Chapter 10 – Part B

Shivay had to try harder than necessary to not turn his head to the left to look at Annika who was in the passenger seat of the car if he doesn't want her to think he was a creep.

Shivay spend the whole day giving himself pep talk every two hours, so that he doesn't back out from going to the party. He took unofficial off from work which just means that he logged in his ID, but didn't do anything more. However, Annika didn't have the same luxury. She came to work two hours later than usual after settling everything for Vihaan until she returns from the party. Then she went about her regular works and around six, she asked Shivay permission to get ready for party in his guest room saving her travelling time and got ready in record time for any woman Shivay has known.

Shivay was waiting in the couch dressed in his best black dress shirt and grey trousers with jacket of the same colour tossed aside him, when he heard the door of the guest room open and Annika announcing that he was ready. He was surprised by her quickness and turned around to appreciate her for it, when his words stuck in his throat.

In a simple red georgette saree that had thin line of black glitters in the border, Annika looked stunning. Her hair was left open except a clutch that pinned few strands from left side to the centre and a above the forehead puff that was intentionally made to look messy. She had long gold plated earrings, but her neck, in spite of the wide neck blouse that ended with 3/4th sleeve, was left bare giving Shivay glimpse of the lone black mole in the size of mustard on her shoulder blade that he hasn't seen before.

"I am sorry. I don't have a gown. This is the only decent attire I own." She smiled apologetically biting her lips and Shivay noticed she had a pale red lipstick on her lips in addition to bright kajal that enhanced her already lively eyes. Apart from that, her face was clean.

"You look beautiful." His voice came out in trance.

Annika narrowed her eyes before an amused chuckle left her lips. "Why, thank you." She said

Shivay cleared his throat and immediately shifted his attention to finding his car keys and phone.

"I am sure I kept it here." He said scattering the magazine on the table more in effort of finding the keys.

"It must be...." Annika drawled walking towards the stand on the bookshelf. "...here." she dangled the key in her hand and smiled.

Shivay has seen Annika smile many times, however this time it seemed different. For the first time, he noticed the curve of her lips, the bulge of her cheeks, her natural blush and those always gleaming eyes seemed more prominent. It was as if he saw a new Annika and ever since he was not able to take his eyes off her for two minutes at a stretch. Also, that is the reason he had more trouble driving in the traffic than he usually has.

***

"Do you think I will look like a sore thumb?" Annika asked self consciously as she adjusted the fleets of her saree eyeing major female population in the party dressed in gowns and dresses.

"Doesn't matter. Anyway, when I am here, no one else is going to be centre of gossip." Shivay said sorely.

Annika lifted her head from smoothing her saree and frowned at Shivay.

"Are you not comfortable?" she asked

"Of course, I am not." He grumbled. "I have not seen some of them in months. And I am so not looking forward to any reunion."

Annika knew it must be a big deal for Shivay to even come to this party. So, she was not going to push him to any social experiment that could make him anxious. Shivay staying at the party till mid night in itself is going to be victory from his part. She was only planning to be at his side as a support system while he is going to decide what he has to do.

Shivay was glad that he didn't have to look for Omkara long as he came to Shivay's side as soon as he entered the party.

"Look who is here!" Omkara held the widest grin possible and that only means that he was already tipsy.

Shivay frowned as Omkara gave him a man hug bypassing his outstretched hands for a handshake.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely lady?" But Omkara didn't wait for Shivay to do the onus, he introduced him to Annika as Shivay's office wife making Shivay roll his eyes and preposterously began to call Annika Shivay's date.

Well, she was Shivay's date, but not in the sense Omkara was implying when he introduced her to other members of their team.

Shivay realized Omkara was not going to be of any help to him at the party. With every glass, he was getting goofier. Also, thanks to Omkara some interns misunderstood Annika was Shivay's girlfriend and began to ask how the two met and how things started. Though Annika seemed to find all this only humorous, Shivay didn't want to make her uncomfortable in anyway. So, he excused them both from the clown party and made their way to the open bar.

"I want to experiment." Annika said as soon as Shivay turned to look at her for her order.

"Experiment?" he raised his one eyebrow. "Let me order then."

Annika didn't like whatever the blue colour drink Shivay thought he would like and ended up swapping that for his sweeter drink.

"I love this." She said taking a sip.

"Don't you want to know its name?"

"Nay!!" Annika nodded her head. "I might forget the name before I come to a party like this next time."

"It won't be long before you become a chief guest of such parties or even host some." Shivay smiled.

"Oh!" Annika scoffed. "My optimism doesn't need more motivation. Don't give me diabetes." She waved her hands in front of him.

The party wasn't as challenging as Shivay expected. After customary interaction with executive team and his own team, he spent most of his time with Annika talking and laughing about random things. It is not really socializing when you are stuck beside the person you meet every day. But, he has at least grown balls to come out of the house and face the lot. The effort has to count for something right?

