He was greeted by giggles when he entered the mansion. The hall was full of people. There was Dev, his Naani, the Oberoi women and Saumya and there was her.

He stopped midway wondering what the reason of mirth was in the room. It had to be her. There she was right in the middle of the hall, vividly moving around. A rather amusing smile curved up on his face, when he realized she was imitating him. He slowly walked towards her, while others slowly stifled in their giggles as they saw him walk towards her, his gait screaming attention in the room.

"Arey aur wo Khanna ji se kaise baat karte hai. Khanna...what the hell!" She imitated him and raised her hand to pretend to throw a phone. Only then did she see him fold his hands and look at her. She quickly ran her hand over her head like she was up to nothing. Her lips pressed into a pretentious formal smile.

"WO ..!" She nodded trying to come with something.

" WO.." He copied her, asking.

"Daadi, Billu Ji Aa gaye, aur pundit ji bhi. " she turned to Daadi, scuttling over to her.

Saumya looked amused-"Billu Ji?" Shivaay rubbed his temple in awkwardness throwing daggers across at Anika through his eyes. She hid a smile.

"Arey you don't know!"

" pandit ji .Please sit. Daadi can we start!" He said cutting Anika off.As the two older ladies started speaking to the pandit ji, Shivaay slowly made his way to her and stood behind the sofa beside her.

"I have told you not to call me that!" He whispered tilting his head sideways.

"Why Billu Ji? Billu ji is so cute. -Billu-!" She mocked him on purpose stressing on the name.He covered his ear at her repeated stress on the world Billu.

He shot her a glance, "Don't you mess with me Anika!"

She squeezed her eyes at him, "Kyun Billu ji! Aap..?"

He held her hand and twisted it back, smartly so that no one could make out. She seemed in the mood of a wild cat, out on adventure today. She should have known, playing with the lion would be hard.She struggled to free herself looking at him, he had come closer than before and it didn't help.

"What are you doing Billu Ji, leave my hand?" She whispered.

His hold tightened when he hear Billu again, "Tit for tat!" He quickly leaned to her ear and whispered. She looked away to the other side. There was something in his manner, a sudden dominance perhaps more control, he was different. The tadi in his manner radiated brilliantly.

She stared at him wondering what was the new emotion shining in his eyes. He was more comfortable with the proximity than before. In fact he was inviting proximity. Or she was just over thinking in the heat of the moment?

She was brought out of her thoughts, when Daadi called out to her. Oh, crap, what had happened! She hadn't paid attention to anything that was going on.

"Anika, what do you think, after all you are going to be Prinku's wedding planner!" She blinked wondering what was Daadi asking about.

Shivaay camouflaged his smile into a straight face, looking at Anika his hand still holding hers. Thanks to her duppatta and his coat's sleeve no one could make out. "Okay!" Anika said simply.

"Are you sure Anika?" Asked Shivaay pretending to be serious. Anika looked baffled, swaying her head."Cool then the wedding is in one week!" Shivaay stated simply.

What one week! How was she going to do so much in one week.? Was the man out of his head! There was so Much to be done, the decorators, the florists, the lightings , the food, arrangement for functions, band and what not. Worse- the grandeur the Oberoi's expected would she ever be able to meet that?She had seen the pictures of informal Oberoi functions, they were the most brilliant ones, not like the formal ones which she had now mastered.She shot him a glance, of panic.

"No, one week... Is too less." She replied immediately.Everyone blinked at her.

"You just said it was fine Anika." Shivaay smirked secretly, which did not go unnoticed by Anika. She jerked her hand to free it, to no effect.

"Yes, but..on second thoughts... I mean there is so much to do and its just me and Saumya, obviously Dev won't...

Dev-" No issues, you know how much I love my work."

Shivaay-"No Dev. You and Prinku need to cherish every moment. The rest is on us."

"Waise bhi, I mlam in too, so !"

Anika-"You ?" She asked confused.

Shivaay -"What You? Mere behen ki shaadi hai. Of course I am on the planner's list! Besides we make a good team, remember.." He smiled, blinking.

"Anyways, Daadi how about everyone stays here, after all Shaadi ka garh lagnaa bhi toh chaaiye. Dev ? Saumya?"

