Nine Days Later:

"Thank you," Varun spoke as she handed him the cup of tea. She sat on the steps while he continued to segregate the patient reports. She glanced at her phone thinking about him. She was some three hundred kilometers away from but it felt like she was light-years away. He wasn't really happy to let her be a part of this medical camp. Anika was annoyed at his stuff resistance. It was just a matter of little more than three days. But Shivaay didn't want her to go as it was a long weekend- three days long. 

He hadn't even bid her a proper goodbye on Thursday morning. By the time she was home to leave he was still in office. They hadn't spoken the entire of Friday. It was Saturday evening now. She wondered if she should call. He was perhaps pissed that she left without meeting him. But he knew she'd be leaving and he didn't come home. She had waited for an hour more giving him the grace time just in case he was stuck in something important. She didn't want to call. He was supposed to call. 

"All okay, Anika?" She heard Varun's voice. She looked up at him. Coincidentally, Varun was one of the doctors on duty at the medical camp. It wasn't the first time they were together at a camp. 

"Yeah," she managed to smile. Varun was definitely a nice guy and a good friend to her. She had felt bad for disappointing him back when she had met Shivaay again at that reception party. They did stay friends though. Few random messages were exchanged nothing beyond that. 

He looked at her. "Is it your husband? You won't stop looking at that phone. Call him if you miss him!"

Anika shifted uncomfortably. "No, it's nothing. Anyway do you need help with that?" She asked and sipped on her tea.

"Not really, but there's something that's worrying me. Out of these hundred people who appeared today only ten were women. Even Nidhi was saying that."

Anika looked at her cup thoughtfully, "This village has very stingy norms for women. The women are not supposed to see a doctor unless they are carrying. I was talking to this girl in the afternoon, she cycles some hundred kilometers every day to attend the government school."

"Cycling a hundred kilometers, one way?"

Anika nodded in affirmation.

"That's messed up. I just don't understand why.."

"I know. We are doing our bit for their betterment." Anika answered glancing at her phone. A silence fell.

"I have an idea," Varun spoke up, "why don't we start educating the young girls about sexuality and periods. I mean there are ten women on our group, so the ten of you could start teaching them the basics. I understand that they won't use sanitary napkins and we can't change that overnight. But we can teach them how to do what they generally do in the right way."

"Well, we can do that. Through word of mouth it will spread from one woman to another."

"Exactly,"

"Cool, let's pitch the plan to everybody else," Anika suggested finishing her tea. 

"It's sad that we can't convince them to use contraceptives. You won't believe the average kids a man has is four. That's messed up. They keep making babies and treat their wives like mere carriers of their babies. I tried convincing ten men to use condoms. They bloody laughed about it and went away as though I was some kind of joker."

Anika smiled sadly, "I have seen still worse ways of life in other villages," 

"Jerks!" Varun muttered. 

"Come on, let's go," Anika spoke picking up her phone and putting it in the pocket.

* * * 

Anika was lying on the cot in the small room toying with her phone. It was a few minutes past ten. He should be in the room by now after having dinner. She was tempted to call him but was scared he'd just reject her call or pick up to say he didn't want to talk. She itched her arm. There were mosquitoes in the room. She had gotten too used to the comfort of her bed and room. She finally decided to make the call. She sat up and waited for him to pick up. 

"Hi!" She heard his voice from the other end. Damn, she missed him.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Finally missing me huh?" He asked and she could almost picture his lips twist upward on one side.

"Called to say you disobeyed are Treaty,"

"Did I now?"

"Yes, you didn't even call!" Anika complained.

"But you did, so we are at peace I suppose?"

"Shivaay, you were supposed to call!" Anika muttered annoyed. 

"Are you mad at me?"

"Sort of," Anika muttered pissed. She couldn't even hug or get his kiss.

"Then let me make it up to you," his voice was clearer.

Anika's lips pulled into a smile. "You better do,"

"Should we keep talking on the phone?" 

Anika looked up to find him standing at the room's entrance. Was she dreaming? She stared at him. Those ocean-blue eyes looking at her. Those pink lips drew into a slight upward curve.

