Annika's Dress ---

Rudra Looked at his watch for the upteenth time and gave a nervous smile towards Annika who was being suspicious of his behaviour, drumming her long slim fingers over the table, she leaned forward and narrowed her eyes spectacularly making Rudra a nervous wreck, "what the hell has happened to you Rudra?" she asked clearly frustrated by his abnormal behaviour plus Gauri and Bhavya have taken more then two hours to get her ready for tonight even if she protested, god knows Why?

"Actually --" he fumbled, trying his best to stop his legs to tap against the floor continuously, "I'm feeling uncomfortable here. This close interior is making me suffocated, what say, we should go out in the over lawn and have our dinner?"

Annika sighed, nodding, "I have told you, haven't I? that no need to come here else we would have our dinner in the terrace of our Mansion itself"

"But. I can't take you there Bhabhi, It's your special day and I really wanted it to be special" rudra nervousness went into thin air as he tried to reason out his thoughts regarding his action, pouting slightly.

"Gosh! even if we had our dinner there, it would have been more then enough for me. understood?" Annika smiled affectionately at her adorable date, "You know I hate such display of wealth in the form of  lavish dinners and outings. Simple things are enough for me"

"I know. But this is not for display but is of true Affection. Maybe my way to show how much I adore you?" he said softly taking her hands and squeezing it. Annika nodded understandably. "And I rarely show such affections to anyone, so you need to feel special. Alright?" Annika gave a soft laugh while he winked.

"So, let's go out" Annika asked, "Shall we?"

"Yes" Rudra said and taking her hands gracefully into his, "And I hope tonight is going to be the best in your entire life"  he made his way towards the lawn outside with her.

Just when they were going to step into the lawn Rudra excused for going to the washroom and pointed out to Annika to walk there and see the surrounding till he comes back, Annika nodded and Rudra left from there.  In his way he messaged someone grinning and went towards the elevator to take him to the terrace as he had a lot of stuffs to take care of.

Annika walk down the steps to the lawn to see it deserted with not a single soul present there maybe she had came to the different zone?  Turning on her heels she took a step to go from there when something cold touched her skin. Her eyes glisten in awe as she realized that it had suddenly started snowing. But wait! Snowfall in Mumbai? How's that possible?

Lifting her head upwards she saw it, but how come this is happening, her eyes widen in shock and she felt the rush of dizziness hitting her senses when she realised that the snow was in ruby colour compared to the usual white one. Was she dreaming or was she death?  No she doesn't want to be death soon because she had a lot to see in future with Her husband But she had always heard that such things only happen in the heaven. She even realised that she had once let out her wish to Gauri that she really wanted to experience this ruby snowfall in her life before she dies. And Gauri had just laughed at her impossible wish while they never realised that they were having a spectator.

The ruby snow touched her cocoa skin in the most delicate manner and she felt herself to drown in this spectacular view in-front of her because as far as her eyes goes, she can only see snow and nothing else. She never experienced a real snowfall because living in India that too in Mumbai, it was like a dream to see snowfall but seeing the one she always wanted she was overwhelmed to no extend.

Spreading her arms wide she closed her eyes and relish this small precious moment of her life, when two familiar hands hugged her from behind and kissing her cheek softly. She stiffened at that, gasping but the hot breath falling over her neck made her realise who it could be. relaxing for a second she smiled softly as the person whispered a Happy Birthday in her ears and intentionally kissed her earlobe as she clasped her hands over his with a sigh.

She realised this was all his plan and all of them were a part of this. How Rudra made her agree for the dinner and how Bhavya and Gauri took this much time to make her ready. Everything was falling into places making her wonder why she never thought about this?

"You scared me!" she exclaimed, feeling the warmth of his arms on her skin. "Well, I know I'm naturally terrifying" he said teasingly making her come out of the embrace in amusement, turning around to stare at his soft turquoise one she started "instead of apologising for scaring me as well as for the things you did today, you are saying this?" she whispered in the cold as it surely become now, with gritted teeth.

"but the truth will be the truth" he shrugged with a wink, the corner of his lips extending up into a breath-taking smile which melt her heart in an instance. He surely looks like a teenager when he smile like that. Still in daze for a moment she started "You Are--"

"Handsome, intelligent, Immensely talented--" he said with mischief in his eyes but was cut off by her.

"Egoistic Mental Defective" she twisted her mouth while he smiled, pulling her closer by her waist, taking a deep inhale of her jasmine scent which he had craved for days he whispered, "I'm yours" making her blush profusely at his remarks which were taking a toll over her senses. She need to be angry with him, hit him for torturing her all the day as she shed tears for him ignoring her health but whatever she thought to do just vanish at this very moment as he touched his forehead with her smiling as both of them closed their eyes feeling the snow touch them.

"You did all this?" She asked after a moment, while he grinned, "who else would do it? You like it right?"

"I love it! And I love you more for this. You donno what I'm feeling right now, I'm just too happy"

"And more then you I'm happy to see you love this" he kissed her forehead tenderly.

