Long chapter as compensation :)

★★

Annika yawn as she felt the sunlight falling over her face. She turned but felt herself falling and clutched the fabric immediately. Realising as the last night's memories came in her mind, she opened her eyes to find herself on the same couch where she slept last night.

"Good morning", she heard Shivaay's voice and she stretched her arms. She opened her eyes properly as saw Shivaay standing near dresser.

"Good morning. What's the time?", she asked keeping her legs down. She saw him completely ready for the day in black button down shirt and white slim fit pants, applying gel in his hair.

[P.C: pinterest]

"It's eight a.m and we've classes from ten so you better get ready soon", he said looking at his watch. Her eyes widen and she got up immediately

"Shivaay! You should have woke up me early with you", she frowned going to her side of wardrobe and immediately started searching something.

"Why? I mean it's two hours to college, you can leisurely get ready", he shrugged.

"Still Shivaay! It's my first day and I am waking up so late, how would it look", she said rummaging through her wardrobe finding something.

"One second, don't go all bahu way, you're still the daughter of this family, first. Relax, and get ready", he said while spraying his cologne over his wrist.

She smiled softly at him blinking and sighed as she found what she was searching. Red dress . She smiled taking it out. Knowing that she has to rush to college today after one week of absence, she knew she couldn't wear saree or something ethnic as a typical newly married girl do on her first day but she also knew she wanted to wear something red.

"You need any help Anu?", he asked after finally setting his hair well. She turned to him shaking her head.

"No, I will just go and get ready. Shivaay! My books must be on table, can you please pack them in my bag?", she asked taking her clothes.

Her clothes and other important essential things were already shifted to Oberoi mansion a day before their wedding which was quite overwhelming for her parents and Arnav as Annika has never been away from her family and it felt like she's going far away, even though she was going to neighbourhood. Though, Bella was staying back at Batras because of Shivaay's allergy from dog fur.

"I have already done that, just go and freshen up. We'll go together, downstairs", he said to which she nodded and went to get ready for day.

Meanwhile, Shivaay walked to the coffee machine making a cup for himself while his eyes were fixed on the broken bed. He was thinking the ways to get rid of it knowing if anyone will come to know about it, teasing would come in wholesale.

He was thinking about it when heard a knock on door. Confused, he kept his coffee mug away and went to open the door only to see Om and Rudra standing there.

"Good morning Shivaay/bhaiya", both said together to which Shivaay nodded.

"Good morning. Subah subah yahan? Me and Annika are just coming downstairs in few minutes", Shivaay said leaning at the door covering inside of the room.

"That's fine but why are you standing like this at door?", Om asked making Shivaay straighten up.

"Li..like what? I am standing like we should stand, yeah", he nodded making other two suspicious.

"Okay, then get aside and let us come inside", Rudra said trying to come ahead but Shivaay stopped.

"Kyun?", he asked immediately making them look at him weirdly.

"You're sure you're fine Shivaay?", Om asked concerned this time.

"Yeah, of course. It's just that Annika is getting ready and if you'll come so it will get more late and then breakfast is also pending, college bhi jaana hai", he said shrugging.

"Nothing like that bhaiya, I have to talk to bhabhi over something", Rudra said and entered room followed by Om making Shivaay facepalm.

"Yeh kya hai!", both exclaimed together seeing the condition of bed. Rudra looked at Om with pressed lips who was controlling his smile.

"Shivaay..I mean, not asking anything but you both broke the bed Shivaay! Seriously?", Om asked surprised controlling his smile while Rudy was laughing silently behind his back.

"Shut up Om! It's nothing such! We just sat down on the bed and it..broke down", Shivaay said smacking Rudra's head at the end.

"Bhaiya aise kaise baithe aap log", Rudy said controlling his laughter and looked at Om who was also suppressing his smile.

"I don't know..we literally just sat down and-", he stopped suddenly recalling last night before he came in room. His eyes widen remembering the smile on girls' faces.

"Girls!", he said suddenly confusing other two.

"Bhaiya now you're married, don't even think about other girls", Rudra joked making Shivaay glare.

"Shut up Rudy, now I know how the bed broke, yesterday when I met girls outside the room, I asked them to take their gifts in morning but they said they don't want anything and that damn smile, now I understand", he narrowed eyes and looked towards his brothers.

"What?!", Om asked seeing his eyes.

"Don't sound like you both don't know, that was such a bad idea guys", Shivaay said with hands on his waist.

"Bhaiya, trust us on this but we don't know anything about this, I mean first we're planning to hide in your room but then choti ma caught us talking about it and we dropped it, we didn't know girls were planning this", Rudra said truthfully making Shivaay hum.

