|••|

It was a night before Malika and Arnav's wedding. Men and ladies were having separate bachelor parties for the bride and groom. While ladies too the terrace area, boys took the pool side of resort.

All the men were drinking when Om noticed seeing Shivaay standing little away having the glass in his hand, looking around. He went towards his brother and patted his back. Shivaay turned and smiles lightly taking a sip.

"What happened? Why are you standing here?", Om asked looking at Shivaay.

"Nothing such Om. Just felt like having some silence around. You know, I am not a party person", Shivaay chuckled at last.

"Why don't you go out and have some air then?", he suggested.

"No man! It's Arnav's last night as bachelor and he is my best friend. It won't look good. Maybe we could have kept party along with ladies, it would have been fun", Shivaay said muttering the last line. Om smirked as he heard last line.

"Now I understand why you're not liking the party. Annika isn't here after all", Om teased earning a look from Shivaay.

"It's not like I am not enjoying with you guys. From past one month, me and Annika hasn't got enough time for each other. We're in initial stage of our relationship, it's a crucial part of any relationship. Just wishing to get more time to spend with her so that no kind of insecurity happen. Tomorrow after we'll go back to Mumbai, she'll be busy in her shootings and I will be busy at Allure. I am just thinking how to figure out the time to spend with her", he sighed circling his glass.

"I understand Shivaay. You both are career oriented people, taking out time for each other is tough. But that's how your relationship is Shivaay. You have to find time for each other, spend as much free time you get with each other. If not together, through calls and message maybe. I believe you guys will make it forever", Om said with a smile.

Shivaay hummed taking a sip of his drink and looked towards the party area where Arnav, Rudra and others were completely drunk.

"You be with these people only, I will go out. I think you are right, I just need some clear air", Shivaay said looking towards Om. He nodded.

"Take care and I think you should call Annika. Maybe you'll feel more better", Om said chuckling making Shivaay pass him a playful glare and went from there.

On other side, girls were having drinks sitting on the terrace enjoying the breeze touching their skin. All of them were wearing their night wears along with a robe around them having bridesmaid written behind the robe. Malika was wearing a shash around her on which it was written bride-to-be.

"So Mal, excited for tomorrow?", Gauri asked taking a sip.

"Of course I am, but I am more nervous", Malika slumped on the couch with a pout, "I hope everything go well tomorrow", she sighed.

"Chill Mali, everything will be fine and happy", Annika said patting her arm who was sitting beside her.

"Btw Mal, you have a day wedding. So... excited for night?", Gauri asked with a naughty grin.

"Oooh! Juicy talks. I am here", Bhavya came ahead getting interested in the topic making Malika chuckle hitting on her arm.

"I am excited but nervous too. It will be my first time guys, I just little anxious over it. Me and Arnav have never been so close in intimacy till now", Malika sighed.

"It's not important to do it same day yaar. Take time with each other, slowly take steps towards intimacy. Relax babe!", Annika bumped her shoulder with hers in assurance.

"Annie is right, take time and step ahead with baby steps. You will be having your entire life together", Gauri said in agreement.

"Waise babe se yaad aaya...Annie, how's your intimacy level with Shivaay huh?", Malika asked teasingly. Hearing her, Annika's eyes widen and pink hue formed on her cheeks.

"Guys!! It's personal please", she exclaimed with her cheeks turning crimson.

"Aree, what's personal from us. Even I told you about mine. Come on Annie, tell yaar", Malika nudged her teasing more.

"It's nothing such", Annika chuckled, "we haven't done anything like you're thinking. Just base one", Annika shrugged.

"What?! No!!! Seriously??", three voices shouted in surprise making Annika startled.

"What??", Annika asked looking at them confused.

"You both have done nothing. Like N.O.T.H.I.N.G", Malika asked spelling the word. Annika rolled eyes.

"No guys! We haven't done anything. And moreover, it's been just 4 months since we're dating each other. Don't you think it's too soon?", Annika said playing with the rim of her glass.

"Then why does bhaiya always want to have a separate room with you or stop you back at his home several times", Bhavya asked still confused.

"God!! Guys! If we're being together inside a room or even living together, it doesn't mean we'll do it right? He does it because we hardly get time for each other. Those are chances to spend time with each other. Just cuddling to each other, knowing each other more. We have our entire life to do those stuffs too", Annika said smiling softly remembering their moments.

Also, we've decided to wait till our wedding. So stop dreaming about my bedroom secrets. Even after we'll do na, I am not telling you guys", Annika said giggling at last.

