I have said this a lot of times and saying it again guys, I won't update anymore unless the target for the last chapter and this one is completed.

It takes a lot of energy and time to write and all I want is some appreciation from you guys. I'm sorry, but if this continues, I will have to discontinue the book.
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A month later, Annika entered her room after a long day of work only to be surprised watching Shivaay sleep in an odd hour of the day. She turned her head towards the clock to see that it was only six in the evening. Normally, he doesn't even come back till eight at night and today, not only he came early but was also in deep sleep.

She stealthily tip toed towards him and touched his forehead to check if he was sick. She sighed in relief finding his temperature to be normal and was about to move away when she felt him hold her hand. Of course, he was a light sleeper.

She looked towards him as he slowly opened his eyes, still groggy from sleep and smiled at her.

S: You're back? I thought you'll be late.

A: I had less patients today. What about you? How did you come so early?

S: I was having a bad headache so I came home as soon as I wrapped up all the pending works.

He spoke scooting away to let her sit beside him. She instead, took her place behind him and held his forehead to give a massage, making him sigh in peace. He slowly moved away and lied on her lap, making her smile.

A: This is why, I tell you Shivaay, stop overworking yourself.

Annika spoke while kneading her hands through his hair. He held her hands and kissed them before replying,

S: I won't anymore. You know I had to complete the important tasks as early as possible. Everyone will be here tomorrow and the functions will start soon. I want to be with my family during that time.

A: I understand. But even after that, if you overwork yourself, mujhse bura koi nahi hoga, Mr. SSO.

Annika spoke glaring at him while he chuckled getting up and taking her in his arms.

S: Achha? Kya karogi?

He spoke raising his eyebrows making her smirk.

A: You won't be in the same bed as me for a whole month.

Shivaay gave her a look that said 'Really?' before speaking,

S: Okay, then where do you want to do it baby? Bathtub, carpet or the couch?

He spoke huskily making her gasp.

A: Oh god, you're always thinking about that. Such a one track mind.

Shivaay laughed pulling her closer before kissing her hairline while she blushed.

A: Shivaay?

S: Hmm?

A: You do know, Mallika will be here for the wedding too, right?

S: Yeah, so?

Annika looked down and spoke,

A: It won't be awkward right? I mean, you guys were in love and now you're my husband and she's my best friend. You guys have memories. I know that she was there during our wedding as well but during that time she was busy since it was her brother's wedding too. This time, she'll be relatively free. What if something happens?

Shivaay held her chin and made her face upwards making her look at him.

S: Are you insecure?

He asked softly. Annika immediately retaliated,

A: No. I mean..

S: Anni. You can admit. You can talk to me about anything, you know that right?

A: I'm not insecure. Just a bit worried. I know how deeply she was in love with you. What if those feelings resurface?

S: Firstly, I wasn't in love with her. She loved me, yes. But I have seen her with Sid too. They love each other. What we had, was one sided. She was a good friend, later became my girlfriend. But I could never see her as more than that. And even if her feelings resurface, we'll make her understand that it might be just infatuation, okay? There's no reason for you to be worried.

He spoke kissing her forehead while she closed her eyes in bliss. Watching her, Shivaay could understand that she had more in mind.

S: Ask.

A: Huh?

S: I know you want to ask something. Let it out.

A: N..nothing. I'll go take a shower. Then we'll leave for dinner.

She was about to leave when Shivaay pulled her back. Knowing he won't budge, she sighed.

A: How far did you guys go? Physically, I mean.

S: Why this question suddenly?

He spoke caressing her face.

A: I just want to know.

S: Umm okay. Third base.

He spoke a bit embarrassed and looked away.

A: Do I match up to your needs as much as she did.

Hearing her Shivaay was shocked. He didn't know she kept all these insecurities buried inside her. He decided to remove it all.

S: No one can be compared to you, Annika. No one. I never felt even close for anyone else, what I feel for you. I have kissed people before but when I kiss you, I feel different. When we make love, it's never lust speaking. I see my future with you, Anni. You're mine. Just mine. Just like I'm solely yours, love.

Annika hugged him tight listening to his words. This man knew, what disturbs her and every time, he makes sure he removes the root of it. Too make the mood light, he decided to tease her a bit.

S: Waise, how far did you go with that joker?

A: Same as you and Mallika.

She spoke embarrassed while Shivaay stared at her agape.

S: Y..you mean you took that joker in your mo...

He couldn't speak for her palm reached his mouth to stop him. She looked at him embarrassed and spoke,

A: Don't remind me all that. Gives me michmichis. Also, you did the same with Mallika and how many others, I don't know. And if it makes you feel any better, I did it for the norm of dating just. No feelings.

She spoke frowning while Shivaay burst into laughter watching her embarrassed face. She glared at him, speaking,

A: Why are you laughing?

S: Watch your face, baby. So embarrassed and so cute.

A: Shut up, SSO. At least there was only one in my life. I wonder how many were there in yours.

Knowing she'll give it back to him if he doesn't stop her now, he decided to end the matter.

S: Okay forget that, now. What matters is that, I get to do all I wish to you forever now. That's enough.

