Copyright © jasminedarcie

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This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner or language whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

Hi everyone :) I want to begin by thanking God because He truly has helped me write this chapter because believe me I wanted to give up on it multiple times. Also, I want to thank all amazing readers for reading :)

THIS IS IT! This part has ENTIRE ENGAGEMENT. Scroll for new scenes that I have marked by a border below! Sorry Wattpad glitched on me :(

IF YOU READ PART 2A 4 HOURS AGO, PLEASE READ THIS CHAPTER AS IT HAS ENTIRE ENGAGEMENT. SEE MARKED BORDER FOR NEW SCENES. WATTPAD GLITCHED ON ME and scenes of engagement not added. I have marked a small border from where new scenes start :).

THIS IS NEW PART WITH ENGAGEMENT! WITH PARTS 2A AND 2B COMBINED. I posted part 2A 4 HOURS ago and Wattpad glitched so a scene was missed. I have combined parts 2A and 2B in a single update which has entire engagement.

Thank you for reading and please do comment, vote, and share :)

Scroll for new scenes that I have marked by a border below! Sorry Wattpad glitched on me :(

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https://youtu.be/-N9-GPJ38PI

Shivaay's Point of View

Taking a grasp of her hand, I helped her take another step down as she let out another giggle finding herself embracing her naïve nature with her veil of demure falling down on her. Beauty glistening in her simplicity the one that had won my heart and made me her servant. Her unblemished heart the won that I admire as it weaved me into the realms of love. I find admiration in her flesh, but it is her soul that is the one I love.

The photographer continuing to take our memories as we looked into each other's eyes finding ourselves escaping reality and entering the illusion of love one more time. The lights continuing to flash at us while we smiled as I wrapped my hand tightly around her waist looking back towards the photographer. Her smile widening as she felt the warmth of our skins brush by with her back leaning against mine while she looked at the camera letting her hand run on her womb where the twins were.

Her gaze lowering looking at everyone else feeling shy how we had displayed our love to everyone in sight. Dragging my fingers down hers, I let our hands merge into one as I met her brown hues that were singing love for me at the moment. Wounds on my heart rippling to the surface in hope that this love of hers would finally heal them.

"I have waited for this moment long Anika and finally it has come...Finally we both are taking the first step to becoming one in vows under the divine. Prayers have been answered after long," I spoke gently to her as her smile widened looking into my eyes revealing that she already had engraved this thought in her heart indicative that she is beginning to thread love for me.

"I pray we always be like this...in bliss and not harmed by any chaos. I just want us to be solace with our children where we continue to build love with the vows we take tonight," She whispered breaking into a mask of elegance as she embraced her deeper thoughts.

Slightly smiling, I leaned in closer towards her while she smiled with demure before looking away letting her hand continuing to run against mine. "If our previous prayers were answered then so shall these. I have faith in God that He will help us and guide us." My eyes looking up towards the skies as Anika smiled looking towards me.

"I cannot believe you are the same Shivaay who rarely mentioned the divine's name," She spoke letting her lines run into my soul that continued to tremble begging for mercy. She held a light in her eyes finding me as a changed man, but how does she know that I have not changed, but am only putting a mask for a moment for her sake, so she get's her justice at my hands who wronged her in the past.

A man like I can never change. I hope to change which is why I now force myself to turn to God knowing He is the one who has blessed me with love and perhaps He will be the one to slaughter my demons and bring me back to life. Only He is able to do such.

However, I have not changed. That I know. Considering how low I stooped last week when I was away on that trip, I know I have not changed. But, if perverse creatures exist in this society and even my family then why shall I change? Perhaps, I can change for a moment for Anika, but I never may will for others.

"How many more photos will there be? The auspicious time for the engagement is passing!" Daadi intervening revealing her owl red eyes that held a sorcerer's anger not wanting to dwell further in seeing the sight of us a couple, but wanting to get rid of the ritual as quickly as she could.

"Y-yes, please come in the living area. We have everything ready," Anika's father trying to keep a gentle voice with my family that lurked as dark shaded figures not wanting to take part in a sacred moment considering they are from the fires of purgatory.

My eyes wandering to my father who stood at the corner continuing to chew on his lips while he held a piercing, raging gaze towards me finding me repulsive considering how I had laced him with poison a few days ago. A smirk touching my lips as I let my hand slip away from Anika's waist finding her mother taking her away from me.

Anika's eyes moving back towards me indicating she did not want to leave finding her love tinged with an obsession while she continued to look not liking the momentary parting. "Chalo Anika, we will first fulfill the chunni chaddna and shagun with you and then do the roka," Her mother spoke dragging her away while she continued to look towards me.

A gentle smile touching my face as I looked at her. "Smile now...I love you..." I mouthed the words to her while she made a whined face throwing a glare at the other women who were forcing her to part from me for a moment.

A chuckle escaping from my lips as she twitched her lips lightly trying to force a smile while she rolled her eyes at her mother and Thayee ji who continued to yap in her ears about how she should behave. She graced herself away giving me a faint smile trying to gain some strength from parting while as I held my smile until she vanished into the other room.

Like a snap, my smile fell as I took the mask off and immediately let a sublime, ugly creature run its claws into my heart shutting it off while I looked towards my father who stood across from me. Taking slow steps, I prowled my way towards him feeling revulsed as my eyes wandered over his filth that he shamelessly had showered with for many months or years.

My hand grabbing his arm wanting to dig out his sins as I began to drag him down the empty study. He kept his silence aware of what I wanted to speak about as I held my grasp on his hand.

"Sir!" A voice pausing us as we stopped looking back at Klen who held a sealed brown file in his hand.

"We got the papers arranged with the deeds...it is official now," Klen spoke walking to my father handing him off the file as he lowered his eyes with shame not once speaking a word while a smirk touched my lips.

Dragging a firm grip on his elbow, I pushed Papa into the study before slamming the door behind us. Papa stumbling into the chair as I stood in silence looking at him observing his creature irked eyes that did not hold any bit of a father's love, but only malicious greed. His fingers drumming on the chair while he gulped finding a haunting from his own son who stood before him.

A curtled laugh erupting from me as I ran my fingers against my heart trying to find love for the man in front, but only detecting pure, vile hate that helped me live with its poison. Running my hands down my waist, I leaned over slamming my hand against the wall while looking at him.

"Why are you doing this to your own father? Do you know that I am the one whose blood runs in your veins?!" He let out a fiddled scream while I stood in silence not once moving feeling nauseous over that dirty smut of a blood running through my flesh that belongs to this filth.

Running a low voice, I trampled my hand up to his chin forcing him to look me in the eyes while his hands shook with the file in his hands. "Says the man who not once showed any...any remorse for his son. The man who abandoned me when I needed him twenty years ago when I was just a mere age of fifteen...This man will now teach me what a father and son's relationship is to be..." I hissed while smelling the stench of his sins that embroiled out of his body.

That night swiveling in front of my eyes while I stood still locking that night shut not wanting the screams to claw themselves out of that memory. My hand grasping his shoulder as he trembled looking into my eyes becoming aware that I was not his son at the moment, but a man who held his worst secret.

"I had reasons to keep you silent in your younger years and you know that as well...You were being selfish," He let his voice fall across from me revealing his dead eyes that held no regrets over my shackling that he had committed.

A demon slowly crawling on to my back as it began to laugh hearing my father's words and beginning to taunt me how I had failed that night...How I should have not been selfish, but continue to be selfless the way I was from my childhood until that night when I changed...The demon taunting me that how it had come to life and take hold of my soul that night because I finally had embraced darkness.

"And after that night, you completely abandoned your old self and became this man that I cannot even find pride in calling my son. It is a disgrace the way you have turned out...I find shame in calling you my son..." He spat as he looked at me finding my wounds from the past as blistering revulsion.

His lines tugging on the edges of my heart that held that night delicately wanting to keep it as reminder of how it never should falter to others' desires and will, but also continuing to poison itself from that memory. Tears trying to force their way into my eyes, while I kept them back wanting to hold on to the creature of rage to not let him know somewhere I hold an etched weakness.

Tightening my grasp on his shoulders, I nailed my fingers into them before snatching the file from his hands not wanting more of him. Running my fingers against the seal, I opened it and let my eyes drag across the series of black engravings that held my victory. My laughter running in broken riddles as I threw my head up in the air drinking the liquor of power and letting it intoxicate me.

"And Shivaay Singh Oberoi wins again..." I let my voice tumble and rumble letting it echo in the room as I slammed my hand against my heart trying to reign a crown on it knowing I had sealed my throne.

Papa sitting in silence finding himself reeling with how I had taken his biggest asset without any shame...How he had to surrender to me and beg me to take this asset in return for his pride and pitiful honor.

My streaks of laugh continuing as I looked into my father's face relishing in his loss knowing he deserved it for what he had dared to do to me twenty years ago. This man deserves each and every insult, vice, and disgrace.

"I cannot believe you did this to your own father...How could you blackmail me?! How?!" His anger erupting pushing me back as I stumbled continuing to run a raucous laugh while letting the dark shadows of the room fall on to me.

Sighing, I drummed my fingers against the file while looking at him who continued to revel in anger over how he had lost his blood run money to me. A devil always snatches power from another devil...It's in the rulebook.

Tilting my head, I slipped my phone out of my pocket as I began to run my thumb through the photographs that would bring the downfall of this man. His bare body running against another's while he looked at the camera without any shame. The young woman laughing as she let her lips run against his cheek before pulling him into an embrace.

"Blackmail? Oh come Mr. Shakti Singh Oberoi, I did not blackmail you. We had a deal. You give me what I want and I will give you what you want. See, you are getting punished for your sins and you have to because what you have done is absolutely disgusting. You are a filthy human being who does not even have a soul!" I spat at him letting my spit run in the air wanting it to touch considering what perverseness he had indulged in for months for the sake of raking money in.

He stood in silence steaming himself in the truth unable to bear it, but knowing he had to considering I have his secret right in the palm of my hand. Grabbing his collar, I pulled him forward before showing him the obscene pictures that revealed his true colors which even I cannot believe considering he is continuing to do such even in this age.

"Look at this! Look at it damn it! You have always been like this...indulging in sick affairs for your gain while you let your children stay home alone letting them suffer while you would continue to revel in sick pleasure!" My hand pushing him a way lightly not wanting to even touch him considering what a maleficient man he was. A blemish on society itself.

His gaze lowering as he kept it still on my phone as I began to run through the photos revealing each illicit one that showed complete vulgarity to new heights. My hand trembling unable to believe what he had done, but not holding any surprise considering he has always been this man of no character.

"And now look how low you have stooped...you are sleeping with your wife's sister for the sake of continuing to get illicit benefits and advantages for your oil company! You are not only ruining your own home, but my aunt's home!...She has three young children and you...y-you have been sleeping with her for ten years, so she could continue to give you unfair advantages for deals through her husband's company! You...You cannot even be called a human considering the barbaric act you have done! I am ashamed of you! I am ashamed!" My hand running hard against the wall wanting to crawl my hands on to the man in front of me, but holding back considering he is my blood...

My eyes closing shut, as I attempted to take a grasp of my urging desire to avenge him for what he had done, but aware that doing such would be wrong considering my own mother is involved. She herself should not even be called a mother and my love for her is complete dust, but that does not mean I do not respect her as a woman.

"Shivaay...p-please...please do not tell your mother! I have cut off all ties from Shanti and I p-promise I will not do t-this again, but p-please do not show those photographs to her! Please!" He continued to beg folding his hands in front of me trying to keep the deal sealed between us intact while I kept still continuing to ponder over the deal feeling nauseous over what I had done.

"We have a deal. You got what you wanted and now let me have what I need! Please!" He begged moving his hand towards the phone as I raised it up not allowing him to have it.

"No. We had a deal that you will do what I want while I will stop the media from publishing these photos which I had given them through my detective...but did I ever say I will return these photos to you? Did I?" I whispered looking into his eyes as a small smile began to play on my lips seeing his eyes bulge coming into terms that somewhere he had missed the lines of the deal we had formed.

His body hitting the wall as he began to take deep breaths beginning to pant. His eyes shooting up towards me flashing his fear of the man who stood in front of him unable to recognize me as his son, but a malicious figure that is on the hunt for his reckoning.

"Don't you dare do this to your father! Do you hear me? Don't you dare bring me down like this! I will not tolerate it. I am your father, but if you dare to cross your limits and take my throne then I will bring havoc to your life...I will bring havoc!" He howled loudly grabbing my collar trying to pierce his empty threat into me while I continued to laugh not finding any fear in it.

A devilish smile rinsing on him with eyes shooting red as he grabbed my neck and pulled me closer looking into my eyes trying to implement fear. "I will hurt you where it hurts the most Shivaay...You will regret playing this game with me...Do not take your father lightly. Do you understand?" He held his threat as I felt my heart run a speed hearing his lines as if indicating that he beginning to scheme a plan against me.

Confusion touching me while I held my mask continuing to incite my dominance not wanting to show that perhaps his threat had slipped into me and dared to bear fear. His hands letting go of my collar as he slammed his hand against the chair making it fall before throwing me a deadly glare.

