What is peace? Being with a person or in an environment that makes you feel happy and takes away all your pain, stress and gives your the calmness or relief nothing else has given before.

Annika was feeling the same peace. Being in the arms of her boyfriend who is also the love of her life and loves her dearly. She turned her head to see Shivaay sitting beside her with his arm wrapped under her bosoms, head on her shoulder as both were sitting on the sand looking at the ocean.

He took her hand in his another hand, playing with her fingers. His eyes met hers and she could see love in them. How did she didn't noticed it before. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"Love you", he muttered making her heart flutter.

"Love you", she said back caressing his cheek. He gently rubbed his nose with hers bringing a wide smile on her face. He gently pecked her lips.

"Shall we leave now? Everyone must be waiting", she said looking at the watch in her wrist.

"I don't want to go", he said with a frown, wrapping both arms around her taking her in the hug. She giggled.

"But we need to move, baby. It's so late. Tomorrow we're going for jet ski! I am excited", she said and looked at him.

"What did you called me?", he asked smiling against her neck. She blushed realising the endearment she used for him.

"Shivaay, let's leave na", she said changing the topic.

"First say the name by which you called me", he asked.

"Why are you teasing me!", she whined and he came face to face to her.

"I am not teasing you pumpkin, I just want you to call me by the name you called me before", he said shrugging feigning innocent face, hiding his smile.

"Okay fine, I called you baby", she said and tucked a hair strand behind her ear. He chuckled seeing the adorable blush on her cheek and kissed it.

"You can call me anything you know right, baby', he said making her smile and nod. He pulled her to his chest, keeping her head under his chin and hugged her tightly. She giggled feeling squished.

"Okay fine, let's go", he said and got up. She smiled forwarding her hands. He took them gladly helping her to get up. Wearing their footwear, they went back to the dining area of bungalow.

As they came there, they felt some fine white fur falling on the like snow. Shivika walked in holding each other's hands.

"What is this guys?", Annika asked smiling widely. Shivaay nodded removing a fur from her hair.

"Hello my officially love birds", Malika exclaimed smiling brightly.

"I always knew they'll fall in love", Arnav said making Malika look at him.

"Oh really? Who's the one saying I don't think they can fall for each other, they're so different", she mocked.

"Well, I didn't say that", he said looking here and there.

"Yeah yeah! Right", she passed a fake smile.

"Whatever it is. I am so happy you and bhaiya are together, Annie", Gauri exclaimed and rushed to Annika hugging her tightly. Malika and Bhavya took the cue and joined the hug making Annika smile widely.

Rudra rushed to Shivaay and hugged him tightly.

"Bhaiya! Thank you that you fell for Annika didi, I couldn't handle someone like lady baba in your life", he said and kissed his cheek making Shivaay close eyes scrunching but chuckled.

"Trust me, even I can't see myself with a girl like her", he said parting from Rudy. Om and Arnav also hugged him and then took Annika in side hugs.

"I am so happy you're going to be my bhabhi, didi", Rudra exclaimed. Annika blushed hugging him back.

"Omg! He proposed you?", Gauri exclaimed seeing ring in Annika's left hand.

"Dumbo! If he would have proposed her, the ring would have been in her ring finger. Not index finger", Bhavya said hitting on her temple.

"Right bhavya, I didn't proposed her yet as we both need to know each other more before coming in a relationship like marriage. Anyways, that proposal won't be a simple one", he said winked towards Annika who smiled softly.

"Okay now, Annika look above", Malika said with a naughty smile. She looked at her friend confused and then looked up only to widen her eyes.

There was tied, a branch of mistletoe. She looked at girls who was smiling mischievously. She glared at them who shrugged.

"Now can you tell what is it? We're asking since the time you have tied it there", Arnav asked.

"Annika will explain in the best way. Go ahead, Anu!", Gauri said giggling.

"What is it, love?", Annika heard Shivaay's voice beside her. Annika chuckled nervously and glared at girls with a fake smile. They controlled their smile.

"This..this is Mistletoe. It is said that when two people specially if a couple stand under it, they have to share the kiss at the moment itself", Annika said and looked down with pink cheeks.

"Oh", Shivaay said not understanding what to say.

"Ohhh", other boys exclaimed in teasing tone making Shivaay look at them to see them with smirks. He rolled eyes.

"Guys, we are not if Annika is not comfortable kissing in front of everyone", Shivaay said making Annika look at him gratefully. She is not comfortable yet in getting intimate with him in front of anyone, specially her friends.

