Like an adamant child Shivaay was still inside his room, whatever was happening between them was nothing new! Annika stood there bitting her cheeks insides to control her laugh, making him pissed more would be the last thing she'll do now. Still Controlling her upbeating heart, which was on her mouth because of excitement ,she knocked at the door, she heard another glass breaking, she smiled cheekily, " Are you counting?" She paused, for a moment there was a complete silence as if chaos got stilled by some magic wand, soon another glass martyred in heat of anger, compelling her to close her eyes in reflex, " What kind of immaturity is this, Shivaay? You qlso know that this is unchangeable for me. How many times do I have to tell you this?Also, infinite times I told you don't break things like that they are antics for god sake Shivaay!" Her voice was calm, heart was still excited about all the stuff happening. She paused for his reply and after a silent pause he said finally. His First word after Annika's arrival from USA. " I so wanted to come na Annika! I wanted to be the first person to see you! We could have spent those entire 15minutes alone! and we could have talked more." He complained like a child.
Annika's smile reached her eyes, with relief that he talked, and finally, his throwing sessions are ended she said " I know, but we can talk here too, I also know that you've taken off today. What difference it can make? " Annika argued. "Okay,! Now, will you come out or want to do more of this drama? Like seriously! You behave like a girlfriend who is fighting with her boyfriend! Shivaay you're the youngest businessman of the year,for god sake! Does it suit you to behave like this? Locked up inside just because I refused you to pick me up from airport? And in your stupidity you've wasted entire morning, sulking." Annika patted her head in displease.
"This is childish for you? Yeah... you're the only mature one here, you mean to say Right?" Shivaay complained, " But I really wanted to come yaar!" He said in a low voice.
"Acha baba okay, come ...lets have breakfast, I am starving and need ghar ka khana badly, please stop your nakhre noor jahan ke and come please!" Annika demanded, While he is being too stubborn didn't opened the door. " Dont use your wiered language,I am angry ani! Not an apology at least I am expecting a few mending words from your side?" He said, Annika can't see him but she knew he must be pouting like a cute little boy, he always Does when he has demands of this sorts. Can anyone believe? The world know him as beast in business world, ruthless, insensitive and heartless man, is actually a child inside. His behavior is drastically different from what he is in front of world. Only unchanged thing is his dedication, his love is infinite so is his hatred for those who harms his family.These small innocent moments, he lives for it, his love and care increases because of these bonds.