"Haww! I am ready to tell mine na. In future, Gauri and Bhavya will also tell. Right?", Malika pouted. Other two nodded.

"We're soul sisters Annie!", Gauri complained.

"Woh sab I don't know! I am not telling you guys so stop dreaming", Annika chuckled seeing their faces. Just then her phone started ringing, she looked at it to see Shivaay calling her bringing a smile on her face.

"Ohho!! Shivaay can't stay without Annika even for a night", Malika shook her head.

"Shut up", Annika chuckled and picked up but Gauri snatched it.

"Hello-", he sighed as Gauri said from other side even before he could complete.

"Hey bhaiya! You remember right, it's our bachelorette party. At least leave Annie for tonight", Gauri teased in end.

"Gauri, give the call to Annika please?", Shivaay said from other side. He rolled his eyes hearing girls giggling.

"Come on Shivaay. It's my bachelorette and being my bridesmaid, Annika should stay with me na. You can have her tomorrow now", Malika spoke who took the phone keeping it on speaker. Annika chuckled lightly seeing them teasing him continuously.

"Okay stop it guys!", Shivaay said irritated from other side, "pumpkin, I know you're there. Take the call else I am coming upstairs and will take you on my shoulder and come down", he threatened making everyone gasp.

"Woah! So wild Shivaay", Malika commented before Annika snatched the phone making the speaker off. Excusing herself, she went other side of terrace.

"Shivaay!", she exclaimed his name in disbelief. He smirked hearing her and could imagine her blushing.

"What? I said right. They're troubling me. If they would have continued for a minute more, I would have seriously come up", he complained making her smile softly.

"You're mad", she chuckled to hear his sigh from other side.

"Mad for you, my love", he added bringing blush on her face.

"God!! I can imagine you blushing furiously. I really wish to just bite them now", he sighed making her giggle.

"What's up Mister. What's gotten into you?", she asked smiling softly.

"Nothing much, my love is up so I am quite missing her", he said making her chuckle.

"So cheesy? Weren't you guys having party too?", she asked.

"Ah! I am bored. You're not there na", he said with a pout making her go awe on his cute voice.

"Come na, it's been so long we have sat together, alone just talking to each other", he said softly. She smiled softly.

"I am coming in 10 minutes", she said smiling and went back to girls, keeping the call.

"I am going down girls. Um.. Shivaay is calling me so I will leave", she said removing her robe.

"Haan haan, jao jao!", girls passed her a teasing glance. She shook her head chuckling with blush going downstairs.

"~I am at the beach at backyard. Come soon pumpkin", she read a message from him and smiled descending the stairs and goes directly towards beach.

She reached beach and there, she spot him sitting near the shore looking at the waves with small smile. She walked to him and pat on his shoulder. He smiled widely seeing her and patted beside him.

"Hey pumpkin", he wrapped arm around her shoulder pulling her closer in his arms. She smiled wrapping arms around his waist.

"Hi babe. Why you called me suddenly?", she asked looking up at his face.

"Just like that. We haven't spent quality time since a long time. From tomorrow, you'll be busy again, so will be I. We're not getting time for each other", he pouted. She chuckled pecking over his pout.

"Aww. Don't worry Shivaay, we'll get time to spend together. Infact, I am thinking to stay back at your home after shooting. We'll get more time to talk, we can cook together and also cuddle", she grinned at him.

"Really baby?", he asked shocked who nodded smiling widely, "of course, after all I also miss being with you. Others will say we're staying together only in a room but we're hardly getting time", she said softly keeping face against his neck. He rubbed her back humming.

"We can't even take a solo vacation for us at the moment. It's Feb already and I have to start preparing for the collection launch of April. You also have shoots", he sighed snuggling her closer.

"It's okay Shivaay. When the photoshoots will start, I will be with you and then I am going home along with you na", she smiled caressing his cheek.

"Did you just called it home instead of my home?", he asked smiling widely at her. She chuckled nodding.

"Of course. It will be mine too in future", she said smiling back.

"Trust me, it's already yours", he said flicking their nose together hearing her melodious giggles.

"Accha how did you find dad? You liked him?", she asked looking at him. He hummed smiling.

"He is really a sweet man with positive aura. All he want is you being happy and I will make sure to keep you happiest. I hope he liked him", he said exhaling at last.

"Duh! He called you his son-in-law Shivaay. He loved you", Annika chuckled seeing his face.

"Really?", he asked unsure.

"Of course. He did. We successfully passed our first step", she said smiling happily and hugs him more. He sighed in relief hugging her back.

"Baby.. You're wearing just a simple top and shorts. Seriously? You'll catch cold, woman!", he frowned.

