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Neither big grand costumes nor sparkling accessories, but still they looked so pleasing .

Both complemented the other in such a way that, a glow of royality was what everyone witnessed which indeed amazed them .

Pinky couldn't ignore but just hear her own inner voice ' haaye ! Nazar na lage '. She just shook her head , composing herself before she could hear something else from her own self.

Annika looked at the crowd and read their doubtful faces already . True that she actually felt nervous with more heads letting their eyes fixed only on her . Taking a slight gulp in, she descended along with him by side .

A - everyone are already staring as though I'm some alien from the next planet .

Traversing her sight everywhere she whispered and he looked aside hiding his   smile.

S- you are an alien , from here .

Pointing his head he spoke maintaing the same tone as her's while she glared, shaking her head.

A- hahaha! So funny . Hogaya? Now tell me ,plan kya hai ?

S- I don't know.

A- what do you mean, you don't know?

Hearing his irrelevant reply she frowned. Arranged everything out of his own ideas from his super brain and finally he gives a legit answer ' I don't know ..?'

S- haven't thought of anything yet . Aur vaise bhi ,what happened to the ever so cool annika ? You seem to resemble me now,

His words of tease followed by a chuckle made her face grew tensed more. What if he admits the truth ? She can't let that happen. This whole evening was actually the preparation to comfort her and she knew it . But she just can't be selfish and leave all the burden on him completely.

At once they were surrounded by a handful of people ,some holding mic and the others stood focusing the round lens . Khanna had to move forward to control the people who seemed so desperate in interrogating shivaay . It took a few minutes in convincing them to stay calm . Annika's parents who were also present there grew worried on watching everything .

Presenting infront of the media , shivaay let a nod when one among the group forwarded with the mic ,in hesitation.

' Sir, pardon me for being curious but we really want to know this ,is she Ms.Charuka with whom you were engaged? '

Shivaay looked at annika who seemed quite nervous .

S- No , she isn't Ms.Charuka rather Mrs. Annika . My wife ,

Listening to his last few emphasizing words she stared at him for a few seconds until she heard another voice.

' but sir , what happened to Ms. Charuka ? '

There remained a prolonging silence inviting tension in every mind who knew the exact truth .

S- vo ,

Feeling a tight grip on his wrist he looked aside towards her who eyed him to halt for now.

A- I'd like to explain everything if you don't mind .

She stated and he glanced at her being baffled for which she passed a blink . Facing the people who were expecting an answer soon , she pressed her lips together before speaking .

A- uhh ,it is true that my sister charu was engaged with shivaay . But unfortunately, we came to know that charu wasn't interested in this marriage as she is in love with someone else. It was our fault actually, we should have asked her opinion beforehand. And so my parents decided not to impose their decision on her. We didn't force her after that and we even spoke about it to shivaay's family . Everyone were so genuine here and they understood the situation and agreed to our decision. But since both our families has been friends since long ,they didn't want to loose the chance of taking their bond of friendship to the next step. Aur isliye...isliye ,

The flow in her words reduced as she looked here and there in confusion until pinky fell in her sight . A huge bright bulb glowed inside her brain which broke the barrier blocking her words.

A- isliye , pinky aunty decided to fix shivaay's marriage with me . Vo muje bahut pasand karthi hai . Both the families were happy in this decision. So that's how we both got hitched.

Silence prevailed,

Taking a gulp she looked at shivaay who just stared her bluntly. When did she prepare this script? He was bewildered on not knowing how to react . Infact the whole Oberoi clan was , especially pinky who knew no reason for why her name peeped into her statement suddenly. All were looking at each other's faces ,  what's happening here ?

' if that is true then , why weren't we informed about this on the day of wedding? '

She twitched her lips slightly, hearing the question .

A - don't you think that we have some privacy for ourselves? We had no necessity to go to each office, mentioning about it .

' but ..'

A - if you still need an explanation,you can very well ask pinky aunty about this . Because , her words are like commands which we follow. And it was her decision to bring me as her daughter in law .

She expressed pretending so innocent and dependent on pinky who looked at annika with a frown ,watching the media crowd rushing to her . They started questioning her about whatever annika had stated ,and she just looked at annika in reverse ,  meine kya kiya? .

