Shivaay didn't attend the press conference. It was only the couple and the parents.
The media weren't too surprised by the announcement since their photos of dating were captured previously.
A week passed with Shivaay being busy with office and Anika mingling with everyone at home. Even at night, Shivaay either enters the room after Anika sleeps or sleeps in his study and wake up right before anyone else does.
It was a comfortable arrangement for both of them.
A Day before Mehendi, everyone was seated in the hall chatting over the evening tea.
"I am so glad we kept the theme for Mehendi" Priyanka chipped
"Tujhe bas ye pintu me hi jeena hai(you only want to live in Pintu)" Pinky's words made everyone laugh except Anika
"Pintu kaun?" Anika was curious
"Arey choti maa pinterest nahi yaad karpaati (Aunty can't remember pinterest)" Rudy replied.
"Ha to ek hi baar shaadi hoti hai ( you get married only once)" Priyanka crossed her arms
"Oh no, you need to talk to Jennifer Lopez" Rudy got a smack from Om for his reply
"Waise kal Shivaay aur Anika bhi soft launch ho hi jayenge sabke saamne (tomorrow Anika and Shivaay will also have a soft launch)" Om diverted the topic
"Anika, tu ghabraiyon nahi(Anika don't be scared ok)" Dadi told her.
"But we can just simply say I am Shivaay's friend or PA right?" Anika said right away. She has to go back to where she came from and there shouldn't be a trace of anything that happened here.
"Kya bolrahi hai? Bahu hai meri tu. PA ke liye Khanna hai humare paas (what are you saying? You are my daughter in law. For PA, we have Khanna)" Pinky was confused by Anika's words
"Haa and the groom's family already know it" Shakti added
"I think Anika is right. It's too early for everything. I will tell everyone she is an addition to Khanna" Shivaay was on her side on this.
"Ye dono pagal hai. Mummy ji aap samjhao mai na aise PA to nahi bolpaungi Anika ko. Aur kuch time me jab shaadi hogi to kya bolenge sabko? Ki Shivaay Singh Oberoi ne PA se hi ishq lada li(these two have gone mad. I can't tell everyone that she is a PA. Also when they will get married, will we tell everyone he had an affair with his PA?)" Pinky approached
"But Pinky, even I feel Shivaay and Anika are right. People will start digging once they know Shivaay has someone" Tej jumped into the conversation
"But we don't have anything to hide" Pinky retorted back
"We do" Anika murmured and went to sit near Shivaay
"Kya karna hai?" She whispered in Shivaay's ears
"See, this won't be the first time my relationship is out in public. So let it be." For the first time after breakup with Mallika, shivaay has mentioned about his relationship in front of the family.
"Regarding your privacy, I will make sure it's wiped clean" he assured her by saying these words without anyone else hearing it
"Lo khatam sab" Pinky was happy with the conclusion
"But Maa, I don't want you going around referring her as Bahu" Shivaay warned
"Tu to aise baat karta hai jaise ki shaadi karne ka irada nahi hai Anika se (you talk like you don't have the intention of getting married to Anika" Om said and Pinky agreed with him
"Omkara, Shivaay and I just want to make sure we are perfect for each other. Being practical" Anika replied on his behalf
"Mere liye to ye conversation hi heavy ho gayi" Dadi said and got up to leave
"Before that, me and Anika will be out in the morning. I want to take her to my favorite breakfast spot here" Shivaay announced
"Par kal mehendi hai(but tomorrow is mehendi)" Priyanka protested
"And it's in the evening. Haven't took my baby out for a date in a long time. I owe her" Shivaay's baby made Anika cough
"Awwwwww. So cute" Rudra did the Korean heart pose while everyone smiled at him
______________________
In the room, Anika was pacing from one end to the other chewing her nails and Shivaay was checking his phone
"Kya zarurat thi sabke saamne baccha bolne ki(why did you call be baccha in front of everybody)" Anika finally spoke
"Baccha nahi baby (not baccha but baby) " Shivaay replied without even looking at her
"Dictionary kholke dekhiye matlab (open dictionary and see the meaning)"
"Also, kya lagega Ghar walo ki mai mehendi ke din gulcharrey ura rahi ghar me haath batane ke badle(what would the family members think that I am out having fun on an important day when I should be helping them)"
"What will you help them with?"
"Cooking"
"We have cooks"
"Cleaning"
"We have maids and special cleaning staff for tomorrow"
"Decoration"
"We hired an event planner for that"
Anika was spellbound on what to say further
"I can help Priyanka get ready"
"Her stylist will arrive early and you already helped her pick the outfits"
"Damn it Billu"
"Aey, don't call me that"
"Jo bhi ho. Mujhe nahi jana (i don't want to go)"
"Before the festivities start, I want to make sure you are ready to face everyone on the guestlist"
"And Mallika" Anika added
"Dare you bring her name in my room. It brings negativity"
"Isiliye inki soch itni negative hai, khudke man se to nahi nikaale hai (that's why his thinking is so negative since she has occupied his mind already)" Anika thought but didn't voice it out
"And her yes"
"Try to be touchy when she is looking. She needs to know we are very happy and she is stuck in a convenience marriage"
"But she looks happy with her husb..." Anika couldn't complete her sentence as Shivaay rushed to the washroom avoiding any further conversation.
She went to pick up her phone when a message caught her attention.
YOU ARE READING
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Romance"The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly" Shivaay Singh Oberoi, a heartbroken lover whose ex betrayed him after a successful relationship of 5 years. His faith on love ceases to zero. Anika, an aspiring Interior designer does local plays...
