"Bhabhii, you have made such delicious koftas", Rudra commented, moaning over his food. Annika smiled hearing it.

"Exactly Annika, food is really tasty", Pinki commented taking a bite of naan with mixed vegetables.

"Ma, have some more na", Annika said getting up but Pinki stopped saying she will serve herself and asked her to eat.

Annika sat down beside Shivaay and started to serve herself when he held her hand under the table. She looked at him.

"It has mushroom, you've allergy. Bhul gayi?", he asked in disbelief seeing her taking the gravy in her plate. She looked at it and hit her hand on her forehead.

"Just slipped out of my mind. Sorry", she said keeping the dish away and took naan.

"Why are you not eating? Didn't liked anything?", he asked worried.

"How can I eat without you?", he asked bringing a smile on her face. She smiled and looked ahead blushing, at her plate. He chuckled and took the first morsel.

She looked at him anticipated which he noticed and looked still her raising eyebrow. She raised back in reply.

"You know I love food made by you", he said and held her hand kissing her knuckle. Her eyes widen and she looked around to see ladies busy talking to Rudra. She sighed.

"Aap bhi na Shivaay", she muttered.

"I don't care baby", he said and kissed her cheek making them turn red with blush.

•~•

Annika and Shivaay were in their room. While he was working on his laptop, Annika was arranging her closet when they heard a knock on door.

"Shivaay, please see who's there", Annika called out from closet.

"I am working Annika", he said without moving eyes from screen.

"Then I am also arranging the closet nah! Later you only will not find any specific file of yours and eat my brain. Aap mera itna kaam bhi nahi kar sakte hai. Hadd hai aap Shivaay", Annika started ranting making him sigh.

"Okay okay, shh! I am opening the door", he shook his head and went to open the door. Jhanvi was standing there.

"Badi ma? Aaiye na. You had some work from Annika?", he asked. Just then Annika came out of closet to check who came.

"Badi ma?", she asked coming beside Shivaay. Jhanvi smiled at her.

"Actually I wanted to talk to both of you. Specially you Shivaay", Jhanvi said. They sat down on couch.

"Say badi ma", he said holding her hand.

"Shivaay, Om consider you more than his brother. You are like father figure to him and he consider you as your best friend, Annika. I wanted to talk to you both about his wedding", Jhanvi said.

"You can say anything without hesitation badi ma", Annika said.

"Shivaay, I like Gauri for Om. She's sweet, kind, we know her personally. She's also a good friend of Om. I and Tej finds her perfect for him", Jhanvi said making Shivika shocked.

"Badi ma are you sure? Gauri? I mean I don't know how she would react. She's a good friend to Om but marriage. I am not sure", Shivaay replied.

"I know that's why I have called Gauri's family and cherry on top, they're in Mumbai. I talked to her mother in morning after everyone went to their work. She has no problem in discussing over it", Jhanvi smiled.

He looked towards Annika who was confused and shrugged. He looked back at Jhanvi.

"If you think that Gauri and Om can come up together then we've no issues badi ma. And firstly, you and bade papa are his parents", he said softly.

"And you're his elder brother. Your decision and thoughts are as important as ours", Jhanvi lovingly caressed his cheek making him smile.

"Then I will tell Pinki, mummy ji and your bade papa and papa about your thoughts. They'll be coming tomorrow during puja", she said.

"Everyone knows?", he asked shocked.

"Except you, Annika, Om and Rudy", she winked making his look at her in disbelief. Annika chuckled.

"Annika, come to me in sometime", Jhanvi said to which Annika nodded smiling. Jhanvi smiled and went from there.

"Om and Gauri! Surprising", he chuckled. She looked at him confused.

"Kyun?"

"I never thought about them in that way. Rudy used to tease Om sometimes but neither him nor me took it serious", Shivaay said looking at her.

"Shivaay, people are meant to be in such way. You know destiny. If Om and Gauri are destined together, they'll be together", she smiled. He chuckled and held her hand.

