A/N: I changed the precap as some other idea came in my mind.

•~•

It's been 3 weeks since Shivika has returned from their honeymoon. Beeji got discharged in 4 days from hospital after her surgery. Annika would be spending most of her day time either at her clinic or taking care of her partner.

She was glad that Shivaay was supportive in they matter when she told him about her staying at her home during day time. Sometimes, even he would accompany her and spend time with her family.

In evening, she would come back and fulfill all her duties as a daughter in law. She would spend her time with their family.

Everything was going smoothly, Shivaay was also busy back in his office. Everything was fine but he was missing his time with Annika.

Even after having tight schedule, he would return home by eight at night so that he could spend some time with her but whenever he tried, either she would go busy with pinki, Jhanvi or taking care of dadi's health.

By the time she would come back to the room, she would be tired or had to wake up early. He was missing her, he was missing her sudden kisses, her snuggling in him, her non-stop talks or gossips about the people she don't like.

It's been weeks since they've even talked properly. He was definitely loosing his patience but tried to calm himself saying that her beeji needs her. He understood it and he had no issues but he was upset as she was not spending even little time with him after she comes back to their home.

He didn't lose hope. He decided to steal moments if they can't create one.

It was morning and as usual from a month, she was running late to go to her clinic and then to her home. He was observing her and sighed seeing the same thing happening since last many days.

"Annika..", he called out to which she hummed looking inside her back.

"Are you free?", he asked as always.

"Of course not Shivaay. I have three root canals today, can you believe it and then I have to collect partner's reports and go to Nanda house. At evening, dadi told me there's going to be a special pooja soon so I have to look after that too", she said packing her bag. He closed his eyes and exhaled.

"Fine. Shall I drop you?", he asked thinking to atleast spend 40 minutes with her.

"Shivaay I am running late. You will have breakfast na, I will manage", she said and rushed to dressing table taking her phone.

"Accha, can you please...", he took his tie when she came in front of him.

"I am really sorry if you need something Shivaay. I am late. Love you", she pecked his jawline and ran out of their room.

"I wanted you to tie this tie", he mumbled to himself after she left. He was feeling hurt now. He understood she had lots of responsibilities but he just wanted some time of hers.

He threw the tie away and walked out of the room throwing the glass kept on the dresser.

Dadi who was standing little away noticed everything happening in room. She has been noticing the difference between her grandkids. It was unintentional she knew and she knew they'll solve it. Praying for the same, she left from there.

•~•

"Bas laado. My stomach will burst", beeji said as Annika made her drink last spoon oh soup.

"Anu, I will take care of beeji. You can relax", Khushi said who was taking out beeji's medicines.

"I want to do Bhabhi", she said holding her partner's hand.

"How's your married life going, laado?", beeji asked.

"Good. We're busy in our life these days but it's fine", Annika said looking at her hand.

She won't lie but she was missing her husband. Her Shiv. They don't even get time for each other these days. When she'll be free, he would be busy when he'll be free, she would be busy. Latter was happening more. She had her both families to handle. She didn't wanted to neglect either. She would make up her mind every night to spend sometime with him but sometimes she'll be so occupied with her daughter in law duties while sometime she'll be really tired.

"You both are busy or you're busy, Annika?", beeji asked. She looked at her grandma to know she's serious as she took her name.

"I am busy partner", she mumbled, "I want to give him time but I get so occupied entire day that I just can't. He's understanding but I hope I don't end up hurting him", she continued. She didn't know the damage was already done.

"You're newly married laado. Firstly it's been only 2 months then you came back halfway from your honeymoon. I feel so guilty over it", beeji sighed.

"No partner. We can go again. You're important at that moment", Annika said.

"Spend time with Shivaay, beta. Your relationship is new. It needs time together. I am fit now. And Khushi and Malini are there for me na", beeji assured.

Annika thought over it. It was right. She has almost healed completely, also her mother and Khushi was there to take of her. Her husband needed her. In morning too, he wanted something but she was running late as root canal of a minister had come up.

