Summary: Shivaay And Annika. Two names that were always taken together at the Grace University of Arts and Commerce. They were the best of friends, inseparable you can say. But one day everything changed, Friendship turned to love and though people expected it , it was unexpected for the two friends. Come join in for a cute two shot of love and friendship.

This is specially done for my favourite reader Ri. RiiReads . No one loves my works like she does and I get immense joy to see her comments. Lots of love to you Ri and I hope you like this.

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'Shivaay, Shivaay , SHIVAAAY.' yelled Annika. 'Get up for heavens sake, don't you know we have an exam today. I seriously don't want to get late because of you.'
She hit him with a pillow but Shivaay didn't move. Annika narrowed her eyes , and thought 'Fine Mr.Oberoi , I know how to wake you up.' She went and pulled open the curtains and let the sunlight fall over Shivaay. Shivaay groaned like a kid 'Aahhuh Annika. Why do you do this? To hell with exams, I want to sleep.'
Annika ripped of the covers of the duvet and pulled him. She pushed him in the washroom and said 'I give you twenty minutes and I want you to out here, fresh like a daisy.'
Shivaay made a face at her and then said 'Take out my clothes.'
Annika said 'Don't tell me what to do after I have been doing it for eleven years.'
Shivaay smiled through his shower. It was true from class seven to the final year of law school , Annika had been the one to wake him up and get his clothes out.

Annika hurried down the drawing room and picked up two fruits and shouted across the hall'Mrs.Oberoi, I will feed Shivaay on the way and I am taking the too coffee in flask.'
Mrs.Oberoi called back from the kitchen 'Fine Annika, all the best and help Shivaay pass will you?'
Annika laughed and started the car and honked till Shivaay came out of the house tying his shoe lace.
Annika handed him the apple and banana and the flask of coffee. She said 'Shivaay, I swear if we are late today I will kill you.'

Shivaay chomped on his fruits and said 'Chill,Ani. Actually I am the one you should be worrying about.'
Annika rolled her eyes and said 'And why?'
Shivaay said 'I need to get a first division this time. Remember, my parents told me that i can be a pilot only if I get one in any of these five years of law school. And you know I have barely managed to scrape through.'

Annika said 'Serves you right for bunking classes.'
Shivaay said 'Shut up. I don't like this subject. I don't know what to do with it. I open the books and go of to sleep.'
Annika said 'Shiv, stop gaining sympathy from my side. You know , I will anyway let you cheat from me.'
Shivaay said 'I cheat from you every year but still I don't get the required grades. Annika, you finish your paper by half time don't you ? Write mine too. Please.'
Shivaay folded his hands and Annika laughed 'Fine. But you will take me on a free flight then after you become a pilot.'
Shivaay said 'Done.'
Annika tossed him a packet and said 'By the way that's for your girlfriend.'
Shivaay said 'Why ?'
Annika clapped her hand on her forehead and said 'Don't you remember idiot? It's her birthday today?'
Shivaay said 'Annika it's a pain to remember those IPC statements, I can't remember birthdays now.'
Annika hit him , Shivaay continued and said 'What is this thing anyway? And how much did you pay for it?'
Annika said 'I already took the money from your wallet . And it's a blue pendant.'
Shivaay said 'Good.'
As Annika parked the car she asked 'I still don't get it. Why do you go around with Mallika when you are least interested in her?'
Shivaay said 'Her brother is my best friend and he told me that she liked me and it would mean a lot to him if I went around with her. So I agreed. Anyway it's pretty cool to have a girlfriend in college.'
Annika muttered 'Dork of the first order'

They hurried towards the classroom and found that the question papers were already distributed. Annika shot a dirty look and Shivaay and went to her seat. Since they were seated according to their last names, Shivaay was just next to her.
Annika started scribbling away furiously while Shivaay sucked at his pen. He looked at the questions and was dumbfounded. At half time , Annika tapped her pen on the desk and Shivaay looked at up. She signaled him to swap their sheets. And at the right moment they did and Annika wrote his whole paper in his handwriting and still had five minutes to spare. Annika was in the running for the university topper for a reason.

The bell went off and Shivaay hugged Annika and said 'You are a life saver.'
Annika broke free and said 'You might even top this time.'
Shivaay said 'Woohooo'

Annika laughed and said 'I have some work. I will meet you at the canteen. Don't forget to wish Mallika.'

Shivaay said 'Oh yeah. Thank God, you reminded me.'

Shivaay went to the canteen and spotted Mallika and went over her and gave her a peck on the cheek. He said 'Happy Birthday dearest.' and handed her , her present.
Mallika said 'Wow,Shivaay, I didn't expect you to remember.'
Shivaay said 'Oh , come on. I can remember my girlfriend's birthday. Speaking of birthdays, I kinda need your help.'
Mallika said 'Yeah, tell me.'

Shivaay said 'See, I am planning Annika's surprise birthday party and have to buy some stuff for that. Please come with me. Usually I take Annika to help me with these shoppings but since I can't take her, you come.'

Mallika frowned and said 'Annika's birthday is after a month. Why do you want to start planning now?'

Shivaay said 'A month is too less a time. I have to make her birthday special and better than last years. I always do so. Her birthday is like a festival for me.'

Mallika said 'She is just your friend right? I mean you didn't plan anything for me,and I am supposedly your girlfriend.'
Shivaay said, 'Mallika, she is my best friend since we were in school. She has been there in my toughest times and has always been supportive of everything that I do. Everyday, since eleven years she comes home like an alarm clock to wake me up and takes out my clothes .'

Mallika said 'Really?'

Shivaay said 'Yeh huh. And that's not all, she just needs to take a look at me , or hear me on the phone to know my mood. And if I am upset, she will be on our special spot with two beers in her hand and will just silently sit there holding my hand , till I fall asleep . She never asks me anything, she knows I will tell it on my own time. And you would think that a girl this capable wouldn't be dependent on me for anything . But she can't clean her room you know. I do it for her, and only I am allowed to touch her things. She can't drink anyone else's coffee. She only  likes it the way I make it. And when she feels low, only my hand made dal chawal can fix her.'
Shivaay stopped looking slightly abashed , he said 'Umm, sorry Mallika, it's your day and I was just talking about Annika.'

Mallika said nothing for a minute and then said 'What will happen when she gets married?'
Shivaay spluttered his drink and exclaimed 'What?'

Mallika said 'I mean , she will get married one day and then I don't think she will be able to come to your house to wake you or wait for you to bring her a cup of coffee. What will happen to your friendship then Shivaay?'

Shivaay sat looking dumbstruck. It was as realisation just dawned on him. Annika and him couldn't be together forever. And that thought didn't go down well with him.

How will Shivaay understand that what he feels is deeper than friendship and will Annika feel the same ? Stay tuned for the next and last chapter ♥️♥️