The door collapsing behind me as I saw my guard standing outside. Taking my steps, I immediately pulled the guard in while looking outside seeing Papa walking away in the distance while beginning to scheme a dangerous plan that I know.

He is dangerous...He has done this before and now once again could do something that could not only harm me, but my family. He cannot be trusted that I know. I cannot let him harm my family no matter what, but considering he has stooped low twenty years ago, he can do that again and I cannot allow such.

"Peter, I want you to keep an eye on my father. He is planning something big and that I can see in him. Put our men behind him and the detective. I want each and every detail of where he is going, who he is meeting, and what he is discussing with others. Also, I want more security amped on Anika and Chaaya. I want full security on board when we go to Paris no matter what. I do not want any shortcomings in protecting Anika and Chaaya, do you understand?" Keeping command, I looked into his eyes ensuring he had gotten all my orders and would obey them considering he is the only man I am trusting in terms of security at the moment.

"Yes sir. I am on it right now and we will get security to Chaaya before she leaves today in the afternoon. Also, I will gather extra men for the trip and put detectives on the watch. Do not worry at all, I am on it and will share details with you."

Shaking my head, I gestured him to leave as I looked into the darkness while letting my eyes run on the brown file in my hand. Running my palm against the names on the paper, I slightly smiled admiring my work and how I had gotten it done. Tonight, I will reveal the truth of these papers to everyone and I cannot wait to revel in the loss of those who dared to bring my downfall.

I know I lied to Anika I was on a business trip, but this was needed. I had to build our foundation for our future that would ensure our security. Did I do wrong by claiming my right through blackmailing my father? No. I did not. He deserves more than what he got considering what he did to his wife and what he did twenty years ago. He deserved this loss, but not only him, so did Om. Om dared to harm me and tonight I will bring his downfall considering he attempted to do such. Tonight, Shivaay Singh Oberoi will claim his throne and no one will be able to lift their finger.

My smile widening as I read the names on the file reveling in my victory and letting my laugh continue to rumble once again knowing that from this day forward, no one can ever dare to bring me down. No one.

I cannot wait for Anika to see this...I cannot wait to express my love to her in this manner that she deserves. Tonight, I will let her know to what level my love can rise for her and what my love can do for her.

Anika's Point of View

https://youtu.be/iZ3bNNC_ep4

Brides are like ornaments. They are molded and formed from a young age where they are told to keep their silence and continue to deck themselves with the shackles of society as that is what makes them appealing. Any desire they form are tested by their blood to see if it is appropriate to be fulfilled and if it is then she is allowed to take it upon herself, but if not then she is forced to abandon it. On the day of her wedding, she is further groomed and then she begins her test where the ones taking her as an ornament lay her critique on her and check how she can fulfill the aesthetics of their home.

And so here I sit forced to be an ornament as others surround me attempting to deck me with their desires, hopes, and dreams which I all fail to fulfill because I am not the bride that anyone wants. I have broken my shackles...lunged my honor in the air...and I carry a sacred blessing without the vows that I have taken in front of these cruel beings from society...So I am far from an ornament and I like that I am not an ornament.

"You look beautiful Anika. Truly, a bride's glow can be seen on your features," Gauri spoke softly. I politely smiled to her while Daadi continued to wave smoked peppers above my head and running her prayers while I sat still on the kitchen stool while everyone surrounded me.

"Thank you. You look beautiful yourself. I like your lehenga," I noted as Gauri smiled before giving me a side hug.

"You are too sweet Anika. Seriously, I wonder how your fate decided to make you end up in this family...full of nonsense and mad people..." She whispered smugly as Pinky aunty threw her a glare hearing her statement.

Lowering my gaze, I fidgeted my fingers trying to avoid the tension clearly prevalent between Pinky aunty and the two of us who were her daughter-in-laws. The way she is continuing to throw us dirty looks does reflect that she is not fond of either of us.

"Gauri beta, even I think why fate decided to give me daughter-in-laws who are not even worthy being called an Oberoi bahu," She slammed the critique back while I felt her lines slightly piercing, but kept my silence aware it is best to not say a word.

"You mean you Oberois are not worthy to have daughter-in-laws like us," Gauri quipped as my head shot up finding awe in how easily she had twisted Pinky aunty's words throwing it back at her.

"Stop! That is it you both! Can you both keep silence? We are not at home right now," Daadi ordered while she continued to wave the burning chillies above my head while I coughed slightly finding the chillies burning my eyes and throat.

"What is happening here?! Why is she coughing?!" The voice rumbling behind us as I bit my lip worriedly quite familiar with that manic voice.

The raging bull making his way towards us as he quickened his pace towards us. His eyes filing rage as he looked at the women surrounding me who barricaded themselves around him not wanting him to be part of this.

"Beta, your Daadi was taking off an evil eye from her before beginning the chunni ceremony," My mother speaking recognizing that Shivaay was becoming upset.

"Yes, she suggested we should do such considering there was a bhootni incident at your home in the morning," Thayee ji noted as I began to choke not only with the peppers, but remembering I was the bhootni whom now everyone is cleansing from evil.

Shivaay's eyes bolting towards Daadi as he growled before snatching the peppers from her hand and throwing it on the floor. My hands clasping against my mouth as he began to stomp on the peppers smushing them on to the ground while all the women gasped completely shocked by the turn of events.

"What did you just do?!" Pinky aunty screaming as Shivaay pushed his way through the women

grabbing on to my hand tightly before pulling me towards him letting my shoulder brush roughly against his. He began to tremble with bits of madness as I could tell his eyes were swiveling red before he threw me a glare indicating he was upset.

"What is wrong with you? Huh! How did you agree to these women's idiotic idea? You are pregnant and on top of it cannot tolerate such smoke as they trigger your allergies! Do you have any sense at all?!" He began to scold me loudly while I sat still not saying a word knowing I had faltered by allowing them to do such. I mean I wanted to tell them, but then they were quite eager to take off my evil eye including the kids.

"I-I...I am sorry..." I whispered feeling tears rushing to my eyes while I kept my gaze low not liking how he was continuing to scold me in front of everyone else.

Shivaay taking a deep breath as she looked towards the women ready to lunge on each and every one of them despising their presence. "And all of you! How could you do this Anika considering she is pregnant?! Not once did you find shame in indulging in such hallow beliefs?" He began while the women exchanged looks feeling quite irritated by his scolding.

"That's it. I want to start the roka and end this alright? No more nonsensical rituals all of you are indulging in," He held his deep, narrow voice above all while the women began to scowl at him not liking his orders that interfered in their much cherished rituals.

"Billu, how can you say that? I was trying to help Anika and your child by protecting them and here you are telling us what to do and not to do," Daadi chiding him while Shivaay took a step in front of me towering over the feeble, short elderly woman who stood her ground. His eyes held a red undertone indicative that he was not going to surrender to anyone's will at the moment and should not be fondled with.

"Until Anika and my children have me, no one can harm them. Daadi, I am being clear that I want to end this foolish behavior now. Can you all please proceed to the sitting area where we can begin the roka? You yourself do not want the auspicious time to be missed for the roka, so please go." He gestured pointing to the sitting area down the hallway as Daadi lowered her gaze while beginning to mutter her disapproval of Shivaay's behavior.

My hand grabbing on to his arm tugging on it trying to get his attention, but failing. He did not budge for a moment, but continued to look daggers at all of the women while chewing on his phantomic madness.

"Shivaay...don't say anything. Let them do the rituals," I whispered to him as he immediately raised his hand up not wanting to hear more from me. His eyes turning to me revealing a seething steam that was rushing out of him.

"Not a word. Now you are speaking for them, but you did not speak for yourself. Why are you like this? Do you not understand that you should stand up for yourself?" He spoke in an undertone trying to weave me back to the idea of becoming slightly selfish for my wellbeing.

Tears holding me in as I flushed red feeling uneasy that he was reprimanding me in front of everyone else without any shame that I am his partner. Biting on to my lip, I kept hold of my quivering lips that were ready for tears to unleash.

"Now will you all go to the sitting area please to begin the roka? The bidaai is scheduled in half an hour, so I want to be done with this ritual before that because I have something planned once the roka ends. Can you all please go now and give me a moment with Anika?" He let his order run through them one more time while they continued to find themselves at conflict.

"Fine if you want this than okay. Already, you chose the girl of your choice and even crossed your limits with her...If you want us to not do any other rituals than fine," Daadi declared grabbing Pinky aunty's arm who showed hesitation wanting to hold back.

Shivaay clenching his fists tightly wanting to go after Daadi for her comment as I immediately pulled him back turning him towards me feeling furious over his actions. The women beginning to walk away while we stood in the kitchen.

"Y-you should not have done that to t-them. T-they were showing concern towards me and trying to w-ward off evil from me and our children. Already, we did wrong by fooling them by playing off that bhootni idea. I feel b-bad for them. They were being nice," I argued letting tears shake through me as Shivaay threw his head up in the air before slamming his hand on the counter loudly making me shake taking a step back seeing I had ignited his temper.

"Anika I honestly do not care if I made them upset or what not. You matter to me and you were going to get sick from that much smoke. I was helping you and here you are siding them. You yourself should have stood up for yourself...Like can you for not once voice yourself in front of others?" He questioned me as I stood in silence letting my tears roll down looking towards my side and seeing Pia and Pari wandering in the hallway seeing our argument.

"Well if you want me to voice myself then r-right now y-you a-are making me appear as a f-fool in front of everyone. D-do y-you know how r-rudely you have behaved with me in front of e-everyone? Gosh, it is so embarrassing Shivaay. E-everyone was looking at us and what m-must they be thinking of me?" My voice continuing to stutter while I began to take shallow breaths letting my tears run out.

He took a deep breath as he ran his hands through his hair feeling frustrated with our conversation, but somewhere beginning to realize he was wrong in his behavior. Fixing my dupatta, I began to walk before I felt a warm touch wrap around my wrist stopping me in my tracks.

"Anika please don't cry. Today is such a special day for you and I want to see you smiling and laughing," He urged with his voice softening as I struggled to release my wrist from his grasp while he continued to dig his fingers into my skin.

He is right I should not indulge in such a pitiful argument, but then I feel it is wrong how he raised his voice at me in front of everyone letting them know a flaw that exists in our relationship. Even though, he did stand up for me to protect me, but I did like how he raised his voice.

"Shivay just let go of me please. We are getting late for the roka and everyone is waiting for us." Attempting to slip my wrist out of him, I failed as I felt my waist flying before he pushed me against the countertop entrapping me between his arms.

His eyes revealing some remorse as they softened and milked an apology which he was attempting to bring to his lips. Pressing himself gently against me, he let the heat of his skin push against mine wanting me to sublime and surrender to his presence. Leaning in closer, he let his trembling lips brush against my cheek while I stumbled a breath feeling my heart beginning to beat quickly.

"I am sorry Anika. I was trying to protect you and in the process I got upset how you did not stand up for yourself and let them know that you could possibly be harmed by the smoke. Now, baby please forgive me. I promise to not raise my voice at you in front of others." He let his apology touch my heart while I stood still contemplating on whether I should forgive him this easily.

Twisting the dupatta around my finger, I began to ponder and remember how he has raised his voice at me multiple times today only to apologize in a simple manner. A tinge of anger hitting me as I tightened the knot on my hand while I felt his lips tenderly kiss my cheek trying to convince me, but failing to do such.

"You have raised your voice at me multiple times today and I do not like it...You need to change your ways," I spoke pushing him away gently as I began to walk in my steps.

"Anika we are about to get engaged now don't ruin the moment by staying upset. I am sorry nah," He argued letting his hand wrap into mine while I kept his thought knowing he was right.

I should forgive him considering he is pleaing so much and it is our wedding day. I have waited for this day for so long and I should not be wasting my time in such pity fights. A small smile touching my lips as an idea began to strike me while I continued to walk.

"Fine then impress me before the bidaai and I will fully forgive you," I spoke revealing a teasing smile to him throwing my challenge.

Surprisingly, his blue hues revealed a playful dance finding my challenge enticing rather than one daring to trigger any form of tension. He revealed a mischevious smile before wrapping his hands around my waist pulling me into an embrace. My hands grasping on to his arms as I struggled for release knowing someone might just catch us considering they are sitting three feet away in the other room.

"Well that plan is already in place baby," He declared inciting webs of confusion within my mind while I looked at him trying to catch on his thoughts as he let out a small laugh.

"Now give me a kiss," He demanded as I smirked wrapping my arms around his neck pulling him closer pressing myself firmly against him wanting to raise his temptations.

His gaze lowering to my lips as he began to lean in while I let out a giggle letting him to continue to close the gap between us. Running his tongue against his lips, he began to become allured to my rose-colored lips wanting their taste.

My hands shaking as I grabbed the fabric of my dupatta raising it between us letting his lips brush against the sheer fabric. His eyes shooting up finding himself tricked as I began to loudly giggle seeing his cheeks turn red while his eyes narrowed finding himself beguiled by me.

"No kiss until you impress me," I jived as I let the dupatta drop while he appeared to whine not liking this condition.

