Thank you for voting 😊

It's a long chapter , read when you have time .

When annika walked past the door to wait for him in car ,she heard gauri's voice from behind.

G- bhabi one second .

A- ji .

G - if possible be early in the evening ,kya haina , jhanvi aunty had told me to go to the temple today . Koi pooja hai aaj , will you go with me too ?

A- very well , I'll come .

She agreed, smiling .But suddenly  she noticed gauri closing her eyes seeming to be drowsy and weak . Annika quickly held her shoulders, firmly .

A- you're ok gauri?

G- yes bhabi , I don't know.

The next second she fainted , for annika to immediately support her till the couch .

A- gauri ! Gauri , Om , aunty !

She started patting her cheecks worriedly and everyone came there by now hearing her shout .

Om- gauri , kya huwa ? Gauri ,

Om sat on the other side and wriggled her shoulders for gauri opened her eyes slowly , if not her pupil which was slightly visible they wouldn't have known that she is awake as her eye lids were certainly close to each other , trying to shut her sight desperately.

As the elders surrounded her around the sofa , annika was alarmed to check her pulse first .

S- annika what's it ? Kya huwa gauri ko ?

A- muje kaise pata ?

She replied as she caught hold of gauri's wrist when shivaay immediately questioned .

S- arey , tum tho doctor ho na ?

A- shivaay stop embarrassing me plss . Om , take her to your room first.

Om nodded at once and carried gauri to their room , when annika went near shivaay who was checking his mobile to call a doctor.

A- prefer calling a lady doctor , if you know anyone ,or shall I ?

S- annika there's no time for a feminist act now , we have to check on gauri first .

Annika shook her head and sighed listening to this .

A- shivaay try to understand. Fine , I'll call then .

Not bothering upon each other both dialled up simultaneously but soon annika snatched his phone and threw it on the couch making him glare dubiously.

S - anni,

A- shh! Hello , Dr. Ruhi ? ji .....

While the whole family waited outside, the doctor checked Gauri . Annika  noticed Om leaning on the pillar ,lost in his own worries . She thought to speak with him.

A- Om , don't worry . She'll be fine .

With an assuring  smile on her face she stated these words and  Om  just nodded back .

Within no seconds the doctor was surrounded by the Oberoi clan when she came out  , each shooting  the same question and all failed to notice that happy smile on her face except annika.

Om - Dr ? How is she ? What happened to her ? Suddenly aise ,

Dr - Mr. Oberoi , calm down. Your wife is absolutely fine , you don't have to take tension instead it's certainly the celebration time for you.

R- celebration? Aap original Dr tho haina ? Arey , bhabi faint hogayi aur aap bolrahe hain , celebrate karo . Annika bhabi , call some other Dr .

The Dr glared at Rudra when annika spoke , grabbing everyone's attention.

A- first listen to her fully.

She said this and concentrated her sight towards the Dr who spoke immediately.

Dr - Congratulations Mr. Oberoi . Your wife is pregnant.

Om's face fell frozen with the same surprised reaction which occupied his face that second, he barely spoke anything for the next few seconds. Shivaay was so happy that even he couldn't gather any words rather just stood right there , grinning . Rudra behaved the only movable being , who at once jumped to hug the Dr .

R- I'm really sorry Dr, I didn't mean those words . Actually I knew you were the best when I saw you itself. You have given us a great news!!

The Dr instantly pushed him off with a awkward reaction residing on her face , but still she couldn't hide that smile after noticing him trying hard to cover up everything by pretending.

Shivaay watched his brother seeming a statue and crushed him in a hug .

S- badhai ho mera papa bhai !!

R- ha haan ! Pappaa bhai !

Rudra sprinted to join them , while the elders were busy exclaiming their utmost joy .

Annika stood  a silent spectator, observing the pure joy and love on everyone's eyes . She was certainly moved watching Tej and Jhanvi's teared eyes . Indeed , what else they could ask from life ? As Tej spread his arms around her shoulder Jhanvi smiled through her happy tears before hugging him.

Well, how to miss Shakthi and Pinky who were so into squeezing Om in their tight hugs . They no more looked just a parent like relation rather his certain parents, they behaved . Because the emotions which were clearly expressed in their serene smiles and tender kisses on Om did it all that Annika actually went in  Awww ,looking at them .

