A week passed in jiffy. Anika shifted to Raichand Mansion the very next day.

Raichand Mansion

Living room

Kitchen

Theater room

Library or study room

Gym room

Aarav's room

Daksh's room

Gauri's room

Soumya's room

Anika's room

Guest rooms

Swimming pool

Terrace

Every day Shivaay and Anika go together to the office. Daksh had joined his father's business which gave a little relief to Shivaay.

Everyone were ready to go and the Oberoi were waiting for Raichands to come.

Rudra: yeh log kahan reh gaye?

Om: aa jayenge have some patience

"Aa jayenge nahi aa gaye" spoke Daksh who came with everyone.

"Thank you haan... jaldi aane ke liye" mocked Priyanka.

Shivaay: chalo abhi we're getting late.

"Okay" all agreed.

Daadu: have fun guys

Daadi: yeah. Enjoy to the fullest

"Hey guys!!" A high pitched voice came out of nowhere. All turned only to find Sarah standing with her huge suitcase.

Sarah: I hope I am not late.

"Don't tell me yeh bhi aa rahi hai!!" Murmured Rudra.

Daadi: no dear they were just leaving.

The younger clan snapped their heads at the old lady.

"Oh thank god!! Hey everyone" she gave a cheeky smile to them.

Shivaay: daadi yeh....

Daadi: maine bulaya hai. Yeh bhi tum logo ke saath jaayegi

Everyone's face sulked except Aarav who was neutral.

Om (whispering to Rudra): yeh daadi ne kahan fasa diya yaar

He winched while Rudra rubbed his hand on his arm dramatically.

Rudra: koi baat nahi. Yeh aachar hum seh lenge

Om (confused): aachar?

Rudra: aachar.... jo daadi ne humpe kar rahi hai iss chipkali ko humare saath bhej kar

"It's atyachar" Om corrected him not before rolling his eyes.

Rudra: same thing bro.

Om: not the same thing bro

Om shook his head.

Daadu: chalo sab log niklo der nahi ho rahi?

Khanna: aapko badi jaldi hai hume bhej ne ki

Rudra: of course bhaiya hogi hi na inhe golden chance jo mil raha hai..... itna bada ghar.... aur sirf do log - daadu aur daadi.

He said teasingly. Daadi's jaw drop while daadu hit his grandson's arm lightly. While other's laughed. Sarah faked a laugh as she didn't understand anything.

Daadu: do jhapad lagaunga tujhe.

All giggled and left. They sat in the cars. Om Rudra Khanna and Priyanka in one car. Aarav Gauri Soumya and Daksh took Daksh's car. Now only 3 were left - Shivaay Anika and Sarah.

Anika opened the door of passenger seat but Sarah sat.

"Thank you" she muttered in her usual attitude. Anika fumed in anger but controlled and sat behind muttering curses to her.

Sarah smirked but soon her smirk turned into frown as Roy sat on the driving seat she looked back to see Shivaay seated beside Anika who was angrily looking outside the glass window.

"Let's get started Roy. We're getting late" his voice brought Anika back. She snapped her head to her left only to find Shivaay engrossed in his phone.

She looked at Sarah who seems to be angry. She chuckled inwardly seeing her condition.

They started and reached to Oberoi's private airport where the private jet waiting for them.

All settle in except Anika and Sarah.

Sarah sprinted and sat beside Shivaay making him make an annoying face. Anika chuckled seeing his face. Shivaay glared her and she went ahead.

"Umm.... may I?" She asked whether she could sit beside Aarav or not. He looked up and smiled seeing her.

"Of course why not. Puchne ki kya zarrorat hai?" He said and she smilingly sat beside him.

The take off was little late due to technique issues. Anika and Aarav didn't spoke a word.

She thought to initiate a conversation but didn't understand what to say. She was fidgeting with her phone, she was nervous for god knows what reason.

"Are you okay?" Aarav asked.

"Yeah"

Aarav: shayad tumhari pehli flight hai

She nodded yes.

Aarav: don't worry. You do one thing come sit here.

He stood up. "Arey but...." "Comeon" she sat on his seat and he sat on hers.

Anika: yeh....

Aarav: window seat pe baitho aur view enjoy karna dar kam lagega

She smiled.

Aarav: waise where are you from?

Anika: Washington.

Aarav: New York mein job ke liye aai ho?

Anika: naah kisi ko dhundne

Aarav: dhundne?

Anika nodded Aarav was about to say something but the captain announced that they were ready to take off. Aarav buckled his seatbelt while Anika was confused what she had to do?

Aarav looked at her. "Help please" she made a pouty face making him smile. She was just like her. He buckled her seat belt she mouthed a thank you.

