A long chapter ;)
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★★

Annika sat down near her window and dialled to Gauri. She was not getting sleep after the events of the night and she wanted to talk about it to someone. Usually, she calls Shivaay but of course, she couldn't talk over this topic with him.

So, she decided to call her soul sister. Cherry on top, Bhavya was having a sleepover at her house helping her to talk out with both her girls. She even thought of connecting Khushi but left the thought thinking she might be sleeping.

"Hey! Annie, yaar you should have come. We're having the sleepover at the terrace and watching three of ours favourite movie", Gauri said slightly whining.

"We're missing you, yaar!", Bhavya's voice came from little distance.

"Guys!! Code P", Annika exclaimed making both of them quiet and sit properly. Well, code P is their secret code which means, problem.

"What happened Annie? You had dinner at Oberois right?", Gauri asked.

"Exactly! That's why you didn't even came for sleepover", Bhavya added as Gauri kept call on speaker.

"It would have been better if I would have gone came to you for sleepover", she muttered anxiously.

"Annika! Hua kya hai?", Gauri exclaimed getting worried.

"Raita phail gaya hai yaar!", Annika said getting more anxious.

"Annie, calm down and tell us everything", Bhavya asked calmly.

Annika took a deep breath and started explaining them about the marriage amd the reasons from the evening's talk. Both looked at each other shocked and surprised.

"What?", both exclaimed together.

"Yeah! And now they're saying he and I should marry anyhow as we're each other's protectors and made for each other. He is my goddamn best friend guys!", Annika said.

They hummed and then there was a silence on other side scaring Annika.

"Ri! Bhavu! Where are you?", Annika shouted.

"Here here! We're just...thinking over this!", Bhavya said. Annika sighed.

"I mean after the reasons and your past history, one thing I believe is, you two do safe each other from evil and danger", Gauri said.

"Yeah, like you're always praying for him, you save him asking god to keep him away from evil and he is mostly always there when you're stuck in biggest to smallest problems", bhavya agreed.

"Isn't that what best friends are for?", Annika said confused.

"Of course it is but, that's how soulmates are too, aren't they?", Bhavya said.

"What rubbish Bhavu!", Annika frowned, "soulmates and all".

"She is not completely wrong Annie. I mean, it's actually nice if you marry your best friend", Gauri said.

"Oh really? Explain", Annika rolled eyes.

"Annie! First, he know you completely, like your likes dislikes, choices, point of views. He handles your moods like no one else. He pampers you, treats you well, take care of you. I mean don't a girl wishes these things only from their partner?", Gauri said making Annika quiet and think over it.

"Exactly and secondly, if the point is love? It can happen after marriage too Annika. Like come on, we're in India and most the marriages here happens arranged. That's a different point that your parents and his had love marriage", Bhavya added.

"And Annie, think over it. You don't have any boyfriend and eventually you'll be marrying someone of your parents choice at last. Even after courtship and knowing him before, you won't know him as well as Shivaay and please, we all know he is an open book. Only to you", Gauri said.

"Guys but, I have never seen Shivaay in that way", Annika muttered.

"Take time Annika, it's okay. The biggest thing you wished ever made for life partner is, understanding and Shivaay Bhaiya, he understands you like no one else. He will give you time. He himself will need time", Bhavya explained.

"And the biggest point, you're his saviour as per your horoscope. Won't you like to be his protector?", Gauri said making Annika tongue tied.

"Think over it Annie, as per me, he will be the best man for you. I am not saying it as his friend, I am saying as both of yours", Gauri said.

"And now what we're talking over it, me and Gauri have shipped you", Bhavya added shocking Annika.

"I... I will think over it guys. I will see you tomorrow?", Annika asked.

"Yeah, you will but think over it Annie, you know we both love you", Gauri said. Annika nodded.

"Yeah. Love you too. Bye", she said and kept the call. Keeping phone against her chest, she looked out of the window and sighed. Her eyes went to his window that is adjacent opposite to hers, to see the lights on.

★★

Shivaay was sitting at poolside with his hands on his face thinking over the dinner time and the talks. He didn't imagined Annika in that way, ever but now, after the talks, he was having second thoughts on seeing her just as a best friend.

He was lost in her thoughts when he felt a pat on his shoulder and next moment, Om was sitting beside him.

"Hope you don't mind?", he asked.

"Come on Om, you and me are best friends more than brothers", Shivaay said patting his hand. Om nodded.

"If we're really best friends then share, the things you're going in your mind", he said making Shivaay sigh and rubbed his face.

"I..I don't know Om. Annika is my best friend. I care about her, infact, I love her but as a friend. I never thought about her in that way. She is an important woman of my life but as my.. wife?", Shivaay sighed.