She had always carried the pride that there's no happy happy family like her's but maybe , it's a draw now . She chuckled, and that's when shivaay came by her side  ,clearing his throat .

Looking at him , she said nothing but smiled .

S- so you knew it already right? That's why you asked me to call for a female Dr .

A- no , I wasn't very sure . I just checked the pulse and I thought it might be .

S- I've never been practiced to obey other's orders except badepapa , but sometimes it's good to accept your orders I guess .

She widened her brows hearing him ,

A- good !

Gauri just stared at Om plainly for a second before clinging further to grab him into her arms . Soon her eyes went watery as she took the next coming seconds to actually feel the life inside her , caressing her tummy .

Om - hamara baby !

He exclaimed touching her hand which lied on her stomach while she nodded quickly with a grin that has not decided to leave her face anytime now.

Annika moved forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead before speaking.

A- congratulations Gauri !

G- thank you bhabi , for everything . If not you, I wouldn't have known of the most precious gift of my life .

Gauri's grateful eyes turned into admiration when she saw Om who was now hugging his father . Annika understood what she meant .

A- no gauri , I didn't do anything. True love is the main source of previous gifts , what I did was just a push . Never loose faith in your love which still has kept a lot of  gifts hidden for you . Hmm ?

She asked this cupping her face and gauri didn't take any second further to respond  with a fast nod .

Om saw his mom and choti maa involved in pampering gauri already , when he walked near annika.

A- so the new papa is here ! Finally, your dream has come true , remember?

With a full excited grin on her face ,she asked .

Om- yeah!

A- I'm so happy for you Om .

Saying which she extended for a hug and he immediately reciprocated. Shivaay who was busy fighting with Rudy on the topic of him being the the big old badepapa for the baby  , noticed them .

He was certainly taken aback by how annika moved with his family. Her sparkling eyes which depicted the atmost joy caught his attention . She truly seemed so glad for Om and Gauri. Maybe , she resembled he himself on this . A selfless bond with everyone in family is what they both carried in common. That fact actually made him feel good .

She being , the him.

There was an abnormal silence when they both were on their way for work , neither she spoke nor him . Well , it's totally normal if he doesn't speak but she ? He spared some seconds from the road and viewed aside to check on her . She looked totally lost somewhere , on something which bothered her much . All those defeated reactions on her face spoke everything. When he was about the enquire on it , she broke the silence first .

A-why ?!

Her sudden loud tone made him stop the car in a jerk.

S- what why ?

A- atleast if you were the middle one I would have convinced myslef  that there would be someone to call me as chachi . See , chachi sounds like something small . Something little, but this badimaa . Woah ! Badiiii, maaaa . I feel like I'm one big aunty already . Who asked you to be born first ?

He passed a confused look hearing all this and opened his mouth to say something but no , his wife has got an essay to recite on this topic now .

A- how did I forget ? You're the Great Shivaay Singh Oberoi haina , you would have argued with the God even, to put you as the supreme before anyone.

His face grew worth watching when  she said this .

S- Really annika ? Is there anything I  could have done on this, come on . Take a break ,

A- what really really ? Yes , really! I don't know of you , but I ain't so aged already . I... I'll ask the baby to call me as Animaa , how's that?

He was totally pissed off by now when she watched him with a beaming smile , seeming so proud of finding a solution .

S- excuse me ? What do you mean by I don't know of you ? Uncle hoon kya mein? Even I'm young still ,

A- whatever , par phir bhi I'm still younger than you . You know? I had never wanted to get married so soon , infact I hadn't ever thought of marriage until yo ,

Sensing the sudden silence he turned facing her who gulped down hard , burying her words in her throat.

Why is it that her tongue never gets into control? , she thought.

S- until?

He seemed curious as he watched her and the road alternatively .

A- uhh, until I got married. Well that's not the matter now . Where were we ? Haan ,age. What do you think is my age ? Let me see if the great shivaay  is really great or not ! Come on, guess it .

