Annika and Shivaay exited the mansion. Shivaay sat in the passenger seat while Annika headed towards the driver's seat.

S: Where are we going though?

A: Wait till we reach.

S: Okay.

They arrived at the location quickly. It was on a ridge. The night sky was clear, with stars visible. Shivaay had been many places previously, but nothing compared to the tranquility he felt here. Annika moved forward and landed on top of a rock, which he noticed.

He walked up to her and sat alongside her. While sitting, they were both deafeningly quiet. Shivaay kept on looking at Annika every now and then when Annika spoke suddenly,

A: Ask.

Shivaay was startled.

S: What?

A: I know you want to ask something. So, go on.

S: I've never seen you this calm and silent. That's why just a bit shocked. Nothing else.

Annika frowned and replied,

A: Kya matlab hai aapka? Main hamesha bolti hoon?

S: I didn't wanna say this but jhoot mujhse bola nahi jata.

Annika shifted her gaze to him and gave him a cold stare.

A: Haan. You just know how to order and show Tadi.

S: Excuse me, what's Tadi?

A: Areh, Tadi nahi pata aapko? Wohi jo aap mein bohot hai. Attitude.

S: Oh hello, I am Shivaay Singh Oberoi, okay? I can do whatever I want.

A: Oh hello, this attitude won't work on Annika Vardhan Kabeer, okay? So, be careful.

S: Tum..

Annika interrupted him,

A: Kya main? Haan?

They continued to stare at each other until they burst out laughing. As she giggled, Shivaay continued to admire her. He finally spoke after some time,

S: Stay like this. Being upset and lost doesn't suit you. You look better when you're all feisty and fighting with me.

Annika was taken aback by his remarks. She was emotional on top of it. She kept her gaze fixed on him. No one could ever accomplish such a feat. She enjoyed being alone whenever she was sad, and no one spoke to her unless she came by herself once she was back to normal.

Shivaay was the first to figure out how to change her mood. She didn't mind him being there for her, even if she enjoyed being alone. In order to lighten the mood, she spoke teasing him,

A: I don't fight with you. You trigger my anger.

S: Oh really? Madam, it's you who finds reasons to tease me and give me headaches.

A: Then I care for you too but no, you won't ever appreciate that, would you? Bagadbilla.

S: Dekha? Again. You keep on giving me stupid nicknames knowing I don't like them.

A: Because these suit you, Mr.

S: Not true but well, whatever makes you sleep at night. Waise, chalein ya yehi sangsaar basana hai?

Annika's eyes furrowed as she looked at him.

A: Later. It's almost the time for sunrise. I wanna stay. You can go if you want. I'll walk back home.

Shivaay replied instantly,

S: No way. I'll go with you. You're not gonna walk back at any cost. That too alone.

A: Then wait, Billu ji.

Shivaay groaned, while Annika smirked and looked at the view in front.

A: Shivaay.

S: Hmm?

A: Have you seen sunrise before?

S: Not really. I'm usually asleep during this time. You?

A: Bohot! Watching sunrise, relieves my stress. My tensions. It's peaceful. So early in the morning.

S: You come here all alone, this late? Is it safe?

A: Darr lagta hai kabhi kabhi. Par himmat kar leti hoon. Moreover, I saw sunrise mostly in Toronto. I rarely come here. Because here I'm with family. So, I usually forget all my tensions spending time with them.

S: So, what happened today?

Annika remained silent for a few moments before speaking.

A: It's Didu's wedding. I don't want anybody to be tensed because of me. I am sure, Gauri, Bhavya must've told you Vikram's my ex.

He nodded affirmatively as she looked at him.

A: I knew it. But I just want you to know, I don't come because of him alone. I don't have any trouble with our breakup. It's just the way we broke up. It's the scars his words left on me. I don't know why I'm telling you these. I can't even open up in front of my cousins like this for some reason.

He grinned at her when she looked at him. Shivaay reached forward and tucked a hair strand behind her ear, then held her right hand in his left before returning his attention to the view in front of him. With just a touch of his hand, Annika felt butterflies in her stomach. Shivaay couldn't help but feel the sparks in his own body, but they both chose to remain silent and enjoy the peace.

After a while, when the sun was all up, Annika spoke.

A: Let's leave? Everyone will wake up and get worried.

Shivaay stood up and nodded. He extended his hand to Annika, who smiled and accepted it. They walked towards the car hand in hand.

S: May I drive?

A: Please. I'm tired anyway.

They sat in the car and Shivaay began to speak.

S: Waise, I heard that you love your sleep. Then what happened today? Aren't you sleepy?

A: Yeah I don't normally wake up before ten but some nights I do stay awake. To watch sunrise or if I am out for clubbing.

S: Yeah, I know.

A: Huh, how?

Annika inquired, perplexed.

S: Rudy was stalking your IG profile. He showed me some photos and videos of you in the night club.

A: Oh.

S: Anyways, Isn't ten too late, doctor?

A: Well, I have to change my habit after Didu's wedding when I'll be joining the hospital. Now shall we leave, Driver?

S: Yes, Ma'am.

They started driving towards the mansion. It was a 45 minutes ride back home. Shivaay observed Annika changing radio stations over and over again.

S: What are you doing?

A: Trying to find good music, dikh nahi raha? What's happening these days? Who plays disco songs early in the morning?

Shivaay rolled his eyes as she continued to blabber. She eventually settled on a station that was playing 'Tum Paas Aa Rahe Ho' from the movie Veer-Zaara.

She was humming along with the song when Shivaay spoke,

S: You listen to Jagjit Singh and Lata Ji? I thought today's generation finds it old school.

A: What old school? These are my favourites. I don't care what someone else thinks. Kyun? Don't you like them?

Shivaay replied with a smile,

S: I don't really listen to Indian Songs much. If I do, these are what I listen to mostly.

Annika grinned heartily in response to his response and continued to hum the tune.

Soon, they reached home. They were on their way upstairs when he noticed a photograph on the wall. Annika was playing the guitar in the photo.

S: Annika. Yeh tum ho na?

A: No. My lookalike. Of course, it's me Shivaay. Who else do you see in this home with this face?

Shivaay rolled his eyes before replying,

S: You know how to play a guitar?

A: Yes. Singing is my hobby. I know how to play a guitar and piano.

S: Wow. That's some new information. Is this why, there's a Piano in the hall? But I never heard you sing.

A: It's been long, to be honest. Kabhi waqt mile toh zaroor sunaongi. Now lets get some rest? Need to wake up for preparations. Day after tomorrow's Sangeet too. See you later.

S: See you. Bye.

Shivaay was going towards his room when Annika called him.

A: Shivaay!

S: Haan?

A: You can call me Anni.

She grinned as she entered her room, and Shivaay smiled to himself as he listened to her. 

All of this was noticed by someone who stood a little further away from them so they wouldn't notice her. She smiled to herself and prayed for God's blessing on them both.

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