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After a long time ,I've typed a big chapter. Hope you  will like it :)

A - shivaay , charu

Before she could even say anything, he replied .

S - yeah I know , charu told me .

A - what ?

She sounded shocked .

S - it's her engagement right ? next week ?

Annika let a huge sigh of relief .

A - hmm ... I didn't know this .

S - your best friend didn't tell you ?

Shivaay spoke emphasising the word best , but she didn't reply as her concentration fell on the noise she heard from outside .

S - annika

A - shivaay , just a second haan . I'll call you later .

Om - see , now mom won't agree . Why did you do this gauri ?

G - how can I not tell her ?

Annika saw them both arguing outside .

A - guys guys , what happened ?

G - I didn't do anything bhabi .

Om - yeah , I'm a fool here arguing with you for nothing right ?

A- ok ok Om relax , gauri you tell me .

G - it's nothing bhabi , Om had planned to take me for a small trip for two days . And he told me not to tell Jhanvi aunty , because she won't allow me to travel . But

Om - see , I told you not to tell mom

A - Om atleast let her finish .

Om - what is there to finish ? It's not even somewhere afar , it would be just half an hour travel . And I had even planned a surprise her there. She was feeling down and scared as the date is nearing. That's why I wanted to...but she , she just went straight to mom and told everything . And mom just blindly disagreed!

Annika gave a pitiful look on Om and neared to whisper something in his ear .

A - budhu , you  resemble your brother so perfectly . Matlab , gusse me kuch bhi ? Why did you speak about the surprise? She heard everything.

Om - haan let her ! As if ! She already spoiled my plan and so , no surprises for her .

Annika almost shook herself when Om shouted the first few words suddenly when she was literally standing very close to him . On the other hand gauri seemed angry too .

G - I don't want any surprises ! Bhabi , if we go without telling aunty , won't she be upset ?

A - yes gauri par

Om - annika I was going to tell ,

A - ji Om , you sh

G - ask him when ?

A - wh

Om - if we get everything ready and just tell her on that instant when we're about to leave , maybe she'll have a change of mind right ? That's why I

G - dekiye na bhabi he

A - arey bas !

She could no more turn left and right within seconds, from Om to Gauri to Om to gauri anymore. Her neck had got sprained already. These two have made annika the great chatterbox to go insane with their argument . She kept taking deep breaths while the other two kept glaring at each other .

A - see Om , I guess this won't stop until one of you forgive .

Om - no annika, I had asked her not to tell anyone . If I hadn't, then it's ok but when I specially reminded her not to tell mom knowing the consequences, she just did the opposite. It was between us !

' what if he tells charu ?! '

Out of nowhere she remembered Adi's words . For once she got totally shocked for choosing to tell everything to shivaay . Because the matter concerned has nothing to do with her rather it's about Adi and Charu , so she has no rights to do anything in this . And the main point is even if Shivaay does speak to charu and everything goes upside down, she won't be able to handle it. The consequences can be anything and if it goes wrong for Adi , she won't be able to forgive herself . She remebered her promise and decided to keep numb until Adi says otherwise .

G - Om , stop blaming me and think once .

Gauri's loud voice pulled her out from those thoughts , she gulped down and decided to put an end to this thing first .

A - gauri , you did wrong . Om had put so much effort for you but you just let him down .

Gauri looked sad when annika supported Om .

G - nahi bhabi , I know he did everything for me but

A - why did you do this gauri ? See now because of you everything got spoiled.

As annika kept adding on, gauri's reactions changed for she looked really dull like a sad puppy . Om found it difficult to tolerate that sight and moreover annika's words of blame disturbed him .

A - and gauri tum

Om - it's ok na bhabi, let's leave it .

A - no Om actually , she shouldn't have

Om - it's ok annika .I'll forgive her this time , maybe we can plan for something after your delivery.

He went and hugged gauri sideways who in turn smiled at him . Annika watched everything with a smirk on her face , while the duo walked past her, hand in hand. Just when she was about to enter their room , Gauri looked back to find annika winking at her . She widened her eyes and shook her head in disbelief on realizing annika's smooth play . At once annika ran to the kitchen of remembering her plan to prepare dinner .

