Shivaay

After finishing my call with Annika, I got ready for the office. I was wearing a burgundy colour suit with black shirt under it. Fixing my hair, I went downstairs to see OmRu arguing regarding something.

"Good morning Om and Rudy, what's happening?", I asked walking to them.

"Thank god bhaiya, you came! See this long hair creature, he's not letting me do as I want", Rudy said pouting at me.  I chuckled.

"What's it Om? Why is Rudy whining?", I said looking at Om.

"Shivaay, the engagement is scheduled at our home, the preparations are going to happen in lawn. This idiot was asking the wedding planner to keep black as the theme", Om said in disbelief at last. I chuckled and looked at Rudy who was frowning.

"So what's wrong in it, you know bhabhi's favourite colours are black and blue, how happy she'll get seeing the theme", Rudy said making me smile seeing how caring and thoughtful he is towards Annika.

"That's really sweet Rudy but in an auspicious ceremony like engagement, black colour shouldn't be used. It's not considered good", I explained to him who made faces in begining but then agreed making me smile. I patted his cheek.

"But I really wanted to keep black as theme of at least one function of your wedding", he pouted again.

"Rudy, many functions are left. You can keep the theme of sangeet or cocktail as black?", Om said. We sighed seeing finally Rudy smiling widely agreeing to what Om said.

"Good. So if you want to consider your bhabhi's favourite colour as the theme, go with blue?", I said. Even I want the theme to be Annika's favourite.

"Great idea Shivaay! That's royal too", Om said to which Rudy agreed.

"Great! Now let's have breakfast, I've to go to a construction site today", I said to which both agreed and we left to have breakfast with family.

Completing the breakfast, I left for office. Finishing the meeting by 10, I was going back to my cabin to wrap up things when my phone started ringing. I took it out to see Annika calling me.

"Hey Annie", I said to feel her smiling other side.

"Hey Shivaay, you're free right?", she asked.

"Always for you Annie, just say", I said shaking head walking inside the cabin.

"Shivaay can we need before 1 I mean you pick me up before it, actually mumma is herself designing outfits for our engagement. She wanted your measurements for the sherwani", Annika said making me rub my temple. The visit to construction site was important and I couldn't even refuse Annika.

"Umm Annika, how about I pick you up by 12:30, I guess by 1/2 hr measurements will be done and even if it takes long there's no issue, the place I wanna take you belongs to me, I own it so no worries", I said coming up with a solution.

"You're sure right? I can postpone saying to mumma", she said.

"No Annika, no need to refuse mumma. I will pick up you by 12:30 but be ready we'll leave immediately", I said to which she agreed.

"Okay then, a patient is here Shivaay. See you soon, take care", she chirped making me smile. I just love hearing her voice.

"Take care Annie, see you soon", I said and kept the call.

Wrapping up the things in office, I left for construction site.

•~•~•

Annika

Reaching hospital, I talked with Aisha for a while and left inside my cabin when my phone started ringing. It was mumma.

"Yes mumma", I said checking a report.

"Anu I was thinking if you and Shivaay could come to fashion house. Actually I'm thinking to make the outfits for your engagement myself. Your measurements I have, but I  needed his measurements", mumma said making me nod.

"Mumma but suddenly, what if Shivaay is busy!", I said.

"I understand Anu, it slipped from my mind in morning. And if I don't start making them now, it won't complete till engagement", mumma said making me sigh.

"Okay mumma, I talk to Shivaay. If he's free at anytime, we'll come fashion house. Okay?", I said.

"Yeah okay, bye baccha", she said.

"Bye mumma", keeping the call, I immediately called Shivaay crossing fingers, praying that he don't be busy.

"Hey Annie", I heard his voice and a smile involuntarily came on my face.

Greeting him, I asked if he's busy to which he said he's always free for me. My heart! I informed him about what mumma said to which he agreed preponing our plan. I sighed in relief keeping the call.

I was checking up a small boy who had cavity in his back teeth. He was wailing loudly in fear holding his mother tightly. It's common for me to see kids crying and wailing when I'm checking up. I know it pain but the amount of crying they do, it feels as if I'm doing operation without giving anesthesia.

"Shh shh.. done done, it's done, calm down", I said removing my gloves.

"There's a large cavity in his tooth but I've removed it. Just make sure he don't have anything extremely cold and hot for 24 hrs and Aryan, no more chocolates for some days", I said to his mother and at last to the boy who nodded meekly in pain, holding his cheek. I smiled gently at him.

As they left, my intercom rang.

"Yes Aisha", I said washing my hands.

"Doc! Mr. Oberoi is here to meet you", she said making me happy.

"Please send him in Aisha", I said and started wrapping up the things. I heard a knock, I stood up and then he peeped in with his dazzling smile making me smile.

Walking inside, he walked to me and wrapped his arms around me making me blush and hugged me. I hugged him smiling back.

"Your work is done?", I asked parting from him. He hummed pecking my temple. His touches makes me feel warm and happy inside.

