Next morning, everyone were sitting in the backyard waiting to have their breakfast. Shivaay and Annika were making breakfast. Though Shivaay protested and asked her to rest but she being stubborn, didn't listened him.

"Guys can you notice what I am seeing?", Arnav asked as all looked at the kitchen inside from glass window.

Both Shivaay and Annika were cooking together. More than cooking, Shivaay was helping Annika infact not letting her do much work.

"Exactly! I have never seen bhaiya so protective towards someone in such a small span", Rudra said shocked.

"When I tried talking about it to him, he said he's just being like a friend should be!", Om said as all looked at the said subjects.

"Humare liye toh kabhi itna protective nahi hua", Malika said rolling eyes, "all are excuses of his. He just can't except or haven't realise that he feel something for Annika", she said and looked at others.

"Actually from both sides Mal. Annika is a reserved girl, she's contacts with everyone but comfort only with some and this soon with someone, it's surprising", Gauri said.

"Let's see when they realise", Bhavya said to which all nodded.

While in the kitchen, Annika was sitting on the kitchen island munching some nuts whereas he was flipping the pancakes.

"Shivaay! You remember you said we should go for an outing today?", she said to which he hummed.

"I was thinking. How about camping for a day? We're in jungle too. It would be so fun", she said excitedly keeping the bowl of nuts away.

"Well that's a really good and adventurous idea, it would be great activity too", he said serving pancakes in plate. She jumped down from slab and started helping him in serving.

"Right! So let's talk to everyone about this during breakfast! Omg! After so many days I will be doing camping!", she said excitedly taking the tray of coffee, fruits and syrups out at backyard. He chuckled and went behind her taking the plate of pancakes.

|••|

The weather was warm. Sun was brighting brightly making the environment beautiful for cold month. Everyone was having their breakfast laughing, teasing and talking with each other. Though everyone was busy, their eyes were on Shivaay and Annika who were having some talks through eyes.

"Ahem", Shivaay cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention, "guys me and Annika were thinking something. Since we've three days and only two photoshoots from this location is left, how about all of us having camping today?", he said and then looked at Annika who smiled nodding.

"That would be really great Shivaay. Also the weather is supportive", Malika said and eventually all agreed for the camping.

"Yay! That would be really run. Rudy, we'll pack the bags with essential things together", Annika said to which Rudra nodded grinning with a thumbs up. Shivaay smiled seeing this.

After the breakfast, everyone left to prepare everything for camping. They'll be leaving in an hour. He was happy that Annika's mind distracted from last night and she's back to being the chirpy herself she is.

"Shivaay..", Arnav called to which Shivaay hummed packing some stuffs.

"You don't like mixing professional time with personal. You're ready for a camping in your photoshoot schedule?", Arnav asked leaning to the wall of door.

"What you wanna say Arnav? Say clearly", Shivaay asked looking up.

"What I wanna say is, why sudden change in you. I remember when Rudy wanted to roam around Paris during the photoshoot you clearly said that we're there for work not holiday", Arnav said.

"First of all, Rudy has stayed in Paris for 6 months. He has seen everything still he was willing to stay even after knowing that we had fashion show after 4 days where he was our main male model, that's why I refused. Secondly, changes? Well maybe little changes are there. I just want to make Annika feel better. I want her to take a good memory from here, not a horrifying memory", Shivaay said.

"You're having soft feelings for her, buddy", Arnav said having a small yet happy smile on his face.

"Idk. I can't say the proper feelings I have for her. I can't even say they're permanent or temporary but all I can say is, I feel protection, care towards her. I like when she smiles, when she talks happily. I like seeing her happy", he said shrugging.

"You know I have seen a concealed voidness in her eyes which she has hidden behind the spark and smile for her loved ones. When she hugged me yesterday, I felt as if she was trying to tell herself that she's not alone, she was clutching me tightly Arnav. She was trying to find peace. When she hugged Gauri and Bhavya, it was like as if her life depends on them. I just want to know her well, to be her friend. If she finds peace with me, I want to give her that. If I can bring smile on her face, I am really to make her happy", Shivaay said standing near the balcony.

He smiled lightly seeing Annika giggling keeping things along with Bhavya and Rudra who were having their usual fights.

"I hope you get clear about your feelings for her Shivaay. She's really a wonderful girl", Arnav said keeping hand on his shoulder.