"Why would I, you know this, I never allow anyone from family to drop or pick me from airport, so what's new today! Don't become a cringing housewife now, Enough of your drama, I said I am starving, you want me to eat without you? Because now I am not gonna stay here for long." Annika said annoyed, well falsely annoyed. From Otherside there was no answer, Annika was disappointed, maybe she should apologize but she thought otherwise and instead of an apology she got a brilliant idea to piss Shivaay more. She opened her mobile and gallery, selfie which she was part of, a tall handsome blue eyed white man was kissing her, the backdrop looked like a disc, and Annika looked too smashed hee eyes told how drunk she was, it was a farewell party which New York based company put up for Annika. That day she was too drunk to call Shivaay, later call ended on heated discussion, she hanged the conversation in between which irked Shivaay, the topic was due for the discussion, Annika found perfect moment to do it. She touched the send option, she wrote- the answer to my desert. And cupped her mouth to stop her laugh fits, her stomach ache, excitement was heaping with every second. She knew, what kind reaction she'll get! This will definitely work in favor she thought.
As expected Shivaay's rooms door opened with a click, he stood there stunned, his eyes popped, ears hot with blood rushing through, he was dumbfounded, one of his hand was holding his mobile phone, showing Annika's picture in screen, other was in the air gesturing 'are you freaking serious?'
"Ani......did you just....oh my god! No.....no way I don't think!I mean did you just .. damn! finally your fantasy...I can't believe it? Okay okay...tell.me all.about it? That was the reason you avoided me that day?." He looked at her again in disbelief. Annika was smiling looking at his surprised expressions. She stood there with an awe face. Can this stupid oberoi cut the crap and look at the reality that she is back. He continued.
"Ani.....swear on me...did you.....I...I...mean you lost your V -card?" Shivaay was holding her from shoulder and looked deep into her eyes. It was her fantasy to loose her virginity to a white man. She is an old school, giving everything to the one she loves, even if she dated few boys in her early life she was single for few years now, it's really hard to match up to her expectations; being perfect herself, there were few who dared to approach her and on top of that Shivaay and his brothers are too protective to let any random guy roam around her. Even Her brekaup use to be quite boring, everyone has only one thing to say, ' I think Shivaay and you should get together', with lots of disappointment in her dating life, she use to fantasise about loosing her V card to a perfect white man. It was obvious she send that picture to him, caption told the rest of the story. He remembers how she use to call her sex life a desert. Shivaay know everything about her like she knows about him. When he didn't get any response form her then he stared at her closely, her eye were conveying mischief, those brown almond shaped eyes, were moist and he felt her strong body over him, she hugged him hard, arms around his abdomen, head on his chest, she likes to hug him like that, she craves protection from him. Can he refuse her warmth? Not even in his dreams, he reciprocated finally they can see and touch eachother. Realisation hit Shivaay, finally she is here, with him, after so long. Involuntarily he cursed, it's the moment he waited for so long, with deep sigh he spoke " Shit!damn.. Annika... I missed you..!" with those words his hold on her became strong, his life came back to him, he didn't want to let her go, as if he died without her. Annika's eyes also got moist. Whole Oberoi mansion is her own, she feels so happy to be with them, a family, not her blood relation but purely created by love, she love them all but when she is inside these strong arms she forgets who she is! She feels heavenly, something she craved her whole life. His heartbeat always gave peace to her wandering soul. If Shivaay is very vocal about how he feels about her, Annika's attachment toward him is not explainable, her breaths hitched everytime she is separated from him. Those longings of nights, warm kisses on her forehead by him, those hugs in difficult times she missed it all, six months she stayed away from her soul.
They disagree with people, they claim that they are not in love but they also know and agreed for the fact, that they are soul mates.
A soulmate does not necessarily have to be love of your life! It can be anyone, your brother, sister mother your Friend or a stranger who just crossed your path. So they are soulmates.

Her tear filled eyes and raspy voice was felt by Shivaay, " So long.....you took so long to hug me...I hate you! "Annika hit him in his chest. He enclosed her more to him,
" Sorry!... I know I am an idiot! I missed you! Thank god you're back! why you need to go on such a long business trip? I was not at all feeling good about anything.Those face time talks rarely worked for me.." Shivaay said kissing her forehead again. They Stayed in eachothers arms for few minutes more, in silence, to feel eachother. They got disturbed after hearing Pinky's voice, " Anu beta.... problem solved or not?"

Coming out of his grip,Annika smiled at him and replied shouting " Solved maa.. we're coming." Shivaay looked horrified at her. She was giggling and Shivaay frowned, she got him this time."Oh! it was a play, to get on me? Haan? And that picture?" Shivaay raised his eyebrow in question. Annika didn't answer and moved towards the dining. Shivaay frowned but followed her, "Annika you can't get away like that, I need my answer, tell me did you just....I mean...that photo..is it true or a bait for me.?" Annika still didn't answer, he rushed to her taking a long strides of steps. Looking at her in great anxiety and pain, Annika Wondered, sometimes his action are so intense almost as if he is hiding something. As far as she know him he is not. Like now, the way he is looking at her sacres her sometimes. Well, this particular topic was off course a little touchy, given the fact how Annika and Shivaay's relationship is. They shared everything, even how many times they sneezed in a day, that close they know eachother, but this particular intimate aspect of their life is a secret, even he never told her how his first was and with whom! Annika played along.
" That's not fair okay! you're asking details now? Remember you're the one who didn't shared this particular information with me." Shivaay dogged her question
" Correction! I told you I did it I did not share with whom! so now don't be secretive tell me..!" He stopped her, while she looked annoyed at him, keeping her hands over her hips.

