★★

Annika stood in front of the idol of Lord Shiva & Parvati. Joining her hands and closing her eyes, she prayed them for her family, their well-being and blessing for her life's new beginnings.

Taking the prasad from priest, she went out from the threshold when Shivaay stopped her.

"Annika, sun", he stopped her making her turn towards him and smile softly.

"Speak later, first take this", she took some of the prasad in her palm and forward towards him.

"I had Anu", he said making her frown, "agar thoda aur khaaloge toh tumhari height nahi kam ho jayegi", she said making him glare at her.

"Don't go on my height, I am taller than you", he twisted mouth forwarding his right palm. She bite her inner cheek keeping half of her prasad in his palm.

"Few inches. Now tell, what were you going to say?", she asked after they ate.

"Umm.. I wanted to actually ask something to you", he said. She nodded. He pulled her near a tree away from people around.

"What happened? Is everything fine?", she asked confused. He nodded.

"Everything is fine, it's just- you're happy right?", he asked softly making her confuse again.

"What I mean is, you're okay with this hurried roka and then wedding within a month?", he asked clearly making her smile softly.

"Shivaay, anyhow we're suppose to marry in a month so today or tomorrow our roka was meant to happen, I am good with it. But thank you", she said making him smile but frowned a her in the end.

"Why thank you?", he asked confused.

"For atleast asking me. I know it was meant to happen and that's why no one asked me after roka getting fixed tomorrow but I am happy that atleast you're considerate about me", she smiled widely. He smile back and held her hands.

"Of course I will be considerate for you, you're one of the most important woman of my life", he said making her grin and hug him. He hugged her back happily.

Parting, they went towards the way where elders were waiting for kids to come. As soon as Pinki saw them together, she walked taking them in a hug. Both smiled hugging Pinki back.

"I can't tell you how much I am happy, mere baccho. You both are going to marry each other, I am really happy", Pinki exclaimed kissing their temples.

Shivaay and Annika took blessings of all the elders meanwhile all the youngsters came there. Gauri, Bhavya and Khushi took Annika in a tight hug caging her making her giggle.

"Annie! You're getting married, Omg!! First from four of us", Bhavya exclaimed being excited for her bestie's wedding.

"And that too with Shivaay, double happiness", Khushi added making Annika smile softly.

"Bhaiya, you're giving us a treat after we go back home", Rudra said making others agree.

"You're dieting right?", Shivaay questioned with an eyebrow raised. Rudra pouted, twisting his mouth.

"Rudy, I will give treat to all of you. Don't worry", Annika winked making Rudra smile widely and nodded. Shivaay shook his head seeing Rudra sticking out his tongue towards him.

"These things can happen later, kids. For now, let's go and prepare for tomorrow's roka ceremony, we've only few hours", dadi said in between stopping Shivaay to pull Rudra's ear who thanked her mentally from saving his ears from his brother's rough hands.

"Mummy ji, even jagrata is scheduled for tomorrow, we have only morning for roka. We have prepare fast", Pinki said with worried expression.

"Everything will happen peacefully Pinki, don't worry", Jhanvi assured her. The ladies went ahead towards the car, discussing about the preparation while their men followed them chuckling on their excitement.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go", Annika looked at others who was still standing there.

"Annika, sun, we've brought some breezers. So come to the terrace after dinner. Okay?", Arnav said in whisper tone making her eyes widen.

"What? Aru if papa gets to know you have brought them na, you're doomed", she frowned.

"Chill na Anu, it's nil alcoholic yaar, mainly it's fruit taste", Shivaay said gaining a look from Annika.

"Tum logon ko usse bhi chad jaati hai", she rolled her eyes making boys look at each other.

"Didi, sometimes it's okay", Rudra supported making her raise an eyebrow.

"You're definitely not having it Rudy", she objected who pouted in response.

"Annie, it's fine sometimes. It's not like we drink often", this time Khushi said making Annika look at her in disbelief.

"Exactly Annie and it have just a little amount of liquor. It's fine, chalta hai! We're not drunkard", Gauri joked.

