Anika woke up from her sleep in the evening and looked around confused. She noticed that she was covered with a blanket and no one was there in the room.

A- How did I slept? And where is Shivaay? He told me that he'll come here after attending the guests.

Her eyes fell on her hands and she was stunned to see the darkest shade of mehendi on her fair hands.

A- OMG! This is so dark color. How can it be possible because according to Gauri the groom should love his bride to the moon and the back to get the darkest shade but Shivaay? Let it be. I think it's just the effect of the chemicals in the mehendi.

Anika shrugged her shoulders and went to freshen up. She chose a red and cream coloured Anarkali suit to wear as she's to-be bride.

She made herself presentable and went downstairs, to the living room. As she descended the stairs, she saw dadi, Sahil and OmRuRi sitting in the living room and discussing about tomorrow's haldi function. She looked here and there for Shivaay but she didn't find him.

While her eyes were searching for Shivaay, Gauri spotted her standing at the stairs.

G- Bhabhi.

Anika immediately looked at Gauri and smiled.

She went and sat beside dadi on the sofa. Dadi kissed her forehead and smiled at her.

A- Sorry dadi, I don't know how did I slept for so long.

D- No worries, puttarji. I understand that you were tired because of back-to-back functions.

G- Yes bhabhi and you know what bade bhaiya especially ordered each one of us, not to disturb you.

Anika's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Her eyes automatically started searching for him but she didn't find him.

R- Bhabhi, are you searching for bhaiya?

Anika slightly nodded her head in positive and then immediately shook her head in negative. Everyone chuckled at her cuteness.

O- It's okay to miss him, bhabhi. But your saiyyanji(lover) has gone to office as some important meeting came up. He went two hours ago so I think he might be here anytime now.

Anika nodded her head in understanding.

Suddenly Gauri shrieked. Everyone looked at her.

O- What happened, Gauri?

G- Look at bhabhi's mehendi. It's the darkest shade. Oh My God! Bhabhi, bade Bhaiya loves you so much.

Anika was about to speak about the chemicals but she ignored it as she thought that dadi might feel bad. She just smiled looking at them.

Gauri immediately sat beside Anika and started looking at her mehendi.

G- Bhabhi, you know the most interesting fact about your mehendi is that it's made from pure henna leaves. You know dadi especially asked the workers to grind the leaves in front of her and make the mehendi paste so there wasn't role of any chemicals. Today bhaiya's love is proved for you. He loves you so much.

Anika and Shivaay, who just entered the mansion after his meeting, were beyond shocked.

A/S(thinks) - How can this be possible?

G- See, even my mehendi isn't so dark.

Gauri said showing her hands while glaring at Om who just gulped.

D- Okay puttar, we all are going to our rooms and you have your dinner, and we already had ours.

R- Yes bhabhi and Sahil went to Garden as he wanted to read his books in fresh air.

Anika nodded her head. Anika was about to head to the dining area when she felt Shivaay's presence around her and she looked at the main door. At that moment, she realized that she was falling for him. He was a perfect prince charming, whom every girl wants but he is only hers. Anika admired his care and love for his family and towards her,.

(A/n- Play the song in the media box)

Meri raahein tere tak hain
Tujhpe hi toh mera haq hai

Anika looked at Shivaay and she was lost in him.

Ishq mera tu beshaq hai
Tujhpe hi toh mera haq hai

Shivaay looked at her and he was also spellbound after looking at her, dressed up in red color, which was enhancing her beauty.

Saath chodugi na tere piche aaungi

Shivaay came and sat beside her. He looked at Anika who was already looking at him.

Chheen lungi ya Khuda se maang laaungi

A- I'll go and bring water for you.

She was about to get up from her place when Shivaay held her hand and stopped her.

Tere naal taqdeeran likhwaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi
hmmm
Main teri ban jaaungi

She looked at Shivaay with confusion. He signed a servant and he brought a glass of water for him and dinner for both of them. Anika looked at him surprised.

Sonh teri main kasam yehi khaungi
Kitte waadeya nu umra nibhaungi

He took one plate himself and forwarded the other plate to her. He then signed her to eat. Anika smiled and started having her food along with Shivaay.

Tujhe har waari apna banaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi

After finishing their dinner, Anika went to the garden and Shivaay followed her. They saw that Sahil slept on the sofa itself. She bend towards him to pick him up but Shivaay was quick and he picked up Sahil gently in his arms without disturbing his sleep.

Lakhaan ton juda main hui teri khaatir
Tu hi manzil dil tera musaafir
Haaaaaa

He then looked at Anika and blinked in assurance that he'll take him to his room. Anika smiled at him. Shivaay went inside and put Sahil to sleep.

Lakhaan ton juda main hoyi teri khaatir
Tu hi manzil dil tera musaafir
Rab nu bhula betha tere karke
Main ho gayi kaafir

Anika smiled and sat on the sofa to have some fresh air. She closed her eyes in satisfaction. She remembered the memories of today's function, how Shivaay made her drink water and when he picked her up in his arms and took her to her room, and the way she shared her past with him, how he fed her food and consoled her. A small smile adorned her lips.

Tere liye main jahaan se takraungi
Sab kuch khoke tujhko hi paaungi
Dil banke main dil dhadkaungi

While sitting in the garden, she felt cold and started rubbing her arms. Suddenly she felt someone putting a shawl on her from behind. She looked through her shoulder and saw Shivaay was the one who wrapped her in a shawl. She smiled at him thankfully.

Main teri ban jaaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi

Shivaay came and sat beside her. They were looking at the stars, together.

Sonh teri main kasam yehi khaungi
Kitte waadeya nu umra nibhaungi
Tujhe har waari apna banaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi
Main teri ban jaaungi

In unconscious state of mind, Anika rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She was satisfied in that moment with what she had.

Here Shivaay was confused about his feelings. He knew that he doesn't want to hurt Anika, especially after listening to her past. In these few days, he realised that Anika wasn't a money-minded girl, she was a keeper who loves and takes care of his family, just like him. He wanted her in his life. For now, the contract was a forgotten business.

While thinking, he realised that Anika has drifted into sleep. He gently picked her up in his arms and took her to her room.

He gently made her lye down on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

He switched on the lamp and switched of the main lights and went to his room.

How was it? ☺☺