"You know, I never believed in these destiny, star luck and all. Then you came", he looked in her eyes kissing her knuckles making her smile.

"I love you my angel", he kissed her temple. She wrapped her arms around his torso and kissed over his chest.

"I love you", she said snuggling in him.

•~•

Next day, everyone was preparing and getting ready for Kul Gotra puja. No one has informed Om and Gauri about the alliance till then as everyone wanted to first confirm things else it might get awkward between them if either is not ready.

"Shivaay jaldi kariye! Dadi told puja will start in one hour. You're still inside bathroom", Annika shouted wearing her earrings.

"I am done, my love", he came out of the bathroom. She rolled her eyes but they got stuck on him.

Shivaay came out wiping his hair. He was naked with just a towel around him, dangerously around his lower waist. Her eyes roamed on his toned chest with tiny hair over his fair upper chest.

"Tone the gaze love, it's arousing", she snapped out hearing his voice and turned back to mirror blushing. He chuckled and walked to her, wrapping his arms around her petite figure.

"Shivaay, leave na. Everyone is waiting for us, go wear your clothes", she said wriggling in his arms, trying to hide her blush.

"It's still time. Let me be like this for a while", he said nuzzling his nose on her cheek, it just increased the shade of her cheeks.

He then looked at her who was looking gorgeous in red banarasi saree with golden border and patterns over it. She paired it up with a deep neck full sleeves red blouse.

"Have I ever told you that you're beautiful but saree just enhances your beauty?", he asked kissing her cheek.

She was looking gorgeous. With hair tied adorned with gajra over it, few strands of hair falling on her face. Her face was void of any make up but she has applied generous amount of kohl and eyeliner on her eyes making them more beautiful and attractive. She has a light layer of lipstick over her lips. Her mangalsutra was adorning on her neck and hands filled with red glass bangles and gold bangles.

"No, you have never told me", she giggled.

"Tch..my bad, but in my defense, my wife is so beautiful that I just can't keep my eyes away from her", he said and turned her in his arms making her smile. He placed his lips on her forehead lingering it with a soft kiss. She closed her eyes in bliss.

"But my look is incomplete without one thing", she said smiling. She turned and picked up her sindoor box bringing a smile on his face.

He took a pinch-ful of sindoor and filled her partition making her close her eyes. Little bit of it fell of her nose making her chuckle scrunching her nose. He rubbed it off on her palm.

"Perfect", he said cupping her cheeks and pecked her lips. She smile wrapping arms around her neck and pecked him back.

"Now go get ready. Gauri's family is also coming", Annika smiled coming out of his arms and took the towel from couch throwing it in the laundry basket. He nodded and went to wear his clothes.

Meanwhile, Annika wore her payal and nose ring giving final touch to her look. Dadi asked her to dress up like a bride as it's her first puja as daughter-in-law of family.

"Shivaay, who all are there in her family?", Annika asked when he was wearing his kurta. She came ahead to button it up.

"It's just Gauri, her mother and her sister. Her father martyred when she was 10 yrs old. She's always proud of her father. Her mother is also a doctor", Shivaay told her making Annika nod in acknowledgement.

"You know, even I like her so much. If she'll get married to Om, he will really have an amazing and perfect wife for him", Annika said rubbing her hands on his chest caressing the creases.

"She's really a nice girl. You know, it's her because of whom I don't have to take tension and worry about my schedule and work. She handles everything so perfectly and with all her efforts. Everything is on time and she is really professional. Yeah, sometimes she gets really mischievous but she's really a responsible girl. Just like a sister ro me", Shivaay smiled.

"Let's hope everything goes well", Annika said to which he agreed.

•~•

It was time of puja. Gauri along with her family has arrived. Shivaay also came in hall area where puja was organised. Rudra was helping panditji in arrangements.

