Krishi and Kripa threatened me that they wouldn't update today if I didn't too, so there goes.

Where are YOUR updates, guys?:) BlackManiacx silver_dustXX

**

Annika stood in front of Shivaay's dressing table, running her hands through her damp hair in order to dry them. After the grueling dance practice, she had desperately needed a shower and a change of clothes, since her white cotton top had gotten plastered against her skin with sweat. Shivaay had of course offered her his room to freshen up, and she had agreed because everyone else was too busy to notice, and Shivaay's washroom was aesthetic to her, with it's white and blue decor, fancy sink, large bathtub, and what not. Not to mention, the washroom like smelled quite like Shivaay, so Annika had been able to take what was probably the longest and most relaxing bath of her life. Currently, humming a song while massaging the roots of her hair, she felt regenerated, and seeing as she had so much work ahead of her, this really helped.

As Shivaay entered the room, talking on his bluetooth, Annika turned around to face him. Somehow, using his room like it was hers made her feel a strange sort of...intimacy with him, and she blushed at the thought. If he found out she was thinking these cheapdi thoughts, he would never let her live it down.

"...I've finalized the deal with the Japanese, so make sure you send me reports of all their previous-"

Shivaay stopped abruptly, because as he looked up, he was met with the incredibly tempting sight of his girlfriend, in a bell-sleeved, off-the-shoulder yellow dress that ended on her mid-thighs. It was floral-printed and slightly over-sized, and the colour stood out against her dusky skin. Her slightly damp hair and pink cheeks only added to the look, and to Shivaay, she appeared to be someone who had been sent to earth for the sole purpose of testing every fibre of his control.

Trying not to ogle at her legs that seemed to go on for miles, especially since she was bare feet, Shivaay hung up the call even as Mishra talked away on the other side, and approached her in long strides. She looked irresistible and because he was a man who was insanely attracted to her, he had to do something. At least, be as close to her as he was allowed to. (How ironical, though, that despite being her boyfriend, he couldn't just wrap her around his arms and mark that porcelain skin of her slender neck, like he so wanted to.)

Approaching her, he casually snaked his arms around her petite waist, catching her by surprise since she seemed to have been engrossed in her own thoughts. But since she was starting to get uninhibited with him, too, she trailed her arms across his manly chest (making him feel all sorts of tingling sensations) and crossed them around his neck.

"Someone looks flawless," He said softly, looking deeply into her eyes. She smiled shyly, her face glowing.

"Why, thankyou," She replied. "Isn't the dress lovely? I wonder why Priyanka never wears them."

"You're lovely," Shivaay said, and Annika rolled her eyes, brushing off the compliment even as she swooned.

"But you know," Shivaay started, his face forming a frown as he looked her up and down, again, "I'd rather you wore this for me, privately. There are so many men in the house now, and I wouldn't want to them to- ouch!"

Annika knew he was going to get into one of his possessive rants, and had hit him on the arm before pushing him away.

"Shivaay please, stop being so narrow-minded. I'm only wearing this because it's the most comfortable thing I found in Priyanka's closet. And anyway, why should I wear it for you privately?" She asked, hands on hips in a haughty manner. Shivaay shrugged in an isn't-is-obvious manner.

"Well, I know you're quite naive in these things, but girlfriends do wear some clothes 'exclusively' for their boyfriends..." He trailed off, eyebrow raised suggestively. Annika gasped, outraged.

"First of all, I'm not going to do anything so cheapda!" She yelled. "And second of all," She narrowed her eyes, "How do you know girls wear some clothes exclusively for their boyfriends? Did any of your girlfriends do so for you?"

"I-what?"

Shivaay stood lost, wondering how she had managed to steer away the topic like that. Where had that come from?

"Um, no babe," He replied. "Nothing like that."

Annika let out a dramatic gasp, and pointed her index finger at him.

"You're lying! Your kanji aankhen say everything, and right now they show how guilty you are!"

Shivaay rolled his eyes.

Trust her to be so dramatic, he thought.

Seeing his nonchalance, Annika raged up even more. Moving closer to him again, she pulled him by the collars.

"Mr. baggad billa, tell me right now- have you ever made your girlfriends wear cheapdi clothes for you?"

