Chapter 30 - Aritya!

Annika reached her office just in time. It was her second day in office.

Her first day had already been a blast with her exclusive report exposing Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

Annika's boss had already warned her about the consequences of being on bad side of famous personalities but she didn't care.

She knew that she's Khidkitod and she can handle all her problems herself. After all, she was the daughter of late Major General Pratap Rathore.

Annika placed her purse on her desk and was about to drop herself on her desk when suddenly her boss appeared before her.

"Good morning sir." Annika greeted him with a smile.

"Morning vorning chhodo. Humare channel ke naye owner tumse milne aaye hai." ("Chuck the greetings aside. The new owner of our channel has came here to see you.") Annika's boss informed her in a worried tone.

"Naye owner ? Mujhse milne ? Magar kyu ?" ("New owner ? To meet me ? But why ?") Annika furrowed her eyebrows.

"Woh mujhe nahi pata." ("I don't know.") Annika's boss frowned. "Jaldi jao, he's waiting for you in my cabin." ("Go fast, he's waiting for you in my cabin.")

"Ok sir." Annika nodded frantically and ran towards the cabin.

Taking a deep breath she opened the door to the cabin after knocking.

The new owner was sitting in her boss's chair with his back facing Annika so she couldn't his face.

"Sir, good morning." Annika greeted.

The new owner slowly turned his chair, revealing his face. Needless to say, it was Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

"Tum ?" ("You ?") Annika yelled. "Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho ? Aur sir kaha hai ?" ("What are you doing here ? And where's the new owner ?")

Shivaay smirked. "Miss Annika you're 3 minutes and 56 seconds late."

Annika stared at him blankly.

"Since it's your 2nd day, I won't fire you so don't worry." Shivaay added, his attitude not going down even for a bit.

"Who the hell are you to fire me, anyway ?" Annika scoffed.

"I'm the new owner of Crime News channel, Miss Annika Rathore." Shivaay held his head high and stood up from the chair.

Shivaay slowly walked upto Annika and invaded her private space.

"Aur mein apne channel pe koi bhi jhooti news flash karne ki permission nahi dunga. So make sure ki tum kal ki tarah koi fake news na create karo." ("And I won't permit to flash any fake news on my channel so make sure you don't bring some fake report like yesterday.") Shivaay said in threateningly low voice, referring to the report she had made on Shivaay and his connection with drug dealing.

Annika gulped but then she pulled on a brave demeanor and stepped more closer to him just as courageously.

Annika looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Toh meri report sahi thi." ("So my report was true.") She concluded with a smile.

"Excuse me ?" Shivaay was dumbfounded.

"Meri report sahi thi." ("My report was right. I had correct information.") Annika repeated. "Isiliye toh aapne yeh channel kharid liya aur ab mujhe pressurise karne ki naakam koshish kar rahe hai. Lekin ek baat apne dimag mein fit kar lijiye, Annika Pratap Rathore kisi se nahi darti." ("That's why you bought this news channel and now you're doing an unsuccessful attempt of pressurising me. But get this thing straight, Annika Pratap Rathore is not afraid of anyone.") She challenged.

Shivaay stepped away and smiled wickedly.

"Muskura kyu rahe ho tum ? Mujhse itna darr gaye ki reaction bhi thik se nahi di jaa rahi ?" ("Why are you smiling ? You're so scared of me that you couldn't even find a suitable reaction ?") Annika smirked.

Shivaay exhaled a smile yet again and shook his head at Annika's stupid come back. He then looked at her straight in the eye and the look on his face abruptly changed.

Shivaay's face now held a dangerous look. He was not smiling anymore and neither did he look calm or friendly. He was serious.

"Annika Pratap Rathore, Major General Pratap Rathore ki beti jo 2 saal pehle shahid ho gaye. Tumhari maa Lilawati Rathore tumhari choti behen, Bhavya Rathore ke janam ke 3 saal baad hi chal basi." ("Annika Pratap Rathore, daughter of Major General Pratap Rathore who died in the line of duty 2 years ago. Your mother Lilawati Rathore died 3 years after the birth of your younger sister Bhavya Rathore.") Shivaay said in all the seriousness.