The next day

Shivaay was kind of worried regarding  his project . He almost got the deal but the client seemed somewhat hesitant during their last meeting . This kept shivaay disturbed . And since it was a government project, it would be a perfect opportunity for him to prove himslef . He was very confident in getting the deal but the client's sudden difference in behaviour made him worry .

He kept refreshing the mailbox to check for the confirmation documents , but there was no sign of it. Since the recruitment process in his company  was going on simultaneously , these few days were really hectic for him . At one point he found it so difficult to hold the stress as only he knew how desperately he wanted that deal . He decided to call and talk to his wife one time . A conversation of even 2 minutes with her , can change something in him , he knew .

It was already time and she has to be at family court now but she was still left at the bus stop . Annika was tensed .

A - ohh god , what do I do now ! This cab seems 15 minutes away , and even if I book it the car will become an earthworm on this road jammed with traffic ! What if I call Khanna baiya ...no way , if cab is an earthworm , Khanna baiya's driving is a snail already. His vehicle will be like a day away !

She laughed at her own comments, forgetting she had successfully wasted two more minutes in process of talking to herself.

Maybe a lift in bike , she decided and waved her arm for lift. Soon she was stunned on finding that the very first man whom she waved for had already stopped for her . Whoa ,this seems so cool than Ola and uber ! She jogged towards the person .

A - sir thank you so much, can you please drop me at the family court ? Actually my husband is waiting for me there , if I don't go now the judge will confirm our divorce, confirm our divorce.

She repeated it the second time a little sadly as she hurried the words in flow the first time. She pretended to be very sad .

' come on , I was the reason for your marriage. I won't be the reason for your divorce. '

Annika was confused on hearing that and moreover the voice seemed so familiar. She slowly pulled up the eye shield of the helmet only to make a round mouth  appear on her face soon .

A - thank god monkey!

Adi winked at her once for she immediately sat behind him without wasting a second .

Ad - vaise what was that drama about ?

A - nahi yaar , I have to give some files to the lawyer today , like right now ! I didn't know what to do that's why I...

Suddnely the mobile started ringing but she just kept rejecting the call .

Ad - pick it up na , who is it ?

A - shivaay hai , I have to call the lawyer to inform him . And my phone is almost dead, if I attend it now then it'll get switched off .

Ad - hmm , shivaay would literally go insane if he knows that his wife roams around in roads of Mumbai asking lifts to chase his divorce case.

She knocked his head right then when he chuckled.

A - shut up and increase the speed first. And vaise bi , I learned all this drama lessons from you only. Forgot everything?

Ad - matlab?

A - once when he had missed the school bus , you acted as a blind kid to stop a car for lift , remember?

Ad - haan , that's was legal . Matlab , it was our final exams that day and if we were even a minute late , our principal would have....!

A - hmm, my situation is also somewhat like that . Hello yes sir, Deepak and vrushali's case right? Haan , no no their final counselling is also done . They have decided to withdraw . Yes , they....

She kept speaking over the phone while Adi accelerated to increase the speed.

Ad - work done ?

A - yeah , uff ! Thank god I almost got saved with just a minute left . The judge had already called for them you know , but we somehow made it at the right time .

She let a huge sigh and leaned on his shoulder who was still seated on the bike .

Ad - teek hai , come then . I'll drop you .

A - didn't you sleep last night ? What's with these dark circles ?

Ad - kuch nahi, get on now .

He started the engine but she immediately pulled out the helmet from his head making him stop .

Ad - what ?

A - I know we're in trouble , but it doesn't mean you have to keep worrying always. It's your engagement in a week and if you keep doing this , you'll look like a zombie in pictures. I won't take photos with you then !

He chuckled.

Ad - annika...

A- come on man! Leave it , we'll handle everything ok ? Focus on your engagement and your charu , I know it's your favourite job .

Ad - ok doctor!

She smiled when he pretended to salute her.

Ad - ek second, how did you know about the engagement?sss Meena aunty would have told you right ?

