Most of this chapter was once again written when I sat in traffic. For 3.5 fucking hours. So like, I wasn't in my best form while writing it.

Thanks a bunch to everyone who reached out to me and told me about the rituals. Love y'all 😘

Also, thanks to everyone who's voted for my stories at the awards that's going on right now. A taaad bit disappointed that this book wasn't nominated in the final list but oh well, I know you guys love it, all the same ❤❤

**

So far, Annika's plan of distancing herself from Shivaay had been going good. She and Gauri had stayed for lunch, after which they had left to meet caterers. Annika hadn't said goodbye to Shivaay then, knowing very well he would throw a fit about that later. But she had to do so, and maybe eventually he would get the message that she was trying to, sort of, avoid him. Well, it wouldn't be possible to avoid him in front of the family since they would need to put up the charade, but when they were alone- and that's when her attachment to him grew the most- she would need to be distant, as much as possible. In fact, what if they lessened their frequent meetings and late-night talking all together? The very thought made her heart clench, but she would have to be strong now, so that she didn't break down later.

With this very thought in mind, Annika had been ignoring his calls for the past couple of hours. When she and Gauri had been out and working, she had sent him a text stating that she was busy, which had stopped the calls, but only for a while. Annika knew that Shivaay had this obsessive need to know about her whereabouts all the time, to make sure she was safe. Otherwise, he went mad with worry. Keeping that in mind, Annika had, upon reaching home, sent him a message saying so.

And then, his calls had started again.

Signing deeply, Annika absent-mindedly stirred the rice boiling on the stove. She desperately wanted to talk to Shivaay, but kept telling herself that it was all for the greater good. A short term loss now would result in her long term benefit, and prepare her for the life after this charade. She wondered if she was overthinking, and if ignoring him was such a good decision, especially given that they would be meeting so frequently from now on due to the Shaadi. Shaking these second thoughts away, she urged herself to stick to the plan.

Remember, Annika, this is all to avoid a heartbreak. Distance yourself from him gradually, so that the sudden 'break up', when it comes, won't ruin you.

Repeating this like a mantra in her head, Annika continued making dinner. As she sat down to eat, she realized that her phone hadn't vibrated in quite a while, even though it had continuously been doing so since she had reached him, due to Shivaay's endless calls. Checking her phone, she saw that he hadn't called in around 20 minutes. Furrowing her brows, Annika wondered what had happened. She was avoiding him, of course, but that didn't mean he would avoid her too! Annika's slightly wounded ego wondered if he had gotten tired of chasing her and given up. Well, that would definitely make things easier, but-

Before Annika could complete her thoughts, there was a knock on the door. And instantly, Annika knew why he hadn't called.

Because he had been too busy driving over to her place.

Frozen, Annika sat on the chair even as Shivaay kept on knocking on the door without any break. Him showing up like this only made her plan backfire. How would she possibly ignore the man if he showed up at her house every chance he got? Not that she was complaining.

And that was the problem, you see. Annika absolutely loved it when he showed up at her house,uninvited, like he had every right to do so. This was just going to make her life even harder.

Bracing herself to face his wrath, Annika got up and opened the door. He was standing there with mouth set tight, which Annika knew from experience was due to anger. He was leaning towards the door with one hand resting on the wall beside, and as Annika appeared behind the door, he looked up, his posture still the same.

"So you're alive?" He asked mockingly,  tilting his head to the side. Annika gave a small, nervous laugh.

"Of course I am, what do you mean? And come inside, it looks like it'll rain," trying to prolong what she knew was coming, Annika ushered him in, and casually proceeded to finish her dinner.

"Did you have dinner?" She asked, even as he kept standing beside the table, staring at her intently.

The very next second, he had yanked her up by the arm, making the spoon she had been holding clatter to the floor, and pulled her to him.

"Why were you ignoring my calls, Annika?" He all but snarled, and Annika struggled to get out of his grasp. Managing to loosen his hold, she jerked her hand back and rubbed the spot on her upper arm he had been tightly holding on to.

