Chapter 4 : Bonding

Omkara rushed down the lobby of the hotel towards the in house restaurant where the meeting was arranged. He adjusted the collar of his shirt before stepping into the restaurant.

He looked around and was surprised to find his assistant seated on one of the tables. He stormed towards her, “What on earth are you doing here?”

“Being the back up as usual,” she replied calmly and then smiled looking up at him. “I wasn’t expecting you to make it quite honestly.”

“At that, I am canceling your next bonus.” Omkara muttered looking around.

“There’s still half an hour more for the meeting to start!” She replied answering his unasked question. “Just enough time for you to eat!”

Omkara pulled a chair and sat on it, all the while his eyes focused on Zoya. The woman has started understanding him so well, that it scared him. He looked away silently, contemplating ways to push her away.

His attention was drawn back to her when her fingers reached the ends of his sleeves to do the buttons that he had left undone in his hurry. He pulled away his hands, rolling up the sleeve of his shirt. “I don’t want you to be here for the meeting. You can leave.”

Zoya sighed. “You’re doing it again.” She said softly.

“Doing what?” Omkara snapped.

“Being rude to me. You said you won’t repeat it, the last time. Look, Mr. Omkara Oberoi, I understand you have issues in your personal life. But don’t bring your messed up self into your professional life, please.” Saying that she got up.

“Sorry!” Omkara muttered. “Please…sit.”

Zoya quietly sat and started working on her laptop.

Omkara was glad that she ignored him. Because he didn’t want to talk to anyone. He was just so tired of everything. He was tired of his life now. What next? Would he always stay in this cycle of rinse and repeat? He looked up at Zoya who was totally engrossed reading something on the screen. She didn’t deserve to be treated the way he treated her.

---

Anika was very self-conscious as she made her way to the dining table. Firstly, the tunic was sleeveless and short. Secondly, she had paired it with a pair of jeggings that appeared like second skin. Shivaay looked up at her as she pulled the chair beside his. Anika passed him a smile making herself comfortable on the chair. Her eyes glanced on his forearm on the table. She remembered Gauri’s so-called golden rule, “Touch-Caress-Kiss-Smile and look him in the eye” She mentally discarded the rule helping herself to the breakfast laid out on the table.

He turned to Gauri who asked him if he slept well.

“Of course, I slept well.” He said. Gauri couldn’t sense the sarcasm in there very effortlessly.

“Obviously,” Gauri muttered under her breath, but loud enough only for him to hear, giving him a teasing smile. Shivaay simply looked at his plate. How were she and Anika even friends? Anika was nothing like Gauri. Anika was shy and reserved when it came to a few things while Gauri was unapologetically cheeky!

“Jiju is taking us out today…” he heard Gauri answer to Pinky. When did that happen? He turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

“Anika is ready so am I. Rudra said he has college!”

Shivaay turned to Rudra, “you’re going to college on a Saturday?”

“Yeah, we have classes on alternate Saturdays!” Rudra answered stuffing the toast into his mouth while Shivaay’s gaze lingered on him suspiciously. He raised a brow questioning him in silence, Rudra simply shrugged his shoulders putting up a face that said -nothing-.

Anika didn’t want to go out but Gauri forced her too. Gauri took the back seat while Anika sat in front. Shivaay was taking a driver along but Gauri chided him asking him to drive. Shivaay had to agree not wanting to pick a tiff with his wife’s best friend.

“Gauri, don’t tell me we’re shopping?” Anika scowled at Gauri with narrowed eyes, as the two of them walked in.

“You need lingerie!”

“Have you lost it?” Anika whispered, looking at her in disbelief.

“No. You seriously need some,” Before Gauri could say anything more Shivaay appeared after parking the car. He never did shopping malls but well, there was lot of things he didn’t do until Anika came into his life.

“What happened?” He asked when the two women just stared at him.

“We were deciding which way to go,” Gauri covered up with a smile.

Shivaay looked around, “Do you guys want to shop?”

“You know I hate shopping!” Anika muttered, “Gauri wants to perhaps!” She added giving Gauri a pointed look.

