★★

The happiness of Oberoi Mansion just increased as it could be heard the laughter and happy excited voice of the people inside it. Everyone were sitting like one big family rejoicing the happiness. After dinner, everyone were discussing about wedding.

"Mummy ji, I was thinking if we shall call the Pandit ji that Annika and Shivaay are ready for marriage and then we should proceed with other things like date of roka?", Pinki asked happily.

She was on cloud nine since the time both agreed to married. She has always treated Annika as her own daughter, she has always wished to have someone like her as her daughter-in-law but she didn't know she will get so fortune to have her herself as one.

"Yeah mummy ji, after all their birthday is next week and it's wedding so we'll need entire month for preparations. In the meanwhile we have to get them married", Jhanvi added. She was equally happy with the news. According to her, Annika is perfect for her beloved Shivaay.

"Exactly and what if they want a destination wedding? We have to prepare about that also. Maa, I think we should inform him", Malvika said. Being her always favourite, she always wished that her daughter get married to Shivaay. In that way, she'll best husband for her and in-laws like family, what else can she ask.

"I will inform him tomorrow morning itself, you three start your pre preparations before that", dadi said with a smile. She was happy for her family.

Being a great believer of love, she has noticed the spark between Annika and her billu. She knew they're still not known to their own feelings but she also knew that this wedding will just make their bond more strong.

Shivaay sighed hearing them and looked around to see Annika not in the room. He frowned in confusion and looked properly but there was no traces of them. He walked towards girls who were looking at some outfit designs on phone.

"Hey, have you seen Anu?", he asked making them look up.

"She was sitting here only while ago then she suddenly left, bhaiya", Bhavya said.

"I guess she went towards your room", Gauri added making him look at her.

"Yeah, I saw her going to that direction when you went to attend a call", Gauri informed. He nodded.

"Okay, thanks", he smiled lightly and went from there towards his room.

As assumed, she was sitting at the poolside dipping her legs inside the water, with her hands on her cheek, keeping elbows on her knees.

"Hey", he called out coming beside her. She looked at him and smiles lightly.

"Hi", she said softly and patted beside her. He smiled sitting beside her.

"At our favourite place?", he chuckled.

"I couldn't find any better place than this to clear out my mind", she chuckled back.

"I wanted to talk to you about that only. Annika, you don't have to marry me for family or just of my sake", he said and held her hand from her lap.

"It's not only about family Shivaay. Yes, partially I am doing it for them, did you noticed the happiness on their face after we agreed to marry? They're so happy", she looked at him with a smile.

"Anu, you're more important for me than other's happiness. Are you happy?", he asked.

"Of course Shiv, I mean look at the brighter side. I will be married to my best friend who understands me, with whom I am most comfortable, trust", she smile at him, "and most importantly, as you said, I am also selfish as I can't see someone being more rightful on you than me, I will always have you for me", she grinned.

"We're so selfish", he chuckled. She giggled nodding.

"Of course we are. For each other", she looked at him smiling. He smiled back and nodded.

"So.. I wanted to say something serious", he said making her look at him seriously, nodding.

"I know we're going to have a really serious and sacred relationship but we'll go with our pace, slow in every step. I can't afford being awkward with you", he said looking at her. She smiled softly and nodded.

"Even I can't. We'll stay the way we are. Best friends forever", she said holding his hand. He held it back.

"Best friends forever", he said back, smiling.

★★

Shivaay and Annika came back in the hall to see everyone standing near the main door. They looked at each other and walked towards them.

"We're leaving mumma?", Annika asked Malvika.

"Yes Annie. Papa has early morning surgery", she said softly. She nodded.

"Waise bhi in some days, you'll be coming here permanently Annie", Pinki said with a wide smile.

Annika smiled little awkwardly and nodded. She looked towards Shivaay who chuckled, she shook her head in disbelief.

"Ri, Bhavu you're staying tonight at my home, right?", Annika asked turning towards her friends.

"No Annie, even we have to inform our parents about the wedding, they are so thrilled since the time they have heard yours and Shivaay's wedding", Bhavya said with a wide smile.

Oberois, Batras, Gauri's and Bhavya's families have been good friends since the childhood of their children. They would often meet for the dinners or get togethers.

"Yaa but, it's too late now. Stay na", Annika said looking at them with sad face.

"Promise Annika, we'll have sleepover tomorrow. And anyways, we've to discuss your birthday plans too", Gauri said excitedly.

"Yeah Annie. Tomorrow for sure. Infact, we're going for shopping tomorrow so be ready by late morning", Bhavya added. Annika sighed.

"Okay", she said making them smile and hug her tightly. She giggled hugging them back.

"Gauri, Bhavya. Come I will drop you", Arnav offered. They nodded with a smile. Annika smiled at her brother. After little more talks, everyone left for their respective homes.

After changing her clothes, Annika was sitting in front of the dresser to do her night skin care routine. Her mind was distracted with everything happened in entire day. She never even thought that Adarsh would have feelings for her. Her friends were right about him.

She sighed remembering the evening. Till yesterday, Shivaay was just her best friend but after today's decision, he will turn to her husband pretty soon. She was neutral over the feelings. She was happy for one thing- She'll always be with him.

Shaking her head to clear mind, she kept the lotion bottle away and went to her bed when she heard a knock on door.

