The next day in the office all were busy at work.
Annika directly went to her cabin after meeting with Mallika.
Her Cabin was attached with Shivaay's cabin with a sliding glass door. Shivaay can easily see her from his cabin.
Shivaay was busy in his conference call. Annika was also busy with her work. She was reading all the files one by one carefully. She noted all the points in her notebook which she finds important.
She saved important facts related to the company in her Apple Macbook which she received from Mishra for office related works. Which had a very strong password and only Anika had access to it due to second purpose
Annika was wearing her spectacles. While reading She was holding the backside of the pen in her mouth. She looked very studious from a distance
After completing his conference call when Shivaay saw her from his cabin he found her cute. She was looking completely engrossed in her work Workaholic just like him. He was happy to know that she was serious towards her At lunch time Mallika called Anika to join her for lunch. After arranging all the files and her things she carefully locked her cabin and entered the lift to go to the food court as her cabin was on the topmost floor of the company along with her boss, isolated from all as her boss liked his privacy
After a few minutes Shivaay also entered the lift Just like Annika He was also going to have lunch with his best friend. Today His friend invited him to lunch because he wanted to share something important with him..In other words you can say he needed Shivaay's advice to make decisions about his future
In the lift Shivaay met Annika. They both were staring at each other but remained silent for some time. Breaking the silence between them Shivaay spoke first ' Hello Ms. Jaiswal ' Hello Sir ' Annika replied.
Don't you think you are forgetting something ? He continued. ' What ? Annika was completely baffled by his question. You did not wish me this morning and neither are you wishing me now when we meet? Don't you think that being your employer you should wish me when I meet you ? I deserve at least one good morning from you ' Shivaay said teasingly
I'm sorry sir but you can't hear good morning from me right now ' She replied. ' Why So ? ' He asked raising his brow. Because now it is almost afternoon and no one wishes anyone good morning in the afternoon ' Annika replied shrugging her shoulders
Shivaay was watching her silently. He was thinking this girl can never leave a chance to taunt him. Hearing this, Shivaay was looking at her silently. He was thinking that this girl cannot miss any chance to taunt him
Well, it does not matter to him whether someone wishes him or not. Because there is hardly anyone who does not greet him when he comes in front of them. But Anika is an exception.
Seeing her, Shivaay felt as if she was looking for excuses to avoid coming in front of him. That is why he used to tease her deliberately. Because whenever he teased her, she used to get irritated and make weird faces. He found her very cute. that is why he used to enjoy teasing her a lot
If not good morning, you could have at least wished good afternoon " He teased more
And as he expected she replied with a big forced smile on her face
Why not sir, I will definitely wish you. I cannot be disrespectful to you. I don't have the guts to do that..' Wishing you a pleasant afternoon Sir '
She replied greeting extra sweetly in her sugar quoted voice making Shivaay amused on her antics
Whatever you say. But I would like to tell you that you did really well in the meeting yesterday
I was impressed by your presentation. You are really an intelligent girl and I am glad that you are working with the Oberoi Group of Industries. I feel honored to have a capable employee like you ' Shivaay praised her genuinely
Are you really praising me or am I dreaming? I can't believe that the great Shivaay Singh Oberoi himself is praising me. It's really hard to believe this. If you pinch me, I might believe that it's not a dream " Annika said unbelievably
What do you mean? You mean to say that I don't appreciate the work of my employees? If that is so then clear your facts Miss Jaiswal because I appreciate and respect real talent. But there are some people who don't even know how to say thank you " Shivaay said offended
What do you want to say that I don't know how to express my gratitude? Don't talk in a roundabout way in front of me, I understand all your cunningness. You don't miss a single opportunity to find faults in me " Annika replied back
Do you have a habit of always fighting with me, can't you ever talk to me calmly and lovingly? I think you should say thank you to me instead of fighting with me. This much leniency is the least I can expect from you Miss Jaiswal
Yes yes why not Mr. Oberoi thank you very much for praising me. I am grateful to hear a few words of praise from you. My purpose of birth has been fulfilled.. She said taunting Shivaay
It is useless to expect anything good from you because you just want to taunt me ' He shrugged
And talking to you is useless because in the end you will just have to find faults in me and fight with me " She retorted. They were fighting with each other when suddenly the lights went off and the lift got stuck in the middle. After the lights went off, Anika was not able to breathe properly. She had nyctophobia due to which she was having a lot of trouble
Shivaay was shocked to see ANNIKA's bad condition all of a sudden. Are you okay? What happened to you? Annika take a deep breath. Everything will be fine. Tell me what happened? Shivaay asked worriedly
I...have..nyctop..hobia " Anika replied in a shaky voice which shocked Shivaay. Oh my god, she has nyctophobia. Such a brave girl who is not scared of anything is scared of darkness ? How did you let this happen God. He thought and hugged her to calm her down. He was gently caressing her back
Shhhh don't worry Anika I am here with you, you are not alone. I will not let anything happen to you. If you trust me even a little then don't be afraid at all. I am with you. You are not alone, okay ? Everything will be fine. You just trust me, I will take care of the rest
Annika hugged him tightly Her head was pressed on his chest. And he was constantly saying soothing words in her ear which were slowly calming her down
After some time the lights came back. But they remained at their positions. They did not realize when the lights came back. They both were feeling a strange comfort in each other's arms. Annika's eyes were closed due to the fear while Shivaay was feeling strange emotions.
