The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 38

One Week Later

Anika had settled back into her routine in Mumbai—or at least, that’s what she told herself. She convinced herself that she had successfully moved on from the whirlwind of the past few weeks.

But some things were harder to ignore.

Like how she still found herself thinking about the Oberois at random moments. Like how she sometimes scrolled through her gallery, stopping at the photos from London. Like how she had to stop herself from wondering whether he ever thought about her.

She had just wrapped up a call with one of the design schools she was considering when her phone buzzed.
Shivaay Singh Oberoi

Her fingers hesitated for a fraction of a second before she opened the message.

Shivaay: My family has been asking about you.

She stared at the screen, frowning slightly. There were no greetings from his end. Just plain, direct talk. Of course they had. His family had been nothing but warm and welcoming. But she hadn’t expected Shivaay to be the one reaching out.

Before she could overthink it, another message appeared.

Shivaay: They want to talk to you. Call them when you’re free.

Anika’s grip on the phone tightened. He was texting her so casually—like they were just acquaintances. Like he hadn’t been the one who had asked if they could stay in touch. Like he hadn’t pretended that her leaving hadn’t affected him at all.

She exhaled sharply before typing her response.

Anika: Shivaay, tell them we broke up. It will be easier for everyone.

There was a pause. She thought maybe the conversation was over, but then—

Shivaay: They won’t believe that.

Anika: You’re Shivaay Singh Oberoi. Convincing people is your thing.

Another pause. Then—

Shivaay: Call them once. After that, you’ll never have to handle it again.

She stared at the words for a long moment. Why was he insisting so much? Did he really think she owed him this?

She knew she should refuse. She knew it was better to cut off all ties. But when she closed her eyes, she could feel the warmth of his family.

And despite herself, she found her fingers moving to dial the number.

_____________________

Shivaay tossed his phone onto his desk, leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

He hated the way he had worded that text.

So distant. So indifferent.

When he had typed My family has been asking about you, he had wanted to add something else. A How have you been? or even a simple Hope you’re okay.

Maybe even a please at the end of his request.

But he hadn’t.

Because every time he thought of reaching out, he remembered her voice from that last night in London.

"Within a few months, you’ll forget my existence."

She had said it so casually, as if it was a fact. As if she truly believed it.

And yet—she had been on his mind every single day since she left.

He had gone to the office, attended meetings, closed deals—but somewhere, in the back of his mind, she was always there.

Like when he saw something funny and had the urge to tell her.
Like when he reached for his phone at night, only to remember there was no reason to call her anymore.
Like when he goes to his bedroom, she would not be capturing his bed.

And now, when she had texted back so easily—tell them we broke up—it had irritated him.

Because wasn’t that what he wanted? A clean break?

Then why had he insisted?

Why did the thought of his family moving on from her so easily bother him?

He rubbed his temples, frustration seeping into his veins. This wasn’t supposed to be complicated. But somehow, everything with Anika always was.

It wasn’t just him. His family wouldn’t stop asking about her.

"Shivaay, Anika se baat kara na humari. Mil nahi rahe ho?"

"Beta, usse kehna Dadi yaad kar rahi hai."

"Choti Maa kitni baar keh chuki hai ki ek call laga do!"

Even Om and Rudra had given him knowing looks. They knew it was an arrangement but the least Anika and Shivaay could have done is pretend a little longer to make the story believable.

And it had irritated him. Because every time someone mentioned Anika, he had to remind himself that she wasn’t a part of his life anymore. That she never had been.

He had typed and retyped his messages before finally sending them. And when she had agreed—when she had chosen to call—he felt something strange settle in his chest.

Relief? Satisfaction?

He wasn’t sure.

But as he picked up his phone again and saw the message from Rudra—Anika didi is on a call with Dadi.

He was expecting she sent him a reply. But the screen remained blank.