Annika

I looked at everyone who were talking happily waiting for panditji to come. I was happy that I'll get at least a month for wedding. I remember bhaiya and bhabhi got married in 15 days after the alliance and even my cousin sister got married in just 20 days. I was worried that even I'll get married so soon but I'm happy that at least I'll be getting a month to know my supposed husband.

I looked towards Shivaay who talking with bhaiya regarding something. I like the way he smiles, how side of his eyes gets crinkle while his eyes dilates. I was looking at him smiling when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned to see his brothers sitting beside me. I smiled and sat down properly.

"Hey bhabhi! I'm your sweet devar-cum-bhai-cum friend Rudra, you can call me Rudy", he said with an adorable smile making me smile at his introduction.

"Hey Rudy! I'm happy to have a friend and brother like you" , I said to see him smiling sweetly.

"Oh! And bhabhi, this long hair creature is our brother O!", I chuckled lightly at his description.

"Never mind him bhabhi! He talks idiot most of the time, I'm Omkara, you can call me Om like Shivaay and this duffer calls me O", he said sweetly hitting lightly on Rudy's head making me make a puppy face.

"I'm so happy to meet you guys", I expressed honestly.

"Even we're happy to welcome you in our family bhabhi", Rudy said making me smile softly.

We all were chit chatting with each other when panditji came. After everyone took blessings from him, pinki aunty and mumma gave our kundlis to him who started analysing them.

"Kids why don't you see around till then we'll take out some dates", papa suggested to which we agreed and left for garden.

•~•~•

Shivaay

As per Annika's father's suggestion, we left out for garden. Rudy was continuously trying to tease me while me and Om were rolling our eyes on his attempt. Later we settled down in the little sitting area in the garden. Arnav approached me and we started talking. He was a great person to talk with and bond with.

While talking to him, my eyes went on Annika who was talking with bhabhi and Gauri. Her wide smile while talking to them made me smile more.

"I see my sister has done something to you", Arnav said making me break my gaze from her. I looked at him blinking not able to register what he said.

"Huh?", I asked shaking head lightly.

"Nothing. I see you liked my sister a lot", he said making me smile lightly.

"Well you can say! She's just the way I wanted my wife to be, I can say ahead after knowing more about her", I said making him smile nodding.

"I know Annika asked you about the one month thing", he said making me look at him.

"I don't think anything is wrong in it. I anyways would have asked for some days before wedding. After all it's just a bit that me and she know each other", I said.

"Still I wanna tell why she's so worried and restless for it. Actually when me and Khushi decided to get married we're already in relationship from 2 months and wanted 1 year at least but then her father's health wad worsening so we got married within 15 days. Our cousin Rishita, she got married within 20 days after getting alliance. These were the reason which made her little worried for it", he said making me nod understanding. Her worry was not wrong.

"It's okay Arnav! I totally get her. Her asking for at least, a month is not wrong. I would love to cherish this time with her", I smiled when girls called out us. I saw girls nudging Annika who was glaring at them with pink cheeks but sighed. Bhabhi came and whispered something in Arnav's ear who nodded.

"Shivaay, the lunch is ready, shall we leave?", Annika asked tucking her hair blushing lightly. I smiled seeing her expressions and nodded.

Hurriedly all left winking at us leaving me and her alone, she looked at them going.

"Chalein?", she asked little shyly. I nodded and we walked inside.

The lunch was happy affair. Everyone looked really excited with the new happiness in both families. Me and Annika were sitting beside each other and time to time we glanced at each other, even talked a bit.

After lunch, all were sitting in hall to talk when talking about dates came up.

"Okay so now let's talk about wedding date", Annika's father sat on which we all sat down properly and looked at him.

"We've got 4 dates. One after 25 days, second is next month after 10th, third is after 4 months and fourth is after 1 year. Now you kids can decide which one you want", her father said.

I looked at her to which she looked at me.

"Which one you want?", I whisper asked her.

"Which one you want?", she asked back in same tone.

"I'm okay with anyone", I said honestly shrugging.

"Second one?", she asked little unsure. I smiled and gently kept hand on her hand. She looked at me blinking rapidly making her look adorable.

"Okay! Relax.. It's second one", I said softly making her nod blushing seeing our hands. I smiled but didn't removed my hand, in fact held her hand, hiding from others.

"We both are okay with second date?", I said and then looked at Annika who nodded.

"Yes.. After one month and 10 days is okay with us", she said to which all smiled.

"Then fine, we'll do engagement after 2 weeks? It will be fine I guess and roka can be done next week as panditji suggested!", dadi said making everyone smile. I looked at Annika who was smiling brightly, that's what I was waiting to see since the discussion started.

She turned to me and smiled making me smile and pat on her hand.

•~•~•

Annika

I'm really happy right now. Finally I'll get married. Shivaay is really a gentleman with comforting nature. I'm excited to see my future with him, to know more about him, to tell him about me.