"Shivay!" a shrill voice halted Shivay and Annika's banter about cons of having buffet at parties. Sitara made her way towards where Shivay and Annika were sitting in a table for four.

"Why are you hiding, man?" she patted Shivay's forearm in mock reprimand. "It is such a lovely party we have here. Come on, karaoke is going to start soon. Don't you want to sing?" she didn't wait for his reply. "Or are you hiding because we all might ask you about singing? " She narrowed her eyes and smiled at him like one smiled at a naughty young boy. "Shivay, Shivay." her voice sounded extra screechy. "You can sing fearless this time. No one is going to be unimpressed with you." She winked.

Sitara's eyes flew to Annika and she acted surprised to find him with a woman, but truly he knew that she has been looking at them both since they walked in.

"Hello!" she greeted Annika. "Sitaara." She extended her hand. "Shivay's friend."

Annika took Sitara's hand. "Annika." She said. "Shivay's friend."

Sitaraa's eyes grew round with a glint that Shivay hated.

"Friend?" she smiled. "How sweet! Then you must know how well Shivay sings."

"I haven't had the pleasure." Annika said

"What!" Sitara looked appalled. "Shivay! What is this? You have changed." She fake pouted. "Now, let me go and get things ready. Now, all of us want to hear you sing."

Sitara left their table with a smug smile. Shivay swore viciously as soon as she was out of ear shot making Annika spin her head in his direction in shock.

Shivay immediately regretted his behaviour. Well, not cursing Sitara for he knew she deserved it, but for doing it in front of Annika. He preferred to be gentleman that she thinks he is and which he is most of the times.

"What did you say?" Annika was confused rather than angry. She was not going to be a prude and say that a woman shouldn't be cursed. However, she didn't expect Shivay to behave ill mannered.

Knowing Shivay the way she does, she was willing to give him chance to explain and hold her judgements till then.

"Whatever she said is not as straight as it sounded." He said

Annika waited for him to explain more.

Shivay sighed deeply and closed the heels of his palms over his eyes frustrated.

"Annika, please don't judge me." He implored. "She is the Devil of deceit. She is also part reason for my divorce with my second wife."

Annika's eyes widened in surprise. It was news to her that people in his office knew his ex-wife. No wonder he tried to stay away from office. She knew how awkward it can get when your social circle coincides with you ex's. Annika had lost every single friend she had made in four years to her ex-husband.

"You don't have to talk about it." Annika assured. "Unless you want to, of course. You say you have your reasons and I believe you."

Belief. Something he had struggled gaining in and giving due to his own bitter experiences. How easy has this fell in place between Shivay and Annika??

Shivay didn't know if he wanted to talk about it. Sitara's clever insinuations had brought back bitter memories. He felt a mix of anger and frustration build inside him. The loud noise around him agitated him and gave him a headache.

Shivay stood up from his chair abruptly.

"I think we should leave." He informed.

Annika didn't argue. It was his office party. If he wanted to leave, she was not going to push him against it. She could see how Sitara's words had affected him. Annika's didn't understand the full depth of it, but was sure it somehow affected Shivay. She had promised herself that she will support him in any way he wants and she is going to follow it.

The car journey back from the party was filled with silence. Annika tried to sooth the silence with carefully selected songs and thankfully it seemed to work on Shivay for his grip on steering wheel loosened and his body relaxed.

"You can drop me around the corner. I will walk from there."

They had left the party good two hours before 12 and now Annika should have no problem going home alone.

"Annika, I am sorry that you had to leave the party on my account. I know you were excited about it." He said guiltily.

Annika laughed. "I went to the party for you. I am not a kid to be disappointed for such silly things."

"Good! Then Vihaan will have tough competition." Shivay joked lightening the mood.

The car stopped where Annika has requested and she opened the door to get down when Shivay called her.

"We had decided to bring New Year together this year and I would like if we can still do that. I know you must tired of spending time with grumpy me in my house always. But, if you can put up with my company some more, I know a place where we can start the year peacefully."

He wanted her to say yes. No matter how much he practiced to enjoy his company, he can't be alone today. Not after the sullenness Sitara created. Not when he wants to put an end to this bitter year and start New Year with positivity. He couldn't think of a better person than Annika to help him achieve the serenity. His happiness strangely felt dependent on her presence.

"Please." He beseeched. Something Annika didn't expect. She didn't think he would show his desperation even though it made him vulnerable and that only made Annika feel more responsible towards him. Taking a quick call, Annika closed the door of the car. She turned towards Shivay and smiled her acceptance. Mouthing a thanks to her, Shivay began to drive to his destination.

***

All I want to say is Stay Safe.

Next part must reveal Shivay's past. That is what I am planning. Let's see how it goes.