A longer update than usual! ;)

•~•~•

Annika

As I reached home, I had a smile on my face. I got down from the car smiling to myself and entered the hall to see all sitting there except bhai. I quickly calmed my emotions on face and walked to them.

"Hello family!", I exclaimed with a bright smile hugging partner from behind making all realise my presence and smiled widely.

"Annika! How's your meeting beta?", mumma asked excited and memories from the meet ran in my mind making me smile to myself.

"Ohho mumma! See the smile on Anu's face, of course it went amazing and beautiful, haina Anu?", bhabhi said asking to me at last teasingly.

"Nothing such bhabhi.. It was pretty good meeting, just that", I said shrugging trying to make it look casual. Bhabhi nodded teasingly making me blush.

"Bhabhi please!!", I whined and pouted making all giggle. Papa called me near him and asked me to sit. I settled down beside him, keeping head on his shoulder.

"How's the meeting Anu?", he asked gently caressing my hair making me smile softly.

"It was good papa.. He is a nice man it seems", I said honestly to see everyone smiling.

"Did you asked whatever you wanted to?", he asked again.

"Yes papa I think so. You know, he is sweet gentleman who is really warming", I said looking at him who pecked my head.

"So what do you think Anu? What did he said?", mumma asked impatiently as always making me chuckle.

"Mumma me and he are ready to give each other a chance", I said softly and blush crepting my cheeks. As soon as all heard my answer, the ladies of my family started rejoicing. Mumma walked to him and hugged me kissing my head.

"I'm so happy for you Anu! Finally you'll get married", she said making me smile softly nodding.

"Annika you're sure right? You're not doing this for us na?", papa asked to which I smiled widely. I've always been his first priority. I hugged him tightly from side shaking my head.

"No papa, I genuinely liked him", I said making him smile widely and hugged me.

"Rajveer now when laado is okay with the alliance and as she said, even he said that too, we should talk to Oberois", partner said making me bite my lower lip in nervousness. I've to meet his family too, omg!!

Papa nodded and called Oberois who informed that even Shivaay is ready for this alliance making my heart flutter.

It got decided that they'll be coming for lunch tomorrow at our place where me and Shivaay could meet each other families and discuss about further things. I suddenly started feeling mixed emotion of excitement and nervousness.

I was lost in my thoughts when my phone rang. It was from Aisha. She called to inform about an emergency case came up suddenly which needed me. Telling that I'll be coming in a while, I bid bye to my family.

"Annika come early by 7 at least", I heard mumma shouting from behind.

"I'll try my best mumma", saying back, I left for hospital.

•~•~•

Shivaay

After I came back from my meetings for lunch, I saw multiple missed calls from mom, dadi, badi maa and even OmRu. Getting worried that what happened all of a sudden, I dialled back to mom.

"Hello Shivaay! Beta where were you?", as soon as the call picked up, mom said and I could imagine a frown on her head.

"Sorry mom! I was in meetings, just now came back. All okay right?", I asked.

"All okay Shivaay don't worry. Accha tell, how's your meeting with Annika?", she asked bringing a smile on my face.

"It was really good mom, first time I met a girl who looked so real and she seems to different from others too", I said to hear her whispering happily with someone, probably badi maa or dadi.

"That's really great Shivaay and because of it went good, I have a good news for you", she said excitedly making me raise my brow out of habit.

"What?", I asked, "Annika too liked your company and we're going to meet them tomorrow for lunch! Hayee! Finally you'll get married Shivaay, I'm so happy", mom said the news excitedly making me chuckle.

"You're happy right?", I asked to which she said a happy yes.

"I can't express how happy I am Shivaay, finally I'll have a daughter", she said making me smile.

"Accha... You go and eat properly and also ask Gauri to also come tomorrow with us after all she's your sister", mom said making me smile.

"Okay ma'am, anything else?", I asked making her giggle.

"Nothing, come soon.. I want to hug you", she said. I just love this woman most in my life.

"See you in evening mom, love you, bye", I said to which she replied and kept the call.

So it's tomorrow! I smiled realising it. I'm smiling a lot since I met this particular lady and I was loving the change in me. Taking out my phone, I saw her number and smiled saving it as "Annika".

