QOTD: Your favorite vacation place?

Mine is definitely Bali. We went there last summer, and it was the best vacation ever. The place is beautiful, of course, but more than that I was amazed by their rich culture and the kindness of the local people ❤

Banner and Engagement Mood-boards by Amyra (ImLilMissComplicated) 😘

**

"Neela puttar, did you bring the chunni with you? I'd told you on the phone, remember?"

As the elder ladies of the house sat in Dadi's room on the day of the engagement, Dadi asked this question to Abhay's mother. The chunni that would be draped over Tanya on the sagai ceremony was one passed down by Abhay's grandmother.

"Yes chachi ji, I have brought it," Neela replied with a smile. "Wait, let me show you." Saying so, she left the room, and returned a couple of minutes later with a beautiful pink stole, decorated with little stones of various colours. Dadi smiled as she took it and ran a hand over it fondly.

"I still remember your mother-in-law's sagai ceremony," She told Neela, "You're very lucky you're getting to pass on the same chunni to your daughter-in-law."

"I know, chachi ji," Neela replied as she took the chunni back. "But don't worry- soon, even Pinky bhabi will be passing on your family chunni!" Having said that, she left the room to look over other preparations. In the room, Jhanvi and Dadi noticed Pinky lost somewhere, a wistful look on her face.

"Pinky?" Jhanvi called, keeping a hand on her shoulder, "You okay?"
Pinky sighed deeply before replying.

"Don't worry, jethaniji. I was just wondering, when will I get to make my daughters-in-law wear our khaandani chunni."

Jhanvi and Dadi shared a look at that.

"Don't worry, puttar. Shivaay will soon find someone and-"

"Find?" Pinky asked, surprised. "Oh My Mata, mummyji, Shivaay has already found her, no? But who knows when he will realize he loves her!"

Both Jhanvi and Dadi were shocked at that, of course, since they had no idea that Pinky was a silent shipper of Shivika.

"Um, who are you talking about, Pinky?"

"Oh My Mata, jethaniji," Pinky said while slapping her forehead, "Who else? Our Annika, of course! My hone waali bahu!"

The two older woman looked at her in surprise at the revelation, before giving hearty smiles.

"Really, Pinky?" Dadi asked, with tears in her eyes, "I never thought you would want Annika as your bahu!"

"Me neither, Pinky. I mean, Annika is so different from Tia, and-"

"Don't takes that cheapdi Tia's name, jethaniji- mujhe michmichi hoti hai!"

Hearing that, the other two burst into laughter.

"It seems your future bahu is rubbing off on you, eh?" Jhanvi asked, an eyebrow raised. Pinky giggled at that.

"And as for your question, jethaniji- I never liked Tia, but I pretended to because she is what Shivaay wanted, then. But now, keeping aside the fact that I knows Shivaay loves Annika, I genuinely love Annika too."

Looking at Pinky lovingly, Dadi came forward to hug his choti bahu.

"I'm so proud of you, Pinky," Dadi said, lovingly caressing her hair. "Annika will be really lucky to have you as her mother."

Pinky smiled at that, but frowned the next second.

"But mummyji, she will only become my bahu when your stupid Billu realizes his feelings, na?"

Dadi laughed at that.

"Don't worry, Pinky. Your Mata Rani will make that happen soon."

Holding on to this hope with happy hearts, the three ladies then resumed preparing for the function.

**

"Bhaiya, the flowers should be there, not here. Please fix them soon. And after that, have some tea and snacks, okay?"

Giving instructions to one of the many workers working in the main hall of the Oberoi Mansion, Annika started making her way towards the kitchen.

"Let me see if the sweets are packed properly or not," She mumbled to herself, and stood in front of the kitchen counter, scrutinizing the packets thoroughly. She was engrossed in her work, when, suddenly feeling two arms wrap around her waist, she gasped.

"Shivaay," She whispered, as he hugged her tightly from behind and inhaled her hair. Annika had to repress a shudder at his delicious proximity. She was wearing an maroon crop top- that had 'Always hungry' written on it- with low waist, distressed black jeans, so his hands were entirely on her bare waist.

