Anika was getting ready for the mehendi in the room. She has to wear the blouse and the gown and go to Pinky's room for the makeup. The stylists have arrived already.
Shivaay was nowhere to be seen right after their so-called date. She was instructed to keep him in check and not interfere with family friends unless Shivaay is introducing her. Her cover should not be blown.
"Yaar ye itni bhaari kyu hai(why is this so heavy)"
"Anika, are you done?" Jhanvi was on the door.
"Yes aunty, I am coming" she adjusted her skirt and then left with Jhanvi for makeup
"Aap dono itne pyaare lagrahe hai(both of you are looking so pretty)" Anika always admired their beauty
"Aur tu humse bhi zyada khubsurat lagrahi. Ye color to pura jach raha hai (you are looking even prettier than us. This color suits you)"
"Jachna bhi parega. Ye saalbhar ke rent jitna mehenga Jo hai (should suit me. It costs around my yearly rent )" Anika murmured to herself.
Anika sat on the chair. These guys have separate room only for dressing and makeup
"Also Anika, we are thinking ki Shivaay ke room me bhi renovation karle. His walk in space looks very masculine. You are definitely missing out on this" Jhanvi added
"Arey it's not required now Aunty. Will do it later" Anika replied politely
"How was your date?" Pinky started her interrogation
"It was great. We went to duck and waffle. Kafi sahi khana tha" Anika remembered the place name because it sounded funny
"Date pe bas khaane hi gaye dono? Wo to ghar pe bhi ho jata. (You guys went out just to eat? That would have been done at home also)" Pinky continued
"Par privacy chahiye hoga to inhe ghar me milhi jaati hogi na (if they need privacy, they will get at home as well)" Jhanvi said
"It's like a bond over food" Anika learnt this from Shivaay on how to describe their date
"Awwww..."
____________________
Guests started arriving and the environment was perfectly ready for the event. Anika was sitting next to Priyanka and chatting on some ordinary topics when Shivaay entered the living room wearing a matching colored bandhgala. His eyes fell on Anika and he forgot to blink. He never really admired her beauty before but she was looking breathtaking in ethnic.
"Teri hi hai, taadna bandh kar (she is yours only. Stop staring)" Om came from behind and patted Shivaay's back
"Fuck, was i seriously staring at her?" Shivaay whispered to himself.
"Not possible"
He approached her when Pinky was rushing towards them as well.
"Haaye matching outfits me to ekdam pati patni lagrahe ho dono (you are looking like a married couple in matching outfits)"
Anika smiled and then looked at Shivaay "Kafi handsome lagrahe ho boyfriend (looking very handsome boyfriend)"
He gazed at her in disbelief. Did she genuinely find him handsome or is it a play in front of the family? He chose to go with the second option.
"You too girlfriend" he replied after coming out from his trance
"Goals" Priyanka gestured with Korean heart symbol with her fingers to them.
"Jald hi husband wife sunne mile to sahi hai (if we can hear husband wife soon it would be better)" Pinky told before leaving them to attend the guests
"Gaaon walo, ladke wale padhaar rahe hai (Groom family is here)" Rudra announced and musicians started Indian wedding melody for their welcome.
Anika sensed the nervousness in Shivaay's eyes and hence she whispered in his ears, "mai hoon na"
Unknowingly his heart was soothed by her 3 words
Mai hoon na.
The groom entered on the music of "Sajan ji ghar aaye", the popular song from Kuch Kuch hota hai. Soon enough, Om and a few other people also joined them in the dance.
As the song ended, Priyanka went to touch the feet of the elders.
"Sangeet me takkar competition hoga lagraha hai (there will be heavy competition during Sangeet it seems)" Tej said
"Jeetenge phir bhi hum hi papa (we will only win)" Priyanka added
Meanwhile Shivaay's eyes fell on Mallika who was laughing at something her husband whispered in her ear. There was no trace of jealousy at that moment, only deep sense of hurt. Keeping aside the pain, he rushed to welcome the family.
"Welcome to our humble abode. Let's get this started" People were surprised at his sudden jollyness but today isn't about Shivaay Singh Oberoi, it's about Priyanka.
The mehendi artists started their work in full swing.
"Anika, tum bhi lagwa rahe ho na mehendi (are you also applying mehendi Anika?)" Jhanvi questioned
"Ha ha" all the ladies were sitting with their hands open
As per the chosen design, artist started her magic on Anika's hands as well.
"Arey S likhwana nahi bhulna(don't forget to write S)" Pinky shouted and everyone laughed except Anika.
"She won't forget when I will carve it myself" Shivaay swiftly entered the scene and politely asked for the tool from the artist. She blushed and gave him immediately.
"Chalo Anika hath dikhao"
Mallika sat a few feet away from them to let her mehendi dry. Shivaay wanted this as a showoff but Anika felt the butterflies in her when he slowly began to write S on her palm.
She decided to join him in the act.
"Aapke bhi haath me A to hona chahiye(your palm should also have A)"
"Sure" he didn't hesitate.
He took his phone out and clicked a picture of both of their mehendi and some pictures of her as well
"Prettiest"
Shivaay didn't know why he behaved the way he did but the compliment was full of truth. His attempt was to make Mallika jealous but surprisingly she was smiling at the couple which irked him even more. He wanted to make her feel what she lost and what they could have been but that feeling is not visible at all in her eyes.
In a short while, ladies were done and people were enjoying themselves. Anika got introduced to a few business partners but mostly she maintained distance.
Her eyes were searching for Shivaay when she noticed Mallika approaching him.
"You know I am so happy you moved on with such a lovely woman. She changed you so much" Mallika told Shivaay with a sweet smile on her lips
"I was the same. Still got dumped"
"Can't vouch for it but I feel she deserves the world with you"
"But I can vouch that she will not leave me one random day without much of an explanation"
Anika joined them mid conversation but Mallika excused then immediately
"Kya boli wo? (What did she say?)"
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...
