Magical Paintbrush [Ongoing]

XXVI. The pleasure is all mine ✨

Recap ~
Cheapde.

"Sorry." Shivaay held his ears thinking if he had gone overboard in their friendship and she chuckled instead of reacting in any other way which he expected.
"I know who you are." She smiled making him smile but continued again, "But listen, you did sound like a cheapde!"
"Cheapde = Cheapster in your language?" He asked for confirmation and she chuckled saying "You got me."

Both were so busy in talks that neither of them realized the burnt smell until Khushi came up. The microwave oven was filled with smoke.

"You both were making cake for me?!" Anika asked in awe, looking at the brother sister simultaneously when Shivaay corrected her "It was only me and now it got spoilt." with a pout at the end.
"The effort is important." She said pinching his cheeks while addressing him "Cutie." And they laughed thinking about their conversation sometime back.

"Hello I was also guarding the kitchen so that Anika wouldn't know what we are upto." Khushi told and her brother instantly spoke back "You definitely failed in it."
"Just like you billu." She showed her tongue and this definitely triggered her brother to chase her. Tired from running here and there, they decided they would make pancakes for Anika. As she sat looking at the duo, fighting and laughing as they mixed the batter she missed her brother terribly.

Soon Shivaay left the girls, informing them that he had important meetings to attend. Spending some time with Khushi who left to attend her online class, Anika felt bored. Dadi was also not at home much to her dismay, though Tej accompanied her for few minutes in the hall, three fourth of the time scowling at her.

The most annoying part was that Anika's brother didn't pick up her call, neither did her best friend nor her parents did. At least her brother and parents wished on her birthday, her idiot best friend didn't even care to wish. Maybe he forgot, that's what she thought.

It was late evening and Anika's frustration reached the threshold point. She threw her phone in frustration but it didn't break, instead it was caught by someone she did not expect to be there.

"Hello birthday girl!" She heard a familiar voice and she turned behind to find her best friend grinning at her.
"You idiot." Anika hollered very much annoyed and Om was definitely scared of her.
"Happy birthday darling." Saying he hugged her tightly and she felt happy in his arms.
"This is what I wanted to see, that's why I didn't wish you earlier." He said pointing to the smile playing on her lips and held his ears feeling apologetic.
"Hundred pushups would do." She told looking at him and he almost cried dropping his hands off his ears, "I will die for sure."

Gauri also joined the duo wishing Anika. As they spoke, the couple revealed a news that made Anika's happiness multiply an infinite times.
"Hi little O!" Anika touched Gauri's stomach, greeting the unborn which was taking form in Gauri's womb.
"Hi aunty." Om mimicked his baby while Anika's eyes widened in shock.
"You are only an uncle, Jatadhari!" Anika almost shouted, hearing her being addressed as an 'aunty', and splashed a jug full of water on him.
"Thanks, I was planning to take bath Panika." He told wiping his face.

The clock struck half past ten and Shivaay didn't turn up that night. Something definitely went wrong with him, he never usually stayed in office for more than three hours and today, he was taking forever.

Anika stayed up, waiting for Shivaay while her friends and Khushi left to take some rest. She was impatiently walking here and there when she hit against a familiar figure who was walking to her. She was still in his arms, lost deeply in his bluish grey orbs while the same applied for him. Hearing the sounds of clearing throats, they looked up to see Anika's family standing in the entrance.

"Sorry to disturb you, Anu." Raj spoke making them embarrassed while Arnav didn't miss a chance to click a picture of them in the famous couple pose.
"Dad." Anika punched her father's tummy playfully and hugged her family all together.

Anika felt content, with her family and friends by her side that night. Everyone celebrated her birthday, even though they had very less time for the day was ending.
"Thank you Shivaay." saying Anika smiled, holding his hand in hers when he said admiring her "The pleasure is all mine."

*

Anika was in the hall reading newspaper early that morning when Shivaay joined her, "Here is your favorite latte." And before she asked how he knew what she liked, he said "I have my ways!" making her smile. Khushi and Arnav got another wonderful chance to spend time together, while Om and Gauri left to their hometown to convey the wonderful news to their parents and families.

Raj and Naina joined them in the hall, not before Anika's father apologizing "Sorry to disturb you guys." making his daughter scowl at him. Naina and Shivaay enjoyed the father-daughter duo a lot. As they spoke, Tej walked in shocking Anika's parents.

"Tej?" They casually let the name from their mouths, still in shock and he looked back at them in a similar way. In no time, Dadi joined the others in the hall, reacting surprised and happy unlike Tej. Anika and Shivaay, definitely didn't get anything out of those reactions.