I am back guys!!😄

★★

Sunlight peeped inside Annika's room as the sun raised up shining brightly in the sky. She groaned turning her face other side as she felt the light on her face.

"Ahh! Why do I forgot to cover-up the blinds every night", she groaned to herself in groggy sleepy voice. She chucked off the thought and buried her face against pillow.

She was finally going back to her dream land when she heard distant voice of barking and in a moment she heard a soft push on door. Bella came inside barking and started to pull Annika's blanket over her.

"Bellaa! Ah! Let mummy sleep?", she said in requesting yet sleepy voice. Bella didn't stopped and kept barking pulling the blanket making Annika sigh and get up.

"Fine missy! You won", she said sitting up straight and fixed her hair. She saw Bella's tail wiggling making Annika chuckle. Scooping her from floor, she took her on bed and Bella immediately started licking off Annika's face.

"Okay, relax Bella", she giggled holding her in her arms and shook her front paws together. Bella stood on her back paws and wiggled her tail seeing her mommy awake.

"Ek cheez toh acchi hui hai Bella ke aane se. You wake up early these days instead of sleeping like a kumbhkarn", Malvika walked inside with a cup of coffee.

"Mummaa!! I am not any kumbhkarn", Annika whined pouting at her mother. She chuckled ruffling her daughter's hair.

"Now get ready fast, Aru said you have an important lecture today?", she said giving cup of coffee to Annika. She didn't noticed what her mother said being lost in fragrance of creamy coffee.

"Huh?", she asked looking towards Malvika after a moment making her look at Annika in disbelief.

"You have important class, Annie?", she asked again. Realisation stuck in her mind hearing her mother.

"Oh shoot! I have important class of Accountancy today!", she exclaimed throwing her comforter away and got down keeping mug of coffee away.

"Aree! Have your coffee Annie, it will get cold", she said picking up Bella in her arms.

"Mumma! Coffee can wait, that professor won't wait for me! Aru chala gaya?", she asked taking out a pair of white high-waist jeans and pastel pink boatneck top.

"Of course not but if you don't get down in 20 minutes, he's leaving. His words, not mine", Malika said. She chuckled as Annika walked inside the bathroom, muttering profanities to Arnav.

★★

As threaten by her brother, Annika came downstairs being ready in 15 minutes. She was wearing her outfit with high ponytail and minimal makeup. She rushed downstairs checking her bag when bumped with Arnav.

"Sorry sorry!", she said holding her ears knowing he must be ready with his speech on lateness and unpunctuality.

"Why don't you wake up on TV, idiot!", he said knocking her forehead gently with his knuckles. She frowned rubbing her forehead.

"You won't understand the peace sleeping gives", she muttered, "and stop threatening, I can go by myself too or Shivaay is there", she said haughtily.

"Oh yeah? Your Shivaay reached to college already ma'am, he came but you're busy wandering in Mystic falls in dream", he rolled eyes remembering her muttering about mystic falls and some vampires in sleep.

She smiled sheepishly. He shook his head and went towards dining area. After a moment, he came back with a plate having sandwich and glass filled with juice.

"Aruu!! No time yaar. I will eat in canteen", she said shaking head to earn a glare from him.

"You're eating or should I stuff in your mouth?", he asked picking up the sandwich making her frown knowing he'll surely do it. She started having it fastly.

"Slow down Annie! You'll choke", he scolded rubbing her back as she cough. She nodded but finished it fast and then drank the juice.

"Chale?", she asked wiping her mouth making him sigh and nod.

"Hmm. I am taking out the car, don't take much time", he said. She nodded and rushed towards the temple area of their house. She took blessings for the day from god, asking to keep the day happy and safe for everyone.

"Annie, ruk!", Malvika stopped as Annika was wearing her sneakers. She turned her head towards her mother and nodded.

"Yeah mumma?", she asked lacing the shoes tightly.

"Talk to Shivaay and get free by 4 today. It's your engagement tomorrow, remember na?", Malvika said.

