Shivaay rushed to Annika, taking her on to his lap he wound his arms around her and she snuggled into his chest more. Her tears working like molten lava on his heart. He knew something was off but to see Annika like this was causing more heartbreak to him. It reminded him of the time she was all alone and had gone through so much, but now he was here then why was his girl so much in pain.

He cupped her face bringing her eyes in level to his and wiped the tears which were streaming down her face. She looked at him scared and vulnerable as if something was going away from her. She crashed her head again on his chest and continued to sob. Shivaay knew there was no point in asking Annika at this time, he would have to wait, give her time to calm down till then he would hold on, hold on to her and give her the strength.

Seconds passed into minutes, minutes into an hour and finally Annika's wailing reduced to soft sobs. He had kept caressing her hair the whole time , peppering small kisses on her hair. The front of his shirt soaked in her tears and running nose. Finally after what felt like ages Annika moved her head from his chest to look at the eyes she adored, which now held worry, worry for her.

She leaned forward caressing his face and placed a kiss on his forehead. 'Thank you Shivaay.' He smiled cupping her face making her look into his eyes, 'Baby what's wrong, why are you crying?'

'You will laugh at me, I don't want to tell you, my emotions have always got the better of me and I end up being the laughing stock always', she said like a small child trying to explain her deepest fears. 'No you won't and I will not laugh I promise', and he pinched his neck showing her the promise sign.

She sighed heavily before continuing, 'you know my friend Neha right', and he only shook his head. A month before she was going to get married to her long time boyfriend, his brother and some of his friends came to meet her and also stayed with her at her parents place. At first everything was ok and they used to call her Bhabi and all and respect her. Suddenly the things started to change, his brother started getting too close to her, first Neha thought it was only by chance but then the advances were getting bolder, rubbing of cheek, brushing of hands and she couldn't handle it. She decided to confront him. He laughed it off and she thought it was just a misconception until one day when she was alone at home with them and they started teasing her and name calling and also, she hiccuped before continuing.. they tried to get physical with her. She somehow ran from there and next day called her fiancé explaining everything to him. That stupid idiot boy didn't believe her and broke all ties with her. They kept calling her bhabhi the whole time and defamed her. This incident is stuck in my head.'

Tears were again flowing from her eyes continuously, before Shivaay could utter a word further, they heard another voice, 'Bhabhi' and both looked up startled seeing Om and Rudra standing at the door. 'Bhabhi, do you think we can do like that with you?' Om and Rudra asked her sitting a little far from her with bent heads and tears in their eyes.

'No No No' , she pulled them hugging them, kneeling in front of them. 'Am sorry I didn't mean it that way, but the memories were too strong and got triggered. You both are like Saahil to me and I know what Shivaay means to the two of you and what I mean to the two of you, and you can never do something like that. But the thought of something going wrong always bothers me because from childhood whenever something good has happened, before I can digest the happiness the bad has come knocking, that's why I am scared when I have got such a big happiness' , she turned to look at Shivaay.

'Bhabhi, never anything bad will happen and if this Tadibaaz troubles you in any form we will bring him back to you, we promise'. Om and Rudra spoke with determination.

"Oye bhabhi ke chamcho, you are my brothers or her', Shivaay spoke with a pout and both screamed 'Bhabhis' and all laughed out loud.

Annika hugged Shivaay digging her head in his chest finding the peace, her insecurities reducing a bit, and she knew Shivaay will always be with her she looked down at the way his hand was on her waist protecting her and the way Om and Rudra surrounded her cocooning her from all dangers.

After a few more minutes of chit chatting and kissing Annika's forehead as her brothers Om and Rudra left the room. Annika was still in Shivaay's arms sniffling softly. Shivaay held her chin making her look at him, staring into his blue eyes which she felt glimmered like the stars in the night sky, she kissed his forehead.  He cupped her cheek with both his hands wiping the stains of the tears with his thumb pad ever so slowly. Annika just stared at him and when his eyes moved to her lips she knew instantly, what he was doing. On reflex, she moved closer as he did and slowly and softly she placed her lips on his. His lips felt soft whereas hers were dry due to all the crying. She could feel him moistening her lips with his tongue, he outlined her lips with his tongue couple of times before nibbling at it slowly. She could feel the tenderness in the kiss , he gently puts his one hand at the back of her head pulling her closer. A warmth engulfed her whole body filling her from head to toe invigorating passion as well as hope which is so powerful as they continued to kiss each other tenderly.

Releasing her lips after a few seconds Shivaay looked at Annika touching his forehead and they both smiled. Annika laid her head on his chest pulling her knees up making her self completely sitting on his lap listening to the best lullaby in the world, his heartbeat whereas he just kept caressing her hair, looking at her face, whispering 'my baby' making her smile more.

Ok I know am late and am super super sorry!!🥺🥺🥺

Also am going to start another story on my recent favourite couple Sidisha.
Its going to be the Sanjivani story having the same set up but the story is from my POV.

Let me know your thoughts if I should continue and all your thoughts and ideas regarding the story and how to proceed !!