"Bhaiya you have an invitation" Rudra gave Shivaay an envelope as soon as the three of them reached back home. It has been nearly two months since Annika was studying along with Rudra in his college. She had developed a very good bond with everyone in her college especially with Rudra. They were like buddies and Rudra was the only one in the entire Oberoi family who was able to see a more cheerful, free and a kind of bold side of Annika. He always shared with Shivaay how differently Annika behaved in college.

How she gave sarcastic replies to anyone who tries to flirt or bully her, how she have the capability of dominating and directing everyone in their group. How she jokes around, play pranks and laugh insanely.

Shivaay wish to see this side of Annika and tried to be her friend but no matter how much he try, Annika's excessive gratitude and respect for him create a barrier. She just keep treating him like a God!

Even the family members try their best to make Annika feel that she is the daughter of this house but Annika never reach to that level of comfort. It's almost like she switches to another personality when she is at home, reserved, less spoken and  always attentive like a soldier. No comfort level which she should have at her home!

This clearly frustrated Shivaay ones but Pinki explained to him. She belonged to the same humble bringing from where Annika did so she could clearly understand Annika's state of mind. He always remind himself of his mother's words to calm himself down.

"Shivaay, Annika have got an upbringing where she is taught to be perfect in her in laws home. She is undermined all her life saying that it's the husband and in laws who are superior in a relationship and you can't just change her life time thought procedure in just few months. Give her time and be with her always."

At the same time Shivaay knew he was catching feelings for his wife, not serious enough to say that he deeply love her but definitely enough to say that he can't see anyone else as his wife other then Annika!

He knew Annika is a long way down to catch feelings for him leave actually love him. She first have to learn the art of self love before loving him!

"What is this?" asked Shivaay taking the envelope and a glass of water offered from a servant.

"Well like every year, this year too you are invited as the chief guest for our annual fuction which is at the end of this month. Chancellor was coming to give you this personally in your office but I said I will give." Rudra sat spreading his body on the couch lazily.

Shivaay rolled his eyes before asking "and from what punishment you escaped by offering this proposal because I clearly know your Chancellor. He is a very formal man and would never  send an invitation like this."

Rudra smiled sheepishly "Well I kind of hit the head of one of my professor with my football------by mistake okay------" he gulped as Shivaay glared him and then looked at Annika.

"You didn't informed me about this?" Annika looked down biting her lips muttering a sorry and Shivaay again internally groaned at her lack of response. He had known her enough through Rudra's talk to understand that Annika's personality isn't the one to give up this soon without putting up valid and even invalid arguments.

"Well so I actually bribed them saying if they don't inform Dad  about this I will bring this to you since they were late. It would have taken weeks for them to take your appointment and give this to you."

"Stop misusing my name Rudra" Shivaay spoke frustrated, Annika took out his coat, something she do everytime they reach back home.

"Bhaiya please don't tell it to Dad----" Rudra pouted and Shivaay gave him a disbelief look but before Shivaay could say something Tej came there along with Jhanvi "What shouldn't he tell me?"

Rudra gave a pleading look to Shivaay who shook his head before turning toward Tej "Nothing Bade Papa just his usual rant about a new Girlfriend and request to invite her at home. Don't worry I have refused him" Shivaay lied glaring Rudra while Annika bit her lips to control her smile. Shivaay no doubt loved his brothers a lot.

Can he love me like this? Shut up Annika!

"Good I don't want his Casanova game going inside my house. I am just fed up of this idiot. Can't he be like you" Tej exclaimed as he wrapped his arm around Shivaay, his voice laced with pride.

"My Son doesn't need to be like this workaholic, Bhaisahab. He is a hot blooded young man and not to forget an extremely handsome one. It's his time to enjoy----" Shakti supported Rudra as he came along with Pinki and Dadi. Rudra over dramatically hugged Shakti wiping his fake tears "You know Chote Papa, sometime I feel you are my father and Dad is Bhaiya's father-----both are quite similar you know-----"

"both talks a lot on phone and they always talks about business, both roam in this entire mansion with this permanent frown-----" Rudra continued mimicking Shivaay and Tej completely forgetting that Tej was still present there.

