"Annika where are you going? The classes are not over. You never bunk class so what's so special today?" asked Mehar as soon as Annika informed them about leaving after break.

It's been a week she is studying and with time she had grown comfortable and close with Rudra and his friend circle. Even at home she was finally getting used to the life in Oberoi Mansion. With Shivaay's constant efforts she started accepting the relationship between them but one thing always lacked.

Annika herself didn't took any step, she still couldn't bring herself to put forward her opinions to him. She never ask or demand for anything because according to her she is already too grateful to him for all what he did that she really don't want to burden him more not realizing that the relationship won't move ahead until she exercise her right as a wife over him.

Just like today she had an important class but because Shivaay requested her to come to his office after break she didn't even mentioned about it to him.

Rudra noticed this and told about it to Shivaay who although wanted to have a talk over this to Annika avoided for now as he had much important matter to handle at the same time wanted to give Annika some time.

"Bhaiya have called her in office for some important work" replied Rudra who was sitting beside Annika, In this one week Annika was the most sought after girl in the college. Reasons were her brilliant performance in class and Rudra Singh Oberoi care and protectiveness for her. Shockingly for the entire college Rudra Singh Oberoi can ditch any girl just to attend her one call.

"Why would Shivaay call her? I must say your brother is too concerned for Annika. He pick and drop you guys since Annika joined the college. Why?" asked Natasha drinking her coffee.

"First of all Natasha he is elder than you, how can you address him with his first name and secondly he called me for some office work. I don't know clearly will tell you after I come back." replied Annika with a forced smile. It didn't go well with her since the time Natasha informed Annika about her fondness and crush over her husband.

"So you wish me to call him Bhaiya?" Natasha cringed with the last word and a yes left Annika's mouth immediately. Rudra who was trying hard to control his laughter knowing the entire situation excused himself for washroom.

"You know if I wouldn't have seen how Rudra care for you I would have thought that there is something going in between you and his elder brother" commented Siddhartha chuckling and Annika frowned. She had so many times told that there is nothing between Rudra and her but they won't just agree. She so wish to declare Rudra as her brother only if he wouldn't have stopped her. He and his damn image!

"Come-on Sid she is about eight or nine years younger than him" commented Mehar and Annika looked at her with furrowed brows at the mention of their age difference.

"So what it's normal nowadays. You can take examples like Saif-Kareena Shahid-Meera, my favorite Nick-Priyanka and many more." gave in Natasha who couldn't take offence on her and her crush age considering even she is just an year old than Annika.

"Well I don't like Nick and Priyanka, no offense guys but they don't look good together. No matter how close and intimate their pictures are the age difference always point out."

Mehar gave her point of view sipping her coffee and Annika couldn't understand where the topic was heading to although personally she didn't agree with Mehar.

"Don't be a hypocrite Mehar, you didn't point at Shahid-Meera or Saif-Kareena. Just because here the girl is elder why to make an issue of it?" pointed Rudra who just now came back and settled on his chair.

"I agree and who are we to tag their pair as mother-son just on the basis of their age difference or how they look in pictures. At the end what matters is love. They love each other and that's why even after dating girls like Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Ms Universe Olivia Culpo, Nick found his perfect half in Priyanka and knew she was the one just in a matter of six months."

Bhavya put forward her words sharing a look with Rudra who passed a charming smile enough for her crushing heart to swell up. Annika looked at the exchange of looks between both Rudra and Bhavya and smiled. She somewhere knew that Bhavya like Rudra by the way she looks at him dreamily although she had no idea about Rudra's feeling toward Bhavya.

"And about being picture perfect not everything is in pictures. They are two extremely successful personalities in their respective field who love each other and have joined two contrasting culture together beautifully. And anyway Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder sweetheart." added Siddhartha with a wink.

"Okay guys come-on stop giving me lecture over it. I agree with you over this and Nuts stop scaring me with that glare." Mehar raised her hand in defeat seeing her friends getting all defensive.

"Why shouldn't I glare you. I love my nickyanka. I was flat when PC told in an interview that it was Nick's idea to get married in India because he wanted to take his wife from the place she belong. I went literally awe over their love." Natasha said dreamily only to be hit on head by Annika.

"Come back nuts we are not starting your Nickyanka fan club over here. You know we have our internship starting next month talk about that." Annika interrupted them and everyone except Bhavya groaned.

"You and Bhavya will get internship with the Oberois because of your grades and Rudra because he is the owner's brother. Siddhartha will work in his Dad's company so the one left is me and Nuts." Mehar signed looking at Annika who passed a small smile.

"I wish I could get a chance to work under my Shivaay----" Natasha said dreamily and Annika again frowned at her while Rudra suppressed a giggle before commenting "Nuts it's just a suggestion suppress your crush on Bhaiya if you want to stay alive for long."

"Why? You are saying as if he is married and his wife is sitting right in front of me."