"Of course mumma. I talked him last night itself, he said Pinki aunty has already told him. Don't worry we'll reach to jeweler on time", Annika said.

"Okay then. We'll be waiting there, be on time", she replied.

"Yeah mumma, okay bye now before your son come here to take me with him", Annika said kissed her mother's cheek. She smiled and caressed her cheek before Annika rushed out.

★★

Annika came out after their 2 hours long accountancy class. She was going towards canteen when one of her classmate, Sneha stopped her.

"Hey Annie! You have all the notes of today's class?", she asked coming to Annika.

"Yup. You want them?", Annika asked forwarding the notes.

"Really? Thanks yaar! The class was really boring", Sneha said making her chuckle.

"Just return me day after tomorrow", Annika said as they started walking towards canteen.

"I will return it tomorrow itself", she said smiling keeping it inside her bag.

"Um..tomorrow I am not coming, some function at my home, kind of busy", Annika said playing with the strap of her sling bag looking everywhere but her.

"Oh! It's okay. I will positively give it you by day after tomorrow. By the way, did you got the news?", Sneha said exclaiming at last.

"What news?", she asked confused thinking it must be about new date of postponed fresher's party of juniors.

"Tia Kapoor is coming back", Sneha said making Annika pause on her steps.

"Who is coming back?", Annika exclaimed. Her pitch was so high that the students nearby stopped looking at her. Sneha looked around and passed a awkward smile to them pulling Annika away.

"Okay I know it's shocking and everyone know how much you hate her but relax Annika", she said holding her hands.

"Who told you?", Annika asked ignoring all the calming words from Sneha. Bubbles of irritation started erupting inside her.

"Um..I heard her friends, Shanaya happy around so I asked what's the reason, she told me. She told me, Tia's parents want him to complete her educations here, even if it's last year", Sneha said making Annika rub the bridge of her nose.

Annika and Tia had been rivals since class 11th of their school, whether it's in academics, co-curriculum activites. Those were still tolerable until she came to know about Tia's crush towards Shivaay in first year of their college.

Belonging to one of rich family, they have met quite times apart from school or college. Tia, along with her friend, Shanaya has always tries to degrade Annika in front of other people, especially Shivaay. Though, he never focuses on her but just the presence of Tia just irks Annika.

"Annika", Sneha exclaims shaking her making Annika come out of her thoughts. She hums.

"Relax. It's just 6 months you'll have to tolerate her. Everything will be fine", she assured making Annika nod.

"Yeah. I will see you later Sneha and that's for telling. Bye", she said smiling lightly at her. Sneha nodded and went from there.

With sulking face, Annika went to canteen when she heard Gauri's call from a table. Annika nodded looking at her and Om with Arnav sitting there and went there.

"Hey guys", Annika said with dull voice and sat down on her seat beside Arnav. He frowned seeing his sister's face.

"Tujhe kya hua? Roaming around literally like a zombie", he said teasing making Annika pass a look towards him.

"Haha! Funny", Annika rolled eyes making everyone frown worried.

"What happened Annie? You looked okay in class, infact, you're clearly enjoying it, then suddenly?", Gauri asked.

"Mood ke bhature tal gaye yaar!", Annika whined muttering confusing everyone.

"Okay what is it, Annie?", Om asked seriously. She looked at them and then sighed.

"You guys remember Tia?", she asked looking at them.

"Tia as in, Tia Kapoor. That irritating girl from our school who left college after completing her first year here?", Gauri asked.

"Yeah the same Tia. She's coming back to complete her last year in this college again, as per her father's wish", she said sulking.

"Fu- fudge!", Gauri cursed looking at Om who was looking at her in disbelief.

"So why are you sulking like this?", Arnav asked wrapping arm around her.

"Arnav bhai, what else will you expect. That woman always tries to degrade or harm Annika in one or other way and apart from that, she's so irritating and always clinging with Shivaay bhaiya", Gauri said understanding her friend's situation.