"Okay beeji. I will go early", she said bringing a smile on beeji's face. She nodded caressing her cheek.

•~•

Shivaay was certainly in sour mood. First he wasn't getting to spend time with Annika, next Gauri was on a leave and his substitute assistant was amateur and thirdly, he lost a deal to his rival.

He was sipping his coffee when he got a call. He looked at his phone and got surprised to see it's Annika. She frequently calls him these days. First he thought to avoid it but then he picked it up thinking maybe she is in some problem.

"Hello?", he picked up.

"Shivaay...? Are you busy", she asked softly.

"No I-", he paused and put a stern face, "yeah, I was busy. You needed something?", he asked sternly. He knew he was being little rude but she made him lose his patience.

"No. I just thought to call you just like that. We didn't got to talk well these days", she said.

"Oh you realised", he said in his mind, "okay. We'll talk after I come back home. I have something important. I will talk to you later", he said.

"Okay and..", he kept the call without listening ahead. Annika looked at her phone and sighed. She can sense he is angry.

"Let's handle patidev, Annika", she mumbled to herself and drove to Oberoi mansion.

She decided to complete all her work early so that she could spend her night with him. She fastly changed and helped in cooking, then did little work of her clinic and home.

"He must be coming", she said glancing at the wall clock with showed 8 at night. After a while, Shivaay walked inside with a tired and annoyed face. She smiled and walked to him.

"Hey Shivaay", she said smiling. He glanced at her and removed his watch keeping on the table.

"Hi. You're free today?", he asked amused.

"Haan, I thought we could spend sometime together", she said.

"I am tired. I will sleep early. You can spend time with family", he said irritated and walked inside the closet. She followed him.

"Shivaay, family is different. I want to spend sometime with you", she said softly holding his hand.

"Everything can't go according to your wish Annika", he said taking his hand back and took out his night wear.

"Why are you talking like this Shivaay? I just want to spend sometime with you", she scowled. He snapped at her.

"Oh! So you remember you have a husband? I thought you're only daughter-in-law of this family", he mocked. She looked at him amused.

"Why are you sounding like this Shivaay? I understand I was little busy and didn't got time to spend it with you but you know the conditions", she said.

"Of course I know and I understand Annika. I will never stop you from taking care of beeji or anyone else. They're your family since you are born. They're my family too, she needs you I understand. But even I crave. I crave for your attention. Just think and tell yourself. When was the last time you sat down with me and even talked? You're being a perfect daughter and daughter-in-law but I am missing my freaking wife. One who loves me and cares about me", he burst on her, lastly.

"I know I am sounding like attention seeker and I am not ashamed of it. Yes I want my wife's attention. I miss her sudden hugs, her kisses, her non-stop talks. I understand that you've many responsibilities, I respect you for being perfect in all your relations. But you're my wife also na? I miss her these days", his voice cracked up a bit at last. He really needed her close to him. He just wanted to bundle her in a hug close to his chest.

"I..I am sorry Shivaay. I didn't realised I was ignoring you in a way. I swear it was unintentional", she said feeling guilty. She saw his eyes getting emotional.

"I know it was unintentional but I am really upset right now. Just leave me alone for sometime. You can carry on with whatever you want", he said and closed the door of bathroom getting inside.

She felt her heart breaking on realising that she has hurt him. It was unintentional but she had hurt him. He was right. She got so busy in her other relations that she forgot the person who connects her with them. She heard the sound of shower and went outside.

In hall, she saw everyone talking and laughing together. She brought a smile on her face and sat down on the sofa.

"Aree Anu! Has Shivaay freshened up? We'll start with dinner", Pinki asked.

"He'll come soon Ma. He's taking shower", she said bringing her best fake smile. Pinki nodded and again all got busy in their talks. Dadi who was sitting beside her, noticed Annika's fallen face.