His hand wrapping into mine as I giggled grabbing his cheek and pulling on it tightly while he plumped them more begging for his kiss. We led our steps to the sitting area finding our families gathered on the sofas waiting for us to take our place.

https://youtu.be/WoK04_wLJ8Y

"Well at least can we enjoy our engagement without this conflict please? I promise that you will be impressed by what I am going to do during it and after it," His voice declaring and echoing his promise making me smile with thrill wanting to see how he would impress me.

"Yes, let's get engaged and just live the moment," I spoke gently as we looked towards one another coming to terms that this pitiful argument of ours' is likely going to meet its end soon considering the beats of our love is stepping over it.

Gliding our steps across the wooden floor, we made our way towards the sitting area as we looked towards each other finding ourselves running our hearts with levels of disbelief unable to come to terms with how we were about to begin tying the love knots to our vows.

Lowering my gaze, I looked away feeling shy finding everyone looking towards us as they stood up beginning to throw rose petals welcoming us in. Long string lights burning brightening with chiffon pastel pink and purple curtains waving behind the large leather sofa. Our feet brushing against the petals as Shivaay grabbed the end of my sharara picking it up for me and leading me up the small steps up to the sofa.

My heart quickening its beats feeling his hand brushing teasingly against my leg letting go of my sharara as I found him smirking liking how he was indulging in his set of affection in front of our families.

"Come beta, sit down carefully," Thayee ji unusually a little too fond of me as she helped me sit down setting my dupatta letting it drape on the ground while I struggled to fix my heavy sharara not liking it one bit.

Shivaay's hand brushing against mine as I looked up finding his fingers easing their way into mine while he took a seat next to me not letting a gap exist between the both of us. My hand trying to slip away from his grasp as he held on shamelessly while our families continued to watch us keenly finding deep interest in the nature of our relationship.

"Our Anika looks quite beautiful today haina?" Thayee ji carrying her sweet cliché as she plastered a fake smile before kissing my forehead while I attempted to return her smile, but failing remembering her ill treatment in the past.

"Our Shivaay is no less. He is looking quite handsome and dashing himself," Pinky aunty snooting out a compliment while Shivaay scowled at her as I squeezed his hand wanting him to behave in a better manner.

"Be polite to everyone today. I want you to be on your best behavior," I whispered to him while our families began to chatter.

Shivaay's eyes meeting mine revealing his rejection of my request as he shook his head back and forth stubbornly while glaring at everyone else in the room finding their presence a mere nuisance.

Why is he like this? Can he just not try to be in a better mood with everyone else today for my sake? I want our wedding to run smoothly considering we never really had a true wedding until now and here he is misbehaving trying to show his mightiness to everyone.

"Jo bhi hai, Anika and Shivaay bilkul chaand aur suraj ki jodi lagre hai," Daadi noted appearing to soften her smile towards me as she helped the guard bring in a shagun tray letting it set on the coffee table in front.

Daadi's lines catching me by surprise considering the distance we both have formed and how she seemingly has thrown her share of filth on my honor. Smiling gently, I looked at her feeling confused while she took a piece of her eyeliner placing it behind my ear and then behind Shivaay's trying to ward evil off.

Shivaay's gaze meeting mine liking Daadi's compliment while I let a blush occur admiring his features finding himself indeed resembling the light of the day. His hand entwining into mine as he leaned in closer ensuring only I would hear.

"You are my chaand except you are without a blemish and only full of pure, innocent light enough to haunt darkness away including mine," He whispered stringing the tunes of love within me inciting me to turn a dark red while my lips trembled feeling demurred.

"Pinky come now, we have to start the roka now as the auspicious time is passing," Daadi calling out to her as Pinky aunty reluctantly got up making her way towards the coffee table.

Her hand grazing against the velvet cloth on the shagun tray unveiling the shagun that laid in it. Smiling weakly, I looked at the shagun they had brought for me finding admiration in the small golden necklace set and pair of bangles combined with a red chunni for me.

Thayee ji appearing to grumble while my mother took a large sigh as I looked up at them confused not able to catch on to what they found wrong in the shagun Shivay's family had brought.

"This is a very nice shagun you brought for Anika Ma. This is exactly what she deserves," Priyanka snapping a condescending voice as she walked besides Shivaay while looking at the shagun tray.

Feeling puzzled, I looked at everyone else while a silence swept the room as everyone began to eye the shagun and form their own judgement and opinions on it. Looking back towards Shivaay, I encountered a different being as he began to drum his fingers against his knee with a green ugly creature beginning to dance on his head injecting syringes of rage seen in the shades of red mixing with black in his eyes.

"Well, our bahu Anika is deserving of this shagun nah? Anika deserves this shagun I personally have picked for her," Pinky aunty stinging a smile to my mother who grimaced wanting to speak, but keeping her silence.

She grabbed the thin, sheer red dupatta raising it up towards me before letting it fall on my head only letting it collapse on to my shoulders barely letting her fingers brush against me as if she might become diseased.

Her eyes revealing a dirty intention indicative that she was not being her true self with the smile, but had other intentions. My eyes wandering to Gauri who held her temper while looking at Pinky aunty not liking her actions.

"Waise, I think you will love these bangles I have picked out for you," Pinky aunty throwing me a smile as she picked up the thin golden bangles leading them towards me while I gave her a frail smile unaware of what she exactly meant by her statement.

Pinky aunty smiling sitting down next to me as she grabbed my wrist slowly beginning to slip the bangles down my hand while I admired them liking their simplicity before a hand struck against mine making it sting. The bangles collapsing on to the ground as they began to roll down.

Lifting my head up, I looked at the figure who had done it only to reveal a steaming creature standing above me ready to claw the woman in front. Shivaay's rough hands brushing against mine before he took a step ahead facing the woman in front of him.

"Good you did this Shivaay bhai. Ma is being unfair! These shagun items were picked for the maid's daughter's wedding which got postponed, so she brought them here! This is false jewelry that Ma is gifting to Anika!" Gauri's voice rumbling through with her words setting in a domino of currents into me as the truth began to ripple as nails into me.

Thayee ji gasping loudly hearing the confession as my mother slapped her hand against her head not wanting to see another argument that likely was cooking itself under the surface now.

"Gauri! How dare you talk in this matter?!" Om grabbing her arm trying to reprimand her while she snatched her arm away from his looking back towards us.

"That dupatta Anika is wearing is also used! She purposely did this because she wanted to downgrade Anika!" Gauri confessed further fueling Shivaay's temper who clenched his jaw tightly letting his knuckles rumble before he looked towards his mother.

Sitting still, I looked at the shagun while I looked at Pinky aunty who held a wide smirk declaring her class as she looked at me finding me unworthy of even being in her presence. Suddenly something began to fly in the air behind me as I looked up seeing his hand grabbing the shagun tray and throwing it against the wall letting it crash and break into glass pieces. My body beginning to tremble as I clasped my hands against my lips while I looked at him able to tell he was fully spinning out of control and now was in the capability of doing anything.

He began to ravel tight chords of tempered, raging red anger that was now blistering through him ready to come to the surface and unleash at the woman in front of him. He began to breathe deeply as he took a step closer towards her finding himself boiling in pure rage ready to lunge on her any moment.

"How dare you disrespect my wife?! Who are you to do such?! Huh! Who?!" His screams loudly erupting as everyone immediately got up finding themselves amidst of a sudden feud in which they had to mobilize.

My trembling hand grabbing on to his hoping he would pull back if I requested him to do such. His eyes turning towards me while I forced a small smile trying to pursue him I was not offended because I was not. At least she brought shagun and any shagun has its own meaning even if the gifts may hold deceit, but still it is something I should respect.

"S-Shivaay p-please...no need. Sit down please...let's not m-make a big deal out of this...This is s-still s-shagun that we should respect..." I attempted to keep strength in my voice showing him a smile trying to prove that I had no issues with the shagun.

Shivaay gritting his teeth while he attempted to listen to me, but failing as his temper was beginning to take a good control of his mind not allowing him to set his feet back on to the ground.

"Oh madam! Who are you to show such disrespect to our daughter? Do you have no shame?! Decking up in such heavy jewelery and showing off your high-end lifestyle and yet when it came to give your bahu shagun, you decided to leech off your money!" Thayee ji beginning to taunt as my mother shook her head in agreement before taking a step towards Pinky aunty.

"Yes, who are you to do such in our presence? You have no conscience at all? Not for once did you feel any shame in doing such act that too with your oldest daughter-in-law?!" My mother beginning to yell while Pinky aunty stood in silence not replying to any and only keeping her gaze fixated on me relishing my tears liking that she had pricked tender thorns on my soul forcing it to realize that perhaps it shall never be graced with honor.

"Pinky, this is not right what has happened. You were wrong in this matter and you lied to me. You told me you personally took out our ancestral jewelry to give her, but what is this? How dare you disgrace our name in such manner?" Daadi speaking sense to Pinky aunty trying to make everyone aware that she was not involved in this matter.

Pinky aunty letting out a rancorous laugh as she crossed her arms looking towards me while I sat in silence not knowing what to utter besides my plea of ending this argument and moving on with the roka.

"I did what was required of me to do. I had to clear certain misconceptions that this Anika had formed. She thought that by gaining an Oberoi name, she will be able to gain the same level of class as us, but well right now I have proved that she is not worthy of the luxuries, respect, and honor that comes with the Oberoi name...At least she understood her worth...She should be thankful that I even bought this shagun for her because I would not have. She is not even worth these worthless jewels because even their cheapness cannot compete with hers'. She is a cheap woman who is dared to lace our family with her filth-"

"Ma!" Shivaay lunging forward ready to take her before I slammed my hands against his chest pushing him back as he stumbled back while beginning to take deep breaths and anger catching hold of him. He began to take another step forward as I immediately wrapped my arms around his chest forcing him to stop while tears began to run down my cheeks.

His mother's words ravishing my soul that found itself recoiling finding the filth of her words smoldering it. Her words forcing my soul to crash not wanting to be part of this flesh considering how it has lost the ornaments of its key values by sacrificing it for love.

"Wah! Now you are going to misbehave with our mother for this girl! Who is she that you are giving her more value than us?!" Priyanka's voice reaching a high pitch as she let out her screams while I began to shake feeling fear running up to me becoming aware that our engagement was meeting its downfall even before it began.

Shivaay's arms wrapping around me immediately seeing that I was beginning to find fear in the moment while he held me in an embrace. His hand running against my waves trying to comfort me while I let my tears down not wanting to hear more.

"Value? You want me to show Anika's value? Fine! Let me show you what she deserves as the daughter-in-law of the Oberoi family and as Shivaay Singh Oberoi's wife!" His voice resounding loudly amongst us as it sent his rage hitting the roof with his fury crashing the walls of everyone's hearts.

"S-Shivaay...p-please s-stop this..." I whimpered to him grabbing his neck pleaing him to keep some calm in this chaos that was threatening to ruin our day, but he did not heed. Smiling weakly, he grabbed my dupatta dabbing on to my tears before gesturing to his guard.

"Let me show you what my wife's value is. If you cannot honor my wife then I will. Let me show you what my wife is worthy of," His voice holding an eerie calm with his loud tone suddenly dropping flat.

His arms unraveling from me as he rubbed my back trying to help me keep composure while I attempted to hold my grace knowing my own family was in the room and likely were hurt by Shivaay's family's actions.

A series of glass trays began to appear covered with velvet cloth as his guards began to bring them in setting them on to the coffee table while a lull entered the room everyone keeping silence observing the mysterious trays.

Looking up towards Shivaay, I saw a devilish smile as he looked at the trays before back towards me revealing a trinkled light of victory in his eyes. The trays appearing as pieces of mysteries while I looked at them bewildered unable to grasp on what they all held.

Slowly, his assistant began to lift the velvet cloths one by one as a tender jolt broke way through everyone in the room finding themselves burning in smokes of envy glored with rage as the trays began to unveil values that even I had not seen ever.

Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, solitaires, and gold spilling out on the trays in various forms of necklaces that criss crossed and shaped themselves into ovals, hearts, and diamond cuts over one another, without any shame in, displaying their opulence. Bangles, rings, necklaces all falling and shining lighting up the room, blinding vision of some, while letting blush pink, blue, and red scatter across me trying to bring me to paradise. Heavy embroidered designer sarees and lehengas in various shades of red, blush pink, and orange scattering across the table with branded perfumes and makeup running their course out.

Looking up towards the others who appeared enchanted by the display of ornaments that intended to barely value a being, they held their vice towards me. I looked away not finding myself worthy of these luxuries that Shivaay was lavishing over me.

"W-what's this?!" Pinky aunty exclaiming loudly as she began to become blinded by the glitz of the gifts that were beginning to pop and embroil her vision. Her flesh turning a cherry green as she began to nauseate over the fortune that was not hers' at the moment.

"I am fulfilling the responsibility that you should have done, but you failed. As always you became selfish and indulged in your ego, but that is fine. Like always, I will repair the damage you attempted to do," Shivaay bluntly cutting the edges of Pinky aunty's envy on which she began to feed upon at the moment.

