Frenemy Companions

Chapter-9

☆ Her Worried Father ☆

Slowly entering the hall she walked all way checking if someone else was there.

Just when she started to climb the stairs someone cleared his throat and Annika turned around to find her father Adhiraj Singhal standing with his arms crossed in front.

Beside stood her elder brother with his hand clasped behind him. "Freshen up and come down" her father ordered before moving towards the kitchen.

She raised her eyebrows questioning her brother silently. Aditya simply shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

Annika was sure that either Aditya or kartik had complained about her to Adhiraj. Just like how they used to it when they were kids.

Annika huffed and started climbing skipping one stair at a time.

Quickly putting on a white top and and tights she came down stairs to find both of them waiting on dinning table with a plate and food.

She and pulled her plate more towards her. Picked up the spoon to taste while she felt the stares of the people present in room other than her.

"What are you doing Nikku?" She heard her father ask her attention went to the name 'Nikku' it had been so long he called her that.

His question held a disappointed tone lingering around it ,but she decided to play oblivious. "I didn't get you papa" she said looking up and at him.

Adhiraj took a deep breath before saying "what are doing to yourself beta?" He his voice held concern "you are not what you used to be before you left" he added.

Adhiraj was always proud of the fact that Annika and Aditya were his kids. It felt as if after having them all the grudges he had from the past were washed away.

However, Annika's change in behaviour, the hollowness in her and the missing of warmth in her bothered him

"There's nothing like that papa. Please don't stress about petty things" she said trying to play cool like nothing was wrong.

Aditya who was fed up from her behavior spoke up "you are hiding something Anni, I know that !"

She stayed silent chewing thoughtfully.

"Nikku , if there's something bothering you than share with us ,we'll help you but don't be so distant" her father implored.

Annika felt her eyes moisten "papa, bhai please don't worry its just that seven years I stayed alone and have gotten habituated to live alone, coming late and not following a routine"

Annika if asked to be honest then she would tell that somewhere she was busy trying to find any changes in them. Trying to give herself reasons for distancing herself from them.
But here they were worried about her.

She gulped and continued " I will try to follow a routine."

After a second she added "sorry papa, bhai".

"Anu we just want the life of this house back. And try to get back to your old self" Aditya said side hugging her and blinked his eyes to assure his father.

"Okay beta but if there's anything remember that no matter what your father will stand by you hmm" Adhiraj got up with that.

"Good night papa" both Annika and Aditya wished

"Good night , sleep early, you two" came his reply.

Silence prevailed after his exit and Annika kept eating mixing the rice with the gravy lost in thoughts.

"Bhai" she called

"Hmm"
"Ice cream ?" she asked smiling playfully.

She was hurting those who loved her in the process of not getting hurt herself.

Aditya smiled nodding in a yes, "OK then I'll do my dishes till then go and call kitty" she told getting up.

*****

Fifteen minutes later Annika found herself sitting on the backseat of Aditya's white XUV.

"Suddenly ice cream?" Questioned a groggy Kartik.

"Just like that" she answered.

I am telling beforehand only I want chocolate peanut bar" she leaned so her head was between the driver's seat and passenger seat.

"Off coarse!" Both the brother realized a breath smiling at her.

"Bhai, I was thinking about shifting to Udaipur for a few months after your wedding" Kartik informed

"Why? " Annika questioned

"Our office there is doing worst then expected. Our HR team trying to find out the loop. There's someone leaking information, I predict" Kartik fell silent.

"I'll talk about it to chachu and papa, can't say anything now. Anyway you already stay half of the month there only!" Aditya stopped the car saying.

Both the brothers got out with Annika following them. They gestured her to stay while they go to bring her her ice cream.

She leaned over the car,staring at nothing particular. The night was calm,serene ,she felt light or maybe it was hollowness.

Was their bond as strong as Shivaay,Om and Rudra's bond?

The Oberoi brothers together could conquer anything!

But even Aditya, Annika and Kartik made a great team!

The obros were different from each other, their opinions clashed but they stood by each other all the time.

The Singhal siblings were different too. Aditya was the most responsible among them, he worked according to his morals and was humble with a tinge of playfulness . Kartik was a believer of his instincts, he did what the situation demanded. He never went against Aditya.

And she couldn't judge herself.

Money, property and business couldn't separate the Oberoi brothers.

She couldn't estimate this thing about there own self. If her grand father's will was disclosed publicly then will they question?

Blood, name ,linage didn't matter in Oberoi's case.

And for them?

Her thoughts were interrupted by them. They were laughing on something, she looked at them confused but continued laughing.

"When you guys are done laughing, then tell me"

"Sorry ,Sorry we are just laughing at the shop keeper. She took a selfie with us and asked if Sanam bhabhi was with us." Kartik said.

"What's funny in that?"

"The way she asked about Sanam! You know there are some fans who don't like our real life partners!" Aditya chuckled.

Annika smiled, being a celebrity had it own pros and consequences.

"You know once I was with Shivaay in las Vegas. It was the bachelor's party of Arnav. Some people there recognized us and we had to escape to stop being followed"

******

Hi guys
What's up

Do tell me how was it?

I know there's no shivika in this but I am creating a background for the plot.

To understand Annika and Shivaay as a individual is very important for the story.

Feel free to give constructive criticism, vote and comment.

Seher