Hello there, guys! Here it is, the next chapter, as promised. I'm not sure how it went because I was incredibly sleepy when I wrote this for you.

I apologize for not being able to respond to your comments and for updating so late due to my hectic schedule.

I really hope you people understand. But, I did read each and every comment, and I wanted to express my gratitude for your support.

So, thank you so much and please do hit that star button once you finish reading the chapter!

Happy reading!
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S: Annika?

After not finding her in bed in the middle of the night, Shivaay called out to her as he strolled into the kitchen looking for her.

Annika wrenched her head towards him, her hands hidden behind her, forcing him to stare at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

A: Shi..shivaay. You were sleeping, no?

S: I was, until you walked out, my dearest wife.

He went towards her with a mocking look on his face, making her swallow in dread. While looking deep into her eyes, he extended his hand to grip hers behind her.

S: So, this is what you've been up to.

He spoke, bringing her hands in front of them, looking at the chocolate smeared all over them.

A: I was craving it.

She pouted sweetly in an attempt to persuade him.

S: Don't pout. Won't work on me. You know this is unhealthy for our baby. Yet, you eat this.

He reprimanded her as if she were a child, making her frown.

A: Excuse me, Mr. Oberoi. Chocolates, in no way is unhealthy for a baby. I'm a doctor and I know that very well.

S: The amount you eat, is unhealthy and I don't want any arguments on this. Now, keep it in the fridge, wash your hands and come with me.

He spoke glaring at her, knowing very well, she wouldn't listen if spoken lovingly. Annika huffed before doing as he requested and stormed out of the kitchen, not even looking at him. Shivaay sighed and followed her, pondering over how to appease his wife.

***

S: Baby.

Shivaay called her spooning her as she lied down, back facing him due to anger. Annika was now in her second trimester and her mood swings were over the top.

Shivaay remembered how a few days back, she craved for espresso flavoured crepe in the middle of the night and he had to wake up and cook it for her, following the recipe on youtube, because she had thrown a fuss, claiming that he now considered her irritating and overweight.

S: Anni, talk to me. I'm sorry.

A: Baby, tell papa, I won't talk to him.

She spoke caressing her bump which slightly showed now while he sighed hearing her. He kept his hand on top of hers and caressed the bump along with her, pecking her neck simulated.

S: Baby, tell mumma that papa stops her for good reason.

Annika turned towards him angrily, making him scared.

A: That's no good reason. You don't even let my baby eat what he/she craves. Or is it that, you don't want me to get fat because I know, men lose interest once their wives are all pregnant and fat.

She finished choking on her own voice making him fear for tears were about to roll down her eyes. He shook his head and grabbed her in a hug, laying her on his chest and kissing her hair.

S: No, Anni. I won't ever, I promise. Please don't cry, baby. You know I can't see tears in your eyes. I promise, I won't stop you from eating chocolates anymore.

A: Not even in the middle of the night?

She spoke as if she were a baby, wiping her tears away. Shivaay let out a defeated sigh.

S: Not even in the middle of the night?

A: Thank you!

She squealed, raising her head and giving him a loud kiss on the cheek, making him smile. He smiled as he watched her mood shift from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds, and he caressed her hair, lulling her to sleep.

***

S: Anni.

Shivaay called out to her as he walked into the room, decked up in black suit only to be mesmerized by the sight of his wife in front of him.

Annika was dressed in a black chiffon saree with an off shoulder blouse. The saree skillfully concealed her baby bump. Her neck was decked with a light kundan necklace, and her ears were adorned with matching earrings. To top it off, she appeared angelic to him as she stood in front of him, glowing with pregnancy and bearing his name in Sindoor on her partition.

As she saw him stare at her, she blushed and lowered her eyes. Shivaay approached her, raising her chin to face him and softly caressed her face.

S: You're carrying my baby in your womb, sweetie and you still blush.

He teased her, causing her to punch him in a fun manner.

A: Don't tease me, Mr. SSO. Wait a second, you didn't even wish me till now.

She spoke the latter part narrowing her eyes at him making his sigh.

S: That's because you slept early, Jaan. So, I decided to wait till you're awake. And then since morning, you've been ignoring me being busy in all the preparations as if no one can do it.

He spoke grumpily making her pout sadly.

S: Don't be sad now. Better late than never, right? So, Happy Anniversary, my love.

He smiled as he wished her before pecking her lips.

A: Happy Anniversary, Shivaay.

She caressed his face and looked at him with love-filled eyes, wishing him back. He gave her a warm grin before taking her in a calming and serene embrace.

It's been a year since they got married. Since they started their journey towards building a life together. They couldn't wish each other at midnight, as most new couples do, because Annika was fast asleep owing to her pregnancy fatigue. Shivaay, like a good husband, understood her part completely because she was going through a lot of physical and mental pains while carrying the symbol of their love in her womb and handling her career at the same time.

It was their anniversary party today where they were finally going to announce to the media that they were soon welcoming their first child since Annika was almost 4 and a half months pregnant now.

