Annika walked around the bustling city. Her steps quickened when she heard the clouds rumbling. She hasn't brought her umbrella. What is she going to do? And her home was only a fifteen minute walk. She didn't want to get stalled in the mid because of the rain. But apparently nature had other plans. As it soon started pouring. Annika blinked. She could crash in of the shops. Her eyes fell on the flower shop at the end of the street and she sighed in relief.

Without having another thought she barged inside. She wiped her hair with a handkerchief before she looked up.

"Erm. Hi." The man she assumed that was the shopkeeper waved his hand awkwardly when he noticed her stare. She replied with a monotonous greeting that she was so used to giving at the office.

"Can I get some flowers?" She asked in hurry, she didn't want to take advantage of the business so she decided she will buy something while she shelters there under the rains. The guy opened his mouth but before he could say anything she pressed further, "Please I need them urgently." She spoke in haste, shooting a look at the shop windows to see if it was raining or not. But unfortunately the rain hasn't stopped. She might have to stick around the shop for a while I guess.

The man looked at her with a frown but nodded nevertheless. She sighed relieved that she didn't get thrown out of the shop just because she was sheltering from the rains.

"Alright, what kind?" He then asked with a sigh. Annika grinned and pointed at the shelf above him. Though to her he didn't look like a florist at all. She means what kind of florist waits around the shop dressed in an expensive suit. The place looked well kept though.

"I am sorry, ma'am. But you need to tell me what kind." He spoke. His voice indicated that he was getting irritated. She frowned. What kind did she want now?

"Just make a bouquet for me." She spoke with a hesitant smile. The man looked at her apprehensively before he walked around the shop to collect the flowers for her.

"You look tired." He remarked. She sighed. "You know how corporate employee's life is." She spoke tiredly. He quirked an amused eyebrow, she winced. Of course, he doesn't. He owns a flower business. He's a businessman. An entrepreneur. "I mean, it's just had been a tough day at work." Her phone buzzed with constant e-mails from her team leader. She sighed, she was to report back those emails as soon as she reached home but apparently that was not in the question now.

"Do you mind if I answer my e-mails in the meanwhile?" She asked apologetically. He shook his head, "Not at all." He replied coolly.

After what seemed like an hour, her furious typing stopped and she noticed that the rain now fell on the earth in soft drizzles. She must go now.

"Ma'am, your flowers?" The soft voice interrupted. And she stopped in her place. Wincing she turned around and sheepishly took the bouquet out of his hands before asking about the money. She watched as he looked around the shelves before turning to give her the exact amount she needs to pay.

He did make her a pretty expensive bouquet.

"You were not here to buy flowers were you?" The man asked as he leaned onto the table where he prepared the bouquet. She noticed that he had removed his blazer and his sleeves were rolled up. He looked--she shook her head at the thoughts. He was staring at her intently. She shook her head flustered. "I was here to save myself from the rain. I get sick pretty easily." She spoke.

"Don't worry it's not a problem. I kind of got that the moment you barged in through the door wiping your hair dry, and demanding flowers without knowing which ones you wanted." He chuckled.

"Sorry about that." He shook his head dismissing the apologies.

"Then, keep the bouquet, a token of my love to the pretty lady like you." He faked a bow at the end, tipping his imaginary hat in her direction to make it more extravagant. She grinned.

"Thank you. But don't worry. I will pay for it. You shouldn't bear loss because of me." She spoke to which he insisted it's on him. And even after much persistence he refused to take a penny from her.

"Thank you, once again."

"Farewell, Stranger" she heard a voice call out from behind her. She smiled to herself.

Once she reached home, she looked at the flower bouquet in wonder. It looked way different than regular ones. Those are colour coded but these ones were multi-colored. Well, she didn't know how to explain but the color blended together really well. But the flowers were falling apart, as if they weren't out together properly. Maybe he was new in the business. Nevertheless, that man was kind of sweet.

Shivaay.

Shivaay tossled his hair with his fingers as he looked at the clock. He had been waiting for Mallika for forty minutes now.

He had recently come to Mumbai for a business trip and decided to stay for a bit to enjoy a vacation away from worldly troubles and the managing of his company but here he was waiting for his best friend at her flower shop. She had gone to get them a take out from her favourite cafe a few streets away. Now it looks like she is stuck out there as well as he stares outside at the dark clouds who drenched the earth with their wrath.

He was minding his own business when someone barged inside the shop. He was apparently sitting on the shop owners counter, that must be the reason why she mistook him for the florist. He blinked at her.

She was kind of drenched, Ah! So she was sheltering from the rains and she just barged into the first shop she could find. Though he had been planning to ignore her but she decided to demand him to make her a flower bouquet. That was the strangest request that he was ever presented with. But he was Shivaay Singh Oberoi, and since he was already stuck here and he was not the one to back up, he decided to make her one. He looked around his friend's shop and grabbed the flowers that he thought would suit the beautiful lady standing in front of him.

He grabbed a white Camellia, You are adorable. She really was, he won't lie there. He was someone who'd read anything to pass time, that explained the reason why he was so well versed in the language of flowers.

He then added a Gardenia, you're lovely.