The plane took off and Aarav held her hand which were on the side of the seat. She looked at him whose eyes were closed tightly. His was looking like a baby with that scared face. After a while he opened his eyes and saw her looking at him.

"Ah... woh... mujhe thoda....." she laughed seeing him stammering. Aarav adorned her laughing.

"You.... you...." she wasn't able to speak as she wasn't able to control her laughter.

Everyone looked at her. Daksh Aarav and Shivaay was admiring her, Sarah made a why is she laughing like mad face while others were confused yet smiled a bit.

"You looked so cute da......" she stopped as she was about to address him dad, again. She looked around only to find everyone looking at her.

"I.... I... I am....."

"It's okay Anika. Main bhi aise hi hasi thi jab dad ke saath pehli baar travel kar rahi thi. Pata hai uss din main dar rahi thi as I was very young and dad was like kuch nahi hota, don't be scared and all. But actual mein mujhse zyada dad dare the" stated Gauri.

All chuckled while Aarav got embraced.

Aarav: okay stop it. Haan mujhe lagta hai dar toh kya karun main. Tum log apna kaam karo na...... Anika tum thi na uss din. Tab kon keh raha tha aap aaoge toh hi hum jayenge. Agar itna hi pyaar hai mujhse toh mere saath kyu nahi bethe?

Soumya: kyu ke dad hume apna haath tudwane ka koi saukh nahi hai.

Daksh: exactly. And Dad ab toh uss bichari ka haath chhodo

He looked at his hand which were still holding hers tightly as if she would run away. He left it.

Soumya: Anika dard toh nahi ho raha na?

She asked recieving a smack from her dad. Anika smiled and nodded no.

Anika: bikul nahi itna zor se bhi nahi pakda tha.

Gauri: really? I don't believe

Anika: arey sachi. And stop teasing my..... my uncle okay.

She was again going to say dad but immediately managed. Aarav dramatically side hugged her saying "Koi toh hai meri team mein. Meri apni beti mere saath aisa karti hai. I love you beta" he kissed her forehead in his drama.

Others shook their head except Daksh. He was happy that his sister was getting what she deserved, indirectly though. While Anika had a huge smile on her face with a thin line of tears on her either eyes. She immediately wiped it before anyone could notice but our hero saw her wiping those tear off. He thought to ask her later. Everyone settled back.

Shivaay was getting hell irritated because of Sarah while Anika was enjoying the company of her father also the view out side the glass window.

It was a long long fly approximately more than 7 hours. It's been more than two hours. Aarav and Anika talked alot - ehh... Anika talked and Aarav was keenly listening her.

Why is she so like Celestina? Just like her she speaks, scratch her eyebrow with her thumb. Look toh excatly like her. Lekin aadatein usske jaisi nahi hai. Kuch hai lekin...... How I wish she could be my Anika, my baby, my princess.

His thought made her stop her blabberings. He was still lost in his thought but as she stopped he was back.

Aarav: kya hua ruk kyu gai?

Anika: kuch nahi bas.... aap bore toh nahi ho rahe na? Kyu ke mera bolna toh kabhi bandh hi nahi hota.

Aarav: nahi it's okay. Aadat hai mujhe. Yeh Soumya aur Gauri bhi aisi hi hai.

She smiled and looked out.

He still remember mom..... and me. Of course she is his wife and I am his daughter. I just hope these two stay happy always. But will he accept mom?

She was having that question because he was father of two more daughters after her. Maybe he doesn't love her anymore. She wanna know more and this trip is a good opportunity for her.

She doesn't know when she dozed off being in her thoughts. Aarav smiled seeing her and covered her with a blanket. She turned a bit and held his arm, who was about to leave and sit in other seat, placing her head on his shoulder.

He smiled more and caressed her head with a fatherly warmth. How hardly he wished his first daughter to be with him. Never in these years he felt this feeling so hardly. He do miss her and Celestina but due to Daksh Gauri and Soumya's present he would satisfy his heart atleast he have them. But after meeting her his wish got stronger and stronger.

Shivaay was very very irritated by Sarah unstoppable talks. He somehow made her go in a cabinet and have some sleep saying she would get dark circles under her eyes if she wouldn't have some rest.

Shivaay placed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes "Bala tali"

He looked at Anika only to find her sleeping her peacefully.

Shivaay: waah maharani toh so rahi hai. Mere saath aake baith nahi sakti thi? Uss chipku ladki ke mere paas baith ne se pehle.

He winced and went to his brothers and had some refreshing talks.

Anika stired a bit and opened her eyes. She looked up and saw Aarav smiling at her. She jerked up with a shocked face. Though internally she was happy.

Anika: I... I am sorry Uncle aapne mujhe uthaya kyu nahi....

Aarav: kyu uthata? And sorry kyu bol rahi ho? It's okay.