A - hmm! Betrayers none from that house said a word and even this monkey infront of me didn't, my prince told me ! Oh God, I have to call shivaay . Adi take me home soon, phone charge karke baath karni hai usse. Go go!

Hopping onto the bike she hurried him from behind.

Sh - you shouldn't have done this bhaisab . I heard you speaking with the client over the phone.

T - this is business shakthi , I know what I'm doing.

Sh - but the client had already made the decision to give the project to shivaay's firm.

Annika who just walked halfway away after serving some tea for them halted right there on hearing shivaay's name .

T - shakthi , oberoi empire has a big hand in handling government projects. So I wanted that project, what about our reputation ?

Sh - so you convinced them to drop the deal with shivaay? Do you know how happy and excited he was when I spoke to him this morning?

T - not because it was shivaay , I would have convinced anyone on this because you know ...I know what role such projects play in our competitive field. If he wanted to work on this , he shouldn't have resigned .

Sh - bhaisab ,for once just think. He is our son , if we don't help him who will ?

T - it was him , shivaay was the one who rejected any help from us . Don't forget.

Like this their argument kept growing further , while annika stood there and heard everything silently . She felt sad for shivaay who was facing so much difficulties. All he wanted was to prove himslef and grow out of his own talent. But such silly tricks were holding him from achieving anything , she was worried for him .

Everyone were gathered for dinner. She looked at   Tej for a second before turning her attention towards Om .

A- then Om , when are you going to take me to your exhibition? I've been asking you since long .

Om - sure we'll make it someday.

R - You said you were searching for a big gallery right , got anything ?

Om - not yet , I did see one ...but it is already booked by someone else now.

T - why is that ? Try speaking to the manager and get it somehow .

Om- no dad , actually I had it pre booked but at the last moment someone else payed the manger triple the amount so I couldn't...

T - what are you saying Om ? If somelese can do it why can't you ? Pay more then , how much is it ?

A - exactly, snatching other's possession is nothing new for us right Om ?

There was a minute of silence as soon as she said these words . Even Om himself was confused, but Tej guessed something.

T - anything it is , annika you can speak straight at my face .

A - I'm not scared uncle, I wasn't particular about anything that's it .

J - what is it annika ?

A - wait , why everyone look so serious suddenly? I ...just said it casually. I mean now , Tej uncle cracked a deal which was supposedly meant for shivaay ...like it happens in business right? It's so very usual . Chill out !

T - I didn't snatch it from him .

A - you run to lend arms when it's about Om , but for shivaay ...

She spoke  in a mild voice and shook her head  without completing the sentence . Tej just looked away slowly.

T - he plainly disagreed to accept any help from me .

A - he was in no need of help. You could have just stayed idle for atleast he would have got what he deserved.

T - you can't make me feel guilty annika . This is how things work in business .

A - uncle I have already told you , shivaay sees you as his godfather . There was a time when he fought with me for saying something about you . He treasures you ...like more than his own dad . I'm not asking you to value him as your son, no , just notice him as the child of your brother, or just as a capable man who dreams to achieve !

Tej didn't look at annika at all , his vision was completely fixed on the floor while she expressed things seriously  . There was nothing but silence around .

A - I'm sorry if I had offended you , I didn't mean to .

Saying this , she stood up and left to her room .

With all these going around , she almost forgot about the mobile which was plugged in for charge . And there were so many missed calls from shivaay . It was only when she heard the ringtone while entering their room , she rushed to pick it up. She cringed in fear after seeing 24 missed calls from him .

A - sorry sorry sorry shivaay , there was no ch

S - finally ! I've been calling you since evening and look at the clock now. Do you feel so good by making me wait for you ?

A - what ?

She sounded confused while he was totally angry.

S - I just wanted to talk to your for 5 minutes, share something with you but first you rejected my call , then engaged, switch off and a trail of missed calls.

A - yes shivaay my phone was dead .

S - what about now ? You were never like this before , why annika ? Why do I feel that you're taking advantage of me , now, after I have accepted our love ?

Annika looked disturbed after hearing those words from him , she gripped the phone tightly.

A - you really think I would do something like that ?

