Through the Fire (end)

In the days that followed their kiss, neither Shivaay nor Anika could ignore what had happened. It lingered in their thoughts, a constant, unspoken tension whenever they crossed paths. But true to their nature, neither was willing to admit how deeply it had affected them.

For Anika, Shivaay was an infuriating puzzle—a man of contradictions who seemed to care more than he let on. For Shivaay, Anika was a whirlwind he couldn’t escape, someone who challenged him in ways no one else dared.

But life refused to give them time to sort through their feelings.

---

One evening, during the launch party for the revamped Oberoi project, Shivaay stood at the center of the grand event, his suit immaculate and his expression stoic. The project had been adjusted to accommodate Anika’s demands—affordable spaces for local vendors, eco-friendly initiatives, and community programs. The media praised his efforts, calling it a visionary step, but Shivaay knew he wasn’t the only one responsible.

Anika arrived late, looking stunning in a simple yet elegant saree. Shivaay’s breath caught when he saw her enter. Despite her reluctance to attend, she couldn’t deny the impact of what they had accomplished together.

“You’re late,” he said as she approached him, his tone teasing.

“I had better things to do,” she replied, though her lips twitched into a small smile.

“Liar,” he said softly, leaning closer. “You just wanted to make an entrance.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. “This is your big night, Mr. Oberoi. Shouldn’t you be busy taking all the credit?”

He chuckled, the sound warm and uncharacteristically soft. “You give me too much credit. This project wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Anika’s eyes softened, though she quickly masked it with a shrug. “Well, someone had to knock some sense into that thick skull of yours.”

“Keep knocking, then,” he said, his voice low, his gaze locked on hers.

The moment stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.

---

Later that night, as the party began to wind down, Anika found herself on the terrace, looking out at the city lights. The wind played with her hair, and she closed her eyes, letting the cool air calm her racing thoughts.

“Thought you might need this,” came a familiar voice behind her. She turned to see Shivaay holding out a glass of water.

“Thanks,” she said, accepting it.

He stood beside her, silent for a moment before speaking. “You know, I used to think the world was black and white. Profit and loss. Win or lose. Then you came along and turned everything upside down.”

She glanced at him, surprised by his admission. “And you’re saying that’s a good thing?”

He smirked, though it lacked his usual arrogance. “It’s... different. But maybe I needed it.”

Her heart softened at his words. “You’re not as bad as I thought, Shivaay,” she said quietly. “Underneath all that arrogance and ego, there’s... something good.”

“Careful,” he teased, “or I might start believing you actually like me.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Don’t push your luck.”

Shivaay turned to face her fully, his expression serious. “Anika, I don’t know where this thing between us is headed, but I do know one thing—I don’t want it to end.”

Her breath caught. She searched his eyes, seeing a sincerity there that left her speechless. For the first time in her life, she felt truly seen—by a man who had once been her sworn enemy.

“I don’t either,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then let’s figure it out together,” he said, his voice filled with quiet determination.

And for once, Anika didn’t argue.

As the city lights twinkled around them, and the distance that had once separated them melted away, Anika and Shivaay stood together, ready to face whatever came next—not as enemies, not even as allies, but as two equals bound by a fire neither could extinguish.

.....

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