Shivaay's POV:

I was walking in the corridor, waiting for my manager's call. I was so pissed at him when he requested me, for five minutes to figure out my meetings, for the rest of the day. I wanted to shout but that would take an extra five minutes. Wasting time was never my thing.

I looked out. There was a beautiful sight in front of me. The weather these days was, cold enough to break our bones, cloudy and dark, but they still remained, to be a breath taking view. I kept staring, at the view, my anger soothing gently. I started walking, lost in its beauty.

All the roads were filled with dry leaves, creating an illusion of an orange-yellow carpet stretching across. The trees were bare, and empty, standing lonely, yet looking pretty. I was not noticing any thing except for the view until something soft slammed into my chest, jerking me back suddenly.

I looked down only to meet a surprised pair of eyes already looking at me. It was her, again. Why do I always bump into her, irrespective of the time, place, situation?

She stepped back hurriedly and bent down to take her mobile which slipped out of her hand when she hit me. Oops! Correction, when I bumped into her.

“Dhyan kaha hai tumhara?” she asked, checking her phone for any breakage. I realised standing inches away from her, answering her questions was such a difficult task.

She looked at me when I didn’t respond because I was busy watching her. She narrowed her eyes at me.

Her eyes. Damn, they were so pretty. Big brownish- black orbs, framed with long, thick curled lashes, that would brush her cheeks whenever she blink. I was afraid, looking into them. Afraid that, I would loose myself. Afraid that I would accept the truth, of the power she willed upon me with just one look. Of  her one look that would pierce my carefully built shield. Afraid that, her one look would seep in and trace my fears and weaknesses.

“Are you okay?” she waved in front of my face “Why are you not answering me?”

I nodded quietly, still looking into her. May be she sensed something wrong, She quickly slipped her mobile on the table and stepped closer, turning to me. She immediately held my arms, rubbing them gently. Her sudden touch set my skin on fire. I felt something tingling inside, hitching my breath.

“Shivaay, Are you okay?” she asked, worry creasing her face.

Okay, that’s enough now. I already tensed her so much. “I am okay! I am alright” I said, biting back my laugh.

“Are you kidding me?” She frowned.
This was now out of my control. I laughed, holding my stomach.

She sniffed glaring, folding her arms across her chest and turned away, stepping away from me.

I was second away pulling her near me but I stopped hearing Om's voice.
That’s when I realized that I was turning so playful when she was around me. Sometimes scaring the shit off her and sometimes annoying her by behaving weird.

“Anika” he called out, accompanying Rudra.

“Didi....!” the little boy behind Rudra screamed, running to her. That was Sahil.

Sahil was Anika's brother. She adopted him when she was fourteen and he was a month’s baby then. He was now nine years old, studying forth standard. He was the apple of her eyes. She would do anything for his happiness.

“Sahil....” she bent down, hugging him and kissing all over his face.

“Didi...!! Bas bas” he relieved from her bear hug “Aapko kitne bar bola kiss math karo” he rubbed his cheeks.

“Haa! Okay” she happily cried, caressing his hair. Unknowingly, A smile crept over my face watching her smile.

He rubbed her tears gently with her little fingers. That was a heart swelling scene. I knew how it feels to have a brother and I have two of them.

Suddenly, the climate changed. The sky thundered with dark, gloomy clouds filling all over it, changing that blissful noon into a dark one. It started pouring down with chilling breezes.

Sahil instantly ran into the balcony, dragging Rudra with him. They played with the rain water, collecting some in their palms, throwing them on the other.

We three stood there watching while our little ones played. My manager called me, informing that they were no more meetings left for the day.

“Ouch!” Anika shouted suddenly. I turned to see when I found Om filling his hands with water and pouring them on her, laughing.

“Om...!!!” Anika laughed playfully “I m not going to leave you now”

Om started running all over the corridor with Anika behind him. He ran up to me again, placing me between her and him.