The way she ran her fingers along her straight hair from the pitch till the tip ends, baffled him. Has she kept her age written there or something? Ohh , she's seeking some confidence from her sleeky hair noticing which I'd low the numbers. Ok the wonder girl has started her games. He controlled his smile. She ,on the other side reacted the same way . As like , adjusting her dress and all was...! Is she posing for a pic ? He chuckled ,

S- exactly 25 .

The moment he stated this, her widely grinning lips turned to a round giant wheel . He was certainly right .

A- The Astrologer Singh Oberoi ! Wow ! You have  got many businesses in your hands shivaay ,

S- it's going overboard now , let me open the secret . I was right because charu had told me about it before.

A- charu ?

S- yeah , infact every year I'd accompany her to the shops to buy gifts for your birthday . I used to think, why is she buying some weird things as presents ? But now , if I myslef had to find anything for you , maybe I'll be searching for a uniquely different thing too .

Annika noticed the way his lips stretched a bit to smile when he said this. Automatically , a click of dazzle reached her eyes . Will he buy gifts for me ?

A- charu speaks about me too ? Surprising,

Shrugging lightly, she expressed and he nodded before replying .

S- she has shared everything with me , from your ice - cream fights till all your psycology practises with her. She also mentioned that one day you had kept her bike keys hidden in the need of the hour just to know her reactions, I mean you were seeking to read her face then ,but in return what you got was one tight slap . Am I right ?

Involuntarily a gushing smile flew all the way to wander on his face as he spoke of her crazy acts .

A- ohh that! it was to know how far a person can go aggressive for much small things. Vaise bhi, I'm sure she would have added more worst things of me in the list too,

She stopped her words on witnessing him shaking his head , disagreeing instantly.

S- I may not know all your flashbacks , but what I could say is , she admires you in many things . That I'm sure of ,

Annika wasn't much surprised . Her sister may act rough and tough from outside, but deep down charu loves her the same way as she does . She isn't very expressive , but annika would easily catch out all her heart through some small gestures even . That's her sister charu , a best sister . Her trail of thoughts broke when he spoke,

S - but what I don't understand is , why she had blamed you falsely for that bangle thing ? On the engangent day I think,

Annika exactly knew what he was talking about . False blame ? So he didn't believe charu . She felt happy but decided not to react .

A- that , you know ? Charu is a fast hen in haste . She does everything to sit and feel for it later , like she's doing with Adi now .

Listening to her statement , he opposed immediately.

S- don't ! annika .  You can't justify your friend's deed.

Annika lengthened her lips on either sides to smile quietly until when he would turn to notice it , he frowned a little.

A- love doesn't require any justification shivaay . Love gives strength, You know ? When Adi used to fail in the tuition exams, he'd hide all his answer sheets in my bag so that aunty doesn't find out . Such a frightened bear he is , but if the same person had done this taking all risks on himself ,then I'm actually forced to believe him. I don't trust Adi...rather his love .

Taking time between each words she made it very clear for shivaay to certainly go tongue tied. Everytime she spoke the word love , the next second his vision would want to reach her from the road , but he stayed in control.

There was a long silence where both looked nowhere but straight . But soon he decided to speak  in urge of wanting to ask  something desperately.

S- annika ,... once you said that you'd have stopped my wedding with charu and married me if you had known that I liked you too . Will you have done that ? certainly ?

His keen eyes dropped back in disappointment when he watched her shaking her head in disagreement .  Still looking by the window side  , she replied.

A- I already knew that you liked me back then  ,and even now . Anybody can like anyone  shivaay , that was not what I needed . An exclusive emotion which you can share with me alone , that's what I demanded.

As she spoke the last sentence looking at him , he already grew conscious. Each and every word from her made him feel different that he had no kind of face to react to it . The moment she looked into his eyes saying the word ' demanded ' , he fell numb . These weren't just some mere words rather her emotions , he was preparing himslef to understand a more of her . That source of determination in her eyes spoke much .

By now the time decided to play an obstacle to their exchange of feelings, when they reached her hospital finally .

Muttering a ' bye ' she got down when he called her again for her to bend low to peep through the window and he didn't take time to pull down the glass  immediately.

S- you didn't answer me yet , will you have done that? If you had known that I ...I loved you too ?

Raising his eyebrows he asked anticipating an answer soon.