•~•~•

Annika

I came back home in evening dead tired. My ears were paining because of a patient who was shouting uselessly when I was treating him. God knows why people are scared of dentist so much, we're also human.

Rolling my eyes, I sat down on the sofa stretching my arms when mumma came hurriedly with a glass of water and gave to me. Mumbling a thank you, I drank it. Relief!

"How's the day Anu?", she asked taking glass from me.

"Pretty tiring but good, you tell, oh! Bhabhi has an emergency delivery so she'll be late", I told her.

"Haan Khushi called me. Accha listen, I've taken out some suits of yours for tomorrow, select one from them okay?", she said caressing my cheek to which I nodded.

"I'll freshen up and come", I said to which she ruffled my hair going back to kitchen whereas I left for my room.

Taking a warm shower, I laid down on bed just to relax but don't know when I drifted to sleep. After sometime, I felt someone shaking me lightly to see mumma standing there asking me to have dinner as it's dinner time.

Washing my face, I went to have dinner with family where bhai totally teased me making me whine and blush at the same time. As soon as I went back to my room spending time with family, I drifted again to sleep. God knows why I was feeling so tired today.

I wanted to at least message him once but first I was too sleepy, second I didn't wanted to sound a desperate one so I left the thought and went to sleep waiting for the new day.

•~•~•

Next day, Annika woke up stretching her arms. She was feeling really fresh and smiled looking at the sunlight peeking through her window.

Completing her daily chores, she went down to have breakfast.

"Annika.. Oberois will be coming by 1 today", her father said to which she nodded smiling lightly.

"Yes Annika, so get ready before they come and beta no hospital today, even Khushi isn't going", her mother said.

"I know mumma, I took a leave for today, don't worry just calm down, I'm not getting married today", Annika said making her mother shake her head muttering you won't understand.

"Laado, don't worry about anything okay, just be what you are, they'll love you", her dadi said making her smile widely.

"That's like my partner", Annika winked hi-fiving her dadi who laughed lightly.

•~•~•

Shivaay

Next day started as usual, after getting ready I walked downstairs to see everyone sitting in hall. After seeing me, we all had breakfast when mom told me not to go to office today as we'll be going to Annika's place for lunch. I agreed as I didn't had anything important today.

Later, I informed Gauri to come home by 12 so that we all leave together. She sounded so excited and was talking so adorably that it made me chuckle. I was checking my clothes to select when OmRu came there in the closet.

"All set Shivaay?", Om asked patting my shoulder to which I nodded smiling. We had a talk last night before sleeping, near poolside where he expressed how happy he is that finally I'm ready to take things further.

"Oh god bhaiyaa!! I'm so happy finally bhabhi is coming. How much I waiting for this moment. She'll be my crime partner and we'll team up against you", Rudy said in happiness making me smile. Patting his cheek lightly and chuckled.

"Let's see if she teams up with you or comes to be like and Om Rudy", I teased making him pout.

"I'm sure she won't be a boring one like you", Rudy said making me roll my eyes.

"Ignore this dumbbell Shivaay, I'm so happy man that finally you'll get married soon. This meeting of families should just go well", Om said taking out my watch from the drawer of watches. Rudy made pout face listening to first line.

"I hope so it goes well" , I said smiling lightly. After that, we chit-chatted for some time and then OmRu left to get ready while I too got ready.

I wore sky blue checked pants and jacket with white shirt under it pairing it up with a pair of sneakers. Wearing my watch, I sprayed my purfume and left for downstairs taking my phone.

Reaching downstairs, I saw everyone ready and Gauri has arrived helping mom and badi maa in something. Seeing me, she walked to me and gave a quick side hug.

"All set bhai", she asked teasingly to which I chuckled ruffling her hair lightly. She smiled sheepishly.

"Oh my mata Shivaay! You look so handsome in these. I'm sure her family is gonna love you in person", mom exclaimed coming from somewhere and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back kissing her hair.

"I think we should leave, it's almost time and we'll get traffic too", dadi said looking at her watch. We all nodded and got settle down in cars. In my car, it was me, Om, Rudy and gauri while other car had elders.

Releasing a breath, I ignited car and we all left for Annika's place.

