CHAPTER 7

Shivay paid the cab driver after he got down in Annika's neighbourhood. The whole one month since he and Annika started dating secretly, they had been extremely careful in hiding it from media and crazy fans. They had dates in the middle of the sea or forest campaign sites to stay away from prying eyes. They avoided public places like plague. However, Annika wanted to celebrate their one month anniversary by cooking for him and Shivay wasn't able to dissuade her. So, here he was in her apartments, hiding his face behind huge sun glasses and using cab for the second time in his luxury filled life of twenty seven years.

Shivay let out a wolf whistle as he was greeted by his beautiful girlfriend wearing blue denim shorts and red sleeveless crop top.

"When you said casual, I didn't know we were going to be this casual." Said Shivay eyeing her naughtily.

Annika playfully hit his chest as she noticed him, for the first time, wearing white cargos and faded blue T-shirt.

"Did you purposely send your parents to your hometown?" asked Shivay as he settled on the couch

"No, dad wanted to attend a relative's wedding. So, they left couple of days ago. " Annika said as she walked out of the kitchen carrying two glasses of orange juice.

"What did Niki tell seeing you come out of the house wearing this?" she asked pointing at his casual attire.

"I told her that I am going out with college friends."

Shivay placed the half empty glass on the tea table and moved closer to Annika on the couch putting his hand around her.

"How have you planned to entertain me today?" he asked

Annika's eyes gleamed with joy as she grinned at him, "I have totally made this awesome main course watching a youtube video."

"For some reason, that idea is scaring me." Shivay confessed

Annika didn't let his comments upset her as she pulled him with her to the kitchen to flaunt her culinary skills.

"I thought the dinner will be ready." Commented Shivay, as he sat on the slab waiting for the oven to announce the completion of cake, while Annika was busy doing what not to decorate her famous main course.

"Not my mistake, you are the one who didn't want even servants here when you come. If Shama di had stayed then she would have helped me with everything. Now, I did all of this alone."

Finally when they both settled in the cozy dinning table, they were famished. Annika insisted to feed him the first mouth and her joy knew no boundary when he praised her with two thumbs up.

"God I am very good at cooking. I should try often." Annika credited herself.

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When the couple reached the six months mark in their relationship, Annika was adamant that Shivay do something special for her this time. Annika made sure all their monthly anniversaries to be special and this time she wanted Shivay to show his interest by organizing a self cooked dinner date at his home. Shivay tried his best to dissuade her and bribed her with a small vacation to Goa, but Annika was adamant. So, eventually Shivay gave in.

"I am not good with cooking." He warned Annika but she didn't give any heed to his rants.

When Shivay noticed his girlfriend walk inside his house wearing a baby pink butterfly top and blue skirt, he said, almost complaining, "I said casuals"

Annika hit his arm saying,"I don't wear shorts outside my house."

"But I have given off to all servants and Niki is out with her friends for farewell shopping. It is just me." Shivay argued

"More reasons for me to cover up."

Shivay shook his head disappointed as he led her to the kitchen.

"Are you sure you didn't threaten Ramu Kaka to cook all this?" asked Annika suspicious.

"You won't say this after tasting it." Replied Shivay

Shivay got the taste thing right. He definitely was not a great cook. However, Annika didn't complain. All that mattered to her was the thought. Later, they both settled in front of the TV in the game room to watch a movie holding two scoops of ice cream each. Niki's decision to stay at her friend's definitely worked in their favour.

"Didn't you try to do movies?" asked Shivay couple of minutes through the film

"I did, but TV came to me first."

"So, now, if you are offered movie?"

"I don't know. I like what I am doing in TV and the reach is tremendous than you think."

"I am sure. As long as you are happy, it is all cool."

Both knew they were least interested in the movie, but continued watching for the sake of it. Another question was popped by Shivay after witnessing a kissing scene on screen.

"How long?" asked Shivay

"How long what?" asked Annika shifting her eyes from TV

"How long before we kiss?" asked Shivay casually

Annika's cheeks turned red with blush and a cheeky smile spread on her lips.

"Thought you would never ask..." she said leaning forward to experience her first kiss with her boyfriend.

When they both broke the kiss breathlessly, Shivay looked at her and asked again, "How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long before I go to the second base?" asked Shivay making an innocent face.

"God! Shivay, do it already" cried Annika leaning forward to kiss him again while his hands slowly cupped her mound

After minutes, or hours, when Annika was panting heavily and Shivay was busy nibbling her shoulder, he mumbled something between kisses.

"What?' asked Annika

"How long?" he asked raising his head

"What now?" asked Annika breathlessly.

"How long before you know?

"Huh?" Annika narrowed her eyes

"How long before we do it"

"Shivay Singh Oberoi I will kill you if you try to do it before putting a ring on my finger." She warned sternly.

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