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It was 9 in the morning when he saw her to have coming out from the restroom rubbing her chest .

S- what happened annika , You're ok ?

He asked cutting the call and stepping near her while she nodded before replying .

A- haan , just that I'm feeling nauseous. It's usual shivaay ,nothing to worry.

She spoke and looked towards the door noticing pinky entering inside .

Without paying any heed to her son who stood looking at her keenly ,she straightly neared annika .

P- annika , it's already 9 and you haven't eaten anything. Come with me ,

Annika was so pleased with pinky's concern that she could just smile at her .

A- par aunty, I don't feel like eating anything . I'm getting this vomiting sensation from this morning, I'll eat afterwards aunty. Plss,

She made a puppy face and pinky shook her head ,

P- it's normal during pregnancy beta ,and you shouldn't skip food for that . Duty doesn't just end up with marrying your love secretly , taking care of her is also important.

She spoke taunting her son who looked away slowly . He wanted to complain on his wife ,poor he was running all the way behind her with a glass of milk from morning but his wife was too clever and somehow escaped .

A- aunty , he isn't at fault. It was me who denied eating .

P- enough of defending your husband, now come.

She replied and pulled annika along who turned back signalling him to follow for which he nodded slightly.

He put up a weak smile , it has been a week since his mother spoke to him. She hardly looks at him when he's around only to catch her attention. He understood, his kindest lovely mother had another stubborn side too, after all,isn't she the mother of The Shivaay Singh Oberoi ?

He knew her anger is justified , he decided to be calm and wait .

She was surprised to watch her plate filled with everything she would loose heart for. All her favourites!

She watched jhanvi filling the juice mug ,and spoke immediately.

A- aunty ,Aap kyun ye sab kar rahe hain ? I'll (interrupted)

J- no talking now . Just eat , we prepared all this exclusively for you .

She replied caressing her hair and annika smiled . She knew there was no return now ,the people around her were nothing but love. The way they took care of her just made her emotional sometimes. She has been here just since a week but people around her have already started treating her as their own daughter . It was only when she notices shivaay ,she remembers that she's a new bahu here .

Pinky and Jhanvi who were no less than her mother comforted her with everything knowing her state of mind during this time. And not to forget ,Tej and Shakthi because of whom she reminisces her father many at times . Om who had always remained her brother from delhi times resembled her protective Arnav baiya so much. That's how she found her family in sync with those around her .

It was like she and another family for herself, whom she could declare as her own . She felt blessed .

Shivaay who watched her smiling and laughing wholeheartedly just wished one thing right at that moment . Be it anything ahead ,this smile on her face should remain constant and he was ready to bear things to keep her world surrounded by nothing but endless joy.

A- shivaay , I'm thinking of going to the hospital today.

She asked hesitantly ,

S- annika , we have already spoken about it . The situation isn't good ,

He spoke as his words pounced in concern which she grasped.

A- I've certain appointments today shivaay , I can't disapprove my commitments . I've already been idle for past week on your insistence, I should go now.

She tried putting her statement to convince him somehow. He thought for a second before replying .

S- fine, I'll be the one to drop and pick you up after work everyday. That'll be my condition !

He spoke with a serious face and she smiled .

A- this is it ? Fine! Vaise , won't you be busy with work . I mean ,your job (interrupted)

S- anything and everything after you .

He delivered his words surrounded with love as he took her palm and settled it on his cheecks for her to rub there ,soothing his moment with her tender touch.

S- and everything after ,

She frowned a bit as he left his sentence incomplete , and soon her little frown turned to a wide smile feeling his palm caressing her womb.

Annika was asked to attend a meeting with the dean when she reached the hospital.

Annika entered to find all the chief doctors gathered there ,and a woman of early 30's was present seated infront of them. She seemed totally disturbed and sad , as she remained sniffing with the stole's fabric covering her mouth .

" ok ,so Mrs...?"

The dean insisted to know the lady's name who took a gulp to compose herself.

" I ...I'm Punya "

Annika played an observer as the others spoke , and that's when she came to know that they were discussing about the lady's son who has been diagonized with the coronary artery disease . Going through the files she understood , the child has acquired the disease since birth and that it was hereditary.

Consulting with all the superiors who preferred her to lead as the chief in the operation, she agreed . All the way ,she was the best in her profession and they knew it too.

After the meeting ,

Annika saw the lady quietly nodding to everything they said and leaving the room . She followed her quickly ,

A- excuse me ? Excuse me Mrs. Punya,

P- ji

A- are you fine? I mean , you were so silent inside and I was worried if there is any problem .

P- nahi kuch nahi , bass mera bacha ko jald se teek kar dijiye. That'll make me all fine.

A- don't worry Mrs. Punya , your child's health is my responsibility. He'll be fine very soon ,

She assured and punya smiled .

P- thank you so much Dr .

She folded her hands, thanking annika .

