★★

"Annie, aren't you ready yet? It's almost just an hour to your engagement and you-", Malvika paused as she walked inside daughter's room to see her sitting in front of the dresser, almost ready.

"Mumma, she's almost ready", Khushi said as she moved the brush on Annika's hair. Annika looked up and saw her mother who was looking at her with a wide smile and teary eyes.

"Mumma, no crying", Annika said looking at her mother getting up and went to her, hugging her gently. Malvika hugged her back emotionally.

"I can't believe, you're getting engaged today", she said parting from hug and cupped her daughter's cheeks.

"When Shivaay will make me wear the ring na, see it and then believe", Annika said shrugging making both the other ladies in the room chuckle.

"Pagal!", Malvika chuckled with tears slapping her cheek gently making Annika chuckle and hold her hands.

"Mumma, it's just my engagement today. I am not getting married already and that too, I will be living next to you only, relax", she said kissing her hands.

"Still you're getting married", her mother whined making Khushi chuckle and Annika narrow eyes.

"You are the one who was behind me to marry, now bear it", she twisted her mouth making Malvika shake head at her in disbelief chuckling.

"Get her ready soon Khushi, it's only an hour to muhurat", Malvika said before going out. Annika smiled and looked at Khushi who was smiling and actioned her to come back.

"Bhabhi, where's Ri and Bhavu? They're my friends, they should help me to get ready with you na?", Annika complained sitting in front of the dresser while Khushi starts combing her hair. Khushi was wearing a lavender & silver saree.

"They're helping the elders Annie. Ladies needed helps with some shagun thing", Khushi said making Annika sigh humming.

"Hey! Don't be sad. They'll come to take you at backyard with me and anyways, they'll be in the ceremony too. It's your engagement, cheer up", Khushi said rubbing her shoulders from behind. Annika smiled and nodded.

There, on the other side at Oberoi mansion. Pinki was moving around instructing the servants to take the things at back yard while Jhanvi and dadi was preparing things for the pooja to be done before engagement.

"Jhanvi aunty, these are the things Malvika aunty has sent for puja, add these too", Gauri came inside with a servant holding a plate and gives it to her.

"Thank you Gauri, is everyone ready there?", she asked looking towards her, seeing her ready in a yellow & golden saree.

"Everyone is almost ready aunty. Just Annika is left a bit and then we'll be at the backyard. Bhaiya is ready?", she asked looking around.

"Kahan Gauri, your bhaiya is still roaming around", Pinki came there complaining making Jhanvi chuckle.

"I just sent him forcefully with Om, Pinki. Don't worry, he'll be ready in a while. Stop stressing and let's go to backyard, Malvika is there too", Jhanvi said side hugging her.

"Yeah you are right. Gauri when is your parents coming?", Pinki asked looking at her.

"They have left and coming with Bhavya's family", Gauri smiled, "okay I will go now, I have to bring Annie to backyard with girls. See you", Gauri said and went back to Annika's house.

★★

"All set Shivaay, you're looking extremely handsome and ready for your engagement", Om said fixing his coat. Shivaay smiled softly looking at him.

"Thanks Om. I don't know why I am nervous, it's just Anu", he said sighing fiddling with his watch.

"Because your relation is changing with her, it's getting more intimate today", Om said patting his back.

"I hope whatever changes, changes for good", he muttered to himself and saw Rudra coming all ready for his brother's engagement.

"I am so excited Bhaiya! Finally, the day has come when you and Annika didi will be half married to each other", he grinned making Om and Shivaay look at each other confused.

"What's this half marriage now?", Both asked together.

"Aree, engagement. Ab now, in a week their wedding ceremonies will happen and boom, they'll be married. Engagement is begining toh hua na, half married and wedding full marriage", Rudra said doing his logic sign making both of them hit his head.

"Duffer", both muttered making him pout.

"Jaldi chalo. Choti maa has sent me to call you. Mujhe bahut kaam hai, mera time mat waste karo", he said sulking with a pout and went out making both of them chuckle and goes out.

As they came to hall, they saw everyone present, even Annika's family along with Gauri and Bhavya's.

"Um..we're having the engagement inside?", Shivaay asked confused seeing everyone there.

"Of course not Shivaay, we thought why not go together. Annika is coming with her girls and Arnav", Malvika said making Shivaay nod.

"Chalo, it's time for pooja now. Then we have to get done with engagement too. Everything is prepared na, bachiyon?", dadi said looking at her watch and the at ladies.

"Yes mummyji, everything is prepared. Just Shivaay and Annika has to sit for puja now and then engagement. Even catering is done", Jhanvi said making dadi smile and nodded.

"Them what are we waiting for, let's leave", Tej said making everyone nod and they went towards backyard.

★★

Shivaay was sitting in front of the idol of god Shiva and goddess parvati along with god Ganesha. He had his hands joined when panditji called for Annika. He looked other side and saw Annika coming along with her girls and Bella in her arms and Arnav being beside her.

A soft smile formed on his lips as she came near him. Giving Bella to Gauri, she got on the white mattress over which Shivaay was sitting and sat down beside him.

"Hey", she said smiling softly joining her hands. He smiled blinking his eyes and joined his hand. Hearing pandit ji, both looked ahead and smiled as the mantras started. Both worshipped to god for their new beginnings.

