantly checking the clock and Shivay's phone for any updates on Annika's competition.
Mishra had never witnessed Shivay postpone meetings due to a lack of focus, and seeing him this way sent a jolt of unease through him. When he'd finally inquired about the reason, Shivay had revealed Annika's baking competition, further amplifying Mishra's anxiety on Shivay's behalf.
The agonizing hours ticked by, each tick echoing the pounding of their hearts. Finally, a notification blinked on Shivay's phone, breaking the tense silence. He lunged for it, his fingers flying as he opened the message. A wave of relief and pride washed over him as he read Annika's message: she'd made it to the second round! Attached was a picture of an apron emblazoned with her name, "Annika Sharma."
A wide grin spread across Shivay's face. He held up the phone for Mishra to see, eliciting a mirroring smile from his assistant. Shivay quickly replied, urging Annika to head home, get some rest, and then begin preparations for the next round. A thumbs-up emoji from Annika sealed the exchange.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Shivay turned to Mishra. "Alright, Mishra," he declared, "let's get back to work."
Mishra nodded, but curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Sir," he began hesitantly, "may I ask you something?"
Shivay gestured for him to proceed.
"Why did Mrs. Oberoi participate as Annika Sharma and not Annika Oberoi?" The question mirrored one Shivay himself had posed to Annika upon seeing her competition application.
Shivay chuckled, the memory of asking Annika the same question fresh in his mind. "Well, Mishra," he explained, "it seems in her excitement, she simply forgot she's now Mrs. Oberoi. When I mentioned it later, she insisted on staying with 'Annika Sharma' for the competition. Her reasoning was that if people knew she was an Oberoi, they might either favor her unfairly or hold a grudge, hindering her chances of a win based solely on her skills."
Mishra couldn't help but let out a chuckle at Annika's logic. With a final nod, he then excused himself, leaving Shivay to his work. As he retrieved a file for their meeting, a newfound respect for Annika bloomed in his chest. Her determination and her desire to be judged on her own talent, not her connections, had well and truly impressed him. The weight of worry had lifted, replaced by a renewed determination to support Annika in her quest for baking glory.
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Back in the penthouse, Annika jubilantly messaged Shivay, Dadi, Om, Rudra Priyanka, Mrs. Patel, and Mrs. Ahuja about making it to the second round. Five minutes later, her phone buzzed incessantly with congratulatory messages. A wave of warmth washed over her. Everyone was so proud!
Exhaustion finally caught up to her. After a quick freshen-up, Annika surrendered to a much-needed power nap. When she awoke, the golden hues of evening bathed the room in a soft light. It was later than she expected.
Hunger pangs rumbled in her stomach, and she made her way to the kitchen. Tomorrow's competition was a mystery box challenge, where the judges would provide surprise ingredients. Deciding to be as prepared as possible, Annika pulled up some baking competition videos online. Pen in hand, she meticulously noted down any tricks or techniques that might come in handy.
When Shivay returned home, he found Annika curled up on the living room couch, the TV flickering silently in the background. A gentle nudge roused her from her slumber. Startled, she realized night had fallen and she had drifted off in an unintentional nap.
"Sorry, I must have dozed off," Annika mumbled sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
"No worries," Shivay said with a smile. She then urged Shivay to go change while she prepared dinner.
After refreshing up, they sat down for a warm meal. As they ate, Annika recounted the day's events, describing the competition atmosphere and the anticipation surrounding the next round. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and the warmth of shared dreams. Finally, with a sweet "good night," they both retreated to their respective rooms, ready to face the challenges that awaited them.
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The crisp morning air crackled with nervous energy as Shivay dropped Annika off at the competition venue. With a whispered "good luck," he drove himself to the office, his mind already swirling with ways to check in on her progress throughout the day.
Inside, the camaraderie of the previous round had vanished, replaced by a tense silence. The forty-nine remaining contestants were culinary warriors, armed with rolling pins and whisks, ready to unleash their creativity in a battle for baking supremacy.
The formidable judges wasted no time in presenting the ultimate challenge: a mystery basket overflowing with surprise ingredients. Exotic fruits, unusual nuts, and an assortment of intriguing spices lay nestled within, a kaleidoscope of flavors waiting to be transformed. The task? Create a delectable pie, a batch of melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes, and a basket of enticing breadsticks – all within a three-hour timeframe. The pressure was on, the battle lines drawn.
An adrenaline rush surged through Annika as she peered into her basket. Nestled amongst the usual flour and sugar were unexpected treasures: tart cranberries, fragrant cardamom pods, and a hefty block of dark chocolate. A mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. This wasn't just a challenge; it was a chance to showcase her unique flavor combinations.
The next three hours were a whirlwind of focused activity. Annika transformed her workspace into a ballet of flour-dusted surfaces, rhythmic whisking, and the satisfying clinking of measuring cups. She worked with a quiet determination, her movements precise and efficient. Around her, the other contestants were a flurry of activity, each tackling the challenge with their own unique approach.
The clock ticked relentlessly, each minute a reminder of the dwindling time. Yet, Annika remained calm, her focus unwavering. Finally, with a flourish, she placed her creations on the designated table – a glistening dark chocolate cranberry pie, a batch of golden cardamom cupcakes, and a basket of dark chocolate studded breadsticks. Exhausted but exhilarated, she stepped back, a sense of accomplishment washing over her.
The judging panel moved from table to table, their expressions unreadable. Each creation was subjected to a meticulous examination, a symphony of aromas and textures tantalizing their senses. As they approached Annika's table, she held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The head judge, a woman known for her discerning palate, picked up a fork and took a bite of the pie. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by a slow, appreciative nod. The other judges followed suit, their initial skepticism replaced by a growing curiosity.
"Annika Sharma," she announced, her voice carrying a newfound respect, "your use of flavor combinations is truly inspired. You've presented a well-balanced and creative selection. Please wait here. We'll inform you of the final decision shortly."
Annika's heart soared. The initial hurdle was crossed, and the judges' interest was piqued. Taking a deep breath, she settled down to wait, a sliver of hope blossoming in her chest. The mystery box challenge might just have been the key to unlocking her dream.
An hour later, the tension in the air thickened as the host announced the results of the second round. "It was a difficult decision to choose the best from your creations," the host announced. "After much discussion, the judges have chosen twenty finalists." He then rattled off a list of names. "All winning participants are requested to reach the Taj Hotel by 11:00 am, two days from now, for the final round. We're giving you a day of rest to energize yourselves. On that day, your family members can also come to support you. You will receive a link on your phones for them to register."
A murmur rippled through the crowd as the participants absorbed the news. Everyone nodded and began to disperse, heading home with a mix of emotions. Annika was among them, a bittersweet feeling settling in her gut. She had made it to the final round, but unlike the others, she thought she wouldn't have the support of family in the audience.
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A Bargain Made with Frosting
FanfictionAnnika, a bright and independent orphan, finds joy in the simple things and dreams of opening her own bakery. Love is a luxury she can't afford. Shivay Singh Oberoi, a hardened businessman with a painful past, has built his success on cold logic and...