"You're here!" She whispered surprised.

His smile widened as he ended the call putting his phone into trousers' pocket. He stood their in casual black jeans and a light pink collared tshirt. Anika quickly sprang off the cot and rushed to hug him.

Shivaay's grin widened as he wrapped his arms around her. He was happy to know that he wasn't the only one missing her. "You definitely missed me!" He muttered kissing her hair, her cheeks, her ears. His kisses were just randomly showered on her and she loved it. 

She pulled her face away from his just enough for her to meet his eyes. She grinned like an idiot staring at him. It felt as though she had suddenly won a lottery. Maybe it was still stronger than that. "Why do you have to leave me and come so far?" He muttered placing his lips on hers.

"You started that debate again?" her lips pursed after she broke the contact with his. He smelt so nice. She let her hands stay around his body.

He looked at her lips and then his gaze moved up to her eyes. "You make me feel like an eye-candy," he muttered softly admiring her face.

Anika bit her lower lip sheepishly, "maybe because you're wearing pink..."

"So? Does that make me a competitor  to cotton candy?" He grinned, lowering his eyes to her lips.

"I'd prefer you any day!" Anika remarked confidently. She was glad that his gaze was on her lips because she would love to be kissed. 

"Distance makes hearts grow fonder huh?" He teased gently caressing his palms on her waist.

"You actually came all the way here," Anika spoke in awe.

"I wanted to spend the weekend with you,"

"Frankly, I didn't think you'd come all the way here for me,"

Shivaay smiled, "I have told you I am a romantic,"

Anika giggled, " Did you drive all the way here? Did you have dinner?"

"Yes, and yes, but I am hungry for dessert,"

Anika's lips drew into a smile, "Dessert huh? I have Cadbury!"

"I need something better, although a Cadbury would be a great way to start."

Before Anika could go on they heard some sound, she quickly withdrew her arms from around him and he let her go. She stepped back and made it to the small door to see what made the sound. 

"Hey, Anika, not asleep yet? Anyway I came to give this," he spoke handing her a mosquito coil and a matchbox.

"Thanks, good night," Anika spoke shutting the door.

"Who was that?" Shivaay asked her as soon as she turned around.

"Uuh, Varun. He's a doctor.."

"The guy you were seeing Varun?" He asked curiously. Doctor and Varun the two words had taken him back in time. He was so jealous of this Varun guy. He was, however, glad that he did land up at Anika's house with that plant as an excuse. 

"You remember," Anika spoke surprised.

"Yeah," Shivaay muttered. She still spoke to him. She was on a camp away from home with that guy! That guy was outside her room's door after ten in the night. He just didn't like all the facts put together.

"You've been in touch with him," he tried saying it casually looking at the bed sheet sprawled on the cot and the open window. He walked over and peeped out. There was a tree's branch right outside the window. The room was on the first floor of a two-storey building gate served as a lodge.

Anika looked at him. "Yeah, just... an acquaintance." She got to the wall and lit the mosquito coil. She looked up to see him staring at her leaning against the window frame. 

"What?" She asked looking at his thoughtful face.

"I didn't know you guys were in touch,"

"No, we aren't actually. Maybe we exchanged a few messages, mostly forwards, nothing apart from that." She informed him. 

"Are you in touch with the guys you met before me as well?" He found himself asking. 

Anika stared at him. She didn't like the tone he asked that in. "Obviously not!" She answered sitting on the cot not meeting his eyes.

"Are you in touch with the girls you met before me?" She asked looking up. She had no clue why she was acting like that. But she just wanted to keep it even. Plus, she wanted to know.

He walked up to her and stood before her looking down at her. "No," he answered, his fingers tucking her loose strands, that were left out from her bun, behind her ear.

"Do you think you can sleep here?" She spoke tearing her gaze away from his. "I don't think we will be able to find a spare cot at this hour. We can check the terrace tough or I can.."

"I think we can adjust for a night," he spoke sitting beside her. 

Anika looked at him. He brought his face closer to hers. Anika leaned in but her lips never met his. His phone started ringing.  He looked at her apologetically and pulled his phone out. 

Omkara. 