S - no but you leave me no choice . Earlier you were  never  like this , maybe now you have taken me for granted , because I've already fallen for you.

His each word pricked something in her and she could no longer handle it . She felt hurt . Taking a deep gulp, she blinked hard once.

A - good night shivaay .

She immediately hung up , he crushed his eyes tightly and rubbed his fingers on his forehead in tension . He was  just about to click the green again but something stopped him . He sighed and threw the phone away .

Next morning

P - ye lo ,

Pinky was feeding him the breakfast while he was staring at the laptop seriously. And suddenly , his eyes grew wide on noticing something for he took the system on his lap to see it in close .

S - mom !!!

Pinky was thrilled when he started pulling her cheeks in excitement .

P - what is it beta ?

S - I...go..tit

P - shivaay swallow the food first.

S - my  firsh goverlmel proledt

She was still not able to understand anything as he kept uttering these words with a mouthful of food .  And soon he experienced a choke for he started coughing out loud .

P - aaram se shivaay , you never change !   Lo , paani piyo.

She patted his back  and made him drink some water .

S - enough enough , hear me , I told you about the government project right ?

P - haan , you even said it might fall in Oberoi empire's hand .

S - no no ,  I got it ! I just received the confirmation mail !!

He hugged her and jumped around the room.

P - wow ! I know , after all heera hai mera beta . Congratulations shivaay !

S - mom I can't tell you how happy I am !!

He picked the frame kept on the table and kissed annika's picture before once again hugging pinky.

S - I really thought badepapa almost cracked this deal , because it's a government project.  But I don't know how ....!

P - for that you have to thank your wife first .

As soon as he heard this, he became confused .

S - matlab ?

P - your badimaa called me this morning. You know what happened last night ? Annika ne ...

Pinky narrated everything to shivaay whose reaction changed gradually.

P - then she told me that jethji really felt bad for doing that to you . He genuinely confessed his guilt it seems  , for treating you different from Om and taunting you always. Maybe he realized that you never once  wanted to dominate him .

By the time she could finish shivaay felt really emotional. It was always only him for her . Even now , she stood alone for his sake and what he did in return made him sad with guilt .

He ran to the room and picked his mobile  to ring for a video call .

' kaun tu

Annika swiped the green before even the song went on .

A - shivaay shivaay please help me haan , I cannot find my blue jean . Search with me , ok ?

Shivaay was not surprised at all , her easy go behaviour is something he got used to . But he did somewhere think that she might act angry,  but his wife is always something about out of syllabus.

S - annika , I

A - shivaay I'm getting late . Please haan , search here,  or see here .

She kept moving the phone in her hand to show him the things inside the cupboard.

S - annika I can only see you, your chain around you neck and

A - shivaay there's something wrong with your sight , I'm showing you the cupboard man .

S - then turn off the selfie cam na !

A - oops ! Sorry sorry .

The pile of clothes were dumped in there which they call as wardrobe was now visible for him . He scratched his hair and widened his eyes , how am I going to find anything from here ? !

S - but annika your already wearing something right ?

A- shivaay it's just the top , what about the bottom ?

Replying to him , she kept throwing things from here to there to check for her pant .

S - but usually you don't wear a pant for such long tops right ?

A - shivaay those are different. But this is slit type , wo bi waist tak . You want me to roam around without pants in the hospital?

S - hell no! fine fine,  show me .

She kept moving the mobile from top to bottom and he couldn't see anything for the screen automatically grew blur  because of the shake .

A - shivaay do something !!

She whined.

S - annika this is injustice , how am I supposed to ... don't you have any other option ?

A - yeah , my white leggings.  Even that is missing . It's already 9 . 30 , mummy !!

S - I found it .

A - where where where ? Here ? Second row ? Last ?

She kept moving the mobile in her hand from top to bottom . On the other hand shivaay rolled his eyes on being pissed off .

S - annika , here !

A  - where shivaay ? Here here matlab kahan ,kuch tho bola ?

S - in goa !

A - kya ?

S - you left it behind .

He focused the camera inside the cupboard to show that leggings .

