Tanhaiya...( A ShivIka FF) ||✓||

Chapter 7

Anika comes back after sometime and sees Rudra.

“Rudra!” She exclaims.

“Bhabhi!” Rudra squeals. Anika hugs him and the kids wonder who is he now.

“Yahan kyoon khade ho? Andar aao, apna hi ghar samjho.” She says.

“Samajh liya.” He jokes. Ansh and Shivika come with a notepad wearing Anika’s to-big-for-them sunglasses.

“Awww, how cute!” Rudra exclaims but Shivika twitches her nose.

“Kuch loge? Chai, coffee, thanda?” She asks.

“Protein shake?” He asks but Ansh gives him a weird look.

“Yahan protein shake nahi milta.” Ansh states.

“Okay-okay. Toh…juice, maybe?” Rudra asks innocently. Anika giggles in the kitchen.

“Waise, aap kaun hain, uncle?” Shivika asks. Rudra’s jaw drops listening to be addressed as ‘Uncle’.

“‘Uncle’? Main ‘uncle’? Hai! Yeh sunne se pehle main sehra kyoon nahi ho gaya?” Rudra said melodramatically.

“Sehra?” Both kids ask.

“Tumhara matlab, behra?” Anika asks from the kitchen.

“Haan wahi. Yeh sunne se pehle main behra kyoon nahi ho gaya.” He again starts his melodrama and Shivika shuts her ears.

“Inka toh pata nahi, likin main behri zaroor ho jaaoongi.” She softly whispers to Ansh.

"Achha-achha, aap uncle nahi ho. Khush?” She asks Rudra. He looks up and smiles broadly.

“Haan.” He says happily. Shivika giggles but Ansh gestures her to shut up. She keeps her finger on her lips.

“Aapka naam kya hain?” Ansh asks.

“Rudra Singh Oberoi.” He says casually.

“Spelling?” Shivika asks, trying to note it in her notepad.

“…Rudy. R-U-D-Y, Rudy.” Rudra says. Shivika notes it like a detective. Rudra cups his face, feeling like a suspect. Ansh and Shivika were looking so cute that he just had to click their picture. He secretly took out his phone and quickly click their picture while the were writing the “clues”.

“Next question. Agar aap uncle nahi ho, toh kaun ho aur mumma ko kaise jaante ho?” Ansh asks crossing his arms in front of his chest. Anika comes from the kitchen and give the juice to Rudra.

“Yeh tumhare Rudy chacha hain.” She says. Ansh and Shivika stand jaw-dropped. They look at each other, then at Anika.

“Muh band karo. Makkhi ghus jayegi.” Anika says. They close their mouth and Rudra giggles.

“‘Chachu’? Matlab papa ke bhai? Aise nahi ho sakta.” Ansh says.

“Kyoon? Main cute nahi hoon?” he says, smiling foolishly and fluttering his eyelids. Anika, Ansh and Shivika laugh like maniacs. He, too, joins them. After a good laughter session, Shivika and Ansh hug him.

“Aap itne cute, funny, friendly hoon. Aur papa, hmh, woh toh aise hain jaise smile karne ke paise lagte hain.” Shivika complains. Rudra almost chokes on his juice listening to her.

“Toh…aapko main pasand hoon?” He asks like an innocent child.

“Itna…saara.” She says while stretching her arms out as much as possible. Ansh comes from his room and passes a football to Rudra.

“Playtime! Chachu aap bhi humare saath chalo, saath main football khelenge.” Ansh says.

“Bhabhi, aap bhi chalo. Girls versus boys’ match ho jaaye?” Rudra asks.

“Mumma shayad…” Shivika was about to speak but Anika says, “Of course aaoongi. Bahot time se main bacchon ke saath khelne bhi nahi gayi.”

“Chachu, aap roz aaya karo. Mumma bhi roz park chalengi.” Ansh jokes. Anika lightly pinches his cheeks and he smiles. In the park, they play a football match which ends in a tie. Then Rudra gives everyone an ice-cream treat. When they reach home, Shivika brings her combs and hair accessories.

“Ab mere favourite game ki bari?” She jumps in excitement while Ansh tries to run away.

“Bhai, bhago mat. Maine aapkke saath football khela na, ab mere client bano.” She orders Ansh.

“Clients? Matlab business deal wala game?” Rudra asks. All stare at him.

“Not. Even. Close. Aap beautician Shivika ke client ho.” She says holding up a comb and rubber bands. Rudra agrees, except for his hair being cut. Shivika combs his hair and ties it in a small, purple and fluffy band. “Awww, kitne cute lag rahe ho aap.” She croons.

“Yay! Main cute hoon!” Rudra says excitedly. He looks the watch. “Oh God! Bahot late ho gaya. Baccha party, ab main kal aaoon?” he asks. They sadly roll out their lower lips but Anika explains even Rudra must go to his mumma. They hug him before he leaves.

*****

Precap: Rudra tells Shivaay about his time with the kids. Anika finds the real reason behind ShiTia's "marriage".