S- khanna ? What's the lead ? I had asked for the papers from the jail to find out his entire details you got it ? . I'm sure we're getting to the lady this time.

K- ji sir ,it just got late as claiming for case files from the prison has lots of formalities to deal with but , we finally have this now .

He gave the file to him .

Shivaay went through the file quietly .

S- so it's Mrs. Punya Khan . And she also has a 10 year old child . Ok then ,I'm sure she would have changed her residence and everything which could lead us till her. So the other details in this file won't help. Khanna, I want you to scan through the voters list and get me the current address of all Punya Khan's . Even if there are many , I know how to filter it out , you get that?

K- yes sir.

Shivaay was waiting for more than half an hour outside the hospital expecting her to turn up any passing second but she wasn't there still . Sighing he got down and walked past the car and there she came rushing out from the main entrance for him to indicate her not to hurry .

A- sorry sorry! Have you been waiting since long ?

She made a cute face watching which he could only smile .

S- no , I just came now . Come

He engulfed her sideways till the car and opened the door for her . Clutching the seatbelt around her at once she settled, he walked to his side . He knew, she forgets that a strap certainly exists there to be used of .

He traversed his glance every now and then on the woman beside who was now all totally engrossed in her call. He loves doing this ! A secret gazing session  when she merely knows  it .

A- haan bhabi ,I'm fine . Bass ,I'm missing you so much . I've been with you since past 3 years and suddenly you aren't with me like for so many days and I really feel low . I miss you bhabi !

She whined cutely , indeed her life has suddenly taken a big turn with things but, does that entirely change anything which she had carried within for people around her . Her family , her brother ,her bhabi ! It was certainly a tough spot for her to leave people back home to initiate a new journey of life. Especially her kushi bhabi ,who had not only behaved a sister in law rather a best friend too. She chuckled reminiscing the days when they both used to hang out throughout the day .

K- I miss you so much annika , I miss our outings together, our late night movies . Those big big lectures from uncle and not to forget those heavy scoldings from your baiya for being late at nights. I miss you too!

She expressed , and instantly felt a tug on her wrist . It was arnav who sat beside her ,knowing that she was on call with annika. He signalled her to pass it on to him .

K- lo, Arnavji wants to speak with you it seems .

She gave the mobile to him and annika smiled widely  . She has been thinking to call him by herself. A day without speaking with him ? Never .

Ar- ani , still in hospital?

A- arey ,nahi baiya . Just on my way home. Waise , bhabi was telling that you've bought a new car !! You didn't tell me that,

She asked making a grumpy face and shivaay smiled noticing it . He wonders many times , isn't her love and affection for her brother scaling more than for him. Maybe , same? He was slightly jealous for that! It is normal , you would want the person whom you love to have you as their priority too . But he knew , Arnav has supported annika through all her decisions playing a root to hold her up.

Arnav's  love for his sister is as equal as shivaay's love for his wife .

Annika was continuing her huge chat when ,

Ar- ani , vo kaisi hai ?

A- kaun baiya ?

Ar- vo ...shivaay .

He asked hesitantly. Arnav and Shivaay hadn't have had a normal conversation since long. Especially all those encounters in delhi did create a distance between them.

Annika smiled sheepishly before putting the call on speaker.

A- haan , baiya! Shivaay is fine.

She pretended and shivaay looked at once .

Ar- is he taking good care of you? Orelse tell me ,I'll see to him.

Listening to this, shivaay raised his eyebrows looking at her who was smiling widely .

A- baiya , you don't have to worry on that . He's so caring ,

She responded looking at shivaay who grinned slightly while concentrating on the road .

Ar- he should be , orelse ...that's it .I'm sure your husband would haven't forgotten all my punches ,

His voice seemed daring ,hearing which shivaay's eyes widened while annika was trying to control her laughter watching it .

Following her into their room ,he frowned to have forgotten something.

S- annika I'll just be back .

A- where are you going now ? It has started drizzling outside ,

S- nowhere ,just that I forgot something in the car ,after hearing  all those dhamki from your bhai.

He replied ,rolling his eyes as he made way out and she shook her head smiling .

She came out from the restroom after changing and let out a sigh watching him to have got wet in the pour outside.

A- I told you ,

She glared at him and immediately fetched a towel from the cupboard.

He sat right infront obeying her orders as she continued wiping his hair while giving nice scolds .

A- what was so needed that you had to run out in rain ,haan ? You never listen to me shivaay .

Her strict frown settled down suddenly, watching him forwarding a small box wrapped on with gift sheets .

S- for you .

He spoke removing the towel away from his sight which has been hiding his view all this time.

A- what's this ?

She asked with a confused face which was actually preparing itself for a smile .

S- tum hi deklo,come on !

He insisted, giving it to her and she took it from him.

She removed the wrappings eagerly to get the view of the thing inside , while he got up facing her .