"Shall we leave? It's 12:30! Mumma must be waiting", I nodded with a smile.

Taking my handbag, we walked out of the cabin. I informed Aisha about it to which she told she will reschedule my appointments. Smiling at her, we left.

"Shivaay you know the theme of our outfits", I said excitedly getting inside the car to which he shook his head buckling his belt.

"No Annie, what is it?", he asked igniting the car.

"Blue and white! So good na", I said happily.

"Babe of course you'll like it, it's your favourite afterall. But you know a coincidence", I pouted hearing the first line but nodded asking him to continue.

"The theme of engagement ceremony is blue", I said making her smile widen and squeal happily.

"Really! Omg! How amazing it will be, how beautiful our engagement will look", she said, clasping her palms dreamily.

"You're so cute Annie", I said pinching her cheek softly, earning blush on her cheeks.

Like this, we reached the fashion house in 45 minutes. Parking the car, we came out of the car to see a beautiful building having "The Nanda's" written in bold words on top of the building.

"Come! I show you inside", she said smiling and held my hand taking us ahead. Entering inside we came in front of reception where an elderly lady was sitting with glass specs. She smiled wide and warmly seeing Annika.

"Annika, my child! How are you?", she exclaimed seeing Annika.

"Hey Jenny aunty, I'm good. You tell, mumma is free?", Annika asked.

"Yes, she's free and I'm absolutely good. Btw who's this handsome man?", she asked looking at me smiling warmly which I returned.

"Aunty! This is my soon to be fiance and husband, Shivaay Singh Oberoi", she introduced me holding my arm lovingly making me smile at her. She looked at me smiling back.

"And Shivaay, she's Jennifer aka Jenny aunty. She's working here since 20 yrs in our company and like a family to me", she said to which I nodded.

"Hello Jenny aunty! Glad to meet you", I shook hand with her who smiled warmly shaking hand in return.

"You both look beautiful together, god bless you", she wished to which me and Annika smiled widely. Excusing from her, we left for mumma's office.

"Mumma we're here", Annika said walking in to whom I followed.

"Anu, Shivaay! Finally you guys are here.. I was waiting for you two. And Shivaay, I'm sorry if I disturbed you work", mumma said making me look at her in disbelief.

"Really mumma? That means you don't consider me as your son", I said faking anger.

"No.umm it's not.. Shivaay", she started fumbling to which I side hugged her.

"Mumma if Annika is your daughter then I'm your son and mother can never disturb her son", I said to which she smiled softly nodding.

I looked at Annika who was giving an appreciation look to me. I smiled at her making her smile widen.

"Okay so now let's take your measurements. Anu! You check the design on your blouse, if you are okay with the one I've selected", mumma said to which we nodded and then I went to room attached with a man.

•~•~•

Annika was seeing the designs when Shivaay came back with the measurer who gave measurements to Malini, who took at the measurer left.

"Okay then by Thursday your outfits will be prepared and you can try them and then after that you can trial them and if any alterations will be required we'll get it done by Saturday", Malini said to which Shivaay and Annika agreed.

"Now tell me what will you have", she asked.

"Sorry mumma but I'll steal your daughter for sometime. I'm taking her out for lunch and then I've to show her something", Shivaay said looking at Annika at last who was having pink cheeks.

"Aww! Being romantic I see", Malini gushed making Annika flush out and look at her mother in disbelief who chuckled.

"Live these moments kids, the period till marriage is most beautiful between partners. You get to know more about your partner, fall in love with your partner, understand each other well", she said to which Shivaay and Annika smiled and looked at each other.

"Mumma we'll leave now", Annika said hugging her mother who smiled hugging her back.

"Enjoy", Malini said patting her cheeks who nodded. Shivaay too gave a side hug to Annika and both left.

"You know I'm first one who's having arranged marriage in family", Annika said as they drove towards restaurant for lunch.

"Really?", Shivaay asked to which Annika nodded.

"Yes. Dadi and dadu had love marriage, mumma and papa had love marriage and even bhaiya and bhabhi had love marriage. Seeing that, my friends used to think I will also have love marriage", she chuckled.

"You never found one?", he asked.

"No! First, I was a nerd in school, second in college I was busy in making my career and after that I never found someone who could make me happy and want me to spend life with him", she said and looked at him who had a smile on his face.

"But I'm happy I didn't, maybe I wouldn't have got you then", she said in trance but then lowered her eyes realising what she said and looked away.

He smiled seeing this and held her hand to his chest kissing her palm. She looked out of the car with a serene smile while he drove them to restaurant holding her hand still to his chest.

•~•~•

After having lunch in one of his favourite Italian restaurant, they left for his special place.

"Shivaay please at least give me a hint, I'm dying to know where we're going", Annika whined again making him chuckle.

"Babe I said it's a surprise for you but okay, if you're not able to make your curious mind sit, I will give you a hint, the place is really close to my heart. I'm emotional for it", he said driving to which she frowned confused.

