They were still sitting in the backyard hugging each other.

S: Anni.

A: Hmm?

Shivaay smirks and says,

S: Mujhe aaj chhodne ka iraada hai?

A: What if I say no?

S: People will see us and assume wrong things.

A: I don't care. You're mine. Not some stranger.

S: I know that. You're mine too. Aaj jab woh Vikram tumhe ghoor raha tha na, mann kar raha tha jaan le lu uska.

Annika smirked and raised her head from his chest to look at him.

A: Jealous, SSO?

S: Hey. Shivaay Singh Oberoi is never jealous, okay?

A: Lag toh nahi raha.

Saying this she suppressed her smile. Shivaay saw it.

S: Having too much fun, no?

Annika broke the hug and laughed,

A: Bohot.

S: Really?

Shivaay came forward to tickle her and both of them started laughing. Annika got up and ran to escape from his tickles. She ran inside while Shivaay ran behind her. Annika escaped and ran to her room and closed the door. Shivaay came till the door and stopped when Annika spoke,

A: Go away, Mr. SSO. Ab kal hi mulaqaat hogi. I'm sleepy.

Shivaay rolled his eyes and replied,

S: Fine, to be Mrs. Goodnight!

Saying this he left while Annika blushed hearing his words.

***

Next day was Mehendi. Annika and Maya sat while four ladies filled their hands with henna. The others were also enjoying. Especially, Gauri, Bhavya and Prinku who were dancing in punjabi songs.

G: Anni Di, Maya Di, don't you both wanna dance? Kitna maza aa raha hai.

P: Yes, bhabhi. Join us.

M: You guys carry on, we'll join later. Our mehendi's still wet.

A: Haan, you guys enjoy.

Annika smiled at them but was frowning inside since she didn't see Shivaay since morning. She couldn't even ask someone because they'll tease her. Furthermore, they didn't even have each other's numbers.

***

It was almost evening and she still couldn't find Shivaay. She could deduce that he wasn't at home since morning. She was on her way to Om's room to ask for Shivaay's number when he walked in. Shivaay didn't have any expression on his face and just walked to his room.

Annika followed him inside and turned him towards her holding his shoulders.

A: Where were you? Kabse dhoond rahi hoon.

S: Annika leave me alone for some time.

A: Par..

S: Annika. Go.

Shivaay looked angry but Annika was adamant too. She had been worried for him since morning. She went forward and held his hand,

A: Shivaay. What's wrong? You look tensed.

Shivaay couldn't control anymore and shouted at her,

S: When I ask you to leave, just leave. Don't you fucking understand? Leave me alone.

Saying this he jerked her hands while Annika was shocked hearing him shout. Shivaay realised what he did and was about to move forward to explain her when she showed him her palm, indicating him to stop and left the room glaring him.

S: Shit. What did I do?

He ran after Annika and followed her to her room but she slammed the door on his face. He was about to knock when Tej came there.

T: Shivaay. Aa gaya tu? I heard about the deal. It's okay beta. This is business. There are ups and downs.

S: I know Bade Papa. But I don't know how did this even happen. I checked the bids, they were fine.

T: It's okay, son. We'll look into the matter. Now concentrate on your wedding. Tomorrow's your wedding and subha haldi bhi hai. Go get some rest.

S: Jii, Bade papa. Goodnight.

Wishing him Goodnight, Tej left. He looked at Annika's door for once and sighed before leaving. He thought of talking to her, first thing in the morning.

***

Shivaay woke up and went to Annika's room only to find it empty.

S: Yeh kaha chali gayi itni subha? She doesn't even wake up this early.

He went downstairs and saw everyone was preparing for haldi.

S: Good morning.

Av: Good morning, beta. Uth gaye? Go and sit, I'll get breakfast.

S: Yes, Aunty.

P: Oh my mata! Abhi bhi aunty hi bolega? She's going to be your saas from today. Call her Maa.

Shivaay smiled and said,

S: Yes, Maa.

Avantika smiled and caressed his face before leaving to arrange breakfast for him.

Shivaay saw Maya working in the hall and went to her,

S: Good morning, Maya Di.

M: Shivaay. Good morning.

S: Di woh Annika nahi dikh rahi kahin pe.

M: Oh yes. She went to the hospital to collect her transfer papers. After all, she'll be joining Mumbai's branch after marriage now. Didn't she tell you before going?

S: No di. Actually, she left before I even woke up.

M: Oh. I think she was in a hurry since haldi bhi hai dopahar ko. Go and have your breakfast, then get ready.

S: Yes, di.

***

The boys were getting ready in Shivaay's room and teasing him. But he was least interested in that. All he was worried about was talking to Annika and calming her anger.

After everyone was ready, they went downstairs. There were two seats decorated with a partition in between which confused Shivaay.

