Frenemy Companions

Chapter- 13

☆ Cherished Childhood ☆

"So it was all planned already!" Annika exclaimed savoring her favorite Gobi ke parathe.

Shivaay chuckled at the expression she had on her face, as if it was not just a paratha but honeydew! But Annika ignored him and waited for someone to say something.

"It was all Shivaay and Aditya's plan Annika beta. It was long since I met you as you were running busy but then Shivaay proposed this idea to have this get together after you agreed to work in the head office" Pinky said lovingly and fondly gazing at Annika, who gave equal attention to her plate and Pinky.

Annika on the information looked at Shivaay who looked back straight in her eyes. Sometimes she wondered if he ever felt awkward about anything?

Always so sure about himself and his doings. A small thank you slipped out from her tongue and she noticed a glint in his eyes when she smiled at him and Aditya.

She looked down at her plate not wanting anyone to notice her gaze on him. The paratha was more interesting to look at! She thought shaking her head lightly.

Conversation flew and Annika was so engrossed in it that she almost forgot that her very own mother was also present there for the sake of formality. She was quietly having her food and only speaking when someone asked her something.

Annika didn't mind that, living the moment was what mattered and she was doing that!

"OK aunty you also tell us some childhood incident of Annika di" Rudra demanded after laughing hard at one of their childhood incident shared by Adhiraj.

Madhuri, Annika's mom stammered to say anything. Annika was just looking at her with a neutral expression.

They say she's her mother! But she can't even tell one incident of her younger self. Her eyes watered at the thought, why she was so unfortunate !

But the next moment she heard two voices.

"My Anni was cute kid!" Aditya reminisced  lovingly staring at her. "And hell naughty, irritating crybaby too" Shivaay added and Annika rolled her eyes.

"Remember how she used fight with Shivaay,god! It was horrible!" Omkara joined.

"Yes and we used to hide in the cupboard when fail in maths" Annika chuckled as Kartik  smiled at her sharing things about them.

How could she ever be sad when these people were around her! She looked at Shivaay when he talked of some hilarious school incident.

"That guy wasn't able to walk for three days! She has always been so cruel" he laughed remembering how she had beaten a guy who proposed her during high school.

"He deserved it!" She remarked "and anyway he didn't actually love me it was because of a silly bet that Arjun or Armaan whatever his name was did it" she went defensive.

"Yeah as if we don't know you! You have set a world record for rejecting boys" Kartik teased once again.

But did she feel bad,irritated or embarrassed?

No!

A straight no, in fact it gave a homely feel. Back in Delhi she had no one to speak against her ,make fun of her.

Shivaay looked at her ,she was busy answering back to Rudra who was asking for something.

It was so long she laughed and enjoyed like this and by noticing the slight heaviness in her voice he knew she was overwhelmed!

"Oye! Where are you lost?" Asked Aditya bending a bit towards him to which he shook his head negatively.

"Shivaay I forgot to tell you, the changes are done, however a visit would be needed to confirm everything is perfect. Plus I need to send the team to start off with the preparation " Annika said grabbing his attention as well as the casserole containing pulao.

Shivaay nodded at the information then said "I  think I will personally go and check while you manage from here, anyway we start off with the wedding exactly after three weeks"

"What is it?" Chimed in Aditya.

"She recommended some changes in your palace and its almost done. I'll be going there to get in details" Shivaay replied.

"Changes! In kesar mehal?" Madhuri spoke.

"Annika, you made some changes in the kesar mehal? "

"Yeah, I" she was cut off rudely by Madhuri.

"Why didn't you ask anyone? Do you realize its ancestral. Not only that its emotionally valuable for us! You should not take up something when you can't do it responsibly" She would have spoken more but Adhiraj interrupted.

"Madhuri, Anu had asked for my permission! "

"Yeah! Mom, and no one other than her understands the ancestral value of it other than her." Aditya added.

Madhuri looked at Annika who was staring at her plate. "Sorry beta, I just lost my cool. Please forgive me" she said immediately.

"Its okay maa, I understand" Annika replied with a small forced smile keeping the charade.

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Well what do think is going to happen next?

Target: 35+ votes

It was suggested by someone so I am trying out putting targets.

Constructive criticism is welcome!

Love

Seher