"No... It's just wanted to know if you will come or not. Why busy person remembered me by the way? Are you missing me that's why you asked", Anika asked

"No.. actually I got a call from someone who asked you to come tomorrow to some address which he messaged but that person was not good I think. I mean he asked me who are you. When I replied with my name he asked rudely that I should not use your phone... The idiot doesn't even know he called me not you and why I will touch your phone? Stay away with him if you know him", Shivaay said angrily. Anika tried to control her giggle hearing his irritated voice as he was unhappy with someone's call. She won't know if he was jealous or not but he is protective which is enough here

"That is because I gave your number to him. That person is a cousin of the bride so he asked for my number but I sensed that maybe he is not good so gave your number", Anika told him

"Good I gave him a big lecture. Now he will call you his sister but still stay away", Shivaay said Anika chuckled hearing him. If possible she would have hugged him. She wants to tell him everything but controlled himself as he is already under work pressure. She doesn't want to depress him more

"Ok I will but please come here tomorrow", Anika requested

"Ok if you insist I will but for some time", Shivaay replied

"Even a minute would be enough", Anika replied to which he hummed

"Take care good night", Shivaay said when both of them were quiet for more than a minute. He hates silence between them, especially when he wants her to say something.

"Good night. Take care and have medicines on time", Anika said and declined the call in silence she thought what if he asked about her day? She closed the door of her room but then opened it realising that Gauri will sleep with her today as they are not that rich to give separate rooms to girls. She sat in bed recalling everything which happened today.

She started thinking about excuses to stop tomorrow's ritual as she don't have any. She placed her hand on her forehead as her head started painting because of tension. She faked a smile when Gauri entered the room

"Dii do you want to join us for a night out? Only me, you and Priyanka bhabhi?", asked Gauri excitedly. Anika shooked her head as she is not even 1 per cent interested in going out. Today she just wants mental peace which she realised she will not get any

"I have work Gauri", Anika replied ending the conversation between them and layed on the bed

"I am very sleepy we will talk in the morning", Anika said

"Di this if not fair. You just came today and behaving like strangers", Gauri said as she felt Anika's behaviour was weird, Anika was always up for talking even if it is midnight but when she want to talk with her Anika is denying

"Gauri... I am sleepy ", Anika said and covered her face with a blanket. She felt changed now when her heart was waiting for his warmth. She closed her eyes controlling her tears as after marriage everything changed. Now she doesn't like talking with Gauri the way she used to. She is unable to speak her heart with her, how she will tell her about her mother?
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In morning

Anika woke up with an alarm sound and sat in bed. She still doesn't have any idea about her excuse. She looked toward Gauri and kissed her forehead. Her little gundi is still the same who loves her very much. She checked her mobile phone to see no message from him. She placed her mobile aside

"Why I am expecting his message when it is only a day? I love him but he doesn't. Also, he is coming so I should not think like this", Anika talked with herself and walked to open windows after wearing slippers. She came back and sat on the bed again thinking about excuses but her mind was blank. She moved towards the kitchen to make breakfast. She is happy that at least he is coming. Once she was done she walked toward the balcony to think about an excuse. There she got an idea and walked towards Gauri's room where she was reading one book

"Gauri.. we have to cancel ritual today as I just read somewhere that this day is not good. We can give blessings but can't perform rituals. And don't question it please", Anika said and left from there to tell same to everyone without hearing anyone's reaction. Once she was done informing everyone she sat on the sofa present in the hall tiredly

"Tired?", asked Shivaay softly who just entered to find her resting sitting on the couch. Anika opened her eyes with a jerk and sat on the bed immediately when she noticed him.

"Yes, a little. When you came here? ", Asked Anika

"Just a minute ago", Shivaay replied with a smile and sat beside her.

"Shivaay can you take me home today?", Anika asked nervously. Shivaay widened his eyes as before going Anika herself said that she is here for 2 days then why she is changing her decision?

"Why? Any problem? ", He asked. Anika was about to reply when she noticed Priyanka coming there. She shifted away from him and left there to pack her bags. Yesterday In the night she was in no mood to do anything. Today After meeting him she revealed that he is here now.

"I will tell him once we reach Oberoi Mansion", Anika thought and smiled when she heard Shivaay's laughing sound. She wants to see him happy like this always.
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In the afternoon they left home giving an excuse that Anika have important work to do but only Anika and Shivaay knew she don't have any. Gauri was furious with Anika and Sahil as well but Anika promised to spend time with them soon. She hugged Priyanka even though she wanted Anika to stay with her but Anika was not in that much good mood to stay there for long. Once they say inside the car Shivaay asked

"Why you lied? I know you were not having any important work", Shivaay Asked after starting the car. Anika looked towards him and then outside of the car as she know if she will tell him he will become angry with Daksh

"Because this is what I thought of Shivaay", Anika replied and noticed Shivaay's eyes which were having dark circles. She noticed him wiping tears from his eyes and understood that it is just because he skipped sleeping last night

"Why?", He asked further

"Stop the car and come out first", Anika said. Shivaay stopped the car with a jerk and looked at his surroundings to find themselves near a jungle. He was about to ask why she stopped him when Anika opened her seatbelt and came out of the car. She asked him to change seats which confused him

"What do you want? Will you elaborate?", He asked walking towards the passenger seat.

"Yes because you were sleeping the whole night yesterday right?", Anika asked him whose eyes were getting teary again and again. Shivaay opened the window to look outside because he understood that she guessed that he was working. Anika started driving slowly controlling her anger as she don't want to shout at him for someone's mistake. She stopped her car near the spa and asked him to come out. She now wants him to take a rest after the massage

"But..", Shivaay said but Anika interrupted him

"Go there", Anika ordered and looked aside to show attitude. Shivaay smiled watching her care for him. He pulled her towards himself by her waist and said

"Sure I will but at least smile", Shivaay asked and inched his face near Anika's. Anika's breath hitched sensing him close to her. She turned her face towards him and looked into his eyes holding his shoulder. His eyes were showing love, even if he don't tell in words but his actions prove everything. Her heartbeats raised when he kissed her cheeks and stepped back

"Stay away.. we..", Anika stopped in the middle as she is feeling shy to even complete her words. She touched her cheeks and then at him who was smiling on his face. She looked here and there to find if someone watched them or not. Luckily no one was there, Anika sighed in relief as she know her cheeks are burning because of him

"I will not if you will become that much sweet", Shivaay said and tried holding Anika's hand but she stepped back looking here and there awkwardly

"G..go... inside. Till then... I will meet Malika... I mean bride", Anika said trying hard to control her breath which was uneven because of Shivaay's behaviour

"First I want something in return", Shivaay asked showing his cheek. Anika opened her eyes wide as if first-time Shivaay asked her to kiss him. She nodded as she can't say no to him when she feels comfortable and safe near him. After checking her surroundings, she kissed his cheeks and stepped back. Shivaay blushed looking at his cute and shy wife.

He doesn't remember when but she is an important part of his life now. He started giving her that respect and love which he gave only to one girl that is Priyanka. He has already realised that Anika has a special place in his heart. He can't guarantee love but he can do anything for her because of her caring and loving nature towards him.
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♥️ This part just shows how Anika became an important part of his life

As I felt I was lacking in showing their progression as life partners