"Kalyaniji, pooja is done, now you can carry forward with engagement ceremony", Panditji said as the prayers ended. Everyone nodded hearing this and got busy at the engagement area while Shivaay helped Annika to get up.

"You're looking beautiful", he said softly making her smile softly tucking her hair.

Annika decided to ditch lehenga or gown for engagement and wore a blue shimmery saree with thin stripped blouse with deep back. She left her hair straight with middle partition and wore a thin diamond necklace with diamond studs as jewelery. In short, she kept her look simple and elegant.

"You're also looking really handsome. Boys chose good outfit for you", she said chuckling remembering how much he fussed over not liking anything he was seeing.

Shivaay went all for traditional look as he wore a white kurta with embroided blue sherwani paired up with dhoti pants. His hair were in medium pompadour with his usual stubble. The overall look made him look extremely handsome.

[Beautiful moodboard by Girlwithhotlips. Thank you <3]

"Annika, Shivaay! Come faster, the auspicious time for engagement has started", Pinki called out making them realise that they're standing at the pooja area from long while.

"Let's go", he said holding her hand making her look at him, nodding. He took them towards engagement area while holding she kept looking at their entwined hands.

The engagement area was themed with nature. A backdrop of flowers were put behind the couch arranged for the couple of the day along with small props of flower vases and baskets filled with flowers.

[P.C: pinterest]

Both settled down on the wooden couch and smiled softly seeing their families excited faces. Khushi came from Annika's side holding a plate having Shivaay's ring and Gauri came from Shivaay's side holding a plate having Annika's ring.

"Annika puttar, first you make him wear the ring", Dadi said making Annika nod and opened the box taking out the ring. It was a simple platinum band with fine cutting as per his liking.

He smiled and forward his hand making the boys hoot which made Annika blush holding his hand and slide the ring in his ring finger. Everyone clapped while looked at his ring smiling.

"Now finally bhaiya's chance", Rudy grinned making everyone chuckle at his excitement. Gauri came forward and grinned showing the plate to him. He chuckled taking the ring and held out Annika's hand making the girls hoot this time.

"Ab pehena hi do bhaiya", Bhavya commented making everyone giggle and Annika rolled eyes smiling. Shivaay opened the box and took out the ring.

It was a stacking ring with one band being of completely diamond and another as a simple princess cut diamond ring with platinum band. Though Annika wanted keep something more simple, Shivaay insisted liking the ring a lot.

Giving her a glance, he slide the ring to his ring finger making everyone clap loudly and she smiled looking at their hands together. Rose petals showered over them making Annika gasp smiling widely.

[P.C: pinterest]

"Congratulations on the engagement, bhaiya and didi. Now you're almost officially a part of our family", Rudra smiled widely hugging his favourite people.

"Oye! Anu has always been a part of our family, yeah officially is a thing", Shivaay said smiling softly at her.

"But she's still mine first", Arnav said immediately wrapping arms around Annika from behind. She smiled leaning to him.

Elders came ahead and blessed the newly engaged couple. Pinki was on cloud nine having Annika as her daughter-in-law while Malvika was really happy having Shivaay as her daughter's partner.

"Now our newly engaged couple deserves a dance", Bhavya said making Annika look at him in disbelief.

"No Bhavu, kuch bhi!", Annika said shaking her head.

"What? Come on Annie, you and Shivaay always dance in annual event of college. We want a dance!", Arnav said making everyone nod and started hooting asking for dance.

"Come on Anu, just a dance with me", Shivaay said forwarding his hand. She sighed in defeat and held his hand smiling.

"Okay, after all it's Shivaay", she whispered making youngsters pass a look at each other with smile.

He held her hand and took them at the middle of the backyard where a small dance floor area was prepared. Rudra went and played a romantic song making both Shivaay and Annika look at each other.

"Go for it bhaiya and bhabhi!", he said saying bhabhi aloud making Annika's eyes widen and blush.

Shivaay chuckled seeing that and immediately wrapped his one arm around her bare waist and another on her lower back. She chuckled as he pulls her closer and loops arms around his neck.

"Hello fiancé", she said making him laugh and starts swaying them. She smiled seeing his laugh.

"Hello to you too, fiancée. It sounds good to say that", he said joining their foreheads together wrapping arms firmly around him. They both were swaying flawlessly on the tune of romantic song when Shivaay parted and twirls her making her smile widely.

Pulling her back, he joined their forehead together making her blush on the proximity. It has never affected before but now after seeing Shivaay in new light, it makes her feel uniquely good.

"Shiv", she called out softly making him look at her and hums. She kept her arms again around his neck.

"I can imagine how beautiful our life will be together, happy and full of new adventures", she said softly making him smile.

"Indeed it will be beautiful and full adventures. After all, it's us together", he said making her smile widely and nodded.

In a while, others too joined them on the dance floor and danced enjoying having everyone together. Shivaay and Annika smiled seeing their loved ones happy.

★★

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♥️

ShivIka are engaged which means wedding season starts😌 this chapter simple and sweet, just like them💗

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

Precap: Mehendi; someone tries to harm Annika

Love,
K♥️