"Shivaay, I would suggest you to think over this properly but one thing I would say is, she is perfect for you. Like imagine, what you wished from your wife. Understanding, caring, supportive, loving towards our family. Annika is everything in this", Om said.

"That doesn't make her my soulmate", Shivaay objected.

"Agreed. But remember once you said, you want someone like Annika and that's the reason why you don't have girlfriend till now", Om said making Shivaay's eyes widen and over his mouth.

"Shh, if someone will hear, they'll think I feel for her in that way", Shivaay said removing hand, "and that's right, because Annika is perfect girl according to me", Shivaay added.

"Then why don't you want that perfect girl. Shivaay, see Annika is perfect for you, loves our family and understand it like no one else. And if you're thinking about love, then you two like each other enough that it can turn into love in future. You'll eventually fall for each other", Om said making him sigh.

"What will she think about me?", he said slowly.

"We know Annika, Shivaay. She also keeps our families and specially you before anything", Om said with a chuckle. Shivaay sighed nodding.

"Love can happen after marriage too Shivaay and you both already like each other even if as best friends and the comfort you share is next level", Om shrugged. He nodded.

"Think over it", Om pat his back. Shivaay nodded again. Om was leaving when Shivaay stopped him.

"Thanks Om", he said softly still sitting.

"Anytime brother", Om smiled and went from there. After sometime, Shivaay went back to his room and sat down the couch with a sigh. His eyes went to Annika's home through curtains to see the lights on of her room.

★★

Next few days, students were busy for the exams, including Shivaay and Annika. Fortunately, there was no awkwardness between them but none of them were picking up the topic over marriage. They behaved as if that topic didn't even existed, when they're with each other.

Their friends who were anticipated regarding their decision got irked seeing their behaviour. Even when they tried to talk over the topic, Shivaay and Annika would change it smartly.

In all this because of the studies, Annika was found most of the time in library and this gave Adarsh chance to stay around her. He would be present there when Annika would come. She finding him no trouble, would talk to him because of them sharing the same liking towards basketball.

Shivaay would get annoyed seeing this and even tried to stop Annika but she convinced him saying that Adarsh is just trying to be friend and is no threat. Shivaay also neely found jealousy seeing her being friendly around him but didn't voiced out being confused about his feelings these days.

"Annika, wait", Gauri called out stopping Annika.

"Where are you going?", she asked ahead.

"Oh! Shivaay, he needed some books from library other day but he forgot so I thought maybe issue it for him", she said showing two books in her arms.

"He is in accounts class right? I am also coming, Om is irritating me with shayaris", Gauri exclaimed. Annika chuckled and nodded.

They were going from the ground towards library when suddenly Adarsh came in front scaring Annika and Gauri.

"Oh god! You scared us Adarsh", Annika said keeping hand on her chest.

"Sorry. Hey!", he said smiling softly and then towards Gauri. Gauri just passed a small smile.

"Hi, you had any work?", Annika asked. She clearly knew that none of her friends were liked Adarsh. Even she wasn't too close to him, just some talks.

"Can friends only meet for work?", he smiled making Annika smile lightly shaking head.

"But yeah, you didn't come to library today?", he asked again.

"Oh! I had to issue some books for Shiv. He is being looking for these but didn't got time to issue", she said softly.

"Ohh! I see. So later?", he asked again.

"She won't be coming to college for next one week. It's Arnav bhai, Shivaay bhaiya and Annika's birthday in few days. They share it. Actually they're even born on same day", Gauri said with a smile. Annika rolled eyes shaking head seeing her friend. Adarsh just passed a fake smile.

"Okay bye", Gauri said and held Annika's hand starting to go again.

"Annika..", Adarsh called out making her turn. Gauri turned with an irritated sigh.

"Since you won't be coming tomorrow, I wanted to say something", Adarsh said and came down on his knees. Her eyes widen seeing this and took some steps back.

"Wh..what are you doing Adarsh?", she exclaimed shocked.

"Let me say Annika, please. The first time I saw you in the party, I fell for you. You're the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and I love you", Adarsh said making Annika cup her mouth. The students started surrounding them. Gauri who noticed this immediately took out her phone and dialled to Om.

"Hey Gauri, where are you? See, search Annika and come to class room. Me, Shivaay and—", he stopped as Gauri started speaking from other side.

"Om! There's some problem here in ground. Take them and come here", Gauri whisper yelled. Om got up and heard the students hooting from the other side.

"What is it Om?", Shivaay asked seriously seeing his face. Om kept the call on speaker.

"That Adarsh is proposing Annika. Come here fast, Om", she said loudly going to Annika.

"What the- we're coming there Gauri, handle Anu", Shivaay said stormed out of the classroom.

There, Annika was too shocked to register the things. Whenever Shivaay said her to stay away from him, she thought it's his possessiveness. She never thought Adarsh actually had feelings for her.

