"Can I speak to Anika ma'am?" a girl asked Shivaay on the phone. Shivaay was exhausted from trying to wake Anika up.

"No... she's sleeping right now. Can you call her back in an hour?" Shivaay replied, but he noticed the girl hesitated to hang up. Sensing something important from her tone, Shivaay asked, "Is it something urgent? I can pass the message to her."

"Sir, actually, there's a very important conference happening in four hours. Ma'am needs to be there... it's really important," the girl explained. Shivaay immediately realized that Anika had been so caught up with personal matters over the past week that she likely hadn't had time to think about the conference.

"When did you last inform her about the conference?" Shivaay asked. After a long pause, the girl answered, "A week ago." If Shivaay had been the CEO, he would have fired her on the spot for that delay.

"Ma'am wasn't available the whole week..." the girl tried to explain, but Shivaay cut her off, understanding how intense the week had been for Anika. "Stop wasting time. Just send the details of the conference. I need them in minutes," he instructed and hung up the call.

Within minutes, the girl WhatsApped the report to Anika's phone. Shivaay took the report and immediately started working on it, preparing for the conference. By the time he finished the presentation, he was shocked at how much time had passed. Rushing to the bedroom, he tried waking Anika up.

"Ani... wake up... it's eight in the morning... come on, wake up," Shivaay called, but it didn't seem to reach her ears.

"Anika..." he sat beside her and gently caressed her hair. This time, she swatted his hand away, the enemy to her beauty sleep, but Shivaay wasn't one to give up easily.

"ANIKA... YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE!" Shivaay suddenly yelled, feigning shock. Anika jolted awake and stared at him, only to realize he was tricking her. Shivaay laughed—his old trick still worked. She glared at him but said nothing.

"Okay, come on... wake up. You've got a conference today, remember?" Shivaay reminded her. As she recalled, she realized she hadn't prepared the presentation, but she kept quiet. Heading to the cupboard, she was surprised to find her clothes neatly arranged but didn't show any reaction. Grabbing her outfit, she headed into the bathroom, glaring at him as she shut the door.

"Shall I come in to help?" Shivaay smirked, only for Anika to slam the door shut with a loud thud, though she smiled once inside.

"Don't worry about the presentation... I finished it," Shivaay called out, relieving her stress in an instant. Anika smiled, wondering how he could ease her burdens so effortlessly.

"Hey, hi," Shivaay greeted her with a romantic breakfast when she entered the living room, fully dressed. Though she was impressed, she masked her expression with a mock-angry face. Shivaay could easily see through her act but said nothing.

"Come here," he gestured toward the chair beside him. Anika rolled her eyes in disbelief but sat next to him. He fed her breakfast, and she didn't protest, eating from his hands as he explained the presentation, just like he had explained her college project back in the day. However, none of his words registered with her as she was too busy admiring him.

"That's it... everything clear?" Shivaay asked. She nodded, still expressionless, though she was thoroughly impressed.

"Hmm," she responded and stood up after finishing breakfast. Shivaay smiled and hit "send" on his phone. Her phone beeped. Anika looked at it, surprised.

"I know where you got lost earlier... so I recorded everything I explained. Play the voice note during your travel and ace that presentation. All the best," Shivaay said with a smirk. She finally broke her composure and smiled. In no time, Shivaay rushed over and hugged her tightly.

"I don't know what's happening to me. Why am I acting so childish?" Anika asked while hugging him back.

Shivaay slightly pulled back, looking into her eyes. "Because your heart knows I go crazy for this behavior. That's why it's playing with you," he said with a soft smile.

"Only now do I feel like I can breathe... being held by you," she whispered sweetly.

"Same here," Shivaay replied. Anika cupped his face while he held her by the waist. Just as they were about to kiss, a car horn blared outside. They chuckled and instead pressed their foreheads together before Shivaay let her go.

"Okay... take care, and all the best. You'll do great," Shivaay said, placing a kiss on her forehead. She blushed and walked toward the door with him. He handed her his laptop and helped her into the car.

"Shivaay... password?" Anika asked with a smile.

"The same," Shivaay replied as he waved goodbye and went back inside as the car pulled away.

Anika watched him until he disappeared into the house. She felt complete, having regained everything she thought she had lost forever. Smiling and blushing, she felt free to be herself, knowing she was with the one person who would accept and love her no matter what.

"Hello, Sid, it's Shivaay. I need a favor... can we meet in an hour? Great, I'll be there," Shivaay said, ending the call with a sheepish smile.

---

Four days later

"I wish Ansh had come with us," Anika said to Shivaay as they traveled somewhere in his newly bought Benz. She wore a beautiful sparkling sky-blue saree, long stone earrings brushing the shoulders of her sleeveless blouse, and pink blush matching her cheeks, which had turned even pinker due to Shivaay's constant staring. She felt slightly self-conscious under his gaze, knowing she looked beautiful to him but growing more nervous with his silence.

"Shivaay, we have a son now. Stop staring at me and focus on the road," Anika smirked.

"Who told you to wear this saree? You're tempting me beyond reason," Shivaay thought but forced himself to look back at the road.

"Shivaay, where are we going? At least answer that!" Anika asked mischievously.

"Wait and see," Shivaay replied, taking a turn toward a place Anika had never been.