"Come in", she said confused. The door opened and Anirudh came inside smiling softly.

"Ready to sleep princess?", he asked.

"Almost papa. Come na", she patted on bed sitting there. He smiled and went to her sitting beside her.

"You'll turn 24 next week, I can't even believe my princess grew up so soon", he said softly caressing her hair. Annika smiled keeping head on his shoulder.

"I will always stay your princess, papa. Just like you're my hero always", she said softly. He pecked her forehead.

"Annika, are you happy beta?", he asked wrapping arms around her. She looked at him.

"Of course papa. I understood the situation, the reasons behind you wanting me to marry Shivaay", Annika said.

"You don't have to marry for us beta. I will protect you, we'll protect Shivaay, we'll try to find a way", he said looking at her with worried eyes.

"Papa, I am fine and I am ready to marry him. After what happened today in college and whatever he said, I realised that one day or another we might get separate and you know, what he means to me", she looked at him.

"You know, personally I always wanted Shivaay to be your husband in future but just if you're comfortable and okay with it, now when I know you're okay with it I can say one thing", he paused and cupped her cheeks.

"What papa?", she smiled seeing her father happy. He is her first love and she is always ready to do anything for her family.

"He'll be a perfect partner for you, baccha. I believe it", he said with a wide smile. She just smiled and nodded.

★★

Next morning, Annika came down waking up late. She was still in her night shorts and droopy eyes, scratching her head.

"Oh hello zombie", Arnav teased as she sat down beside him. She frowned.

"Hello alien", she said back and nudged his shoulder eyeing the milk bottle. He shook his head and passed it to her.

"Did you even brushed?", he asked giving it to her and also passed museli.

"I am not like you, I have freshen up. Just bath is left", she twisted her mouth. He chuckled serving a pancake in her plate.

"I can't have so much, Aru", she looked at him.

"Shh! Have it. You are not eating well these days. I like my elephant, not interested in having ostrich", he said making her look at him in disbelief.

"You can be sweet, you know right", she chuckled. He shrugged giving her fruits. She sighed having them.

"Btw, what are you gifting me this time?", she grinned looking towards him.

"Who said I am gifting something to you? You got the biggest gift having this on same day of your birth", he said pointing at himself with a smug smile.

"Haha! Nice joke. I have got better gifts than you", she teased. He frowned.

"I am your elder brother Annie", he sulked.

"Just 15 minutes, big brother", she chuckled, "now tell me, what am I getting?", she wriggle her eyebrows. He chuckled at her.

"You're so irritating, no gifts", he said looping arm around her neck and took a spoonful of her cereal stuffing in her mouth.

"You say it every year Aru. I know a surprise is awaiting for me", she grinning after chewing cereals. He smiled softly and pecked her forehead.

He may don't show his love publicly for her but his sister is his entire heart.

"So.. It's our birthday this weekend. Is Khushi bhabhi coming?", she asked with a teasing smile.

"Jeez Annie! What's this bhabhi yaar. She is of our age, FYI", he rolled eyes frowning.

"So? You're my brother..oops sorry elder brother and she is your future wife so technically, she is my bhabhi", she shrugged.

"Still, don't do this bhabhi and all. We're still so young, man!", he shook his head.

"So what? Bhabhi is bhabhi. Whatever age", she giggled. He shook his head but then smiles raising eyebrows.

"Yeah right. Like I should start calling Shivaay as jeeju now", he teased making her look at him and parted, tucking her hair behind the ear.

"Shut up! And anyways, I am younger than you", she muttered.

"Just 15 minutes right?", he giggled. She sighed giving him a look.

"Hey guys", they turned around to see Shivaay standing there with a smile. Annika smiled softly.

"Good morning Shivaay", he smiled walking towards the dining table.

"Yeah, good morning jeeju", Arnav said controlling his laugh. Annika groaned looking at him and frowned.

"Huh?", Shivaay looked at them confused.

"Ignore him Shiv. How come you're here so early morning?", she asked turning towards him. He chuckled.

"It's 10 in morning, Anu", he said tapping on his watch.

"Yeah. Just 10 Shivaay", she nodded in obvious way. Arnav giggled making Shivaay sigh and chuckle.

"What?", she frowned in confusion, looking at both of them. They shook their head.

"I actually came to say that, event planner is coming by late afternoon so you both stay at home itself at that time", Shivaay told.

"Okay. I have to go to office after that I will be at home", Arnav said. He and Annika are doing their internship at their mother's interior designing company. They are one of the leading companies in India at interior field.

"Oh shoot! I had to go on shopping with Gauri and Bhavya. I am going to get ready", she stuffed the pancake in her mouth and rushed towards her room.

"Annika.. An- this girl, always a bullet train", Arnav sighed. Shivaay nodded.

"She is always in hurry. Anyways, I need to rush to office too. See you in evening, buddy", he said patting his shoulder. Arnav got up and nodded.

"See you in evening and yeah, pick up Annie and girls if you get free. You know when they starts shopping, they don't stop", he said making Shivaay laugh.

"Yup. I know. Bye then", Shivaay said. Arnav nodded and he went from there.

★★

Hey guys! Thanks for your votes and comments on previous chapters. 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: Shivaay, Annika and Arnav's birthday

Love,
K♥️