"Yeah Shivaay, neither us nor Arnav knows about this. This is entirely girls", Om clarified again.

"Okay, I trust you guys. But girls are gone today! Me and Annika knows how we slept last night", he said frowning at the couch at end.

Just then door of bathroom opened and Annika came out wearing her bracelet. She looked up and smiled widely.

"Good morning Om, Rudy", she said and went towards the Obros.

"Good morning bhabhi", Om and Rudra wished while hugging her one by one. She smiled softly hearing bhabhi.

"Rudy, make sure you don't call me bhabhi in college okay? At home, you can call me one", she told softly to him who nodded smiling.

"Bhabhi why aren't you saying same to O?", he asked frowning next moment.

"Because she knows he won't mess up", Shivaay said hitting back of his head gently.

"Hawh!", he exclaimed and looked at Annika pouting who shook her head immediately.

"Aisa nahi hai Rudy, main bolne wali thi", she said immediately glaring at Shivaay and Om, who was also controlling his smile.

"Come on Anu, we know well", Shivaay teased again making Rudy whine.

"Shivaay! Please, mat kariye na", she said hugging Rudy who showed his tongue towards his brothers.

"Okay you both get ready and come down, we're waiting for breakfast", Om said to which Shivaay and Annika nodded and both went.

Shivaay turned and looked at his wife and smiled softly. She was dressed in a simple red and white polka dot summer dress but it looked subtly beautiful on her.

[P.C: pinterest]

Her hair were open with some side braiding with no makeup just little lip gloss and kajal. She paired up her look with oxidised earrings and a simple flower pendant. She completed her look with sneakers.

"You look pretty", he said softly bringing a smile on her lips.

"Thank you though I am feeling little odd", she said sighing at end.

"Why? What happened?", he asked confused.

"Nothing happened but I am newly married and I can't wear anything like usual ones. Neither choodas nor my nuptial chain or sindoor", she said making him chuckle and cupped her cheeks.

"It's fine Anu, you're still my wife. And wearing them or not is anyways your wish, I don't have any problem if you don't wear them and trust me understanding our current situation even our family will understand this", he said softly making her hum and look down fiddling with her ring.

"Hey", he said softly raising her chin up, "accha let's do one thing, as soon as you come home, wear them okay? If that makes you happy, do it", he said making her smile softly and nod.

"Good. Now don't get sad and let's go down", he said packing her head gently making her close her eyes.

It was nothing new between them, even before wedding she was habitual of his forehead kisses but today she felt something different. Something happened in her heart as his lips touched her forehead.

"Oye", he snapped his fingers in front of her making her blink coming out of her thoughts and looked at him.

"Where are you lost? Let's go?", he asked making her nod and went to take her bag and phone.

★★

Oberois and Batras were sitting in the dining area of Oberoi mansion after deciding to have breakfast together. Shivaay and Annika came down with Annika scolding him for not making her wake up early while he just shook his head coming along.

"Finally the new couple is here", Rudra exclaimed making both of them look at the family. Shivaay and Annika looked at each other before going towards elders and touched their feet.

"Kya baat hai?! You're married just for a day and already getting so sensible Annie", Malvika teased her pressing her cheeks together making Annika whine lightly.

"What mumma! I am already very sensible", she said twisting her mouth adorably before sitting beside Shivaay. She narrowed her eyes hearing him chuckling.

"Jyada hasi nahi aa rahi aapko?", she asked making him shrug taking bread slices in his plate. Looking breakfast her eyes widen and looked towards Pinki pressing her lips.

"Sorry mom, I couldn't wake up early for my first rasoi...I asked Shivaay to wake me up early but he didn't and I forgot to keep alarm too", she said making softly and looked down.

Shivaay frowned lightly hearing her and shook his head, before holding her hand. Pinki looked towards Jhanvi and then Malvika before chuckling.

"Annika, we know you're now daughter-in-law of this family, but you're still daughter first", Pinki said smiling making Annika look at her with wide smile.

"Exactly Annika, we've seen you since you're just a newborn, you don't have to do anything to impress us, and cooking can be done anytime. We've decided that at night you can cook something sweet, that will be taken as your first rasoi", Jhanvi said assuring her.

"Puttar, agar koi rasm dil se ki jaaye toh woh kabhi bhi karo acchi maani jayegi, and we're not typical in-laws", Dadi said making Annika smile softly and nods softly.

