A deep silence stretched between them. The tension, the weight of unsaid words, the emotions hanging in the air—it was almost suffocating.
And then, suddenly…
Anika laughed.
Not a small chuckle. Not an awkward giggle.
A full-blown, uncontrollable laugh.
Shivaay froze.
His forehead creased as he watched her, completely baffled. He had expected many things—a stubborn argument, a dramatic exit, even another denial—but laughter?
Anika clutched her stomach, shaking her head as she tried to breathe. "Oh my God… your face!" She let out another laugh. “You looked like someone punched you in the gut!”
Shivaay’s jaw clenched. "Anika," he warned, narrowing his eyes.
But she only laughed harder. "I can’t—this is too good!"
His patience snapped. "What the hell is so funny?!"
She wiped the corner of her eye, trying to calm down. "You really thought I was serious about the fake relationship proposal?”
Shivaay blinked. "What?"
Anika smirked. "I was just messing with you Shivaay. Ekbar ka drama was more than enough. I can't do it again"
For a second, pure silence. Then—
Realization hit him.
Shivaay's eyes widened. His lips parted as if he was about to say something, but no words came out. And then—
He jumped.
Literally. Jumped.
"OH MY GOD!" he yelled, startling Anika. His hands raked through his hair before he turned back to her, grinning like a madman."You LIED! You were joking! That fake dating again and breakup nonsense was fake!"
Anika took a step back. "Uhh…yes?"
"YESSS!" Shivaay fisted the air, spinning around in excitement. "I KNEW IT! I knew you couldn’t say all that nonsense and actually mean it!"
Anika gawked at him. "Shivaay, stop acting like a child!"
He didn’t care. He was on cloud nine.
He dramatically grabbed her shoulders. "Do you realize what this means?! You love me! And you were just teasing me!"
Anika rolled her eyes. "Well, I didn’t exactly say—"
"But you do!" he cut her off, positively beaming. "You just didn’t want to admit it!"
Anika sighed, shaking her head at his antics. "I just wanted to see how far you'd go for me."
Shivaay's face softened, excitement melting into something deeper. "I would go to the ends of the earth for you, Anika. You should know that."
Her heart skipped a beat.
A warmth spread through her chest as she looked at him.
"Shivaay…" she whispered.
He took a step closer. "Tell me."
She exhaled, letting go of all her fears."I feel for you, Shivaay."
His breath hitched.
She smiled slightly. "A lot."
Shivaay's lips curled into a smirk. "I knew it."
YOU ARE READING
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Roman d'amour"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...