Annika's lips parted a bit as she gaped at Shivaay in surprise and fear.

"Ab tum Annika Rathore, apni behen ka dhyan rakhti ho." ("Now you, Annika Rathore, look after your sister.") Shivaay added. "Aur agar mein sahi hu toh iss waqt Bhavya Delhi mein hai." ("And if I'm right, Bhavya is in Delhi right now.")

Annika's brave facade wore off as fear crossed her eyes. She could face any storms in the world but she wouldn't bear something happening to her lil sister.

"Waise mein tumhe Bhavya ka address bhi bata deta lekin mujhe lagta hai tum samjh hi chuki hogi jo mein tumhe batana chahta hu." ("By the way I can even tell you Bhavya's address but I think you've properly understood what I wanna tell you.") Shivaay smiled.

Annika's worry and fear suddenly turned into anger. "Aap mujhe dhamki de rahe hai ?" ("Are you threatening me ?") She snapped.

"Dhamki samjho ya fir request, I don't care." ("Take it as a threat or request, I don't care.") Shivaay replied. "Mere bhi chhote bhai hai, mein janta hu ki apne siblings pe aati hai toh kaisa lagta hai, isiliye pyaar se samjha raha hu ki meri image damage karna band karo." ("I've younger brothers too, I know how it feels when it comes to siblings, that's why I'm telling you this calmly, don't damage my image.") He said a bit more calmly.

Annika looked away from Shivaay in anger. She was breathing heavily due to all the anger she was feeling.

How heartless and cruel this man standing before her was !

How dare he ? How dare he threaten Annika Pratap Rathore ?!

Shivaay walked past Annika and was about to walk out of the cabin when Annika's voice made him stop.

"Mujhe nahi pata tha ki aapko apki image itni pyaari hai ki uske liye aap kisi ke parivar ko bhi maar sakte hai." ("I didn't know that your image is so dear to you that you can even kill someone's family for it.") Annika walked up to him. "Aap toh meri umeed se bhi bahot neeche gir gaye Mr Oberoi." ("You've stooped too low than I had imagined, Mr Oberoi.")

Shivaay looked away with a clenched jaw.

He didn't threaten her for tarnishing his image. He just didn't wish that his brothers get to know of his past graves.

"Aap kya mujhe fire karenge ? Mein khud resign karti hu." ("You'll fire me ? Huh, I'll resign myself.") Annika seethed. "Mere liye apki yeh job sacch se jyada nahi hai. Aur apki sacchai duniya ke samne lane ke liye agar mujhe apni job ki kurbani deni pade toh koi baat nahi." ("For me, the truth is more important than your job. And if I'll have to give up my job to expose your true colours in front of the world then so be it.")

Shivaay glared at Annika but stayed silent.

"Apki asliyat mein sabke saamne laake rahungi, yeh Annika Pratap Rathore ka wada hai aapse Shivaay Singh Oberoi." ("I'll expose you, it's my, Annika Pratap Rathore's promise to you Shivaay Singh Oberoi.") Annika growled and walked out of the cabin past Shivaay.

Shivaay was fuming in anger.

How dare she talk to Shivaay Singh Oberoi like that ?

Shivaay hated it when people judged other people but he hated it even more when they judged someone on the basis of half truth.

Just then Shivaay's phone went off signalling a call.

Shivaay received the call and after hearing out the person on the other side, he said. "I'm coming."

*

Shivaay walked inside his house with a smile. "Om !" He cheered when he saw Rikara and Rudy sitting in the living room.

Shivaay gave Om a hug before sitting beside him. "How are you feeling now ?"

"I'm absolutely alright bhai." Om smiled. "Aap meri chinta chhodo." ("Don't you worry.")

Shivaay patted Om's back and his eyes landed on Gauri.

"Hmm. Ab toh tu thik hi hogo, teri girlfriend jo yaha hai." ("Hmm. You should be fine, now that your girlfriend's here.") Shivaay teased making Rikara blush and Rudy snort.