"I missed you so much," he said, voice slightly muffled against her hair. They hadn't met in the last two days due to their respective work, and Shivaay was now basking in her heavenly scent in abundance.

"I missed you too," Annika replied, leaning back against his chest and keeping her hands over his.

They stayed like that a while, and when Shivaay didn't seem like he would let go anytime soon, Annika started wriggling.

"Shiv, let me go- I need to work!"

"Nope," he replied simply, keeping his chin over her shoulder now. "Spend some time with me too, beautiful." 

Annika shivered slightly as his breath fanned her neck, and he smirked proudly as he noticed. Tilting her head to look up at him, Annika smiled, a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks.

"Shivaay, I really need to work. We'll talk later, promise."

Shivaay, however, was far from listening. Her blush was making her look even prettier, and he leaned down to rub his stubble against her soft cheeks. Annika giggled at the ticklish sensation.

"Shivaay!" She exclaimed, trying to move her head even as he carried on his assault, "Stop it- your stubble burns! Why don't you cut this daari  of yours?" She asked, pouting. 

"Come on, I look hot in this beard!" Shivaay reasoned, and Annika rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, I know you don't shave because you look like a bandar  without your daari. I've seen your old pictures- only God knows how you managed to get all those girlfriends back then." 

As Annika finished, Shivaay looked at her, outraged and offended.

"Excuse me?" He asked, eyes wide and mouth agape, "I did NOT look like a bad- ban- whatever you said!" 

Annika tried hiding her laughter at his expression, and leaning back even more, kissed his cheek. 

"But don't worry, you're good as long as you don't shave." 

Groaning in frustration, Shivaay took his revenge on her by rubbing his beard all over her neck and shoulders. Annika was so taken aback, it took everything in her to not moan out loud at the pleasure that shot across her entire body. The naive her didn't know she would probably have a stubble burn later, but the thought had Shivaay feeling a perverse sense of pride. He smiled against her bare shoulder, and Annika frowned as she felt it.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked.

"Because I happen to have a very gorgeous girlfriend?" Shivaay said, as he turned her around and pinned her against the kitchen counter, his thumbs caressing her bare waist making her clutch his suit-clad, broad shoulder tightly. Shivaay looked down at her top, and raised his eyebrows appreciatively.

"Always hungry, yeah? Me too." Saying that with a smirk on his face that revealed his innuendo thoroughly, he winked. Then, leaning down, he placed a kiss on her cheek, a little closer to her lips than usual, and left.

Annika was left breathing slightly heavily, and touching the spot on her cheek that his lips had touched, she smiled, before shaking her head and moving back to work.

**

As guests started pouring in in the evening and praising the decorations, Shivaay felt a glee of pride for Annika. He was amazed at how smoothly she was handling all the preparations, though of course, he didn't doubt her capability. Her hardworking nature attracted him to her even more, and looking around, he had to applaud her creativity. The hall was decorated beautifully in a green coloured- theme, with various props kept here and there that symbolized love. The dim lighting of the hall made everything seem more romantic. In the middle, there was a separate space kept for the bride and groom to sit, where Abhay and Tanya were currently sitting and talking to each other in hushed tones, no doubt flirting with each other. 

Shivaay's eyes, however, were mainly looking for the one person whose sight pleased them the most. She had been so engrossed in looking after all the preparations, that the others had to practically force her to go and get ready half an hour ago. Sighing impatiently, he turned back to greet some business associate, when his phone pinged at the arrival of a message. It was from Annika.

Can you come up to your room?? Need help!

Frowning, Shivaay didn't waste a second before dashing up, and entering his room, he was awestruck at the vision in front of him. Annika looked ethereal standing in front of the mirror, dressed in a dark-green ball gown. It had no sleeves, which enhanced her slender shoulders. Her hair was tied into a high pony tail, and was swept over one shoulder- which, she wouldn't admit, she had done to hide the skin there that had turned slightly red. She looked simple, yet so beautiful, Shivaay was left staring. Their outfits, once again, were coordinated, and he thanked whichever person had decided on their dresses.

"Shivaay, you're here!" Annika turned around as she noticed him. "Thank God. I need help," She said as she came forward towards him, holding up her long skirt a bit.

