A/N: Hello all! Warm welcome. I am Neha_17 a.k.a Neha_Pheonix .Guys I am back to continue my story here! Extremely sorry for being so late. I was confused where to lead the story. Now, I am changing the track from Chapter-6. Previous Chapters are the same except the party at Tia’s home. I haven’t included her in this FF.
Here are the links for previous Chapters,
Here is a short recap so that all your memories turn live and for new readers too.
**Precap- Shivaay and Anika are pursuing their higher studies in US. Shivaay is doing MBA from Harvard and Anika is doing MS. She is lovely girl, with a deep buried feeling inside her. Their meet was destined by Destiny itself. They meet on a beach in Boston and for two years now their life is intertwined in Boston-the city of hopes! Shivaay teases Anika and then when Anika’s turn comes she punctures Shivaay’s car when he had an important assignment to submit. That is in Mandir scene . Here in US, she has a friend Clarie who is a sweet heart! Then they meet again at a hotel where he introduces Anika as his girlfriend …just to make her angry which leads for water on his face and then with anger throws her in pool. But, Anika is water loving person hence it’s a chop for Shivaay. **
Chapter-6: Ambivalent Notions
The fierce drama at dinner and especially at the swimming pool, made Shivaay ambivalent. He went to take shower, making an attempt to understand his mixed emotions. He turned the faucet.
“Ouch! It hurts. Thank God! I just took my finger near it” was exclaimed by him. He had unknowingly turned on the faucet for hot steaming water. I am never so careless? What’s happening with me? He took a deep breath and let himself soothe under cold water falling on him. He remembered the flashes of moments from the pool. How the scent of Anika affected him? A girl never had overblown him this much and being a ruler of his will, wishes and thoughts, this confounded him.
Shivaay POV:
Anika! (He said as if chanting a poem with a tune.) You never fail to challenge me. How could you dissolve my anger within minutes? I never knew she likes water so much. But today, I was unhappy with my anger. Did I hurt her? She should be thinking I am such a jerk! It was a fun moment taming her card, I thought, I will be the happiest person in this world but to my dismay, I am feeling regretful. I could see the look on her face when I took out my jacket and took a step near her. She wasn’t frightened but I could notice the pain in her eyes. The more I discover her; she is turning out to be a mystery. I love solving puzzles. But then why should I chase anyone? The world should chase me! The more I am thinking about it its turning complicated. I think I should call for a truce next time when I meet her. Hold on, when will the next time come? It’s so strange we keep on bumping each other and never exchanged anything like contacts, than hatred and maybe something much more than that…
With this Shivaay, grabbed a towel, hit the bed and was asleep instantly.
*****
The next morning, Anika was waiting for someone.
Anika POV:
Oh God! Late again, I had barely slept yesterday and now this girl is increasing my hunger and patience. I had got a text from Claire inviting me for brunch. I know she wants to know what exactly happened yesterday. She is crazy! Maybe, I will feel a bit lighter and as I was missing her, so I turned up. I want to shut the train of my thoughts too! To divert it, I started noticing people. They were chortling and enjoying lovely dishes. Oh! I am so hungry probably I can eat this entire place. Hehe!
*****
Claire: Hey Ms. Recurring? How are you? Did you order, the dishes I told you?
Anika: Hey, relax. Recurring? I am fine and what was with you yesterday? You ditched me? Your order will be here in few minutes.
And, Ms. Never on time you are 17 minutes late. Care to explain?
Claire: Oh! (Making puppy eyes.) You end up meeting him again and again isn’t that recurring, honey?
She gave Anika a wink. Well, I got up a bit late. It’s Sunday right? But, I can never miss on the morning gossip, brunch with you, especially when you have stories to tell. Ani, I was unwell, sorry I couldn’t inform.
Now, Spill it out, babe.
Anika: Hey, nothing we had dinner and got home. Nothing else!
Claire: You are a pathetic liar, Ani. I can see the frown forming on your face. No fightings? Really? Whose home by the way?
Anika POV:
She said with a smirk and both of us started laughing heartily. Then briefly, I told her the entire story, from paying the bill till poolside awkwardness. Clarie, is my bestie here and sure I can trust her with anything. She always shares her different experiences with guys and teasingly tells me to try out and enjoy dating. But, I can’t. I won’t let anyone come near me; it will burn the other person. I decided that I will stay away from Shivaay from now. Ignore him probably? Or wish that, I would never meet him?
In her mind she hoped that, what she said at the last should not turn true.
Claire: I am drum struck. Well, very much unnatural. Is it a fictitious tale which you are telling? But, totally interesting, I am waiting for Take-2 then.
Just then the food arrived. Claire had ordered her favorite creamed eggs on toast, steak sandwich and lemon ginger chocolate waffle. I preferred cheese chilly sandwich, choco -chips waffle, fruit pizza and juices. We kept on digging the food and exchanging smiling glances.
Me: Yummy, I am almost full .So, what’s the news which you wanted to tell so desperately?
Claire: Yes here, take it.
She gave me something which looked like passes for an event.
Me: And this is for?
Claire: It’s for the ‘Halloween Party’. Time to have fun, sweetie! Yipee! It’s a party with masked theme; you don’t need to be that scary though.
She gave me a comforting look.
This passes are for the most happening party of the town. I hope you will have your first and the one of the best Halloween this year. Enough, I won’t tell more details, I don’t want to spoil your fun. I will be there with you don’t worry.
Then, finishing the breakfast, we enjoyed shopping together.
*****
The decorations gave me a creepy feeling. I can see people moving helter-skelter. I am waiting for my friend Claire. She has gone to get drinks for us, or maybe her she wants to spend some private with her boyfriend? People have dressed creepily and I am in a white princess gown with white mask on. I am feeling to rush out of the party. People are looking at me as if I am the fairy of the town. I am cursing myself for my antic behavior and developing instant fondness for the color white. I don’t like to be centre of attention of an unknown place. Where is Claire?
The party has started. People are enjoying company. They are starting to form pairs for the Halloween ball. Oh! Is dancing necessary now? I feel my legs are becoming weak, as well as I am frightened now. Still there was no sign of Claire? I am finding a door to escape. I look around the place is dark and low lit. Daam it! Where is the door now? I am panicking now. Suddenly, somebody grabs my waist and takes me to the dance floor. My heart skipped a beat.
*****
A/n:
If you can please accept me again, It would be very grateful. This story is very special for me and the journey began here, in Telly Updates and I evolved as a writer. I am terribly sorry for disappearing for so long.
Now, I am back with full energy and determination. How are you guys? I missed all of you, a lott!
So, how is the new track? Let me know your feedback and comments. Waiting for them.I
I am also writing this story on Wattpad. You can follow me as well as the story there too.
I won’t stop updating at my native-TU!
Till then take care!
Best,
Neha_Pheonix