"Both of their voice have a base, THIS SECURITY IS A JOKE!"

Tej fake coughed as Rudra realized his stupidity and turned toward Tej with a sheepish grin. Shivaay rolled his eyes at his obstinate young brother who just loves being a clown.

"O my lovely Dada, O my handsome Dada, my favorite Dada. You know I was just kissing---I mean kidding---"

Rudra fumbled and before Tej could say a word he ran out declaring he is going to meet his long hair Oberoi who is busy in his own world of paintings.

Tej burst out laughing along with others when Pinki informed Annika "Annika your mother called me, she said you have this occasion coming up for your kul devta this weekend. She asked me to remind you that you have to keep fast this Sunday."

"But Mom, she have college going on. It's not good for her studies and health---------" Shivaay was interrupted by Jhanvi "Shivaay but this is a tradition. It is followed by all the married ladies in her village."

"Fine, then even I will keep the fast. It's not only Annika who is married now------and I don't want any argument over this." Shivaay added seeing Annika all set to retaliate.

He left for their room and Annika gave a sheepish smile to others who just chuckled. Dadi came forward and kissed her forehead "I hope you guys stay like this always. Now go and take rest, you must be tired."

Annika nodded before moving toward their room. She saw Shivaay lying on the bed holding his forehead. She immediately knew he was tired but she also had something to ask him. She needed his permission.

"Annika now will you keep standing near the gate or enter the room also" He asked, his eyes closed and Annika looked here and there for a minute. It always surprise her, how he get to know that she is there.

"But how do you get to know it's me?" she asked keeping her bag at a side.

"I could feel you!"

His simple sentence just made her stand at her place rooted for what felt like hours. Her heart skipped a beat while the blood inside her veins rushed to her cheeks. She felt like those teenage girls who behave all blushy whenever their crush acknowledge them. She had made fun of her friends on this earlier but now she herself was facing all this.

She knew she was developing this tiny little crush on her own husband but she also knew she can't expect the same from Shivaay. He had already done so much for her that expecting him to like a girl like her who isn't even one percent of what he is would just end into a heartbreak.

"Annika what happened?" Shivaay interrupted her thought looking up at her but Annika just nodded in negative before moving toward him, getting on the bed she slowly started rubbing her fingers through his hairs pressing his temples knowing very well that he is having a serious headache.

"Annika----you don't need to do this--" Shivaay trailed off although his body reacted the complete opposite as he shifted more close to her keeping his head on her lap. Annika smiled slightly as he left a tired moan feeling her fingers grazily pressing his forehead lines soothing the brows.

Shivaay shifted more close to her burying his face in her stomach and Annika felt tingles all across her body even after the piece of fabric that was separating them. This was so new and intimate for Annika adding to it was that this intimacy was from Shivaay, the blush was certain.

"I---I wanted to ask you something?" Annika finally managed to let the words out after quite a time. Shivaay blinked his eyes before lying straight on her lap signalling her to go ahead.

"Actually I have been selected for two dance performance for the upcoming event. I never wanted to go for the audition, Bhavya, Natasha and Mehar dragged me I----I---"

She was interrupted by Shivaay who placed his finger on her lips making her lips part and exhale with that warm touch "Relax Annika why do you give so much explanation. You want to take part?"

Annika nodded in a yes meekly. She always loved dancing and singing, which was although prohibited in her house but had been her secret fantasy "Only if you allow."

"Annika that should be your personal choice. Be confident on that, you don't need to take permission from me for every small big thing. By the way I didn't knew you loved dancing. What are the programs you have been selected for?" he asked changing the topic.

"One is a single classical dance while another is duet-----" Annika replied and Shivaay sat up straight shocked "You mean couple dance?"