I was not ready to step in to this water fight. I didn’t want to spoil my hair. That would be the least thing I would wish for.

“Anika! Careful! Not on my hair” I warned her, when some water spilled over my shirt.

Om left my side and ran again, this time him in between me and Anika. I rolled my eyes at their stupid game and took my mobile checking my email.

It was a second before, I was feeling safe and suddenly, water splashed over my face and my mobile.

Anger ran through my body and I glared, whirling to their side.  It was Anika who missed the chance. Om skidded and I became the victim.

Throwing water was the last thing on my list, for controlling my anger.
She gulped, biting her lip. “How dare you?” I hissed.

“I already warned you” I stepped ahead, threatening her “Not to touch my hair” She stepped back.

“Haa!! Par..vo..” she stuttered.

“I don’t want to hear any of your stupid reasons” I yelled, gritting my teeth.

“Haa! Teek hai, math sun na!” She straightened herself up. "Even you were kidding before"

What was this girl made of? Galthi kiya, upar se mujhe akhad dikha rahi hai!!

“Look!! Apologize and leave!” I whisper yelled.

“Kyu?” she raised her eyebrow “Why should I apologize?” she placed her arms over her hips, showing her attitude again. “Gobar toh nai phenka na? Kyu chidpad chidpad ho rahe ho?”

“What the hell! Chidpa.. what??” I tried figuring the word but in vain. I stepped forward, catching her wrist and twisted it, holding it over her back.

“Sorry bolo!” I pulled her closer to me, her soft body fitting into mine, comfortably for some strange reason.

“Nahi bolungi, Baghad billa” she murmured, stressing that word, looking away. I twisted her arm more and she yelped in pain, making her look at me.

“Don’t call me that! Do you understand?” I mumbled harshly, in her ear. She shivered at my touch, trying to rip out off my clutches.

“Baghad billa” she whispered, tightly closing her eyes, which I could barely hear.

The cold breeze grazed her face and the soft strands swept past her ear and brushed the skin of her neck, jaw and her cheeks. I shifted, wrapping one of my arm around her waist, holding both her palms in one of mine and placed my other palm gently on her cheek.

I didn’t realize when our proximity over took my anger. It just vanished in a moment, after she stood centimetres away from me.

I rubbed my thumb softly on her cheek. I could feel her breathing grew faster. I didn’t know what this feeling was, but I felt something which I never felt till now.  I caressed her hair gently, and suddenly my eyes fell on her trembling lips. I moved, inching her closer.

I was a blink away from touching her lips, when she suddenly tilted her head, placing it on my shoulder. I shut my eyes, feeling her heart beat which was thumping against her chest. Both of us didn’t move for a few seconds.

“Shivaaay....!! Shivaay baby!!!” I could hear someone calling me from the hallway, yet Anika didn't move.

I opened my eyes to find no one there except for me and Anika.

“Shivaaay baby....!” Anika jerked suddenly, moving away from me in shock when we heard the voice nearing us.

A/N: Hola darlings,

First of all thank you so much for the love you are pouring in. The book reached 23k views. That was such a huge response, which I totally never imagined before starting this book.

I just went back and read the initial chapters and It brought back so many memories. This was my favourite book, my baby. This is the book with what my writing started and how many, and how much better could I present my other works, this always remains precious.

So, please keep supporting me. It was almost a week, and still I wanted to post it,to compensate the last month delay. I would be posting every Thursday from now, I promise.

1. Ae dil hain mushkil-Shivika ff
2. Beintehaan-ishqbaaz ff (It really needs your support, check them out if you didn't yet)
3. Rabba ve- Ishqbaaz oneshots.

These are my other works. I will post the first two works, every Sunday.

This chapter, particularly is dedicated to all Shivika fans! And I have tried writing this from Shivaay's POV. I hope you all like it! Fingers cross 🤞🤞

Love you all! Don't forget to press the star button below.

Stay tuned ;) ;)

Signing off
Yours
Trushnamallipudi