His hand wrapping into mine sliding his fingers into my gaps rendering his strength into me to stand in front of those who have continued to only mold and throw their perverse vice on to me and my children. Looking up, I caught his blue hues that intended to give me a dose of courage malted with love as he held me as his crown of glory.

"S-Shivaay this is too m-much. I c-cannot accept these...I do not deserve these..." I barely whispered to him while looking at the jewels aware of the expense they carried. I am not worthy of wearing them considering I do not belong to the class of people who indulge in fantasies over such gems.

Shivaay slightly smiling hearing my lines finding himself declining the request as he appreciated my eyes looking more deeply into them to capture my trembling being in it.

"Even these are not worth her value...Nothing can equal the value she holds and no one is worthy of my bride not even me...I can buy her these affluent luxuries, but even then I will not be able to value her. My Anika is above all of these and that is why I love her. She is a gem amongst the filth that exists, such as all of you who have dared to devalue her. However, you all have failed to see that my Anika never will falter, but only continue to strengthen," He let his thoughts run a thread of silence amongst everyone whose voices collapsed not able to compete with his words.

My heart beginning to flutter hearing his stance as a soft smile touched my lips before looking at him unable to believe that he is the same Shivaay who once had questioned my value, but now himself is crowning me with honor.

"What does she have that you are daring to insult your family in such manner and throwing your money to waste upon her?" Pinky aunty questioning as she looked up and down at me vining me with disgust while my mother lowered her gaze feeling ashamed of how others were beginning to question my character.

Shivaay letting out a fragile smile while looking towards me reflecting on my features and pondering over the question before answering it.

"Her ornament is her simplicity...Her fabric is her innocence...Her eyes continue to cherish beauty even in those who have ugly hearts...Her lips only sing praise even for those who wrong her. Despite, you daring to insult her by giving that shagun, she still held me and told me that she will accept the shagun out of respect for you....That is who Anika is. She values relationships over anything else even if such relationships force her to fully surrender and become selfless. She never is concerned about her own wishes and desires, but always of others...Her values have taught her to only love and never hate...She does not know how to hate, so despite how you and everyone else have dared to insult her each and every moment, she still holds love and respect for all of you. That is who my Anika is and these are her ornaments that make her a gem and crown of my throne..." His voice hitting the ripples of clarity in the tunes of everyone's filth that they began to submerge looking towards me trying to find the ornaments Shivaay had found himself.

A shy smile touching my lips as I felt tears slip by finding his lines swamping the lakes of love in my heart which began to beat erratically finding itself unable to lift the admiration that he had flourished upon it without any warning. His lines enough to slowly begin the cleansing of mud that each and every person in this room has dared to slab against my soul.

"My Anika taught me the value of relationships and such traditions. Right now, I am daring to still stand here and willing to continue this ritual because of her sake. I personally would have already taken her and gotten married because I do not want to involve any of you this wedding considering how all of you are...full of filth and sick to the core! But she deserves these rituals and these traditions because I want everyone to know that she is Mrs. Shivaay Singh Oberoi. I want to respect her wishes of involving all of you in this wedding, but if any of you misbehave then you will see the worst of me! Do you all hear me?! You will see that Shivaay...the true Shivaay that you all know still breathes within me!" He let his threat roar loudly into everyone making them flinch as they began to chew on the thought of what shall happen if they dare to create chaos.

My hand grabbing on to his arm trying to shake his temper out and not let it consume him as he began to seethe in tempered lakes. His eyes clawing Pinky aunty as he looked towards her taking a step closer while she stumbled back running a haunting in her eyes from her own son.

"Now I want you to apologize to my wife for the way you have dared to insult her and ruin this special moment for her. Apologize to her..." He hissed losing his steam on her while she stood still beginning to mutter curses under her breath that no one else could hear.

Tightening my grasp on his arm, I tried to pull him back while he continued to lean forward on the last straw of his patience with his mother who kept mum. "Shivaay stop. I do not need this. Can we just please move on?" I urged him trying to pull him out of his demon and back to the man who he truly is.

______________________________
NEW SCENES IF YOU READ GLITCHED UPDATE

He stood his ground not once moving while continuing to throw daggers at his mother who looked towards me gritting her teeth wanting to prowl me. I looked away grabbing his arm trying to pull him knowing that relationships were worsening moment by moment.

"Apologize! Can you not hear me?! Apologize to her!" His voice rumbling loudly with him now running many courses of creatures that began to dance on his head taking full reign of him.

Suddenly his hand grabbed the vase behind us ready to throw it. My hand lunging towards him in an attempt to snatch it, but failing. Soon, his hand let the vase fly across the room allowing it to crash loudly against the wall across from us.

Screams erupting from everyone as they skittered away from Shivaay finding him deadly at the moment who could do anything in his consumed liquor of anger. Clasping my hand against my mouth, I began to tremble while looking at him as he began to breathe deeply with lashes of red burning out of him ready to take him away into the devil.

"Shivaay! Stop this!" I began to yell at him while he stood in silence looking at Pinky aunty who began to shake violently unable to believe that her son would dare to insult her in such a manner.

"Apologize now! If you even think of me as your son then apologize to her! Now!" He screamed taking her arm and forcing her to face me while I let tears dry by unable to believe that Shivaay would dare to ruin our day in such a manner in front of everyone.

Pinky aunty's eyes bombarding towards me as she began to veil cuts of revenge towards me while letting her lips speak the innocent words. Raising her head high, looking the other way she declared the simple words.

"My apologies Anika. I made a...mistake." She clenched her teeth while letting the words through barely swallowing and soaking in the apology herself.

Shame hitting me as I lowered my gaze feeling a piece of dust considering she was my elder and was being ridiculed in front of everyone due to me and my husband. Despite what she has done, she is still our elder and she likely is shackled by her own values. Of course, she will not be fond of me considering I have gone against her beliefs by conceiving out of wedlock and also daring to run away with her son years ago. It is natural for her to have distaste for me.

My fingers digging into Shivaay's arm in frustration over his ill behavior while he kept quiet trying to turn the waves of his moment of lunacy to stability.

"P-please d-do not apologize...I-I should a-apologize for h-how y-you have been treated," My voice stuttering as I folded my hands to her on the behalf of Shivaay lifting my gaze up revealing tears before looking at everyone else who appeared stunned by my gesture.

Pinky aunty's eyes widening appearing befuddled while my parents looked at me appearing to hold a sense of proud that I was upholding their values.

"Anika beta, do not apologize to this woman! She has humiliated you in front of everyone and you are apologizing to her! How can you apologize to a woman who has spoke such filth towards you?!" Thayya ji intervening slamming his cane in anger while Thayee ji nodded in agreement.

Biting my lip, I held on to my tears while holding my hands still looking towards Pinky aunty. "No she deserves an apology b-because...she was mistreated...and we s-should not b-behave with our elders in such a m-manner," I continued to fumble holding my hands until a force hit them.

His rough hands pushing mine down immediately and grabbing on to them. Looking up towards him, I narrowed my eyes pinching my temper at him reflecting my resentment towards his behavior. He let out a small laugh before looking towards everyone else letting his hand forcefully grab on to mine while I tried to pull away finding bits of fury climbing on to me.

"And this is my Anika. Despite what has happened, she still gained the will to apologize even though none of this is her fault and she was the one who was harmed. This is why I love her because no matter what may come be or how anyone treats her, she still holds her values and cherishes them like no one else. She is the one who continues to teach me...what values one should have in life and I know she deserves to be the mother of my children who will instill such values in them which my family failed to fulfill for generations. As the oldest daughter-in-law of the Oberoi family, she will bring the change that it needs...she will guide our future generations to a better path than the one we all have followed for long," He let his voice rummage with tenacity not once wincing from admitting a flaw he himself held or perhaps his family also did.

My eyes meeting his finding his blue hues gliding with delight over what I had done liking how I inadvertently had proved to everyone why he had chosen me to be his wife. Holding tears, I let my lips quiver not knowing whether I should be upset over how he decided to ruin our engagement with his temper or how he had given me the same value as others standing in this room letting them know that I deserve to be called a human just like them.

His hands grabbing on to my shoulder pushing me down lightly on to the sofa continuing to smile letting his demon vanish while returning to the same good man that I have always been familiar with. Our families appearing caught off guard from the sudden change in Shivaay's demeanor unable to grasp on how suddenly this raging creature had returned back to stability and pure calm.

"Now can we all begin the roka the way it was meant to be? I do not want anyone to ruin this moment for Anika. Do you all understand? What you have seen right now was only a percent of who I am, so worse can happen if anyone dares to say or do anything against Anika," He vehemently rang his threat to everyone while I felt my heart dipping down feeling nauseous over how he was continuing to mistreat everyone who were trying to be part of our special day.

My hand grabbing his tightly as I nudged him towards me throwing him a glare. "That is enough Shivaay. Please, do not be further rude to any of them for my sake," I whispered trying to hold him back and help him shed his madness for a moment.

Shivaay sighing as he grumbled looking at everyone who began to sit back down finding themselves haunted by the vicious demonic phantom that had entered the groom sitting in front of them.

"Now why are you standing like this? Please, continue the roka. We do not have all day and have to leave soon," Shivaay demeaned towards Pinky aunty.

"W-what do you mean?" Pinky aunty questioned not catching on as Daadi slapped her shoulder angrily not liking how her family was humiliated in front of everyone.

"You are the groom's mother and you have to start the roka! Has your peanut brain forgotten that as well?!" Daadi taunted to Pinky aunty while Thayee ji snickered behind them liking the treatment her enemy was facing.

"This is the shagun tray for Anika and I want you to perform the ritual," Shivaay reigned at his mother gesturing to the large glass shagun tray laying in the front.

His shoulder brushing against me as he took a seat back down while I looked away trying to imply my resentment of his behavior, but failing. A warm touch teasing into my palm while I attempted to ignore it knowing who it was.

"Now I want you Ma to open that black box and put the necklace on Anika that I have bought especially for her," Shivaay holding his command as I tugged on my sharara feeling furious over how he was continuing to demean his mother in front of everyone.

What must everyone be thinking of us? They must be questioning Shivaay's character and judging him based off this moment rather than seeing him as the true picture he is. Only I know what a good man he can be and how much he is changing, but everyone else must be thinking wrong of him and that I do not like. Shivaay is wrong by portraying himself in such a manner.

My eyes following Pinky aunty as she grabbed the black box before opening it. The women behind her heaving slightly looking at the necklace that awaited to be salvaged by its owner. The necklace scattering a bright light on to the ceiling reflecting on to their faces as they appeared bewitched by it.

"Oh my God. This is for Anika?!" Pia exclaiming loudly throwing me a grim look before scowling as if judging I was worth it.

Her eyes showing I was unworthy of what the necklace held as I lowered my eyes beginning to ponder over how likely every woman in this room was thinking I was unworthy of this level of admiration that Shivaay was daring to show.

"Hai bhagvan, even Ma never got this type of gift nor did I," Priyanka retorted before throwing a slimy gaze too me smoking as the burn was smelt by me.

"Ma, pick up the necklace and put it on Anika," Shivaay repeated as Pinky aunty's hands trembled while holding the box and making her way towards me. Looking at me, she appeared to find me a mere smuck that only was a piece of dirt on which this necklace would miserably become ugly once placed upon.

A heated touch brushing against my neck making me shiver as I felt my hair dropping to the side. The flesh of his finger pressing gently against my neck as I felt a rosy tint on my cheeks looking up and seeing everyone observing the subtle hint of chemistry that rippled between us.

The false diamonds from my neck loosening as Shivaay smiled looking towards me before grazing the necklace off of me. "See I told you that you will wear a necklace worthy of you." He reminded me as he let the necklace scramble against the table.

"False diamonds to real ones'...a true promotion of class, except even wearing such necklaces does not automatically make one a true rich blood," Priyanka muttered next to my ear only for me to hear as she attempted to needle me while I kept still not uttering a response knowing Shivaay would hear and react worse.

"Ma we do not have all the time. Pick up the necklace and put in on Anika." Shivaay's demand catching her as her hands trembled slowly picking up the necklace and revealing it to everyone.

The layers of diamonds collapsing on to each other with pearls and emeralds that ran down into long heavy layers. Their light falling on to me attempting to lure me in and calling for me to wear them while I held a reservation. A sense of suffocation being felt as I observed the beauty of them finding them exotic, exquiste, and rare something not made for flawed beings like I.

"Is this a naulakha?" Daadi questioned while Shivaay smiled and nodded as Pinky aunty looked at the necklace not wanting to give it up finding herself intrigued by it as her lips dried.

"I decided to gift Anika a traditional necklace for the shagun since she already has the other modern pieces for the bari. This is a single designer piece," Shivaay reflecting its rarity while the women oogled it with devotion.

"Ma, put on the necklace. I am not going to repeat myself again do you understand?" Shivaay holding a tinge of temper while I sighed not liking one bit how he was treating her in front of other.

