•OBEROI MANSION•
Annika already felt herself on cloud nine when she extended her hand to him to climb on the stage. The tears made way to her eyes while an infectious smile adored her lips.

"Shivay!!!" she said with amazement & shock in her tone when she stood beside him.

"I had an idea that you will forget Annika!" he said into her ears while smiling towards her.

Everyone standing there was clapping for the beautiful couple. She was able to feel her cheeks going red & hot.

Shivay took a moment while entwining her fingers with his, he said

"Ladies and Gentlemen!! Today is a very special day. It's My Wife's birthday. On this beautiful occasion I want to say something, something which was supposed to be told very earlier but I believe everything is meant to happen when it is destined to and I can not find any other day more suitable than her birthday to put forward something really honest & real in front of her."

She could not tell how fast her heart was beating against her chest. It was as if a super fast rapid train had lost its break & running uncontrollably. The way he said that it's "his wife's" birthday gave her butterfly in her tummy. She was just lost in him.

"Annika I would like to thanku today. Thanku so much for giving me the best gift of my life. Yes everyone!!! we are expecting our first baby" he said looking at her while the whole ambiance got echoed by the sound of uncountable claps.

"You know Annika, when I was a child & I lost my mom at a tender age, I was literally broken and shattered. I felt myself slipping into depression, isolation & loneliness. I felt as if there is nothing called motherly love coz I was angry from mom for leaving me alone.

Gradually when I started growing up I realised things and I always missed mom. I asked her to forgive me for always hating her in childhood coz then I didn't knew how people die & leave. I was so scared of the loneliness & vacuum that I faced in my childhood that I started looking for a partner who would take away all my fears. I always wanted someone real & loyal on my side, I wanted a partner who would love me not because I was Shivay Singh Oberoi but because I was hers. No matter what I earn, what's my name, what's my class or status she should love me irrespective of all these things. I always thought that once I'll marry I'll make sure that my child never goes through the pain which I faced in my childhood. I always thought that I won't let my child miss the presence of any of the parents coz it's really a big mental trauma for the child to live life without any one may it be a mother or a father"

She was looking into his teary eyes, she knew he still missed his mom & whatever that he spoke had an honesty. She tightened her grip around his hand to let him know that she was with him while her own eyes escaped some tears.

"I know I have committed some immensely wrong mistakes in my life. I took some disastrous decisions which hurted you, which became a reason for your sufferings. I almost lost you and our baby. But You know Annika, the day I got to know that you are pregnant it was the most beautiful day of my life. It felt as if I m going to get born again. I felt so happy & overwhelmed. I decided that I won't let my child suffer the consequences of my mistakes. I decided that I will try to make up for all my mistakes. I cannot explain in words how fortunate I feel myself to be for getting you as my life partner Annika. I know I have not been a good husband, I know I have been the sole reason of your painful sleepless nights, I know I have only been the constant nightmare of your life I know you deserved better Annika but I also know one thing and I would like to thank god for making me realise this before it had been too late, that I...I LOVE YOU ANNIKA, I LOVE YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!"

He said with tears in his eyes while she was not able to see anything because those damn tears were not allowing her to.
Did he just said that he loved her??
She felt her heart skipping a beat while her throat choked with utmost happiness.

"Annika I might not be a perfect life partner but you have always been one. I cannot tell how thankful I m to you for always standing by my side without thinking about yourself. I m really grateful to you for always supporting me, helping me, caring for me and loving me. You did all that even when I didn't returned any of it. You blossomed my life with utmost positivity, happiness & love that I hardly deserved. You always have only given me while suffered all the pain that I offered intentionally & unintentionally but I promise you Annika, I will do everything freaking thing possible to be a good husband and a great father. Please give me a chance, please forgive me, I won't be able to face my baby if you didn't. I love you a lot!!!"

He said with immense love in his eyes. It was as if he was going to die and was asking for a last drop of water. He saw her face going all red with happiness & tears. He could see that hidden smile behind her lips. He moved forward to wipe her tears but what she did just landed him in amazement.

She hugged him, tightly while allowed her tears to escape. She didn't said anything but just hugged him. He was little worried, he knew she was happy but he didn't wanted her to cry so much, she was pregnant after all and it was not good for her to cry like that.

"An..nnikaaa??" he was about to say when she parted away from him and said

"I love you too the best daddy to be" she said while giving him a light peck on his cheek.

He was startled, shocked, happy, amazed, baffled, overwhelmed and what not. His bold wifey just kissed him in front of everyone and did she finally  accepted that she loved him. This was the most beautiful day of his life. He could not control his tears. He gave her a cheeky smile with tears on his face. She cupped her face and wiped the tears, while he hugged her & kissed her forehead whispering a "thanku mommy to be" in her ears.

Everyone in the hall had moist eyes while they were in awe of the couple. They looked so cute together whereas there faces reflected the happiness which lightened & brightened the whole surrounding.

Mr. Oberoi was so proud of his son, he knew Shivay literally struggled in his marriage earlier and he was really worried that he might not keep Annika happy but even after committing some mistakes, he realised it and was making up for it. He felt proud of himself too for choosing Annika as his daughter in law. One who always stood for the happiness of his son keeping everything of her aside.

Mr. Oberoi saw some tears in Mr. Wadhwa's eyes. He kept a hand on his  shoulder and said
"I m sorry for the pain that Annika has suffered Harsh, but I promise Shivay will keep her happy from today. I will make sure that she gets all that she deserves"

"I can see it in Shivay's eyes Kabir. I m not crying for what all she had suffered, I know my child is a strong girl. I m crying out of happiness, may god bless them always" Mr. Wadhwa replied while giving a hug to Mr. Oberoi.

"Come on let's cut the cake, my baby must be hungry" Shivay said making her blush.

"Baby's mommy is hungry too" she said giving him an angry look while he chuckled at her.

The gorgeous couple stood together to cut the cake. Everyone sang the birthday song in chorus, making the atmosphere merry & happening. Shivika cut the cake together with one hand while their other hands were placed on her belly. It was to make sure that the baby cuts the cake too, it was his mommy's birthday after all. Annika took a slice & fed it to Shivay while Shivay did the same. This was not the first time they were smiling towards each other, but the content & love that their faces reflected today was magical. Everything seemed too perfect & gorgeous.

The guests demanded a happy dance from the couple. Shivay took his wife's hand in his and proceeded towards the dancing floor.

She held his hand and went to the floor. Shivay kept his hands on her waist while she held his shoulders firmly. The music started playing (Tere Sang Yara) the lights went dimmer.

They swayed along the music, the baby bump in between them as if CONNECTING them together in an eternal bond. They felt the baby happily dancing with them. They were beautifully lost into each other's eyes. It was as if all the times that they have lost, all the emotions that were not expressed, all the feelings that were unsaid are making up for the loss that happened in past.

"Thanku so much Annika"  Shivay said looking into her deep brown orbs.

"Thanks to you for the best birthday gift ever Shivay" she replied with a sparkle in her eyes.

Precap: The night of love part 2 ;)

Hey guys ,
• Thanks a lot for all the likes and comments on last chapter. I love how you all expressed your feelings.

• Guys I had some really personal issue so was not able to update yesterday. Don't take me wrong but it is not easy to upload when the mind is disturbed. I m fine now.

• Give your views for this chapter too. So vote & comment pleaseeeeee.

• Do not forget to follow me here to read the chapter tomorrow. It is going to be private for some valid known reasons 🙈🙈🙈 so please do follow to read it. ( don't follow to unfollow later)

Thanks a lot, happy reading 💙