"Annika, you're the only thing I think nowadays. I just want reasons to spend time with you, talk to you. Will you be my girlfriend?", he said looking at her dreamily.

Annika opened her mouth to say but before any word could leave her mouth, she saw Arnav and others coming towards them. Shivaay was visibly angry. His eyes were red with jaw clenched.

"I told you stay away from Annika. Don't you get it in mind?", Shivaay said picking him up from the ground, clutching his collars. Annika gasped and looked towards Arnav who kept hand on her shoulder, pressing it in comfort.

"We told you, stay away. We've male instinct, baccha", he said softly to Annika. She looked at him still shocked not knowing what to say.

"Who are you to say that to me!?", Adarsh said looking directly in his eyes.

"Her best friend, get it?", Shivaay said loudly clutching his collars tightly. Om came ahead to hold him.

"She is not a kid or your puppet, she can say for herself. Annika, say something", he said looking towards her.

"I...I don't think about you in that way", she said slowly. Shivaay smirked and shook him a bit making him look towards himself.

"Got your answer? Take this in your mind", he said tapping his temple, "stay away from my Anu, else you have to face consequences", Shivaay said in a deep voice, emphasising on every word.

"Shivaay, leave him. Faltu mein scene create ho raha hai, authority can come", Om said from behind holding back Shivaay. Shivaay glanced at him for a moment before leaving Adarsh with a jerk.

"Stay away", Shivaay clicked his fingers, pointed towards him and turned to go from there. Gauri also turned Annika and all started to leave.

"Annika, I love you", Adarsh said again, more loudly making Shivaay close his eyes and turned back, hitting directly on his jaw.

"I said, stay away!", he shouted glaring at him.

"And I said, she is not your puppet. She can talk for herself. You're a friend, stay in limit", Adarsh said and hit back Shivaay, bringing out blood from his lips. Annika was shocked hearing it.

"He is my best friend Adarsh and he has all rights on me", Annika shouted making Shivaay turn back at Adarsh.

"You're gone", he muttered and hit him again. Both got involved in a fight. While Shivaay was giving him good hits, Adarsh was no less.

"Shivaay stop", all of them were trying to stop him but Shivaay gave deaf ears to them. At last, Arnav came ahead, coming between both of them.

"Shivaay stop it. You've beat him enough. Stop it, leave", he said stopping him, keeping hands on his chest. He was fuming towards Adarsh.

"Leave me Arnav, I will tell him who I am", Shivaay said trying to come out of his arms but Om too held him.

"Come, even I will show who Adarsh is. Annika why-", he stopped as Arnav hit him hardly on jaw.

"Meri behen ka naam apne muh se mat lena! Stay away from her", Arnav glared furiously and both, him and Om started taking Shivaay away from there.

Adarsh looked up wiping the blood from corner of his lip to see Annika look at him with displeasure.

"Annika I-", she showed her hand stopping him.

"I hate you Adarsh. Don't even show your face to me", she said bitterly and went from there holding Gauri's hand.

★★

She came inside the corridor to see Shivaay walking ahead everyone in anger. She walked fastly towards him and held his arm making him turn jerking.

"I told you, stay away from him. Pagal dikhta hun main? I will say something because of reason Annika. I noticed it since the first time he met you. His intentions were no where just friendly", he shouted making her flinch closing eyes.

"Tum sach mein pagal ho! Kuch ho jata toh? Who asked you to be such heroic and beat him like that. See how injured you are", she shouted back holding his jaws softly, he turned his head other side.

"And the nonsense he was talking? I love you, I love you. He is fortunate Arnav and Om stopped me else even I don't know what I would have done to him", he said still with anger in his voice.

"Of course and then get into the trouble. Didn't you thought about me? What if something would have happened to you Shivaay. I have to protect you and you're going ahead giving you in danger", she said making him look at her with soft eyes.

"All I am thinking these days is you, Annika", he said slowly making her look at him. He gulped and looked away. She sighed and held his hand.

"I need to talk to you but first, let's get your first aid done", she muttered taking him towards the clinic room.

Reaching to the clinic, she herself took the kit and started treating his bruises on face and knuckles. She tried her best to stay calm and slow but whenever he hissed, she would stop hissing along. Others chuckled seeing this.

"You wanted to talk", he said as she put the bandage on his forehead. She was going to speak when a peon came there.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi, principal is calling you", he said making Annika worried.

"Okay, I am coming", he said and peon went.

"I told you, don't fight. See, principal is calling you", she said looking at him with frown.

"Relax. I didn't do anything wrong", he said taking back his hand and left for the principal's office.

Others followed him behind and stopped nearby the cabin. After sometime, even Adarsh came there and looked towards Annika, she immediately turned her face other side. Meanwhile, Rudra and Bhavya came there to see others standing near the principal room.