Anika: lekin.... aapko bhari toh nahi lagi main?

Aarav: tumne kabhi apne aapko dekha hai? Kuch khati hogi aisa toh mujhe lagta nahi hai. Iss mein kya bhari? (He lift her thin wrist little high and dropped it) Kuch khilaya pilaya hai ki nahi tumhare parents ne?

Anika: mom ko khana bana nahi aata aur dad se kabhi mili hi nahi

Aarav: I am sorry beta mujhe.....

Anika: it's okay uncle. Aapko thodi pata tha

Aarav: but still mujhe aisa nahi bolna chahiye tha.

Anika: it's okay. Pohanch gaye hum log?

Aarav: nahi abhi toh bohat time hai.

Anika: so abhi aap thodi der so jaiye.

He nodded and went in another cabinet so have some sleep after informing others. Anika went to others who were having fun. She sat beside Shivaay.

Shivaay: uth gai aap

He said sarcastically. Anika rolled her eyes and they all talked alot.

After some more hours they finally landed. They all directly went to the rooms alloted to them in Raichand Villa in Spain. After freshening up and dinner all slept as they were very tired by a long long flight.

-------------

Next day.

Everyone were sleeping but surprisingly Anika woke up early that day. She thought to make breakfast for everyone. She asked the house helps to get all thing to her and go. They gave as she forced them and went. She made everyone's favorite including Sarah.

She was preparing food while listening to some songs. She was dancing a bit too. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned and saw Shivaay.

"Good morning" she wished him

Shivaay: morning kya bana rahi ho?

Anika: khud hi dekh lijiye

He saw that she made everyone's favorite.

Shivaay: itna sara tumne khud bana liya?

Anika: shayad aap bhul rahe hai aapki office mein kaam karne se pehle main ek restaurant mein kaam karti thi

Shivaay: yeah of course.

Anika: what's the plan?

Shivaay: aaj toh ghumenge pura din

Anika: acha

Shivaay: waise tell me one thing.......

Anika: what?

She asked without looking at him as she was busy preparing breakfast.

Shivaay: why did you cry yesterday? When Aarav uncle said all those things

She stopped stiring and seemed lost but managed to come back soon

"It's..... it's nothing like that" she continued to stir. Shivaay noticed some change in her behavior.

"What happened Anika?" He asked out of concern. She didn't answer so he held her hand and made her turn towards him.

Anika: Shivaay what're you doing? I have to make the breakfast everyone would.....

"Shhh!!! Shut up" he ordered as she was trying to avoid the topic.

"You know you can tell me"

"Yeah I know but there's nothing like....."

"Do you consider me as your friend?" He asked out of nowhere cutting her in middle

"What's that question? Of course I do"

"Then why don't you share anything with me?" He asked with a tint of hurt filled voice, she never shared anything with him.

"It's nothing like that"

"Don't you have any other thing to say rather than 'It's Nothing Like That'?"

"Okay I'll tell you" she sighed and continued "I cried out of happiness. I never got father's love upto this point of my life. My mom left my father taking me away 'cause she had some reasons which I can't tell you nor anyone. My mom gave me everything I wanted, she is my dad, my sister, my brother, my friend, my guide, my mentor, my idol, my everything. I can never hear even a single word against her. I love her like anything and she does the same. But she hid the most thing of my life, that is, about my father. I never knew who is my father. I just saw him in a photograph once. Only once surprisingly I didn't knew his name either. Can you believe it!!!! You know when I see Aarav Uncle loving and pampering Gauri and Soumya, I feel like what if my father would be with me? Would he love me like him? Would he pamper me as he does? I never experienced this. Yesterday when I got a little amount of the thing I crave for..... I was overwhelmed. I am not his daughter (she closed her eyes as she didn't want to say those words but she have to lie a bit as she cannot reveal everything) but....... but I felt like I was with my father. A father is the most important person in a girl's life. He is her hero.... no superhero. Every daughter is a princess for their father, even if he is not the king. I crave for that Love Shivaay. I really crave for that after I saw how Gauri and Soumya are loved and pampered by their father. Untill then I was okay. But not now. Not now!!!"

She let out a sob. Shivaay held her shoulders supporting her. She wiped her face composing herself. Shivaay fetched a glass of water for her and she gulped the sparkling water down.

Shivaay: I understand you. I understand what father's love is.

His voice held something which she was not getting what it was. She shrugged that for now and continued making breakfast.

After sometime everyone were ready and came downstairs and settle on the table. Anika was arranging the table. Sarah wasn't there yet.

Aarav: woah!!! There's a lot of food

Anika smiled.

Anika: I made everyone's favorite.

Aarav: you made it?

Gauri: dad she is the best chef. I tell you you'll love it.

Aarav: really? Then what are you waiting for? Please give I am really hungry.