All started persuading Annika making her sigh and nodded giving up on their wish. Knowing the amount of liquor breezer has, she knew it won't be harming.

"I knew at last you'll agree it", Shivaay grinned looping arm around her neck from side. She shook her head rolling eyes on his Cheshire cat smile. Billu kahinka! She thought.

"But not much", she conditioned. Everyone nodded agreeing on that, "but we can't tonight", she added making everyone look at her disappointed.

"Why? Annie tu bahut nakhre karti hai!", Arnav frowned offending her.

"I am going to tell papa", she said looking towards him and started walking when Shivaay pulled her back from arm.

"Hey hey! Don't. Arnav, let her say, she must have reason", Shivaay said eyeing him to not say anything to her else knowing Annika, if she'll get upset, she will really tell everything to elders.

"Fine fine, chal bata ab, what's the problem?", Arnav pulled her towards him looping arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair in order to pacify him.

"No need to butter now, listen", she twisted her mouth, "tomorrow morning is Roka, so mum and everyone will ask us to sleep sooner in order to wake up early and also it's jagrata in evening which will happen till 12 at night for sure so after that, we can be at the terrace after that as everyone will be so tired to question and above that, they'll go to sleep too", she explained making everyone's eyes widen in realisation.

"Wow didi, you made a full proof plan", Rudra praised making Annika smile sheepishly.

"Clever huh? How many times you have planned like this to sneak before?", Arnav asked in a big brother tone.

"I am not like you, I take the permission from mum or papa and goes", she nudged his stomach with her elbow to which he made faces.

"Okay fine then. We're going to follow this plan", Khushi interrupted before the siblings start fighting again. Everyone nodded in agreement and rushed to bus before anyone come in suspicion and call them.

★★

The entire day went in preparation of next day's celebration. Annika and Shivaay was strictly told to not do any work and just relax while other of them were working around as instructed by elders. Annika chuckled seeing Arnav scrunching as Malvika kept many boxes in his arms while telling something to their father.

"Oye! Don't make such faces. Your only sister is getting married", she pouted standing beside him and kept her elbow on shoulder. He moved away feeling her elbow poking him.

"That's good. At least I will have mom and dad's entire attention and love for me", he smirked making her pout more.

"Hawh! You won't miss me?", she said sadly. He sighed seeing her dull face and kept the boxes on the table, side hugging her.

"Oye! You're talking as if you're going far away from me. You'll be living next to me and we can meet anytime. Cheer up! And what you think, I am letting you marry Shivaay on everyone's saying? Knowing that he'll take care of you and you'll be always in front of my eyes, I agreed otherwise you won't have been marrying him, even if entire family would have said. My Annie can't go away from me until I accept it, remember it", he said patting her head lovingly.

Even after being just 15 minutes apart from each other, Arnav is a protective brother towards his minutes-younger sister. He can't bare a single drop of tear in her eyes. He is not expressive in showing his love towards her but no one can deny the fact that he can go to any extent for his sister's happiness.

"Cheer up now! You're stuck with me for your entire life", he winked going back to his teasing self. She shook head hearing him in disbelief and nodded.

"Work then", she giggled earning a groan from him and he left taking the boxes as Malvika called out his name. She smiled and went back to her room where girls were sitting to have some girls talk.

Entire day went like that in preparation of roka and jagrata preparations. Shivaay and Annika both were happy seeing their family and loved ones happy and rejoicing.

★★

Next day came felt like came earlier. It was the day of the ceremony and since morning everyone was busy in getting ready and preparing last moment requirement. Although the ceremony going to be intimate and just between families, everyone was thrilled.

On Malvika's order, girls were helping Annika in getting ready more in ladylike manner which made her groan internally. She was dolled up with help of Bhavya, Gauri and Khushi.

Annika was wearing a red anarkali palazzo set having abstract and flower designs all over it with small beads on the hem of sleeves, going well with the sacredness of the ceremony, she carried a red dupatta with golden border along with it. Gauri curled up her hair while Khushi did a mild make-up on her face seeing her cribbing seeing the products while Bhavya selected pair of teardrop gold earrings. Annika completed her look with red juttis.

