Anika entered her room to find it empty. She glanced around but didn't see him. It had been two days since he had returned from his trip. Anika quickly changed into a simple dress. She hated changing twice in the night but had no other option. She couldn't wear capris or shorts and attend dinner neither could she sleep in the kurti and leggings. She wore a patiala under her tunic and stepped out wiping her face. She quickly reached to her phone. She had forgotten to call her mother.

"Hi, mumma!" she spoke placing her towel on the chair.

"Finally, someone remembers me!"

"Oh, God, you're missing me so much?" Anika smiled pressing her phone between her shoulder and ear while picking up her bag. She pulled out her laptop and placed it on the table.

"I am not missing you, Anu. But you are surely missing out on so much. This place is heaven. It's so beautiful."

"I know, I saw the pictures!" Anika smiled waiting for her laptop to boot.

"You saw them? No time to reply huh?"

"Arey mumma, this new job and everything it's making me crazy. I still have to get used to it."

"By everything you mean, your prince charming huh?"

Anika giggled, "Please stop with that – Prince charming, yes him and other things as well. Oh and guess what, I had ladyfingers the other day. Not just that, brinjal also."

"Oh, my, God. I didn't know your Prince Charming could make you do that!"

"Not prince charming Mumma, Prince Charming's mother."

"Oh, so you're bitching about your MIL!"

"Hey, I am not bitching. She is very sweet. We can't stop talking once we start. But she's very particular about food. Everyone at home must eat what's made, no exceptions. She taught me how to make Kheer, yesterday."

Mrs. Talwar smiled at the other end listening to her daughter go on about her mother-in-law. She was happy that Anika had a wonderful family now. Every time she called her Anika would have so much to tell her about everyone in the family. Yes, she did feel a little bad that Anika was no longer just her daughter, nonetheless, she was happy. "That's good then, Pinky Ji can get your stubborn self to do things."

"Please, I am not stubborn," Anika argued.

"What about Shivaay..how is he?" her mother asked.

"He's good, better now. It was just a phase, they do miss Daadi but they don't get all sad. "

"That's good," her mother sighed, "What about you and him? Are things smooth between the two of you?"

"Yeah," Anika spoke going through her mail.

"Anika?"

"Mumma, what do you want me to say?" Anika could literally imagine her mother's expressions.

"Just keep me informed.." Anika rolled her eyes understanding what her mother was getting at.

"Whatever, By the way, Gauri is arriving tomorrow. I had asked Rohini aunty to get the house cleaned. I will pick her up from the airport or if I can't I will ask her to reach home and meet her there."

"Yeah, she had called. She was whining that I didn't wait for her to arrive."

"That idiot doesn't know the meaning of solo-trip, I suppose."

"Shut-up, Anu. Poor girl, she's coming back home and she will have to be alone."

"Stop pampering her, will you? I will meet her every day."

"Arey, now you're married so she's the only one I will pamper!"

"Hey, I am married, that doesn't mean you have to stop pampering me," Anika argued.

"Okay, Madam."

"I miss your aloo parathas and our Saturday night game sessions."

"Anu, you don't have to butter me."

"Whatever Mrs. Talwar! Enjoy your trip. And yes, Shivaay was saying he knows quite a few resorts there, so let us know if .."

"Yes, he messaged me about that."

Anika looked surprise. "he did?"

"You didn't know he did?"

Anika smiled, "No, I didn't know he messaged you."

"Focus on him, Anu," her mother jested giggling, " talk to you later."

"Bye!" Anika ended the call placing her phone on the desk.

"So, I am Prince Charming huh?"

Anika's eyes widened as she turned around to find him on the bed.

"You here...?"

"Yeah!" he answered getting off the bed walking towards her. Anika's body tensed up as he approached her. That smile and those gorgeous pair of ocean-colored eyes, messed with her natural heartbeat.

"You mustn't overhear someone else's conversations!"

He stepped closer to her, his palms reaching to rest on her waist, "I wasn't technically, I was just lounging in my bedroom. Anyway, so, I am prince charming?" He grinned.

Anika smiled stupidly, "Mumma, calls you that!"

"Cute!"He muttered pulling her closer gradually.

Anika was accurately aware of his hands pulling her closer to him. "Shivaay, I – need to – send- mail" Anika stammered.

He smirked finding her reaction adorable. He stepped closer so that her back was against the desk. "You can send the mail later." He whispered, letting his gaze swipe down to her lips.

"Shivaay, please."

"Please what?" He whispered kissing her cheeks.

Anika blushed profusely as his lips lingered longer than usual wetting her warm cheek. She tried tilting her cheek away which gave his mouth access to her neck. She breathed heavily as he left a long wet kiss against her neck. Anika pressed her lips into a tight line. His hands were wandering around her waist, his lips leaving wet kisses on her neck and his hot breath setting her skin on fire. He pulled back a little to meet her eyes. His hands cupping her cheeks, pulling her face closer to his. Anika quickly clutched on to his shirt over his ribs in anticipation.

"God, Shivaay, Shut the door at least!" Came Omkara's crisp voice that broke the two of them out of their hot reverie. Anika turned around embarrassed. Shivaay glanced in the direction of the door. He glared at his brother and he quickly shut the door walking away. He turned to Anika who now had her back towards him. Her hands were on the table.

Shivaay stepped closer, dirty thoughts flooding in his mind, at their position. "Anika.," he called softly. She didn't respond in any way. He snaked his arms around her pressing his palm against her abdomen. He heard her audible gasp. He placed his chin over her shoulder. Gradually, he turned his face towards her hair. Anika unconsciously tilted her head and he seized the opportunity to press his nose against her neck. Anika's heart was pounding crazily. His touch made her feel frenzy.