He spoke nuzzling into her cheek. She pushed him away saying,

A: Yeh achha hai. Khud ki baari ayi toh topic hi badal diya.

S: Ugh Anni, let's not talk about that please.

He whined making her smirk.

A: I love it when The Shivaay Singh Oberoi pleads in front of me.

S: And only you can make him do it. I don't mind though.

He spoke looking into her eyes deep. She smiled pecking his lips before getting up to freshen up.

***

The next day everyone arrived from Dehradun, including Maya, Aditya and Mallika. Forgetting all the insecurities and worries, Annika welcomed them in all smiles. The engagement was to be held the next day after a small pooja so the girls decided to spend the time together while the men hung out together.

The girls were seated in the room allotted to Gauri and Bhavya while going through the dresses and jewellery for next day. Every now and then Annika's eyes were moving to Priyanka. She had been acting weird for a while now. She saw her smiling looking at her phone more frequently these days, getting scared and hanging up her call whenever someone entered her room.

Annika could understand that it was a boy and that her sister-in-law seemed to have grown a liking for that particular boy. She decided to talk to her once she saw everyone else busy among themselves.

A: Prinku.

Priyanka flinched hearing her and immediately kept her phone down looking towards Annika.

Pr: Ji, Bhabhi.

A: You know tu mujhse kuchh bhi share kar sakti hai, right? I've been seeing that you're lost. Kya baat hai? Is my dear sister in love?

Hearing her Prinku blushed which confirmed Annika's suspicion. She further told her about the guy with a glint in her eyes making Annika smile. However, her smile faltered when Prinku showed her the boy's face.

A: Prinku, isn't this Abhay Raichand? Oberois' business rival's son?

Priyanka looked at Annika nervously.

Pr: Ye..yes, Bhabhi.

A: Are you sure, your bhaiya will accept him?

Pr: I don't know, bhabhi. But he's a really nice person. Please talk to Bhaiya about him. I know he'll never say no to you.

A: I can't assure you he'll say yes, Prinku, but I'll surely talk to him.

Assuring her and wishing others a Goodnight, Annika moved towards her room only to find the room empty. Here, Shivaay along with the other boys were hanging out in Rudra's room.

R: Waise ek batao O, after your marriage, will we have to witness your PDA too?

Hearing him Om blushed while Shivaay smacked Rudra's head understanding he was teasing him.

Ra: Too means? Who else do you guys see?

Ranveer spoke confused while Arnav too looked towards Rudra for answer. Shivaay mentally facepalmed himself knowing what was coming,

R: Areh, apne Shivaay Bhaiya aur Annika Bhabhi, aur kaun? Jab dekho, kahin bhi shuru ho jaate hai.

Hearing him everyone burst into laughter while Shivaay sipped his drink being embarrassed.

O: Well that's true, no one would say they had an arranged marriage. I wonder how many times have we caught them kissing here and there.

Arnav controlled his laugh and spoke,

Ar: Oh god, this is funny. Shivaay, I hope you let my sister rest a bit.

Shivaay groaned speaking,

S: Urgh you guys, stop. And laugh Om, laugh. We'll see what you do too soon.

Om blushed while soon Shivaay's phone pinged with a message from Annika. 

S: You guys enjoy. Mera bulava aa gaya.

At that he got up and left the room shaking his head at the teasings behind him.

Shivaay entered the room and saw Annika sprawled on the bed with her phone. He locked the door and walked towards her,

S: What's up? Why did you call me? And how did your girls' night end so soon?

He spoke sitting beside her. Annika kept her phone away and looked up at him.

A: Shivaay, I need to tell you something important.

S: What is it? Sab thik hai? Tum thik ho?

He asked concerned.

A: Woh..woh, Prinku's in love.

Shivaay was surprised hearing her.

S: Kya? With whom?

He saw Annika sighing looking down and got further worried.

S: Anni, your expressions are worrying me.

A: Woh, Abhay Raichand.

S: What? Arjun Raichand's son? Our business rival?

A: Y..yes.

S: Anni, you know this cannot happen.

A: Just because he's a business rival's son?

Annika decided to speak a little defending Priyanka.

A: Shivaay. Just because he's your business rival doesn't mean he's bad. And Priyanka's smart. She won't choose wrong.

S: It's not that, Annika. I know about that boy well. He's a womaniser. I don't want my sister to fall in his clutch.

A: What? I didn't know that. She'll be broken. She likes him a lot, Shivaay.

S: I'll talk to her after the engagement tomorrow. Don't worry.

Hearing him Annika sighed but she was scared knowing how angry Shivaay can get when things concern his family. She could only hope that no one gets hurt.

***

Next day, after the engagement, the whole family sat in the hall speaking when Maya called for everyone's attention.

M: Guys, Adi and I have something to share.

Everyone looked at her with a smile urging her to continue.

Ad: We're expecting a baby.

Aditya spoke blushing while everyone smiled broadly in happiness. Everyone congratulated and blessed them one by one after which, Maya spoke to Annika.

M: Anni, now you have to be my doctor. Adi and I will be moving to Mumbai for work soon, so it'll be easy for you too.

