Annika

I came to my room and sighed throwing my bag on the bed. Slumping to it, I looked at the window. Marriage!

I have always been fascinated about weddings and its functions. I've even dreamt to have dreamy magical wedding but now when it's coming in frame, I'm freaking out.

It's not like I don't wanna marry or I'm scared to meet this man but it's just I'm little nervous. For god sake, it's my first time.

Shivaay! Hmm..interesting name! I thought and took out my phone to search about him but then stopped. Internet will only show what he is for world and I can't judge him on that. After all it will be a personal relationship, not professional.

Taking my shorts and t-shirt, I went to take a bath before moving down to help mumma and bhabhi. Well it's not like I can't cook, it's just I don't like cooking. Mumma taught me cooking because of two reasons. First, as it will help after I get married and second, if I'm staying alone I can at least feed myself.

Tying my hair in bun, I was moisturizing my hand when suddenly a thing came in my mind. What if he pretends to be a sweet guy in front of family and instead be a self obsessed jerk. Shit! My life will be spoilt.

What if I meet him before meeting with the family? But what if he finds me a desperate person. Whatever it is, even if he finds me one I can't help. I can't let my life spoil because of it.

Taking my phone, I walked out of my room and descended down to hall to see bhai troubling bhabhi when she was setting something in dining table.

"What bhai! Always troubling my bhabhi. Bhabhi I'm telling you, you're stuck with a demon", I said picking up the cucumber from the plate on table. She chuckled walking to the kitchen.

"Says the devil herself", bhai said hitting my head from back making me frown and punch on his stomach, "ahh! Eat less woman, you're getting hard on your bones", he whined making me blow my knuckles.

"Let bhai come, I will see this", he whispered in my ear making my eyes widen. Oh yes! I need to tell bhaiya too! I glared at him, "bhai loves me a lot so shut up", I said to him with a fake smile.

"Of course, as he know the good girl you pretend, I know this little monster", he said making me roll my eyes. Then the thought came in my mind so I turned to him.

"Bhai.. I wanted to say something", I said looking at him. He saw my face and concern came on his face, "all okay Anu?", he asked cupping my face. Just then I saw papa and partner coming to dining area.

"I will say but promise me you won't tease", I said frowning knowing his nature, "accha I won't, say what's troubling you", he caressed my cheek asking.

"Bhai.. Papa I want to meet him once before meeting with entire family", I said looking at both the men biting my lower lip, "he! Who?", bhai asked making me narrow my eyes. Papa hit on his head from behind, "of course she's asking about Shivaay", he said making bhai smile sheepish with an "oh" making me roll my eyes.

"Papa, when we'll be meeting with families that comfort won't come in talking, I wanna know him well before proceeding, if no one has any issue, I would like to meet him once before family", I said filtering my main motive. He hummed thinking, I looked at bhai who looked back at me, his expression also looked like thinking.

"Papa.. I don't think it's wrong in meeting alone. Even Anu will know how's he is, whether he's gentleman or not around him when they're alone", bhai said making me smile lightly. I looked at papa.

"Hmm.. I've no issues in them meeting alone, what day ma", he said and asked partner who gave a thumbs up saying she's fine. Even mumma and bhabhi came from behind hearing the things and were okay with it, "we're okay with it laado but we also need to know that whether he'll be okay meeting you like this or not", dadi said making me nod. Obviously his opinion is important!

"Rajveer, contact with Oberois and tell what Annika wants. If they're okay with it, kids can meet", she said making me smile widely and hug her from side. Bhai ruffled my hair from behind making me smile.

•~•~•

Shivaay

As I reached home, I saw everyone sitting in the hall talking and laughing in themselves.

"Good evening everyone! Everyone looks so happy. What's the thing?", I said settling down beside Om who passed a teasing stare to me.

"Shivaay we got a call from Nandas 1/2 hr ago and Annika is ready to meet you", mom said enthusiastically making me don't know what to say about it. I smiled lightly. Rudy who was sitting beside me nudge me with shoulder. I glared at him making him show his puppy face making me roll my eyes.

"I'll go and get some coffee for myself", I said getting up to me stopped by mom. Way to embarrass myself, "at least say something about it", she said making me groan internally.

"What should I say mom? You said right if I don't like her so you won't ask me again. I'll meet her, talk to her genuinely and lets see", I said shrugging and looked towards my brothers who was passing teasing looks to me making me shake my head.

"At least look her photo billu", dadi said making my mind itch to see it but then seeing OmRu's look, I shook my head, "later dadi, I really need a coffee", I said and started walking to kitchen.

"Bhaiya.. No issues, I have sent her photo to you on whatsapp, you can have coffee and see it in leisure", Rudy shouted from behind making me give him a look and went to kitchen.

Removing my coat and folding sleeves till my elbow, I moved to coffee machine keeping coffee to brew. Meanwhile, I decided to make some pasta for dinner as I was not really hungry, well cooking is like stress buster to me. I love cooking and I think it's important for everyone to know cooking. Wearing my apron, I started cutting veggies.

Just I was done with cutting, I saw my phone pinging again and again. I looked at it to see Rudy sending random messages.

What is it Rudy??