Annika nodded in positive, nervous seeing his response "You don't want me to participate in that?" She asked and Shivaay gulped before faking a smile "Yes---i means No. You should definitely participate. Who is dancing along with you?"

"It's not selected. It will be selected tommarow"

"Okay. Do one thing, get freshen up and start studying. I'll just join you" Shivaay didn't even wait for her reply and rushed out the room toward his brother's room.

A big part of him wanted to refuse Annika for the couple dance, he had this certain jealous and possessive side of him which was triggering with just the thought of someone else dancing with her. Someone's hand on her waist, face close to hers-------okay stop it Shivaay!

His insecurities that Annika would eventually end up loving someone of her age was adding oil to this fire. Shivaay chided himself mentally for this childishness, it's just a dance!

He entered Rudra's room and saw him lying on the couch talking or to say flirting with a girl on phone.

"So dinner date confirm today?" Rudra asked in a sexy voice before adding "but you know I think we should skip the dinner and directly go to the desert part-----"

Shivaay rolled his eyes before closing the door and waking toward his youngest brother who still haven't noticed him.

"I know you are biting those pink petals on your face sweetheart. Don't do it that's my right-----" he whispered in a low seductive voice but stopped noticing Shivaay "Okay baby bye, I would call you later----Ahh nothing just that after talking to you I need a cold water shower."

"Are you done now?" Shivaay asked annoyed "What happened Bhaiya? Why are you behaving like an annoyed bull ready to attack?"

"Just shut up and tell me, why didn't you tell me that Annika is selected for a duet dance performance for your Annual day?"

"You got to know right. And anyway she was selected today itself." Rudra stated as obvious as possible

"Still----anyway what are you doing? Practice for  tomorrow's selection." Shivaay ordered and Rudra looked at him like he had grown horns.

"Bhaiya I am not participating in Dance. I am hosting the event along with Bhavya. You know Dance is not my cup of tea. Anyway it will be Yuvraj who would be selected, he is one pro dancer in our college." Rudra stated still not getting Shivaay's point.

"Rudra you should try. Come I will teach you." Shivaay tried pulling Rudra's hand who pulled it back not getting anything "Bhaiya, the selection is tomorrow and you can't teach me something I wasn't able to learn in last twenty-three years of my life."

That's when Om too entered in Rudra's room disturbing the scene "What's going on guys? All Okay?" He asked looking at Shivaay's annoyed and frustrated look while Rudra totally confused.

"I don't know Om what happened to Bhaiya. He want me to take part in the dance performance in my college. The selection is tomorrow and he is like he will teach me today. There is no chance I can learn dancing so fast and beat Yuvraj who is a national level dance championship winner and in no way Yuvi is going to let go off a chance to dance with Bhabhi."

"What do you mean he won't let go off a chance to dance with Annika?" Shivaay asked alarmed while Om just kept noticing his expressions.

"I don't know Bhaiya earlier he use to annoy Bhabhi, he even tried to bully her the first day she came but bhabhi always gave a really good reply. But from last few weeks he just keep looking at Bhabhi with that idiotic smile. He even threatened some other good dancer in our college to not give audition for the male lead selection. I think he had developed a crush over Bhabhi-----"Rudra said ever so casually not knowing the impact it created on Shivaay.

"Now only this was left----" Shivaay muttered under his breath before looking at Rudra.

"And you  didn't tell me about this. She is my wife, how can you let any other person have feelings for her?"

"Bhaiya first I can't control Yuvraj's feelings and second no one in campus know she is married except for the higher authorities and me." Rudra stated the obvious while Om placed an arm around Shivaay's shoulder

"Shivaay don't worry. He is just a hot blooded young boy with just an innocent crush. It will go once he get to know she is married. Just few months after her studies are completed you can announce it." Om can very well understand Shivaay's state of mind. He is developing insecurities especially due to their age difference and Annika's hostility toward him.