She was stuck now , there's no way for her rather to agree that annika was her choice and that she likes her . ' ladki ,kahan phasa di muje ' she thought .

P- ji, I...I like annika very much. Uski maa baap ne usko bahut achi sanskaar di hai . Isliye meine usko apne bete ke liye chuna hai , and I'm very ...ha , happy with my decision.

The whole Oberoi clan who watched pinky delivering her reply ,just couldn't control their smile. They knew her act was due to an obligation! She was the same one who behaved annoyed with annika the other day and now ...!

Tej was indeed flooded with laughter ready to surround him in any passing second after watching pinky's pitiful state .

On the other side shivika who stood on the stage aside ,were even surprised . Come on, pinky pretended as though she herself wrote the entire script!

Controlling her laughter, annika cornered her eyes to find his reaction who was also in process of hiding his smile. He just pressed his lips together and looked away .

S- what was that annika ?

He spoke audible only to the duo themselves.

A- even I don't know, I just spilled whatever came to my mind  at that instant. In that flow ! I know it was a worst script, but 100 /100 nahi tho atleast pass mark?

Shrinking her eyes she looked at him ,expecting his reply who turned facing her.

S- that's why I mentioned you as one alien. You and your ideas ,

He glared .

Noticing her pleasing eyes ,he shook his head.

S- ok ,40 marks ! But can you explain... why Mom ? Seems like you have prepared your plans of taking revenge already ?

Emphasising the word Mom and revenge , he questioned.

Letting a huge sigh , she grinned .

A- come on shivaay , I was gradually searching for a support to uplift my story and at once your mom appeared in my sight . I wanted a partner , so I chose her . Revenge givenge kuch nahi hai , she had spoken so ill of me in the past . I really wanted to hear some sweet words from her ,so I just ignited the stick . But trust me shivaay ,I never knew that your mother could act so well !

She giggled and both looked at pinky who was totally carried on her role as she was still speaking with the press.

S- poor she ,

He shook his head ,suppressing his smile.

A- I must admit this, she's a bit rude at times but she's the cutest!

He just looked at her passing a slight small grin which immediately went off.

As time progressed , each guest moved upto the stage and wished the couple.

' congratulations Mr. Oberoi ! '

S- glad to have you here  , annika , meet Mr .Gupta ...CEO of the Gupta industries .

A- hello sir ,

He just gave a nod and glanced at shivaay again . She felt different as he seemed opaque on his face . His words were off track from the reactions on his face .

' vaise Mr. Oberoi ,finally you  ended up in rejection at some point . You would have never expected this right ? Indeed being rejected by a girl is a shameful thing '

He tried his best to sound all normal and causal but the tone of criticism just didn't leave his voice. Shivaay smirked at his statement , he should have expected this after all,he had recently rejected the query of collaborating with the Gupta Industries. Annika had a small frown formed on her forehead . She didn't like the way he spoke to shivaay .

S- no , you're wrong . Rejection isn't something shameful. Everyone has their freedom to decide for themselves. But I would definitely feel shameful if my company strikes down in shares and falls low to an extent where I have to seek other's help to take a stand .

His voice filled with dominance didn't go well with Mr. Gupta.

' Today you may appear as the head , but there's never a guarantee that none could lead ahead of you tomorrow. Overconfidence can thrash you within seconds Mr . Oberoi, don't you know that?'

He gave his reply with the same vengeance attitude of his's . That's it, annika couldn't take more .

A- I'd advice you to look on yourself before finding flaws in others Mr. Gupta .
Your brother ...what's his name ? Avinash Gupta ! Alcohol dependence syndrome...am I right? Your brother is attending my counselling since past one year .Why ? Hadn't you imposed all good values to your brother before barging here to advise shivaay ? I'm sorry Mr.Gupta , I had no intention of criticising you but you left no choice for me . I'm sorry ,

Shivaay's sight just paused taking her in sight for a few minutes while Mr. Gupta just silently left the stage being irked .

She, who felt his strong stare on her turned to meet his eyes .

S- mere liye ?

She heard his whisper and just shook , disagreeing.

A- mere liye .

Came her soft words to hear which he had to concentrate on her lips curiously .

