Once Upon a University Campus

A Sunflower, finally

In her excitement, Annika forgot to wear enough woollen, only to realise it when chilly winds hit her brutally from both the open sides of the autorickshaw. It did not help that her hair was dripping wet. She was shivering like a wet cat when the watchman, with a broad grin and a crisp salute opened the gates of Oberoi Mansion. She hurried to the door but hesitated to ring the doorbell. It was not often that the main door was closed, but that cold day the door was probably closed to keep the northern winds out. Before she could ring the bell, a female staff member opened the door for Annika as if she had been waiting for her. It turned out she was.

"Madam, Shivaay sir is getting ready. He wants you to meet him upstairs." the young woman conveyed Shivaay's message.

Annika hesitated, it was after all Shivaay's personal space, his bedroom. She was not comfortable with the idea of barging into anyone's private space, much less Shivaay's. She convinced the young woman that she was comfortable waiting in the family room and requested a cup of chai. She needed something to warm her. The tea was soon served when her phone lit up, Shivaay was calling.

"So much for your excitement, 30 minutes are long gone and you are still not here." Shivaay did not mince his words. He sounded annoyed or perhaps angry. Annika was not sure but it was amply clear that he too was eager to meet her.

"I am waiting for you Shivaay, downstairs in your family room. Come down when you are ready."

"What? Why did you not come upstairs. Didn't Komal convey my message?" Shivaay sounded miffed that his staff was not doing their job.

"She did." Annika replied truthfully.

"So? What are you waiting for?"

"I will wait for you here." She said hesitantly, unable to spell out her discomfort.

"See me here in 2 minutes. Your time starts now." Shivaay gave her no option.

"But.. " Annika tried to reason.

"No ifs, no buts. 1 minute and 50 seconds now."

"Shivaay, I don't know my way around this maze like house." Annika tried to wriggle out.

"Take the stairs, turn left, second door to your right. 1 minute and 40 seconds now." Shivaay wasted no time.

A reluctant Annika defiantly finished her Chai leisurely, before heading towards the stairway. She paused to look up at the top of the stairs and wondered what mysterious world lay beyond. She had clearly no choice but go to him being a prisoner of her own heart. However she resented that he was asking her to do something she did not want to. She deliberately went up the stairs slowly. She stood in front of the second door, a heavy wooden door with a dark finish and contemplated if she should knock on the door. She went back a few steps to make sure that this was indeed the second door, lest she knocked on the wrong door and make a fool of herself. After checking multiple times, she knocked on the door. Shivaay swung open the door, looking at his watch.

"You are 10 minutes late. How are you ever going to pay for this Annika?" Before Annika could respond, he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms. A terrified Annika clutched his lapel.

"Put me down, Shivaay, have you gone crazy. Put me down." She wriggled to get down even as he tightened his grip on her.

"This is how it is done right Annika? You stepped into my private world for the first time. Now it is our private world, a sacred moment" Shivaay whispered close to her ear.

Annika blushed, but gathered herself pretty quick. "Shivaay, please put me down, else you will break your back."

"Don't worry about my back. Start worrying about yours." He whispered hoarsely and put her down on a stool in front of the mirror.