The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 23

The house was alive again, the quiet of the previous night replaced with hurried footsteps, laughter, and instructions being shouted across hallways.

In Priyanka's room, Anika was helping her with the final touches of her bridal attire. Priyanka looked radiant in her deep crimson lehenga, her jewelry sparkling under the soft morning light. But beneath her excitement, there was a trace of nervousness in her eyes.

"Priyanka, stop fidgeting," Anika said gently, adjusting the dupatta draped over her head. "Tumhari nervous energy mujhe chadh rahi hai."

Priyanka smiled sheepishly. "I can't help it, Anika didi. It's just... everything changes today, doesn't it? What if I mess up? What if I'm not good enough for him?"

Anika placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Priyanka, you're more than good enough. Trust me, you're going to be amazing. Rehaan loves you. Tumhari akele ki responsibility nahi hai iss relationship ko sambhalna. Aur waise bhi, tumhare teen bhai hain jo tumhe sambhalenge agar kuch galat ho jaye."

At the mention of her brothers, Priyanka's smile softened. "Shivaay bhaiya has been my rock through everything. I just hope he knows how much I love him. I was so guilty when I didn't tell him about"

"He does," Anika said firmly. "Trust me, he does."

The door opened, and Pinky walked in, her saree as dazzling as her smile. "Priyanka, meri gudiya, tu toh bilkul pari lag rahi hai! Bas nazar utarne ki der hai."

"Choti Maa, please," Priyanka said, blushing. "I'll cry if you start with all this emotional stuff now."

Jhanvi entered right behind her, carrying a small jewelry box. "Pinky, let her breathe! Priyanka, beta, yeh maine tumhare liye rakha tha. Tumhare nani ka kangan hai. It's a family heirloom."

Priyanka took the bangle, her eyes misting as she hugged her mother. "Thank you, Mom. It means so much to me."

Anika smiled but quickly stepped back when Rudra's voice echoed from the hallway.

"Anika didi!! Hurry up! Bhaiya's pacing so much, he might dig a trench in the living room floor."

Priyanka laughed nervously. "Oh no, Shivaay bhaiya must be stressed."

"You stay here," Anika said quickly. "Your brothers are not allowed to see you before the ceremony!"

As Priyanka nodded, Pinky and Jhanvi joined in fussing over the bride while Anika left the room to deal with the chaos.

"Kya hua Rudra?" Anika asked Rudra who was dressed in most elegant sherwani

"Bhaiya pagal ho gaye hai. And at this point, he will only listen to you" Rudra ran downstairs, followed by Anika

In the living room, Shivaay was indeed pacing, issuing rapid-fire instructions to the staff while Omkara and Rudra stood nearby, exchanging amused glances.

"Shivaay bhaiya is in full CEO mode," Rudra whispered. "I swear he's going to give the flower guy a performance review."

Omkara smirked. "And yet, he's the one most likely to cry during the bidaai."

"Enough," Shivaay said sharply, overhearing them. "Why are you two just standing there? Don't you have anything useful to do?"

"Actually, no," Rudra said cheekily.

Shivaay's attention was momentarily diverted from the wedding preparations. Anika had changed into a stunning saree-deep emerald green with gold accents that shimmered under the soft lighting, her hair styled elegantly, a few strands framing her face. The saree hugged her figure just right, its pleats falling perfectly around her as she moved.

For a split second, the noise of the bustling household faded for Shivaay, and all he could see was her-his gaze lingering on her. There was something about the way the saree complemented her, how it seemed to blend with her natural grace, that made his heart beat a little faster. Her presence, always a comforting constant, seemed to have shifted in his mind. She was no longer just the woman who had been by his side through all the madness. She was... something else today.

He hadn't realized how intensely he was staring until Rudra cleared his throat, his mischievous grin widening.

"Bhaiya to sara kaam bhul gaye Anika didi ko dekhte hi" Rudra teased, nudging Omkara, who had also noticed the change in Shivaay's demeanor.

Shivaay quickly turned his attention back to the wedding arrangements, his face slightly flushed but his voice steady. "What? No, I-I wasn't staring."

Anika, catching the tail end of the exchange, looked at Shivaay curiously. Her lips tugged into a small, knowing smile, but she didn't comment.
There was something about the way she looked in that saree, the way the light seemed to dance around her, that pulled at him. His breath caught for a moment, and he quickly turned his attention to the task at hand.

"Right," he muttered to himself, more to distract his racing thoughts than anyone else. "Focus, Shivaay. There's a wedding happening today."

But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but think-How had he never really seen her like this before?

To divert his mind, Shivaay turned to her, his expression softening. "Is she ready?"

"She's ready," Anika replied, "and she looks stunning. But you'll have to wait like everyone else to see her."

Before Shivaay could respond, Shakti walked in, his calm demeanor cutting through the tension. "Shivaay, beta, sab kuch perfectly set hai. Tum relax kar lo ab. Priyanka ke din ko yaadgaar banana hai, bas."

Tej followed, his voice as commanding as ever. "Shakti's right. You've done enough, Shivaay. Now focus on being her brother, not the wedding planner."

"Exactly!" Rudra chimed in. "And memories are best made with fun and chaos, not spreadsheets."

Shivaay sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, but Anika stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm.

"Shivaay," she said gently, "everything is perfect. Priyanka is fine, the house is fine, the arrangements are fine. Ab bas thoda relax kar lo, please?"

Shivaay looked at her, her calm words grounding him. "Alright," he said finally. "But only if Rudra doesn't start another DJ-versus-dhol debate."

"No promises," Rudra quipped, earning a smack from Omkara.

The family shared a laugh, the tension in the room lifting. Just then, Pinky appeared at the top of the staircase, calling out to her sons.

"Tum log Priyanka ko abhi mat dekho. Hum abhi usse mandap tak leke aayenge. Sab kaam chhodo aur dulha ke welcome ki tayyari karo!"

Shivaay straightened, his protective instincts kicking in. "Alright, let's get this done. Priyanka deserves nothing less than perfection today."

As the family dispersed to their tasks, Anika found herself watching Shivaay with a strange mix of admiration and affection. Somewhere in this whirlwind of fake relationships and real emotions, she had started to see the man behind the businessman.

And that thought scared her more than she cared to admit.