"Is it your school? Or your college? No wait! It's in Cambridge. What is it Shivaay?", she asked again making him face palm mentally.

"Just 20 minutes more Annie, you'll know", he said pulling her cheek making her sigh and leaned back to seat crossing arms against chest. She's cute. He thought and drove little fast to reach the place.

Annika looked around to see them coming in forest area. She looked at him who looked back, she gave a questioning look.

"Oh! It's in jungle, don't worry we're safe", he said to which she nodded. They suddenly stopped in middle of jungle.

"Come", he said opening the door for her forwarding his hand. She held his hand and came out with a smile.

"Shivaay we're seriously in middle of jungle.. what is your special place? A cave?", she asked making him laugh. She smiled looking at his face. That swoon-worthy smile, wrinkles near the eyes when his eyes scrunches laughing.

"No Annie! Just come", he held her hand leading ahead. She scooted closer to him being little scared and held his hand tightly.

"Shivaay! Wh..what if any wild animal come", she said to which he held her hand tightly.

"Don't worry! There's no animal in this forest we're safe and I'm there na, trust me", he said caressing her back palm with his thumb. She hummed nodding.

Suddenly Shivaay stopped, she looked at him confused. He looked at her smiling and pointed ahead. A gasp left her mouth as soon as she followed his hand.

"Shi.. Shivaay this? You've a freaking treehouse", she exclaimed looking at him who nodded. She squealed and held his arm tightly jumping making him chuckle.

"Come let's show you inside", he said to which she nodded enthusiastically like a kid. Holding each other hands, he took her ahead inside the house.

She again passed a surprised gasp looking inside. The interiors didn't looked like it was in jungle. It was so modern and homely.

"Are you sure we're in forest as this looks nothing like forest! This is so beautiful", she exclaimed.

"Yeah.. I made its interiors such with help of designer and there's a forest ranger's office near from where this place gets electricity and water supply", he said putting hands inside his pockets seeing her moving around seeing things.

"This is all so beautiful", she said with twinkled eyes.

"Shall we go up? You'll love it too", he asked to which she nodded and went upstairs.

"So this is one room and if you go inside there's a balcony, come", he said. As they went there, she squealed happily. She could see the entire forest from the balcony.

"This house is freaking beautiful and amazing Shivaay", she said looking at him smiling who smiled back at her.

"You know this place was made by me and my dadu", he smiled looking ahead and then looked at her. She had a surprised small smile on her face.

"I was closest to him and dadi. Practically he and dadi has brought me up. I've their values, manners inside me. Dadi even says I'm junior version of him. My eyes are exactly like his eyes. He used to be my best friend", he smiled lightly and at last looked at her.

"You loved him a lot right?", she asked.

"The most Annie. You know I was just 19 yrs old when he passed away. It was most dreadful day for me", he said. She held his hand intertwining fingers.

"Om was just a teenager and Rudy was just a kid when he passed away. I was not an expressive kid. I used to stay strong in front of everyone, everyone used to try to talk to me knowing how close I was to dadu but I acted all cool. This treehouse was memory of him to me, he and me made it together. I was always fascinated about having house in forest and he fulfilled that wish. After his departure, I started to sneak here.. spend my entire day and then go back by evening. This place made me feel like he's still near me", he said gulping at last.

Annika looked at him and wrapped arms around him seeing tears in his eyes. He blinked and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"He's always there in your heart Shivaay, in your values, in your good and bad times", she said caressing near his chest which surprisingly made him feel better. He held her hand and pressed a kiss on her palm.

"I don't get sad thinking about him, just get emotional at times. He was the most amazing person I've seen till date. He had that strong aura around him, a positive energy around him", he smiled lightly at her who smiled back and he hugged her wrapping arms around him.

"Sorry for making you emotional", he made a puppy face at her who hit on his shoulder.

"Nonsense you speak at times", she muttered to which he chuckled pecking her temple.

"Would you like to have some tea or coffee?", Shivaay asked.

"Coffee would go", she said to which he smiled nodding.

"Come let's have some coffee then or you look around and I make coffee for us?", she shook her head.

"I will come with you", she said making him smile and both left for downstairs holding hands.

"No one in family know about this place except you Annie so don't tell anyone, I want to keep it a secret place", he said to which she nodded.

"I will never tell anyone about it. It will be a secret but", she smiled sheepishly making him confuse.

"But?", he asked.

"I can come anytime here please? I loved this place.. it's so peaceful, homely and beautiful", Annika said looking at the house around.

"Of course Annie! This is our place now, you can come here any time but, only if it's me or Khanna with you. I don't want you to come here alone", he said to which she agreed. She smiled at his protectiveness.

"Okay Shivaay.. I won't come here without you", he hummed and we walked towards the kitchen.

•~•~•

Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They mean a lot to me♥️

Hope you liked the chapter. Do tell me how it was?😁

With love,
K♥️