Natasha replied and that's it Rudra burst out laughing while Annika glared at the duo. The others looked confused at Rudra not finding any joke only if they were in Rudra's situation.

The siren buzzed indicating the end of break, Annika excused herself to go to the Oberoi office along with the driver send by Shivaay.

Meanwhile in Oberoi industries Shivaay was pondering over Annika's hostile behavior. She need to get over her insecurities, her gratitude for their relationship to progress. Until she doesn't exercise her rights as a wife and stop taking him as a boon or a benefaction they will be stuck at the same point. She need to know that he is her companion not her charity!

His thoughts were disturbed by a knock. Looking at the gate he saw his Bade Papa standing out there with his ever charming smile adoring his face.

"Bade Papa you here? Come in and why do you even knock?" Shivaay asked with a smile standing up from his chair as Tej walked inside before settling on visitor chair.

"What's brings you to my cabin Bade Papa? You could have called me." Shivaay settled on his chair back. Tej frowned at his statement before snapping at him "Why? I can't come to meet my son?"

"I didn't mean that." Shivaay apologized with a smile, Tej started speaking out of blue "You know what Shivaay I think you are my son by blood also. Om and Rudra must have been Shakti's son as the three of them aren't interested in business at all especially Om. You know yesterday I asked Om to handle a deal and that idiot son of mine took his paint brushes and canvas excusing that he have great deal of pending commitments making lot many faces just like how Shakti did when earlier he wanted to escape office."

"--and you agreed like always" Shivaay completed Tej chucking to which Tej smiled sheepishly "What to do? They look like kids with those faces but must say no one can make puppy faces like Rudra. His drama whenever result comes is superb and recently he got his master card in my innocent daughter Annika who share all her notes with him falling for his dramatic expressions."

Listening Annika's name his thoughts again drifted back to her hostile nature. Tej who sensed his change of mood snapped his fingers in front of him bringing him back from his daze.

"Is everything okay Shivaay?" he asked and Shivaay smiled before replying "Yes bade papa." Tej smiled back before stating "If you say so but You know right you can share if there is anything." Tej stood to leave when Shivaay stopped him before letting his heart in front of him. His bade papa was always the best advisor in both professional and personal field.

"I just don't know where I am lacking to make her feel comfortable Bade Papa. I mean apart from Gratitude which I don't know why she have so much she also have insecurities like she isn't able to completely believe me or trust upon me. I can see it into her actions, words and eyes. This way our relationship will not grow. I don't know what to do either to give her time or to have a talk with her over this."

"Shivaay you know what's the best gift a man can give a woman?" Tej asked out of blue and Shivaay looked at him confused not being able to connect the relationship between the two topics.

"The best gift a man can give a woman is his time, his attention, his love, his protection, his trust and his support. I think when a woman truly knows that she have a man in her corner in a positive capacity which is developed over time it is much easier for her to let her guards down and love him. Most woman doesn't have the best track record when it come to trust men. Most women have been through their own share of abuse be it physical, emotional, or verbal level and you know Annika had faced her share too. To be honest, sometime a good man will scare a good woman because he'll come off as too good to be true. She will unconsciously look for his flaws first, before she can truly appreciate what makes him flawless in her eyes. When a woman meet a man who is ready to give her the love she truly deserve it will scare her first or appear as an act of gratitude, and then with time and efforts it will leave her completely at peace."

Shivaay smiled after analysing the entire speech. Indirectly and directly his Bade Papa did show him the path. He need to give Annika some time to develop her trust over him while at the same time, himself have to assure with words and actions that she could build the trust breaking the walls of gratitude so that they can together lay the foundation of their relationship.

"Thank you so much Bade Papa." Tej gave a hug leaving the cabin not before sneakily commenting "I want to see the CCTV footage of your cabin later because I so want to see the face of Nihal when he get to know that Annika is your wife. Oh God I am so damn excited."

Shivaay chuckled at his Bade Papa before settling down to go through the files. He knew Nihal was finally back in office although he had not met him since morning.

"Bhaiya, Bhabhi is here" Shivaay heard Gauri's cheeky comment from the gate and rolled his eyes "Gauri we are in office so call me sir and you really want to announce the whole world that I am married right?" Gauri nodded in a yes showing all her teeths.

"Send her in and also send Nihal in after some time." he ordered signing in defeat. Gauri still stood there to which he raised an eyebrow "Can I be here to see Nihal's expressions please?" Gauri made a puppy face but Shivaay didn't melt "No Gauri." he replied and Gauri made a sad face turning to leave.

"But you can see the CCTV footage later on with Bade Papa." he added looking into his files with a small smile playing on his face as Gauri literally squealed before going out to bring Annika.

"So Annika Bhabhi this is your husband's cabin and from next time you can enter it without anyone's permission." Gauri informed to Annika showing her the cabin. Annika smiled at the lady whom she met just minutes ago but had an instant click. Although Gauri was elder to Annika but Annika found her younger by her bubbly and cheerful nature. She knew she would have a great time with Gauri Sharma.