They walked hand in hand downstairs, making everyone stare in awe at the couple. Annika possessively wrapped her arms around his watching a few girls drooling over him, which made him chuckle at his cute territorial wife.

Many people were taken aback by their pregnancy announcement, especially the girls at the party, who had their hearts crushed yet again by the mighty handsome SSO.

R: Waise Annika bhabhi, if you were not my bhabhi, trust me, I'd have made you my wife. You look so stunning with this pregnancy glow on your face.

Rudy said this while flirting with Annika, who blushed at the comment. He did, however, get a smack on the hand from his dearest older brother, who had now drawn his wife closer to himself and was glaring at him.

S: Bhabhi hai teri.

R: Oh ho, Bhaiya. Jealous, I see.

Rudra teased Shivaay making him glare at him again.

S: Why'd I be jealous? People get jealous of something they don't have. I have my Anni. I'm just being territorial.

R: Wohi toh, ek hi matlab hai na?

B: Leave it, bade bhaiya. This Dumbell Oberoi will never understand these differences.

Bhavya teased Rudra making him narrow his eyes at her.

R: Hello Miss Raw Egg, don't insult me.

B: You...

Bhavya was about to retaliate when Gauri stopped her.

G: Bhavu, why're you unnecessarily annoying my devar?

P: Because he deserves it, Bhabhi.

Spoke Priyanka looking at the banter between Gauri and Bhavya regarding. Intervening, Ranveer also supported Rudra making Priyanka hit him playfully.

Shivaay and Annika observed Prinku and Ranveer quarrelling or smiling at each other at times, or tease each other. They smiled looking at each other after noticing their cousins. Another pair in an arranged marriage was slowly falling in love.

Shivaay and Annika stood beside each other laughing and talking with their cousins when a shrill voice made them turn back.

T: Oh Shivaay baby, I missed you so much!

Tia spoke up just as Shivaay turned around and hugged him, causing him to stumble. Annika gave her a cold stare as she kissed his cheeks passionately, causing him to swallow, fearful of his wife's fury.

T: Where were you baby? I went to your office that day. You weren't there.

A: He was busy making a baby. No, baby?

Annika faked a smiled at her and then at him, causing him to widen his eyes in surprise at her choice of words.

A: Woh kya hai na Tia, as usual you're late and missed the announcement. Don't worry, I'll tell you. This is our anniversary party and a few minutes ago, we announced our pregnancy too.

Annika spoke smirking at her while Tia looked shocked at her and then at Shivaay.

T: Baby, you're pregnant?

Tia asked Shivaay to which Shivaay shook his head in a no out of shock.

A: Oh no, we're pregnant. And I'm carrying your Shivaay baby's baby. Won't you congratulate us?

Annika inquired, a phony smile on her face. She smirked as Tia nervously smiled and walked away after congratulating them.

Once she had departed, Shivaay turned to her and looked at her with surprised eyes.

S: I never knew my wife could be this straight forward.

A: You don't know a lot of things, SSO. Trust me, I'll surely avenge you for allowing her to kiss you.

She narrowed her eyes at him speaking and immediately left his sight making him shake his head in disbelief. He knew he needed to appease the sherni once more.

Annika was conversing with Maya while caressing the little Adya in her mother's arms when Rudy made an announcement, making her turn towards the stage.

R: Ladies and Gentleman, on the occasion of their first anniversary, my dearest bhaiya has prepared a surprise for bhabhi. So, let's give it up for the one and only, Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

Shivaay came on the stage and took the mic from Rudy before speaking,

S: Anni. I remember the first time I heard you sing. Trust me, you took my heart away with your voice and those lyrics. Sadly, I can't sing well, so here's something I can actually do.

Finishing, Shivaay brought a guitar and took his spot on stage, eliciting a round of applause and cheers from the audience. It was then Annika remembered how Rudy once said the day of their sangeet that Shivaay used to play guitar.

Everyone fell hushed as Shivaay began to play the music and hit the notes. Most people were taken aback when they heard the Businessman of the Year, Shivaay Singh Oberoi, perform a love song for his wife.

He knew the lyrics by heart and so did she, despite the fact that he didn't utter them. As he played the chords, he stared into her eyes, and she knew he meant every word of the song.

As he finished performing, everyone applauded and cheered. He stretched his hand for her and pulled her to the stage, holding her hands lovingly, as he took a bow towards her, startling the audience once more.

Jo tum na ho... rahenge hum nahin
Na chahiye kuch tumse zyada, tumse kam nahin

He surreptitiously sung in her ears, causing her to laugh at his gruff and untrained voice. Nonetheless, she strengthened her grip on him because those words, more than his voice, spoke to her.

Soon, the family joined them for cutting the cake. Shivaay fed Annika a piece of the cake before pecking her lips, in front of everyone making her blush and hit him playfully.

However, the cameras had already captured the moment and next day, the headlines were 'The shrewd Businessman finally lost his heart to the beautiful Mrs. Oberoi and is set to welcome their first child in five months.'
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