"You guys are not in-laws for me. I have seen you, been around you guys since childhood, you're my family", Annika said making Oberois happy. Anirudh and Malvika looked at each other being happy for their daughter.

"One second, where is Aru, mom?", Annika asked not seeing her brother at the breakfast. Just then she felt someone ruffling her hair and looked up to see Arnav smiling at her.

"Already missing me huh?", he asked smirking making her roll eyes.

"Kahan tha?", she asked swatting his hand away from her hair.

"I was giving food for your Bella, ma'am", he said taking the seat on other side of Annika. She made a soft face.

"How's she? You should have brought her na", she complained.

"Really? As if this husband of yours won't have started screaming and running around", Arnav said looking at Shivaay at end with teasing smile making him roll his eyes.

"I am just..allergic to dog's fur", he said before taking sip of his coffee.

"Yeah yeah, we all very well know about your allergy", Arnav said pressing the allergy word making Shivaay glare at him to get glare in return from Annika.

"All because of you. We're meeting Bella before going college", she said making him sigh and nod.

In sometime, everyone completed their breakfast and started getting ready to leave for their respective work or college.

"Let's go along then. All five of us are here only", Shivaay said before getting up.

"Not possible Shivaay, I have to see off Khushi, she's going back for her practicals and then her exams are gonna start from next month", Arnav said bringing pout on Annika's face.

"I wish bhabhi could stay for little longer", she said making Arnav smile softly taking her in a side hug.

"It's fine, after exams she's coming back to Delhi only, not going anywhere", he said making her nod.

"And as soon as she's coming back, I am getting you guys engaged", Malvika said making Arnav sigh smiling and shrugged.

"Only if Khushi is okay with it, mumma. Chal, I will leave now, I have to drop her to airport. I will meet you guys in college", he said pecking Annika's head gently who hummed nodding.

"Okay then OmRu, you guys come with us", Shivaay said making both of them look at each other.

"Um..actually even I have to pick up Gauri, I promised her", he said nodding.

"Now where are you going?", Shivaay asked raising eyebrow.

"Obviously college Shivaay, we both are also in same college, remember. I'll come with her", he said making Shivaay hum and looked towards Rudra.

"It will take time for me to complete breakfast bhaiya, today is my last cheat day of this month", he said making Shivaay roll his eyes and Annika chuckled.

"Fine. Let's go Anu?", he said turning his face towards Annika who nodded taking her bag. Both bid bye to family and was leaving when Rudra's voice stopped them.

"Bhaiya so you ordered another bed?", he asked pressing his lips together making both of their eyes widen. Family looked at each other confused while Shivaay turned glaring at Rudra.

"Yes I did Rudy, don't worry about it, hmm?", he said with a fake smile to which Rudra pressed his lips more suppressing his laugh.

"Ek second, what happened to your bed?", Pinki asked making Shivaay and Annika look at eachother.

"Um..it..it actually broke down mom", he said scratching his temple making everyone gasp except Om and Rudra. All started looking at each other awkwardly making Annika feel embarrassed and hid herself behind Shivaay.

"Guys please! Nothing like you are thinking. We just sat down and it broke down", Shivaay said exhaling.

"Apne aap?", Malvika asked.

"No mumma, it's my dear sisters' deeds", he said making everyone including Annika look at him confused.

"Gauri and Bhavya?", she asked confused making him hum.

"Yes, including your dear bhabhi too. I am telling you Khushi is safe for now but Gauri aur Bhavya toh aaj gayi! My back is still aching because of sleeping on couch", he said making Annika hold his arm gently caressing it.

"Relax. I am not stopping you because even my neck is having sprain, it seems", she said making him look at her concerned. Elders chuckled.

"Now I understand why girls were so interested to decorate your room last night", Jhanvi said making ladies chuckle.

"Shivaay, don't do anything, it was an innocent prank they played on you. Ab woh tumhari saaliyan bhi hai, jija-saali mein chalta hai", Pinki said.

"Then even I will show them mom that awesome I am as jiju too", he said making Annika chuckle imagining her girlfriends' condition.

"Let's go now, if we'll go college then only you can do anything", she said making him hum and looked towards Rudy.

"I will see you later", he said making Rudy gulp and Om patted his shoulder controlling his laughter.

★★

Shivaay stopped the car at the parking area of college and asked her to go ahead while he parks the car. She nodded getting down taking her bag.

While going to corridor, she met Gauri and Bhayya who grinned seeing her and waved at her. Waving, she went towards them and hit on their shoulders.

"Ouch! Good morning to you too", Gauri said making Annika shake her head.