"Puttar! Everything is fine?", she asked slowly to Annika. Annika looked at her bringing a smile on her face.

"Of course dadi. Woh I am tired na, maybe that's why", she excused. Dadi nodded yet not buying her excuse.

After sometime, Shivaay came out of their room. He smiled at everyone and sat down beside Annika. She was looking at him whereas he didn't even glanced at her. She looked down at her fingers.

Everyone talked about each other's life for a while and then gathered for dinner. Annika insisted to serve everyone. When she was serving him, she tried to make him look at her but he was looking other side pretending to talk to Om.

"Yum..bhabhi you really amazing food", Rudy commented eating a morsel. Annika smiled softly playing with her food. She looked towards Shivaay who was silently having his dinner. If he would have not been upset from her, even he would have complimented. You asked yourself for this, Annika! She sighed and looked at her food finally eating it.

"Billu, Annika! After every wedding in our family there's a ritual of doing pooja of our Kuldevi and also girl's name get written with boy's name. I was thinking to keep it day after tomorrow. Is it fine?", dadi asked.

"I am fine with anytime dadi. You can ask Annika", he said looking at dadi. Annika looked at her hands.

"I am also good with it dadi", she said softly.

"Great then", dadi exclaimed and after dinner, everyone retired to their room.

In their room, Annika was setting up the bed while he was working on the couch. She went to him and sat down beside him. He didn't even stir from his place.

"I am sorry Shivaay. How long will you not talk to me? You can give me any punishment you want. Please talk to me", she pleaded.

"I have some important work Annika, please go and sleep. It's late, you must be tired", he said looking at his laptop screen.

"No. I am not. I want to talk to you Shivaay. Please forgive me", she said.

"There's nothing to forgive Annika, you didn't do it on purpose. You're busy now I am busy, just go and sleep", he said.

"It was not on purpose but you're hurt. I-", she stopped as he looked at her.

"Don't test my patience Annika. I am really not in good mood", he said little sternly. She looked down biting her lower lip.

"Fine", she mumbled and went out of their room. He noticed this and closed his eyes. He know she'll be crying now and in a way, he's the reason. He wanted to talk to her but he was still little upset. He needed some more time to clear up his mind. He knew she was not in mistake. It was the situations.

There, Annika was sitting the garden looking at the stars. Tears came out of her eyes but she immediately wiped them.

"Why are you crying fool? It's your mistake. You're feeling hurt when he's not talking to you for some hours, think about him", she scolded herself.

"Puttar?", she turned back to see dadi standing there. She stood up and looked down tucking her hair.

"Dadi? I thought you slept. Come sit na", she said looking here and there.

"I was not getting sleep. What happened? Did billu said something? I will twist this boy's ears", she said sitting beside Annika.

"No dadi. It's not him. It's me. I have hurt him. He's upset from me and it's legit", she said looking at her fingers.

"Hua kya hai?", dadi asked.

Annika looked at her and told everything feeling bad by the end. Dadi chuckled making Annika confused.

"Dadi you're laughing? Here I am feeling bad for hurting him", she said, complaining.

"Puttar, feeling bad is legit. You know, it's said that a woman craves for attention but you know, even man needs attention. They don't show it openly but our little attention makes them happy. You both are newly married, craving for you is natural", dadi said.

"Then what should I do dadi?", she asked clueless.

"Make him feel that your attention is towards him. And I don't think I need to tell a wife how to handle her husband", dadi said making Annika blush.

"Ji dadi. Thank you", she smiled.

"Chal! Ab apni dadi ko thank you bolegi?", dadi said making Annika hug her from side.

"Annika remember, you're surely our daughter-in-law but the person who connects you with us is your husband, he comes before us", dadi said making Annika nod.

"Ji dadi", Annika smiled to which dadi kissed her forehead.

"Now you can go and handle your grumpy man", she said making Annika giggle.

"Yes dadi", she said and went inside not before wishing good night to her.