"What is wrong with you, Shivaay?" She practically yelled, face scrunched up in annoyance. Giving him a hard glare, she bent down to pick up the spoon and started making her way into the kitchen, but Shivaay again held her wrist and turned her around to face him.

"Will you answer me, damn it? So many calls, so many messages, and all you send me is a 'I'm home' text?!" Shivaay said, or almost shouted. 

"I was busy, Shivaay! I was working, firstly, and then I came home and started making dinner. You should know how it's like to be busy, don't you? I did want to go out for lunch today but you didn't since you had work!"

A minute of silence as they kept staring at each other, before Shivaay left her with a deep sigh and ran a hand through his hair. 

"Is that what this is about?" He asked, softly this time, looking apologetic, almost. 

"It's nothing about anything, Shivaay," Annika said while dumping the spoon into the sink and leaning against the kitchen counter, "I was just busy."

"Are you sure, Annika?" Shivaay asked as he moved towards her and caged her between himself and the counter. Annika tried backing away, but it wasn't possible.

"Please tell me you're not upset with me?" He continued, gauging her face for any trace of anger. Annika looked at him in confusion.

"Why would I be upset with you?"

Shivaay shrugged, as if it was obvious.

"Because I said no for lunch? Annika, I called you so many times afterwards, to tell you that I'd cancelled the conference, and that we could go now, but you didn't-"

"Wait, why did you cancel your meeting?" Annika asked, mouth agape. 

"Because," Shivaay started softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "this is the first time you ever asked me of something."

Annika stared at him in wonder, not being able to comprehend what he was saying. He had cancelled his important video conference, all because she wanted to go out for lunch with him? Honestly, Annika wished he would go back to shouting at her, and not make her want to kiss his stupidly-adorable face. She was supposed to distance herself from him, Goddamit!

"But that's stupid, Shivaay," She said, trying to swallow the lump in her throat that was growing by the second, with the kind of loving expression he was holding, "It was just a simple lunch, and you didn't have to cancel-"

"Nothing is ever 'just' with you, Annika," He said, smiling slightly. "I regretted saying no the moment you left- that too, without saying goodbye- because honestly, I'd trade a hundred deals for one 'simple' lunch with you. A million deals, probably."

Despite herself, a laughed escaped Annika, and she stared in amazement at this man who could mess her up her entire mind and heart with his words. The plan to ignore him? Out of the window. The heart break would come when it had to, anyway, but these memories with him- they would help her heal. Feeling rejuvenated all of a sudden, Annika looped her arms around his neck and kept her head on his shoulder.

"You are the most idiotic person ever, Shivaay," She said, fondly, and felt a chuckle vibrate through his body.

"Well, only when it comes to you, so don't let word get out, okay?" He joked, tightening his arms around her waist. Annika nodded obediently, and they both shared a laugh.

"So are we going for lunch tomorrow?" He asked as she pulled back, and Annika rolled her eyes.

"No, we aren't," She said as she sat back on the table and continued with dinner. "I'll be busy tomorrow, and besides, I only asked you to come today because my friends wanted to meet you."

"They did?" Shivaay asked, surprised. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I would have, if you had said yes for lunch," Annika replied simply. Shivaay sat down in front of her to grab her full attention.

"Annika, come on! You know I would have said yes if you'd told me, right? You didn't have to cancel the plan. What will your friends think of me?" He asked.

"They'll just think that my boyfriend is a very busy person. Now shut up and let me eat."

"No, this is not done, Annika," Shivaay said, dragging her plate to himself and taking a mouthful. "You should have told me. Listen to me, love," his voice turned softer, "You have to know, that you have every right on me-" Annika's heart fluttered here- "so next time something like this happens, and you want me to do something or go somewhere, tell me with full authority, okay?"

Annika couldn't stop the wide smile that formed on her lips, and nodded.

"Good. Now call your friends and tell them that we're meeting tomorrow itself..."

And again, as Annika said she'd be busy the next day, they got into one of their many fights.

**
I absolutely cannot write drama or intense scenes, which is why I had to throw the 'maintain a distance' plan out of the window 😂