“Yeah, why not!” Gauri replied sparing a glance Anika’s way.

They started walking around. Gauri walked slightly faster so she was ahead of them. She pretended to be engrossed checking out the stores, she was smart enough.

“Love birds! This way.” Gauri called out ahead of them as she walked around the corner.

Anika bit her lip looking embarrassed. He still didn’t let go of her hand. They followed Gauri’s trail that led them to the Popular Scary House.

“No!” Shivaay muttered.

Anika looked on surprised, “Come on it’s super fun.”

“You girls carry on, that place makes me sick. It stinks in there.”

“Jiju, come on, don’t be a buzz kill!” Gauri spoke dragging Shivaay towards the ticket counter by the arm.

“Gauri, no!”

“Anika, you didn’t tell me Jiju was a scared goose.”

Anika gaped at Gauri’s choice of words.

“Shut up, Gauri. Anika you didn’t tell me she was such an annoying woman!” Shivaay gave back. Anika was impressed at their colorful bonding.

“Guys, we are in public place.” Anika intervened, she then turned to Shivaay, “please come it will be fun.” His eyes met hers and he nodded.

Gauri gaped at him. “Jeez, Jiju should have just told me to tell Anika to invite you!” Gauri rolled her eyes walking to the ticket counter.

“Jiju, I need cash!” She spoke breaking the exchange of smiles between the couple.

“She’s a freaking Tsunami!” He murmured to Anika before stepping forward with his debit card.

Gauri smiled, instead of taking the card she left him in the line to buy the tickets walking back to Anika.

“That’s rude!” Anika scoffed.

Gauri grinned. “Come on, this is so much fun. Blushy, don’t always take his side!”

“Don’t call me that!” Anika whisper-yelled.

“Call you what?” Shivaay asked standing before them flashing the tickets in front of Gauri.

“Blushy, that’s the new name I gave Anika. Because every time things come to you, she goes all…”

“Shut up, Gauri, Let’s go the next batch is going in!” Anika cut Gauri off placing her hands on her shoulder’s pushing her towards the entrance of the Scary House.

Shivaay chuckled following them, “I like the name, Gauri!” He vocalized his opinion, standing behind Anika.

“I told her so!” Gauri replied only to receive a pat from Anika.

“I think I should call you Blushy too!” He spoke softly putting his head forward such that it was near her ears.

Anika blushed.

“Jiju, tickets!” Gauri exclaimed breaking their moment yet again. Gauri had to admit playing the spoiler was much more fun than playing some stupid cupid.

“God, she’s such a ..!” Shivaay muttered passing the tickets to her.

“Blushy, better be careful, because I think Jiju might take advantage of the dark inside.” Gauri said loud enough for Shivaay to hear.

“Sweetie, you totally read my mind.” Shivaay gave a fitting reply to Gauri with a smirk.

Gauri made a face walking in.

Anika was now in a fix. Where was she stuck? Of course, literally between a tsunami and husband!

She felt his hands on her waist as he stepped inside behind her. She quickly peeled it off and held it in her hand as the door shut behind them with a thud.

“Damn, I can barely see!” Shivaay said aloud.

A menacing laughter echoed literally creeping out Shivaay. He shifted closer to Anika. “Shut up, Gauri!” he heard Anika scold and understood it was Gauri scaring him.

“Damn, I didn’t know you were a part-time witch, Gauri!” He taunted. Stupid lady actually got him jump out of his skin.

“Jiju, definitely got scared.” Gauri remarked as they made their way deeper into the darkness, towards a faint source of light.

“Shut up, Gauri, or a ghost may gobble you up!” Shivaay rebuked.

Anika giggled, feeling Shivaay’s sweaty palm clasp hers. He definitely didn’t do well with horror. She walked slowly so that he could keep up with her.

“Be careful guys there are steps here!” Gauri warned as she led the way climbing down.

The next thing they heard was Gauri’s frightened scream. “Leave me!”

“Shit!” Shivaay muttered.

“Gauri, you okay?” Anika shouted concerned.

“Freaking short ghost!” Gauri cursed walking ahead.