Anika smiled and went to him with a plate. She placed in near him. He immediately took off the lid to get his mouth watery finding his favorite Aaloo Parathe.

Aarav: oye hoye Aaloo de paronthe o'vi safed makhan naal. Dil jeet liya tumne Anika. Thank you so much.

Anika smiled. Aarav immediately took out piece of it and was delighted by it's taste.

Aarav: waah kya baat hai!!! Maza aa gaya.

Anika: acha hai?

Aarav: acha?? Bohat aacha hai!!!

Gauri: kaha tha dad. Anika give it to me too

Aarav: No!!! These are for me. No one will get that.

Soumya: that's not fair dad let us also taste a bit.

Aarav: everything is fair in love, war and food. Don't even spare a glance on it okay. These are mine.

He took the whole plate. Anika chuckled at his antics while other's made a grumpy face, they can't even taste a bit.

Anika: Gauri and Soumya I made Chole Bature for you too.

Gauri/Soumya: really!!

They exclaimed out of happiness, they love Chole Bature. Aarav also love it too.

She served them their Chole Bature, Aarav looked at them enjoying the Chole Bature. He gulped the water form seeing the Chole Bature.

Gauri: dad you won't get this so stop eyeing our food.

Aarav: okay... I didn't ask for it either.

He tired to look away. Anika secretly served some to him. He looked at her who winked at him and asked to have it. He smiled like a kid and immediately ate that. He actioned that it was amazing.

She gave two Aaloo Parathas to everyone along with Chole Bature.

Rudra: Anika I can't have it you know I am on diet.

Anika: hey come on Rudy atleast stop your diet puran untill we are here. Every day I'll make for you and you have to eat it.

Rudra: but....

Anika: no ifs and buts

She served it to him and went to Shivaay.

Shivaay: Anika I....

"I know I know you wouldn't have these oily food. I made everything thing in olive oil only. It's okay"

Shivaay: then it's okay. Give.

She served it to him and headed towards Om.

Anika: Om I made something else for you.

Om: what?

Anika: Upma

Om: really?

Anika: yeah!!

She served it to him.

Om: whole's mine right? 'Cause anyone doesn't like Upma here.

Anika: exactly.

Priyanka: what did you made for me?

Anika: for you I have Dosa.

Priyanka: really then give na. I am hungry.

She gave her her Dosa. She loved it too much.

Anika: and Khanna for you I have Khaman Dhokla and Khandvi (Gujarati Cuisine)

Daksh: what about me?

Anika: nothing for you. You have to eat this all only.

Daksh: that's not fair

He pouted and she chuckled. She went in the kitchen and brought something for him.

Anika: this is for you

He smilingly opened it and found Bread Pakoda

Daksh: Bread Pakoda!!!

He exclaimed to get his favorite.

Anika: khaiye khaiye.

Aarav: Anika you made for everyone. What about you?

Anika: of course I made for myself too. It's Aloo Puri for me. Wanna have some?

Aarav: of course why not?

She served him Aloo Puri too. She was about to sit on her seat beside Shivaay but Sarah came.

Sarah: good morning guys.

Aarav: good morning

Others also wished good morning uninterestingly she was about to sit beside Shivaay but he pulled Anika beside him. She was startled by the sudden pull and asked him what he did. He asked to shut up and and start having her food.

Sarah fumed but sat on the other seat. She huffed in anger. She looked at everything placed and made a face.

Sarah: aah!!! It's all so oily I won't have this. Who made all this?

Rudra: it's by Anika.

Sarah: can't you make something less oily. It's all so unhealthy

Anika: it's made in olive oil Sarah you can have it.

Sarah: excuse me what did you say? Sarah? Look you're not my friend or anything call me ma'am

All the younger clan fumed in anger. Aarav frowned. Rudra was about to say something but Anika stopped him.

Anika: okay so ma'am you can have it as it's made in olive oil.

She pressed the word Ma'am

Sarah: naah I am not interested in it. SSO what should I eat?

She asked being annoyed in a crybaby voice.

Shivaay: you can it this Sarah.

Sarah: but I don't like it.

Anika: I know....

Sarah (interrupting): you knew then also you made all this. You want me to strave!!!

Anika: excuse me let me complete. I know you don't like all this so I have made something for you too.

She got up from the seat and went to kitchen. She came with a tray. She placed the tray before her and sat on her seat.

Sarah opened the lid only to find Pancakes and a bowl of Fruit Salad.

Anika: you can have either of this..... Ma'am

Sarah rolled her eyes and took a piece of pancake. It was delicious but she took some or the other faults in it.

Everyone shook their head and continued to have the delicious breakfast.

*********

Heyaa!!!! This chapter is to thank you all. I have crossed 100 followers waohoo!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

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