"Don't piss me now.. I said I'll tell you, now I am hungry like a panda so..leave my way otherwise I'll eat you. And don't come if you want to continue this...." Annika flipped her hair and sat in dining table joining Rudra and Shakti who were impatiently waiting for both.

Rudra gave a teasing smile when both arrived only to get a smack on his head by his elder brother, if Shivaay worshipped his family like God, he also likes to bully his young brother too. Their love does not require a certificate of proof, Rudra knows how much he messes up in life his big brother will always be by his side.
Once seated, Shivaay opened his mouth to say something when entire clan looked at him with a grin on their face, reminding him that now nobody gonna take him seriously. After the drama he pulled, Knowing that fact he still asked ," Why you'll are smiling like an idiot?" Pinky just covered up her face to avoid her laugh , while Shakti only shaked his head to not reply. Annika was oblivious to the topic and attacked food. Only Rudra could voice it out and answered,
" Actually bhaiyya, we're confuse, what happened to you suddenly? I guess you were angry on someone.?" With that Shivaay gave him a glare and Rudra just laughed loud supported by others.

" I knew it, the second she arrives, you'll take her side and make me alone. This is the Only thing I hate about her coming back. And it's all her fault..!" He said pointing to a hungry Annika who was so engrossed in eating that she heard nothing.
A small smile crept on his lips when he saw her savouring the dishes he made, for her. All was prepared for her by him, he loved to cook for his family, specially when he gets to see that happy face, he saw her eating food. He felt in top of the world.

Suddenly happy air turned dark, when a voice disturbed their joyful ride, it was Jhanvi cursing the maid. After Tej's death she has indulge herself in alcohol, only person she respected or loved was Shivaay, but whenever she is high even Shivaay can't handle her. Usually it's in the evening she indulged herself in alcohol but today she is high in early morning.

Shivaay was first one to call her "Badi ma...come lets have breakfast! See I have made all continental food, your favorite right!" He said avoiding her angry glare at Annika. Shivaay knows Jhanvi hates Annika, he tried to patch them but failed miserably. Jhanvi is violently against Annika, few times he has to save Annika from her wrath.
Though Shivaay loves everyone equally but when it's about Annika's dignity she forgets everything. For him Annika is not just a friend, hir pride, he can't let go anyone who hampers his pride. Those who knew him will never do that mistake. He literally turns Lord Shivaay for Annika.

Jhanvi scoffed and tumblled, nobody really felt good when she gave a damn about family, Jhanvi Otherwise is a good person but this one bad habit destroy everything for her. Rudra hates it most when his mom gets drunk. He feels humiliated, he hates his mother for those disrespectful eyes which turns towards her and him. He looked at her with hatred and didn't even buzz to help her out. Once she was seated, she looked at Annika again, " What's the use Shivaay! everything will be tasteless, I know you didn't put chillies on it." She said mocking Annika with every comment.

Rudra also didn't like how his mother behaves with Annika, out of all people she blames her for Tej's death. Otherside, Shivaay's hands formed a fist to control his anger. Annika was seated to his side, holding that Fist to help him release his anger.
Looking at the scenario Pinky covered up
" Off course jethani ji no chillies in food! but I have made special dip for you, with all the spices and chillies in it, have it, it's yum." Pinky handed over the sauce and Jhanvi finally ate. For few seconds the silence prevailed.

Again abruptly disturbed by one more Oberoi, it was Priyanka oberoi, in her late teens but seems like her teenage has just boomed with time, becoming mature, looked faar horizon for her. Borrowing everything from her mom, Jhanvi Oberoi, she is a beautiful girl but inside she is a just spoiled brat!. Family is aware of her so called 'Friends circle' whi includes only drug addicts and rich spoiled brats, nobody really said anything to her, more because Jhanvi always backs her actions.