•~•~•

Annika

As I came back to my room after talking to Aisha regarding some cases and appointments. The intern under me was on leave because of some family problem, I being an understanding senior, granted her leave so my appointments were shifting to another dentist for the day.

I opened the door of my room and it looked like some cyclone has come there.

"What's going on here?!", I exclaimed looking at mumma and bhabhi who were taking out or literally, throwing out clothes from my closet.

"You don't have any good indian wear Anu, I'm gonna make you shop for some before wedding", mumma chided looking at some kurtis. Shaking my head I walked to them and sat on the bed moving the hump of clothes away.

"Mumma! Choose anything na, they're coming to see me, not my clothes", I said making mumma glare and me while bhabhi chuckled seeing this, finding a dress and showing to mumma. I made a puppy face to which she blinked.

"Mumma see this red one", bhabhi showed her a kurti and palazzo combination which mumma observed and analysed for a while and then approved making me sigh in relief.

"Anu! Go get ready, it's already 12:15, they've left your papa called me", mumma said making me nod.

"Relax mumma, nothing will go wrong. You and bhabhi to get ready, I'll also get ready", I said to which mumma agreed. Bhabhi offered me for help but I refused as it's not a big thing, anyways I'm not a make up lover and I'm not gonna cake my face.

Bhabhi knows me well so she understood and asked me to at least do some touch up. She's like a second mother to me. Patting my cheek softly, she left along with mumma. Taking the selected outfit, I went to change too.

After a while, I came out wearing the dress and looked at the mirror. It was a blood red kurti-palazzo set having leaves with golden colour made on both parts. I wore some thin golden bangles in both my hands and a pair of golden jhumkas. To complete my look, I applied some peach kind of lipstick and my regular kajal and eyeliner. I applied some blush too, to highlight my cheek bones and put a small red bindi in between my eyebrows.

I wore a simple golden juttis with embroidery done on it. I'm not really fond of heels. I left my hair open showing my brownish black long hair. Giving a final look to myself, I took my phone and left downstairs to see mumma and others.

As I reached downstairs, I saw mumma instructing our house-help about something while bhabhi was talking to bhai on call asking him to come before guests. He went to restaurant because of some important work.

"Arnav is on his way, will reach on some time! Oh my my!! Anu you look so damn beautiful", bhabhi exclaimed at last looking at me. Mumma turned and saw me. Walking to me, she took some kajal from the nip of her eye and applied behind my ear.

"You look gorgeous beta", mumma commented.

"How won't she look gorgeous, she's my daughter after all", papa commented from behind and wrapped his arm around my shoulder making me chuckle.

"Haan haan, of course only your daughter, mine nothing", mumma said sarcastically rolling eyes.

"Ab that's not possible love, even you know", he said teasingly winking at mumma making her blush. Aww! How adorable they look even after 30 yrs of their wedding. I gushed at my loving parents when bhai arrived along with partner who was in temple area.

"I just now got a call from Kalyani ji and she told they're almost here, will reach in 10 minutes", partner said happily making everyone happy.

"Anu! You go and sit in Arnav-Khushi's room, we'll call you when they come", mumma said to which I nodded and went with bhaiya and bhabhi.

"You're fine na baccha?", bhaiya asked me as we reached their room, making me smile. I nodded hugging him.

"Yes bhaiya, I'm all good just little nervous about his family liking me or not", I replied honestly.

"I'm sure they're gonna like my baccha as she's really sweet and loving", he said hugging me back caressing my hair. I smiled again and felt little calm.

"Exactly Anu! I'm sure they're gonna love you. They'll fall for you immediately and will ask us to marry you off to their family soon", bhabhi said teasingly making me blush a bit. I tucked my hair trying to hide it to which both chuckled. She patted my cheek while bhai caressed my hair placing a kiss on my temple.

"Just relax okay, if you find anything or like backing off, just say okay, no one will say anything to you", he said making me nod. Though I don't think I would like to back out now.

Calming me for sometime, they left telling me that papa just messaged him telling that Oberois were here. Suddenly I felt increase in my heart beats. Maybe because of nervousness which I'm feeling quite a lot right now.