Annika knocked at the cabin but before she could hear a reply from inside Gauri pushed her inside muttering that it's her husband's cabin only.

Shivaay looked at Annika before standing from his seat and giving her a small hug which she was use to "I am sorry for disturbing your classes." he apologized and Annika nodded in negative "No it's completely fine anyway there wasn't anything important going on."

Shivaay frowned at her lie before holding her hand "Annika I am going to do something for which I would have to enter in your personal space, just need to keep my hand on your waist. Would you be comfortable?" he asked and Annika froze for a moment before nodding in a yes.

She can't bring herself to refuse him for anything or question him over his act. Shivaay who understood her state of mind internally signed but didn't said a word as for now he had much important work to deal with.

They heard a knock at the gate and Shivaay knew who was here. Shivaay took Annika's hand before making her sit on his chair shocking her to the core. That was the freaking chair of the owner of the Oberoi Empire!

"Come in" Shivaay declared standing in front of Annika blocking her view. Nihal entered the room with a formal smile greeting Shivaay to which Shivaay forced a smile at him greeting him back while on the other side Annika stiffened listening the voice of her ex-fiance. She knew she would meet him today and was mentally prepared but it still affected her. After all he as the man she had planned to spend the rest of her life with.

"Sir you called me?" Nihal asked not noticing the other person in the room. Shivaay smirked internally before continuing with an innocent face "Well actually I am really sorry I wasn't able to attend your wedding. Work calls so thought to congratulate you here itself. How is your married life going on?"

"Good sir" Nihal lied not wanting to drag his personal life out here and Shivaay again forced a smile suppressing an urge to smack his face for lying.

"Cool actually I want you to meet someone." Shivaay announced before shifting aside bringing Annika to his view.

To say Nihal was shell shocked would be an understatement. Not even in his wild dreams he would have imagined to see his ex-fiance here in Mumbai that to on his boss chair.

Annika looked at the man in front of him and her tears welled up. Yes, she never loved him nor she had much conversation with him but somewhere she had seen and planned her entire future with this man.

She was pulled out of her thoughts seeing Shivaay forwarding his hand toward her. She looked at Nihal and then at Shivaay, how contrasting her past and present were. While Nihal had no valid reason to leave her in midway, Shivaay had no valid reason to hold her hand at that moment of her life.

While she loathe Nihal she is extremely thankful of Shivaay. She knew one thing that if Nihal's betrayal was the price to get a gem like Shivaay then she got him at a huge bargain. The only thing she now wish is to be deserving one for the best version of man she have got in her life.

Masking all her emotions she grasped the hand of her present faking a smile to her past. Shivaay pulled her toward him wrapping his hand around her waist and suddenly all other thoughts were subsided by the effect his touch was having on her. That possessive yet protective hold can very well burn her soul beneath the layers of clothing and her skin.

"Nihal, meet my wife Mrs Annika Shivaay Singh Oberoi." Shivaay declared and if Nihal was shocked earlier right now he felt as if the ground below his feet had been snatched.

"Actually you were getting married so I was tempted to get a beautiful wife for me as well. Wasn't a huge celebration but will definitely invite you in our reception after all you are the biggest cupid in our story." Shivaay taunted while pulling  Annika more close, Nihal just kept staring both of them.

His eyes for a minute was stuck at Shivaay's hand which was at Annika's waist and something inside him twisted. Maybe the thought that it would have been his hand out there, it hurt some part of him. His ego, his pride, his feelings he didn't knew but he clearly didn't like her in someone else's arm.

"And yes Nihal I actually didn't tell about this to anyone so please keep it a secret. My wife is completing her studies so I don't want any disturbance into this." Shivaay requested but his voice held a warning.

Nihal didn't said a word just turned to leave when Shivaay ordered "Nihal can you get a cup of espresso for me and a cup of ginger tea for my wife."

Annika looked at Shivaay amused as he just hit the so called male ego of Nihal. She clearly remember that Nihal is just like her father according to whom serving their woman is against their pride.

Nihal looked at Shivaay for a moment knowing very well that he doesn't have any option. Losing a job like this was far from what he can afford.

"You don't need to do this." Annika said to Shivaay once Nihal left. Shivaay smiled at her before replying "Annika he deserve it. I didn't fire him because he have a family depending on his income but he deserve this. He deserve this for insulting you in fact he deserve all what is going to come in his way. Anyway if he feel it an insult to bring a cup of tea for a lady that's his fault it isn't such a deal to be offended." shrugged of Shivaay, his hand still around her waist unconsciously.

"Thank you so much Shivaay jii. Thank you for everything." Annika replied with unshed tears and Shivaay rolled his eyes "First of all when will you start calling me just Shivaay, Annika and secondly you don't need to thank me I am just taking my revenge."

Annika raised her eyes confused as Shivaay bend toward her blowing air near her ear making her shudder before whispering.

"Your respect is my pride Wifey!"