Tapping his legs continously, Shivaay sat there with one year old Shivika on his lap. His one hand held shivika protectively around her waist while the other was placed on his knee, in a fist form.
Annika, who was sitting besides him, observed his posture, looked into his eyes and knew he was scared, unsure.

" Why are you so scared Shivaay, I am completely sure that my husband would win the ' businessman of the year award' for the 4th time consecutively."
" I don't know Annika, how are you so sure"
" I trust my husband's work" Annika exclaimed while shivika cooed happily in response, as if agreeing to what Annika said.

It was the Award ceremony where the Best industrialists would be honored. From last 3 years Shivaay was winning that award, it was as if he was unbeatable.
This year, Shivaay wasn't very sure of winning the award. Last year had been really busy for him cause of some personal difficulties and hardships. Also with shivika entering their life, His priority had always been shivika and Annika, not business and he was very happy about that.
He didn't really care about the recognition, but Annika had full confidence on him. Shivaay was scared to break her confidence.

Shivaay was lost in his thoughts when he heard

" And last but the highest accolade, ' The businessMan of the Year' award goes to, it think this requires no guesses, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi"

To say shivaay was shocked would be an understatement, he couldn't digest the information until he felt Annika put her arms tightly around his neck while kissing his forehead.

" I knew you would make it. Now go, they are waiting.!"
Annika exclaimed as tears of happiness fell from her eyes.

Shivaay put shivika on Annika's lap and left yeh fetch the award, not before kissing Annika and shivika softly on there temples.

" I think I am very lucky to get this award for the forth time, and my luck is sitting right there, my one year old daughter shivika. This couldn't happen without my hardworking staff who have always been so supportive and my family. But there is one person I would like to dedicate my award to , the rightful recipient of this award, my wife"

Shivaay said while looking at Annika, who was smiling until he said the last words. He saw her smile fade a little but she immediately masked it.

" Can you please come the stage, Annika."

Hiding her emotions, Annika got up with shivika in her arms and walked towards the stage.
Shivaay gave her a hand, and she climbed up.

" Annika, sirf Annika, is not only my wife but my pride. I have been able to recieve this award cause of her, her hardwork in managing everything. "
Shivaay said while presenting the award to Annika.

Shivaay took Annika and shivika into a family hug, but he saw the normal spark missing in her eyes. Did he do anything wrong, he questioned himself.

Annika was seated on the poolside, dipping her legs into the pool.
She looked inside her room to see shivaay gently stroking Shivika's hair as she slept on his chest.
She smiled and turned around, getting lost in her thoughts again.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Shivaay standing there .
Annika gave a hand to him, he smiled knowing what she meant. He put his hand into hers and sat besides her.

Annika immediately encircled her hands around his arm and kept her head on his shoulder.

" Did she sleep?" Annika questioned to which Shivaay nodded.

" Annika are you upset with me?" Shivaay questioned softly to which Annika looked at him confused.

" Why would I be upset with you shivaay?"

" Annika, during the award ceremony is saw your smile fade away when I called you on stage. Did I in any manner hurt your self respect, your pride?" Shivaay said while looking directly into Annika's eyes.

" Yes you did shivaay, you hurt my pride"

Shivaay felt bad hearing that, it's the last thing he ever wants to do , hurt her pride. He respects her pride the most.

" I am so sorry Annika, my intention wasn't to do that but if you felt.."
Shivaay couldn't continue as Annika put a palm over his mouth.

" First hear me out shivaay. Yes you hurt my pride by not acknowledging yourself. Shivaay, your pride is my pride and you didn't credit my husband. Why did you dedicate the award to me? "
Annika's question left shivaay surprised.

" I don't understand what you are saying Annika? Why won't I credit you. You are my pride, my guroor and I won the award only cause of your support otherwise I would never win it. Before planning our baby we decided that both of us would give equal time to our baby. One of us would be there to attend her always so she never feels neglected as a child. "

" Yes shivaay, and we are doing that right?"

" We are doing that, but it's happening only cause of you. Last two months, you took a break from your job because I had to be working all day for the deal with the Mehta's. Your work was flourishing too yet you took that step for me without any second thoughts. Only cause of your support and sacrifice I could get that deal. You deserve the credit for the award much more than I do"
Shivaay said as he kissed her forehead, valuing the precious woman in his life.

" Shivaay, whatever I did is just out of my love and it's my responsibility too. It's not a big deal. You remember when I was planning Mehrotra wedding, I used to be out all day. You let go of two big deals just for shivika and me. You fulfill your part perfectly, so if I let go of a little for my family, what's wrong in that? I did it for my own happiness"
Annika held him tighter as she said the words. 

" There is nothing wrong annika, but you do deserve the credit for it right. You deserve to be acknowledged"

" I already get my acknowledgement when I see the pride in your eyes for me. When I feel you kiss my forehead every night, out of respect. The way you treat me itself is your acknowledgement shivaay. But the deal you got was cause of your hardwork. You need to learn to have pride on your work, you need to learn to credit yourself shivaay"
Annika said as she got out of his hold and cupped his face.

" Annika, but, you are my pride."

" Trust me shivaay, it makes me very happy that you give me that place In your life. Most people didn't even give general respect to me and those who did gave it out of sympathy. No one respected me for my work and who I am. And here you are, who have made me your respect, who values me more than valuing yourself. I feel delighted that a man like you, who himself is the best, gives me such a special position in his life.
But shivaay, just like you are proud of my work, of the person who I am , I am proud of you , my shivaay. So I really want you to be proud of yourself too.
I am not asking you to not credit me and others but credit yourself too, love yourself too. You deserve that. I just want my husband to get what he deserves. You are just shivaay above being Shivaay Singh oberoi and you are extremely precious."
Annika said while kissing his knuckles.

Shivaay had his eyes moist, seeing someone value him much more than he valued himself. Not only she wanted him to be high in others eyes, she wanted him to secure a high position in his own eyes too.
Till now he had seen people value him only cause he was an Oberoi. His family valued him cause he was the great Wall. He never felt that him , only him-shivaay , was enough valuable too. That's why he always strived to be perfect, always ran to protect cause he percieved that he didn't have an existence beyond that.

Shivaay held Annika tight, placing a soft kiss on her forehead, indirectly promising her that he would start taking small steps on this journey with her holding his hand and guiding him throughout.

Hey guys, I just had a random thought and wrote this OS. Please give your feedback.