“Anika, be careful.” Shivaay muttered walking ahead. She nodded.

It was Shivaay’s squeal that filled the air next, when the same short ghost appeared from nowhere grasping his foot. He tried to kick wrapping his arms around Anika. “Fu*k!” He muttered as the ghost disappeared. “This is such a crazy place.”

“I can’t believe you got scared, despite my warning!” Gauri said aloud, hearing his curses.

“Not scared just taken aback!” Shivaay argued pulling his hands away from around Anika. Even in the dark he was so remotely aware of the tension between their bodies. If sexual tension could kill, he was long dead.

“Where’s Anika?” Gauri asked aloud. “Anni?”

“She’s here!” Shivaay answered before Anika could.

“Can’t keep your hands off her huh?” Gauri teased not caring if there were other people before and after them.

“Shut up, Gauri!” Anika mumbled feeling Shivaay’s hand around her as he led her forward.

“Jeez, ewww,” Gauri exclaimed as something like a snake fell on her.

“What is it?” She heard a desperate Shivaay’s voice, and smirked.

“Find out for yourself Jiju!” She announced, hearing him mumble something.

---

Shivaay ran a hand through his hair. “That place is so stupid. Random costumed people trying to grab you and throwing things at you.”

Gauri giggled munching on the popcorn. “Poor you, Jiju, I didn’t know you got scared so easily.

“I wasn’t scared.” Shivaay argued, scoffing.

“Of course, I am totally buying that.” Gauri laughed.

“Shut up now! What’s next?” Shivaay said totally not appreciating how Gauri could easily rile him up.

“Shopping! Remember we need to buy stuff.” Gauri turned to her with watchful eyes.

“You need to buy.” Anika quickly replied looking at her in the eyes.

“What exactly?” Shivaay asked glancing at his phone, he had meeting scheduled in the evening, so he needed to get to the office after lunch.

“Just clothes!” Anika said before Gauri could answer. “let’s walk this way.” She hurried holding Gauri’s hands. “please, no!” she whispered to Gauri.

“Oh yes!” Gauri whispered back, turning to shout, “Jiju, don’t get lost!”

“Gauri, you need to tone that down.” Anika said seriously. Gauri’s teases for Shivaay were endearing but only to a limit. She didn’t want Shivaay to feel bad.

“Anni, he doesn’t mind it.” Gauri said rather surprised that Anika was the one to object.

“She’s right!” Shivaay spoke catching up with Anika putting an arm behind Anika only to give Gauri’s head a pat. “She is just filling in for my non-existent annoying sister.”

Gauri grinned, “Trying to take me on your team, Jiju? It’s not working though..”

Shivaay’s lips formed into an amused grin. He quickly took long strides and was now beside Gauri, with Gauri in between him and Anika. “The idea seems nice,”

“Shivaay, Gauri!” Anika mumbled surprised as Shivaay put an arm around Gauri’s shoulder.

“Blushy, give us a moment please.” Gauri said amused.

“Our team would be really good!” Shivaay said softly into her ears with a grin.

“okay, I am going home…” Anika played her card.

“Uhh, Sorry Jiju, Fatty comes first.” Gauri said apologetically holding Anika by her arm.

“I am not fat!” Anika repeated the fact.

“Yeah, she’s definitely not fat.” Shivaay seconded.

“Once upon a time she was.” Gauri informed him.

“Really?” Shivaay turned to Anika to confirm.

“I was just slightly healthy!” Anika uttered softly looking away.

“She means fat!” Gauri pointed, “By the way Anika, there is the store we were looking for!” Shivaay glanced ahead to see a lingerie store. He arched a brow interestingly.

He quickly pulled his phone out. “You two carry on..I have a call to make.”

“Come on Jiju, you won’t help,” Anika efficiently covered Gauri’s mouth with her palm, letting her words go muffled.

“We’ll see you in a bit.” Anika informed Shivaay not peeling her hand off Gauri’s mouth while her husband looked on amused.

He took out his shopping card and handed it to Anika. “Use this!” Anika did not fuss and simply took it, her priority was dragging Gauri away before she said more things to embarrass her.

