Love knocks again - Completed

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Shivay peered over his laptop to look at his new house help of two weeks. Shashi, a woman in her late forties, who has taken up the job, not yet efficiently but manageable, after Annika left.

"Did you make cake?"

She nodded her head, but seeing her look doubtful, Shivay could say it was not going to be a cake that he will be proud presenting to Vihaan next day. He waved off her wordless as he began to wonder if he should just order some pastries and ice cream from nearby cafe.

Annika called him in the morning that day asking him a favour. Annika's laptop was given for service that she can't collect for another week. Vihaan had an important school project for which he had to prepare a presentation that should be submitted on Monday.

"I didn't know it had a timeline. Now, he is eating my head whining."

Shivay asked to speak with Vihaan to whom he promised that he and Annika can come by his home on Sunday and Shivay will personally help Vihaan with making a presentation.

"Sure? You know how to make it for 'Parts of the body'?" Vihaan asked surprised.

"I do." Shivay smiled at the little boy's admiration for such small thing. "I will not only help you make presentation but also train you perfectly with a good speech to go with it. "

Shivay could hear Vihaan scream with glee before Annika came on the line.

"You sure you are free? We don't want to impose on you."

"Really! Annika. You think I will have any plans? For your information, nothing has changed since you left the job, you know." He said." I still stay home 24/7."

"Let's see how long you stay that way."

"That's a challenge that I am willing to accept knowing I will win, you know."

The teasing glint in Annika's voice changed as she said rather seriously, "It doesn't have to be that way, you know. Whatever happened can..."

"Annika, please." He cut short her sentence. "I said you can be my therapist after you complete your PG, not already. Now only be my friend and come home tomorrow so that weekend has some excitement."

Shivay walked to the kitchen and opened the lid that covered the freshly baked chocolate cake. He was hoping to surprise Vihaan with a cake after they so surely complete presentation successfully. Now, seeing the cake as hard as an eraser, he knew he should only place order for cake from outside.

How did he even expect his life to same impeccable after Annika left him? Everything was bound to be half baked, literally and figuratively.

***

"Let me cook lunch for us." Annika declared standing up from the couch where she was perched for past one hour, palm on her cheeks, bored looking at Shivay and Vihaan who were pretending that Vihaan's first grade project was actually going to be presented to the Queen of England. They were working with such dedication that amused as well as annoyed Annika.

"Why would you?" Shivay asked not lifting his head from laptop where he was adding animation to the slides.

"I am bored." Annika replied walking towards the kitchen.

"Annika." Shivay called stopping her mid way. "As much as I miss your cooking, I don't want you to work on your day off. I have already ordered thali for both of us and pasta for Vihaan."

Annika turned around and looked at Shivay folding her arms. "You miss my amazing cooking?" she asked with smugness.

Shivay finally lifted his head from the laptop with flat expression. "Go to kitchen and taste the cake in that round red box. You will know."