The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 40

2.5 Years Later – London

"I am ready to get married" Shivaay announced.

The family was gathered in the lavish living room, sipping on their evening tea. The conversation was light, until his announcement

There was a beat of silence, and then Pinky let out a dramatic gasp.

"Oh my mata! Sach mein?"

Rudra nearly choked on his drink. "Bhaiya, did you actually say the S word?"

"It's not a cuss word Rudra. What do you mean S?" Omkara while Rudra just ignored him
"Focus on Bhaiya now"

Tej leaned forward, intrigued. "That’s good news. Do you have someone ya phir hum dhundein?"

Shivaay shook his head. "I don't have anyone. But I’m open to meeting someone."

For a moment, the family exchanged glances. It was a moment they had waited for—Shivaay agreeing to marriage without any pressure. Yet, something felt incomplete.

Dadi, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "Beta, hum dhoond bhi lenge. Lekin ek baat bata… kya tu sach mein Anika ko bhool chuka hai?"

Shivaay’s fingers tightened around his cup. He should have expected this. He had told his family two years ago that Anika had gone for NGO work in a village, unavailable for six months. When they started questioning after a year, he had admitted they had broken up because of lack of communication. It was a simple explanation—one that stopped further questioning.

Except, his family never forgot.

"Dadi, we are not together anymore," he said, his tone even.

"But if you meet Anika today, would you want to pursue her again? She was amazing Shivaay" Jhanvi asked gently.

"Agar woh chahti, toh milti," he thought. "We have moved on Badi Maa. And I have already shifted back here with you all. Why would I want that she uproots her life in India?"

"True that. So no other woman?" Omkara asked, watching him carefully trying to divert the family's conversation from Anika.

Shivaay didn’t answer. Instead, he stood up. "No. You guys carry on."

With that, he walked out onto the balcony of his room, the Oberoi garden stretching before him. His family was right about one thing—he hadn't forgotten Anika. His mind drifted back to their conversation on the garden where he asked her about her dreams. He was happy that she is pursuing what she loves but hated her for creating the distance between them. He didn't deserve it.

But after all these years, would meeting her even change anything? Not like he loves her. She just left an impact. That's it.

_________________________

The soft hum of a coffee machine filled the modern office space as Anika scrolled through the latest client brief on her tablet. The past few years had been a whirlwind—moving to Ahmedabad, studying design, and then, by sheer determination and talent, landing a job at one of the top interior design firms.

And now?

Now, she was in London. It's been 6 months that she shifted.

For the last one year, she had been working designing homes and commercial spaces, starting as an intern and now a full time that reflected not just her creativity, but also the journey she had taken to get here. It was strange—this city that she visited once would become her workplace. When she left london with Shivaay, never in her life she imagined being back.

Yet, there were days when familiarity tugged at her heart.

The Oberois.

There had been times—more than she would admit—when she had thought about paying them a visit. Just a casual drop-in. She knew they lived here. She even passed by places that reminded her of conversations with Shivaay, of the day they had explored the city together.

But she never did it.

It felt unnecessary.

She has no idea what story Shivaay has told at his home. Meeting the Oberois, even for a polite hello, felt like reopening a door she had firmly closed.

With a sigh, she closed her tablet and picked up her coffee.

"Yaha ki chai itni kharab hai ki karwi coffee se hi zindagi guzarni paregi" she muttered to herself.

Her colleague, Sarah, peeked in. “Anika, the Kensington project meeting is in 10 minutes.”

"I’ll be there," Anika replied with a smile.

As she made her way to the conference room, she shook off the thoughts lingering in her mind.

This is her life now. A new chapter.

And the past?

It was just that—the past.

Author's Note

Hey Guys, I love all of your comments. I am trying to improvise the story as well from what I initially thought few years back when I started it.

Your feedback is appreciated.