While Annika was getting dolled up by her friends, Shivaay also took extra care to compliment her beauty. He was wearing red kurta with golden borders on the sleeves and white silk dhoti pants. He kept some of the buttons open of his kurta and sleeves folded. His hair was set in mild pompadour. He completed look with brown sandals.

After getting ready, Shivaay was waiting in the hall waiting for Annika to come. Meanwhile, he took the blessings of elders where ladies were gushing over him looking really handsome and dashing making him go all shy. Boys laughed seeing his ears turning red in shyness but stopped earning a glare for him.

As the muhurat time started, Annika came along with girls. Shivaay looked towards her and found himself awestruck. Since the time they accepted to marry each other, Shivaay started looking at Annika in a different way apart from his best friend. He has started finding a life partner in her, his future. The way Annika came towards him with soft smile and looking beautiful, his heart beat increased seeing his Anu.

He smiled softly as she stood beside next and looked at him.

"I look good right?", she asked whispering softly. He chuckled using the adjective as simple as good for her beauty.

"You're looking gorgeous Anu, you always do", he held her hand softly making her look at him surprised.

"I see you're complimenting me a lot since yesterday", she narrowed eyes. He shrugged smiling.

"You are looking beautiful since yesterday, what can I do", he winked at her making her giggle softly.

"Let's start the ceremony", Pinki exclaimed happily making everyone chuckle at her excitement. Both sat down on the couch together with Annika on his left side.

Pinki came ahead smiling widely holding a thali to do her son aarti. Applying tika on her forehead, Pinki covered her head with a beautiful and little heavy red chunri and blessed her kissing her forehead and caressed Shivaay's cheek adoringly.

"You have always been a part of family but welcome to family, Annika. I am so happy you're going to be my Shivaay's wife", she said and kept coconut on her lap along with the shagun and gifts entire Oberoi family have bought for her.

Next Malvika came ahead and did Shivaay's aarti. Applying tika, she kept coconut and shagun in his hands and pressed hand on his head in blessings.

"May you both have beautiful, happy and loving life together", she blessed and kissed both of theirs foreheads. Later, she gave him gifts from entire Batra family.

"Welcome to the rokafied club, Annie and Shivaay", Khushi smiled standing beside Arnav who chuckled.

"After their wedding, it's going to be your turn. Stay ready I am going to talk Ruchika ji soon", Malvika teased making Khushi blush. Arnav nudged her grinning earning a playful glare. Everyone chuckled seeing the couple.

"Chalo, Roka got done successfully. Now after going back to Delhi, we'll start your wedding preparation", dadi said smiling happily.

"We have to announce in media also", Tej said looking at the men. Annika tensed up hearing it.

"Umm, I wanted to ask something", she said making everyone look at her.

"Will it be fine if we don't tell anyone that we both are getting married for now?", she asked confusing everyone. Shivaay looked at her patiently knowing she has reasons behind her word.

"But why Annie? You both are getting married, it's a very good thing", Malvika asked confused.

"Mumma, our college will end in next six months, I don't want any special attention from college friends or media or by anyone. Even after being from such influenced families, we have lived quite normal life and I want it to last atleast till we complete college. Can we wait till then?", she asked looking at everyone hoping she didn't offended anyone.

"Actually Annika has point, even I won't like sudden useless attention, wherever we'll go we'll attract media", Shivaay supported her bringing a smile on her face.

"Okay then, we'll do as kids wish. No one is going to make any such announcement", dadi said coming towards Annika and caressed her head.

"Thank you dadi", she said wrapping arms around her waist. Dadi chuckled patting her head. Shivaay smiled seeing this.

"Let's have breakfast now, my stomach is calling for food now", Rudra interrupted making everyone laugh and nod on his wish going to dining area.

★★

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

ShivIka is rokafied😍😂 now their journey will start from being best friends to soulmates😁

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

Precap: terrace party; back to college

Love,
K♥️