There was this fire in her eyes, screaming possessiveness, and Shivaay had never felt so claimed before. Wrapping his arms around her waist again and pulling her closer, he nuzzled into her hair.

"I swear, babe. It's nothing like that. But I absolutely love it when you get so jealous."

Annika stared at him a few moments, suspiciously, as if gauging if he was telling the truth, before being satisfied and letting go of his collar.

"Whatever. I'm not jealous, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not spending my days with a cheapda. Anyway, I have to go now- lots of work."

As he watched her walk out, admiring her figure from behind, Shivaay ruffled his hair and thought to himself-

Just you wait, Annika. I'll be exactly like the cheapda you're talking about when we get to Bali.

**

Annika was busy looking at the decorating items for tomorrow, mouth twisted in concentration as she checked if everything from the list in her hand had arrived, when Daksh came up from behind.

"Hello, beautiful," He said, leaning in towards her but keeping a safe distance. Annika's frown was replaced by a smile.

"Hello to you too," She replied, before moving back to the task at hand.

"Need any help?" He asked, before adding- "I mean, as long as your boyfriend doesn't mind."

Annika rolled her eyes.

"Shivaay just overreacts. And you're his best friend, so you should know that better than me."

"Actually," Daksh started, "In my 15 years of being friends with him, I've never seen him so...possessive, you know? Like, I remember when his first girlfriend used to not-so-subtly flirt with other guys to make him jealous or get any sort of reaction out of him, Shivaay literally couldn't care any less!"

They both shared a laugh at that.

"No but seriously, Annika," Daksh continued, voice getting serious, "I feel like there's more to you guys than you're letting on. I don't mean to intrude in your personal lives but, is this all really a drama? Because it sure as hell doesn't seem like it."

As he said that, Annika's heart started beating faster, as any indication of her feelings for him being real usually did. She shook her head at him.

"It's nothing like that, Daksh. It's all just, you know, a drama." She felt a pang in her chest as she said that, but ignored it.

"Whatever you say," Daksh shrugged. "So tell me, what kind of guys do you like? Do you have a type? For example, a hot, charming and super sexy guy like me?"

Annika giggled at that, smacking his arm playfully. As he continued flirting and she laughed along, a pair of eyes observed them from a corner, killing with his hands some beautiful daisies kept in a vase.

**

Pacing in Om's studio as Om painted away, Shivaay muttered on furiously, hands moving in wild gestures.

"I just don't understand, why can't Daksh get the damned point? She's.My.Girlfriend. Mine! What more will it take for him to not flirt with her!"

As his brother expressed his frustration, Om smiled knowingly.

"You know, she's not actually your-"

"That's besides the point," Shivaay interrupted, decidedly. "For the world she is and-"

"For the world, Shivaay. And Daksh flirts with her behind closed doors, when no one's around. What's the problem in that? And I, for one, think they'd make a great pair."

The minute these words left Om's mouth, Shivaay stopped abruptly and glared at Om. If looks could kill, Om would have been murdered by the person who loved him the most in this world.

"What do you mean they would make a great pair?" Shivaay asked through gritted teeth. Om gave a fake sigh before dipping his brush in water and turning to look at Shivaay.

"I mean, think about it. They're both extroverts, good with people, charming and-"

"Okay stop, alright!" Shivaay all but yelled. "I'm all these things, too."

"Sure," Om snorted, and Shivaay narrowed his eyes.

"But you know what- opposites attract. So there you go- Annika and I are perfect for each other."

Om smiled at how oblivious his brother was about what he had just said.

"Um, Shivaay- this is literally what Dadi, Rudra and I have been telling you since day one. You and Annika are perfect for each other. So why don't you go and tell her that, and date her for real, Goddamit!"

As Shivaay realized the implication of what he had said, he fumbled with his words.

"What-no- I didn't mean-"

"Look, Shivaay," Om started, giving a deep, tired sigh that was genuine this time. "I'm honestly sick and tired of your stubbornness. Here's the thing- you either love Annika, or you don't. You either want her, or you don't. And the way you behave when it comes to her, I think the answer is pretty clear."

With that, Om got up from his stool and left the room, leaving behind a Shivaay who was entirely rooted in his place by the reality check he had just been given, heart beating wildly in his chest.