Except for Shivika, who were fatigued and still sleeping, everyone was seated at the breakfast table after a few hours.

R: Where's Shivaay Bhaiya and Anni Di?

Ran: Look, Shivaay Bhaiya's here.

S: Good morning everyone.

All: Good morning.

D: Kya hua, Puttar? Aaj der ho gayi?

S: Actually dadi I had a conference call with American clients, so. Annika didn't come?

Av: I think she's still sleeping. Yeh ladki bhi na. Kabhi nahi badlegi.

Shivaay smiled to himself while Dadi saw this and then spoke,

D: I want to speak to all of you when Annika's up.

H: Kya hua, Maa ji? Sab thik hai na?

D: Don't worry, Puttar. Everything's fine. I just want to share something with you all.

Annika walked downstairs with drowsy eyelids after a few minutes.

A: Good morning.

All: Good morning.

Av: Anni, what's this? So late?

A: Sorry Maataji.

Everyone laughed at her words while Avantika glared her. Annika smiled sheepishly and sat opposite to Shivaay for breakfast.

Av: Anni. This is wrong beta. You sleep late and then wake up late. Kaisi doctor hai tu? Tujhe toh apni degree phek deni chahiye.

Everyone laughed, except Annika, who frowned.

A: Maa. Hogaya na? Ab give me something to eat.

Avantika rolled her eyes at her and served her, while Annika observed Shivaay struggling to keep his amusement in check as Annika was getting scolded by her mom. Shivaay coughed up his food when she pushed her leg forward and kicked his legs.

V: Shivaay. Are you okay beta? What happened? Is the poha too spicy?

S: No, Chachi. It's perfect. I just gulped too much at once.

Annika just smiled to herself as Shivaay glared at her.

***

Everyone sat in the hall after breakfast, waiting for Dadi to speak.

D: Harsh-Avantika, Inder-Vanshika and Roop. I have always considered you my own children and your children as my own grandchildren. I have seen all these children grow up and become what they are today. I have seen how you all have brought them up. It shows in their behaviour. This family is like my own. Here, everyone is equal and have equal rights on all the children. That's why, I want to ask something from you all.

Everyone was confused but they waited for her to continue.

D: I want to ask for your daughter, Annika's hand in marriage for my grandson, Shivaay.

Everyone was surprised but pleased to hear her, especially Harsh and Avantika, who had long admired Shivaay, but Shivaay and Annika were absolutely taken aback and stared at each other.

P: Oh My Maata. Yeh toh aapne bilkun meri mann ki baat chhin li, Mummy Ji.

H: Maa ji. It would be a pleasure turning our friendship into a more beautiful relationship but we would want to hear Shivaay and Annika's thoughts on this too.

Hearing Harsh everyone nodded.

J: Yes Mummy Ji. We all love Annika but I think we should listen to their opinions too.

D: Annika, Shivaay. Beta think about this and let us know.

Shivaay looked at Annika. Annika nodded in yes to Dadi. Seeing her, Shivaay also agreed on thinking about this.

***

Annika was standing in the balcony looking outside when Avantika arrived. She put her hand on Annika's shoulder and spoke,

Av: Anni. Sit here with me.

Annika followed her and sat on the couch in the balcony with her.

Av: You know, when you were young, you used to share everything with me. I used to be your best friend first and then your mother. I didn't even realise when you grew up so big. I am your mother. You're a part of me. I know what's in your heart even before you speak it. I know you've been broken, beta.

Annika stared at her mother and was about to say something when Avantika spoke up,

Av: But you should know, not everyone is the same. We live in a modern world where having boyfriends or girlfriends is normal. And you didn't do anything wrong either. But some people come into our lives as lessons. You should learn from them. Not see them in everyone you meet. Shivaay is one of a kind, my love. He's respectful, above all. And I'm sure he'll keep you happy. He won't hurt you. Think about it.

Avantika walked away after saying this, leaving Annika to reminisce about her time with Shivaay. It made her smile, and she knew what she was going to say.

***

Annika approached Shivaay's room after dinner and knocked. Shivaay smiled as he opened the door and saw her.

S: Come in.

A: Hey. I wanted to speak to you.

S: Sit.

They sat on the couch in his room. Annika didn't look at him. She looked down and spoke.

A: I grew dependent on Vikram. Emotionally mostly. When he left, it took me a long time to get back to normal. After all, he was my best friend before being my boyfriend. I can't go through that again. I have always ran away from marriage because I don't want any support. I don't want to depend on anyone ever again.

Shivaay had been patiently watching her the entire time. He held her hands and spoke after she was finished.

S: Annika. I don't know about support but everyone needs a companion. To listen to them, make them smile, be there during their success and failures. I was running away from marriage too because I didn't see my companion in anyone. I didn't see anyone who'd love my family, my brothers and sister the way I do. People always ran after my money. And I wouldn't lie, that I see that companion in you, Annika. You're independent, brave and respectful. Even though you make fun of me sometimes. No. Most times.

Annika was teary-eyed as she listened to him and smacked him across the chest when she heard his final words. Both chuckled before Shivaay spoke again looking into her eyes,

S: Dr. Annika Vardhan Kabeer, would you give me the chance to change your views on men and make you Mrs. Shivaay Singh Oberoi?

A: No.

Shivaay's face fell down before Annika spoke again,

A: I'd rather be Dr. Annika Kabeer Oberoi, daughter of Harsh Vardhan Kabeer and Avantika Diwan Kabeer and the wife of Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

Hearing this, a wide smile broke out on Shivaay's face and he was glad that she respected both her own and his identity equally. Shivaay stepped over to hug her making Annika hug him back happily.

All of a sudden, Annika pushed him away and glared at him. Shivaay was confused and asked,

S: Did I do something wrong?

A: You owe me a few answers Mr. Oberoi.

S: Ask.

A: Why did you break Malli's heart?

S: Ughh, Anni, do we really have to talk about this right now?

A: Yes we need to. She's my friend and I'm marrying my friend's ex, so I better know both sides of the story.

Shivaay sighed before answering,

S: Fine. We started dating in the first year of College. I was never into love or anything. She was popular among girls. And I was quite popular among the boys. So, everyone shipped us and we just casually started dating. I was not a relationship or commitment type of person and I made it clear to her that I can't handle these. She accepted. She used to send me cheesy and lovie dovie messages to which I never replied.

A: Why?

S: I told you, I wasn't habituated to these. We just talked in class and met outside, went on dates. Calls and text, barely happened. So, on this one date, we were kissing and...

Shivaay paused to observe her reaction and found it to be normal. He went on to say,

S: She was trying to touch me and I pushed her away. Then she blamed me for not being interested in her. We got into an argument and I shouted at her in anger and left from there. Few days later, I got offer from Cambridge and I left. We never met or talked again until that day.

A: You know you really broke her heart.

S: What did I do? She almost raped me by sitting on...

He came to a halt in the midst of his embarrassment, and Annika reddened as well, before resuming his speech,

S: I wasn't ready for sex and all that intimacy, okay? I knew she fell in love with me. She confessed too. But I couldn't love her. I tried. But it just didn't happen. And I felt it'd be unjust to stay with her when she deserved someone who loved her.

A: Okay, I understand. And I forgive you for hurting her.

S: Thank you, Ma'am. Now can we sleep? Kal sabko decision bhi sunani hai.

A: Yes. Goodnight, Mr. Oberoi.

S: Goodnight, Mrs. Oberoi-to-be.

Annika flushed as she walked out of his room.

_________________________________