“Gauri, like seriously what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing is wrong with me. It’s you Anni. Stop being so fake around him. He’s your husband.” Gauri said as they entered the shop.

“I am not fake around him.” Anika snapped.

“But, well, you aren’t yourself either.” Gauri gave back looking around the store. “By the way he’s pretty generous!” Gauri spoke taking the debit card from her hand. “Let’s use this!” She winked.

Anika shook her head smiling. Gauri’s words resonated in her head. Wasn’t she right? Lately she herself didn’t feel comfortable in her skin. She was just trying to fit in all the roles she got after marriage. But losing herself in the process. But it didn’t feel wrong. It felt nice to do things to fit well.

“She’s newly married, so you know what to show us!” Gauri told to the girl behind the counter, and a grin appeared on her face. Anika ran her palm over her face exasperated. Shivaay was right, Gauri literally was tsunami!

“Size?” The girl asked.

Gauri cocked her head in Anika’s direction.

“Thirty-four.” Anika answered in a clipped tone knowing pretty well that it was futile to dissuade Gauri.

---

The two of them joined Shivaay after almost fifty minutes. He was seated in the food court at the fifth floor of the mall, engrossed scrolling on his phone.

“Hey, Jiju!” Gauri greeted placing the two shopping bags on the chair. Anika placed another. Shivaay tried not to show his surprise on the amount of shopping the ladies had done from that one particular store.

“I have a meeting at five, and a presentation before that, so I have to leave after lunch. I have summoned the driver, the two of you can shop around and leave as you please.” He informed looking at Anika. She nodded, turning to Gauri.

They ordered burgers while Shivaay ordered a salad. Anika excused herself to get some water. Gauri’s eyes were stuck on Shivaay whose eyes didn’t leave Anika.

“Tone that gaze down Jiju, she’s your wife!” Shivaay choked on his salad being caught red handed by Gauri.

“I wasn’t,” He tried to brush it off.

“Of course not, I have buttons, not eyes!” Gauri smiled cheekily.

Anika returned and Shivaay simply passed her a smile glancing at Gauri who looked on very amused. She was such a devil!

---

“Hey!” Shivaay greeted Anika, to find even Gauri was in his room seated with Anika on his bed.

“Hey Jiju! You’re back!” Gauri greeted back.

“Hi!” Anika smiled looking his way.

“Guess my time to walk out!” Gauri muttered walking past Shivaay. She turned mouthing ‘KISS’ and Anika froze staring at her. Gauri quickly shut the door and sauntered out smiling.

---

“So, have you guys decided where you will go for a honeymoon?” Gauri asked turning to them at the dinner table. The two of them looked at her astounded.

“Not yet?” She quizzed.

Anika glared at Gauri knowing exactly what Gauri was trying to do. “I just joined work, and Shivaay has work commitments too.”

“Yeah!” Shivaay shook his head in agreement.

“Come on, you guys can at least pull a three-day getaway, right Aunty?” Gauri suggested, hoping Pinky would take charge of the matter from there.

“Yeah,” Pinky said thoughtfully looking at Anika and then Shivaay. “You both can take a small trip, as it is themarriage had happened in a rush, and then Shivaay’s business travel. You both should at least take a break.”

“I agree” Shakti muttered when he felt Pinky’s kick on his leg under the table.

“Shivaay book the tickets for next weekend…”

“Mom, I really…”

“No one is asking your opinion. You left for business travel soon after the wedding, the least you can do to make up for it, is, take Anika on a weekend trip.”

“Yaah, Bhaiya, it’s not an exam that you have to take it’s a freaking honeymoon.” Rudra smirked with mischievous eyes and Gauri giggled.

“Shut up, Rudra. Focus on your food… I won’t let you go before eating the bottle gourd gravy..” Pinky shut up Rudra who made a face.

“It’s fine. I think..” Anika began.

“I will book the tickets!” Shivaay cut her off. She snapped her head in his direction and he shrugged with a smile playing on the corner of his lips.

Anika simply focused her attention on the food. Gauri smiled, observing how the two of them exchanged glances. Being in love was definitely a beautiful feeling.