He then proceeded to add a few more, which he thought would suit the lady sitting in front of him. He waited around for a few moments figuring out how to stick them together. He didn't know how to wrap the bouquet and trust him when he said he tried his best with the strings that he wrapped around the paper to hold the flowers together.

He didn't charge her when he realised he had made an expensive bouquet without knowing when he looked through Mallika's billing chart for their prices. And the smile that the girl gave was worth it. Once she left her simply he swiped his own credit card through the machine so that his friend doesn't suffer a loss.

But for some reason, he felt it wasn't the last time he would be meeting her.

♡

Annika looked at the bouquet with a smile. She didn't know what each of them symbolises. But she would have to give it to that florist that this might be the most peculiar bouquet she had ever come across. She swiped her phone open and searched their meaning through the visual search box.

And she couldn't keep the heat off her cheeks when she realised their meanings.

And guess what? She now has a new reason to visit the shop.

So when a day later she walked in the shop, Shivaay wasn't really expecting anything but something told him that she would be coming back for the second time and he was happy that he wasn't wrong and that was the very reason he had sent his friend, Mallika away at the same time of the day to bring something for them to eat.

"It's not raining today." He spoke softly.

"Well, I might need some flowers." She said with a smile and he shrugged before he went to get the flowers for her, to create the perfect bouquet for her.

Things continued for a couple of weeks, even Mallika was now fed up with his demands for her to bring out his orders. Well, it was his final day in Mumbai. He waited for her so he could tell her his identity but she never came. He knew it wasn't intentional but he still felt a small ache within him.

Their encounters. Their talks. Their goodbyes.

Their farewell as the strangers.

He handed a small pink carnation to Mallika and ask her to pass the flower if she comes looking for him.

Imagine, Annika's surprise when she came to the flower shop the next day to recieve the biggest shock she'd encounter. The man, he wasn't the florist. She was just handed a small pink carnation, she stared at it. I will never forget you.

I will not forget you as well, she thought wistfully as she kept the flower treasured like the rest of the ones that he had prepared for her.

Annika.

Annika sighed wrapping her arms around herself admiring the lights from the markets as she walked towards the metro station. Winter has arrived. She has moved to Delhi recently. And not habituated to the cold, she was shivering in even three layers of clothing. Once inside the station, she sighed in relief for the momentarily warmth she experienced inside.

She looked at the address card in her hands. It was beautiful. Like really. Even the tiny card was beautifully designed she could only wonder how the place was. Her colleague has given her that saying it was one of the best places to enjoy dinner.

Annika stepped out from the blue lines. Before she changed to the pink ones. She has now memorized the metro routes in her head. She exited the metro station, the freezing breeze hitting her into her face. She walked with the map opened on her phone. And she finally reached the place she had been looking for.

The place was luxurious. And was decorated in the modern and sleek aesthetic which was pleasant to her eyes. For a moment she had to wonder if she would be able to afford the dinner there but she had been assured that the food prices were reasonable. Even if they weren't she didn't care much about that. She deserved some pampering.

"How can I help you ma'am?" The waitress asked with a smile.

"Uh, a table for one please." Annika said.

The waitress led her up to the table. There were only a few people there. She wondered why? The place looked good and the aroma coming from the food was delicious. She sat down on the table for two, it was in the corner. She looked around to see a few couples smiling at each other and talking.

"Whenever you are ready, ma'am. Do press the buzzer on the table. I will be here to take your order." Annika nodded. She looked through the menu card pondering what she should order. She wasn't very hungry. But she did order two pastas, Ravioli and Gnocchi. And Tiramisu for dessert.

"Anything for the drinks ma'am?" Annika thought for a while before she shook her head. "No, just the water please." The waitress nodded and left saying that her dinner would be done soon. She looked around the place and noticed flower patterns intricate into the walls of the restaurant. Her mind wandering back to the talks she shared with the florist. Her mind always fleeting to his beautiful smile, even more beautiful than all the exotic flowers he had arranged on the shelves of his wall.

A sigh escaped her lips.

"Farewell, Stranger."

She hadn't understood the meaning of the sentence that day until she came to know that the person had already left. The owner was someone else. He must be an employee and moreover to that she didn't even know his name. That was what she had assumed but she didn't know who he was. How could she find him? It has been three months. But she couldn't forget the man, who had her melting with his charm and his witty remarks.

She had been waiting for an hour now. nd her order was still isn't prepared. They had said they're facing a minor inconvenience and they will sort it out soon. She would have waited but she was really hungry and now annoyed, as the staff didn't let her go. They were pleading to her. She blinked.

Until a buff guy placed a order and the table. Sceptically she looked up at the man. He was in a uniform and certainly didn't look like the one who'd work in restaurants. Her confusion was soon cleared when the manager spoke up.

"No, ma'am. Our chef is not here. But this is cooked by a very special person."

And before she could enquire more about that, a voice made her freeze in her seat. She whirled around to face the speaker and her heart skipped a beat.

Shivaay.

"Well, will you be going for the inception or shall I go?" Om asked his brother. He noticed the fatigue around his eyes. Shivaay rubbed his face with his hands to wipe out the fatigue. He shook his head. "I will go, you enjoy with Gauri. She must be waiting for you." He gave out a tight lipped smile watching his brother leave his cabin.

