Chapter 10: Spell

The morning sun shone bright, but something else was shining eye-catching brightly. He woke up to find her bracelet still in his hands. They unanimously decided upon sleeping separately. He didn't know how they did it, but they never needed words or any admission that they should take it slow.

He took the pillow and hugged it tightly with a huge grin on his face. "This, right here, is the most peaceful I have felt in years" her last words last night echoing in his mind, conquering his soul. He had never heard anything better in his life.

The hustle-bustle, her trademark mess all over, food spilled somewhere, her shouting at people, herself falling here and there, and finally, he being the savior! That was what Shivaay was expecting to be the scenario this morning. It was the morning of the so-called engagement, of whom, no one knew. But the picturesque sight in front of his eyes, he didn't know he could admire her any more than he already did. Here he was. A breathtakingly beautiful Hall, everything spick, and span. A pleasant fragrance floating around, perfect lighting to cheer one up, and the workers laughing around, smoothly going around with their chores. How did she even do it?

"In case you haven't noticed, your mouth is wide open" she giggled. "What have you done to this place? How the f?"

"Just like you specialize in making big profits, I specialize in making people smile with my event and catering management! That's what's called being good at what you do" she shrugged proudly.

He agreed, then dig his hand in his pocket to give the bracelet to her, but then decided against it.

"Now you better tell me who we are engaging today, or you're skipping breakfast today. I need the boards printed Shivaay!!"

"Yeah that", he spotted the perfect target.

"Sir, Mr. Raichands are on the guest list? " he interrupted.

"Yes ofcourse, but do you think I'm such a cruel boss? Khanna, why are you working on your own engagement?"

Khanna choked on his breath.

"Annika, it is Khanna's engagement today" Shivaay flashed a nervous smile hoping she would buy it.

Khanna choked harder.

"Reallyyy???" she giggled again, wiggling her eyebrows. Was it Shivaay or was she seriously too happy today?

"Sir why me?" Khanna wailed after she left. Shivaay smiled his 'Annika' smile, which only she brought to his face. "Sir, at least tell me who am I getting engaged to?"

"Find yourself Khanna! That's the least you can do on your own engagement!" Shivaay smirked and left.

While everyone was busy, Annika spotted a man, a rather disturbed man, staring intently at something. She followed his gaze and immediately decided she didn't like what she saw. Not again! Another of Shivaay's attempts to make her feel jealous? He was holding her hand close to his chest. Somehow, they didn't look comfortable.

Annika reddened with embarrassment. After all that happened last night, after she gave in to her feelings and trusted Shivaay with them? As if I care a hoot!- she thought reluctantly. She spared a last glance at the old man watching all this, Shivaay could go around seducing anyone for all he should care!

Throughout the day she noticed this man was continuously observing Shivaay. What was wrong? Or was he observing that cleaner? She closely analyzed the man and the cleaner, no similarities. Not at least between them. But somehow she found her face distinctly familiar. She didn't give much food to that thought, at this hour when there was just enough time to get ready, she still had loads to look after.

As he entered the lavish engagement venue, he was yet again in awe of the imaginations that girl possessed and just how perfectly she could bring that to reality. If he thought what he had seen earlier that day was breathtaking, this was life taking! The hall was dimly lit. Just the perfect blend of blue and red lights to make things obscurely visible. A spotlight shone brightly as Khanna entered with, oh that was Shefali. Loyal folks these two! And beautiful music played. Everything was so fine, but he was yet to discover perfect. As we say,

'She came, She saw, She conquered!' That's exactly what Annika did to Shivaay. Out of nowhere she came to him and fixed in a red velvet pocket square in his black and blue blazer while he stood paralyzed, finding words that could ever do justice to how bewitching she looked!

Tumko paaya hai to jaise khoya Hu

(Ever since I found you, I have lost myself)

Kehna chahu bhi to tumse kya kahu..

(Even though I have things to say, how do I express?)

She smiled up to him, "Perfect" she whispered tiptoeing close to his ear.

Tumko paaya hai to jaise khoya Hu

(Ever since I found you, I have lost myself)

Kehna chahu bhi to tumse kya kahu..

(Even though I have things to say, how do I express?)

She put her hands into his partially closed fist, just when he though she would compliment him, "Stunning, ain't I?"

And she left. Just like that. His struggle to find words not even close to its end.

Kissi zabaan pe bhi, vo lafz hi nahi,

(No language has words enough)

Ki jinme tum ho kya tumhe bata saku...

(to express what you are)

He watched her run to Khanna and excitedly congratulate him, hugging Shefali in joy. She could make anyone feel loved, feel needed, feel important, just like that. The livewire she was, she could cause an explosion, as and when required. One of a kind.

Main agar kahu ke tumsaa haseen,

(If I tell you that someone as gorgeous as you)

Kayanaat me nahi hai kahi,

(doesn't exist in this universe)

Tareef ye bhi toh, sach hai kuch bhi nahi!!

(If you think it is a compliment, then nothing really is true)

He was just staring at her smitten, trying to admire every intricate detail she flawlessly carried. If that was even possible.

Her angelic face, her soulful eyes, her dazzling smile adorning it to perfection.

Shokhiyon me dubi ye adaayen

Chehre se jhalki hui hai...

(Your gestures, your spirit, all expressed through your face drenched in child-like naughtiness)

Her long hair, now cascading over her shoulders in ringlets, those light curls dancing along with her

Zulfon ki ghani ghani ghataayen

Shaan se dhalki hui hai...

(Thick, long hair that are cascading in glory)

That willowy elegance she carried herself with, that twirl of her ghagra to its full glory, that sound of her payal marking her presence

Lehrata aanchal, hai jaise baadal

Baahon me bhari hai jaise chaandani,

Rup ki chaandani..

(Your presence is like night sky, you embrace all the splendor of the moonlight)

Things quickly started sorting out in his mind. If someone could make him smile, it was her. If someone could take that smile away, it was her. Only she could make his heart sour and only she could make it sink. Her touch could ignite his entire body, her presence could bring life to his life and the only person who could be sugar to his bitter life was her. Annika.

Could someone do this in less than a week? Sounded pretty damn ridiculous. But did that matter? Hell fucking no!

Main agar kahu ye dilkashi

Hai nahi kahi, na hogi kabhi

Tareef ye bhi to sach hai kuch bhi nahi...

(If I tell you, this wholehearted feeling,

does not exist anywhere else, and never will,

if this is a compliment, there really is no truth)

That was it. The moment. No buts, no ifs. He knew. His heart knew. She had cast a spell on him. A spell he never wanted to break. She had become a good night's dream. A sleep from which he never wanted to wake. And finally, he could form words:

"Oh Shivaay, you are falling for her"