Updating this solely for the loyal readers and voters who expect updates on a regular basis. However, please do vote and fulfil the target, as this is what keeps an author continuing.

Also, just two more chapters to go!
________________________________

Shivaay was perplexed when he awoke in the morning to an empty bed. After all, even while pregnant with their child, his Lady Kumbhkaran managed to get up early. It's a rare occurrence.

He was about to walk out of the room in order to look for her when she walked inside, holding a plate full of colours.

A: Good morning, SSO.

She chirped cheerfully. Before speaking, Shivaay examined her from head to toe.

S: Good morning. Anni, why are you wearing a saree? You know it's not safe.

He caressed her hair while she pouted.

A: But I like wearing a saree. And I know that you're there to handle me if anything goes wrong. So, don't worry. Now, Mr. Oberoi. Happy Holi.

She was ready to colour his cheeks, wishing him, when he stopped her.

S: Baby. You won't apply colours today. It might be harmful. And since you won't, I won't either.

He spoke taking the plate from her hands and keeping it aside, making her frown.

A: Shivaay, but it's Holi.

S: I know that but you and our baby is more important than that, okay? You want colour, right?

She smiled and nodded. Shivaay approached their dressing table and stood in front of her, holding something in his fist. He showed the sindoor box by opening his palms. He grabbed a pinch from the box and gently applied it to her hairline, causing her to close her eyes in happiness.

S: Now, there's your colour.

He smiled as he spoke, his arms around her waist.

A: But you don't have any colour on you, Mr. SSO.

She caressed his beard as she whispered, making him smile even wider. Before glancing at her, he gently pecked her hairline deeply, getting some sindoor smudged on his lips.

S: There you go.

Annika chuckled and pecked his lips.

A: But this will go away soon, Shivaay.

S: So what? Your colour is imprinted on my heart, and that can never be removed, can it?

Annika simply smiled and moved forward, taking him in a slow kiss, to which he responded lovingly. When he felt their baby's kicks via her tummy, which was pushed to his, Shivaay slipped apart, making Annika chuckle.

A: Looks like baby doesn't like Papa kissing Mumma.

Annika made him frown by pulling his cheeks.

S: This is not fair. First that Rudy was a kabab mein haddi now our baby.

He spoke caressing her swollen stomach lovingly, though frowning at the little one's mischief. They remembered the first time they felt their baby's kick, when Shivaay was scolding Annika for her carelessness once and the baby supported his or her Mumma instead of Papa.

***

Shivaay looked around the front yard, observing everyone playing with colours, while his wife sat grumpily with her mothers on the other side of the yard, away from the colours. Annika's favourite festival was Holi, and she looked forward to playing it every year. Although there should have been no problem for the kid due to the colours, Mr. Papa Singh Oberoi was extra cautious.

S: Gujiya for my baby.

Shivaay appeased her sitting beside her with a plate of her favourite snack while she glared at him.

A: Your baby doesn't like Gujiya. Usse aapki tarah kaali coffee pasand hai but you don't even let me drink that.

Annika's whining made the mothers laugh.

S: I brought this for my big baby and no, no coffee. It's overly caffeinated, and I'm sure you sneak sips from my cup as well.

Shivaay chastised her, causing her to sulk. He softly pecked her pout, causing her to blush and hit his chest.

P: Don't worrys, Anni. We've seen more.

Pinky laughed and gave Avantika and Janhvi high fives, making Annika blush, while Shivaay defended his position.

S: Don't tease us, Mom. We haven't seen any less, no?

While the others burst out laughing, he smirked at his mother, making her flush and hit his arms.

P: Shut ups now. Anni, come with me. You haven't eaten in long. I'll feed you.

J: Anni, why didn't you eat, beta?

She only stared at her husband's glare and smiled nervously, knowing she had gotten herself into trouble.

A: I was not hungry. Sorry.

S: Anni, you kept my baby hungry.

A: Haw, Maa look he's just concerned about his baby.

She scowled at him with teary eyes, making him gulp. Mood swings, he reasoned.

S: Okay okay, I'm sorry. Don't cry. Come I'll feed both my babies.

He nervously smiled and apologized before taking his babies to fill their hunger, before his wife burst into tears, scaring and hurting him.

***

Annika was watching Kaho Na Pyaar Hai when Shivaay entered the room late at night. Looking at her, he groaned and shook his head. He approached her and sat next to her, passing her the glass of milk he had brought with him.

S: Anni, milk.

Annika's face scrunched up in disdain as she looked at the milk, and she was going to refuse it until his glare forced her to take it, but with a sulking expression.

Shivaay sat beside her, holding her from the side, and set the glass aside after she had finished. Annika, for her part, just snuggled into his warmth and hugged him back while staring at the television in front of her.

S: If you keep watching Hrithik Roshan all day, my baby will think he's her father.

He frowned as he spoke, making her chuckle at her adoring and jealous husband.

A: Oh, how I wish it was true and that Hrithik were my husband. My son's father.

She talked dreamily, causing him to strain his eyes at her.

S: Don't dare, okay? She's my baby only.

He spoke caressing her baby bump with a small pout on his lips. Annika hit his hand that was on her bump playfully before speaking,

A: Who told you it's your daughter? It's my son.

S: Hey, I know it's my daughter and not your son.

A: And I know that it's my son only.

S: And how is that, Missus?

A: I have a sense since I'm the mother. Mother's intuition, you know?

S: Then my father's instincts say that it's a girl.

A: We'll see, who's right when the baby's out.

He nodded with a sneer as she spoke out, challenging him.

S: Fine.

He gently pecked her lips, which she turned into a loving kiss, causing him to smile. As they parted, he pushed his lips against her nose, making her laugh.

A: Your beard tickles, SSO.

S: Really?

He massaged his beard on her neck right away, making her giggle out loud. As she giggled, he smiled and observed her. Peace, was what he felt. It makes you glad to see your love happy, especially when it's all because of you.

Shivaay moved forward and kissed her once more, causing her to smile broadly. After parting, they rubbed their noses together. Annika kissed his cheeks as he turned his head, before nestling back into his chest.

A: Ouch.

Shivaay was startled when he heard her yell and looked at her.

S: What's wrong? Is it the labour pain?

A: No, Shivaay. Calm down.

She stroked his chest, calming his racing heart.

A: Your baby just gave me a good kick.

S: Again? You know what? Mama's boy or Daddy's girl, he/she would definitely be a cockblocker and my romance killer. Every time I love you, the baby kicks you.

Hearing his outburst, Annika chuckled and hugged him warmly.

A: Well, I love seeing my Frustrated and Jealous Singh Oberoi anyway.

He shook his head, chuckling at the various names she calls him, and drew her into his warmth, lulling them to sleep.

________________________________
Target: 275 Votes