"Oh come on! It's not like we have never seen you guys kissing", Arnav said with a naughty glint in his eyes.

"This morning itself they're kissing each other when they're supposed to prepare cake", Rudra added in support.

"That's called barging in, in someone's room without permission", Shivaay countered.

"Whatever it is Shivaay but you know, I have heard that if you refuses to kiss under mistletoe, it's considered bad luck", Om said making Shivaay look at him in disbelief.

"Om...you too?", he said who shrugged chuckling.

"Bhaiya! Don't go on O's long hair. Prani is very naughty", Rudra said getting a smack behind his head.

"Shut up Rudra", Om said.

"Exactly! Shut up Rudy and I don't believe in all this", he said and looked towards Annika.

"I do", she said making him blink at her, "I mean it's considered as bad luck for couple who refuses. I don't wanna take chance", she said.

"But are you comfortable?", he whispered to her cupping her cheeks.

"I am with you right. I am comfortable with you", she said. He smiled caressing her cheeks.

"Fine then, if Annika believes, I am in", he said making everyone hoot. She started blushing and it deepen seeing Shivaay getting closer to her.

"Just look into my eyes", he said keeping his hands on either side of her waist. She nodded keeping hands on his shoulder looking in his eyes.

Looking in his eyes, she didn't realised when his lips joined hers and she just lived the moment after that, sharing the kiss filled with love. The hoots and squeals didn't affected her being in his arms. She just smiled feeling his comforting palms caressing on her lower back.

|••|

Next morning, Annika was the first one to wake up. Opening her eyes, she smiled seeing his face in front of hers. He was sleeping with his head half on his pillow and half on hers. There was serenity on his face, the eyes which makes her go drown in them were closed, his thick eyelashes touching his cheek bone while his lips formed in a thin smile. He was looking like a baby. Her baby.

She got up slowly keeping her face on her hand, balancing on her elbow. Gently pushing his hair from his forehead, she looked at his face. She has always been an insecure person when it comes to relationships. She always thought that whenever she love or trust a person, one day something about her will not go well with them and they'll eventually leave her. That's why she always tries to gell up according the person in front of her, in fear of loosing them.

Shivaay is the first person who let her be the way she likes. He enjoys her silliness, he loves her with her flaws, the original her. He never asks her to do something specific or change herself. She pressed her lips on his forehead trying to pour the love and respect she holds for her man.

Feeling the softness on his skin, he woke up but didn't open his eyes to see what she does ahead.

"I am not perfect Shivaay, I know no human is but I promise to be the perfect one for you just like you are, imperfectly perfect for me", she said softly keeping her forehead against his.

He open his eyes softly looking at her closed eyes. He love the way his Annika is, his pumpkin. He never wants her to be 'perfect', she is best the way she is. He closed his eyes back and caressed her waist acting like he is waking up. She leaned back and looked at him.

"Good morning, babe", she said smiling widely seeing him opening his eyes.

"Ah! The morning these days seems like heaven seeing you first", he said making her giggle. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer in a sense that she was half-hovering him. 

"Good morning, love", he said and leaned in to kiss but as usual she stopped, "uh-uh! Morning breath", she said. He sighed and moved to her neck kissing her nape.

"I wish there was nothing like morning breath then I would have kissed you deeply", he mumbled against her neck, kissing her collar bone. She blushed hitting on his chest.

"You've a barbaric mouth", she said pecking his pointy nose.

"Trust me, this mouth is more barbaric and can do many things", he winked at her and saw her cheeks turning red in blush.

"You're so pervert", she said and looked away blushing.

"Haan? Now you have to spend your entire like with this pervert", he said making her look at him.

"Gladly", she smiled looping arms around his neck. He smiled and kissed her cheek tightly, making her giggle.

"I love you Annika", he said looking at her fondly.

"I love you Shivaay", she confessed back and kissed his forehead. He pulled her closer hugging to his chest. She relaxed hearing his heart beat.

|••|

"Okay guys! Two person in one jet. Tie up your lifeguards", the instructor said looking at the group.

Shivaay tied the belt of her lifeguard properly and looked at her who's face was visibly happy.

"Baby hold me tightly, okay?", he said making her nod childishly.

Tying up his lifeguard, he held her hand and took them to the jet. First he sat down on the jet and then she sat down beside him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

"You held tight?", he asked. She nodded. He smiled igniting the jet. Others also started their jets. He zoomed the jet and the next moment, they're skiing the ocean with Annika holding Shivaay tightly and shouted happily as they touched the air and the coolness of water.

