Hello everyone!😊

Pictures in the chapter is from pinterest 😊

★★

Annika was sleeping calmly in her room, completely covering the bed. Snoring softly, she was lost in her imaginary world when two loud knocks were heard simultaneously on the window and door of her room.

She woke up abruptly hearing the knocks but sighed hearing the voices ahead and face palmed.

"Anu, open the window. It's me!", Shivaay shouted in low voice.

"Annie! Open the door. It's me!", Arnav said from behind the door.

"Seriously guys? You could have come together", she said in disbelief.

"We've challenged that who wishes you first", Arnav saud from outside. She rolled eyes.

"Grow up guys!", she frowned and looked at both thinking which one to open first.

"Anu, open the door or you'll find your best friends with broken bones", Shivaay said out loudly from outside.

"Hawh! Shut up!", she sighed seeing both of her important men standing on either side.

"Okay listen, I will open the locks and then as I say, come, you'll open the door and window so it will be no cheating. I can't choose na", she said cutely at last.

"Fine", both said after a pause. She quickly opened the lock of door and then window.

"Okay, come in", she said and both came inside running and together, hugged her tightly.

"Happy birthday Annie/Anu!", both screamed in her ear. She closed eyes scrunching.

"Guys!! Calm down", she giggled holding both of them from either side.

"It was tie, buddy", Arnav said smiling after they parted from Annika. Shivaay smiled sharing a brotherly hug with him.

"Happy birthday brother", both wished each other. Annika smiled widely seeing this.

"You guys better stop making me bait in your bets", she pouted at them. They chuckled and Arnav pulled her cheek lightly.

"Aww, sorry bacha! Happy birthday", he wished taking her in a hug. She smiled hugging him back.

"Happy birthday Aru!", she wished smiling widely. He picked her a bit hugging her tightly. She giggled.

"Can I get my best friend for a moment?", Shivaay asked making the siblings look at him.

"Jealous", Arnav twisted mouth dropping Annika on feet. She chuckled walking to him.

"Of course I am", he said an eyebrow taking Annika in a hug. She giggled hugging him.

"Happy birthday Anu", he muttered against her shoulder.

"Happy birthday Shiv", she grinned hugging him tightly. He hugged her firmly, pressing her body lightly. She patted his back.

"What is happening here", Malvika and Anirudh came inside worried, hearing all shouts. They got confused seeing trio in room.

"It's 12, mom dad!", Arnav said making them smile widely.

"Omg! My babies are an year older now", Malvika exclaimed and hugged three of them tightly. They chuckled hugging her back. Anirudh too came ahead and hugged them wishing happy birthday. He even got emotional while hugging Annika.

"Oh my mata! Everyone is already here?", Pinki walked inside the room with other Oberois. They're all in their night suits.

"We got late because of cake, I told you to keep it early Pinki", Jhanvi said.

"Jethani ji, you were the one who called me to see the gifts. I forgot in this na", Pinki said back.

"Offo! Chup karo tum dono, we've come to wish kids right?", dadi said with a smile. Both nodded and walked inside with dadi. Shakti and Tej followed behind.

All of them wished birthday to three of them, blessing them with all success.

OmRu came ahead hugging the three of them tightly, wishing them birthday when Annika's phone started ringing. It was Bhavya and Gauri's group video call.

"Happy birthday Annie!", both exclaimed as soon as Annika picked up the call. Annika smiled widely.

"Thank you so much guys. I was waiting for your call", Annika said looking at them.

"This Gauri drooped yaar! I woke her up and then called you", bhavya said to which Gauri made faces.

"Okay now, let's cut the cake, else the icing will melt", Rudra said eyeing the chocolate cake on the table in middle of the room. Everyone laughed hearing him.

They're just about to cut the cake when Arnav's phone started ringing making him. He took out the phone and as he guessed, Khushi was video calling him.

"Omg! How romantic. Bhabhi called you huh!", Annika said in sappy way, teasing him. He glared at her playfully and picked up the call.

"Hey", he said softly with a smile. Khushi smiled widely from other side.

"Happy birthday Arnav", she said smiling widely.

"Bhabhi, you can add I love you if you want", Annika peeked in from behind making the couple blush. He glared at her making her poke her tongue out at him.

"Hey Annie! Happy birthday", she said smiling widely at Annika. She shares a beautiful bond with her sister-in-law.

"Thank you so much bhabhi, when are you coming? I was expecting you yesterday itself", Annika pouted sadly.

"Dekh na Annie! I was also planning to come yesterday itself but then this hospital where I am going my internship, they conducted an impromptu practical", Khushi said sadly.

"But don't worry, I am going tomorrow in morning flight itself", she added making Annika smile widely. Arnav also smiling widely hearing it.

"We're waiting for you bhabhi, specially Aru! Look at the 440 watt smile on his face", Annika giggled. Khushi chuckled seeing it and blushed lightly.

