Magical Paintbrush [Ongoing]

XXVII. Real charm ✨

Recap ~
The pleasure is all mine.

There was pin drop silence in the hall before Raj and Naina greeted Kalyani (Dadi) while she smiled embracing them in her arms. Before she could speak any further, Raj whispered to her "Ma, we didn't want this to happen but it did. I don't want to discuss anything of our past now, not before our children."

Tej left not wanting to see the drama while Shivaay and Anika didn't understand anything that was happening.

"Dadi, you know uncle and aunty?" Shivaay asked in confusion and she smiled, saying "I do know Raj and Naina."
Before anyone else could ask any other question, Raj told "We lived in India for a few years before shifting to the US."
Realizing her parents were not comfortable speaking about their past, Anika told "Papa, Ma I have my exhibition tomorrow. Won't you see my works?!"
"Of course we will." Raj and Naina smiled knowing their daughter wanted to divert the topic for them.

Dadi did seem happy and sad at the same time. Something was bothering her and Shivaay didn't fail to notice that. Planning for a lunch date as suggested by Raj, Khushi-Arnav and Anika-Shivaay reached the destination, Shivaay's kitchen. They drove the elders out of the mansion and made sure they were going to have a wonderful time together.

"Let us help." The girls asked and the boys strictly reprimanded their decision.
"They are jealous of us that we would cook better food than them." They discussed, and they knew it was a pure lie but still they enjoyed pulling their boys' legs.
"Okay can you tell us the ingredients used for Tortilla chips with salsa and cheese sauce?!" Shivaay asked raising his eyebrows as he smirked that they wouldn't know the answer.
"Well Tortilla chips, salsa and cheese sauce." Anika told making Arnav and Shivaay laugh.
"You are so cute." Shivaay stated admiring her as she face palmed herself in embarrassment while Arnav and Khushi fake coughed looking at their siblings. Anika looked at Shivaay and he looked back at her, not forgetting to smile in between.
"Girls, let us take the privilege to cook for you today." The boys finally announced and the girls smiled in response.

Finishing their lunch at the pool side of the mansion decorated with fairy lights, scented candles and exotic flowers; they settled themselves in the living room to watch a movie. While watching the movie, Anika held her brother's arm and dozed off to sleep on Shivaay's shoulder as she didn't get enough sleep the night before. Shivaay didn't leave a chance to adore the sleeping beauty next to him while Arnav smiled at his sister who held his arm and slept like a kid parting her lips a little.

Anika woke with a jerk to find herself in her room that evening while her brother was busy working on his laptop.
"Bhai." Anika called out to him as Arnav reached to her. She wasn't feeling good and she didn't know why, maybe because she felt her parents were upset for some reason. Talking to her brother for sometime, her heart felt light.

Shivaay joined the siblings bringing in their coffee and latte for them and they smiled at him in response.
"Everything alright?" Shivaay asked looking at Anika out of concern when she winked at him, "When you are there, can anything go wrong?" making him grin.
"Proud of you Anu!" Arnav teased his sister and Anika imitated him "Proud of you as well, Bhai." and continued, "Anyway, Khushi wanted to meet you at the terrace, so you better go." making Arnav's cheeks flush in embarrassment.

Anika and Shivaay high-fived each other happily not missing to tease their siblings anytime.
"Ready for the exhibition?" Shivaay asked casually and she nodded confidently making him smile.

The exhibition was about to start in two hours the next day, and Anika and Shivaay already left to review the arrangements at the event sight. The Aroras were as usual ready, Raj wanting to be punctual for his daughter event. As they were leaving with Dadi by their side, Tej stopped them.

"Ma, I will also be joining the exhibition." Tej announced and his mother didn't acknowledge him.
"Ma, we don't want any disturbance in our daughter's event." Raj announced, sounding stern and Tej spoke once again "I don't care about the event nor their daughter."
"Tej." Dadi shouted annoyed with her son, "Dare you do something that affects Anika, I will not spare you."

On the other side, Anika was talking to Mr.Manav, the event manager for the exhibition. Shivaay didn't take an eyes off them, noticing Anika enjoying Manav's company.
"You are really funny, Mr.Manav." Anika laughed as he cracked a joke, yet again.
"Mr.Manav, will you keep cracking jokes or will you get back to work?" Shivaay interrupted them, in his famous arrogant tone, infamous to Anika though. This definitely surprised het and intimidated Manav, in no time, he left to the backstage.

"What is it?" Shivaay asked softly, as he looked at Anika staring at him while she shook her head, "You are a lot more than people know you. Don't you think it's time to show your real charm?"
"Do you want to see my girl fans growing in number?" He asked and she chuckled.
"Only my loved ones can see my real charm." He winked and she lost herself in those alluring bluish grey orbs of his.