"Here let me help you Ma. Maybe you just need a small push to give up the necklace. Naulakha is your dream necklace right? I think you wanted this year for your anniversary, but Papa forgot," Gauri appearing to throw a taunt to Pinky aunty as she gave me a smile before holding my hair up as Pinky aunty frowned before beginning to move the necklace to me.

The layers of diamonds mixing with pearls running down my flesh as I felt its beauty down on to me. My hands tenderly gracing against the emeralds choking against my neck while I felt the fragile pearls running down my heart. The diamond cuts sharding against my fingers as I admired the strings of diamonds and pearls falling down my heart to my midriff.

"Beautiful. The moment I saw this naulakha, I knew it was made for a chaand like Anika," Shivaay speaking admiring the piece on me while I timidly looked at the piece finding it stunning.

"T-thank you," I muttered to him while Shivaay's smile widened believing I was not upset with him although I still was considering how he had decided to let his rage unleash at our roka.

"Hm. If only you gave this much love to your own family," Priyanka sneaking in a comment as Shivaay grumbled before waving her off.

"Go ask one from your husband who didn't even give a proper diamond necklace for the wedding," Shivaay slyed as I immediately pinched his arm in anger while he bit his lip surpressing a yelp not liking one bit how I had secretly reprimanded him.

"She is your sister. Learn to behave," I hissed to him while our families began to chatter over the necklace admiring it while spilling some jealousy over it seen in mild glares and sooted words.

A heated breath brushing against my ear trying to tempt me while I kept still not trying to give in to him. "Baby, I am sorry...but I could not tolerate how they insulted you. You are my love," He spoke gently a diversion from his atrocious tone that he uses for everyone else.

Keeping my glance straight, I avoided looking at him to not fall weak to his words. "Well it does not mean that you will misbehave with your elders. You need to learn how to value them especially your mother who has brought you to life. She does not deserve this disrespect from her son whom she has carried, given birth to, and raised with hopes that he will one day love her the way she loves him."

Shivaay taking a deep breath not liking my comment as he kept his hand in mine while looking at Pinky aunty who was getting the aarti thaali ready. "Anika you do not know everything about my relationship with my mother and the rest of my family. There are many things that you do not know of and what appears to be on the surface is the complete opposite underneath."

His eyes holding emptiness just like his lines while I felt my heart suddenly hit a loud beat finding tears in his eyes which he attempted to shake away. My heart lightly dimming not liking how I had unknowingly hurt him, even though, I was trying to help him mend his relationship with his mother.

Today is not the day to argue with him because this day is not going to come back for the both of us. We have to build memories today in all the rituals and all the vows we will take to be each other's. I should not worsen things and push him back from the light he finally is trying to touch and become better.

"We will talk later about this matter, but I want to focus on us right now...So let's focus on this moment Shivaay. Will you do that for me?" I spoke entwining my hand into his while giving him a small smile.

Shivaay immediately turning back with a smile returning to his lips and his tears vanishing. "Yes, this moment I will focus on our love only. That is my promise," He let his lines go with softness while I felt myself blush without a cause hearing about our love that even I want to know how he describes it.

"We will talk about our love tonight...that I promise," He held a tease to me returning to a better mood as I giggled looking away feeling myself turning red imagining how he would talk about our love.

"Let's begin the roka now as the bidaai has to happen soon in fifteen minutes," My mother mentioning and urging Pinky aunty to increase her pace while she reluctantly picked up the dupatta from the shagun tray.

My eyes falling on the wine red dupatta heavily embroidered with thin golden strands that formed many vines and flowers. The border appearing to hold names on them as I peered closer while Pinky aunty lifted the dupatta up towards me.

"Is that Anika and Shivaay's name?" Thayee ji questioning with interest while Priyanka leaned over looking at it before making a pungent face not liking it one bit.

A soft smile crossing me while I looked at Shivaay who kept his smile liking how he was lavishing me with his love. "What is this?" I questioned as he leaned back looking at the dupatta that Pinky aunty held above me.

The symbol of love gracing my head delicately letting itself merge on to me allowing it to color me with his shade. The dupatta running down my head as my hands ran against the golden threads finding Shivaay and my name embroidered on the border of it with Shivika imprinted in alterations of our name. This small fabric claiming me as his beginning the knotting of our love which was to be fulfilled with vows tonight.

"Anika looks like a chaand indeed," Gauri speaking as she gave me a smile before sitting on the arm of the sofa hugging me while I smiled back towards her.

"Of course, she is my choice," Shivaay gloated making me blush pink while I lowered my gaze fidgeting with my fingers feeling demure as he continued to lay affection in front of everyone.

"And she is pregnant, so she has a glow. By the way, why are you showing at two months? Are you not showing a bit too early?" Priyanka retorted throwing me a dirty look as I looked at her finding her lines puddling mud at me in the simplest way. My eyes lowering to my belly that was bulging slightly from my sharara where the twins peaked a hello to everyone else.

Shivaay appearing to want to say something before I grabbed his hand tightly implying him to not say anything in return wanting to focus on our engagement.

"You shut up and go sit on sofa. Alright? Enough of your bullshit!" Shivaay snapped at her as she looked away with her temper steaming not liking the tone he utilized.

"I mean what is the use getting all these clothes for her if she is getting so big so fast?" Priyanka continued her tirade against me while Shivaay began to tremble in anger once again barely holding on as I continued to squeeze his hand trying to reign him back.

A tinge of green smoked in her eyes as she looked at the gifts Shivaay had brought for me indicating somewhere she found jealousy in them. My eyes following to Shivaay as I threw him a glare finding myself upset with how he had went overboard with buying the shagun.

"Priyanka beta this is a bari that the groom's family gives to the bride that is why Shivaay did the right thing by buying all these gifts. Surprisingly, he kept more awareness of this ritual than your mother did," Daadi throwing a taunt at Pinky aunty who fixed my dupatta one more time before placing it in my lap.

Weakly smiling, I looked back at Shivaay who pretended to be oblivious not wanting to look at me and be caught that somewhere he is beginning to appreciate tradition considering he is not a man of traditions himself.

"Thank you." My lines striking him as he immediately turned towards me while he pretended to be confused despite knowing what I was being grateful for.

"For what?" He spoke as Shakti uncle made his way towards us while I rolled my eyes not liking his façade.

"Thank you for upholding tradition because I know you do not appreciate such rituals, but still thank you for doing such for me. But, this is too much...you could have bought less for me. Simplicity would have been good," I argued to him as Daadi came and blessed me while I smiled looking towards her.

"But, this is perfect. You deserve every bit of it because you are my wife," He whispered barely allowing Daadi to bless him.

Sighing aware I was losing this argument, I wrapped my dupatta in my lap as Shakti uncle and Pinky aunty grabbed a fist of dry fruits before spilling them in my lap while I licked my lips looking at them finding an unusual craving for them despite hating them. The twins below in my womb liking becoming tempted by the dry fruits that laid on them.

Shivaay letting out a chuckle seeing my hungry state before his parents waved money over us placing it in my lap. "Someone is hungry aren't they?" He mentioned teasing me out trying to remind me my hunger was a product of utilizing too much energy in a heated moment with him.

"Here, take a date," Pinky aunty snapped grabbing one and forcing it into my mouth catching me off guard as I slightly choked beginning to chew on it.

"I do not want my grandchild to starve because of you," She taunted while shaking her head and ending her part of the tradition as I slightly smiled hearing her care for her grandchildren.

"T-thanks," I mumbled continuing to chew on the date while Pinky aunty rolled her eyes.

"I only care because my Shivaay's child is in your womb. His first heir that is why," She attempted to clarify herself, but failing as if her eyes showed some concern towards me.

"Chalo, at least you did not forget you are having a grandchild. At least give some izzat to our daughter based on that," My mother remarking to her before hitting her shoulder angrily while Pinky aunty threw her a glare before taking a seat.

"Isn't this bracelet a little too simple? My Shivaay gave so many expensive gifts to your daughter and he is getting this. He works hard day and night that has led him to become a leader in business and yet this is how he is being treated by his in-laws," Pinky aunty barbing at my father who slipped a gold bracelet on Shivaay's wrist.

Biting my lip, I looked towards the bracelet before seeing my father's face who appeared slightly embarrassed. Shivaay slamming his hand against the sofa with his eyes reddening while he shot blunts at his mother.

"I chose this bracelet! Uncle asked me what I wanted and then I chose this bracelet alright? In fact, if you want to know so much, I also chose the ring and the pendant they are giving me. Now be quiet for once or do you want to be more insulted in front of everyone? Because believe me I find no shame in insulting you or anyone else here who dares to ruin my roka!" His threat echoing disgrace towards Pinky aunty who looked away finding herself at the edge of falling where she might just embrace a sinister being.

"Well, Shivaay is understanding of how much we can afford and he chose according to that. He truly is a good son-in-law," Thayya ji adding in furthering embarrassment for my father who placed a simple pendant on Shivaay's neck.

His eyes shooting to Thayya ji beginning to dart at him as he further seethed is creatures. "I like simplicity and that is why I chose these with uncle. I do not understand why everyone is concerned with the gifts. Is this how such a low mindset all of you have that all of you are concerned with material values?" He questioned their conscience as Shivaay got up helping my father sit down on the sofa as he appeared to stumble.

https://youtu.be/C9AopxWlmIE

Tears taking hold of me as I felt my heart threading love in a place not found before as it began to spread out of it's small lakes to others. His lines claiming a win on my heart as he stood besides my father protecting his honor in front of everyone.

And he impressed me. Just like that, I let my anger go away that held remnants for how he had raised his voice at me in front of others because now if I ponder, he was protecting me from his family just like he is now for my father. He truly loves me because rarely men ever show such respect to their wife's family and their honor. He has wronged them in the past, but to see him like this shows that he beginning to change and I love this change.

"For once improve your sick mentality and focus on a bigger perspective. I have invited you all to our wedding because I know Anika and I know it is her wish to see our families together and blessing us in our union, but I personally regret to have invited all of you considering what you all are doing," Shivaay continuing to raise his voice against his family who sat next to him as I weakly smiled hearing the strength he held in forming a barrier in protecting me and my father.

"Shivaay please...do not say more," I spoke to him knowing we have to be the ones who will tie a stronger bond between our families that fail to see eye to eye at the moment.

Shivaay taking a deep breath stopping before taking a seat next to me appearing to obey my request. My hand taking hold of his as I looked at him while Daadi began to make a prayer before holding the aarti thaali.

"And you have impressed me. T-thank you for protecting me a-and s-standing up for m-my father." I surrendered and accepted his apology while looking into his blue hues that held love for me while he smiled that I had forgiven him.

"So, you forgive me for how I raised my voice at you in the kitchen and before?...I am sorry I was trying to protect you, but I will try to not do that in front of others or even in private," He attempted to form a promise making me smile as I ran my hand against his.

"Yes, I forgive you and arguing is normal, but thank you for understanding my stance," I replied as I looked away towards Daadi who brought the aarti thaali towards us.

"May you both stay blessed and this bond now last for better and for the next lifetime," Daadi releasing her prayers at us as she placed vermillion on my temple and his beginning to take our aarti.

Our eyes following each other with demure dropping on both of us oddly as we felt red by allowing our love to reflect before everyone else. A mysterious love that we both held and we both prayed, just like Daadi, that it continues to breathe for a lifetime until the next. Seemingly, our prayers have been answered and perhaps this is for forever.

Gauri giving me a genuine smile as she placed the rose garland on my neck while Priyanka placed another one on Shivaay. Shivaay and I letting out a small laugh finding ourselves amused by the royal treatment we both were getting considering the bad reputation we both carry amongst our families.

"Be serious you both. Stop being childish as you both are going to be parents," Daadi scolding the both of us while I let out another giggle looking at the twins who were influencing this shade on me. Shivaay continuing to laugh as he looked at Daadi who continued to leave numerous prayers on the both of us.

"Ma can we please proceed now? The bidaai has to happen soon," Pinky aunty calling out to Daadi who threw her a glare before pressing her hand on my head.

"May your child be safe and healthy," She prayed while I softly smiled seeing her concern for my children as she threw rice and flowers on the both of us.

Her hand grabbing a gulab jamun as she fed me a bite while I relished its sweetness finding my hunger striking me before Shivaay took another bite of it as well.

"Daadi, give her all of it now or else my stomach will hurt considering she is greeding on it," Shivaay whispered as I threw him a glare while a smile touched my lips. Daadi pushed the entire gulab jamun in my mouth as Shivaay began to laugh seeing me look like a balloon gol gappa.

"Now take God's name and exchange rings," Daadi noted as she sat down next to Shivaay taking a ring box from the table and handing one to me.

Confusion entering my mind as I looked at the solitaire Shivaay had already gifted me last night for the proposal not knowing what to do.

"You already have a ring. Where did you get this from?" Daadi questioning as I tugged on to see what I should do.

"I gifted her that, but she can wear both," Shivaay spoke smiling as he grabbed my hand taking the ring off and slipping it to the next while I slightly smiled liking how he had found a quick solution.

"Now she will get two solitaires," Pinky aunty muttering under her breath bickering in envy while Shivaay hissed at her before looking towards me.