"Where is Shivaay? I am sure he must be around you", Khushi chuckle making Annika smile softly and turn the phone towards Shivaay.

"Hey Shivaay. Happy birthday", Khushi wished him too. He thanked and both talked for a while before he gave back the call to Arnav. They shared few words before he kept call.

After that, the three of them cut the cake with hoots from OmRu and girls in background. Everyone sang the song and they fed the cake to each other before turning towards their family and feeding everyone.

"I feel so overwhelmed that all of you came in my room to celebrate our birthday", Annika said emotionally with shiny eyes. Shivaay, standing beside him, took her in a comforting side hug.

"Come on Annika, you kids are so special to us", Jhanvi said smiling softly.

"Exactly! You kids are our live, Annie", Pinki said patting Rudra's cheek beside her. He smiled cheekily.

"Now come on, don't make each other cry. I don't want to cry along", dadi said chuckling making other chuckle along.

"Mummy ji, also tell them about what pandit ji said", Pinki asked excitedly. Shivaay and Annika look at each other clueless.

"I will tell that in morning, everyone must be sleepy now. Let's go back to sleep", dadi said making everyone agree. Wishing each other good night, everyone started leaving when Shivaay stopped and turned towards her.

"I have something for you", he said softly.

"Already gifts?", she giggled. He chuckled nodding.

"Of course and this one is really special", he said softly making her smile and nod. He held her hand and brought her in front of dresser.

"What are you..", she stopped as he kept his finger on her lips.

"Shh, just close your eyes", he said softly in her ear and kept hand on her eyes. She chuckled closing eyes with a smile. He smiled taking out a box from his pocket and took out a pendant from it.

"You can open your eyes", he said after tying the pendant around her neck. She gently opened her eyes and gasped. It was a thin gold pendant with moon in middle and two stars dangling down.

"This is..so beautiful Shivaay", she exclaimed touching it. He smiled holding her shoulders from behind.

"As you love stars and moon, I bought this from my first salary, personalised for you", he said softly. She looked at him through the mirror feeling touched.

"This is really special, you invested your first salary for me. I will always wear it", she said softly. He smiled widely.

"I have a gift too", she said and went to her closet and came back hiding something at her back.

"What is it?", he asked narrowing eyes.

"I made something for you", she grinned and took out his gift from her back. He looked at her hands and smiles widely.

"I made a scrapbook for you. It has all your memories till now. With me, Om Rudy, our entire family because I know how special our family is to you", she said making him smile at her.

"So thoughtful. Thank you Anu", he said taking it and opened to see their pictures from childhood. Their first birthday, first day to school, picnics and trips with families and friends. These are the memories that he cherish it and his Anu just gave him a perfect gift.

"Liked it?", she asked nervously. He chuckled taking her in a hug wrapping his arm around her neck and waist, "I loved it."

She smiled widely hugging him back wishing him birthday again. He wished her back feeling blessed to share the day with his best friend.

★★

Next morning, everyone were at Oberoi mansion having breakfast after coming back from temple. Dadi cleared her throat making everyone look at her.

"I called pandit ji last evening and told Annika and billu's decision", dadi started making both of them look at each other with a small smile.

"He said that he is happy that we are going according to their kundalis, but he can't come Delhi as they're organizing a jagrata at our ancestor's temple so we have to go there", Dadi added making everyone talk about it to each other.

"Dadi but is it important for everyone to go there? I mean, we can have college and they have their own works", Shivaay asked dadi.

"Puttar it's important for us to go there, you have to take blessings from god, pandit ji, he has to look out for a date of your wedding, we have only one month after today", dadi explained.

"Don't worry Shivaay, we can handle office, managers are there", Tej said and Shakti agreed with him.

"Even I am little free from surgeries these days and Malvika can leave her office in hands of workers for few days, right?", Anirudh said turning towards his wife. She nodded smiling.

"Of course Anirudh, and Shivaay you guys are having exams in few days, your course is completed, you can take holidays. It's important", Malvika said.

Shivaay sighed and looked towards Annika who was already looking at him, she shrugged. Even Om and Rudra blinked.

"As you guys say and think, aunty", Shivaay said with a smile. Elders smiled widely and nodded.

"Then stay ready, we'll be leaving for temple tomorrow morning and will be staying there for three days, let's take the opportunity to take part in jagrata too", dadi said. Everyone agreed.

"Dadi, for now, can we leave to organise for the party. Gauri and Bhavya must be coming", Om said.

"We're here", Bhavya said from behind. They were holding paper bags. Annika got up from her seat and rushed, hugging them tightly.

"Happy birthday Annie", they shouted in her ear. She giggled hugging them tightly.

"Thank you so so much guys!", she said patting from them, "finally you came, I was waiting", Annika complained.

"Traffic yaar but don't worry, we have come with our dress for the evening too so no going back till tomorrow. You guys are going somewhere tomorrow", Gauri asked.