"We thought you'll wish with bright smile, Mrs. Oberoi", Bhavya teased making Annika's eyes widen and pulled them little away.

"Guys! Not in college, remember", she said to which girls nodded.

"Yeah yeah, don't worry. No one will know about you guys being married", Bhavya said.

"By the way, I didn't woke up with bright smile but sprained neck", she said looking at them with hands on her waist. Both looked at each other understanding and chuckled.

"So broke the bed huh?", Gauri asked making Annika pass a look at her.

"Nothing happened like you're thinking. We just sat down and it broke thanks to you two and bhabhi. By the way, Shivaay is really angry and grumpy over it", she said walking towards their class with them.

"Don't worry about it Annie, we know how to melt bhaiya", Bhavya said nudging her. Annika smiled softly and spotted their classmate, Zoya outside the class.

"Hey Annika, after long time", she said smiling brightly before hugging her.

"Yeah..was slightly busy in um, family functions", Annika said parting from hug.

"I guessed it that's why even Gauri and Bhavya weren't coming, you guys are family friends afterall", she replied before smiling at Gauri and Bhavya.

"Omg! Did you got engaged?", Zoya exclaimed as her eyes went on Annika's mehendi cladding hands with ring finger having ring.

Annika blinked nervously for a moment as Zoya looked at her surprised. Gauri nudged her gently making Annika smile shaking head.

"N..no, no it's nothing like that", she said nodding at last.

"But this mehendi and let's excuse it, but your ring finger is having such a beautiful ring", Zoya said holding Annika's left hand.

"My– Arnav just got engaged this week so even I applied, after all groom's sister and this ring is just like that, nothing related to me being engaged", Annika said taking her hand back before tucking her hair.

She felt bad on lying about her marriage to her friend but she knew it was not the right time. Gauri and Bhavya blinked assuring her.

"Okay guys I will leave, Rudy just sent me a message. Our class is going to start", Bhavya said and bid bye to her friends.

"Zoya, share the notes from past one week, we missed a lot of things",  Gauri said before Zoya could ask anything ahead.

"Yeah I'll share but before that, Annika, Tia is back", Zoya said making her immediately look at Zoya. Gauri also looked at Annika.

"I don't care, it's nice thoda padh hi legi toh", Annika said before moving towards class when she saw Tia coming with her friends. She smirked seeing Annika.

"Hi Annika", she said before crossing arms against her chest.

"Hi Tia. Why are you back, I mean, wow you're back!", Annika said with a fake smile making Tia raise an eyebrow.

"How are you?", Tia asked confusing Annika as well Gauri and Zoya standing there.

"Excuse me? Last time I remember We've never been in good talking terms, kind of enemies then why sudden sweetness?", Annika asked wrapping arms against her chest.

"I was just asking generally", Tia said rolling her eyes.

"Oh! Well then Tia, I am fine and doing really good in my life, hopefully you're also fine but you know, there's not need to feign any care or sweetness towards me. It won't help you to get closer to Shivaay", Annika said straightforward making Tia stand consciously.

"Oh please! I don't need your help to get closer to Shivaay because this time, I am definitely getting Shivaay", Tia said making Annika chuckle and hum. Gauri pressed  her lips together to control her laugh.

"Nice confidence Tia, but sorry to break it, Shivaay won't even look at you, like he never did in past", Annika said making Tia grit her teeth.

"You're overconfident Annika, I bet you that I will get Shivaay by end of this semester, by the farewell, Shivaay will be mine", Tia said taking a step ahead.

Annika hummed making a face like understanding her and flipped her hair back.

"You know Tia, this is not my overconfidence but trust on Shivaay that he'll choose anyone but not someone like you so bet is on. Let's see", Annika said with confidence looking in her eyes.

Tia looked at her gritting her teeth when her eyes went on Annika's hand.

"Did you got engaged or married?", Tia asked confused.

"That's none of your business. Now get aside, I come college to study, unlike you", Annika said getting inside the classroom. Gauri went behind her.

"Annie, what kind of bet is this? You're married to him, for god sake. You know Tia can go to any extreme", Gauri said whispering pulling Annika closer.

"I know Ri but I also know Shivaay more than anyone and I trust him. Anyways, life was less entertaining, let Tia do whatever she want to, her heart will be also in peace so will be my mental peace", Annika said blinking with a chuckle.

"You're sure? I am worried now", Gauri said with a concerned frown.

"Relax Ri, it's Shivaay we're talking about and I know it. Now let's get seated", Annika said making Gauri hum and both went to the middle bench.

★★

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♥️

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

Precap: Annika cooks for family

Love,
K♥️