"It's so good to have to guys here, Rekha ji", Jhanvi said welcoming them and hugged her.

"Same here, Jhanvi ji. Gauri always talk about you guys, she always say that she's safe here in Mumbai because of you guys. Specially you Shivaay beta", Rekha, Gauri's mother said to which Shivaay smiled lightly and side hugged Gauri.

Annika came there taking plate full of flowers when she noticed the commotion near door. She nudged Rudra asking through expressions.

"Gauri didi's family is here Bhabhi. Finally O will get married", he squealed.

"Tu itna sure kaise?", Annika narrowed eyes.

"Gauri di is so beautiful. How can someone reject her", Rudra grinned making her shake head.

"Come now, let's greet them", she said and he got up going with her to the door. Shivaay noticed them and went between them wrapping arms around their shoulders.

"Aunty. You've met everyone but these two. He's my and Om's little brother, Rudra and she's my beautiful wife, Annika", he said making AniRu smile. They too greeted her.

"You're looking beautiful in this saree, Annika beta", Rekha said making her smile shyly.

"Thank you aunty. Please come", she welcomed them.

"Rekhaji, you said you've one more daughter. Where is she?", dadi asked.

"Oh! She is here only. Parking the car, actually Gauri is coming directly from office and I am not familiar with roads of Mumbai. She's doing her internship here in a hospital", Rekha said.

"Sorry mumma I am here", a girl's voice came from behind making Rekha turn behind.

"Bhavya?"

Two voice came together. One wad surprised and another was shocked. Annika looked towards Rudra confused who mirrored the expression.

"Bhabhi/Rudra you know her?", again both asked together.

"Of course I know her. She's intern in my hospital and she's under me", Annika said looking towards Bhavya who had a nervous smile.

"Hi..hi Dr. Annika", she smiled at her to which Annika nodded still confused.

"How do you know her Rudra?", Om asked.

"Woh..um..we..we..", Rudra started fumbling.

"We ke aage bolega?", Shivaay asked.

"We've met sometimes in a cafe house", Bhavya said making Gauri raise her eyebrow.

"Really?", Gauri asked suspiciously.

"Of course di. How else will we know each other", Bhavya fake chuckled.

"What a coincidence! We all somehow know each other", Pinki said. All smiled in agreement.

"We shall start puja now", panditji declared. Dadi nodded and everyone settled down for puja.

Shivaay and Annika took place in from of havankund. Joining hands, they prayed for the happiness of their family and their togetherness.

After puja, it was time for Annika to write her name next to Shivaay's in Kul patri. Dipping the peacock feather in a golden liquid, she wrote her name next to Shivaay's name. He smiled seeing it.

"Annika you know, why the page next to your names are blank?", Pinki asked with a hidden smile.

"No ma", Annika replied clueless.

"When you'll have kids na, there name will be written here", Jhanvi teased making Annika's eyes widen. She looked towards Shivaay who himself was looking at her.

She looked down blushing while Shivaay rubbed his hand over his face to hide his pink cheeks.

"Ahem..panditji, what we have to do ahead?", he asked making everyone giggle.

"Now she have to dip her hands in this haldi and then she has to press her palm on this glass slab. Her husband has to press her hand on the glass from behind", panditji said making the couple nod.

Annika got up and dipped her hands in the haldi dip and moved to the glass slab. She kept her hand on it and Shivaay came from behind pressed her hand with his hands on the glass slab.

She looked at him who looked back and her and smiled, winking at her. She widen her eyes and nudge her elbow to him making him chuckle.

"Puja sampann hua", panditji said making everyone smile.

•~•

It was afternoon and lunch time. Annika was helping the cook and house help with food while Gauri and Bhavya were helping her.

"Bhabhi? Is there something which you guys are hiding?", Gauri asked arranging plates on dining table. Annika stiffen for a moment but then chuckled.

"No Gauri. Just you're our family so we thought of inviting you guys too. You know a family dinner after long", Annika said.