Suddenly silence held us as we began to feel rose petals being thrown at us pulling us back into an illusion of love where we wanted to dive deep into that sea. His fingers lightly brushing his love against my hand as he grabbed it into his with his right in front of everyone. Our trembling fingers knotting into each other letting our vows entwine as we began to promise to be each other's forever.

A ring slipping down my finger letting it collide against my heartbeat that quivered in it engraving his name on it forever. My eyes falling on to the ring as beyond the oval solitaire covered with entwining diamonds, I saw a beautiful engraving on the band.

"May our love stay blessed and until the next lifetime. Shivika 12.24.11 to eternity," He spoke reading the engraving as my smile widened with tears taking hold of me feeling the ring igniting a set of memories from the good ones to the bad ones, the struggles, the heartbreak, and then the union...all of them threading only love within me from that night on Christmas Eve, when we first kissed, until now.

We held our gaze while we both appeared to reflect on the bitter memories while admiring the ones with love. We both held our prayer that may God continue our love for a lifetime as I let my hand slide a gold band down his ring finger claiming it as mine.

Tears holding us both as everyone began to clap and break our silence we sat still continuing to admire fate and how we have been brought to that same day once again. Never would I have thought we would return to this path and here we both are finding ourselves embracing this sacred path once again.

Our hearts beating the same rhythm while we continued to admire love in each other's souls that we found ourselves taking hold of with our rings that held the vows sung from our souls which we exchanged with each other.

His hand taking a hold of my cheek as I avoided his gaze feeling shy under his loving touch that he was expressing in front of everyone. "I love you Anika and I promise through this ring that I shall forever protect you, cherish you, and love you until eternity." He held his vow before leaning in and kissing my temple tenderly making a demure smile touch my lips.

"And I promise to forever only be yours' and only keep you in my heart for eternity," My vice barely coming through I trembled in shyness while I looked up with the petals continuing to fall on us while our families got up blessing us one by one. They appeared less thrilled by our affection wanting to shackle it back, but seemingly both Shivaay and I appeared to not show any concern wanting to live this moment only for each other trying to cherish each and every part of it.

Daadi kissing my forehead lightly while I slightly smiled liking her care. She sat down next to me fixing my dupatta while my mother barely brushed her hand on my head finding my touch repulsive. Holding a frail smile, I attempted to lure my mother with love, but failing as she proceeded and blessed Shivaay making her way back.

"May you prove to be a good daughter-in-law and continue to be blessed with more children," Pinky aunty throwing me a plastered smile as I smiled back liking her blessing as she leaned closely towards me while Shivaay indulged in a conversation with my father.

"Anika beta, because of you I have been insulted in a manner by my son that he has never displayed before in front of everyone else. Now, I promise to make your haldi memorable that you shall never forget in your life...I promise to make you cry on your haldi and be insulted the way I was," She let out her threat in a wicked, scheming way raising goosebumps down my spine as I shivered looking towards her seeing her eyes unveil a scheme that she was beginning to build in her mind.

Shivaay grasping on my hand as he smiled while I gave him a shaky smile finding hope that he will stand by me no matter what even if his mother may just bring further havoc in my life. Somewhere I can trust the fact that my husband will stand by me no matter what and continue to protect me like no one else.

"Shivaay, I wanted to talk to you alone in private," Om noting to him as he looked up throwing him a glare not liking the interruption.

"Anika, I will be right back alright?" He spoke to me reluctantly while I smiled and nodded seeing Om grabbing Shivaay's arm and dragging him out of the room. The two brothers holding a mystery as they continued to walk as I looked at them curiously seeing them indulge in a conversation.

My hands collapsing on to my lap as I watched Pinky aunty walk away wrapping fear around me as I leaned back feeling my womb tremble. She threw me a smirk while she snapped her fingers looking towards me as I continued to look at her unable to catch on what she exactly was thinking of doing only to be aware that she will bring my ruining.

Shivaay's Point of View

Om continued to drag me down the hallway as I held on to my temper realizing Anika was still in sight before we made our way towards the stairs. Suddenly, I let go of my mask as I snatched my arm out of his grip before hitting him against the wall.

"How dare you drag me out like that?! Who are you to do such?!" I questioned leaning closely towards him feeling a deviled wolf prowling itself within me wanting to take the man in front and claw his sick soul that forced him to sin.

His eyes holding black soot, covered with greed, entwined with a burning vice as he looked into my eyes not once wavering that I was his own blood. Well he did not waver before for what he did, so why will he now?

"I should be questioning you Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi. How dare you dethrone me from a potential position on the board of directors for Oberoi Hospitals? Who are you to do such? Who?!" His hunger for power screaming at me while I spat back with my devil beginning to laugh as I threw my head up in the air letting it rumble out of me.

My laugh easing away as I suddenly snapped towards him grabbing his neck and forcing him to look into that demon within me wanting to incite fear within him. "You played dirty with me. I did not. I still maintained my boundary as your elder brother, but you did not. You dared to play a brutal power game of chess with me...You weaved my lunacy...You enticed my devil...You played a move that made me sin. But, you forgot that you dared to play with the man who himself has walked these realms and played worse games with others...So, Omkara Singh Oberoi, I will bring your downfall. You will fall because of me," I let my voice trail with a series of sinister lines allowing them to light a cigar of hate within him wanting him to come to the ground and play against me like a man.

He stood still hearing my threat with mania grappling on to him as he began to shake his head. Drumming his hands against the wall, he was unable to understand how I had caught his crime considering how clean his move was.

Letting out a laugh, I looked into his eyes admiring my work how I had incited fear in the very man who dared to challenge me. "Do not think too much. My mind starts from where yours' ends. You thought that you would be able to ruin me and walk away with my right...my throne! You dared to take me off of my throne for which I have worked for many years...sacrificed my everything for it...a throne that is mine and my children's. You dared to play dirty with me and I will not let you go easily. I promise you that very soon I will bring your reckoning in a way that you would have never imagined..." I held my threat to him as I began to let out a trickled laugh imagining how he would fall on my reception tonight. I will serve justice considering he dared to lock his horns with me and harm me and my right.

He snarled loudly slamming his hand against the wall loudly before lunging towards me as I kept my feet planted not moving once wanting to ensure I held the power in this ground. "Shivaay Singh Oberoi, you will regret if you dare to bring my reckoning. I will do everything to teach you a lesson if you dare to take my throne," He gargled like a pitbull while I smirked looking at him and seeing him as a mere dog while I was the creature who could reign him in an instant.

"It was never your throne. I always had it and try to do everything you can, but no one can bring Shivaay Singh Oberoi down except God. Until my God is with me, I will fear no one," My voice rumbling as I pushed him against the wall before taking a taste of victory that lingered within me as I began to tread my feet through the wooden floor.

"Fate does not always support one! What you are lavishing in today with your new family and your throne, may be gone tomorrow! Remember what happened twenty years ago?! Life was snatched from you to a point that you gave into powders and liquors to escape!" His voice echoing loudly behind me as my steps stopped hearing his threat.

Fear beginning to ravish within my mind as screams from that night twenty years ago began to appear in my ears while Anika and Chaaya appeared in front of my eyes. My hands trembling slightly while I attempted to hold my ground keeping my mask not wanting him to see that somewhere he had touched a weakness. The taste of powder still lingering on my tongue from years ago remembering that high that somewhere I still carry an appetite for to escape.

No Shivaay. Do not even think of returning to that sin...you must not return to that realm for your family.

Keeping a smirk, I deafened the screams from my ears while I remembered my faith knowing that God would support me and not let me fall like I did before. "My God is with me. He saved me before from you who lured me to these paths of drugs after what happened twenty years ago, so you can reap benefits and claim my rights. He saved me then and I knnw He will protect me now, save me, and support me in holding my right. Do what you want to do, but my God knows my truth and He will be with me..." I declared looking into his eyes inciting the challenge and craving victory once again knowing that I will not fall.

Drinking a sip of venomous rave while a pill of power, I led my feet back down the hall not looking back once and letting that dog continue to bark his respite for me. He is not going to win considering these games are not made for men like him who only attack behind the curtains and never with bravery free of any secrecy.

My phone beginning to ring as I took it out with a smile appearing across my lips knowing who likely was on the other line. Picking the line up, I placed it against my ear before peering into the dining area where I kept a secret surprise for my one and only love.

"Yes, meri jaan. What happened now? Why are you calling Papa again?" I questioned while letting out a chuckle hearing her whine loudly on the other line.

"Chaaya wants to know if mumma saw her gift! I make gift for mumma and I want to see if she likes it! Please give it to her! Please Papa please!" She exclaimed as I heard her feet stomping loudly in the back appearing to jump up and down energetically likely an after effect of munching too many ladoos at the mandhir.

Smiling, I peeked onto the dining table seeing the small black box holding Chaaya's gift that had a silver bracelet in it.

"Meri jaan please be patient. I promise, I will tell you how mumma felt once she saw your gift alright? You have to learn how to be patient and why are you not busy getting ready to go to the airport? You have to leave in the afternoon!" I attempted to scold her while she continued to whimper just like her mother not having any patience like her.

"I will get ready okay Papa. But, you better give my bracelet to mumma! I made that silver bracelet with lots of hard work only for mumma and you have to give! Also, give the painting to her where I put my hand on her painting! Please give give! Do not forget!" She continued to yell in excitement ordering me rightfully as I smiled becoming aware that only this little monster could reign me who dares to be a creature to others.

"I will make my puppy bark at you and run after you if you do not give her gift! I will go on a hunger strike if you do not give her my gift! Do you hear me?!" She attempted to threaten me while I slapped my hand against my forehead looking towards a giggling Anika in the sitting area beginning to imagine how I would handle these two commanding officers in life.

"Acha meri jaan, I promise alright? Now if you hang up then I will be able to give her gift nah? Okay, I have to go now and I love you," I attempted to weave her back to stability as she sighed loudly eeringly just like me.

"Fine! I love you too, but I am calling you in an one hour and you better tell me she has my gift!" Her hand slamming the phone shut making me erupt in a series of laughter while I began to make my way back towards the living area ready to give a surprise to my bride aware she will devour it fully with appreciation.

Anika's Point of View

Smiling lightly, I tried to pull my feet back not liking how Priyanka was sitting on the floor painting my nails a shade of blush pink. Priyanka sighing in annoyance looking at Daadi who was supervising the ritual.

"I do not understand why I have to paint her nails? What ritual is this?" Priyanka complaining while I felt slightly wrong that I was allowing this to happen. Pulling my feet back I attempted to end the ritual not liking it one bit as well considering Priyanka was being somewhat demeaned.

"If you for once respected traditions then you would know this is part of the roka. As the groom's family, we have to endow her with the gifts we brought and get her ready a bride to show we are accepting her as our son's wife," Daadi spoke sitting down next to me helping Gauri put a set of red bangles down my wrists while I felt a sense of unease in how all of them were getting me ready.

"Beta ji finally you came to the ground where you should be at your bhabi's feet. Waise, now you have to fully pamper and serve your bhabi considering she is making you an aunt. I think you are already on the ground, so why not also press her feet and gain some good luck," Thayee ji jabbing while Pari giggled as I rolled my eyes not liking her joke.

Priyanka pushing my feet away suddenly as she slammed the nail polish on the ground before getting up and looking at Thayee ji ready to take her down. "Oh hello, mind your language please. If you are an elder it does not mean you will continue to misbehave and taunt me. Do you think I am a maid?" She spat as Thayee ji raised her eyebrow before looking at her up at down along with Pari.

"Oh you mind your language! Your mother is no less in misbehaving, in fact she is double...And to be honest, even our maid looks better than you," Pari gribed her as I immediately grabbed her arm pulling her away from Priyanka who began to shorten her steps ready to take her on.

"Pari apologize for your words now. You should not speak like this," I attempted to insert some sense into her while Pari snatched her arm away.

"Oh ho! Chalo, first mother yapped and now also her daughter. Such low class people," Pinky aunty snooted while she walked towards us.

"Pinky stop it! No more drama!" Daadi declaring her order to Pinky aunty who yapped her hand away.

"Class we learned by how you brought that shagun for my daughter. At least we did not stoop to such a low level. At least I learned today, that people who live in these big mansions waving their money at others have a heart of a pauper," My mother jeering at Pinky aunty while I leaned my head against the sofa beginning to take deep breaths wanting to escape all of them who have completely lost their senses to showing who is above the other.

A set of feet suddenly erupting in the sitting area as everyone looked back falling into complete silence seeing the phantom making his pleasant way inside. Their mouths zipping shut as they began to remember how he had unleashed his rage moments ago upon everyone. Fear lurking within them as they looked at that single man making his way.

A giggle escaping from me as I looked at everyone else who began to mind their work acting as if nothing happened not wanting to incite him. The funny part is that the man they all are scared of is potentially scared of me. I continued to giggle thinking of the thought as Shivaay looked at me curiously making his way towards me.

"I think it is almost time for the bidaai now. We all made the arrangements," My father speaking as he made his way inside with his lines making my heart tremble reminding me of how I was going to leave them forever once again.

