Coming back from the shower, Shivaay saw Annika still organising the wardrobe. He came out wrapping a towel around his waist and came near her,

S: Anni. Move. I need my clothes.

Annika turned around to see him and widened her eyes, blushing.

A: Yeh kya hai?

Shivaay looked at her confused and frowned.

S: Kya?

A: You're standing in a towel only.

Shivaay rolled his eyes.

S: Not like you didn't see me like this.

A: It's not about me. The door's open. Koi aa gaya toh?

S: It's all family. How does it matter.

A: Ghar pe aur bhi log hai, Shivaay.

Shivaay was about to answer when the voice of a maid disturbed them.

M: Sir. Your coffee.

Hearing her both of them gasped in shock. Annika noticed the maid checking him out from top to toe and came to stand in between them, thus covering him. She forced a smile at the maid and took the cup from her hand.

A: You can go. And next time, don't forget to knock.

M: Ye..yes, Ma'am.

Annika went to lock the door. She came back and glared him.

A: Issi liye kaha tha. And why didn't she knock? Does this always happen?

S: Aisa nahi hai. I think she forgot. And stop glaring me, woman. I'll make sure that I lock the door from next time before coming out like this.

A: Better.

She kept the coffee cup on the table and sat on the couch. Shivaay went to the cupboard to get his clothes out for the day. She saw him taking his formals out and frowned.

A: You're staying home today, right?

S: Nope. Ek urgent meeting hai. I'll have to go to office. Will be back in an hour or two.

A: Oh. Okay. By the way, I'm joining hospital from tomorrow.

Shivaay sat on the bed to wear his pants before replying, seeing which Annika blushed looking down.

S: So early? Rest for a few days. You came back from Toronto. Then we got married in hurry too. You must be tired.

A: I'm fine. Plus, I wanna join early too. Bohot din araam kar liya.

S: Your wish, Doctor. But make sure you take care of my wife so that she doesn't get sick.

Annika smiled listening to him.

A: I will, Billu Ji.

Shivaay sighed hearing her and walked to the mirror to wear his shirt. He was struggling with his tie and Annika saw that and shook her head. She walked forward and stood in front of him. She put his hands down from his tie and held it herself. Shivaay immediately held her waist making her blush at their proximity.

A: If you needed help, you could've asked.

S: Hey. Shivaay Singh Oberoi doesn't need any help.

He replied with attitude and she raised her eyebrows.

A: Really? I saw.

Shivaay frowned at her.

S: So? It happens sometimes.

Annika knotted the tie and tightened it suddenly, making him flinch. She chuckled loosening it and smiled proudly before caressing his shoulders and giving him a teasing smile.

A: Admit it, SSO. You can't tie a tie.

Shivaay just frowned and looked away making her burst in laughter. He was still holding her by the waist. Seeing her laugh, he smirked and pulled her closer, to whisper in her ears while she gasped in surprise.

S: I can tie a tie. In bed. Wanna try, baby?

As he expected, Annika got silent and became all red. She was taking heavy breaths and Shivaay smirked. Watching his smirk, she hit him playfully and now he burst into laughter.

A: Besharam. Aur woh kya tha?

S: Kya, kya tha?

A: You were wearing your pants in front of me like the shameless you are.

S: So what? I was wearing it in front of my wife, not a stranger. And I think, I would love it if my wife does the same.

He winked at her only to be hit by her again.

A: You and your double meaning jokes. I didn't expect this side, when I met you the first time, Mr. SSO. I thought you were very....

S: Rude, obnoxious, egoistic and what do you call that? Tad.. Tad....

Annika chuckled and completed for him,

A: Tadibaaz.

S: Yeah, that. I know. But this side comes in front of you only. Only you are capable of making me feel what I never felt before.

Shivaay caressed her face and she smiled at him before replying,

A: Who'd say this was an arranged marriage?

S: It's turning out to be the most beautiful arrangement of my life.

