Shivaay held Anika's hand tightly and assured her not to worry about anything. She just smiled. After a while she looked at through the window.

A: Shiv, this is the first time I am flying at night time..And its you with whom I am travelling with.

S: Then I am the luckiest man Anu!

A: Yes you are!

Both of them smiled.

A: Shiv, ek baat poochu?

S: Ha.

A: Did anyone said your eyes change color?

S: Nahi toh!

A: Omru bhi nahi kaha?

S: Nahi!

A: I think no one noticed you properly..Your eyes change colors Shiv!

His face formed a smirk.

S: Matlab tum yeh keh rahi ho ki tum mujhe check out karti ho!

A: Meine aisa kab kaha?

S: If you don't, then how did you notice this?

A: Woh..

S: Woh...

A: Jab meine ek baar dekha na, tab meine notice kiya..I was not checking you!

S: I will wait for the day you will say it!

A: Dekhte hai!

She lowered her gaze and blushed. He wanted to tease her more but a hostess disturbed him and asked for dinner. Both of them agreed and had their dinner. Anika took out her ipad and started to play Temple run while Shivaay just rested back on his chair and closed his eyes. She observed him.

A: Shiv, are you okay?

S: Ha..Mein bilkul theek hoon, okay!

Anika nodded. She kept her ipad aside and leaned back. Shivaay placed his head on her shoulder. Anika was shocked by his sudden action. She looked at him and recalled the same 9 year old Shiv, she met in the camp. His hair was all messy, and his cute face made her awe. She thought to wake him up but dropped the idea seeing his peaceful sleep.

A: Will anybody say you are the same tadibaaz SSO!

She giggled and gently pulled the comforter. Later she also rested back and placed her head above his head and slept and not before ruffling his hair. He sensed her touch and smiled involuntarily.

Next Day:

The plane had landed in India around 9 in the morning and both of them got down the flight. Anika stretched her hands and inhaled the air. Shivaay was like, is she okay.

A: Welcome back mother India!

S: Anu, India yahi par hai...We came back!

Anika bit her tongue and he giggled.

S: Anu, shall I drop you back?

A: Papa is going to come here..

Shivaay nodded and both of them left to collect their luggage. After collecting it, Shivika moved towards exit. There both of them saw Omru along with Pinky. Shivika moved towards them. But all the three ignored Shivaay and moved to Anika.

Pinky excitedly moved towards Anika. Anika was about to take her blessings when Pinky stopped her.

P: My blessings will be there with you always beta? How is your trip?

A: Khidkitod aunty!

P: Shivaay ne tujhe troubles toh nahi kiya hai na?

Shivaay was shocked.

A: Nahi aunty, your billu took a very good care of me..I never felt bored with him.

Shivika looked at each other. Omru looked at each other and nodded with a smirk.

Ru: Anu didi I missed you so much!

He hugged Anika and she also reciprocated.

A: Tum bata bhi nahi sakti meine tujhe kitna miss kiya.

Shivaay(murmuring): Humesha phone karke pareshaan kiya tha..Woh kaafi nahi tha kya?

Ru: Bhaiyya kuch bola aap ne?

S: Nahi toh...Just adoring bro sis bond..

Om: Anu, thanks a lot!

A: Om friendship mein no sorry and no thank you! And if you want to thank me you will teach me how to prepare murthi?

O: Deal is done Anu!

Both of them hugged each other.

Pinky: Par yeh thank yous kisliye?

O: Chotima, you know na dad got impressed with me..It's all because of Anu..It's her plan!

Pinky moved towards Anika and held Anika's hands in hers.

P: Thank you Anu! Tum bata bhi nahi sakti mein kitna khush tha Om ki khushi dekh kar!

A: Aunty, do you remember once you said I am like your daughter?

P: Bilkul yaad hai bacha..

A: Toh aap mujhe thank you kyu keh rahe hai? And if you want to thank me, then bless me...It's enough for me!

Pinky cupped Anika's face with one hand and caressed her hair.

Shivaay: Hello people...I guess I am back too! Aap toh sirf Anu se hi baat kar rahe ho!

Ru: Bhaiyya...Meine aap ko dekha nahi...Welcome back!!

He shouted enough that a group of people glared at him. Rudy gave a sheepish smile and hugged Shivaay tightly.

Ru: O, tum bhi humara Obro hai...Yaha aa jao..

All the three brothers hugged each other.