"Hey, Om, I reached. Sorry I forgot to inform," Shivaay spoke looking at her, his hands reaching out to hers.

"Just a few minutes back," he answered. "What about..."

. . .

"That's nice," Shivaay said thoughtfully. 

. . .

"You won't, Om!"

. . .

"Good night!" He spoke ending the call.

"What happened?" Anika asked curiously. 

"Gauri said yes,"

Anika's face fell. "I don't understand why you and mom are forcing Gauri into this! She doesn't want Omkara around,"

"Anika, we promised to not talk or intervene in their matter. Just let them be. Besides,  I really think Omkara needs a therapist to talk to. He's been through a lot lately. And Gauri being his therapist will help because they need to talk about whatever happened."

Anika sighed, "I just don't want Gauri to be hurt again,"

He held her hand, "Don't worry, she will be fine,"

Anika managed a small smile looking at his hand holding hers. 

"Our kiss is still pending," he reminded and her lips curved up into a full smile. 

"My phone's on mute now," he winked leaning closer. Their lips finally met. Anika placed her hands on his chest gently moving them to his neck. His hands held her face. 

He broke the kiss and she looked at him disappointed. "This is very uncomfortable," he muttered looking down at the cot. 

Anika smiled taking both her legs up. He got rid of his shoes and did the same. Soon she was straddling him as he sat with his back against the wall. Their mouths slowly performing an indulgent waltz. She breathed heavily pressing her lips against his bearded jaw. She could feel the slight bulge of his pants. It excited her. His hands were inside her kurti cupping her bosom. 

Her hands reached to the end of his tshirt. He raised his hands so that she could get it off easily. He groaned as she bounced in his lap while pulling off his tshirt. "Anika," he murmured his fingers reaching the back of her neck to pull her closer. She tilted her head back while he left hot kisses on her neck. 

Minutes later, she was on the cot under him while he was moving his hands over her body. Anika was uncomfortable, her neck strained, and her head had hit the wooden edge of the cot twice as the little thin pillow had gone down in their heated make out.

"Shivaay," she spoke irked. "I am uncomfortable," she said softly.

He stared at her, "so am I," he spoke sitting up but his hand gave up and he fell on her. Anika giggled softly caressing his back.

"So funny!" He muttered irritated before sitting up. If she hadn't decided to be at this stupid place he'd be showing her seven heavens. 

She sat up looking at him. "You look cute," 

"You really think turning on a man and not giving him a release makes him look cute?" He asked her irked.

She got off the bed and asked him to get up. She took the bedsheet and spread it out on the floor. She then placed the pillow on it. She looked at him, "what do you think about this?"

He glanced at her arrangement and then at her. "Let's sleep,"

Anika cocked up a brow surprised. Minutes ago he was frantically fondling her and now he wanted to sleep. "What happened?"

"This place has put me off," he muttered looking away. She concealed her grin and walked over to him. She definitely needed him tonight. She stood between his legs cradling his face making him look up at her. 

"I want to help, teach me," she said in a soft voice, guiding his hands to her hips.

"Anika," he looked at her standing in just her bra, "this is working, but you may have to work harder."

Anika blushed smiling, "show me how," she winked. 

He grinned kissing her abdomen. "On second thought, I think we can have an eventful night,"

Anika giggled. She definitely couldn't have enough of this man. 

* * *

Anika woke up to the knock on the door. She looked around disoriented. "Anika, it's eight! Wake up!" She heard Nidhi's voice.

"Yes, I am awake," she said loud enough for Nidhi to hear. Which caused her husband to shift in sleep and open his eyes.

She realized that she was over him under the bedsheet. His morning need rubbing against her lower belly. She stared at his neck where she had left two lovebites. They definitely had a wonderful night indulging in the pleasures of the skin and flesh.

"Shivaay, wake up, we are not at home. We need to get ready for the day."

Shivaay groaned as she moved over him to get off, her skin rubbing against his. "Anika, little more," 

Anika gaped at him and on reconsidering, decided to give him the little more he needed. He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him. "Anika," he muttered softly as her hands moved to pleasure him. "Someone's getting very naughty,"

Anika smirked loving that smile of satisfaction on his face as he closed his eyes sinking in pleasure. She leaned down to kiss him.