Dadi came forward and made him sit in one. After a while, he saw the shadow of girls coming downstairs through the partition. The girls' seat was right beside Shivaay's with a thin partition in between such that it covers their faces from each other.

Annika saw Shivaay sitting through the partition and turned her eyes. Maya was about to make Annika sit beside him when Annika stopped her.

A: Didu, aap baith jao yaha.

M (whispering to Annika): But Shivaay is there. Tujhe mauka mila hai, baith na.

Annika looked at Shivaay and spoke in a tone such that only he and Maya could hear,

A: Mood nahi hai.

Saying this she went and sat away from him while Maya rolled her eyes and sat beside Shivaay. Shivaay gasped hearing her and closed his eyes thinking about the grave mistake he made.

R: Dadi. Why this partition?

D: It's there because it's a ritual that bride and groom cannot see each other until their wedding. I was going to tell Billu and Annika about this yesterday but Billu was in office. Normally, this ritual starts after the Mehendi.

S: But Dadi, these rituals are so old fashioned. Who follows them now? I won't.

Saying this he was about to remove the partition when Dadi stopped him.

D: We do. Chup baith. Raat ko dekhe ga hi na apni biwi ko. Ab chup karke baith.

Hearing her everyone started laughing while Shivaay blushed. Annika blushed and glared at him while he gulped seeing her face.

Soon, the haldi was over and Annika, Shivaay and Maya went for shower. After that, the beauticians came and started getting the brides ready in Gauri's room while the boys were getting ready in Shivaay's room.

***

Maya's baraat came and Maya started blushing hearing her sisters' teasing. On the other hand, someone covered Annika's eyes from the back.

Annika smiled and turned back to find her elder brother and bhabhi behind her.

A: Arnav Bhaiya. Khushi Bhabhi. You guys made it.

Saying this she hugged them.

K: How couldn't we? Our princess is getting married after all.

Arnav is Avantika's brother's son. After his parents' death, he lives with them. Few years ago he moved to US temporarily to expand his business. Now that his company is settled, he moved back to India.

***

Shivaay and Aditya were sitting in the mandap waiting for their brides. Soon after the Pandit called for the brides, the girls brought them down. Shivaay was mesmerised looking at Annika. Annika saw this and blushed before looking down. They came and sat beside their respective partners and the rituals began.

After the rituals were over, Shivaay-Annika and Maya-Aditya went to the elders and took blessings. They finally got hitched. After that, Maya's bidaai was done.

The Oberois were to leave for Mumbai the next day after Maya's reception. Shivaay and Annika's reception would be held after a week in Oberoi Mansion.

After the rituals were completed, the girls took Annika to her room which was decorated for her wedding night. Seeing this, Annika started blushing furiously.

B: Ohho Di, already blushing. Jiju is yet to come, no?

Hearing her double meaning joke, the girls started laughing when Annika spoke,

A: Shut up, guys.

She smacked Bhavya on the head understanding her double meaning.

A: Kuchh bhi bolti hai.

Bhavya just smirked.

Gauri passed a glass of milk to Annika and said,

G: Di. Take this. Your green signal.

A: Matlab?

K: Matlab, agar Shivaay ke liye green signal ho, toh unhe yeh pila dena. Warna, don't. Waise, I know, pina toh hai hi unko. I heard woh haldi ke waqt kitne excited the partition hatane ke liye.

A: Bhabhi, aap bhi.

They laughed and made her sit on the bed and left the room giggling. When they were leaving, they saw ShivOmRu with Ranveer and Arnav coming towards Annika's room.

G: Jiju. Entry restricted until we get out gifts.

B: Yes. You cannot go inside until you give us our gifts. After all, saali hai aap ke.

Ra: Aur saala bhi hai.

Saying this Ranveer moved to their side while Shivaay gasped,

S: Saale sahab. Abhi toh aap mere side pe the. Gift ka naam sunte hi udhar?

Ranveer just smiled sheepishly.

S: Prinku, tu waha kyun hai?

Pr: Bhaiya, aaj main bhi bhabhi ke side pe.

OmRu: Aur hum bhi.

S: Wow. Aur koyi baki nahi?

Z: Areh main hoon na.

Ar: Well, agar sab hai toh, main bhi.

Shivaay was shocked seeing all of them changing sides. He just rubbed his temple and called for Khanna.

Khanna gave Gauri, Bhavya, Ranveer, Khushi, Arnav and Zain their gifts while OmRuPri were looking at Shivaay with puppy face.

S: Don't make that face.

Saying this he took out his wallet and handed it to them.

S: Spend and enjoy. Now can I go?

Everyone smiled and said,

All: Please.

Shivaay heaved a sigh of relief and finally entered the room.

_________________________________