ShivOm: Rudy, abh awkward lag raha hai...Chodo na..

The trio broke the hug.

S: Mom, aap yaha tak kyu aayi? You would be tired na?

P: Mujhe NGO mein ek important kaam hai aur tujhe dekhna bhi hai..Isiliye yaha aayi..Welcome back my heera beta!

Pinky hugged Shivaay.

S: Mom, mein bada ho gaya hoon...Stop calling me heera beta.

P: Chup karo..Tum mere liye abhi bhi wahi chota heera billu hai!

Anika smiled widely seeing both of them and felt a bit emotional.

P: Anika beta, hum tujhe ghar pe chod de?

A: Nahi aunty...Papa yaha aate hi honge..

Suddenly she heard someone calling princess. Anika smiled widely and looked at that direction. There was Avinash waiting for her.

Avi: Princesss!

A: Papaa!

She ran to him just like a 5 year old kid and Avinash hugged her tightly.

Avi: I missed my princess itna zyada!

He said extending his hands.

Anu: And I missed my papa usse zyada!

She said and extended her hands to show a larger space. Avinash smiled and kissed her forehead. Both of them moved to Shivaay.

S: Hello uncle? Aap kaise ho..

Avi: Theek hoon beta..How was your trip? I hope meri shaitan ne tujhe tang toh nahi kiya hoga?

A: Papa abhi aap ne mujhe princess kaha tha...And now you are calling me shaitan! Not fair Mr. Doc!

All of them giggled.

S: Nahi uncle...Anu ne aisa kuch nahi kiya hai!

Rudy nudged Om.

O(whisper): Kya hua?

R: O did you notice, Shivaay bhaiyya is calling her as Anu!

O: Toh hum sab bhi aise hi bulate hai na! Usme kounsi badi baat hai?

R: Offo! Iss trip se pehle bhaiyya didi ko Anika bulate the..But achanak se Anu! Socho kya hua hoga!

O: Agar yeh focus tum apne studies pe rakha hota na toh tum university topper ban jaate..

Ru gave an angry glare.

O: Waise baat toh theek hi kaha tumne!

Rudy raised his collar. Just then Gauri ran to Anika.

G: Pagli I missed you!

A: I missed you too...Ek min, tum toh usually air port nahi aati ho na, abh kyu aayi!

She said glaring at Om. Ru gave a hifi to Anika. Shivaay asked both of them to stop. Pinky and Avinash did not understand. Rikara were looking into each other.

G: Anu tum bhi na..I genuinely missed you.

A: OHH!

G: Chup kar abh..

A: You!

Avi: Mere dono shaitaano chup ho jao...Bas abhi abhi mile ho, tom and jerry ki tarah lad rahe ho!

Anika and Gauri hugged each other.

A: Like that we show our love papa!

G: And uncle, we will be like this only!

Avi: Acha abh yeh baatein hoti rehti hai, ghar chale?

Shivika's face fell down. Avinash noticed this and cupped Anika's face.

Avi: Anu, kya hua? Koi pareshaani hai kya?

A: Kuch nahi papa..

Avi: Toh ghar chale?

A: Ji papa..aap chaliye, mein aati hoon!

Avi: I will be moving to parking..Tum dono aa jana!

A: Theek hai papa!

Shivaay: Omru tum log bhi jao..Mein aata hoon!

Ru: Lekin bhaiyya..

S: Meine kaha na jao...Mom aap bhi chaliye, mein aata hoon!

Om signalled Gauri and she too moved with them.

Shivika: Anu/Shiv!

Both of them just faked a smile and both understood.

A: You say first!

S: Mein yeh keh raha tha ki...ghar jaane ke baad call karna...And take a leave for today!

Anika nodded.

S: Tum kuch keh rahi thi?

A: Woh..mein..woh..

S: Anu, is everything fine?

He moved towards her. She just hugged him tightly for few seconds. He was shocked and about to hug her back when she backed away.

A: Take care Shiv!

She said with tears in her eyes. He could clearly see them. Before he could say anything she moved towards Gauri. This scene was seen by Omru. They were shocked seeing Anika hugging Shivaay.

R: O are you thinking the same!

O: Yes....Hume Shivaay se baat karna hoga!

Even Shivaay's eyes got drenched and Om saw Shivaay wiping a small tear. Now he was confident on the thought he was thinking. Shivaay also moved towards exit.

***********