He did not know why, but he was feeling a different kind of peace having her in his arms
He felt as if this was her right place. She belonged there
He felt As if the whole world was contained in his arms. Before this he had never hugged any other girl except his mother, sister and grandmother Annika was the first girl whom he hugged with his consent
Annika was also feeling safe in his arms. She was calm now. She did not realize when her fear vanished in his arms. When the lift started moving, realising their situation, She came out of his embrace
She slowly looked into his eyes which were showing pure care towards her making her feel thousands of emotions at that time. It seemed as if time had stopped and only their eyes were talking to each other
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Shivaay was already watching her. He gently removed the hair from her face behind her ears and asked her in a calm voice
Are you okay? Are you feeling better now ?
Annika nodded and when they reached the ground floor, he ordered water for her. When Annika drank the water, Shivaay asked her to take care of herself and left after instructing his secretary to take care of the lights and the lift
Annika was thinking about him continuously. Today for the first time she saw a different side of him which was very caring and true. Usually she always judged him by his image which is created by the media and newspapers. In which he is a very dangerous and ruthless businessman who is at the top of the business and entertainment industry and no one wants to be in his bad books. Everyone is scared of him. But today the way he handled her and took care of her proved one thing that whatever news is there about him, they have not done justice to him. Because in reality he is a very sweet and good-natured person.
She was lost in her thoughts when Mallika snapped her fingers in front of her. Hey Annika what happened where are you lost I have been calling you for the last five minutes but I don't know in whose thoughts you are lost
Nowhere, why don't you tell me what was so important you wanted to talk about ? Annika asked.
Come, I will tell you during our lunch. Saying this, Mallika took Anika with her. On the other hand, when Shivaay and Advaay met each other, they hugged each other and welcomed each other warmly. Both of them are businessmen and busy personalities, so they get very little time to meet each other
Annika and Mallika were having lunch when Anika asked her. Mallika what happened to you? You look very tense. Is something bothering you?
Anika you know that mom and dad live in Delhi and I am living here in Mumbai because of my job.
This morning I got a call from mom. She feels that since I have made my career and am successful in it, I should now think about marriage.
Both she and dad have also chosen a boy for me. They feel that he is a perfect match for me. They want me to settle down in my life.
Mr Raizaada and my dad have been best friends since college days. Advaay Singh Raizaada is their only son. He is a businessman.
Mom and dad liked him very much. They want to convert their friendship into a relationship. That is why they thought about our marriage. They want me to meet the boy once before making any decision. I am not able to understand what to do
So, this is the reason why you are stressed. annika asked.
Yes Anu, you can understand that it is not easy for me to marry a stranger. How can I marry someone I don't know?
But I cannot refuse my parents. Because they will always think good for me. And I had to work more and go a long way in my career. Marriage was not even on my mind. I am now in a dilemma as to what to do. Neither can I marry now, nor can I refuse my parents. Anika, please tell me what I should do.
Listen Mallika, I know that it is not easy to marry a stranger without knowing him properly. Being a girl, I can understand your situation. But I think that before making any decision, you should meet that boy once. Because if your parents have chosen him, then he will definitely be perfect for you. Because no one can know the likes and dislikes of their child better than the parents. And it cannot be denied that as important a career is in life, the life partner is also equally important. If the life partner is right then life is no less than heaven. And at some point in life we need a life partner who always stands with us. And as far as your career is concerned, you can continue it even after marriage. Your true partner will support you and not stop you from fulfilling your dreams. Without meeting that guy you cannot decide whether he is perfect for you or not. Who knows he might be the one you have always been waiting for.
Mallika hugged Annika tightly and kissed her on both cheeks.
You know I am blessed to have you as my best friend. I don't have any siblings but you are more than a sister to me. And I love you as much as I could love my own sister.
You always give me the right advice. You always stand by me in all my problems. I was feeling uneasy before talking to you. But after talking to you, it feels like a huge burden has been lifted from my heart. Now I feel very light. I am ready to meet him once
I am equally lucky to have you in my life dear
And I love you as much as I love Sahil. You are a sister to me before being my bestie ' Saying this Anika hugged her
On the other hand, Shivaay was talking to his friend Advay Singh Raijada. Advay was equally tense as Mallika. Shivaay also advised him to meet the girl once before taking any decision. Advaay also agreed with Shivaay