"We heard about what happened. I always knew this Adarsh had eyes on you", Bhavya said with frown.

"Only I am the fool here who never noticed it", Annika muttered making Arnav wrap arm around her shoulder.

"It's nothing such, Annie. You always see the good in people", he said and pecked her temple.

Just then, Shivaay came out along with Adarsh. Passing a glare towards him, he walked back towards his friend who looked at him anticipated.

"What did he said?", Annika asked looking towards him. He shrugged.

"Suspended me for a week from college. Anyways we're not going to come college that time", he said making Annika shocked.

"What about him?", Arnav asked.

"He is also suspended, for two weeks. One for getting into fight and another for proposing in a girl in premise violating the discipline", Shivaay said making them nod.

"Waise, isn't this deja vu?", Rudra said making them look at him.

"Aree, remember in school, bhaiya got in fight for didi when a boy proposed her and that time too, he got suspended, same just two weeks before their exams", Rudra said with smile making everyone except, Annika and Shivaay, look at him in disbelief.

"What's there to smile on that Rudy?", Bhavya said hitting on his arm.

"Nahi woh toh, nostalgia ho gaya na", he muttered and twisted lips when others rolled their eyes.

"It's true, he has always been in trouble because of me and dadi says I am his protector", Annika muttered making Shivaay sigh and took her in his embrace.

"You've saved my life too, Anu. Shut up", he said against her hair. She didn't say anything but hugged him.

"Let's go to home then? Mom messaged Annika's family is at Oberoi Mansion itself", Om said. Others nodded, along with Bhavya and Gauri.

★★

They reached Oberoi Mansion to see both families sitting together, laughing over some old memories. Pinky, who's eyes went on Shivaay stood up shocked.

"Oh my mata! Shivaay! What happened to you?", she rushed towards him and cupped his face.

"Mom I am fine, just got into a small fight", he said with a small smile, pressing her palm on his cheek.

"But how? What happened and Annika? You look dull!", Malvika asked.

"Mom I'll tell", Arnav said and explained everything that happened in college. Pinky looked towards Annika and then back at Shivaay.

"I am sorry aunty. Because of me, he got into the trouble and injured too. Even got suspended for a week", Annika said tears forming in her eyes.

"Shh, chup kar!", Pinki said taking her in a hug, Annika hugged her trying to control her tears.

"Baccha, if he is my son, you're my daughter too. And, you're each other's best friends. Shivaay did right", Pinki said kissing her hair. Annika just hummed sniffling.

"I wanted to say something", Shivaay said gaining everyone attention. Annika looked at him as he glanced towards her before looking at others.

"I am ready to marry her", he said with a confident voice surprising everyone. Annika too looked at him surprised.

"Not just because of your horoscope thing or she will save me but because, I want to save her and more importantly, I can't loose her. After today's incident, I realised that one day someone will actually marry her and will have more right than me, which I can't digest. Call it selfishness or my fear, I always want her to be with me. Because Annika pe sabse jyada haq family ke baad, mera hai", he said and looked towards her in last. She was looking at him emotionally.

"That's nice billu but what does Annika puttar has to say?", dadi said looking towards Annika. She licked her lips and tooled towards Shivaay then others.

"Today, when he said that Shivaay is just my best friend and he should know his limits, I realised that in future, maybe someone else can also say it. Shivaay is most important to me after my parents and brother. I can't let someone else take his place or try it. Also, if me marrying him, protects him from evil and give him prosperity, what else would I want for him. I don't want to leave him, for my entire life as it would be impossible for me", she said feeling emotional.

"I will marry Shivaay because I can't leave him. I can't live without him", she said making him look at her. He softly held her hand.

"I am always with you. I promise", he said making teary and hug him. He hugged her back. After today's incident, she got a fear that maybe in future someone ask her to leave him, which is impossible for her.

Both the family got happy seeing this. Malvika and Jhanvi hugged each other happily. Pinki had happy tears in her eyes. Even older men of the family were happy to see their friendship turning to relationship.

"Okay then, it's decided. Within one month after Arnav, billu and Annika's birthday, he and Annika will get married", dadi said with a smile.

"Wohooo!", the youngsters got happy and excited to see their friends wedding married. And all hugged Annika and Shivaay tightly.

"Get aside, let me hug my daughter-in-law and son", Pinki exclaimed with tears as they parted and pulled Shivaay, Annika in a hug.

She looked towards him who looked back at her with a soft smile. She smiled back hugging Pinki.

★★

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♥️

Well finally, Shivaay and Annika are ready for wedding😁 but do you think, Adarsh won't come to their life now?🤔

Anyways, hope you liked the chapter. Do tell me how it was😁

Precap: Shivaay, Annika and poolside talks.

Love,
K♥️