"Only you understand me Gauri", she said forwarding her hand and holds Gauri's, who nods pressing her hand. Both the boys rolled eyes seeing their overacting.

"Annie, Shivaay don't even spare a glance at her, relax. And other thing, I am here na, I will see how she'll harm you in anyway", Arnav pulled her more closer and pecks her temple making her sigh and hums.

Just the Rudra and Bhavya came there talking about something. Rudra frowned seeing his didi upset and sat down on other side of her.

"What happened didi? Why are you sitting like this? Bhaiya did something?", Rudra asked immediately making everyone shake head on his question.

"How come Shivaay is only one always for you, idiot?", Om said frowning lightly making Rudra shrug.

"Rudyy!! You know what? Tia is coming back", she said with the voice as if something very bad has happened, wide eyes.

"What??", he shouted in shock. Annika nodded with crying face. Well, Annika and Rudra shares the common hatred towards Tia because of her behaviours and Rudra can't stand seeing her being around his precious bhaiya.

He was going to say something ahead but then stopped suddenly and nodded. Annika looked at him worried. Even others got confused seeing him calmed over this topic.

"Kya hua tumhe?", Bhavya asked looking at him who shrugged.

"Let her come didi, I don't care anymore", he smiled at her making Annika shock.

"What? Rudy Tia is coming", Annika frowned.

"I know didi. But see, now Tia is coming after long time so threat is less, also the main reason of my irritation was her clinginess to bhaiya. Woh toh aapse shaadi kar rahe hai na ab!", Rudra exclaimed at last happily.

Annika looked around and shushed him immediately with wide eyes.

"Slowly Rudy, you remember right? We have decided to keep it hidden till the last day of our college", Annika said in low voice. Rudra smiled sheepishly and nodded.

"I am just excited", he said making Annika sigh and hums. Just then the man of topic came there, he stood behind Annika wrapping arm around her neck from back.

"Hey", he whispered ruffling her hair making her smile lightly.

"Hi! How was in library? Got all the notes?", she asked making him nod. He narrowed eyes seeing her face.

"What happened? You look dull", he asked making her shake head shrugging.

"Just like that, what's the time? 3:30 right? Let's go we have to go to jewelry shop too", Annika said getting up taking her bag.

"Hey hey, tell me Anu, what happened?", Shivaay asked softly holding her by her arm.

"Nothing big Shivaay, you remember Tia with whom Annika don't have good relations? She's coming back to finish her last year in this college", Arnav said.

"Oh! So??", he asked and looked at her confused who rolled her eyes sighing.

"So what? You enjoy her clinginess or what? She's so irritating and her voice, ugh!!", Annika groaned irritated. He chuckled.

"You know I don't even look at her Annika and other thing, I am yours now", he said softly whispering to her in end making her look at him. He raised eyebrows making her sigh.

"Yeah right but..it's just I don't like her", Annika muttered.

"So it's okay, happens when we don't like someone. Just ignore her, if she'll see you ignoring her, she herself won't trouble you then. She does because it affects you", he said softly making her realise he is right. She nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. I will ignore her now but if she or her chamchi, Shanaya come near you or be clingy na, I won't spare her", she said showing her finger making him giggle softly and nod holding it.

"Okay ma'am, your wish", he said softly making her nod.

"Only you can handle her and her tantrums, Shivaay. Hats off brother", Arnav said exhaling making Annika poke out her tongue towards him.

"Accha! Leave all this, let's go. Remember, ladies are waiting for us at jewelry shop?", he asked in hushed voice making her nod.

"See you guys later then", she said hanging her bag around her and went with Shivaay.

"This girl. She clearly feels for Shivaay but isn't realising. You guys saw na, how she got so jealous by just thinking of Tia being around Shivaay", Arnav said sighing.

"Leave na Arnav, anyways they're getting along now. Today or tomorrow, they'll realise their feelings and even confess, till then let's just enjoy being around these idiot best friends", Om said making others chuckle.