She was surprised to find a beautiful ring studded with diamonds inside the box. A smiled began crepting gently till it reached more wide. She looked at him with the same reaction and he wriggled his eyebrows twice before asking,

S- you remember this ?

A small frown formed on her face listening to him ,as she had no idea of what he asked. She shook her head slightly.

S- jab ham Delhi mei thei, and we both were out for shopping . That time , at the jewellery shop you liked this ring very much but you didn't select it just because you thought that I couldn't afford for such a costly ring and that you didn't want to embarrass me you know. True that, your papa used to give me an average salary only . In your language ,such a kanjus your papa is !

He giggled and she stood still, without reacting much rather she just kept quiet looking at him keenly .

A- was I so desperate that day , or you noticed me somehow?

S- hey , you acted so satisfied with what I bought for you that I couldn't doubt anytime but know that I can read your face ...your eyes . My girl has adored something ,wanted something and how can I just leave it back?

He spoke cupping her face and she smiled .

A- but , bahut mehenge

He immediately pressed his finger on her lips ,

S- shh, I think now I'm actually rich enough to buy it. This was entirely from my earnings ,so yeah, anything for my wife !

He assured looking into her eyes and slid the ring through her finger while she had her gaze totally fixed on him who was adoring her hand all the while.

A- if only I had known everything, I would have selected the entire shop!

She said with a playful smile and his eyes widened ,

S- ahh! I have a greedy wife .

He made a fake frown and she hit his shoulders lightly.

S- you know ? Even I used to wonder sometimes, ki ye ladki kya dekha hai mujeme that she's so mad for me ? Like ,I didn't have a proper job or I wasn't as rich as you. I had nothing which could make a chance for you to fall for me par phir bhi ,you were behind me . Why ?

He asked curiously, tucking her hair strand behind her ears and she scanned his reactions before replying .

A- I ... I wouldn't say that it was love at first sight but indeed , you did attract me when we met first ! After that when I saw you at home for the interview, I really have no idea of why I recommended you for the job . Maybe , so that I could see you everyday ! Uske baadh pata nahi kya aur kaisa huwa sab ki , I was so on you . Your strict behaviour with girls, your bravery, the way you fight for the right , your sincerity towards work ,especially they way you used ignore me ,pulled me more...! Like , you would act as though I'm literally invisible when I make all my way dressed up fine just to catch your sight . I've felt grudgeful for that you know? I was thinking that I have a crush on you par ,when maa showed me pictures of the grooms who they had chosen for me...only your face was visible for me in those parchments.... nothing else. That's when I realized that, things weren't as usual as they seemed . I realized, how serious I was with you and I just proposed you the very next day of my realization as I knew ...if I've got a married life in this birth ,it should only be with you as my second half . The feel was not a mere attraction anymore then shivaay , it was more like a need ! But you just made me chase you like hell , you were such a dumb you know ? Why ? Didn't you like me before then anytime ?

She asked with a face locked with expectations , while he stood without any movement still engrossed in registering her words .

He felt so special!

S- like? ( chuckling ) you were the first woman who had the power to  break all the barriers and enter into my heart, annika . I had always thought myself to be a person who would have no interest in girls...this... love and such things. Par , you ! You annika ! You always drove me crazy . You complained that I used to ignore you , do you even know how difficult it was for me to stay ignorant towards you ?  I had constrained myself to stay away from you, but I couldn't succeed in it either . Kabhi kabhi mein sochtha tha ki ye sab chod doon , my secret assignment ,my job everything and just start a new life with you ,but I couldn't do it . At the end ,sach ye hai ki, your love won over me !

Listening to each other's confession both remained travelling into the other through the intense eyelock which both shared .

There was no exchange of word as their eyes said it all. His palms which covered her cheecks slowly descended down tracing her skin and settled caging her neck while her breath rate increased feeling those chill sensations which arose within her and she held his wrist tight .

She tightened her grip more when she felt his lips printing a smooth tender kiss on her right eye which she had just closed and he continued the same with her left eye .

A moment to freeze !

He watched her to be crushing the fabric of her stole within her fists, he grinned .

He lent his hands indicating her to hold it and she slowly clasped her hands into his's which seemed more like a pair of lock and key , settling so good into the other.

Taking her hand near his face he traced his lips on her knuckles to soon place a strong kiss there . She felt captivated as the sensation which grew in her due to this proximity just made her go weak . She looked up at him whose eyes were all covered with love and desire for her. A pleasant smile is what she passed at that moment.

Moving close she hugged him ,

A - I love you baby!

He had a contended smile surrounding all through his face listening to her words. She, addressing him as baby was something he has  been used to ,how much he had missed this  !

Precap

Rikara's sangeet .

Shivaay saves annika .

Chapter dedicated to Shivikafan123  Butterfly0106 SwethaAjith8  
Iblover1203 keerthyshiva  ❤

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