▪️The First Date ▪️

     Clothes. Never had I thought that I would be one of those girls worrying over what to wear to a date. But here I am wondering whether i should wear a red dress which says " Hey it's a  pretty big DEAL" or dress casual which says " I dont give a fuck about you ". Welcome to real life problems princess.

     Just as I was looking over the mess I made of my room I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in "

" Anika I wanted..OH MY GOD " It was my mom who is right now extremely shocked to see my room. Now here comes the annoyed face I thought but surprisingly she started laughing.
Laughing. What.

" Mom, are you okay ??" Was she high  or something, why was she laughing.

" Oh beta your room is so much better than mine was before my first date !!"
She said covering her face with her palms.

"First date ?? " my interest peeking suddenly.

" Yes with the prince of Ajmer. He was such a chivalrous man but damn he was boring  " she spoke while sifting through my dresses. I quickly stifled a laugh daring to come out at the sudden openness of my mother.

    " Wait isn't he the one who keeps talking non stop "

" Yes about.. "

" Good old times " we quoted together laughing. I looked at her smiling picking my dress like any mother would. Could I just freeze this moment?

She picked a pastel blue floral frock and handed it to me with a smile.

" Wear this, my daughter will  look beautiful tonight " she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

   I quietly nodded. Okay she had me. I was totally ready to burst into tears right now. You know that one thing you wish for all your life. In my case it was this. Her affection. Her attention.

" Uh.umm..And don't forget the meeting tomorrow morning with the Aryans. And it would be great if you did a background study before it. I don't want mistakes." She said covering it all up with a stern face.

     Here she comes Oueen Amaaya and there goes my mom inside the closet.
I still smiled and nodded, happy for at least one moment.

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     I slowly opened the door to the terrace expecting a table for 2 with roses, wine, fairy  lights and everything cliche but what I got was a  picnic mat spread out with a huge buffet of food and a extremely nervous Shivaay on the side. Hey at least I got the fairy lights right!

   " Hey " I said my voice seeming loud in the peace of the dark. Shivaay quickly looked up like a deer caught in headlights. And I kid you not he got  his smirk on in one second.

" Yeah Yeah gloat over it, I came "
I said trying to sound least interested.

" I will, my charms worked on the queen of ignorance atlast !! Bless my soul !!" Shivaay said sarcastically.

" Haha funny!!  anyways I came for the food who said anything about you " I said grinning at my own comeback.

" As I expected " shivaay said sighing.
He gestured towards the mat. Once we sat down I quickly took out the lids to check the food out.

" I would really appreciate if you checked me out as well along with MY food. I put efforts today. " shivaay said giving a tight smile.

" Oh sweetheart!! You look so handsome  " I said with the most sugary smile I could muster.

" Thanks you look quite pretty too " he said grinning at me.

" Okay now can we eat if we are done with the pleasantries " I said excitedly  rubbing my hands together.

" Yes I cant stop myself either !! It smells great doesn't it !!" He said proudly looking at all the food.

" Self obsessed oberoi " I said raising a eyebrow.

" Talkative Anika " He said doing the same. Damn he was good with the comebacks. Uff.

      I took a bite and Oh I was in heaven or food coma or whatever that is. This man could leave masterchefs behind. I couldn't help but moan at the taste.

" This is swo gwood " I said talking with my mouth full.

" Thyanks " he said talking with his mouth full too. We both started laughing at each other, looking at each others stuffed  cheeks.

       We both looked like people who suddenly got food after 10 years. No etiquette, no manners and eating was not a  formality for a change.

" Pass me the dessert please " I said after hogging the food with him.

" Uh there is a different plan for
dessert "

" And that is ?!!"

" Nutella ?!" He asked raising a jar of nutella in his hand.

" Man !!!!  you have come fully prepared with my weaknesses haven't you smarty pants " I said exaggerating my shocked face.

" That I have !!" He said with a smirk.