"With what?" Shivaay asked, trying not to stare at the revealed part of her cleavage, which frankly, looked very enticing.

"With this!" Annika exclaimed, gesturing towards her skirt. "I'm so scared I'm going to trip over this while climbing down the stairs!" She made a crying face at that, imagining how embarrassing that would be, and Shivaay chuckled at her cuteness.

"Fine, babe. Let me pick you up," Saying so, he went near her to pick her up bridal style, but Annika backed away quickly.

"Shivaay are you mad? You can't take me downstairs in your arms, there are so many people there! I just want you to walk me down the stairs so that I don't trip."

Shivaay shrugged, and held her hand securely in his, as they made their downstairs. As they descended, hand in hand, all eyes turned to them. They looked so perfect together, everyone was in awe looking at them, and the cameramen were going crazy clicking pictures of this beautiful moment. 

The ceremony started soon after, with the tika  and chunni draping rituals taking place. Annika watched everything attentively, since she hadn't ever before, and blushed when one of the guests said that it would be her turn soon. She was relieved though that Shivaay didn't hear that since then he would start with his teasing session and cheapda-ness. The ring exchange then took place, and Annika clapped loudly along with the other as the couple were now announced officially engaged. 

"Annika- it's been a long time!" 

Hearing her name, Annika turned around, and came face to face with Rohit Malhotra. She smiled and hugged him lightly. 

"Hi Rohit, how are you? It's been long, indeed!"

They got talking, and Annika found that even after their previous encounter that hadn't ended very well, it was very easy to talk to him. He was still as genuine as before and she was ever so grateful for that. As for Rohit, he had come to terms with the fact that Annika was taken, but had to admit, she looked extremely gorgeous. In fact, he even told her so.

Why, thankyou," Annika said with a blush. "Where's aunty?"

"Oh, she had to go to Pune for some work. But she'll be attending the rest of the functions. Also, she told me to tell you that she's very happy for you."

Annika smiled gratefully, and touching his arm in a friendly manner, she asked him to go and have dinner.

Unknown to them, a certain kanji aankhonwaala had been noticing the entire exchange.  Although he was standing with Om and Rudra, his whole focus was on Annika and the man who still made him feel michmichi. 

"Bhaiya, are you with us?" Rudra asked his brother, when Shivaay didn't laugh at one of his extremely hilarious jokes. Shivaay, however, didn't reply, and after inconsiderately killing a bunch of flowers kept beside them, he walked over to where Annika was. Om and Rudra watched as he neared her and not-so-subtly dragged her to the stage that had now been cleared for couples to dance. 

"And he still declines being in love with her," Om said, and he and Rudra observed them with crossed arms and tilted heads. Shivaay had just whispered something in her ears, and she was blushing profusely.

"And so does she," Rudra added, and looking at each other, they shook their heads at the two thick-heads whose feelings were obvious to everyone except themselves.

"I have an idea, O, to make them realize their feelings." Rudra said, while Om rolled his eyes.

"No thanks, dumbell Oberoi. Your ideas are all as stupid as you."

Rudra glared at Om in anger.

"O please, my ideas are as amazing as me. And this one in particular is khidkitod."

Om knew Rudra wouldn't keep his thoughts to himself anyway, so indicated for him to go on.

"Okay so, you know how the last time Shivaay bhaiya got jealous, of Rohit, he declared Annika didi as his girlfriend in front of everyone?" 

"Yeah, so?" Om asked, wondering where he was going with this.

"So, imagine what will happen if Shivaay bhaiya gets jealous again? He might just end up declaring his love for her..."

As he trailed off, Om thought about what he had said, and his face suddenly broke into a smile.

"Not bad, Rudra," Om said appreciatively, while Rudra held up his collar. "But how do we make him jealous?" Om asked.

"Well, it seems that the Universe is on our side, because I just heard from Shivaay bhaiya today that we're having a guest come over tomorrow..."

"Guest? Who?" Om asked, confused.

"Who else? Daksh Bhaiya, of course!" 

And as the two brothers high-fived each other with hearty smiles at the prospect of what Daksh's arrival would bring, Shivaay pulled his woman closer to him, wanting show everyone that he was the lucky one to whom she belonged.