A- I already answered it shivaay . Love ,gives you strength.

Is what she uttered before walking away . And he just watched her moving figure silently as his mind was all occupied by the scene where her eyes smiled when she said that. He stared by the side she went until she left his sight . Certainly, he liked it . Liked to get the view of her until she fades off , maybe the thought that she was with him a few seconds back helped him good .

He himself didn't know why he asked it , he acted hearing to his heart and the result was , that question . She was so into changing everything around him but still, he remained blind .

Evening ,

Pinky went to the living room when the maid informed that someone has come to visit her.

She was surprised to find Lakshmi there , who once was their neighbour.

P- Lakshmiji aap! Aayiye aayiye, kaisi hai aap ?how's your daughter and son ?

L - haan ghar mei sab teek hai , vo muje iss jagah kuch kaam tha , tho socha tha ki aapse milke jaaon. Kitna din hogaya na ?!  ( yeah , everyone are fine . I had  some work this way , so I thought to visit you before leaving. It's been a long time since we met right ?)

P- haa haan , acha huwa aap aaj aaya . Aapko pata hai, I've a good news . Pehle mein aapko mittai laathi hoon, ( yes !  Glad that you're here today , you know? I've a good news . Let me bring some sweets for you first )

L- good news ?

P- hamari bahu pregnant hai ! ( our daughter in law is pregnant)

L- acha ! Ye tho bahut kushi ki baath hai , badhai ho pinkyji! ( Well, this is really a happy news,  congratulations pinkyji)

P - thank you ! aap yahan rukiye mein abhi aathi hoon .

Saying this she went towards the kitchen.

Annika saw Rudra playing with a basket ball outside when she returned from work . Her eyes which were drowsy all this time  immediately beamed up, watching the ball . Well , she has a quite good fascination for this game.

A- Rudy , you have the hoop ? We shall play a game !

She smiled in excitement .

R- I don't know bhabi, I'll check in my room . Hoga kayin,

He threw the ball for her to catch and left to his room . Annika kept her hand bag on the couch and failed to notice the person sitting there as now all she did was continuous taps of the ball , concentrating on it keenly . Lakshmi who noticed this went curious to know of this new girl here . When a maid passed by her , she quickly signalled her to come near .

' ji? '

L- ye ladki kaun hai ? (Who is this girl ?)

' ji ye annika madam hai , pinky maa ki bahu ' ( annika madam is the daughter -in -law of pinky maa )

Saying this the maid walked away , not knowing what she had just done. As expected , Lakshmi misunderstood that annika is pregnant as pinky didn't mention the name rather she had just said that their daughter- in -law is pregnant. Perfect !

As annika hopped fast to pace along the ball which moved in all directions when she tapped , the lady's face went tensed witnessing it . Immediately she got up and walked near annika who was now spinning the ball with her single finger and tried  to hold the same for a minute  .

L- kya kar rahi ho tum ?

The ball flipped away her finger when annika jerked listening to someone shouting from behind.

A lady in her mid 50s is whom she found when she turned back . Ye kaun hai ? She looked puzzled,

A- what happened aunty?

Shivaay who was ahead to cross them , watched this scene and chose to inspect what was actually going on there. Leaning on the pillar aside , he behaved a spy .

L- aisa samai par ye sab nahi karni hai , don't you know? ( you shouldn't be doing this during this time )

Wandering her look on annika from top to bottom , she stated for annika to watch her in confusion. Is there any superstitious belief that we shouldn't play with ball in evening ? Come on, everyone plays at evening . She convinced herself , but decided to stand idle to avoid the shouts from this new aunty . Ahh! her loud voice . Like she has got some mini mic inside her throat. All her crazy thoughts were halted when the lady spoke again.

L- vaise tumne bahut acha ki hai , because aajkal ki ladkiyon na ? Bolthi hai , thoda time chahiye ye sab ke liye. Aur haan ,sirf ek se rukna mat . ( by the way , you did good. Because, girls nowadays you see ? They'd say , we want time for all this . And yes , don't just stop with one alone )

Annika looked at her as if she's from the next planet, what is she even speaking of ? That's when she noticed her to be pointed something below, ok it's the ball which she has kept held near her stomach.