"Yes, the bidaai should happen now according to the auspicious time," Daadi agreeing as I began to play with my fingers finding a small resistance of not leaving my family feeling worried of what will happen once I leave considering they are dependent on me in caring for them. I mean I will continue to help them financially, but how will they care for their health and their home...They are dependent on me for many things.

"Wait before we go, I want everyone to come with me to the dining room. I want to show Anika something and want all of you to be there for her," Shivaay making his voice run curiosity through me as I looked at him before he grabbed my hand helping me get up on to my feet.

"Oh yes, I also helped Shivaay beta in this. Please do come everyone," Thayya ji noting with excitement as I looked at the two men quite confused on what was happening.

Shivaay's hand wrapping into mine slipping against my engagement ring letting his heartbeat run against it ensuring I was his. He kept a smile looking at me while I attempted to think of what he wanted to show me.

"What you want to show me?" I questioned while he led me down the hallway with everyone following us as Shivaay chuckled.

"Well you will see soon baby. At least come with me now," He urged increasing the pace as he made a turn towards the dining room.

https://youtu.be/Zug7LGxaTag

Suddenly my body halting as it jived with thrill mixed with excitement that began to leap within me. My heartbeats beginning to increase as it encountered love in a form never seen before. His heated hand brushing gently against my waist as he lad me inside while everyone behind me appeared to rush in whispers or gasps unable to take in what awaited them. They were stunned not able to grasp on the ornaments that decked the room around them.

A cherry floundered triple layered cake encircling the center of the large dining table with employees beginning to bring in and set twenty-eight trays on the table one by one. Gift boxes and gift bags colliding on the floor appearing to hold more surprises.

My hand taking a tight grasp of my engagement ring as I felt slightly disturbed with the swamp of different gifts that surrounded me unable to understand what was happening. A warm touch brushing against my ear as I felt him smile.

"Gifts a bride truly deserves," He whispered as I looked towards him seeing his eyes holding a lantern of adoration continuing to lead me into the room.

As my feet touched the ground, suddenly roses and confetti began to fall upon the both of us while I screamed in excitement looking up seeing them unraveling from a net that popped loudly above us. Our eyes meeting each other as we began to laugh looking up letting the roses of love and confetti of celebration fall on to the both of us while we began to intoxicate ourselves with bliss loving each and every moment of it.

My hands collapsing against my mouth attempting to open and close my eyes shut trying to check if this was a dream, but realizing that no my love had brought a fantasy to life.

Velvet cloths beginning to lift themselves up revealing layers of more diamonds and solitaires tumbling out while others revealed an array of exquiste designer handbags combined with modern cut heels and shoes scattering out of other trays. Perfumes, electronics, and layers of first editions books from my favorite Fitzgerald falling on to the table.

"Twenty-eight gifts for the birthday girl of course," Shivaay's love colliding into my beating heart which began to collapse unable to bear the immense appreciation that was being given to it considering an ugly soul like I does not deserve this level of beauty.

"M-my birthday was in August on the fifth," I spoke to him feeling confused why it was being celebrated now after four months.

His hands taking a hold of my waist as he pulled me towards me revealing his blue hues that held pure solace finding me lavishing in the love he was expressing in the most extravagant, yet innocent way that likely no other man has before.

"I want to celebrate your birthday now because I have missed celebrating it all these years. I know how you are and I know this year your birthday also likely passed with silence and I do not like that. My wife deserves to have her birthday celebrated and to be lavished in such a way that she is worthy of. You are now Mrs. Shivaay Singh Oberoi and you deserve to be loved this way..." His lines trimming love into the chords of my wounds that my heart held as I felt tears latch on to me unable to believe how this man was daring to express his love for me.

"I-I d-don't deserve this..." I whispered looking at the arrangements as Shivaay grabbed my neck pulling me closer and placing a gentle kiss against my cheek making it tint pink. I looked towards our families who appeared revulsed by the surprise unable to digest not only the opulence that Shivaay had displayed without any shame, but the love that sung its tunes loudly in each and every corner of this room.

"You deserve more than this. This is only the beginning to my love for you..." His lines suddenly crashing into me making me giddy with many fantasies running at increased speed within me beginning to wonder how this man will continue to express love for me.

"What is all of this?! You did this! But why? You already gave her so much for the shagun!" Pinky aunty's high pitched voice ringing against Shivaay's ears as I felt her lines trim some sense of humility in me making me realize that indeed Shivaay likely has overspent his money.

Shivaay suddenly looking towards her feeling himself on the verge of breaking his insanity and letting it lift out until I grabbed his arm pulling him towards me. "Y-yes Shivaay, you overspent. This is too much for me. I cannot take all of this." I attempted to convince him, but failing as Shivaay held his hand up not wanting me to say another word.

"I cannot believe you are showering Anika with such gifts. I mean which man gifts so much to his wife? You are wasting your money irresponsibly," Shakti uncle attempting to reign sense into his son while I stood in silence feeling everyone mutter their distaste for this level of opulence including my parents who did not believe in such spending seeing it as a waste.

He turned towards our families with some finding themselves dancing with envy while others indulging in pitiful greed over his action. A smirk playing on his lips as he looked at everyone not liking how they were daring to challenge his decision, but somewhere finding pleasure in how they felt.

"My money and my wife. I will decide how to spend my money that I earn and I do not overindulge, but I am giving my wife what she deserves. So now, I want all of you to leave considering you want to ruin this moment for my wife. All of you go now and we will come on our own in ten minutes. Leave now please," Shivaay holding a strong demand and gesturing them out of the room.

Not one attempting to go against his word able to see that if they spoke more they likely would incite his ferocious creature that will feed on them without any regrets. I stood in silence not knowing what to do or say as his employees walked out as well letting the two of us to stay alone.

He turned slowly towards me revealing a soft smile as he began to close the distance between us while I shook my head showing my annoyance with his decision to spend such an enormous amount of money on me.

"Anika please do not make that face now alright? Don't worry I did not spend my entire fortune on all of this. I mean the amount I spent on this barely even brushed my bank account, so don't worry like the others. I spent perfectly in my limits," He attempted to divert my mind from his overindulgence wanting me to focus on the gifts he had bought with much love.

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head looking at the gifts before he grabbed my hand taking me towards the cake with candles lit up through it. "Once we get married, I am going to handle the accounts. God knows, how much you will spoil our children," I noted trying to show a bit of anger, but failing finding myself relishing the amount of pampering he was giving me.

"My baby deserves more than just these gifts, does she not?" He teased wrapping his hand behind my head beginning to lean in towards me making me slightly smile liking how he was luring me in with his play on words.

"Baby only wants your love...and nothing else," I replied wrapping my hands around his neck while he let out a small laugh. He began to lean in wanting his kiss that he believed he finally earned considering how he has impressed me not only with gifts, but the way he stood up for me and my family.

"Shivaay someone might see us," I whispered running my dupatta between us once again as he grunted letting his lips fall on the sheer fabric once again while I giggled liking to see his disappointed, chubby face.

Revealing a playful smile, he pulled the dupatta down wanting to lean in again as I pushed him away lightly before stumbling back against the chair and hitting a black box behind me. The box appearing appealing as I looked at it before picking it up realizing it was not opened yet.

"What is this?" I questioned looking at him while he smiled gently looking at the box.

"It's handmade and just for you," He noted while my smile widened hearing his words before opening the box.

A silver bracelet made of hearts colliding with a small stethoscope charm appearing as I squealed loudly seeing the gift finding it immediately latching on to my heart that found itself feeling an unusual presence of love in the innocent gift.

"This is beautiful Shivaay! You do know how much I love handmade gifts! This is too cute," I noted with a ladybug of excitement flying into me while I picked up the bracelet seeing a small engraving on the stethoscope.

"World's best mom," He read the engraving before I could as I felt the lines run itself down my womb where the two precious blessings continued to witness our love while another blessing was far away, but continuing to watch over us.

His hand taking a grasp of the bracelet as he picked it up for me grabbing my wrist knowing I wanted to wear it able to detect I had fallen in love with it. The silver bracelet sliding down my wrist with his fingers lingering on my heartbeat able to feel how the mere presence of the bracelet was enough to engrave a deeper meaning into me.

Tears taking hold of me as I ran my fingers across the silver stones admiring them dearly loving every bit of it finding it forming a bond with my womb trying to nurture it that it will be able to carry these lives and give them a mother's pure love.

"I love it Shivaay. I love this gift more than these opulent ones that you have bought. All of these gifts feel worthless to this one for some reason and I do not know why, but it's the modesty that is forcing me to treasure it."

Shivaay holding a weak smile appreciating the gift he had given me while he appeared to hold a large frame in his hand that was packed in wrapping paper.

"A special person made it for you, so I am glad you like the bracelet." His lines holding a secrecy as I looked at him trying to understand who the special person may be, but failing as he picked up the large frame laying it on the table for me.

"I think this is a very valuable gift that you will love," He brushed his voice lightly against me pressing his chest against my back while I began to shake unable to bear the number of surprises he was giving me at the moment.

Taking a hold of the wrapping paper, I slowly began to open the gift letting the paper collapse and rip as various colors began to appear one by one beneath it. My heart reaching a point of bliss as I saw a beautiful portrait in front of me.

My hands folding together as I looked at the portrait taking a small prayer before admiring the beauty of it. Rich paints coming to life as I looked at the portrait before Shivaay placed it delicately on the dining table ensuring it was safe.

"Satnam Waheguru ji," I whispered admiring Guru Nanak Dev ji's portrait finding faith in the divine while Shivaay spoke a prayer in his mouth.

Tears holding me as I admired the painting finding blessings in it with faith continuing to wrap around me looking towards Shivaay who smiled catching on that this was the most beautiful gift.

"I know how much the divine is important to you and how much you believe in Guru Nanak Dev ji, so I wanted to gift you a painting and we can place it in our home where you will be able to pray and so will our children," He spoke as I felt tears run down my cheeks looking at the painting finding my faith growing and blossoming knowing the divine is the reason why I am being blessed with love once again and for once feeling human again. The thought of praying with our children lighting hope within me of a blessed life we may carry.

"Thank you," I whispered to the painting as I felt blessings while Shivaay took the painting praying to one more time before placing it carefully in a bag and handing it off to the guard in the distance.

"But wait there is more and I believe you will also love this gift," He spoke as he grabbed another big frame placing it in front of me while I looked at it confused clearly feeling myself lost in the amount of surprises he was giving me.

Rummaging through the wrapping paper, I began to unlayer the frame yet again seeing rich vibrant colors of red, blue, purple, and others lifting themselves up as my fingers graced them. Suddenly paintings appearing in front of my eyes as I felt my life appearing in front of me with memories weaved in each portrait.

"Twenty eight paintings symbolizing each year of your life," He whispered igniting a rush of tears out of me as I looked at the large frame with twenty eight medium sized paintings going from left to right with my portrait in each one from the day I took birth to this year when I turned 28.

"W-what? Oh my God...oh my gosh.." I began to repeat my words while letting my fingers run through the paintings feeling them increasingly realistic as they took my features in with an identical photograph clipped at the end that was used to make each one.

"Your father helped me get some of the photos...Believe me the artist was quite upset since he was on a time crunch, but he got convinced with a small benefit of course," Shivaay confessing the way he got the work done with a bribe while a small laugh erupted from me. I slapped his chest gently before grabbing his collar and slapping a ravenous, sloppy kiss against his cheek while he pulled me into an embrace.

"You have completely given me the best gifts today that I never even imagined of. It's not the expensive ones, but the genuine ones like these that I have loved the most and will always treasure," I spoke as I kissed his heart with my shaking lips before looking at the paintings.

My eyes stopping seeing two together that appeared as a figment of the past. My hand immediately collapsing against them as I looked at them finding butterflies fluttering in my heart seeing life beginning to pass in front of me bringing me back to the memories that I have always wished would pause and I would continue to live within them.

A beautiful portrait of Shivaay and I from our wedding collapsed on the painting as it threaded our vows in the rich shades of red margining with golden shade of promises. Love appearing to reflect even in the lifeless painting indicative that love can even be expressed in objects without breaths and still be able to affect the heart.

Leveling my fingers, I dragged them against the next painting seeing a small handprint against my heart while I appeared to admire it with a mother's love. A small "C" appearing on the handprint secretly placed there while I felt tears fall on to the glass feeling Chaaya's touch run down me.

"H-how did the artist do this? The h-handprint looks quite real," I whispered to Shivaay wanting to avoid further discussion despite knowing it was Chaaya not wanting to ignite his tears considering how close he was to her.

Tears touching his eyes as he placed his arm around me before letting his fingers linger on the handprint. "Um...I-I...don't know...but I do know t-the footprints are o-of o-our C-Chaaya's...when she took birth...I t-took her f-footprints on her f-first day and w-wanted to g-gift them to y-you for your birthday b-before things fell apart..." His voice breaking with tears climbing down his cheeks as I lowered my gaze on the portrait.

