Dehradun

The Kabeer Mansion was decked out in bridal garb. Workers were hard at work, and Avantika was guiding them. She was responsible for every function in the house because she was an event planner, in fact, one of the best in the country.

Av: Mahesh, do that properly. Look, that light is almost falling down.

H: Avantika, jaan why are you worrying so much. Sab ho jayega thik se.

Av: Kya ho jayega, Harsh? So much work is left and that girl, your darling daughter hasn't even arrived yet. It already been 2 hours since she landed. Half of the time she keeps me worried.

Someone suddenly hugs her from behind, and her entire demeanor shifts in an instant.

A: Looks like someone missed me a lot.

Avantika turns to her and caresses her face with tears in her eyes. And why not? Her daughter returned after two whole years.

Av: Anu! Meri bachchi.

She hugs her fiercely, tears streaming down her face. The entire family gathers and gazes affectionately at the mother-daughter duo. Harsh hugs them both tightly, his eyes welling up with tears.

Just then Gauri, Bhavya and Ranveer comes followed by Maya and shouts,

G/B/R/M: Anni Di/Anni

Annika walks away from her mother to hug her lifelines.

The whole family sat together and started talking to each, asking Annika about her experiences when Roop said,

Rp: Anni, go and take rest for some time. I'll send some snacks in your room. Then after you wake up, we all will have dinner together.

Annika smiles and her and goes towards her room. Following Maya's wedding, Annika will begin working at Welfare Hospitals, a private hospital.

***

Mumbai

Oberoi family reached their mansion and all dispersed to their rooms to rest.

At night, they all met for dinner when Tej got a call and left to attend it. He came back to join the family when Dadi asked,

D: Who was it, Tej? That too this time?

T: Maa, it was Harsh. He said he had been trying to call us for a long time but couldn't reach us since we were in flight. He called to invite us. Roop Di's daughter, Maya is getting married in ten days and the functions will start in 3 days. So, he asked us to reach Dehradun soon.

D: Maya has grown up so much. Last time I saw her, she was still going to school. Waise, Harsh has a daughter too, right?

T: Yes, Maa. Annika. What a lovely girl she is. I met her when I went to Toronto for business. So welcoming and friendly. Ajkal aise log kam hi dekhne ko milte hai.

S: Sach, Bhaisaab. She is so lovely.

P: I remember her. Bachpan mein bhi se kitni pyaar se pesh aati thi.

The Obros, on the other hand, appeared befuddled, having never encountered the young Kabeers.

Since childhood, Harsh and Tej have been great friends, and Harsh has always regarded Kalyani as his own mother. They had always been in touch, but Oberois had been in the UK for the past few years, so they couldn't meet.

***

Dehradun

Oberois arrived and was greeted by all, save Annika, who was still asleep due to jet lag.

Bhavya, Gauri, and Ranveer got along swimmingly with the younger Oberois. They were about to leave after showing them their rooms when Shivaay stopped Gauri,

S: Gauri, can you please ask someone to get me a cup of espresso. Actually, I'm habituated to having it every morning but as we were in hurry, I couldn't.

G: Sure, Bhaiya. Hum abhi bol dete hai kisiko.

Just then she gets a call from her NGO and says,

G: Bhaiya, I've to go. I'm really sorry. It's an emergency. Some servant must be in the kitchen. Can you please go and ask for it?

S: No problem. Main bol dunga.

Afterwards, Gauri left and Shivaay made his way towards the kitchen.

***

Annika was making tea for herself in the kitchen when Shivaay walked in. They couldn't see each other's faces since she was facing him with her back to him.

S: Suno! Send me an espresso in my room as soon as possible.

After saying this, he walked away, leaving Annika stunned. She turned back to see but grimaced finding no one there.

A: Who was he? And did he just order me? Pilati hoon isse iski kaali coffee.

Annika poured his espresso with additional espresso powder to make it more bitter, then presented it to a servant saying,

A: Bahaar jaake dekho kise chahiye tha yeh and give it to him.

With the cup in hand, the servant departed and served it to Shivaay, who was seated at the breakfast table with the rest of the guests while Annika peered from the rear of the room.

As soon as he took sip of the espresso, he spit it out on Rudra shocking everyone and causing Om and Prinku to giggle uncontrollably. Annika too, was taken aback, but found it amusing while Rudra was on the verge of sobbing.

R: Bhaiya! Yeh kya kiya?

S: Rudra! Yeh espresso itni buri bani thi ki mujhse raha nahi gaya. I didn't notice that you're here and spit it out since I couldn't even keep it inside my mouth for another moment.

A: This is what happens when you order Annika Vardhan Kabeer.

Everyone stared at Annika, mouths agape, while Shivaay turned back, only to get mesmerized by those honey brown eyeballs shrieking laughter.

Av: Anu. What did you do? He's a guest and is this how you treat guests? He's your Shakti uncle's son.

Annika was taken aback when she spotted all of the senior Oberois seated. She glanced at them apologetically making them all burst out laughing.

D: Annika puttar, no problem beta. Waise bhi, we rarely see someone giving it back to Shivaay Singh Oberoi. So, it's a treat for our eyes.

R: And by rarely, Dadi means never. Didi, I am Rudra. You can call me Ru. And I like you very much after what you did to Bhaiya.

Despite Shivaay's glare at Rudra, he continued,

R: Even though I got drenched in coffee, still, it was certainly a treat to watch.

All of the younger Oberois soon introduced themselves to Annika, and they got along swimmingly, with the blue-eyed man in front of her being the only one who remained silent.

_________________________________