* * *

Anika saw Shivaay sit wearily looking around. The sun was on the high. She was glad that he was participating. She could say he was having a hard time putting up with the people at the registration desk. She walked up to him with a glass of lemonade in her hand. "Have this," she murmured placing the lemonade on the table. He analyzed the liquid while she made him wear the cap that she had been wearing so far.

"I hate caps,"

"It's sunny, don't argue," Anika said assertively.

He made a face and looked at the next person in the cue. She walked away quickly getting back to her seat to check people's blood pressure. Minutes later Varun walked up to her. "I saw that," he smiled.

Anika looked at him puzzled, "saw what?"

"Your wife avatar," he chuckled, "here take this cap, it was a spare" he spoke placing the cap on her desk.

"Thanks," she muttered still smiling. 

Shivaay focused back on filling the details on the form. He hated how another man made her smile. What was that Varun's problem? He was pissed at everything.

It was late in the night and the group of volunteers had gathered under a peepal tree. He sat on the wooden bench his eyes on his wife. She was all over the place. She had so much passion for volunteering. He looked beside him to find Varun. 

"Hi, I am Varun, we didn't get time to interact earlier." The guy smiled.

"Hi, Shivaay Singh Oberoi," Shivaay spoke shaking his hand.

"Yeah, I know. Anika seems to be happy you joined."

"Yeah," Shivaay pressed a smile. Various thoughts ran in his head. 

"You're a lucky man, she's a wonderful woman," Varun smiled looking at Anika who was talking to the ladies of the group. Shivaay nodded getting more irked. Silence fell.

It was a few minutes past eleven when Anika finally came to sit beside him. He put his hand around her pulling her to lean on his shoulder. "Tired?"

"Very," she murmured. 

"Obviously, you've been running all over the place since morning." He spoke noticing Varun's gaze on them through the corner of his eyes. It wasn't just Varun, there were also a few other volunteers looking their way.

"It feels so satisfying to make a positive change in somebody's life," Anika spoke softly. He turned and place a kiss on her forehead, while his hand caressed her arm. He hoped Varun got his signal. Anika was his wife. Period.

Anika smiled as he kissed her forehead. She loved it when he did little things for her. "Come on let's go get some sleep, we have to start early tomorrow!" He spoke pulling his arm back placing his hand on her thigh. 

"Oh, that reminds me, I need to be in office tomorrow. I had taken permission for work from home but there's a meeting...so they called to ask me to be there."

"Who is dying?" Shivaay asked bluntly. 

Anika giggled, "no one is dying, but there is the Fashion Week Event next weekend. I am excited, apparently, almost all Bollywood stars attend it."

Shivaay smiled, "yes they do,"

"You'll be my plus one?"

Shivaay grinned, "Nope, I have other plans,"

"What!" She exclaimed disappointed.

"Yeah, actually I have been invited to this event. They've sent VIP Passes, for me and my wife."

Anika frowned, "I can't skip this event!"

Shivaay's eyes twinkled with amusement, "You don't have a choice, Anika. By the way the event is called Lakme Fashion Week!"

Anika's jaw dropped, "You're a VIP invitee?"

"Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, the invitation read,"

"Oh, My, God!" Anika exclaimed.

"What?"

"It's weird, my company invites my husband to be a VIP guest."

Shivaay smiled, "Perks of Being Mrs.SSO."

"I knew it would be eventful!" Anika mumbled.

Shivaay 's lips curved up, "You signed up anyway!"

"Not that I regret," Anika said flirtatiously.

"That's good to know," he murmured leaning closer. 

She pushed him away smiling, "let's go," she said getting off the bench holding her hand for him.

He took her hand and got off the bench. His hand curved around her waist and hers rested on his back as they walked towards the building. 

Would love to know your thoughts after this (long!) chapter.

Also, as far as Rikara's story is concerned, I might post it as separate bonus chapter or maybe a spin off book. I am not sure at the moment. Please do not keep expectations.

-Anami!♡