"Sahi kaha bhaiya." ("Correct bhaiya.") Rudy said and hi-fied Shivaay.

"Bhaiya aap bhi na." ("Bhaiya, stop teasing us.") Gauri mumbled in embarrassment.

"Waise mein aur Rudy toh bahot khush hai ki finally tum dono ko pata chala ki you're made for each other." ("By the way, I and Rudy are so happy that you two finally realised that you're made for each other.") Shivaay said. "Hum dono Rikara ko kab se ship kar rahe the." ("We were shipping Rikara since ever.")

"Aap bhi bhai ?" ("Bhai, you too ?") Om amused.

"Aur nahi toh kya." ("Obviously.") Shivaay chuckled.

"Chalo, Rikara ki khushi mein meethai khate hai." ("C'mon, let's have some sweets on the occassion of Rikara beginning.") Rudy said and produced a plate of sweets.

"Rudy bahot meetha khane laga hai tu aj kal." ("Rudy, your sugar intake has increased nowadays.") Om remarked, sternly.

"Excercise bhi toh karta hu." ("I do exercise too.") Rudy defended.

"Om sahi bol raha hai, Ru. Itna meetha sehat ke liye accha nahi hai." ("Om's right, Ru. Excessive sweets are not good for your health.") Gauri second Om.

"Don't worry bhabhi, I'm fine." Rudy said while stuffing his mouth with kaju-katli.

Shivaay snatched the plate from Rudy's hands and said, "Mein na tere liye ek strict biwi dhundne wala hu, jo tujhe bilkul seedha kar degi." ("I'm going to find a strict wife for you, who'll discipline you.")

Rudy blushed. "Bhaiya kya aap bhi." ("Bhaiya, what are you saying.") He mumbled and hid his face in his hands.

"Arey itna sharma kyu raha hai ?" ("Why are you blushing so much ?") Om chuckled.

"Pata nahi yar lekin mujhe sharam aa rahi hai." ("Don't know, but I'm feeling really very shy.") Rudy whined and stuffed his face in Shivaay's arm and wrapped his arms around Shivaay neck.

ShivOmRi chuckled at Rudy's behavior.

Shivaay kissed Rudy's head and mumbled. "Mera pyaara sa sharmila baby." ("My sweet and shy baby.")

*

Next day...

ShivOmRu were up before their usual timings today, cause today Aryan was going to come to Mumbai with his wife.

"Sab ready ho gaye ?" ("Is everyone ready ?") Om asked. "Aryan bhaiya ki flight abhi land karti hogi." ("Aryan bhaiya's flight will he landing any moment now.")

"Haan, mein aur Rudy tyyar hai." ("Yes, I and Rudy are ready.") Shivaay replied, while stopping a servant and asking him if the guest room is ready.

"Aryan ki favourite dishes ki list de di hai na tumne chef ko ?" ("Have you given Aryan's favourite dishes list to Chef ?") Shivaay asked Om.

"Haan, bhai. Chef ne Aryan Bhaiya ka favourite breakfast ready bhi kar dia." ("Yes, bhai. In fact, chef has already prepared Aryan bhaiya's favourite dishes for breakfast.") Om answered.

"Ok good." Shivaay nodded.

"Mein aa gaya." ("I'm here.") Rudy informed as he appeared between ShivOm. "Chale airport ?" ("Shall we leave for the airport ?")

"Chalo." ("Let's go.") Shivaay said.

The 3 brothers sat in a car as Shivaay drove them to the airport.

***

"Kahi dikhe kya Aryan bhaiya ?" ("Did you find Aryan bhaiya ?") Rudy asked for the umpteenth time as he scanned the crowd.

It had been 30 minutes since they reached the airport. There was no trace of Aryan or his wife, Nitya.

"Bhai, meine abhi abhi check kiya, Aryan bhaiya ki flight land ho chuki hai." ("Bhai, I just checked, Aryan bhaiya's flight has already landed.") Om informed as he got off call with someone.

"Okay." Shivaay mumbled without detaching his eyes from the crowd.

