The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 33

Before she could fall, Shivaay’s hands shot out, gripping her arms and pulling her towards him.

Anika gasped as she stumbled forward, her hands instinctively landing on his chest. The distance between them vanished in an instant, her breath catching as she found herself inches away from his face.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Shivaay’s grip didn’t loosen, his fingers pressing against the fabric of her T-shirt as he looked down at her. Anika’s breath hitched as she met his piercing gaze, the usual sharpness in his eyes replaced by something unreadable.

“Tch, kitni careless ho tum,” he murmured, his voice lower than usual.

Anika swallowed, trying to ignore the sudden warmth spreading across her skin.

Shivaay didn’t let go immediately. Instead, his fingers brushed against her arms ever so lightly, sending a shiver up her spine.

Realizing how close they were, Anika quickly stepped back, breaking the moment. “Uh... thanks,” she muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Shivaay cleared his throat, turning away. “Haan... careful raha karo.”

The air between them felt heavier, charged with something unsaid.

Anika quickly got into bed, pulling the blanket up.

Shivaay ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply before walking towards the sofa. He picked up his phone, scrolling mindlessly, trying to distract himself from what had just happened.

But it wasn’t working.

He could still feel the warmth of her skin under his fingertips, the way her breath had hitched when he held her. The moment had been brief, accidental even, but it had shaken something inside him.

Anika, on the other hand, was lying stiffly in bed. Her heart was still racing, her mind replaying the way Shivaay had looked at her—as if he was seeing something he hadn’t noticed before.

She shut her eyes tightly, willing herself to stop overthinking. *It was nothing

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioner. She turned slightly to look at him—he was still sitting on the sofa, elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor as if lost in thought.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Shivaay?"

He didn’t look up. "Hmm?"

Anika frowned. "Matlab? OmRu ne exactly kya suna?"

Shivaay finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Bas yahi ki yeh sab ek act hai. Ki hum dono—" He paused. "Ki yeh sach nahi hai."

Anika processed his words, nodding slowly. "Phir?"

Shivaay leaned back against the sofa, closing his eyes for a brief second before continuing. "Phir kya? They cornered me, jaise hamesha karte hain."

Anika’s brows furrowed. "Aur aapne kya kaha?"

Shivaay sighed. "Sach bata diya. Ki Mom mujhpar shaadi ka pressure daal rahi thi, aur maine yeh plan banaya."

Anika stared at him. "Bas itna?"

Shivaay hesitated for half a second before nodding. "Haan, bas itna."

Anika didn’t entirely believe him. Omkara and Rudra were not the type to let things go so easily. But she decided not to push him—at least not now.

She leaned back, adjusting her pillow. "Toh ab kya? Family ko toh kuch nahi pata, right?"