A: Gladly, didu.

Annika spoke hugging Maya and Aditya. The younger clan decided to have a game night later on so everyone dispersed into their rooms to freshen up.

Before moving towards the poolside for the game night, Shivaay decided to talk to Priyanka. Thus, he went to her room.

Pr: Come in, bhaiya.

Priyanka spoke when she saw Shivaay knocking at the door.

S: Annika told me about Abhay.

He saw Priyanka nervous and caressed her hair.

S: He's not a nice person, Prinku. He's a womaniser. And trust me, he's only using you for selfish reasons.

Pr: He's not like that, bhaiya. I've known him for months now. He truly loves me.

S: He doesn't, Prinku. I really don't want you to be hurt. So, it's better if you leave him.

Pr: You're the one hurting me, bhaiya. Is business more important than your sister? You're rejecting him just because he's your rival's son.

Hearing her high pitched voice, Shivaay was surprised. He was angry now watching her defending the man who'll soon hurt her. Controlling his anger, he spoke in a stern voice,

S: I am not rejecting him for that, Priyanka. I know very well, that he is doing all this to get to us. He'll hurt you soon. And whether you like it or not, I want you to cut ties with him. Understood? Warna, mujhse bura aur koi nahi hoga.

Priyanka didn't answer but tears fell from her eyes. Shivaay knew he hurt her but it was better to cry now than to cry for a lifetime. Priyanka too knew that he was serious about what he said, considering he never called her by her full name unless angry.

He moved out of her room and went to the poolside where everyone was waiting for him. Priyanka had already messaged Rudra that she was tired and going to bed as soon as Shivaay moved out. Annika understood at once that their talk didn't go well, just by looking at his angry face.

Shivaay came and sat beside her on the mattress that was laid out. Annika entwined their arms and spoke,

A: What did she say?

S: Nothing.

A: You threatened her, didn't you?

She was about to leave his arms when he didn't answer, confirming her words, but he held her hand back.

S: Sometimes, it's needed, Anni.

A: You could've explained to her calmly too, Shivaay.

S: I tried, okay? She wasn't ready to listen. She kept on defending him.

A: Still..

S: Annika, please. I really don't wanna argue with you right now.

Annika shook her head sighing and was about to move away when he pulled her back again and held her by the shoulders.

S: Stop moving away every time you're angry at me.

He spoke looking at her.

A: Then stop getting angry and impatient for small matters.

S: You know me, Anni.

He sighed pecking her lips while she hit him blushing.

R: Okay guys, enough PDA. Dekha Arnav bhaiya, bola tha na maine? Now move away, we'll play truth and dare and there are no teamwork required.

Everyone laughed at their expense while the couple blushed. Annika could see from the corner of her eyes that Mallika looked at them a bit surprised seeing this side of Shivaay. However, it was short lived. Thankfully, Sidhharth arrived the same day because of which her attention was not completely on her past.

The bottle was spun and the first target was Om. As usual, he chose truth, to which Rudra asked him,

R: When did you know that Gauri Di's the one for you?

O: Umm, I think the day Dadi decided our marriage. I mean it is an arranged marriage but we shared common interests and when Dadi brought that topic up, I couldn't see anyone else better for me.

This answer earned him claps and hoots while Gauri blushed. The next target was Sid, who again chose truth.

A: Sid, you tell us, how did you propose Malli. You never told us this and even asked Malli not to tell us.

At that everyone was interested while Mallika stifled a laugh. Sidhharth embarrassingly told everyone the story of how he was about to propose to her but fell into the pool and then lost the ring and later had to propose to her in wet clothes with a ring from a can.

Everyone had a good laugh before the bottle was spun again and Annika was the target. Watching everyone picking truth, she decided to be different and picked dare. If only she noticed Rudra's smirk.

R: Okay bhabhi, we have always seen Bhaiya kissing you and you hitting him being embarrassed. Now, kiss him. And before you make excuses, on the lips.

A: Kya? I'm not doing it.

K: Do it, Anni. He's your husband not some stranger.

S: Yeah, do it Anni.

Shivaay smirked at her while she glared at him. Of course, her PDA loving husband would be happy inside. She was about to retaliate when she saw Mallika look at Shivaay.

S: What? Scared?

Shivaay teased her which earned him a glare. Watching Mallika from the corner of her eyes, she moved her face towards him and whispered to him before going further.

A: Keep your hands to yourself.

Shivaay smirked but controlled his hands too. Annika knew her cheapda well to know he'd forget about the surroundings and get indulged in other pleasurable activities.

She slowly leaned in taking his lower lips and sucking them softly while he did the same with her upper lips. The kiss was very short considering the surroundings but the hoots of people around got her blushing and she hid her face in his chest hearing them laugh.

She saw Mallika wipe a tear drop away. She knew Mallika loved Siddharth dearly but also knew that Shivaay was her first love and watching him kiss someone else in front of her, hurt her. But she must realise too that now he belonged to Annika only. Annika knew it'll take time for Mallika but she didn't understand why her wifely instinct took over when she saw her staring at her husband. Nevertheless, she was happy because she knew he belonged to her just like she belonged to him.

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