"We're going to temple tomorrow and you both are coming along, I will talk to aunties, it will be a small outing", Annika said excitedly. Both smiled widely agreeing with a nod. Later Annika showed the pendant Shivaay gifted her and all were talking over it, gushing on it.

"Girls, shall we?", Om asked as boys came to them. Elders left to prepare for next day's trip.

"Oh yeah! We have to look for the arrangements at backyard too. Annie, take these bags along with you at home okay, bye", both gave their bags to her and left with Rudra and Om to backyard.

"Aru! When is Khushi bhabhi coming?", Annika whined.

"Quiet woman! I am going to airport only, to pick up your bhabhi", Arnav said quoting the word at last getting irritated from her ranting since morning. Shivaay chuckled seeing him trying to hide the blush.

"Go fast", she pouted making Arnav shake his head in disbelief and went hitting on her head.

"What can I do for you, milady?", Shivaay asked making her giggle softly.

"You can go and check out your outfit for tonight as I am going home to pamper myself", she said winking.

"Fine. But in afternoon, I want to steal sometime of yours", he said. She smiled agreeing to it. Saying bye to him, she went from there.

★★

Annika was sitting in the hall at her home, talking to Gauri and Bhavya when she heard sound of car stopping at the main door. She stood up excitedly and in few minutes, Khushi came inside looking at Annika with a wide smile.

She smiled widely and rushed to Khushi hugging her tightly. Khushi giggled dropping her handbag on ground and hugged her back.

"Happy birthday Annie!", she exclaimed as they swayed together.

"Thank you so much bhabhi, I was waiting for you since morning that I irritated Aru at last", Annika said giggling. Arnav came from behind with her luggage and smiled seeing them.

"Now I am here, I wanted to come sooner but better late than never", Khushi said and they parted. Khushi looked towards Arnav who nodded.

"What's going on?", Annika asked suspiciously.

"Wait and watch. First let me meet Ri and Bhavya", she said with a coy smile and turned to girls hugging them tightly.

"Where is mumma papa?", Khushi asked referring to twins' parents.

"They're at Oberoi mansion", she turned back to see Arnav coming side with a basket. The handles were tied with a red ribbon.

"What is it bhai?", she asked smiling confused.

"Your gift from me and Khushi", he said keeping it on floor. Annika came ahead and opened the box to hear a bark and jumped back.

"Awww! Omg! Bhai! Bhabhi.. This", she said in awe kneeling down. A golden retriever puppy was sticking out it's face looking at her.

She took it in her arms and the puppy started licking her face and neck, tickling her. She giggled holding it to her face and cuddles it closer. It let out a soft bark.

"Bhai! Golden retriever? My dream, thank you so much", she grinned looking at her brother.

"It was Khushi's idea to gift you something which you are asking since long and something which always stay close to her. I thought what will be better than this puppy", he said side hugging Khushi. She smiles.

"Thank you so much both of you, I loved him", she said cooing at last towards the puppy.

"It's her Annika, she is a female puppy", Khushi said. Annika nodded looking at her and then looked at her puppy.

"What should we name you bachu? Huh?", she said playing with her paws. She let out a bark again.

"Annie! Think something which matches her look or personality", Gauri said and she and Bhavya messaged puppy's head.

"Hmm. How about Bella? She has golden hair and she is so beautiful", Annika suggested looking at others.

"That's great Annie! It suits her perfectly", Bhavya said.

"Yes Annie, it's perfect. Her name will be Bella", Khushi added. Annika grinned and looked at Bella who barked towards her.

"Seems like Bella liked her name", Annika said moving her paws. Bella barked again.

"She did", Arnav grinned. Annika got up dropping Bella on her paws and went to him, hugging him tightly. He smiled hugging her back and kissed above her hair.

"Thank you so much bhai now my gift is so small in front of yours", she pouted.

"Hey Annie!", he frowned, "anything from my sister is precious to me than anything in this world", he said cupping her cheeks. She smiles softly.

"Now where is my gift?", he held out his hands demanding making her giggle. She showed a finger and rushed towards her room. She came back holding a square frame behind her back.

"Show it now, I can't wait", he said making her chuckle and held out towards him. He looked at it and a wide smile formed on his lips.

"How much ever we fight, trouble each other, you always have my back. You have been with me in all my thick and thins, you mean the world to me, Aru! I love you so much", she said making him look at her emotionally and took her in a hug. She smiled widely hugging him back.

"You made it for me?", he asked with teary eyes. She smiled nodding at him.

"I loved it. Thank you, bacha", he said kissing her hair. She smiled widely.

"Hey! No hug moment without us, right Gauri and Bhavya?", Khushi said and other two nodded. Twins giggled and opened arms taking them in a group hug.

★★

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♥️

Also, again a lots of thanks for being so patient. I was about to update yesterday but because of less network, pictures were not attaching and I really wanted to show them. Thanks for being with me😊

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

Precap: birthday party; Shivaay's surprise for Annika.

Love,
K♥️