Shivika - A Story To Unfold

♡ Chapter 68 - Sweet Awkwardness ♡

Note — It's a long chapter with 17000 + words. I loved and enjoyed writing this chapter. Hoping you all let me know how you felt reading this chapter <3

~ Sunday evening

Shivaay leaned back against the driver's seat by tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he watched the rain splatter against the windshield. The rhythmic sound of raindrops filled the air, broken only by the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. It was 6:40 p.m., and even though it was Sunday, Annika came to the RS industries as she got some urgent work in the afternoon. He would have joined her, but Arnav, Deep, and Aarohi had visited in the morning, and it had been too long since the four of them last got together. Aarohi had to accompany Annika in the afternoon, leaving Shivaay with Arnav and Deep at Oberoi Mansion.

Now, sitting alone in his car outside RS Industries, Shivaay sighed, glancing at his watch. Another 20 minutes, he thought. Annika had told him her work would be done by 7, and as much as he wanted to go inside and see her, he didn't want to disturb her.

The rain had picked up since he arrived, the light drizzle is turning into a steady downpour.

Earlier, Shivaay had insisted he can go to RS Industries alone, but Khanna had immediately refused. After much back-and-forth, Khanna finally convinced Shivaay by explaining that they couldn't take any security risks. Reluctantly, Shivaay agreed, but to his surprise, Khanna opted to take a separate car. When Shivaay explained that it wasn't about privacy, he just didn't want to bother him every time, Khanna simply smiled and assured him that he never would. He then added, that he was taking another car to give some privacy to him and his ma'am. Although Khanna's face remained neutral while saying that, Shivaay was sure he was teasing him.

Shivaay glanced in his rearview mirror, and spotted Khanna's car parked behind him, he shook his head with amusement.

Though from the rare view mirror it was not clear due to rain but he saw Khanna is opening the door and frowned.

" Khanna ji, what happened? it's raining, don't get out of the car, " Shivaay shouted lowering the car window.

"Sir, the rain is getting heavier. You can go inside and wait," Khanna said, keeping his car door open just enough to talk to Shivaay.

"No, I don't want to disturb her. She'll be done in a few minutes, " Shivaay said, shaking his head.

"Sir, Ma'am won't be disturbed because of you," Khanna insisted.

"I know that. But still, let her finish her work, Khanna ji and most importantly don't call her. She'll come rushing if she knows I'm here, " Shivaay too insisted.

" As you say, sir, " Khanna sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue further. He often wonders who was more stubborn-his sir or ma'am.

"And Khanna ji, you can leave. She'll be out in a few minutes anyway," Shivaay suggested, glancing at the heavy downpour.

" No sir, I'll stay here until Ma'am comes, " Khanna said and closed the door, as he don't want to give shivaay more chance to speak on this matter as he don't have a doubt on Shivaay's stubbornness to send him away before Annika arrives too.

Shivaay shook his head with amusement. While closing the car window, he wondered whether Khanna learnt this stubbornness from Annika?
Jokes aside, Khanna never left him alone whenever he went out-unless Annika was with him. In the beginning, it was more due to Annika's orders, but now Shivaay could sense it wasn't just that. There was a brotherly warmth and protectiveness that radiated from Khanna, and it warmed Shivaay's heart every time. Because of Annika, he felt like he had gained two older brothers: Khanna and Dev. Though he and Dev are around the same age, Shivaay always felt a sense of protectiveness and elder brother warmth from Dev. He felt lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people. Shivaay thought with a warm smile.