"Sir ! Shivaay sir !"

Shivaay looked in the direction of the voice and found Khanna, the newly hired security incharge, dodging his way towards Shivaay through the crowd.

"Kya baat hai Khanna ?" ("What's wrong Khanna ?") Shivaay asked.

"Sir, jaldi chaliye yaha se." ("Sir, let's go from here soon.") Khanna said urgently.

"Magar hua kya ?" ("But what happened ?") Shivaay questioned with furrowed eyebrows.

"Meine kuch logo ko airport ke andar weapons leke aate hue dekha." ("I saw some people entering inside the airport with ammunitions.") Khanna explained. "Meine airport officers ko iski khabar de di hai lekin abhi tak woh unhe pakad nahi paye." ("I've informed this to airport officers but they've not yet arrested them.")

"What ? How's that possible, Khanna ? Airport is supposed to be the safest place." Shivaay said incredulously.

"I know sir, pata nahi yeh security breach kaise hua." ("I know sir, I don't know how this security breach occured.") Khanna replied. "But please sir, jaldi se yaha se chaliye." ("But please sir, let's go from here fast.")

Shivaay nodded. "Tum OmRu ko safely lekar gadi ke paas jao." ("Take OmRu to the car safely.") He ordered.

"Sir aap ?" ("Sir, what about you ?") Khanna asked.

"Mein Aryan aur Nitya ko lekar aata hu." ("I'll come with Aryan and Nitya.") Shivaay answered. "Now go. Fast."

Khanna was about to stop Shivaay from taking such a suicidal step but before he could stop him, Shivaay had already left.

Khanna took OmRu out of the airport safely and ensured their safety while silently praying for Shivaay's well-being.

*

Shivaay dodged his way through the crowd in search of Aryan and Nitya.

Shivaay had scanned each and every face in the crowd but didn't find his best friend, but he wasn't going to step down unless he found his best friend and took him and his wife to safety.

Aryan had always been more than a best friend to Shivaay. He was like a brother to him. His family.

Aryan too treated him like his lil brother and loved him the same.

Shivaay was running towards the freshly entered crowd in the hopes of finding Aritya (Aryan and Nitya) when he ran into someone making the person, who banged into him, almost fall but he caught her just in time.

Shivaay looked down at the person who he had ran into and his eyes met the familiar chocolate brown orbs.

Shivaay stared at her in surprise, still maintaining the RK pose.

The only thing running in his mind was...

How did she always managed to fall in his arms ?

"Aap ?!" ("You ?!") Annika shrieked in his arms. "Leave me !"

Shivaay was about to leave her abruptly like what he had done the first time, but Annika yelled again, just in time.

"Aur pichli bar ki taraha girana mat mujhe !" ("And don't drop me like the last time !") She added quickly.

Shivaay nodded and made her stand up properly before leaving her waist.

Annika sighed in relief and strengthened her dress before giving Shivaay a hard glare.

"Mera piccha kar rahe hai aap ?" ("Are you following me ?") Annika growled. "Aur koi kaam nahi hai apko ?" ("Don't you have any work other than that ?")

Anger overtook Shivaay and he clenched his jaws.

"Apni bakwas band karo aur side hato." ("Stop with your nonsense and move aside, I'm in hurry.") Shivaay said, not wanting to argue with her.

"Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai apse baatein karne ka, samjhe aap ?" ("Even I don't fancy talking to you, alright ?") Annika snapped. "Aap hi woh laparwah insaan hai jo mujhse aake takaraye, samjhe aap ?" ("You're the careless person who ran into me, okay ?")

"Laparwah kise bol rahi ho tum ?" ("Who are you calling careless ?") Shivaay glared. "Tum hi woh chipku ho jo baar baar meri bahon mein girti rehti ho." ("You're the one who keeps falling in my arms.")

"Aapki bahein kya Amitabh Bachchan ki bahein hai jo mein apki bahon mein jaanbujh ke girungi ?" ("Your arms ain't as good as Amitabh Bachchan's that I will deliberately fall into them.") Annika retorted, and then added. "Height hai Teddy bear jitni aur nakhre noor jahan ke." ("His height is same as a teddy bear and his attitude is like Prince charming.")