Bhaiya! As you have seen these
messages. Just see the photo fast.
You'll love bhabhi.. I mean her photo ;)

She's not your bhabhi yet!

I know I know.. But she'll be
soon I know. Jaldi dekho!

Shaking my head, I scrolled up and believe me when I say. My breath hitched. She's so beautiful. It's the first time I'm seeing such a natural beauty. Usually, since the time I've started seeing girl, I've seen their faces full of make up to make them look beautiful but here, she was looking simple but really beautiful.

"Bhaiya she's beautiful na?", I hummed but then I realised and looked aside to see Rudy was standing. Feeling a pat on my shoulder, I looked at my right to see Om wriggling his eyebrow. I cleared my throat moving a bit behind.

"When did you both came?", I asked, "when you're busy staring at bhabhi", Rudy said making me hum but then realising his words I frowned and looked at him, "she's not your bhabhi yet", I said pressing each words.

"Of course she's not Shivaay, but I guess she'll be one very soon", Om said making me look at him in disbelief, "you too Om?", he chuckled and hi-fived with Rudy.

Shaking head, I started cooking while Rudy brought the coffee for me and both started helping me or say teasing me! We're having fun together, more they both when Mom and Badi maa came there.

"Hello handsomes", badi maa said making me and Om chuckle, "ohho mummy it will be handsome not handsomes", Rudy said combing his hair with fingers, "I called to Shivaay and Om, not you", she said making me and Om bursting in laughter while he made a puppy face.

"Aree jethani ji, where you got involved in them. We came here for tell something na", mom said making badi maa nod and I looked at Om who shrugged looking at me.

"Shivaay Nandas called us. Annika wants to meet you, alone before meeting with families", mom said making me raise my brow. Woah! A bold one it seems.

"Ohho bhaiya! Bhabhi seems romantic I guess, akele akele", Rudy teased making me glare at him. This boy!! "Shut up Rudy, and mom suddenly, I mean I've no issues in meeting alone with her but all of the sudden?", I asked.

"She wanna talk to you alone in personal before meeting with families. You know for more comfort I guess", badi maa said making me nod. She is true! With families around its never comfortable in talking even if you're sent little away to talk.

"Fine mom! I'm okay in meeting with her. When can we?", I asked, "she wants to meet you tomorrow itself as day after tomorrow families wants to meet each other", I hummed.

"Mom but.. I'm really busy tomorrow, can't we meet day after tomorrow and then you families other day?", I've hectic day tomorrow and I can't miss anything from tomorrow's schedule.

"Shivaay mummy ji as asked panditji to take out an auspicious date for this family meet, she really want you and Annika to think about this wedding", I sighed, "but mom-", Rudy interrupted, "choti maa, why don't bhaiya and bh..didi at office if she don't have problem?", he said his idea which I found pretty good.

"Yeah this can be done? What say Shivaay?", badi maa asked, "umm okay, I'll be free from 11 to 12 noon tomorrow so if she don't have issues, she can come to meet me", I said. They nodded and got in talking to themselves. Suddenly an excitement to meet her rushed inside me.

•~•~•

Annika and her family was having their dinner when they got a call from Oberois telling them about Shivaay's problem and the solution. They asked about it to Annika who was okay in going to meet him in his office.

"Annika wear that pink dress tomorrow, you look beautiful in it", Khushi said to her to which she nodded smiling softly.

"Also Annika, talk to him openly about whatever you want, don't hesitate a bit", her father added to which she nodded assuring him.

"Let's go to sleep then, she has an important day tomorrow. Laado don't go to hospital till noon tomorrow, sleep a bit more", her dadi said for which she tried to say no but at least agreed because of everyone's saying.

All left to their room. Laying on the bed Annika started thinking about tomorrow, she refused to see his photo as she wanna see him in person, she was excited to know how this meet will go.

Twisting and tossing on bed, she finally slept after long thinking about tomorrow. Let's see what happen tomorrow!

There, Shivaay was too trying to sleep but it was far away. After knowing that she's ready to meet him, he was looking forward for tomorrow. It was the first time he was really willing to meet a girl. His heart was saying that she's different from others and for the first time, he was ready to listen to his heart.

Taking his phone from side table, he went to his gallery and looked at her photo again. That smile felt genuine to him, that innocence in eyes felt peaceful to him. Running his finger subconsciously on her photo, he released a sigh and kept the phone away trying to sleep ahead. Let's see will life change from tomorrow or not!

•~•~•

Next morning came early then usual. After selecting the burgundy suit with black shirt behind it, he got ready in it. Setting his hair properly, he finished his look by spraying his perfume making him look deliciously handsome.

There Annika hurriedly came out of the washroom wearing her outfit for the day. A blush pink knee-length dress with a thin brown belt around her waist. The sleeves were netted with bead embroidery till her upper arm. Applying light pink lipstick with her regular kajal and eyeliner, she paired up her look with a simple beige sandal.

Having his breakfast, he left for his office. Mixed emotions were running inside him. For the first time, he was waiting time to pass soon and he could see her in person.

As the clock striked to 9:30, she left hugging her family. She was leaving soon taking traffic in her mind. Buckling the belt of car, she released a breath, she left for Oberoi Industries.

•~•~•

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Precap: Shivaay-Annika meets

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