     We  moved to sit on the edge of the terrace with out legs dangling in the air and a jar of nutella amidst us.
The night was now darker and stars shone brighter than before. This totally looked like a scene from a movie. But it felt so damn real. And right.

" Hey before we start can I just say..uhm..I am sorry..like really sorry.
I overreacted that night. I was a hypocrite. " He said looking away from me.

" That you were " that earned me a laugh from him. I never knew he had such cute dimples before. They appear only when he laughs like really  suddenly.

" But hey I am sorry too I went a bit overboard with everything "

" A bit ??" He asked with disbelief.

" Fine a lot . But I couldn't help it. I am used to doing everything on instinct "

" And that's what best in you, you are fearless anika, you follow your heart  and you protect your kin like a shield. "

" Like you protect? " I said looking him in the eye.

" Kinda yeah but I cant do anything unplanned on instinct  like you. I like everything pre planned and on time. "

"Everything by the rules  you mean" I said.

" Yes !!  I know you cant expect everyone to abide by your plans. But it's just who I am. I get irritated and annoyed if things don't go the way I want. Probably that's why no girl ever lasts with me"

" Hey why do you say that ?"

" Because no one managed to handle this version of myself. Everyone had enough after a time . No one wants a man who gets annoyed by a little change of dinner time "
He sighed heavily. 

" Trust me I know how you feel. Like no one fully accepts who you are.  No guy wants a wild girl with anger issues either. "

" Seems like you speak from experience " he said looking curiously at me with big pea eyes.

" Experience. He said said this exact sentence on my face " I said gazing at the lighted city below.

" Well no offense but he sounds like a jerk " He said.

"  He was but we were blind in love and then we grew up " i said as he started laughing.

" Ah to be young and in love " he quoted mischievously.

" By the way was this bad ex the reason you wanted to shoo me away initially  ?? " He questioned playing with his fingers.

" Ohh nooo !! That was all you !! I thought you were a jerk after our first meeting.  " I said laughing.

" Oh I remember!! And I really hope I changed your mind " he said charmingly.

" If someone manages to make my anger and hunger both dissolve to dust then how can I resist " I said flirting casually.

" Glad to have someone who accepts my bribes of food as an apology " he said winking at me. This guy was so cute. Even when he didn't try.

" Hey dont forget the guest of honor the nutella !!"  I said opening the jar and dipping my fingers in it.

" ANIKA !! Gross what are you doing ?? I have spoons right here !!"

" Seriously shut it Shivaay!! Stop cribbing like a girl who just got her hands manicured. Has no one taught you how to eat nutella. Watch me. "
I dipped my fingers in that gooey chocolate and then  licked it off my fingers. All the time watching Shivaay squirm.

" DO it !!! Common Shivaay take off the seatbelt " I cheered.

   Shivaay hesitantly dipped one finger in the jar and took it slowly towards his mouth.

" Let's do it together ??" He asked.

So I dipped my fingers in it too and on the count of three we said
" CHEERS"
and clinked  our chocolatey fingers together like wine glasses  and licked them clean.

" You know me and papa used to come here hiding from mom, often to secretly eat chocolate just like this and dance all night. " I said tugging my lips up.

" I think that is beautiful "

" He was a  beautiful man and an amazing father "

" I bet he was. I heard he was a brave soul "

" He was. You know he used to whisper every morning in my ear
"Seize the day warrior."
He taught me to be brave" I grinned remembering my good old father.

    Shivaay smiled catching my hand and interlacing our fingers.
" By the way I am nowhere close to him but I am a decent dancer. So princess anika may I have this dance with you ?"

"Yes "

    Note to myself - A guy sitting in front of me right now  with chocolate all over his mouth, grinning like a Cheshire cat with cute dimples has just broken down my guard.

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Hey guys !! Hope you liked this shivika filled chapter !! Also who loved Amaaya and anikas bonding scene  do tell !!
I'll try to keep updating but no promises, sorry.
Thank you,
Kamakshi❤