Saumya-"Awesome idea! "

Prinku-"Great!"

Dev-"Cool! More the merrier! "

Shivaay turned to Anika who stood blinking, waiting for her answer. Only this was left! Great now she will have to be under the same roof as him. Could she very runaway from him ?

Anika-"What's the need of that..I mean!"

Daadi-"Oye chup kar tu! Toh tay hai ki Sab yahin rehenge shaadi tak!" Shivaay smiled, finally releasing her hand.

Anika rushed to Saumya, and instructed her to right away start working on the wedding attire. She turned to the older women, "Aap dono please guest list jald she jald de dena. Main tab tak card designs arrange karti hoon. " turning to Shivaay and Dev and Priyanka -"you guys too give me a list of your friends and...

"Anika breathe!" Shivaay commented amusingly, while others broke into laughter.

"Anika don't worry everything will fall into place.!"Anika nodded, "I will go make arrangements for Haldi!" She hurriedly left counting on her fingers the pending things.

The others giggled.

"Jhalli Hai!" Daadi smiled.

"But she is the best!" Commented Saumya.

"Yes she is!" Whispered Shivaay. Only to get looks from Prinku and Daadi."I've got work !" He left the place immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~

He turned to the door when he sensed a sudden air of familiarity. Slowly placing the photo in the drawer he turned, wiping the edge of his eye."Yeah Anika!"She looked at him surprised."How did you know?"

"I just knew!"

"All okay?" She spoke looking deeply into his eyes, which danced around but don't meet hers.

"Yeah!" He said finally meeting her gaze."Okay, so here are designs for the invitation card, the guest list is finalized, kal ke function ki tayaariyan almost ho gayi hai. "

"Breathe!" He reminded her.She giggled, while he smiled at her adorably breaking into a small chuckle.

"Sit!"He sat beside her on the couch, taking the huge album from her hands, and placing it on his lap.

"The florists, The catering for the main function is done. Mandap is your zone and so is dj band baaja etc!" He turned to her to find her gaping at him.

"Yes. I did. I knew tumhaara focus kal pe function pe hoga and you would forget prior bookings. So I did that! Here is the list!"

"How fast are you. Matlab ek dum chantomai Nikle aap!"

"Language!" He reprimanded.Anika rolled her eyes, "Acha OK. Wo prinku apne lehenge ki design mein busy hai aur Dev Prinku ko help karne mein, so I thought I will make you decide the design.See and tell me!"Shivaay shook his head, "Poor Dev!"

Anika chuckled. As she helped him flip the huge sheets. After flipping through a few sheets he kept it aside. Getting up he held her hand, "Come!"

"What, wait..where?" She asked perplexed."Come." She got up and simply walked with him. She stared at their hands, he held her hand so protectively. She looked up at him while he saw ahead. She was falling for him more and more by the minute! Once in the room, he gently left her hand. She immediately puller hand closer and looked at it. She din't want to be loved! She would make sure she wasn't.He flipped on and off a few switches, until the room was illuminated in golden lights. Anika looked in awe, the room had so many varied colored lights. As though he read her mind,he told her that it was his brother Omkara's old art room and that he had the most fascinating taste in colors. She smiled as she looked around.

"These are beautiful!" She said looking around at the paintings and sketches, while Shivaay moved to the other end of the room to open a certain cupboard. She followed him and knelt down beside him as he opened the lower cupboard bringing out a few dusty plastic wrapped things. There were cards, quite extraordinary ones, with majestic texture and rare designs. "He made them all!" Said Shivaay proudly caressing the cards.

"Bahut pyaare hain!" She looked at one which was a golden maroon one. "This one!" Exclaimed Shivaay, extending a pink and golden colored card to Anika. "It fits Prinku's taste,perfectly. I won't be surprised if Omkara had made it for her. He would always give her a card on Rakshabandhan, Rudra would always bring a dress or bag or the like for her." He said smiling at old memories.

"You?" She asked."I had no contribution to the gift, which the three of us gave as one. I would just give her my credit card, or a piece of jewellery. I now realize, mera gift toh OmRu me gift me saamne Kuch nahi that!" He looked down at the floor.