He passed his charming smile to me holding my smile doing something to my heart. Thinking for a minute, I held back his hand to see a surprised expression on his face. I smiled softly. He smiled back. We're staring at each other when we heard a cough.

Looking aside, we saw Rudy giving us a teasing look. My eyes widen and shifted little away blushing but Shivaay didn't left my hand. I looked at him widening eyes who just shrugged. I blushed looking away.

It was finally time when Oberois were leaving. I took blessings from the elders while Shivaay took blessings from my family elders.

"Okay then Suchita ji, now we'll take leave. Ab toh humara milna hota rahega! We can't wait to make Annika are daughter-in-law", Shivaay's dadi said looking at me lovingly at last, caressing my cheek making me smile lightly.

"Of course Kalyani ji, even we cant wait to make Shivaay our son-in-law. We'll discuss about other things on calls and meetings ahead", dadi said.

I was looking at them talking when suddenly Gauri took me from there walking fastly towards dining area.

"Gauri what happened? Everyone is out, you need something?", I asked.

"Bhabhi not me.. someone else need something from you", she said with a mischievous smile and pointed behind me. I turned and saw Shivaay standing there. I smiled lightly seeing him.

"Talk faster guys.. I won't be able to handle for long", Gauri said and ran away from there leaving us alone.

"Aapko kuch chahiye?", I asked when I saw him walking to me making me nervous a bit.

"As we have decided to know each other well, would you like to come out with me tomorrow?", He asked gently making my eyes widen a bit.

Is he freaking asking me for a date??

"Well kind of you can say", I looked at him coming out of my thought.

"Huh?", I asked.

"Yes Annika, I'm kind of asking you for a date! Would you like to come?", he said making me blush. I looked other side smiling lightly.

"Umm okay", I mumbled to see him grinning widely.

"Great then..tell me when you get free from your hospital", he asked excitedly.

"I don't have appointments tomorrow so I won't be going", I said shrugging to see his smile widening. Well, I didn't had any important appointment tomorrow so why not going out with him.

"That's even more good! So are you okay if we leave early in morning and till evening?", he asked rubbing the back of his neck which I found really cute.

"I'm okay with it", I said smiling to which he nodded smiling back.

"Great then! I'll pick you up by 11 tomorrow", he said making me nod. He walked closer to me, just few inch away. Taking my hand, he held it patting the back of my hand caressing gently.

"Thank you Annika, I won't make you regret your decisions", he said making me look at him. His thumb was still caressing my back palm which gave a new, different but a good feeling. I just smiled lightly nodding.

"Let's leave before anyone doubt", he said making me nod again. Gosh! Where is my voice!!

We came back to main door where bhabhi passed me a teasing smile. I made pleading eyes making me chuckle. They were leaving when Rudy and Gauri hugged me tightly. They're really adorable dorks! I smiled hugging them back. I'm gave me a friendly side hug.

As all settled down in their cars, Shivaay pulled down his window and waved at me to which I waved him back blushing lightly as bhabhi was nudging me lightly.

At night, after dinner we all went to our rooms. I informed family about Shivaay's asking me out with which they're perfectly okay and agreed. I was applying moisturizer on my elbow sitting in front of dresser when my phone beeped and the notification made me smile widely.

Message from Shivaay, it said making me squeal like a schoolgirl. I took my phone to reply him.

Hello

Hey! I thought to message
you but then thought maybe
you'll be busy!

I replied. Yes! it's true I was thinking to text him but then I thought maybe he'll be busy in his schedule. I've heard businessmen having packed schedules.

You don't need to think
about these while messaging
me from next time Annika! You
can text me anytime!

That's really sweet of you!

So had your dinner?

Yup! Just few minutes ago
came back to room so thought
to text you!

Hope I'm not disturbing you!

Oh no no! I too just came back
after having dinner. It's never disturbing if you message too!

I actually messaged to ask,
you're okay with every decision
are families are taking na?

I don't want any type of pressure
on you.

As I read his last line, a lump formed in my throat and my eyes got teary. How concerned he is for my feelings. I always dreamt of having an understanding husband, even if he don't love me understanding and care will be enough for me. Shivaay was surely being one. I looked back at screen as it beeped.

Hey Annika!

Hello? All okay?

You there?

Did you drooped?

I chuckled reading last message and typed fast.

Sorry. I'm here!

I just got little overwhelmed
with your words. Never anyone
apart from my family has cared
so much for me. So just...

Exactly! Apart from your
family! I think, I'm included now
in that family!

You know Shivaay! I'm surely
gonna get diabetes soon because
of you!

I'm so sorry for that doctor!
This sweetness is coming of its
own while talking to such a
sweet girl!

See! There you go again! So
sweet to make me diabetic!