"Nothing happens. Waise bhi, you have cuddled me up in your arms. It's just slightly cold breeze", she said snuggling to his chest. He shook his head sighing and pulled her on his lap.

"I love you pumpkin", he said softly making her smile with closed eyes.

"I love you too Shivaay", she said pecking against his neck. He smiled more pecking her hairline.

They just sat down in each other's arms, hearing their heartbeats mixed with the sound of waves. Sometimes, you don't have to speak up your feelings, your silence can say the unsaid words.

|••|

"Where's Malika, beta? Panditji is saying muhurat will start in 10 minutes. We have to take her out", Malika's mother asked Annika and Bhavya who came in Malika's room to take her to the mandap.

"Aunty don't worry, Gauri is just fixing the last bits of her hairdo. They'll be here in a- lo, here she is!", Annika completed seeing Malika coming out with Gauri.

Her mother gasped seeing her daughter decked up in a royal red lehenga with golden border, her blouse was having heavy embroidery along with her dupatta and pallu having same. Along with the jewelry and her makeup, she was looking an elegant and gorgeous bride.

"OMG!! Malika! You're looking so gorgeous", Annika gasped seeing her friend.

"Exactly. The colour is going to well on your complexion", Bhavya said agreeing to Annika.

"After all, she has designed it herself", Gauri giggles from behind making Malika smile widely on her friends' compliments. Malika's mother came ahead and kissed her forehead applying bit of her kajal behind her ear.

"You're looking beautiful, bacha", she said with emotional voice kissing her forehead making Malika take her in a hug. Both mother and daughter had emotional moment for a while.

"Girls, bring her fast to mandap. It's time", Malika's mother said parting from her daughter. They nodded smiling as she went from there.

As she went, all squealed taking Malika in a tight hug. She smiled hugging them back.

"I am really looking good right?", she asked looking at the mirror fixing her dupatta properly.

"Of course Mal. You're coming out as a gorgeous bride", Gauri said holding her hand relaxing her.

"Exactly. Now let's walk you down the aisle", Annika said making Malika smiled nervously and nod.

The wedding mandap was set up at the beach near the seashore with pink and white theme. Arnav was already sitting in the mandap waiting for his bride to come while his friends and family were around to welcome the bride.

Malika walked down the aisle along with her friends on either sides. She smiled looking Arnav who smiled back at her and got up walking till the threshold. Her father took her hand from a little distance and took her to him who held her hand firmly.

As the wedding rituals started, Annika stood beside Shivaay who looked at her mesmerised.

"Looking extremely beautiful, Ms. D'souza. Killing it in this saree", he smiled sticking their shoulders together.

"Of course I will. After all, it's from my boyfriend's collection", she said still looking ahead but with a wide smile.

She was wearing a peach sequin saree with a V-necked sleeveless blouse having little feathers on the shoulders. Her makeup was natural with cherry pink lipstick and small silver bindi on her forehead. She kept her hair open and straight and completed her look by pairing it with silver heels.

"Ahaan! Well I see he knows the perfect size of yours as you're fitting in this perfectly", he teased making her blush and nudge her elbow on his stomach.

"You're looking good too, Mr. Oberoi", she complimented giving a glance to his outfit.

He was wearing white kurta with a white Nehru jacket over it and white pants. He kept a peach square pocket to compliment with her outfit and completed his look with brown loafers. He kept his hair in medium pompadour and his stubble was just adding more to his handsome look.

"Thank you. After all, had to compliment with my gorgeous girlfriend", he smiled making her look at him and both chuckled smiling widely.

The wedding completed with panditji pronouncing Arnav and Malika as husband and wife. Their friends hooted making them smile widely at them. After that they took the blessings of their elders and met their families.

"Congratulations guys!", they were taken in a big hug by their friends as they came to them. They hugged them back saying thank you.

"Arnav, make sure to take care of her. I might be your best friend but she is my sister", Shivaay said in a fake threatening voice making Arnav chuckle and nodded.

"Also, stay strong buddy. I mean Malika is your wife so..", he teased then earning a gasp and hit on his shoulder from Malika.

"Shut up yaar! Always teasing me", she complained making him chuckle and take her in a side hug.

"Guys, let's have a group picture", Rudra said seeing a photographer coming towards them. They all posed together with Arnav and Malika in between. Arnav took her by a surprise pressing their lips together earning her gasp and others hooted making it a kodak moment.

|••|

Hey guys! Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapters. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They means a lot to me♥️

The wedding is finally over, hope you enjoyed the track😄

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

Precap: back to their normal life.

Love,
K♥️