"Hey... where are we going?" Anika asked again, curiosity in her voice. Shivaay chuckled and kept driving. She crossed her arms and fell silent.

Shivaay stopped at a dark place, making Anika suspicious, though she didn't show it. He unbuckled his seatbelt, walked around to her side, and opened the door. Though surprised, Anika stayed in the car.

He bent down, unbuckled her seatbelt, and gently carried her in his arms. Anika didn't protest because, deep down, she wanted this too. Wrapping her arms around the collar of his black shirt, she felt herself falling for him even more.

As they walked toward a forested area, neon lights suddenly lit up the sandy ground, showing the path ahead. Shivaay followed the glowing steps, carrying Anika as she looked at him in wonder.

"What?" he asked, noticing her gaze.

She shook her head, smiling.

When they reached the destination, Anika couldn't believe her eyes. Tears welled up as she whispered, "You remembered everything."

Shivaay gently placed her on the ground, and she stepped forward without delay.

A tent-shaped dining area surrounded by trees, candles lighting the grassy ground—her dream had come to life. Fifteen years ago, she had shared this fantasy with Shivaay, and though he hadn't responded much at the time, he had clearly remembered every word.

"Oh my God! Am I still dreaming?" Anika whispered, cupping her mouth in shock. Shivaay moved closer and kissed her blushing cheek.

"Hmm... I can taste your makeup, so no, you're not dreaming," Shivaay teased.

Anika smiled and turned toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him close. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Yes... I'm not dreaming, it's real," she exclaimed with joy.

"I thought I was annoying you back then, but now, after 15 long years..." she trailed off, tears forming again. Shivaay gently wiped them away, smiling softly.

"Your words never annoyed me. I decided back then that I'd propose to you like this," Shivaay said, snapping his fingers. Fireworks lit up the romantic night sky as Shivaay pulled her against his chest. Anika stared up in awe.

"How do you like my touch on your dream proposal?" Shivaay asked, though Anika had no words left for him. Knowing he remembered everything was enough. Shivaay sealed her happy tears with a kiss before kneeling down.

"Ms. Rao, will you make me the happiest person alive by marrying me?" Shivaay asked, holding out a heart-shaped diamond ring. Though Anika had expected a proposal someday, her happiness still knew no bounds.

"You should have asked me before Ansh was born," Anika teased.

"Uff... a little late. But don't worry, we can make it up with Shivika. What do you say?" Shivaay teased back, making Anika's jaw drop.

"Forget it! I'm 34, and you're 35," she shot back, shaking her head.

"Just 35... come on, don't say no," Shiva

ay pleaded with a mischievous grin.

Anika tried her best not to laugh, knowing it would give him the green light.

"For what should I not say no? Marriage or another baby?" Anika asked, amused as Shivaay remained on his knees.

"Both," Shivaay said with a chuckle.

"You've completely lost it," Anika commented with a laugh.

"You made me lose it by wearing this saree and tempting me every second!" Shivaay confessed, making her laugh even harder.

"What? Why are you laughing?" Shivaay asked, confused. Anika extended her hand, giving him the signal he'd been waiting for. He slid the ring onto her finger, and she knelt down to his level, intertwining her hands with his.

"Promise me... you'll always make me feel like I'm on top of the world by staying by my side forever," Anika asked with teary eyes.

Shivaay gently pulled her closer and whispered, "You'll always be this happy, just like today. I love you beyond infinity," before kissing her gently on the lips. She reciprocated, and together, they felt like they were in heaven.

"Thank you," he whispered as they pulled apart, breathless.

"Something's seriously wrong with your ego," Anika teased.

"Someone ate it," Shivaay joked.

"Who? How?" Anika chuckled.

"Wait, I'll show you..." he said, picking her up in his arms and carrying her toward the hut-themed resort.

"Why did you set up the dining area?" Anika asked as they passed by.

"Just for show. I'm hungry for something else," Shivaay replied, and Anika playfully smacked his head for his cheeky response.

They entered the room, filled with the scent of her favorite room spray. Anika smiled at the thoughtful decorations as Shivaay gently laid her on the bed and began unbuttoning his shirt. But Anika had other ideas. She pulled him onto the bed and surprised him by taking the lead.

"What?" Shivaay asked, caught off guard.

"You're not the only one who's hungry," she whispered, kissing his earlobe.

"Ani..." Shivaay began to moan, feeling overwhelmed by her touch after so many years. She traced her lips down his neck, unbuttoning his shirt and tossing it aside. With a firm grip on his waist, she flipped their positions, pinning his hands above his head. He jerked in surprise but quickly captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Together, they reignited the spark of their relationship.

---

Anika and Shivaay returned home, where Mallika spotted them from her house, smiling knowingly. Anika flashed her engagement ring to Mallika, who rushed over immediately.

"Did Shivaay propose to you?" Mallika asked excitedly.

"Yes... look," Anika showed her the ring, but Mallika's eyes immediately noticed the hickey on the side of her neck.

"I think you'll need some concealer," Mallika teased.

"Shivaay needs it more than I do," Anika shot back with a grin.

"You've completely lost it," Mallika laughed, smacking Anika's head playfully.

"Madly in love," Anika replied, smiling back.