"Shivaay, please stop." She pleaded unable to keep up with the proximity.

Shivaay loosened his hold turning her around. She stared at him. He smiled and kissed her forehead. His lips then kissed her cheek. Finally, his lips pressed against hers for a quick peck. "Send your mail!" He winked stepping away. He turned away from her making a beeline for the door.

Anika stared at the door of the room. Did she piss him off? She couldn't help but feel flustered and giddy when he was so close. Her heart fell back into the natural rhythm. She turned to her laptop finishing the little task she had in mind. She could still feel his lips lingering everywhere. She liked it – his kisses. But she was scared that it wouldn't just stay to that. The mere thought of having the closest form of intimacy with him left her anxious. It seemed like he wanted it. Anika couldn't blame him for it, they were married, it was natural of him to expect it from her. His touches and kisses seemed to be cue he was giving her. She sighed, how could she get herself to stop feeling nervous and anxious when he was so close.

* * *

Anika had set the bed for the night. She sat scrolling through her phone. Her thoughts, however, were stuck at her husband. He was with his brothers. Anika couldn't even look at Omkara. It was very awkward.

"Anika?"

She looked up to find her husband standing dressed in his track-pants and tees. "Let's go have a walk?"

Anika nodded getting off the bed. She left her phone on the stand by the bed walking over to him.

"Terrace or garden?"

"Terrace!" Anika smiled walking beside him.

They were standing by the parapet wall looking at the silent city engulfed in darkness. He had made no attempt to even touch her. It got Anika thinking that their earlier encounter had left him disappointed.

"Shivaay,"

"Hmm.,"he responded looking around and finally at her.

"I – it's weird but – I am still very uncomfortable with ..."

He smiled as her voice trailed off. He stepped closer to her. "We've kissed before. So, why is it weird."

Anika shrugged looking away. Maybe it was a stupid idea to even share that with him. She immediately glanced at him when she felt him move closer, leaving barely a few inches between them. Her body stiffened as she stared at him.

"Relax..." he said softly just standing there doing nothing. "Just look into my eyes okay?"

Anika could do that easily. She loved his eyes. He was staring into her eyes. Anika smiled and he smiled too. Minutes passed, Anika's body had relaxed. But there was something that had changed in his eyes. His eyes were smiling before but now neither his lips nor his eyes showed any traces of that smile. Anika's heartbeat was gradually accelerating.

She couldn't look into his eyes any longer. There was a strong longing in those. Anika took a deep breath breaking the eye contact hugging him. Shivaay was surprised at her reaction, nonetheless, he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. He kissed her hair gently running his hand over her hair.

After minutes, Anika pulled away, not meeting his eyes. She loved hugging him. His scent, his warmth, his hold, it made her feel so loved. She smiled glancing at him.

He smiled, " Don't you think you shy quotient had gone higher after the marriage?"

Anika's eyes widened and she looked away. He smirked and pressed his lips against her cheeks. She glanced back at him. His hand tucked her loose locks behind, as his eyes looked at her delicately. "You've suddenly become more beautiful than before.." He whispered.

"You're flirting?" She asked softly, admiring the way he looked at her. You never fail to look handsome, dear husband.

"I am just saying what I feel." He spoke caressing her cheeks with his fingertips. Anika took a deep breath.

He inched closer his hand cupping her face. Anika parted her lips in sweet expectation. Soon, his mouth was locked against hers. With every passing second, the kiss became more demanding. She felt his lower body push hers against the parapet wall. There, the warm pool appeared between her legs. Her knees felt weak. He momentarily pulled away breathing heavily. His hands still cupping her face. Anika inhaled sharply staring at his lips.

Soon, his mouth was doing it again – kissing her senseless. Anika moaned as her muscles between her legs began contracting oddly. Her moan made Shivaay bite on her lower lip to seek another. She gasped hissing in response, however. He broke the contact only to suck at her lips again. He teased her lips as much as he pleased. Soon, she was frustrated enough to return the assault. Yes, he wanted this. She nibbled on his lips. His hands held her waist jerking her closer towards himself, simultaneously pushing his groin forward. He needed her desperately, more than ever.

"Shivaay!" She gasped, breaking the kiss, realizing what their bodies were getting at.

He buried his face on her shoulder, his hands leaving her waist and resting on the parapet wall on either side. Her body was homed between the parapet wall and him, with his arms on either side.

He tried getting his excited self back to normal. He had just lost his senses in that heated kiss. He felt her palm rub gently on his shoulder blade. His lip's curved up against the fabric of her tee. He stayed like that as seconds turned into minutes. He loved how her hands remained against his back as she pressed her face over his shoulder. He should have been frustrated at not being able to have his needs and desires fulfilled but he wasn't. He was at peace with their closeness. He was at peace with his hands around him. For once he didn't think of anything but her just being in his embrace. What was it that changed suddenly between them? He had no clue.

He pulled away looking at her. His hand holding hers before he turned. She silently held his hand walking towards the terrace gate. Shivaay was amazed at how she didn't say anything but simply matched her step with his.

She lay on the bed in complete silence turning to face him. Her hand finding a way to his. Shivaay's lips curved up. Instead of holding her hand, he shifted his pillow close to hers and then himself. He put an arm around her waist closing his eyes. Anika smiled putting her arm around him. Wondering where her sudden comfort with their closeness came from.

Note - it's just Tuesday ;)
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Would love to know your thoughts on it.

-Anami!