Taking out a small box from his inside pocket, he opened it to show it to her while she adorned the small piece of jewellery there with her fingers, admiration filled her doe shaped eyes as she gave a relieved sigh. "How's It?" he asked already knowing her answer "It's Beautiful" she answered still gazing at the platinum gold Infinity pendant.

Taking out the pendant from the box, he moved towards her back and helped her in wearing it as he dropped a soft peck over her wet bare shoulder while resting his head over her shoulder and stood there for sometimes. Both drown into their own world, "you know what? I thought after all this years of our marriage, your love for me have decreased just like all the men out there in this world usually does" she frowned while he chuckled in response and she tuned in his arms as looked at him with tear filled eyes.

"You know, I have been crying just thinking about this" she whispered,  pouting, hitting his chest with her small fist "You are really bad. At least you must have dropped a message. I was in a mess thinking about the worst possibilities" and soon she was hiding her face into his chest sobbing making Shivaay smile at his wife adorably, stroking her hair lovingly.

"It would be the end of my life If I even think of doing that" he placed a soft kiss over her hair as she tightened her hold over his light brown blazer.

Bringing her out of his embrace, he looked at her tear strained face and shook his head, "You know I hate tears in your eyes?" she just sniffed in response, trying to steady her gaze over his starling blue one's. "This all feels like a dream Shivaay" she said while he caressed her face with his thumb. "I will make your every dream come true Annika and so was this" he assured with his eyes while she stood on her toes, standing just as inch away from his face.

Smiling affectionately she kissed him with all her love. The Ruby snow poured over them as they kissed each other gently. Breaking apart for air they tried to get their breath steady. "Thank you" she whispered inaudibly while he pecked her lips once, twice, thrice and continue to do it until she chuckled and pushed him away.

"I'm hungry you Moron, won't you buy me food or continue to kiss me like this?' she exclaimed, the red hue covered her cheeks as it become more red as the snow falls over it.

He just grinned, scratching the back of his neck foolishly, "I will rather kiss you then buy you food" he pouted as he continue, "but now it's not the time, let's go everyone is waiting for us upstairs" running his fingers into his wet hair he grabbed her hand and made his way inside not before taking few tissue in his way as they entered the elevator with a confused Annika.

"what do you mean everyone is waiting for us?" she asked narrowing her eyes at her husband who was now, wiping her face with the tissue with utmost care as if his one rash action and she'll be bleeding. "You'll see it yourself" he said nonchalantly as he moved towards her shoulder and then with his cold hands, he swept away the snow from her hair. "Great" Satisfied with his actions of making her presentable, he pressed his lips over her's and moved away sighing gladly to see she was still looking beautiful as she was even after the snowfall.

The elevator opened and Annika gasped as she realised they have came to the terrace which was beautifully decorated while as Shivaay dragged her more into the crowd she passed most known faces and finally her eyes laid upon her full fledged Family who were grinning at her with happiness glistening in their eyes. She saw Rudra too there waving at her with a wink. "So this means every damn person was in this, right?" Annika whispered in shivaay's ear as they moved towards them, their hands intertwined.

Shivaay just gave a slight grin, while she narrowed her eyes at him making him chuckle at it.

The sooner they reached, Annika as well Shivaay were engulfed by them in hugs and kisses.

"I'm very disappointed!" Annika had exclaimed, "You all knew about this and still behaved like you never have a grasp of it. And you Rudra! you are going to get a good scolding from me"

"Bhabhi, it was all Shivaay bhaiya's plan" Rudra reported, "else I wouldn't have brought you here"

"we are too sorry for that Annika" Dadi provided, on behalf of everyone, "we just wanted to keep that as a surprise for you"

"Gosh! this little devil is just manipulating you all with her talks" shivaay stared rolling his eyes while Annika just smiled as he pulled her closer by her waist grinning already knowing that her wife was acting just to make everyone apologetic,  "so don't give much heeds to it"

Soon after a bit of chatting with the other people, mostly half of them known to her comprising her co-workers, friends and neighbours as well as from Shivaay's side the celebration began.

*

"Ahhhchuu!" Annika had been constantly sneezing in half of the party making Shivaay worried for her like anything. As they moved towards their room; everyone heading towards their respective room being tired by todays event not before making sure that Annika is fine, Shivaay made her sit on their bed softly.

Crouching on the floor, he removed her sandals cautiously and made her comfortable on the bed.

Handing her some anti infective, he helped her with the water as she gulped it without uttering a word.

He brought some comfortable night clothes for her and asked her to change while he will do the same in the washroom and went away as he saw her giving a nod. She knew he is being feeling responsible for her condition but why can't he understand it was just a small cold?