Shivaay fumed as she made fun of his height.

"Khud ko dekha hai kabhi ?" ("Have you seen yourself ?") Shivaay seethed.

"Haan, bahot baar dekha isiliye itne yakeen ke sath bata sakti hu ki aap baar baar mujhse jaanbujh ke takarate hai." ("Of course, I've seen myself many times and that's why I can say with a confidence that you run into me time and again on purpose.") Annika smirked.

"Oh please." Shivaay chuckled sarcastically. "Ek toh tumhari aankhein kharab hai ya toh fir tumhara aayna kyu ki tum, kisi bhi angle se, khoobsurat nahi ho." ("Either your eyes are faulty or your mirror is cause you ain't beautiful from any angle.")

"Kya bola ?" ("What did you say ?") Annika hissed as she came closer to Shivaay's face.

"Jo tumne suna." ("You heard me.") Shivaay replied with equal venom and came more closer to her face.

"Shivaay ?"

"Didu ?"

Shivaay and Annika looked behind themselves respectively.

Aritya were standing behind Shivaay giving him a look which was a mix of teasing and surprise.

While, Bhavya stood behind Annika giving her an amused look.

"Yeh kaun hai ?" ("Who's she ?") Aryan smirked teasingly, becoming the first to break the ice.

Shivaay and Annika looked at Aryan and then at each other. They hadn't moved a bit and hence their faces were still insanely close to each other.

Shivika jumped away from each other as soon as they realised their close proximity and averted their gaze to the corners of the airport, avoiding eye contact with their sister and best friend respectively.

"Didu, mujhe bhi milao na apne friend se." ("Didu (sister), introduce me to your friend.") Bhavya gave Annika a teasing smile.

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS !" Shivika yelled at the same time and glared at each other.

"Oooh." Aritya teased and burst out laughing.

Bhavya too joined Aritya in laughing.

Bhavya came towards Aritya. "They may not be friends but we can become friends right ?" 

"Sure." Nitya smiled. "Hi, I'm Nitya, Nitya Aryan Murthy." She said and pointed towards her husband. "And he's my husband, Aryan Murthy."

"Hi." Aryan smiled at Bhavya.

"Hi, I'm Bhavya Pratap Rathore." Bhavya smiled and hugged Nitya. "So pleased to meet you."

Shivika stood there awkwardly watching Aritya and Bhavya with a what-kind-of-weird-people-are-these look on their faces.

Shivaay finally cleared his throat. "Agar tumhari friendship ceremony khatam ho gayi ho toh ghar chale ?" ("If you're done with your friendship ceremony then can we head home ?")

Aritya nodded.

"Haan Bhavya, chalo yaha se jaldi." ("Yes Bhavya let's go from here fast.") Annika said to Bhavya and then gave Shivaay a glare before saying, "Mera dum ghut raha hai yaha." ("I'm feeling suffocated here.")

Shivaay returned Annika's glare before turning to Aritya and guiding them towards the exit.

Shivaay had just walked a few steps when something in his heart made him turn towards Bhavya and Annika again and say, "Sirf tumhe bata raha hu Bhavya. Yaha se jaldi bahar niklo, yaha pe khatra hai." ("I'm only telling this to you Bhavya. Get out of here fast, it's not safe to stay here for long.")

Bhavya and Annika stared at him with slightly furrowed eyebrows but when Bhavya realised that Shivaay was in fact serious, she nodded.

Shivaay then took Aritya towards his car and sighed in relief when he was convinced that Aritya and OmRu were safe.

-------------------

Hey bubblies !

So... How's it ? Aritya are love, aren't they Manan lovers ?? 😄😄😄

Why do you think the armed guys had came inside the airport ?

Shivika are life ! But I don't know if I'm writing their love story properly so please let me know if you are liking them and their bickering or not.

Thanks for reading ! Lots of love.

Until the next update,
Have a safe and great life 😇