He had once caught Shivaay reading about Paedophilia and it took a lot of effort from Om's side to convince him that his situation is not of paedophilia, Annika isn't so small to him.

"Bhaiya are you by any chance jealous of Yuvraj?" Rudra asked cheekily not understanding the complete state of Shivaay's mind. It wasn't just an innocent jealousy inside him it was far more then that. Somewhere he was lacking confidence on himself.

"Bhaiya you can refuse her to take part in the couple dance. She won't go against you." Rudra suggested looking at Shivaay's face which had turned pale all due to his over thinking.

"No Rudra, she rarely ask me for anything I can't refuse her. Also this is her personal space and decision. I can't invade that." Shivaay spoke holding his face in his palms sitting on the bed.

"You are her husband Bhaiya. Her personal space is yours as well."

"No Rudra, there should always be a space in our togetherness, and we should let the winds of heaven dance between us. We should love one another but not make a bond of love rather we should let it be a sea of love moving between the shores of our soul. We should fill each other's cup but not use the same. Give one another each other's bread but not eat from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous but also let each other be alone, even the strings of guitar are alone through they quiver with the same music. Give our hearts but not in each others keeping. For only the hand of life can contain our heart and love is beyond life. We should stand together yet a bit far. Just like pillars of a temple that stand apart. One should always remember Oak tree and cypress never grow in each other's shadow. I don't want to be her pillar I want to be her companion. "

Rudra looked at Shivaay confused not understanding anything and turned to Om "O I think Bhaiya has started spending a lot of time with you. Even his talks are going above my head."

"Shut up Dumbbell" Om slapped his head before explaining "What he meant is that in a relationship one should respect each other's personal space and let the partner grow."

Om then sat beside Shivaay who was just sitting looking at nothing particular "Shivaay relax, Annika respect you a lot. She would never leave you."

"That's the problem Om. I don't need her damn respect. She look at me as if I am her God or something. I neither want her respect nor her gratitude I want her love for me,  I want her to love me-----" he stopped realizing his words and turned to see Om looking at him with an amused expression.

"You love her don't you?" Om asked but Shivaay just signed "I don't know but I am just too scared to loose her. In just few months despite her hostility toward me I can't think of a life without her now. I can't image a day without seeing her blush when I compliment her or her various adorable faces when I teach her and she doesn't get the topic in first go. She has just become a such an important part of my life-----"

"-----more like she had became your life?"

Om interrupted but Shivaay didn't replied anything.  "I have given her my words the day I married her that she can leave me whenever she wants and start her life the way she want but  now I just don't know if I will be able to ever let her go-----although I know she deserve lot more than me. Hell I am not even of her age." he spoke after few minutes rubbing his face.

"Okay Shut up Shivaay. Can you stop this age issue. You are just eight years elder than her. It's normal nowadays. Do you have any problem of her being so young?" Om asked but Shivaay nodded in negative "Why would I have problem. She is just damn perfect. She would be having problem dealing with someone who is elder then her. I would never be able to hold that childishness in me she would wish in her boyfriend or husband which is there in boys of her age. "

"Shivaay it's nothing like that and Annika is far mature then her age so just relax." Om rubbed his back and Shivaay stood up passing a small smile, walking toward his room.

"O Bhaiya is fine right?" Rudra asked worried but Om just smiled "Don't worry Rudra, he is perfectly fine. It's just that our brother is catching feeling for his wife which is so new for him that along with that he is developing insecurities. He blames Annika for looking him like he is her God not recognizing that he himself look at Annika like she is his Goddess."

On the other side Shivaay arrived inside his room only to see Annika sleeping in a sitting position with her book on her face and her reading glasses falling on her nose tip. He smiled at her, she is just so adorable and cute.

Placing her books at a side, removing her glasses he made her lie down on the bed properly and covered her with duvet. Sitting beside her he looked at her for a minute before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I can't see you with someone else wifey"