He was tucking her into the sheets when she held his hand; her nose red as a tomato just because of her constant sneezing, and made him sit beside her. "I'm fine Shivaay, it's just a little bit of sneezing" she started softly as he made patterns on her knuckles, "I think the snow do have it's side effects" she had chuckled at her own words at last while he muttered an apology, "Wait! it's not your fault' she hold his hand over her, "beside, if you wouldn't have done that, then I never have experienced my utter stupid wish come true, understood?"

He just hummed, his gaze on their clasped hands, "Shivaay!" she called him a little aloud, he just looked up with guilt filled eyes, "Oh god" saying so, she moved a little aside, making space for him as she pulled him beside her, laying down, resting her head over his chest as he instinctively held her shoulder she snuggled into him and felt a little better, "Just hold me like this if you want to made amends! but don't give me that guilty look ever" she had whispered threaten while he held her tightly enough, closer to himself.

They were lost in each other warmth when suddenly Annika sat up straight, making Shivaay alert, "How can I just forget this?" she whispered, shock to herself, "What?" Shivaay asked with a panic stricken face, the moment he was going to sat up and hold her, she had ever so swiftly turned around pulled up her right leg across his body and was now sitting on him making him bewildered at this action of his wife as she grinned at him.

"Annika?" he had gasped while she just leaned forward and pecked his nose making him dumbfound, "I want to tell you something" she was excited like a five year old child while he just continue to stare at her confused, "everything coming one after the other and then this sneezing just captivated me in a frenzy but I'm just too happy right now" her eyes literally glistened with pure elation but he could see her cheeks burning up a little as she looked deep into his eyes, he waited patiently for her answer when he felt the air knock out of his lungs as soon as he heard her.

"I'm Pregnant" the grin still in place she waited for his reaction while he was too shock to answer anything, "What?" he gasped trying hard to breath as he felt his eyes stink at the intensity of those three words.

She smiled softly now, blinking as he looked at her one last time to confirm
That he heard it right and then diverted it towards her flat stomach much to her annoyance.

"But how?" He asked blankly making Annika roll her eyes at her husband dumbness, "well the late night stunts we pull together is the cause for this, I assume" she said sarcastically while he was bewildered to hear such things from her and with that he pulled her forward and captured her lips into a soft kiss, deepening it later as tears flowed out his eyes in instant.

He was just too overwhelmed to say anything then kissing her with all his might, she had given him the best news he could ever want. Abruptly pulling away, she moved her face towards the left and sneezed while he chuckled as he looked at her irritated face.

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yes! it's my second month" she whispered making him pull her down in his embrace as he kissed her hair and muttered a Thank You holding her tightly by her waist.

"I thought to surprise you on my birthday but you know - - she trailed off as he just hummed sliding his hand inside her top letting her skin come in contact to his.

"What about the Family?" He asked. "No. They don't know yet because I too got to know about it when I skipped my second date a week ago" she whispered at the crook of his neck, "and I really wanted to inform you first about it, so yeah" she mumbled and kissed his neck.

"And that's the only reason you have been behaving like a starved child from the past month" he spoke thoughtfully as he remembered he had been much astonished to see her having such a good appetite, "and you gained weight too" he smirked as he didn't got any response from her for a long time as she just hummed on one after the other remarks of his but he knew this one will surely turn her into a lioness.

Being drowsy by the tablets she was just too tired to answer anything but hearing that made her charged up and as expected she sat up and glared at him who was trying hard to hide his smile.

"Shivaay! How could you say that to me?" She had questioned with accusing eyes as she hit him hard on his chest resulting in a yelp from his side as he tried to stop her from hitting him, "god! I was just joking" he tried to make her understand while she just jumped on him making him whine in pain as well curse himself for saying that to her. "I hate you!" She muttered angrily and pushed herself from above him, turning to the other side. She slept keeping a one hand distance in between them kindly ignoring his protest.

"Hey! I'm sorry, I told you that I was joking" he poked her while she just shrugged it off angrily.

"Annika, Please Yaar! I will not say that ever I swear"

"How could you just say that? What is the guarantee that you will not tell me that when I will be big like a balloon after a few months?"

"That will be a different thing, you will be having a life growing Inside you"

"So what's the difference now?"

"I was just trying to tease you. I love you right? Please"

Turning her around he faced her while she just crawled back above him hugging him again as he sighed in relief. Her mood swings are showing their signs and he need be much careful now.

"I love you too" She whispered while he know she must be pouting while saying that.

"Sleep, we need to do a lot of stuffs tomorrow" he ordered softly, "the family must know about it soon too"

She just hummed and inhaling his scent, snuggled into him as soon the effects of the tablets hit her senses and she drifted off to a peaceful slumber in the arms of her husband as he stroked her hair lovingly.

*

Heya everyone. Back with the last part of this short shot. I hope you all like it and it was up to your expectation. Beside I really love writing this shot. It was fun writing something light after a long time.

Do hit the star button below and let me know about your thoughts. I would be really glad if you'll share your thoughts regarding this. Even if it is constructive criticism. I will be happy to hear you out. Silent readers response will really make my day. Do try to let your thoughts.

Much Love,
-Anya.