Okay! But get habitual to them!
Accha, I wanted to ask you something.

Go on! I'm hearing..oops
reading!

Nice one! Accha, when does
your birthday comes?

It's 12th April. You?

9th September! Your
birthday is near girl!

2 months Shivaay!! But yeah!

Two months will go in a wink!

Haha! That's true though!

Like this we kept talking. As I said before, he's a great company to talk with. After long I yawned when I realised that it's past 2. We've been talking since 3 hours. It's the longest I've talked with anyone. I smiled realising it.

After sometime, when I started drooping, I told him to which he also realised time and we went texting good night to each other. While going, he teased me on our date tomorrow making me blush. I slept thinking about tomorrow.

•~•~•

Shivaay

Next morning was brighter than last. Maybe because of the new addition to life. I ruffled my hair thinking it and went to freshen up. After that I did my daily work like jogging, having my coffee and checking mails.

As it got 9 am, I started to get ready. I chose casuals for today. I chose a blue chinos with grey t-shirt along with a blue jacket. I changed into then and walked to the dresser. Giving a check to myself, I wore my black watch and spraying my perfume and I started gelling my hair giving it a good bounce. I paired up black sneakers to go with the outfit.

Taking my phone I walked out from the closet and get walked out of the room, down to hall.

"Oh my god! Shivaay and casuals huh!", Om exclaimed as soon as he saw me descending. It's rare that I wear casuals because of my hectic schedules.

"Yeah! Just like that", I shrugged to which he hummed teasingly. I ignored and went to join everyone for breakfast.

After breakfast, I bid bye to everyone for which everyone wished me all the best making me roll my eyes. Seriously!! Even OmRu teased me for it. Shaking my head, I left towards porch.

I dropped a message to Annika informing her that I'm coming. Wearing the belt, I left to Annika's home.

•~•~•

Annika was getting ready when her phone beeped. She was running late already because of sleeping late at night so she thought to ignore the notification but then something made her feel to see the message. She took her phone to see Shivaay's message. It said that he's left for her home and will be there in most, 45 minutes.

"Oh gosh!! There he has left for my home and here I'm still not ready", Annika mumbled panicking and left to washroom to get ready taking her dress.

She chose a lemon yellow jumpsuit with a knot in front. It has a deep V neck and half sleeves. She curled up her hair a bit at ends and in front. Applying her basic make up with nude lipstick, she wore golden looped earrings and a pendant with blue stone in centre. She paired up her outfit with brown flats. Giving herself a look, she left downstairs to her family.

"Anu! Baccha you look really beautiful. Come have breakfast", she heard her mother saying serving parathas to her father.

"No mumma! I'm super late, Shivaay sent me a message saying he's on the way", she said taking an apple for basket on table.

"Aree nothing will happen. You still have time. Come sit, see mumma has made your favourite aloo paratha", Khushi said making Annika sit on chair. She sighed trying to say no but then Khushi served a paratha in her plate and stuffed a morsel in her mouth.

She was done with half paratha when she a horn making her eyes widen.

"See I told you he's here", she said hurriedly drinking water. Khushi patted her back shaking head.

She rushed to hall when she saw him coming inside the door. She looked at him and her breath hitched. Dressed up in casuals, he looked damn hot and handsome to her.

He looked at her and smiled seeing her looking beautiful and gorgeous in the jumpsuit. Both were busy looking at each other when suddenly Annika felt a pat on shoulder to see Arnav passing her a teasing look. She looked away tucking her hair. Arnav chuckled.

"Hey Shivaay! Come na, we're just having our breakfast, come join us?!", Arnav invited making Shivaay look away from Annika.

"Oh no Arnav! Actually it's already 11 and we're running late", he said looking at Annika who passed a small smile.

"Yeah bhaiya! We're getting late so Shivaay can join you anytime else too. Haina Shivaay?", She said and at last looked at Shivaay who nodded smiling.

Bidding bye to her family, they left for porch area. He opened the door for her who smiled at her gentleman behaviour and sat down mumbling thank you. Jogging to driver's seat, he sat down.

"Where are we going?", She asked softly to which he looked at her buckling his belt.

"Oh well that's a surprise for you", he said winking at her making her breath hitch. She looked out of the window blushing making him smirk.

"Btw you look gorgeous in this", he said making her smile widely.

"Thank you! You look good too in casuals", she said to which he bowed down a bit dramatically making her chuckle giggling lightly.

"So shall we leave?", He asked to which she nodded. Giving a look to Annika, he looked ahead and both left for their first date!!

•~•~•

Thanks for your votes and precious comments on previous chapter. It means a lot to me.

Hope you liked the chapter. If you did, do vote and share your views. They boosts the confidence to write😁

Precap: Shivika on date

(sorry for repeating, I thought it will cover up in a part but then it will be really long so next part for sure)

Their outfits:

Love all♥️