"I know. She's just amazing. Anyways, let's go, else we'll get late", he said to which Arnav nodded and went downstairs. Shivaay was also descending down when his phone started ringing. He took the call.

|••|

The group was ready to go for camping. It was decided that two cars will go to the site. Girls with help of Om and Rudra arranged and placed everything in the car.

"Where did this bhaiya? We'll get late for camping na", Rudra said tucking his sunglasses to the shirt. Girls chuckled seeing him getting impatient.

"Bhaiya has several works unlike you Rudy", Bhavya said teasingly.

"Oh hello! I am here to model along with didi. It's a very tough work, Bhavya!", he said breaking her name at last to annoy her.

"Take my name properly", she argued.

"Then think next time before saying that I don't have work", he argued back. Malika and Bhavya started stopping their fight as it started getting heat up.

"It's their usual. One day, they can't survive without fighting with each other", Arnav said standing beside Annika who chuckled.

"They're cute! He loves irritating her I can see", she said looking at the two who were glaring at each other.

"Don't even ask! Sometimes the fight get physical in pulling hair or scratching each other", he said making Annika's eyes widen to which he nodded. Both of them stifle their laugh.

"Where's Shivaay?", she asked looking around.

"He is coming, must have got some call", he said to which she nodded when they saw Shivaay coming.

"Thank god you came Shivaay. These tom and jerry would have killed each other", Om said to which others chuckled while Rudra and Bhavya turned their faces other sides. Shivaay walked towards Annika with a serious face making everyone quiet.

"Something happened Shivaay?", she asked as he came in front of her.

"ACP is coming to take your statement Annika. Regarding last night", he said looking in her eyes making her smile fade away. She looked down.

"I..I don't want to recall all of that Shivaay. You know...", her voice started breaking when he held her hands in his hands.

"I know. I understand but we need to do justice right, Annika? He should get punished for what he did right? It will be possible if you give your statement. I promise you won't have to think or face about it ever again after today", he said softly making her look at him.

"I promise I will be there when they'll be taking your statement, hmm?", he asked bending his face a bit to look at hers. She nodded lightly. He took her in a side hug caressing her shoulder lightly.

"They'll be here in 15 minutes guys. After that we'll leave", he said to which other agreed.

"Anu! Don't be scared. He should rot in jail for what he did with you. We're with you", Gauri said to which all agreed making her smile lightly.

"I want it bigger but it's okay, after giving statement", he whispered referring to her smile to which she nodded.

After 15 minutes, ACP came and took Annika's statement regarding Daksh's attempt to molestation and forcing. As Shivaay promised, he was standing beside her all the time. In fact, everyone were in the room to boost her confidence.

"Okay Mr. Oberoi. As Ms. D'souza has given her statement now, our case will be stronger now. I can assure you for his long imprisonment", ACP said to which Shivaay nodded.

"Also one thing ACP! Release the case in media. But in such way that Daksh Khurana's career spoils completely. I hope you understood what I meant", Shivaay said making Annika look at him shocked.

"I will take care of it Mr. Oberoi", ACP said and went from there shaking hands with Shivaay.

"Shivaay.. Why are you destroying his career! What if..", she shuttered and looked at him who was looking at her anticipated.

"What if what, Annika?", he asked softly.

"He create some problems in your life in future. Maybe he harm you. He's very dangerous Shivaay", she said softly. He chuckled lightly with a smile seeing her worrying about him.

"Well you don't know how harmful and dangerous I am, Annika. He won't be able to even touch my shadow and about you, he won't even think about it", he said. She looked at him with slight open mouth and eyes blinking.

"Exactly Annika. You don't worry about it. Shivaay will handle and about Shivaay, we three will handle", Arnav said and looked at Om and Rudra who nodded with smirk.

She understood one thing that the new boys in her life are way dangerous and powerful than she's seen till date. Specially her dear friend.

"Guys! Shall we leave now? It's 10 already", Malika said to which all nodded. Boys went ahead while girls came behind cheering up Annika.

"What is it guys? Things on the seat! Where will you sit? On my head?", Shivaay said frustrated looking at the camping items in his backseat.

"Bhaiya space would be less on your head", Rudra said biting his inner cheek making Shivaay give him a look.

"Shut up Rudy! It's already late", he said.