A - superb ! Ok tell me , what other colour matches this top ? Soon soon ,

S - uhhh...well

A - soon shivaay ! Business man ho na tum , come on fast .

She insisted and turned the selfie camera on .

S- how does me being a business man has to do anything with this ?

A- shivaay store all your justice wala questions for later please .

S - fine , try pink .

A - hain? Shivaay I'm not going to do march past in school for the annual meet . Pink with pink , uniform hai kya hai ?

Shivaay shook his head when she complained like that.

S  - seriously annika , iss hurry mein bi tumhe matching soch raha hai ? It's pale pink on top  right , use dark shade for the bottom . It'll be nice .

A - acha ...I'll try . Where's the pink one now ....

She kept searching for it.

S - on top , the first shelf .

Annika jumped and blew a flying kiss for him .

A - thank you so much !

She kept the mobile aside and put on her pant .

S - ready ?

A - hmmm almost...

Grabbing the bag kept on the table , she ran outside and got into the car .

A - baiya fast haan , please no snail game today .

K - ok mam.

S - no way Khanna,  just keep it 40 .

Khanna was thrilled on hearing shivaay's voice out of nowhere.

K - mam,  sir ki awaaz

A - don't worry baiya , koi booth nahi aagaya.  It's shivaay .

She showed him the mobile and he saluted him immediately .

K - good morning sir !

S - hold the wheels Khanna, you can wish me afterwards.

K - sorry sir .

A - shivaay don't scare him .

She kept taking fast breaths.

S - what about your breakfast?

A - hospital jaake.

He noticed that her breath  didn't seem normal yet .

S - atleast drink some water .

A - sss ...paani lena bool gayi .

She bit her tongue and he glared. 

S - annika....! Get it from khanna .

Khanna immediately took the bottle from the dashboard and passed it behind . She emptied half the bottle within seconds .

A- uff !! I really wish you were here to help.

S - hmm, kindergarten bachi ho na tum . You want 10 people around to help you .

He spoke sarcastically for she twisted her mouth and focused her sight on the front mirror.  She adjusted it to look at her image but Khanna immediately corrected it .

A - baiya ...!

Came ber whining voice.

K - sorry mam , peeche gaadi ko dekna haina  .

S - annika don't trouble him .

A - shivaay do  I look fine ? I didn't apply anything today . Deko  , lips dry hai ? Hairstyle ?

She wetted her lips again and again for he couldn't distract himslef from that sight .

S- annika stop tempting me now , you look pretty! Suba suba kya drama karthi ho tum,  I totally forgot for what I called you .

A - am I some receptionist or some employee in call centre   that you have to call me with a reason or a complaint! Biwi hoon teri .

Shivaay grinned widely.  After a whole while , he felt like he was home . Hearing to her crazy , specially continuous talks is like , yeah an addiction for him .

S - annika ...thanks and sorry .

A - for ?

S - thanks for what you did last night ,and sorry for

A - it's ok shivaay , hota haina . You must have been worried about work already aur mein bi phone nahi uttaya.  It happens...forget it .

Shivaay couldn't hold onto this anymore.

S - I swear annika if I was there with you now ,I  I would

He admitted seriously and she had this shy smile on her face .

A - you would...?

S - I would pull you and

A- and ....?

S - I'll hold your

A - hey ek minute !!

She immediately grabbed the headset from her bag and connected it to the mobile before passing a suspicious glare at Khanna who was driving with an innocent reaction . Shivaay smiled covering his face .

S - oh my God annika ! Why are you so adorably cute like this ?

A - tho ...adorable hoon , cute hoon , talkative hoon par shy bi hoon na shivaay ?

S - annika I want to kiss you right now , please !

A- please matlab ? What can I do ? Clone  myslef and send a copy to Goa?

S - annika you make me go crazy , I'll hang up . This is no good , I have to concentrate on work . Very sorry for last night and love you haan love you so much !

A- arey atleast complete it na , I'll hold your ...?

He had already hung up , and she hit herself for becoming so cheap all of a sudden .

Well , it's ok to become cheap with her Prince , she blushed .

Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you 💘

Precap

Annika is scared .

How was it ?

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