I'm extremely sorry for being late this time but I had been extremely busy with work. Finally found the time to pen this down, enjoyy!

Also, 1 chapter to go!
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Shivaay kept tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, which Annika observed. She sighed before sitting up, watching which, he too got up and asked her, concerned,

S: Anni, all okay? Why did you get up?

A: Shivaay, calm down. I'm perfectly fine.

She calmed him down by caressing his arms.

A: Why are you so tensed? It's just a matter of one day.

S: Still. You're due any day now. What if you get into labour while I'm in Delhi?

He spoke, terrified and tensely watching Annika, who sighed. She leaned against his chest and rubbed her hand over his heart, soothing him.

A: Don't worry. Your baby won't come out without you. And the meeting's important too, Shivaay. So, go without any tension and come back to us soon.

S: But Annika...

She shushed him by pecking his lips. He sighed and wrapped his arms over her, knowing she wouldn't move. He could only hope that things would go smoothly while he was away.

***

S: Baby, don't come out without Papa, okay? Papa will take you in his arms first. Not your Dumble Chachu, okay?

Hearing him talk to their kid made Annika laugh. He frequently did it as soon as he awoke in the morning, while she slept. Before speaking, she gently patted his head, which rested on her baby bump.

A: Don't worry, SSO. I'm sure your baby will want you first too. So, you'll win the challenge.

Rudra had challenged Shivaay that he will take the baby first after he/she's born, which Shivaay had obviously accepted stating that his baby would obviously come to him first. Since then, she had seen Shivaay telling their baby everyday to come to him only, believing that their baby listened to them.

S: I hope I do. Good morning, love.

Shivaay leaned up and kissed her on the lips, wishing her. With a big smile, Annika stroked his beard before pecking his cheeks.

A: Don't you have to get ready, mister? When's the flight?

S: Ugh, do I really have to go?

A: You do. Now don't whine like a baby.

She chastised him, causing him to narrow his eyes in her direction.

S: I'm keeping counts of all the revenge I have to take for your scoldings. Just let this little one be out, after that only Papa gets in.

Annika hit him, while blushing.

A: Cheapda. Your baby will hear.

S: He/she should. That's how we made it no?

A: Shivaay.

She chastised him, which made him laugh. He nuzzled her neck and hugged her, sliding slightly to the side to avoid hurting their child.

Annika smiled as she put her hands over his back and smelled his distinct scent.

A: Come back soon. I'll miss you.

She dropped a kiss in the crook of his neck, still being in the hug to which Shivaay tightened his hold, kissing behind her ears.

S: I will. I'll miss you too, love.

***

Annika frustratedly kept her phone on the dressing table when Shivaay did not pick up her call. She knew he was probably busy but her hormones did not want to believe on the fact and act mature.

She walked down the hall with a pout on her face, which Rudra observed.

R: Areh Bhabhi. What happened? Why're you upset?

He made his way towards her and took her in a side hug.

A: Nothing, Rudy. That Bagadbilla brother of yours isn't receiving my calls.

Everyone laughed as she pouted like a baby. Everyone knew how much she yearned for Shivaay, despite the fact that he had only been gone for a few hours. The were aware of the couple's bond. It was magical.

P: Areh, tu chhod usko. Come heres. Eat popcorn. I'll bring out Shivaay's childhood albums. You still haven't seen them.

That brought a smile on her face immediately. Firstly, her favourite popcorn which she can munch on without her husband's glare and then, childhood photos of her Cute Singh Oberoi.

Av: Don't smile and eat so much. I'm watching and I'll surely report it to my son.

Avantika gave a nice warning to her daughter when she noticed her grabbing the entire bowl of popcorn for herself.

A: You're my Mumma. Not his.

She frowned.

Av: Really? Then Pinky is his mom too. And you stole her from him too. So, he's my son now.

Avantika joked and teased her daughter, making her irritated. She was going to respond when she heard Pinky's voice, which immediately distracted her, and she dashed towards the albums, a wide smile on her face. Avantika, on the other hand, grinned and laughed at her princess's adorable pregnancy hormones.

Everyone laughed and smiled as they watched baby Shivaay's naked photo while cried. Gauri noticed when Annika winced a bit in between laughs, making her concerned.

G: Di, you okay? Are you in pain?

A: No, Ri. Don't worry. They're just normal contractions. I often get them.

Annika reassured the worried family, but in her mind, she was chanting something very different - baby, please don't come today. Just one day more and Papa will be here.

She heard her phone ring while the others conversed.

A: Must be Shivaay. I'll go take it.

O: Bhabhi, wait. I'll get it, you sit.

A: It's okay, Om. I need a walk too. So, I'll go.

Om let her go after hearing her. She felt something trickle down her leg just as she was about to approach their room's door. She looked down and was taken aback when she realised her water had broken. Hearing her phone ring, she attempted to stroll towards the room, hoping to delay her departure for the hospital, but she was unable to do so because her contractions had begun.

A: Ahh. Shivaaaay.

Everyone ran upstairs when they heard her scream and were stunned to see her clutching her bump in anguish.

O: Rudra get the car out, hurry up.

As Rudra left, Om immediately picked Annika up and ran towards the car while others followed.

***

A: Maa, Sh..Shivaay. P..please

Annika stuttered in pain while lying in the stretcher as the nurses dragged it towards the delivery room.

Sa: Dr. Annika, there's no doctor available at the moment apart from Dr. Siddhant. Will you be okay? And I'll be assisting him too.

Sayali, Annika's assistant, inquired, and she quickly agreed. She had watched patients give birth, but now that she was in their shoes, she realised how much she had misinterpreted thinking that giving birth naturally, was not a big issue. Shivaay, her husband, was the only person she desired right now.

***

O: Shivaay, why was your phone unreachable?

As soon as Shivaay picked up the phone, Om began to speak.

S: Om, thank god you called. I had been trying to call Annika, where is she? And the weather's bad here so the network as well. I was calling to say I might have to delay coming back till next day.

Shivaay continued to speak without pausing, causing Om to shush him.

O: Shivaay, shh. Listen to me now. Bhabhi's in labour. We are at the hospital and she's been calling for you.

S: WHAT?

Om had to put the phone away from his ears hearing his shout.

S: Om where's she, make me talk to her.

Om rushed inside Annika's room after obtaining permission from the doctor and placed the phone in Annika's ear. She grinned as she finally heard his voice.

S: Anni. Don't worry okay, baby? I'll be there as soon as possible. You'll be fine. You're the bravest woman I know.

Sa: Ma'am, you're only two centimetres dilated. There's still a few hours to go. Just stay strong.

Shivaay, too, heard Sayali speak and closed his eyes in concern, knowing how much longer she had to endure the discomfort of contractions before giving birth to their child.

A: Shiv..aay. Ple..ase, make it he..re.

Shivaay heard her stutter in pain and affirmed her he'll be there before asking her to pass the phone back to Om.

S: Om, I'll be there anyhow. Don't tell anyone the weather situation. Especially Anni. Please take care of her.

O: You don't have to request, Shivaay. She's my sister besides being my Bhabhi. And are you sure, you'll be able to come? Isn't it risky?

Om asked concerned.

S: My Anni needs me, my baby needs me, Om. They're worth the risk.

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