"Then why is your family not here? In fact it was puja too", Gauri asked again.

"Mumma and dad are not here, they've got out of town for their work. Bhaiya, bhabhi and bhai are at home taking care of part..I mean my beeji", Annika replied smiling.

Annika looked at Bhavya who was looking around making her suspicious.

"Bhavya", Annika called out. Bhavya startled.

"Ye..yes Dr. Annika", she smiled at Annika.

"You can call me bhabhi like Gauri, let's keep doctor as professional", Annika said to which Bhavya nodded.

"You guys really know each other because you have met in cafe, Bhavya?", Annika asked again.

"Yes Bhabhi. Woh you know, our hospital and Oberoi industries are near to each other so we have met sometimes in a coffee house which comes in between the route", Bhavya replied. Annika nodded.

"Hello ladies", Shivaay came there and wrapped his arm around Annika's waist, "and my gorgeous lady", he said kissing her cheek. Annika nudged him blushing.

"What? No elder is here and these guys can understand young love. Right girls?", he winked making Gauri and Bhavya nod giggling and Annika shake her head.

"You guys are really cute", Bhavya commented.

"This is nothing Bhavu! Bhaiya is whipped by Bhabhi. She has wrapped him around her little finger", Gauri said with a teasing voice.

"Proudly", he said back shamelessly making Annika hit on his chest.

"Ei aap, ek aapki behen", Annika said shaking her head.

"Okay, let's call everyone and have lunch", she said and went to kitchen. Shivaay chuckle and went to call elders.

Lunch was a hearty affair. Annika was as usual sitting beside Shivaay. Om was in front of Gauri and Rudra was in front of Bhavya. Annika could notice them talking through eyes and decided to talk to Rudra about it later.

"So..Gauri, what are your thoughts over wedding", Jhanvi asked gaining everyone's attention.

"Aunty I have not really thought about it till date. I mean I am not into dating things so maybe whoever mom will choose for me, I will think over it. I know she'll think best for me", Gauri said bringing a smile on her mother's face.

"Wow! Even Om has same thoughts about it", Jhanvi said making Om frown but then his eyes widen.

"Mom! Gauri??", he asked shocked.

"What me?", Gauri asked.

"Gauri! I have thought about your alliance with Omkara", Rekha said with a soft smile.

"What? Om!!", she asked surprised.

"Yes Gauri and even Om is ready for it", Jhanvi said.

"What? When I said that?", Om asked immediately.

"You said right? Whoever we like, you're okay with her", Pinki said.

"Ye..yeah Choti ma, but I didn't know it's Gauri", Om muttered.

"You have issues with Gauri? And Gauri you, You have issues with Om?", Jhanvi asked.

Om looked at Gauri who looked back at her. She shrugged confused while he sighed.

"We can't say just like this, aunty. I want to talk to Om over in private. I mean it's marriage, we both need to think over it", Gauri said.

"Yes mom. I think we should think over it first and then tell you guys. She's my good friend. I don't want to spoil it because of this marriage thing", Om supported.

"I think they're right. Let them meet each other in private. Think over things, know more about each other. It's needed before they get in this sacred bond", Shivaay also said.

"Bachon ki baat toh sahi hai. Okay then, Gauri and Om, you guys think over it and tell us by tomorrow night. Is it fine?", dadi asked.

Om looked towards Gauri who nodded and he also nodded.

"Okay then. Let's hope for best", Pinki said smiling widely making everyone smile.

The lunch carried on with happy talks, knowing and learning more about each other. Everyone were happy and content.

•~•

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♥️

If you have any suggestions or any specific track which you want to see, do tell me. If it will go well with my story, I will try to write it😁

The super six are here now. Shivika's matrial life, Om-gauri's relation and Rudra Bhavya (ahem). Let's see😉

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

Precap: Om-Gauri's decision; Annika's birthday

Love,
K♥️