Ten to fifteen minutes went when I pep talked with myself calming and boosting my confidence. Then bhabhi came with a smile.

"Come let's go! They're asking for you", bhabhi said making me nod and I took a deep breath. Let's do this! I said to myself.

•~•~•

Shivaay

As we reached at Nandas, Annika's family was standing at the door to welcome us. Coming out of the car, we went to them and everyone exchanged greetings. I touched her mother, father and grandma's feet as a sign of respect who blessed me whole heartily with smile. I shook hand with her brother who I guess is probably of my age while greeted a hello to her bhabhi.

Soon after settling down inside, all started talking to each other. Her family asked me some things to which I replied confidently and honestly.

"Malini ji, it would be amazing if you call Annika. We're really excited to meet her since we got to know that both are ready to give each other a chance", mom said to which others agreed.

"Yeah sure! Khushi beta, please go and bring Annika", her mother said to which bhabhi nodded with a wide smile and went to take Annika. Finally!

For a while I kept looking at the direction bhabhi went when I felt a nudge from beside me to see Rudy giving me a teasing look. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head and looked ahead to hear elder's talks when I saw bhabhi coming with Annika.

Oh god! How gorgeous she looks in indian! I exclaimed in mind seeing Annika coming towards us with little shy face but with a smile on it. She came near us and greeted my family by touching their feet to which dad and badi papa didn't allowed instead just kept hand on her head blessing her.

Mom and badi maa got up caressing her hair commenting about how beautiful she is. She bent and touched dadi's feet to which dadi even took her balaiyan saying her daughter-in-law is really beautiful making her blush. Even I felt little shy hearing it.

She then met with OmRu who wholeheartedly wished her. Rudy even hugged her making her startled for a moment but then hugging him back. At last she came and sat down beside me.

"Hey", I whispered lightly to which she smiled and looked at me from corner of her eyes.

"Hi", she whispered back softly making me smile.

"Suchita ji, we already love Annika and would love to make her our daughter-in-law", dadi said making Annika look down in shyness. I chuckled softly seeing this.

"Even we love Shivaay for our Annika Kalyani ji and anyways kids liked each other so I think we should proceed", her dadi said and I looked at Annika who looked little disturbed. I decided to talk to her.

"That's great then, we should call panditji and discuss about dates", her mother said making Annika more restless.

"One minute aunty", I interrupted  making everyone look at me. Even Annika looked at me confused.

"If you all don't mind, before calling to panditji, can me and Annika talking for a moment alone?", I said to which Annika look at me shocked.

"Of course beta.. After all its you two who'll be marrying, you can talk alone. Annika take him with you", her father said to which she nodded. We stood up and walked towards outside.

She brought me to the garden area and we were just strolling looking around when I observed her looking at me again and again stealing glances.

"Annika, I wanna talk to you seriously about this marriage", I initiated to which she nodded.

"Are you really happy and willing with our alliance?", I asked straightforwardly to which she looked at me.

"Of course Shivaay.. If I won't have been happy about it, I would have never said yes at first", she said looking at me. Her eyes told she was genuine.

"You sure?", I asked again. I don't want any unsure thoughts from her side. She nodded to it.

"I'm 100% sure. Why are you asking so much suddenly?", she asked to me.

"When all were talking about seeing panditji you looked little disturbed. That's why I thought maybe you're not sure", I said to which she sighed.

"It's not that I'm not sure...", she stopped and looked down. I looked at her in anticipation to hear ahead.

"Just say Annika, it's regarding our lifetime", I said making her look at me.

"I need sometime before marrying you. You know like a courtship or a time period between our marriage so that I can know more about you, I barely know you, I just want a time period between our wedding so that we become friends, start liking in each other and be comfortable around each other", she said tucking her hair at last and bit her lower lip.

I nodded hearing her. She's not wrong, we should get to know each other more, explore more about each other and become compatible and for that we need time before wedding.

"I got you and I understand your point, even agree with you. So you want time to know me and so I know you?", I asked to which she nodded.

"How much time?", I asked to which she thought for sometime. Analysing and thinking, she looked at me smiling.

"Umm.. One month? Is it okay with you? I don't want a lot of time but I think one month should be there, haina?", she asked more than telling, cutely making me chuckle.

