The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 21

The morning of a day before Priyanka's wedding dawned bright and chaotic. The air was electric with last-minute arrangements. From flower deliveries to wardrobe corrections, every corner of the house was a hub of activity. The sound of instructions being shouted, laughter, and hurried footsteps filled the air.

Anika sat cross-legged on the floor of the living room, a pile of garlands beside her. She was helping the decorators finish tying them to the railings. Despite the frenzy around her, she seemed oddly at peace, humming a tune as she worked.

"Do you ever sit still?" Shivaay's voice cut through the noise as he approached her.

"Do you ever not have a problem with me?" she shot back without looking up. "These garlands won't tie themselves, Mr. Oberoi."

Shivaay crouched down beside her, loosening his tie as he picked up a garland. "You know we have staff for this, right?"

She shrugged. "Kabhi kabhi apne haath se kaam karne mein alag hi mazza hai. Aapko nahi samajh aayega."

"Try me," he said, surprising her with his sincerity. He began tying the garland clumsily, earning a laugh from Anika.

"Not bad, Oberoi. Agar businessman na ban pate toh shayad florist ban sakte the," she teased, nudging him lightly.

"Very funny," he muttered, shaking his head but unable to hide his smile.

The playful banter was interrupted by Rudra's voice. "Anika didi, Priyanka ki final fitting ready ho gayi hai. Ek baar check karne bola hai aapko"

"What about me?" Shivaay intervened

"Her look is a surprise for OBros" Om entered the scene

Anika walked away toward Priyanka's room, leaving Shivaay standing in the hallway. He watched her retreating figure for a moment, shaking his head with a faint smile before heading to the living room, where Omkara and Rudra were debating over wedding details.

"Bhaiya!" Rudra called out the moment Shivaay entered. "Tell O that the baraat needs a DJ. It's a baraat, not some boring old band performance!"

Omkara, seated with a notepad in hand, glanced up calmly. "Rudra, it's a wedding. Dhol and band are classic-timeless, even. This isn't a club night."

Rudra groaned. "Exactly! That's why we need a DJ to spice things up. Imagine everyone grooving to Kala Chashma! Even dadi would love it!"

Shivaay pinched the bridge of his nose, already exhausted by their argument. "Why is this even a discussion? Just have both. Dhol for the tradition, DJ for Rudra's 'spice.' Problem solved."

Rudra threw his arms around Shivaay dramatically. "Thank you, Shivaay bhaiya! You truly understand the art of compromise."

Shivaay shoved him off, smirking. "I understand the art of ending pointless debates."

As Rudra bounded off to finalize his DJ playlist, Omkara put his notepad down and looked at Shivaay thoughtfully. "You seem... different these days."

"Different how?" Shivaay asked, pretending to focus on the flower arrangements spread on the table.

Om leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You're less... rigid. You are literally helping her out with garlands. Shivaay Singh Oberoi doesn't do all these."

"She's..." Shivaay hesitated for a split second, choosing his words carefully. "She's different. She doesn't tiptoe around me like everyone else. That's it. She has her own way of convincing me to do things."

Om studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "If you say so. But for what it's worth, I think she's good for you."

Shivaay scoffed lightly. "Good for me? Om, you're reading too much into this. Let's focus on Priyanka's wedding, not my personal life."

"But I am still hurt. Was there a reason for not telling us? Don't get me wrong Shivaay, I am happy you moved on from Mallika. You have right?" Om asked and Shivaay's mind drifted back to the last confrontation he had with Mallika.

"Obviously. Why would I date anyone else if I am in love with Mallika?" Shivaay retorted back.

"Still doesn't answer my first question"

"See Om, Anika wants a lowkey life. I didn't want her to be a part of all the Oberoi drama and I wanted to be 100% sure before bringing her to the family"

"Makes sense. You made the right choice for sure"

"Agree Om, Anika didi to hatke hai, something which bhaiya needs in his life"