The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 30

The silence between them lingered for a while, only broken by the gentle ripple of the pool water. Anika leaned against the railing, gazing at the moonlit water, her thoughts reflective.

"Shivaay," she began softly, breaking the quiet, "you know, jab yeh sab shuru hua tha... I used to think you were the most arrogant, stubborn, impossible person on this planet."

Shivaay raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "And now?"

She turned to look at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Now I know you're the most arrogant, stubborn, impossible person on this planet. But... you're also someone who cares deeply for his family. Someone who’s willing to go to any lengths to protect the people he loves."

He let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Not sure if that’s a compliment or just another insult."

"Thoda dono ka mixture samajh lijiye," she teased.

There was a comfortable ease in the way they talked now, so different from the fiery arguments they used to have. Anika noticed it too and smiled softly. "It's strange, isn’t it? Hum dono jo ek doosre ki shakal tak dekhna nahi chahte the, ab... we’re standing here, talking like this."

Shivaay’s expression turned thoughtful as he leaned on the railing beside her. "It is strange. Jab yeh deal shuru hui thi, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to tolerate you for more than five minutes."

"And I thought I’d run away from this fake relationship in five minutes," she added with a laugh.

"But," Shivaay continued, his voice quieter now, "things changed. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing you as just someone who was helping me out. Tum... dost ban gayi ho."

Anika blinked, surprised by his admission. "Dost? Shivaay Singh Oberoi kisi ko apna dost maane... that’s a big deal."

"It is," he said simply, his eyes meeting hers. "Because I don’t let just anyone in, Anika. But you... you have this way of breaking down walls without even realizing it."

She looked away, unsure how to respond. For a moment, she thought she saw something in his eyes—something unspoken—but she brushed it aside. "Well, for what it’s worth, I consider you a friend too. Aap arrogant ho, impossible ho, par dil ke bure nahi ho."

They shared a quiet smile, the kind that spoke of mutual understanding and growing trust.

Hidden behind the nearby wall, Omkara and Rudra exchanged curious glances.

"Dost ban gaye hain? Deal? Kya chalraha hai ye O?" Rudra whispered, his voice a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Chup kar," Om hissed. "Let them talk."

"So," Anika said after a brief pause, "reception ke baad, jab hum yahan se wapas jayenge... aap apni family ko kya kahenge?"

Shivaay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. Maine socha tha ki jab tum wapas chali jaogi, main unhe bata dunga ki... it didn’t work out."

"Didn’t work out?" she echoed, her brow furrowing.

"Yeah," he said, his tone hesitant. "I’ll tell them that we decided to part ways. That things didn’t... feel right."

Anika looked at him carefully. "Aur agar unhone poocha ki kyun?"

Shivaay hesitated, the weight of the question evident on his face. "I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll say we realized we were better off as friends."

Anika nodded slowly, her gaze drifting back to the water. "It sounds believable kyunki aapne kabhi desh nahi chora because of a girlfriend. So you can definitely be friends with the other girlfriend." Sarcasm dripping in her words

"Stop being sarcastic. I know I was really difficult to deal with it before but mai mature hua hu," he admitted, his voice low. "See, sach bolke I don't want to hurt them. And if I say friends, you can always be there at important Oberoi events and I would love that"

She glanced at him, her expression softening. "Mai yaha aane ki ticket nahi afford kar paungi. Aap sponsor kare to its different. Waise mujhe lagta hai ki aapko apne words carefully choose karne honge. Especially with Dadi. Woh bohot hurt hongi."

Shivaay nodded, a hint of guilt flickering in his eyes. "I’ll make sure she understands. I don’t want to hurt her—or anyone else in the family. This was never about that."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their impending departure hanging between them.

Anika straightened, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, jo bhi ho, Shivaay... I think you’ll handle it. You always do."

He gave her a small, appreciative nod. "Thanks, Anika."

She turned to leave, but paused after a few steps and glanced back. "Aur haan, mujhe apne contract ke us clause ka yaad nahi hai jisme likha tha ki ‘fake girlfriend ko local tour par le jaana mandatory hai.’ So, don’t feel obligated."

Shivaay smirked. "Tumhare saath deal karna pehle hi enough complicated hai. Local tour karva ke apne kiye ka prashchit karne do."

Anika rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Good night, Shivaay."

As she walked away, Shivaay stood there, his mind swirling with everything that had just been said—and everything that had been left unsaid.