"Maybe because you knew that nothing could beat the gift that was already hers. "

Anika gently squeezed his palm, her eyes twinkling.Shivaay smiled, "is it you or Om ke room ka asar, tum badi badi, baatein kar rahi ho, Jo mujhe samaj mein bilkul nahi as rahi hai!" He chuckled.Anika laughed."Waise you went jewellery shopping for Prinku? Nice. Then you do it for the wedding as well. ""No.!"/Anika twitched an eyebrow, looking at him.

He stared away pressing his lips wondering whether to say or not." Umm..actually I did go to buy it, but it was always Badi Maa's choice, she came along. That's a different story that no one knew it, it was mine and Badi Maa's secret. " he gave a lopsided smile.

Anika giggled,"Mr.SSO your secret is out!"

Anika got up while he still sitting on the floor looked at her. He quickly kept the other things back neatly, and turned to her. She slightly extended her hand to help him up but deciding otherwise took it back quickly. He blinked a little confused and then stood up looking at her.

"Do you think anyone can replicate this design, it's a hard one?"Shivaay-"I know and don't worry I will have this done, you take care of the rest!"

"Okay." Anika simply handed it back looking at the door."chale?"They were about to leave when Shivaay got a call.

"I don't know Mishra, you have to look for it. I told you it isn't with me neither in my room nor the study. Just look for it!" He ended the call, looking frustrated. From morning the file was missing. How could it be!

"All okay?" Anika asked.

He simply nodded absentmindedly. "Where can that file be?"

"Wait. Umm..a few of your files are at home. Remember you said you'd take it, but ek baad ek cheezein hoti gayi...I m going tomorrow morning to get a few things I will get it, maybe that's what yoiare looking for?"

Shivaay looked at her thoughtfully, "you could be right!"

"Good night!" Anika smiled slightly heading to the door. She slipped slightly. Her slippers lacked grip especially when they were walking against the Oberoi Mansion's smooth marble tiles.

"Careful!" He exclaimed.

She turned back and gave a toothed smile. Cursing herself in her mind she walked this time slowly to the door. Shivaay followed her, typing away on the phone. He switched off the lights, while she had mad ever way out.He was about to step out when she came rushing in, only to bang into him. He din't know what happened, he only knew he had been propelled backwards and was now resting inclined on the desk. There was some weight on him and in a matter of few seconds he knew it was her. She clutched tightly to his shirt at his shoulders. The pull and the grasp had caused his shirt to pull slightly and the second button of his shirt had fallen off.

She opened her eyes, still not accustomed to darkness in the room.He slowly could make out her figure in the darkness. Her breathing was heavy and ragged. He guessed that it was due to the darkness. "It's me!" He whispered gently, moving his hands to her back. He moved his face closer to hers, while his hands gently pushed away the strands on her face. "You okay?" He whispered once again. She clutched on tightly to his shirt. He was the one not making it okay! His hold on her waist, his cologne that hit her nostrils and to top it all his husky whispers. Perhaps they weren't husky but to her they were. She din't know what was happening, she couldn't even open her mouth to bring out her voice. She simply held on tighter to what ever she had fisted unable to say a word.

He was perplexed at her behavior. Was she okay? Was it the darkness that had scared her? She seemed at unrest. When she did not respond but held on tighter to him, he was even more baffled. He simply rubbed her back protectively, to calm her down whispering something into her ears.

She wanted to scream and cry, she felt nice, she felt protected and loved. She was scared of Love. Because it left bruises when it left. She din't want to be loved, no. Because love always left her shattered and lonely. Yet she could not stay away cause this was what her hear ached for. Someone to be there for her, by her, always.She quickly backed off a little, when she felt his palms rub her arms length.

"Anika, are you alright?" He was scared, his heart was hammering crazy, when he felt her vulnerable in her arms. He felt it. "Yeah, Sorry!" She said trying to sound anything but vulnerable."That's okay. Tum theek ho naa?"

"Yes. Good night!" She quickly left giving a formal smile.He locked the door and looked at her retreating figure. Shrugging it off his mind he walked back to his room with the card in hand.

P.S

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