He went outside looking down at the city. They were on the ninth floor. He looked at his wrist watch. Thirty seven minutes passed to eight. He should leave, he had to visit the restaurant which comes under the Oberois chain.

He sat inside the car. His eyes looked hollow. The business world is ruthless. Cruel. It can change anyone and it did to him. That was the reason he left the business world three months ago to give himself a break. But apparently it was cut short as he was called back in the office by his bade papa.

He looked at the buildings rushing past the windows in daze. His mind going back to the moment the girl entered the shop drenched. She was patting her hair dry, while Shivaay was mesmerized. He pretended to be the florist trying to amuse her. But it all was cut short as he abruptly had to return to Delhi.

He exited the car, Khanna right on tow. Inspecting everything, he went to the kitchens. It was near their closing time.

"It's good to see you Mr. Oberoi." The head chef smiled. He was the only one left. The rest have gone home. Shivaay smiled at that. "It's good to see you too."

Just then the chef's phone rang and he had to leave because there was an emergency at home. And since all the orders have been served and they were going to close, it didn't matter much but to their surprise the waitress entered with an urgent order.

"Why did you take the order without inquiring us?" The manager shouted at the poor woman. Shivaay frowned.

"What's the matter?" He asked walking over to them. The manager paled.

"Sir, there's a customer who just arrived. We don't have a chef to cook the order." Shivaay pinched the bridge of his nose frustrated, "Lead me, I will talk to the customer." Shivaay said. And the staff perked up at the prospect of not having to deal with an angry customer.

Shivaay froze when he saw the woman sitting on the table. His heart skipped a beat. And he could not believe his luck. She was here?

"Sir?"

"What's her order?" Shivaay asked. The waitress recalled the order. And to their surprise Shivaay stepped into the kitchens and put on the apron to prepare the order.

"Sir? What are you doing please let us do it?" The manager was sweating for his job. But Shivaay didn't listen.

"Keep her engaged. Don't let her go." And the manager and the waitress rushed to follow. Khanna stayed assisting Shivaay, staring at his face in cold shock. He was smiling. For the first time in months.

Though he wasn't able to prepare Tiramisu, he had the pastas prepared.

"Wait for a few more minutes ma'am-" Annika sighed at the pleading staff. It has been an hour. She held high expectations from the place but apparently it was just all show not--her thoughts were interrupted when she smelled the aroma.

"Here is your order ma'am." Khanna said placing the order on the table. Annika stared at the food sceptical. Shivaay controlled his laugh, she must have been baffled to see him serving considering Khanna was still in his uniform.

"Didn't you say the chef has gone out? Did he return or you brought this from some other place?" Shivaay heard the girl ask. He removed the apron and grabbed his blazer in his hands. Only his waistcoat was on.

"No, ma'am. Our chef is not here. But this is cooked by a very special person." The manager said with a bright smile making her even more confused. She looked absolutely endearing.

Shivaay gathered up his courage, before stepping out in the light. "Me."

♡

The speed at which her neck turned to face him, made Shivaay wince. That definitely must have hurt. He passed her a sheepish smile. His eyes turned to the staff and they nodded leaving them alone.

"You!" He hadn't expected his collar to be grabbed.

"How dare you? How dare you! Leave without telling me!" He could see the anger in her eyes, and behind the anger there was hurt, and if he looked more closely he could see the love she held in those beautiful eyes.

"W-well--" Shivaay felt his own throat clogging up. His eyes moistened. It has taken them two days. Two weeks to know each other. And they longed for each other in the memories. Now when she was standing in front of him. He didn't know what to do. Should he hug her? Should he tell what he had been feeling all these months?

She looked at him expectantly. "Well, I did tell you-"

Farewell, stranger.

Her glare deepened and he found himself chuckling.

"Well, now I am here. You are here. That's what matters the most, don't you think?" Shivaay asked resting her forehead against her as she hummed.

"Well, look at us. Behaving like long lost lovers when we don't even know our names. Annika Trivedi." She spoke parting away.

"Shivaay." He answered. She arched her eyebrows in surprise.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi." And watched as shock coloring her features.

"The one-" he nodded before she could complete her sentence. She gaped at me before a smirk took upon her features and she turned to me with a grin.

"So you're telling me, that the Great Shivaay Singh Oberoi, was cooking in the kitchens for a mere corporate employee?" She asked arching her perfectly shaped eyebrow. Shivaay shrugged.

"I don't know about, a mere corporate employee." She rolled her eyes. "Rather I was cooking for my future girlfriend." He grinned at the surprised expression on her face, nervously waiting for her reply.

"Well, then again I wasn't expecting my future boyfriend to be cooking in the restaurant kitchen." Shivaay's eyes widened.

Annika sighed, "Can we eat now?" She asked pouting cutely. Her arms wound around his neck.

Shivaay found himself chuckling.

"Yes, certainly." And they made their way towards the table.

Who knew their paths would be reunited in the strangest way possible? It all started with the farewell to the stranger.

End.

(Was it boring?)