Is she appreciating me for the spinning stunt which I did now ?!! Yes , I kept it held for a minute. Ok now she wants me to improve the timings . Wow! She has become my fan so soon ? Wah annika !

A-aunty , ek kya ? Mein tho dhas thak karungi dhas thak ! ( aunty not only one , I can make it till ten  aunty ten !)

Laksmi's eyes went wide , while annika smirked raising her invisible collars .

Shivaay on the other side was already laughing like hell watching this. He clearly understood the reason behind the commosion between their minds . On the whole ,he knew his wife was so into murdering her own image now .

L- dhas ? Hamare generation par dhas teek , ( ten ? In our generation ten was ok)

Before she could even complete, annika interrupted .

A- arey I know aunty , you wouldn't have been exposed much in this field during those days . Par ab, pata hai ? Our master thought us everything at school , it just requires an interest and concentration .

Saying this annika spinned the ball once again when it fell off her control soon, for her to run behind it .

' hey bhagwaan !master ? , ye ladki kya bol rahi hai' the lady thought and caught hold of her head .

The man behind the pillar was still engrossed in laughing , holding his stomach . Oh ,this girl is just too much . Does she really know nothing or is she playing ? But now , it's more important to save her now . He zipped up his mouth which was actually tough and took him a few seconds to hold it without smiling.  Exhaling deep , he walked upto the lady .

S- namaste aunty .

L- shivaay ! Namaste beta .

S- aap kadi kyun hai ? Baitiye na ,

L- pehle ye bathao ki tumhari pregnant biwi itni ajeeb kyun hai ? ( first tell me , why is your pregnant wife so weird?)

With her sight fixed on annika still, she asked . And he controlled his rushing smile before speaking.

S- no aunty, I think you had misunderstood . Annika isn't pregnant , Omkara ki wife gauri haina? She is pregnant.

Lakshmi's mouth opened as a circle when she heard him .

L - ohh, matlab ye nahi hai ?

S- nahi hai ,

She bit her tongue and smacked her forehead slightly .

L- mein bhi kya bol diya usse ,

By the time pinky came back and took lakshmi with her to meet Jhanvi.

And that's when annika walked upto him , after collecting the ball .

A- shivaay ? Who's that aunty ? Thodi weird thi ,

He raised his brows immediately,

S- ajeeb hai , you finding someone weird itself is more weird now .

She crooked her eyes ,

A- haha , very funny ! I think she must have been passionate for sports and maybe she didn't get a chance to play back then . She wanted to encourage me actually .

Annika was already baffled on watching him laughing suddenly.

S- encourage ? annika plss , enough . Aur nahi,

A- what ?

She behaved a grumpy kid on not knowing the reason for his laughter.

A- what is it shivaay ?

S- teek hai , fine .

He cleared his throat to control his grin and reply her but the next second he bursted to laugh again .

A- shivaay ?!

S- ok sorry sorry , that aunty wasn't speaking of sports or something.

A- then ?

She watched him keenly while he took a gulp before answering .

S- she , she thought that you are ....

He dragged the word and looked at her stomach with a weirdly cute face while she crooked her eyes .

A- mein kya ?

S- that you are ...

She looked puzzled when he pointed his finger towards her stomach.

A - isn't there a word to explain it ? I don't understand anything.

' mad woman ' he mumbled rolling his eyes .

A- bol na ?!

S- thatyou'repregnant .

Leaving no gap between the words ,he  uttered them quickly and it took some more seconds for her to realize what he actually said.

Soon realization dawned ,screaming what exactly the lady mentioned about that ' ek ' and all .

Oh god ! What did I even say to her ? Dhas ???, she cringed.

A-  that's so embarrassing ,

She made a cry baby face while he laughed watching the cute her .

But soon , her shrinked face blew wide with a smile on witnessing him grinning like that .

Is there anything more addictive than his smile?

Love is a commitment to protecting another person's heart with the same passion you use to guard your own 💘

Precap

Charu is shocked .

Annika is upset .

Chapter dedicated to narbhi_fan  ❤

How was it guys?

Honest reviews plss.

If possible try reading my book , We collide to Combine. I've even published a 2S recently. 

Plss vote and comment if you like my story 😊