The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 67

 
Anika was just about to sit with her cup of tea when her phone rang. It was Pinky. She answered.

"Hi Beta"
Anika loves the way Pinky calls her Beta, she feels the warmth of a mother radiating from her.

"Hello Aunty, kaise hai aap?(How are you?)" Anika replied.

"Aaj aaye nahi yaha?(You weren't here today?)"

Anika went to the shopping site to buy one last minute ornament before the handover of Shivaay's room this Friday.

"Haa wo— I had one other work"

"Okay okay. Wo Priyanka ki godhbharai me kuch hi din bache hai. You need to buy something special for the occasion. Shivaay will take you for shopping today itself. Free ho na?" 

Anika blinked in surprise. Shopping? With Shivaay? She hadn’t even thought about what she would wear yet. 

"Ha.. Aunty. I’ll be ready." 

An hour later, Shivaay arrived at her apartment. As always, he leaned against his car in his tailored suit, looking effortlessly charming. 

"Chale Jaaneman?(Shall we go love?)" he teased as she got in. 

She rolled her eyes. "Who wears a suit for shopping?"

"That would be me" he said casually

They drove to an upscale boutique in the heart of the city. The moment Anika stepped in, she knew this place was too expensive. The sheer elegance of the decor, the way salespeople looked at customers, it all screamed exclusivity. 

She picked up a lehenga and flipped the price tag. 2000 pounds. Her eyes widened. She quickly placed it back, pretending she hadn’t seen the number. 

"What happened?" Shivaay asked, noticing her reaction. 

"Nothing, I just think we should check out another store," she said casually. 

"Why? This place has the best collection. The one you wore for Prinku's sangeet was from here as well." 

"Yes, but I’m not comfortable spending so much money on a dress I’ll wear once or twice"

Shivaay sighed. "Anika, stop overthinking. It's on me"

She turned sharply to face him. "No. I’ll pay for my own clothes."

"ziddi kyu ban rahi ho? You’re a part of this family now. I can—"

"Shivaay, paise ki baat nahi hai (it’s not about the money). I don’t want to feel like I’m dependent on you." 

His jaw tightened. "It’s not dependence. It’s me doing something for my girlfriend." 

"I don’t need you to do this for me. I can afford a dress, just not from here," she snapped. 

"Fine," he muttered, stepping back. "Let’s go then."

They drove home in silence. Anika could feel the tension between them. She knew Shivaay wasn’t used to hearing ‘no’ when it came to money, but she couldn’t compromise on her principles. 

As soon as they entered her home, the argument continued. 

"Why did you have to do that, Anika?" Shivaay asked, frustrated. "It’s not a battle. It’s just shopping!" 

"To you, maybe. But for me, it matters! I don’t want to feel like I owe you anything." 

"You don’t owe me, damn it! It’s my way of caring. Why can’t you just accept that?"