A tender air layered like an armour engulfed him which he felt to be so anew. All these days he had behaved a shield to stand before anything which should pass him to reach his family but now , he felt the secured one himself. That was the emotion which he grasped form her hazel, dove shaped orbs.  Protected ,

Each thing she does never fails to leave a special impact on him which was actually cracking the doors of his ego and he just didn't complain rather planned to feel the warmth of those new things happening to him.

Indeed , defending him is something which could gradually just occur from her side , as natural as nature. Fights with him may be regular but that hardly means ,she would keep numb when he's being insulted. Never ! She didn't do it for him rather for herself .

Seeking the reason for her kindness towards him , he just stood loosing himself in that intoxicating sight of her's.

While this duo were all engrossed in contributing to their long term eyelock , Rudy ,their unpayed photographer started clicking in verge to not miss this beautiful moment of their's.

R- inna takkar!!

He exclaimed capturing the still, and instantly they were pulled out from their world .

R- Oberoi's time ! Baiya ,one family picture .

He insisted , while shivaay nodded quietly ,still not away from being embarrassed on staring at her like that.

Soon the whole family gathered,and stood focusing the camera .
Watching pinky who deliberately stood beside her , annika couldn't just control her chuckle . Is she still hanging to the drama..?!

G- annika bhabi, I knew you are different but what you did today was just ...! Matlab ,pinky aunty  ko ...

Gauri giggled expressing her surprise while annika bit her tongue and blinked looking away to catch something within her sight soon .

He ,

How did she even miss to notice his look ...?!

The way he was casually speaking with her parents,  a constant smile playing on his lips which all was  readily enough to grab her attention . To be honest ,she was certainly preparing her vision to check him out .

The mild gold shaded suit added another strike of aura around him that he really looked so promising . Each moment she watched his lips curve a bit more along with his cheerful conversation, she could actually feel herself helplessly falling for him . Poor gauri who didn't realize that her words were just dissolving in air and not into annika's ears ,kept talking.

Feeling quite different,he looked around the hall in search of her and stopped when his eyes caught her who was already looking at him.

' you called me ?' He lip mouthed and she immediately shook .

' Did he just feel me ?' She blinked slowly in surprise .

Ad - woah! Annika ne tho poora ulta maar dhi!

Watching the TV screen ,Adi exclaimed crushing the pillow in his hands .

Ad- as far as I knew , ab tho you have to admit . I am the someone right ?!!

Charu who was seriously watching the TV , turned her head as slow as a table fan and passed a strong glare on him. He gulped down and looked away instantly .

C - you don't know about annika. If she likes and really cares for someone , then uske liye vo kuch bhi kar sakthi hai .

She stated and he gave a nod .

Ad- I know , she likes you very much. That's why she hid the actual truth .

Hearing his words , charu remained quite for sometime and then shook her head continuously with a smile emerging on her face .

C- mere liye nahi ,annika ne shivaay ke liye kiya hai .

S - charu ke liye kiya haina tu ?

She heard his question while she sat facing the mirror .

A- I didn't get you ?

S- your drama to convince the media, it was to save your sister right ? Thaaki mein sach na bol sakun...?

Asking this ,he peeled the waistcoat off his body and kept it on the bed , she didn't turn rather faced him through the mirror only .

A- I..I ,

S- what did you think of me annika ? I ain't so downfallen to play with a girl's image . I know how the world would judge a woman if they come to know that she had actually eloped from her own wedding.

Annika remained still, as his words registered in her mind. Her love meter just couldn't stand still but kept increasing on and she felt it thoroughly. He never fails to sweep her off feet everytime with his behaviour ,this very thing is what she likes about him.

His genuineness !

A- so ,you're ready to forgive her ?

She asked looking at him keenly .

S- did I promise you that ? Nahi , you see her as a girl who ditched me but I see her as my friend who betrayed me . Don't ever think that I'll just forget everything, doond raha hoon mein usse. I'll find her soon.

Saying this he fetched his clothes and left to change leaving a clueless annika back who just stared at her own image bluntly.

If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way ,But if it is yours by destiny ,From it you cannot flee💘

Precap

Annika and pinky's conversation.

A movie night with the Oberois.

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Aditya and Charuka ,

Harshad and Barun had same number of votes but I personally preferred harshad ,so yeah . Hope everyone are ok with my choice :)

Try reading my book , We collide to Combine .

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