Like her mother she has a sharp dislike for Annika, reason being the same. Taking mother as an idol she hates Annika like an enemy, pleasantries are like dreams she don't leave a chance to humiliate her.

"Princess! Finally....sun has rise up for you? come join us beta" Shakti said in his cheerful voice, even if he and his brother didn't really gelled together but after his demise Shakti made sure Tej's family never misses him as reference to love and comfort, he treated everyone equally.

Priyanka was only girl child in the house before Annika but she was and will be an apple to everyone's eye.
Even Annika loved her like a sister, being without family makes you understand what living with family means. Priyanka is a younger sister she never had. So nobody actually hated her, it's just her behavior toward others made her away from her family. Shivaay tried to convince hee many times but because of the age and her Friend circle she failed to understand.

"Oh !please....chote Papa I won't eat those old fashioned oily food. More than food I am not liking the environment here, and please, before all of you start lecturing me, I am not going to pretend that someone's presence does not affect me." She said looking directly to Annika, others gave a disappointed look while Jhanvi smiled, Shivaay was still clenching his fist to control because Annika was holding his hand.

"Always have to create drama...right... attention seeker, why you're here if you don't want to have food, why you came downstairs if you kahte your own family members! And It's okay if you don't want to eat . Please don't create a scene stating all poison inside you."
Rudra said angrily that was that. The old, famous -who on whose side? banter started .

Priyanka always blamed Rudra to take favor of Shivaay and his family while forgetting about his own sister and mother. Rudra is angry on how both behaved with other family members. The spat went on and on, Annika was on verge of crying, she is not weak but Rudra and Priyankas fight always made her sad because she has seen their love when they were small. Priyanka is 5 yr younger to Rudra in those days Rudra was just five, but he took care of priyanka was adorable. He use to call her Prinku back then, now it's only Priyanka. She feels pain thinking that.

Annika was still holding Shivaay patience, she knew if it broke then this will lead to another disaster. Shivaay is uncontrollable when angry, he don't think anything! no relationship, no respect of Age and law. If he indulged himself in it it will become ugly. For now it's between two siblings and if it ends that way, then it's fine. She thought.

Shivaay won't sit and tolerate everything, his pride is this family, he has always looked upon the well being and dignity of his family name. After dadi gave him the responsibility of family's pride, he is like unthroned king of oberoi. He handles it with utmost sensibility and responsibility.
His eyes moved towards Jhanvi, she was enjoying whatever was happening all around, she didn't bothered to stop either Priyanka or Rudra, which irked him more. When finally Jhanvi saw an intense gaze of Shivaay on her and that killer look, she gulped saliva, this gaze always makes her scared. And with a raised eyebrow at her, Jhanvi understood the clue and shouted at both her children.
Priyanka was a taken aback, shocked at her mother's behavior. Rudra just left the dining table without completing his breakfast. Shivaay tried to stop him but he didn't bother.

Few minutes later he came with his car keys and left the mansion, not before bidding good bye to Annika, with a small peck on her cheeks, he left without giving any heed to other people.

This is how Oberoi mansions day begins. There are times of happiness, there are unbreakable bonds, few relationships are beyond life and death and complete trust in eachothers but with them, creepers of jealousy, sadness, insecurities and anger grows, may be few of them are part of it but this does effect their life. Shivaay's gritting teeth, Rudra's anger and Shakti and Pinky's ineffectiveness on mending things, this is how Annika looked at the people she loved, sometimes feels guilty because she thinks it's because of her. Her hunger gone and everything reminds her that now she is back. Shivaay looked at her, one person who feels guilty about all the things happening around, he takes everything on himself, he feels it's because he is unable to handle a small situation like this. He hates to see her sad, it's not her fault but she has to face this everytime!

Those guilty eyes makes her more sad. May be its not only her who feels guilty about it, she gave a hard squeeze in his hands and he outstretched a forced smile.

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*Here's the next update, I know nothing major happened but it was just to take a look on how the equations are. Just making ground for future chapters. Do tell you liked it or not?

Precaps: A life apart from being 'shivika'.

Krishna