•~•

Annika came inside their room and closed the door. She saw him still sitting on the sofa but this time, his head was on the headrest with closed eyes. She understood that he's having a headache.

She smiled as an idea came in her mind and she went outside to kitchen. After sometime, she came back with a bowl of warm oil. She went behind him and kept the bowl on the headrest. He opened his eyes to meet with hers. She lowered her face and kissed in center of his forehead.

"I love you", she muttered softly making him look at her.

"I love you", he said smiling lightly. She fixed his head and rubbed some oil in her palm and moving her hands in his hair. He sighed feeling her soft fingers. His tensed muscles released as he felt relaxed.

"You shouldn't work so much Shivaay. It's not good for your health", she commented massaging his hair. He hummed closing his eyes.

"There's a meeting with Japanese delegates tomorrow. I had to prepare some notes for it", he said and held her hands making her stop.

"I am sorry. I overreacted. I didn't realised that if you didn't had time for me, you didn't got time for yourself too. You're just so much occupied", he said and brought her in front of him. She shook her head.

"If our families is important for me, you're no less Shivaay. I forgot that you also need me. Whenever I have needed you, you've been there for me. When you needed me, I just didn't realised it. I am sorry. I promise I will never ignore you ever again", she said looking down.

He raised her chin up and kissed her forehead. She got teary and look at him.

"Never bow your head in front of me, even it it's any reason. You're my queen, queen has her head always high", he said making her look in his eyes.

"I am sorry", she said again to which he shake his head and pulled her in his arms hugging her close. Finally, tears left her eyes.

"I can't even imagine how I would feel if you'll ever ignore me. Last few hours, when you didn't talked to me, I felt like breaking", she said against his chest.

"I didn't wanted to shout on you or worse say something I shouldn't in anger. I am sorry for ignoring you", he kissed her hair.

"You did it right. I needed it", she said and looked at him. He wiped her tears gently from her thumb and kissed her eyelids.

"Accha enough of this sorry, it doesn't suit us. Fighting suits us, moreover perfect is romancing", he said making her chuckle.

"I promise I will give you my time Shivaay. Even I missed you. I love you", she said looking in his eyes.

"I love you more. Now no more crying, but if you'll ever keep me away from you again, I will not talk to you", he said looking away.

"I will never do it. I swear", she said pinching her throat.

"Pinky promise?", he asked forwarding his pinky finger.

"Pinky promise", she said joining her pinky finger with his. He kissed her finger over his finger.

"Now come here, I wanna keep you close to myself", he said and she immediately hugging him tightly with a force that he fell on the couch and chuckle hugging her closer.

He kissed over her hairline and nuzzled his nose in her hair.

"But I still have punishment for you", he said. She looked up at him.

"What is it? I am ready to do anything", she said.

"Anything eh? Think properly", he smirked. She blinked at him once but then smiles nodding.

"I am ready for anything", she said confidently.

"That's like my girl. You'll get to know it tomorrow but firstly, you are not allowed to go anywhere tomorrow. Just tomorrow", he said. She nodded.

"Anyways I took a leave for tomorrow and day after tomorrow. You have your wife for yourself, actually you'll always have your wife from now on", she said.

"Good, now let's get some sleep. I am really tired", he said kissing her forehead.

"Hmm. Even I am tired", she said and yawned in a cue. He chuckled and kissed her lips making her smile and he got up, picking her up in his arms.

"Good night, love", he said kissing over her hairline. She chuckled finding some of her sindoor over his lips and wiped it pecking them.

"Good night, Shivaay", she said keeping head on his chest. He closed his eyes finally getting her in his arms, he had a smile in his sleep.

Finally after days, both got a sweet and sound sleep in each other's arms.

•~•

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

I changed the precap as I felt on bringing this topic. I've noticed this in mostly all books, whether general or Shivika that the woman craves for their man's attention while he stays busy. It's not always that. Even men can crave for their wife. Even she can be busy and he can crave for her.

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

Precap: Shivaay's punishment

Love,
K♥️