My eyes falling on a pair of footprints right next to the portrait as I looked at the date on it reading April 19, 2013 as my hand clasped against my mouth with my heartbeat stopping for a moment knowing that was the day the blessing had entered my life and made me a mother. I leaned over beginning to kiss the footprints over and over again wanting to engrave their touch into my heart letting it rush down my womb wanting to fill the emptiness of it where she once laid in protected.

"I love you meri jaan...meri Chaaya...I l-love you...I miss you s-so much...I love you...Mumma will always l-love you..." My heart singing a long, nurtured love it has continued to treasure with care for many years not once letting it weaken.

A warm embrace wrapping around me as I immediately took hold of it letting his arms wrap around me. I began to whimper letting my tears run down which he began to kiss tenderly one by one trying to implant his love that may heal my wounds.

"I-I l-love her S-Shivaay...I-I w-want her..." I continued to repeat as he buried his lips into the nape of my neck while I let my tears fall beginning to beg for her presence, but knowing she would not come.

"I know you love her and I love her too...She is my everything," He whispered while I tightened my grip around him before pulling back as he immediately grabbed my cheeks continuing to kiss them wanting to devour each tear.

We continued to sing our love for our daughter as we held each other in one another's arms remembering her and cherishing our memories with her. Indeed, fate has been cruel by separating her from her parents. She did not deserve this at such an innocent age as she deserved her life and her love from both of her parents, but somehow fate decided to take a turn. Sometimes I wonder if fate would have never snatched her away from us, perhaps, we would have continued to live together as a family while continuing to nurture only love and solace between the three of us.

"Okay now do not continue to cry like this. Believe me Chaaya would want you to enjoy this moment and celebrate your birthday. She continues to love you that I am sure of," He spoke while I hiccupped taking shallower breaths as her presence lingered in my womb begging to hold her, but knowing it could not.

"M-maybe she d-does n-not b-because she w-was kidnapped a-as I f-failed to p-protect her..." The memory barely escaping from my lips as Shivaay immediately took hold of them not wanting me to say more.

Tears taking hold of him, he looked at me not liking the way I had dared to say such words. "Absolutely not! None of that was your fault alright? None of it and how many times do I tell you none of this was your fault Anika...please!" He urged me making me sigh trying to believe in words, but failing as he held me trying to fold the creases of my tears away.

"Look, let's celebrate your birthday for the sake of Chaaya alright? She would love for you to celebrate and find joy. Now wipe your tears away and let's cut your cake," He ordered taking me towards the cake while I attempted to reach calm aware that more of my tears may just harm him considering Chaaya was the dearest to him more than me perhaps.

Holding a weak smile, I attempted to show happiness as he smiled looking at me before pulling me closer towards the cake.

Shivaay letting out a chuckle and picking up a knife wanting me to hold on to it. "Shivaay why did you do all of this? It is not even my birthday today," I attempted to argue with him as he forced the knife into my hand and wrapped his own around mine.

His lips brushing lightly against my cheek laying a kiss on it making me smile. "You deserve every excuse of love that is possible. You deserve to have your birthday celebrated in this manner and I know it is long gone, but all these years I have missed celebrating it and laying you with my love. I have missed doing such and I just felt that I wanted to celebrate this birthday with you considering at this age of twenty-eight you are in has proved lucky in uniting us." His lines turning the tides of love within me as I felt the rhythms of his heart merging on to mine forcing it begin to admire his love that he carries for me.

"Now no more talking and only wishing and cake cutting," He ordered me wrapping his hand around mine.

I looked at the candles that stood brightly lit waiting for me to make a wish that they can fulfill.

A small smile touching my lips before looking back at my love. "No we both will make our wish and blow these candles out together." Letting out my request out, I looked at Shivaay with hope that he would agree considering he does not believe in such wish making.

A weak smile touching his lips as he leaned in letting the heat of his lips run against neck kissing my heartbeat running his hand against mine while leaning over the candles ready to make his wish.

"What do you want to wish for?" He questioned as I slightly smiled looking at the candles before closing my eyes shut ready to wave the candles off with smoke.

"Wishes are not spoken by the voice, but the heart," I whispered as I let my wish speak from my heart.

May we both continue to only love and our children be blessed with better fate than us. May Chaaya be blessed where ever she is and continue be protected. I let the wish run out of me as we both blew our hopes on to the candles setting off the candles shut.

Our wishes blowing into smoke as we let our hands collide against the knife running it into the white crème of the cake wanting to taste its sweetness to mark the beginning of fulfilling our wish.

A giggle beginning to escape from me finding myself intoxicated with the amount of lavishing he had laid in love upon me, as he grabbed the piece of cake slipping it into my mouth before I could resist. An inner child popping into me as I began to jump up and down realizing it was my favorite mocha cake from a small bakery I have rarely visited in years. Ever since the divorce I have not really celebrated my birthday finding it a mere nuisance and a reminder of how I am only aging and failing.

"This is my favorite...how do you know I like this birthday cake only from that bakery?" I questioned completely curious as he gave me a fragile smile before kissing my cheek.

"Because you mentioned it when we were together, it was your first birthday away from here and you were missing this cake to celebrate with." His lines tampering on my heart which began to weaken hearing that somehow its most silliest confessions were not forgotten by the sole man it had shared it with.

Taking a piece of the cake I led it to his lips as he took a bite of it relishing on my fingertips that slipped by. My cheeks turning red once again seeing his hunger that he was forming at the moment wanting more of me.

"You are a man of surprises and a complete chaotic being whom no one can predict what he will do next...and...I love this about you when you decide to use it for good rather than harm," I spoke looking into his eyes finding them carrying solace in the idea of how I was willing to accept this trait of his which he might see as a flaw.

Without any hesitance, I grabbed his neck diving into a kiss letting my lips collide against his as we both held a smile before letting it mold and merge. The heat of our flesh molding into one as we both began to rhythm and taste the sweetness of creamed cake mixed with a love dripping from our soul that we found ourselves continuing to thread each and every moment. His hands wrapping around me as he dived me for another kiss increasing the pace of our lips finding himself realizing how much he missed the dull flavors of my mouth. Our lips sucking and tugging on the chocolate flavors of pleasure with creames of love gliding against our tongue. We began to taste a wine of ecstasy and rums of lust mixed with love as we continued to let our lips collapse and run beginning to steam love and let it simmer.

"I really want you right now. I am serious that if no one else was here, by now I would have done many things in many ways only to you," His words of seduction making my heart run a mile in an instant as my gaze lowered finding myself blushing many different shades of red not wanting to hear more, but beginning to weave a fantasy of what he would do.

"Stop, someone might hear us," I spoke as he let out a small laugh before beginning to kiss my cheeks again with light, succulent kisses.

"Don't worry I am going to scandalize them more ...Let's kiss in front of them before we leave." His idea making my heart fall as I immediately looked at him somewhere liking his idea, but aware that our families may just walk on a wire of insanity.

"W-what?! No! They might get upset Shivaay...We have to control ourselves," I attempted to argue with him as he clasped his hand against my mouth revealing a wide smirk and not agreeing with me one bit.

"Well you are mine now and nobody can deny that considering they are rumbling in fear from me," He held that demonic voice as he let out a laugh liking how everyone was haunted by his other shade.

"You are too clever...Seriously, no one can ever even imagine you like this way you are with me." Feeling timid, I began to fidget with my fingers while I felt him smile liking my lines before wrapping his hands around my waist pulling me closer letting the heat of his mouth run down my neck.

"I will always be like this with you because you deserve it, but do not ever tell anyone...This is our own secret," His lines alluring me and pursuing me to agree with him while I continued to laugh looking towards him.

"You impressed me and it was the most simplest way in how you laid gems of honor on to me by voicing your love. I love how you did this in standing by me and not letting go of me. I did not like you behaving that way, but still thank you for taking a stand for me and continuing to support me," I whispered looking into his blue hues that found themselves reveling in my words wanting to hear more of how he was beginning to slowly win pieces of my heart.

He is won another part of my heart today. Love has many shades....one is the mere act of pleasure and a fulfillment of desires found in golden threads of lust...Another shade of love that often is overlooked, but the most important one, is when struggles come, the lover must always fulfill and prove his love by protecting you, standing by you, and ensuring your honor and pride is never harmed. That is what he did today in the way he placed gems on the lifeless crown of honor that laid on my head with his love. He expressed his love by standing as a barrier before me and others who dared to question me showing that his love is not shallow, but holds many deeper threads.

"And you have won my heart by continuing to love and give respect to those who fail to see your worth. I do not know how you are able to have such strength to even give love to those who do not deserve it. I love this about you, but what if you get hurt by these people who fail to value you?" He appeared to dwell on the thought not liking a bit of what had happened at the engagement and seemingly may continue to happen from now on as we tie the knot.

"I won't get hurt because I have you and until I have you, I know you will always be by side and give a voice to me that I sometimes fail to raise. I want to raise my voice, but I just need time to learn these paths. And believe me, I will continue to hold this value of mine and I know if I continue to love them then one day they too will begin to see me in a better way...I know one day things will get better between our families and I will ensure of it...." I let my hope speak wishing that it comes true realizing that now I am not only going to be a wife, but a daughter-in-law who has to learn how to plant her roots in that family where rarely anyone is willing to accept me.

My eyes lifting up as I saw a shadow behind Shivaay with her eyes lurking finding herself scheming hate wanting to lift corners of revenge that she was beginning to plot. There Pinky aunty stood with a smirk crossing her lips as she looked at the both of us appearing to dare our love and the strength it holds.

"It is time for the bidaai now," Pinky aunty breaking us apart as Shivaay immediately let go looking towards his mother finding himself rummaging in piles of anger not liking how she had come.

"We would have come ourselves. You did not have to come and interrupt us," He reprimanded as we began to walk towards her.

Pinky aunty smirking as she looked at the both of us trying to sense how much our love would be able to bear a moment of chaos. "Well everyone wants you both as the auspicious time is passing for the bidaai. Now let's go shall we?" She ordered looking towards the both as Shivaay sighed in annoyance not wanting to argue more before beginning to walk in front of us.

A clawed hand running against my arm as I felt an ill being run itself along me. "This love you are prodding over and flaunting in front of others may just fall one day again...Do not live in illusions...At the Haldi, when I show you your place, maybe Shivaay himself will not be able to save you and that will prove how weak your love is..." She hissed letting her threat rumble down me as I felt my heartbeats slowing finding themselves becoming wounded with the thought of my love dying once again.

She revealed a malicious smile before walking away while I stood still finding myself entering a trail of unraveling thoughts that began to run over love within me. No, Shivaay loves me and the way he stood for me proves that his love this time has more strength and vitality allowing it to even run through havoc. But, what if his mother does dare to kill this love in a ruthless way considering that she may do worse than today as she does have the capability to do such?

My hands collapsing together as I began to shake with memories of my past beginning to run towards me unleashing a toxic mix of an illusionary love merging with fears that the past may just repeat, but with new enemies in the lurk.

.....
Chapters 35/36 mention that Shivaay asked Anika to do rituals and wedding at their new home meaning that endgame the will happen at Anika's home then she will leave her home (hence why bidaai happened) to go do all rituals and wedding at her new home with Shivaay. I want to show something new and different, so I took this route and I am so sorry for any confusions. I want Shivika to start their new life at a new home away from their old homes that carry so much negativity due to their families.

The big mystery on why Shivika got divorced is linked to all the de new mysteries in this update meaning all of these mysteries about Shivaay's past and his family is all linked to why Shivika got divorced and mysteries will slowly be revealed.

If you thought there was less romance and steamy scene between Shivika then I am so sorry, but I could not do more since family is present around them lol, but a very heated and steamy scene is coming in Haldi chapter that has big intense family drama (sneer peak in wedding promo) , so do tune in as it is coming very soon! :)

This chapter what you need to know: Om is the one who got Shivaay addicted to drugs and has wronged Shivaay once again (will find out soon in wedding chapters) , Shakti is on a path of getting back at Shivaay as he blackmailed him, Pinky holds a grudge for Anika

Next Chapter 41 will have two parts with bidaai (very small scene at start and then all haldi for two parts full of high intense family drama and Shivika romance of course :)

Thank you for reading and please do comment, share, and vote :)

Ciao!

-Jasmine

I want to give a quick shout out to my friend who does not want to be named, but she is the reason why I returned back to writing drama LOL. She is the one who pushed me and encouraged me to write drama because frankly I got scared of writing drama after the revelation chapters thinking that maybe readers don't like it, but she told me many do and she persuaded me to write this dramatic chapter, so thanks to her :)

Also, I want to thank God who brought me back to my original writing style as well :)

Thank you to all readers who read and continue to wait patiently for wedding chapters :)

Wedding chapters are going to be full of family drama, thrillers, mysteries, and of course romance, so do tune in please and I am giving much quicker updates hoping to show the wedding by the end of the week is possible :) Please do read the wedding promo and see what outfits I have chosen for Anika :) Thank you :)

I am back to writing intense scenes bombarded with romance, so please do tune in :)

The big mystery on why Shivika got divorced is linked to all the de new mysteries in this update meaning all of these mysteries about Shivaay's past and his family is all linked to why Shivika got divorced and mysteries will slowly be revealed.

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