"Okay I am hungry now. I will go and order something. Bhavya coming along?", Gauri asked who nodded and both went to counter.

★★

Shivaay and Annika reached jewelery shop to see two cars already in the parking lot telling them that ladies of their family has arrived.

"We're definitely getting scolded today, we're late Shivaay. Bola tha maine, take the shortcut but no, how can you listen to me", she ranted as they came out and walked towards jewelery shop.

"Okay quite woman! I will handle it, anyways we're just 20 minutes late. I am sure mom and others must be looking jewelries for you", he said as the doors opened for them.

The manager recognised them and escorted till the ladies who as per Shivaay's saying, were looking at the jewelries.

"Oh god! Where were you two Annie? I said na be on time", Malvika said looking at her daughter in disbelief.

"The class went longer than we thought aunty and then you know, Delhi's traffic", he said making Annika look at him and then at her nodding.

"It's fine mumma, now we're here na", Annika said making Malvika nod.

"Malvika, leave them na, it's okay they're getting married, thoda time spend kar rahe honge saath mein", Pinki teased at last making both their eyes widen. Annika passed a awkward smile to a salesman standing there.

"Mom!", Shivaay said in disbelief who chuckled and started looking at the jewelries again.

"Billu, Annika, come here puttar. The rings you chose for your engagement is here. See it's fine right?", Dadi said making both of them nod and went towards Dadi's side.

Annika smiled as she looked at their engagement rings. They're simple platinum and diamond ring with layer ring for Annika so that it looks like she's wearing two rings while Shivaay's was a simple band with small diamond in centre of it.

"They look good right?", he asked softly who nodded smiling.

"Yeah. Simple yet beautiful at best", she smiled widely at them. He smiled seeing her smiling and held her hand making her look at him. She raised her eyebrow to which he shook his head smiling.

"They're good right kids?", Jhanvi asked to which both of them nodded.

"Okay, now Annika you come here. We have to select your wedding jewelries", she added making Annika groan internally but nodded with a smile and went to them.

Ladies made her sit in between them and started testing all the jewelries on her, discussing with each other. Annika just kept nodding to whatever they're saying or wore whatever they asked, silently.

Shivaay, who was sitting there was controlling his laugh seeing her being visibly irritated. She looked at him in order to get some help who shrugged chuckling making her glare at him.

"Mumma no! I am not wearing such heavy necklace. My neck will strangle wearing it", Annika said horrified looking at a heavy set.

"Annie! Shh, it's your wedding. What do you expect to wear, a pendant?", Malvika said setting the necklace around her neck while Pinki was setting a mathapatti on her hair.

"This is unfair okay! I am wearing so heavy jewelries, there Shivaay is sitting silently without anything. Same will happen on wedding", she frowned complaining.

"So what do you want? Should we make him wear too?", Dadi giggled making Annika smile naughtily and shrugged.

"I won't mind Dadi", Annika said grinning making Shivaay glare at him.

"Don't even think Anu, I will run away from our wedding", Shivaay warned moving back making Annika and other ladies giggle.

"Okay, these three we've finalised for now. We'll come later and look for the other ones as per requirements", Malvika said keeping the chosen ones on one side.

"Okay are we free now?", Shivaay asked. Ladies nodded.

"Just the billing and then we're completely", Jhanvi said.

"Okay, then my ladies, I am taking you out for dinner date tonight. Anu, call Bhavya and Gauri too okay?", he said making all the ladies smile at him. Annika smiled and nodded.

After the billing was done, Shivaay took Annika and ladies to a dinner date.

★★

Hey guys! Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They means a lot to me♥️

Thank for being so patient always. I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart🥺

Anyways, Tia is going to make her entry soon😂 let me know what are your thoughts about it ;)

Hope you liked the update, do tell me how it was😁

Precap: Shivaay and Annika's engagement

Love,
K♥️