"Okay! I'll talk to our parents that we need one month duration for our wedding, is that okay?", I asked to which she smiled brightly. My heart!!

"Thank you for understanding Shivaay, it means a lot", she said looking at me gratefully.

"O comeon Annika! We're going to get married, I can do at least this much for you and besides, now your comfort is my priority", I said to which she smiled.

"Let's go in then? We have been here since long", she said tucking her hair. We went inside where all stopped talking seeing us. We settled down giving a smile.

"Talked about what you wanted kids?", badi maa asked to which I looked at Annika who was already looking at me.

"Mom, badi maa, aunty and everyone! We're ready for this wedding but there's a condition, actually we find it important before marriage", I said and looked at Annika who was biting her lower lip. I guess that's her habit when she gets anxious, worried or think a lot.

"What is it Shivaay?", dadi asked.

"Dadi we want a time duration between like wedding. Like almost a month so that we could get to know each other more. I hope you people don't have problem", I said to which Annika looked little amazed at me.

The elders started discussing between them. I looked at Annika who was looking worried and restless to know what they're talking about.

"Calm down Annika, they'll understand", I whispered softly to her to which she looked at me and nodded lightly. We turned to see elders looking at us.

"We understand what you wanna do and it's totally fair to know each other well before wedding as it's you two who'll be in the relationship. We're ready but even we have a condition", Annika's dadi said making us glance at each other for a while and then look at them.

"What pa..dadi!", Annika said covering up something biting her tongue.

"We want you two to at least get engaged soon. We won't force for wedding but we want you to get engaged as soon as possible.", dadi said making me and Annika look at each other shocked but then suddenly in few minutes, her expressions softened.

•~•~•

Annika

I'm so glad that Shivaay agree with me. His family was really sweet, specially his mother. She looked so happy seeing me making me smile widely. His family was really welcoming and I would love to be part of their family.

The most important thing I wanted in my partner was understanding and I'm glad that Shivaay is such. He understood my point of view so well that it made my heart flutter.

Now when we told the matter to family, I was extremely happy that they're also ready for it but then partner and his dadi blasted a bomb on our head.

I looked at Shivaay who looked back at me. He was looking equally shocked. I looked at his face properly and god!! He is so damn handsome. I've already started liking him a bit because of his nature and also because of his charm you can say.

Then I thought about the condition elders kept. One of the other day, I will engage to him and even marry him then what's wrong in engaging now, maybe they want an assurance and I'm ready to give that assurance. I saw Shivaay trying to read my face. I turned my face towards elders.

"I'm ready for it", I said with determined face and a smile to see elders smiling widely. Shivaay was still looking at me shocked. I looked at him and raised my brow.

"You're sure?", he muttered so that no one hear. I blinked my eyes.

"As I said, I'm 100% sure about this", I muttered back and looked down as elders were passing teasing looks making my cheeks tint pink.

"Ohho bhaiya, doing everything asking bhabhi since now huh?", his brother Rudra teased us making my cheeks go more pink. I saw Shivaay glaring at him to which he made a puppy face.

"Okay then, if Annika is okay with engaging before one month, I also have no issues", Shivaay said making me smile lightly. How much he thinks about my opinions and agreements.

I smiled at him who smiled back at me.

"Congratulations Suchita ji, now your daughter is ours", Shivaay's dadi said hugging my dadi.

"Congratulations to you too Kalyani ji, Shivaay is a gem for Annika", dadi said hugging happily. Even mumma exchanged hugs and congratulations with pinki aunty and Janhvi aunty.

Everyone looked extremely happy. I'm happy to be the reason of so many people's happiness. Bhai came and hugged me kissing my head then shook hand with Shivaay taking him in a brotherly hug. Bhabhi congratulated both of us and hugged me tightly kissing my cheek.

Me and Shivaay looked at each other which a content smile. A smile  which came automatically seeing our families happy because of us.

Let's see what this new journey to new life take us too!

•~•~•

Thanks for your vote and comments on previous chapter. They mean a lot to me❤

Shivika's alliance is fixed. Finally they'll be getting married. Let's see how much fun will happen!

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In case you wanna see what they wore!

Precap: Shivaay-Annika's first date

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