Annika smiled wholeheartedly and kissed his cheek before whispering,

A: Mine too!

Shivaay engulfed her in a hug and she rested her head on his chest and caressed his heart.

A: Jaldi ana.

Shivaay kissed her forehead before replying,

S: Promise.

They parted after a while when they heard Tej calling for Shivaay.

S: I'll be back. Take care.

Saying this he left while Annika decided to take a shower to get rid of her tiredness.

After shower, Annika went downstairs and found OmRuPrinku in the hall playing Ludo. Rudra saw her and squealed in happiness,

R: Bhabhiii. Come on, let's play. We need another player too and who can be better than you.

Pr: Yes, Bhabhi. Please join us.

They started playing while laughing and teasing each other. Pinky, Dadi and Janhvi were having tea and saw them lovingly.

P: After Annika came, there's a different light in this house, no?

J: You're right, Pinky. I'm glad Shivaay got her as a life partner.

D: Sahi kaha, beta. I used to be so worried for Billu. I always feared he'll either get married to someone who'll love his money and not him or maybe no one at all, due to his anger issues. But after I saw Annika giving it back to him equally, I knew they are a takkar ki jodi. And look, it doesn't even feel like she's the daughter-in-law of this house. She got mixed with everyone as if she's a daughter of this house. I just pray, our family remains this way.

J: It will, Mummy Ji.

The three smiled in contentment and looked at them in adoration.

They were still playing when Shivaay entered along with Tej and Shakti with a huge smile on their face. Their smile spoke that their meeting was successful. Annika saw them and greeted them before going inside to fetch water for them.

Passing everyone the water, she sat beside Shivaay in the living room, along with the whole family.

S: Annika beta. You're joining the hospital tomorrow, right?

A: Yes, Dad.

T: But won't you get tired, beta? You just came back and then all these functions.

A: I hope not, Bade Papa. I'm a doctor and duty comes first. And about tiredness, I'm fine. Don't worry.

J: You know, Annika. We're all very proud of you. Keep going like this.

Pinky caressed her head too. Annika thanked the stars for giving her a family like her own.

After dinner, everyone moved to their own rooms. Annika changed herself to her nightwear and kept roaming around the room while Shivaay sat on the bed working on his laptop. He noticed her and spoke,

S: What's wrong? Aise ghum kyun rahi ho?

A: Shivaay. I want chocolates. Abhi.

She spoke in a loud voice and Shivaay was taken aback. Nevertheless, he replied calmly,

S: There might be some in kitchen, go and have it.

Annika narrowed her eyes at him and walked towards him in anger which confused Shivaay.

A: Why can't you go and get it?

S: I'm working, Anni.

Annika frowned and left the room in anger banging the door while Shivaay sat confused.

S: Isse kya hua? She was fine a while ago. God. Itne mood swings.

After a while Annika came back and went to the washroom. She looked happy now. Shivaay shook his head.

S (muttering to himself): Crazy.

He felt the bed dip beside him. Annika lied down and went on scrolling social media. He sighed before deciding to tease her a bit,

S: Doctor.

A: Hmm?

S: Is there a new technique in science through which people can get pregnant without having sex?

Annika frowned in confusion hearing his question.

A: There's IVF, Surrogacy. Why?

S: No. I mean without the sperm at all.

A: Which grade are you in Shivaay? Obviously no. It's basic biology.

S: How did you get pregnant then?

Annika sat up in shock and shouted,

A: What?

S: Shh. Sab ko utha dogi.

A: How will I get pregnant, pray tell?

S: Why else are you having so much mood swings, lady?

He smirked at her. Annika frowned at him before widening her eyes and taking her phone in hand. She went to some app which looked similar to a calendar while Shivaay kept looking in confusion.

She rushed out of the bed and ran to the cupboard, hastily looking for something. That's when a sharp pain hit her abdomen and she clutched it. Shivaay became concerned and ran towards her.

________________________________
Target: 70 votes.