Annika was having fun to the fullest hugging him tightly with his one hand towards the air. Shivaay smiled seeing her hand and increased the speed of jet hearing squeal from her.

After a ride of 20 minutes, they came to the starting point. He turned and she cupped his face pecking his lips.

"It was amazing Shivaay", she squealed hugging him tightly. He giggled hugging her back.

"I am happy you loved it", he kissed her hair. She smiled widely.

|••|

It was evening and Annika was talking with Jhanvi on a video call. She has formed a great bond with his parents, specially his mother. She gives her the motherly warm she was craving from years and Jhanvi adores her son's girlfriend like her own daughter.

"Aunty, you wanted to talk about something. Say na", Annika said as she sat down on the bed.

"I know Annika that you guys decided to have your first New year together in Bora Bora but I want you guys to come back. Actually, Shivaay's dadi is coming and when she got to know that our Shivaay finally has a girlfriend, she got super excited and wishing to meet you. She'll be coming day after tomorrow", Jhanvi said.

"Aunty.. That's really not an issue. If dadi has wished, how can we deny. I will talk to Shivaay and others at dinner about this so that we could leave tomorrow", Annika said.

"What you have to talk about?", Shivaay slump down beside her and looked at the screen. Annika kept the phone in between.

"Hey Mom, how are you and dad?", he asked seeing his mother.

"We're great, Shivaay. How are you? Hope you're not troubling my daughter", she chided teasingly.

"Who am I to tease her when she has you by her side", he said rolling eyes. Annika chuckled softly.

"Mom saying of that, I want you to tell something", he said and held Annika's left hand. She understood and nodded holding his hand back.

"Yeah, say", Jhanvi said but gasped seeing a princess cut ring in her index finger.

"Wait..did you?", she said and the squealed after that.

"Mom I have not proposed her. I have confessed her my love and she reciprocate it", he said and looked at Annika who smiles at him. He kissed her knuckles.

"Omg! My son is finally in love. That too with the girl I find perfect for him", Jhanvi said happily with hands on her cheeks.

"Tej! Tej!", she shouted happily for her husband who came rushing. She saw Annika and Shivaay and smiled at them.

"How are you kids?", he asked.

"We're great dad", Shivaay said with a smile.

"Tej! Leave that. Give me your credit card now", Jhanvi demanded with a proud smile.

"What! No!! Really Shivaay? You came out faster than my expectations", Tej said.

"Wait! What's happening?", Shivaay asked getting confused. Annika nodded.

"Your father and I had a bet. I said that you've fallen in love with Annika and will confess it soon. He said that you will take time to confess. So according to bet I won and now his credit cards are mine for one month", Jhanvi said in a victory tone at last.

"I never thought after being a turtle for life in love matter till date, you'll confess soon", Tej said frowning at his son.

"Seriously dad! You have only this much trust on your son?", Shivaay asked in disbelief.

"Not to blame me, you never had any spice in your life", Tej shrugged. Shivaay rolled his eyes.

"Ah..Shivaay, Jhanvi aunty was saying something", Annika changed the topic to which Jhanvi chuckled.

"Yes Mom?", he asked.

"Shivaay your dadi is coming back day after tomorrow. When she got to know that you finally have a girlfriend, she got happy and excited. She is wishing to meet Annika and also wish to celebrate new year together", Jhanvi said.

"That's great", Shivaay smiled widely, "I was really missing her. In fact yesterday Rudra was talking to me about her, he will be really happy to know. I will talk to others mom, we may leave tomorrow morning", he said.

"Great then. I am waiting to have you guys back here", Jhanvi said.

"Take care kids, we love you", Tej said.

"We love you too, dad. Take care, bye", Shivaay said and kept the call.

"It seems like you're really close to your dadi", Annika said once he kept the phone away.

"She's a sweetheart, baby. You'll love her. She always keeps talking about love and romance. She'll be so happy to see that I have a girlfriend now, whom I love with all my heart", he said holding Annika's palm. She smiled holding it.

"I am excited to meet her then", Annika said and smiled seeing his wide grin.

|••|

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♥️

Sorry for late update, was little caught up with other stuffs. Thank you for being so patient🥺

Hope you liked the chapter. Do tell me how it was😁

Precap: Annika meets Shivaay's dadi

Love,
K♥️