Shivaay woke up with a throbbing headache from last night’s hangover. Wrapped in the silky duvet, he squinted at the clock and groaned.
“Damn, it’s 10:15!” he exclaimed, sitting up abruptly.
“Anika,” he muttered, his eyes scanning the room for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
The events of the previous night began to replay in his mind, and embarrassment flickered across his face.
“Shit...” he groaned in frustration, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
On the bedside table, he noticed a pill and his usual morning espresso neatly placed. A folded note caught his attention.
As he reached for it, Rudra barged into the room without knocking.
"Khushi mein talli ho gaye?" Rudra teased with a mischievous grin.
“My head is killing me. So shut up,” Shivaay snapped irritably. “Where’s Anika?”
“That’s what I came to tell you,” Rudra said smugly. “The smell of alcohol in here was so bad, Anika Didi slept in Priyanka’s room after making sure you were comfortable on the bed.”
Guilt stabbed through Shivaay instantly.
He jumped out of bed and rushed to Priyanka's room. His eyes found Anika, who was busy chatting and laughing with Priyanka.
“Can we talk?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.
“We’re in the middle of something,” Anika replied curtly, not even sparing him a glance.
“Please, Prinku will understand.” Without waiting for permission, he stepped in, took Anika’s hand, and guided her back to his room.
“Shivaay, let me go!” she protested, struggling to free herself.
Once they reached his room, he locked the door behind them.
“Did I do something inappropriate last night?” he asked sincerely, his tone laced with concern.
Anika’s mind wandered to the events of the previous night. His drunken confession lingered in her thoughts. She was sure he hadn’t meant a word of it, but alcohol has a way of revealing truths.
“Nothing,” she replied curtly.
“Then why didn’t you sleep here?” he pressed.
“I don’t like the smell of alcohol,” she lied smoothly.
“I’m really sorry you had to see me like that,” he said earnestly. “I hope you can forgive me. Can we count last night’s chaos as part of the job and add extra pay for the trouble?”
Shivaay had no idea how deeply those words would wound her.
“Har cheez ko paiso se solve nahi karsakte aap Shivaay Singh Oberoi!” she snapped. “What’s next? You’ll slap me one day and tell me to ‘compromise’ for some extra cash? Your mentality disgusts me!”
She flung the door open and stormed out before he could respond.
He had messed up—badly.
It had been 24 hours, and Anika still wasn’t speaking to him. Shivaay had tried everything—conversations, gestures—but nothing worked.
On the day of the sangeet, he decided to try again. Slipping a handwritten apology note between the folds of her outfit for the evening, he hoped this might make her see his genuine remorse.
“Why am I putting so much effort into apologizing to someone I hired on a contract?” he muttered to himself, but his heart insisted otherwise.
When Anika entered the room to grab her clothes, she ignored him entirely.
“Am I looking dashing?” Shivaay asked, trying to sound playful. “You know I’m incredibly handsome.”
She didn’t react, brushing past him to take the outfit. As she picked it up, the note slipped to the floor. Curious, she bent down and unfolded it.
"Billu ko please maaf kardo."
Despite herself, she chuckled at his attempt.
“Hasee toh phasee?” Shivaay teased with a sly grin.
“I’m not falling for anything,” she replied, walking away with the outfit.
Two hours later, the sangeet was in full swing. Guests mingled, music filled the air, and laughter echoed throughout the hall.
But Shivaay’s eyes weren’t searching for his past lover today. Instead, they sought out Anika, who was chatting and laughing with Mallika.
“What the hell?” he muttered, striding toward them.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Goenka,” Shivaay addressed Mallika and her husband Shashank formally.
Mallika raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Hi, Shivaay.”
“I want to apologize for my behavior,” he said, his voice calm yet sincere. “It’s my sister’s wedding, and I should’ve handled things better.”
Anika stared at him as if she had just seen a ghost. Shivaay Singh Oberoi apologizing—twice in one day?
Shashank extended his hand. “I appreciate that, Shivaay. Let’s bury the hatchet.”
With surprising ease, the two men shared a quick handshake, which turned into an awkward hug.
From afar, Rudra and Omkara nearly choked on their drinks.
“Bhaiya, am I hallucinating, or did that just happen?” Rudra asked, his jaw slack.
“I... don’t know,” Om said, gulping down another sip of champagne to steady himself.
Pulling Anika aside, Shivaay led her to the staircase.
“Are you out of your mind?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
“What now?” he asked, exasperated.
“You said sorry,” she stated incredulously.
“I do apologize,” he replied, feigning nonchalance.
“Whatever. What do you want now?”
“Your dori is loose,” he said matter-of-factly. “Shall I tie it?”
She instinctively tried to look over her shoulder.
“Let me,” he said gently, turning her around. As he tightened the strings of her dress, his fingers brushed against her bare skin. Both froze momentarily, a strange, unfamiliar sensation curling in their stomachs.
“All done,” he said abruptly, stepping back and walking away as if nothing had happened.
Anika stood there, her heart racing.
Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of the mansion, Shivaay overheard familiar voices.
“We don’t have to tell him, Shashank,” Mallika said, her tone tense.
Shivaay hid behind a pillar, straining to listen.
“But you saw how much he’s changed. He deserves to know the truth,” Shashank argued. “He’s moved on.”
“You don’t know him like I do,” Mallika countered. “If he’s moved on, why stir the past? Why should he know I had sex with you twice while I was still with him?”
Shivaay’s world tilted.
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...