"Chill Shivaay. The other car is anyways 6-seater. We'll manage. You've passenger seat right, you and Annika leave in this car", Arnav said with a mischievous smile making Shivaay roll eyes knowing their intention.

"Fine! Annika, come", he said getting to the driving seat. Annika nodded getting in the car. Shivaay looked from the outer rear mirror everyone jumping excitedly him shake his head.

"Everyone has gone crazy", he muttered igniting the engine making her turn at him.

"Sorry! You said something?", she asked confused to which he shook head sighing.

"Nothing. Shall we leave?", he asked to which she nodded wearing her seatbelt. They left for the camping area near the lake.

|••|

The journey to lake was silent. Annika was hearing some soft music from the radio letting the breeze from outside hit her face and let her hair flow. He was humming the tune of the music. Just then closer started playing on the radio.

"This is my favourite", they said in unison and looked at each other in shock.

"One more similarity!", she said giggling to which he chuckled. Both started singing the song in chorus in high pitch and different tones.

"That was crazy!", he said once song ended making her giggle.

"That was fun! I sung so openly after so many days", she said sighing with a smile.

"Of course a crazy like you would love crazy stuffs!", he said making her narrow eyes but leaned to the door when her eyes went on his appearance.

He was wearing a simple white shirt with beige pants under it. The upper buttons of his shirt was open giving peep look of his toned body. His hair was messy unlike his always perfectly settled hair. He was looking ravishingly handsome.

"Take a picture baby, it will last long", she heard his voice making her come out of her checking out session. She saw him smirking at her making her mentally slap herself for getting caught.

"What??", she asked seeing his mischievous smile.

"What, what? Done checking me out?", he asked wriggling his eyebrows.

"Me? Checking you out? Huh..in your dreams!", she said rolling her eyes and sat straight.

"Annika I know I am really handsome that taking off eyes from me is tough. You don't have to cover up", he teased her looking ahead making her frown.

"Excuse me! I was not checking out or something. I was just...surprised seeing you in these clothes. I mean, Rudy said you never wear casuals except at your home", she said. She was actually surprised seeing him like that.

"Oh! I just felt like wearing casuals. It would be comfortable in camping. And secondly, I need to match with the beauty of the woman beside me right", he said grinning and looked at her making her look at him surprised.

"Is Mr. Oberoi trying to flirt with me?", she asked surprised.

"Is it working?", he asked back leaning to her side with a wink making her giggle and nod her head along.

"Definitely", she said and both laughed.

"Accha Shivaay, something is eating up my curious mind", she said to which he nodded humming, concentrated on road.

"Honour me in helping to stop it", he said making her chuckle.

"You're successful, rich, admittedly handsome and have good flirting skills also I see", she said to which he nodded.

"I know I know", he said taking the turn.

"Then how come you're still single? I mean rumours keeps spreading about you joining with many models and actresses but I know they're fake as I get to hear fake rumours about me. But you're single. Why? In fact Rudy said you never had any girlfriend till date", she asked curiously. He chuckled.

"Well let's say many reasons are there behind it", he said with a soft smile.

"Okay, I am counting. Tell?", she said and looked at her fingers to count.

"First, I never saw a girl who matches my thoughts about my girl", he said making her nod and counted one on fingers.

"Second, I want a girl for me. Not my surname or bank account. She should be more interested in me than these two", he said and looked at her who nodded counting two.

"Third and most important, I don't believe in flings, one night stands and casual dating personally. I want to be exclusive for someone and want her to be only for me, that's my thoughts. I want her to such that I can confidently show her to my family as my girl or ask her family, her hand without any second thoughts", he said making her look at him with an adoring smile.

"You're really different Shivaay! I thought you're a gentleman but you're a man like a man should be", she said bringing a small smile on his face.

"Why are you single till now?", he asked and looked at her.

"I was really busy in career, I always wanted to get successful and reach heights in my career first then think about these things. Secondly, you can say even I don't want casual dating. I want to fall in love", she said with a wide smile making him smile.

"Hopefully you'll get one, Annika", he said softly.

"You too Shivaay. In fact let's search partners for each other. That would be so great", he said to which he chuckled and looked ahead without saying anything.

"Maybe I am finding one...", he mutter to himself.

|••|

Thank you for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views! They means a lot to me♥️

Hope you liked the update. Do tell me how it was😁

Precap: confused feelings

Love,
K♥️