When Shivaay returned from the office, there was no one in the living room to his surprise. As he walked toward the guest room, he found a small gathering inside.
Anika sat propped up against the pillows, surrounded by Dadi, Jhanvi, Om, Rudra, and even Pinky, all chatting away as if it were a family gathering.
For a moment, Shivaay just stood at the doorway, watching.
It was almost déjà vu.
The last time Anika had been here like this, laughing, talking, mingling effortlessly with his family, she had been his fake girlfriend. Back then, she had blended in so naturally, making everyone love her presence.
And here she was again, slipping right back into place like she had never left.
His grip on the doorframe tightened.
Jhanvi noticed him first. “Shivaay, tum aa gaye?”
"Ha badi Maa" he replied.
At her words, Anika’s gaze flickered toward him.
He cleared his throat, stepping inside. His eyes instinctively traveled to her bandaged ankle. “How’s your leg?”
“It’s fine,” Anika replied, shifting slightly. “Better than before.”
“Did you have dinner?”
She nodded. “Haan, just now.”
He gave a small nod. “Good.”
With that, he turned away and left, heading to his room to freshen up.
But even after dinner, even after finishing some last-minute work, a strange restlessness settled inside him.
It wasn’t enough.
His heart kept tugging at him—one last time before sleeping, he wanted to see her.
So he found himself walking back to the guest room.
The door was partially open.
But the bed was empty.
His stomach twisted.
His mind instantly went into overdrive. Where is she? She wasn’t supposed to be moving around—had she gone somewhere? Did she fall again?
Without wasting another second, he turned on his heels, scanning the hallway.
“Anika?”
His voice was sharp, urgent.
But before his panic could spiral, the bathroom door clicked open, and she stepped out—limping.
Relief crashed over him, but it was immediately replaced by frustration.
He strode toward her, his expression dark. “What the hell are you doing?”
Anika frowned. “Bathroom jaana tha, Shivaay. Tumhein kya laga? Main bhaag gayi?(I had to go to the bathroom, what did you think? That I fled)”
He exhaled harshly. “Could’ve called someone! What if you slipped again?”
She crossed her arms. “Shivaay, I walked. Not climbed a mountain.”
His jaw ticked. “Next time, just ask for help.”
Anika rolled her eyes. “Next time, I’ll crawl so you don’t get a heart attack.”
His lips parted in disbelief. “Unbelievable.”
A beat of silence stretched between them.
Shivaay sighed, running a hand over his face. “Just… go back to bed.”
YOU ARE READING
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Romance"The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly" Shivaay Singh Oberoi, a heartbroken lover whose ex betrayed him after a successful relationship of 5 years. His faith on love ceases to zero. Anika, an aspiring Interior designer does local plays...
